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As the Calgary Flames prepare to enter the 2013-14 NHL season with a much different look than previous years saw, there are several players who will be hoping to crack their youthful lineup. Given that the Flames are in the midst of a rebuild, there are opportunities for certain players to crack the roster which may not have been present otherwise.
With that being said, I would like to discuss a few players who I feel will be challenging for spots on the roster, and what concerns could be raised for each individual player given their age or experience levels. If there are players you would like me to cover, feel free to send me a message and they will be taken into consideration if not already part of my list.
To kick things off, I’d like to discuss a certain name which we have heard a lot of so far this summer given the potential which he brings to this club. Recently drafted by the Flames, Sean Monahan is one of several players hoping to crack their roster due to a deficiency at the center position for Calgary.
Currently skating as part of the WJC training camp, Monahan is making a claim both on and off the ice to make the big jump to the NHL in just his first year after being drafted. Given that he has a ton of talent and already stands at about 6’2 190lbs, Monahan would not necessarily look out of place playing with other NHLers. His current play at the WJC displays a certain level of work ethic and strength which is not too common among players his age. In addition to his physical abilities, the young center seems mentally focused as well, displaying a strong level of hockey IQ.
As mentioned, Monahan has the raw skill, size, and mental ability to challenge for a roster spot on a rebuilding Flames team this upcoming, but should he be given every chance to play or should a team like Calgary take the "proper" steps in developing their youth?
This raises a particular debate; Is it better for younger prospects to take their time and develop, regardless of their current play, or should you let them play if they earn a spot?
"We have to be careful in how we develop them; they need to go through the process of understanding what it is to be a pro. If we feel it's hurting them, then they'll go to the minors and play. But we're going to give them every opportunity because I think that's how you create the enthusiasm, that's how you build your team to be competitive for a long time with the [salary-cap] world. ... You need some youth in your lineup." John Tortorella
I know what many of you are thinking – What does Tortorella know, he’s a goof!? Well, put his temper and media related problems aside, and John should be considered a great coach in the NHL. There are still some out there who simply can’t get passed his attitude and will not give him the credit he deserves, so what about a guy like Todd Marchant or Peter Chiarelli?
"If you can play, we'll find a spot for you," Ducks director of player development Todd Marchant told NHL.com. "Don't care if you're 18, 19, 20, 21, however old you are. If you're going to be able to play in the National Hockey League, we're going to find a spot for you."
"Obviously you want to develop your talent and bring them in and let them play. Sometimes there's not room for them and sometimes you use them as chips in deals, but you always have to develop," Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli said while attending the final day of the team's development camp on Sunday. "It will be good, there will be some young guys that will breathe new life and new enthusiasm into the team."
NHL.com
There appears to be a common theme from these teams – If a player earn a spot and wants to play, they won’t be held back. Whether this is the best course of action for young players like Monahan or not is quite debatable I find. I can see the reasoning behind allowing 18 year old prospects to develop in the minors before letting them move up to the NHL given their size, strength, and overall readiness. Conversely, if you have guys who are already skating and playing like an NHLer, why hold them back?
Would a few years removed from the NHL really improve Monahan’s game more so than allowing him to develop and learn at the NHL level with a young rebuilding team like the Flames? Or could bringing a young prospect up before he’s truly ready allow for too much risk that he either gets hurt or does not develop properly?
Like Chiarelli said, in most cases you simply don’t have the room for young guys to step into the roster…something that is not exactly a problem for Calgary who have recently shipped off a few vets and continue to look to ship off more.
I suppose the debate brings us to one main point – The decision is ultimately up to the coaching staff/GM’s and the individual players. If the team feels that a player such as Monahan would benefit the team, perhaps development isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. Furthermore, one could argue that certain players may better develop their games by playing at the NHL level if they show they can handle it early on. The part that would scare me, personally, is having the right players around to insulate a guy like Sean as it appears that the Flames hope to move another vet like Cammalleri if they find a trading partner.
It’s a tough decision either way as you certainly do not want to ruin a players development; especially not your 6th overall draft selection. Then again, part of having a successful franchise means sending a clear message to the organization that if you want to play and you earn a spot, regardless of your age and experience, you will play.
So what do you guys think? Let Monahan play if he proves ready, or send him down regardless?
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