I think with the amount of time off he has had, you send him back to the OHL, get him playing some games again, use the off-season to gain a little more strength and break camp with the team next year.

Playoffs are an extremely physical brand of hockey, I would be nervous about throwing him to the wolves so to speak.
- rmull905

Whether or not a team keeps a player the first year after he's drafted should always be looked at on a case by case basis. Given the Flames current situation I think they have to at LEAST give him a chance this year. To me the injury thing isn't a big deal. He's either healthy, or he's not. If he is not 100% he should not be playing anywhere IMO. But if he comes in for his 9 games and makes the team better, why should he not stay? Because you burn a year on his ELC? Who cares!? Adding Bennett and him playing 3rd line C with some PP time is the equivalent of making a significant deadline deal, for free. He will not be asked to play top minutes, and he will not be coming onto a team that is struggling to win.

That all being said, he still has to prove he can make a difference. I think he will at least get his 9 games, unless he looks completely out matched. But from what I saw in the pre-season, this kid can flat out play.

Whether or not a team keeps a player the first year after he's drafted should always be looked at on a case by case basis. Given the Flames current situation I think they have to at LEAST give him a chance this year. To me the injury thing isn't a big deal. He's either healthy, or he's not. If he is not 100% he should not be playing anywhere IMO. But if he comes in for his 9 games and makes the team better, why should he not stay? Because you burn a year on his ELC? Who cares!? Adding Bennett and him playing 3rd line C with some PP time is the equivalent of making a significant deadline deal, for free. He will not be asked to play top minutes, and he will not be coming onto a team that is struggling to win.

That all being said, he still has to prove he can make a difference. I think he will at least get his 9 games, unless he looks completely out matched. But from what I saw in the pre-season, this kid can flat out play.
- The-O-G

I agree with you completely. The kid's a game changer. If he can play here, he should.

Janitor, Mony, OG

All of you need to calm down a bit. By all means, debate the issue... but let's not resort to name calling. This is your warning shot.

Janitor, Mony, OG

All of you need to calm down a bit. By all means, debate the issue... but let's not resort to name calling. This is your warning shot.
- jtommyt

Can you at least PM me what he said?

Whether or not a team keeps a player the first year after he's drafted should always be looked at on a case by case basis. Given the Flames current situation I think they have to at LEAST give him a chance this year. To me the injury thing isn't a big deal. He's either healthy, or he's not. If he is not 100% he should not be playing anywhere IMO. But if he comes in for his 9 games and makes the team better, why should he not stay? Because you burn a year on his ELC? Who cares!? Adding Bennett and him playing 3rd line C with some PP time is the equivalent of making a significant deadline deal, for free. He will not be asked to play top minutes, and he will not be coming onto a team that is struggling to win.

That all being said, he still has to prove he can make a difference. I think he will at least get his 9 games, unless he looks completely out matched. But from what I saw in the pre-season, this kid can flat out play.
- The-O-G

There are varying degrees of healthy, I am sure he gets his 9 games (and more if deserved), I really don't care about the ELC though, it's about managing his long term health.

Structurally, the shoulder may be great, but it does mean he is necessarily physically ready for the NHL. He may or may not have been before the surgery. Skill wise, he certainly seemed to be in the pre-season.

As much as there is nothing wrong with letting an NHL caliber prospect play in the NHL, there is also nothing wrong with letting the kid get his game on track in junior and have him wait until 2015/16 to make his pro debut. The Wings have done it for years, often leaving NHL ready players in the A for what seems like forever.

Whether or not a team keeps a player the first year after he's drafted should always be looked at on a case by case basis. Given the Flames current situation I think they have to at LEAST give him a chance this year. To me the injury thing isn't a big deal. He's either healthy, or he's not. If he is not 100% he should not be playing anywhere IMO. But if he comes in for his 9 games and makes the team better, why should he not stay? Because you burn a year on his ELC? Who cares!? Adding Bennett and him playing 3rd line C with some PP time is the equivalent of making a significant deadline deal, for free. He will not be asked to play top minutes, and he will not be coming onto a team that is struggling to win.

That all being said, he still has to prove he can make a difference. I think he will at least get his 9 games, unless he looks completely out matched. But from what I saw in the pre-season, this kid can flat out play.
- The-O-G

If he was cleared to play by December then I would agree that he should at least get 9 games. But now that its February and we're fighting for a PO spot i don't think its the best time to bring in a rookie who hasn't played a real game in 9 months.

He does have unreal skill and potential, I just feel he wouldn't be quite up to speed enough. Plus should we really trust him if he says he's healthy after he hid the shoulder injury in the first place?

Janitor, Mony, OG

All of you need to calm down a bit. By all means, debate the issue... but let's not resort to name calling. This is your warning shot.
- jtommyt

- monymonymony

See ya dude...
didn't need to go there...

- monymonymony

You were the kid that would stick his tongue out at the teacher after she turned her back, weren't you?

The Oilers are better than the Flames and that's the God damn truth!!!

The Oilers are better than the Flames and that's the God damn truth!!!
- rangerdanger94

Is this not the very definition of trolling sir?

The Oilers are better than the Flames and that's the God damn truth!!!
- rangerdanger94

The Islanders are better than the Rangers, and that actually is the truth... so, yeah, take that piece of factual information and do with it what you will...

The Oilers are better than the Flames and that's the God damn truth!!!
- rangerdanger94

You crack me up

That was EdmhatesCal wasn't it?

Is this not the very definition of trolling sir?
- DinoRondelly

Dudes just re-living an old thread where some douche Oiler fan actually said that.....and believed it

Whether or not a team keeps a player the first year after he's drafted should always be looked at on a case by case basis. Given the Flames current situation I think they have to at LEAST give him a chance this year. To me the injury thing isn't a big deal. He's either healthy, or he's not. If he is not 100% he should not be playing anywhere IMO. But if he comes in for his 9 games and makes the team better, why should he not stay? Because you burn a year on his ELC? Who cares!? Adding Bennett and him playing 3rd line C with some PP time is the equivalent of making a significant deadline deal, for free. He will not be asked to play top minutes, and he will not be coming onto a team that is struggling to win.

That all being said, he still has to prove he can make a difference. I think he will at least get his 9 games, unless he looks completely out matched. But from what I saw in the pre-season, this kid can flat out play.
- The-O-G

I agree. The thing about playing him now at this point though is he'll lose a year on his entry contract but he won't burn a year on his RFA status with the 40 games played minimum on the first year. If he makes the team better he makes the team better. If not he gets sent back to Kingston to get ready for the next year. Preseason the kid outworked everyone with a screwed up shoulder.

Dudes just re-living an old thread where some douche Oiler fan actually said that.....and believed it
- TandA4Flames

It was highlarious

The guy then went on to try and argue why Edmonton's roster was better overall than the Flames.

I think there is a small correlation between the Flames slow starts and Hiller starting. With Ortio, this wasn't a problem save the Anaheim game. With Ramo, I don't remember quite as many early goals, though it has been a long time.

Yes, Hiller has played great, but his first periods are hit or miss. Would really like to see Ramo on Wednesday, if for no other reason than to keep Hiller fresh. Plus to increase his exposure in case an offer is made at the trade deadline. Or, is Hiller being played so much because he is being showcased?

I think there is a small correlation between the Flames slow starts and Hiller starting. With Ortio, this wasn't a problem save the Anaheim game. With Ramo, I don't remember quite as many early goals, though it has been a long time.

Yes, Hiller has played great, but his first periods are hit or miss. Would really like to see Ramo on Wednesday, if for no other reason than to keep Hiller fresh. Plus to increase his exposure in case an offer is made at the trade deadline. Or, is Hiller being played so much because he is being showcased?
- FLflames34

I don't think it's that complicated.... Hiller is playing really well. The team is winning. Hartley just likes to play the hot hand.

The Oilers are better than the Flames and that's the God damn truth!!!
- rangerdanger94

Have to admit I'm starting to warm up to Diaz. For the 7th dman on a dirt cheap contract, he's been doing a good job lately. Hope he keeps it up.

- monymonymony

You're clearly not a Flames fan. The fact you think you're funny is hilarious. (Get it) (probably not)

No one ever has a convo with you anyway.

Just move along...

Have to admit I'm starting to warm up to Diaz. For the 7th dman on a dirt cheap contract, he's been doing a good job lately. Hope he keeps it up.
- tincup

No doubt! And I hate to say, Engelland the last couple games hasn't been bad. I love that scrap he had with Gazdic.

No doubt! And I hate to say, Engelland the last couple games hasn't been bad. I love that scrap he had with Gazdic.
- whipper334

I wonder if there was some job security on the line with Wolf playing and the muscle both fighting in the same night.

No doubt! And I hate to say, Engelland the last couple games hasn't been bad. I love that scrap he had with Gazdic.
- whipper334

Since the ASB the whole team has looked good.
Diaz
Engelland
Bollig
Byron (who had a cold streak although was still effective)
Jones
Have all looked better than before the break. If we can keep that up then a wildcard spot is ours.

- whipper334

I hope that quote haunts that dude.