It's easier said than done. There is no question in my mind Laughton can crack our top 12 next year. Do you want him starting his ELC in the AHL or playing with the Flyers? His small salary will also help a team that likes to spend right up to the cap every year.

I agree with you and would like to have the luxury of guys getting time in the AHL, but you know what they say about best laid plans.
- PhillySportsGuy

Nyquist is already on his 2nd contract and he's yet to break $1M AAV.

Unless you think you have a franchise, instantly-productive player on your hands, it doesn't seem to hurt to burn a few ELC years in the minors, or to bring them out of college/junior later.

perhaps, I guess you also have to consider that for much of the last 20 years Detroit was absolutely loaded at forward so it was easier to send guys down to develop. Plus they didn't have a cap to contend with.

Still no matter how good he looks playing against teenagers, he will still most likely have to look really good in the preseason to avoid being sent back. Ken Holland seems to love to let prospects take all the time possible to develop before he brings them up to the show.
- BiggE

Certainly not out of the question. The Wings have always been patient with their kids

- MBFlyerfan

YES

I would disagree that every player can be developed under the same blanket. Each player is an individual, and should be assessed as an individual, as to whether they are ready to go directly to the NHL, to the AHL, or back to Juniors. Whatever the case would be.
- MJL

As I said, I can't really say if it's right or wrong, and I certainly wouldn't treat a 1st overall franchise player the same as a 4th round pick, but the fact is that being very patient with prospects has worked out very well for Detroit over the last 20 years. And it is also a fact that over that time frame Detroit has been as successful as any franchise in the league; 6 trips to the finals and 4 cups since 1995.

Nyquist is already on his 2nd contract and he's yet to break $1M AAV.

Unless you think you have a franchise, instantly-productive player on your hands, it doesn't seem to hurt to burn a few ELC years in the minors, or to bring them out of college/junior later.
- Tomahawk

The flip side is the longer you leave a player in the AHL, the less NHL years you get with the player in RFA contract years. Seems to me that Detroit left Nyquist in the minors too long.

perhaps, I guess you also have to consider that for much of the last 20 years Detroit was absolutely loaded at forward so it was easier to send guys down to develop. Plus they didn't have a cap to contend with.

Still no matter how good he looks playing against teenagers, he will still most likely have to look really good in the preseason to avoid being sent back. Ken Holland seems to love to let prospects take all the time possible to develop before he brings them up to the show.
- BiggE

I think he's ready. He's 6'5, 205 lbs so its not like he isn't physically mature.

I think sending him back to Juniors would accomplish very little.

As I said, I can't really say if it's right or wrong, and I certainly wouldn't treat a 1st overall franchise player the same as a 4th round pick, but the fact is that being very patient with prospects has worked out very well for Detroit over the last 20 years. And it is also a fact that over that time frame Detroit has been as successful as any franchise in the league; 6 trips to the finals and 4 cups since 1995.
- BiggE

Not sure you can pin thier success on just overcooking prospects. I beleive if a player is ready, he's ready. And is better off in the NHL then the AHL if he is ready for the NHL.

The Flyers have a excellent track record in developing forwards. They don't approach it with automatically starting players in the AHL.
- MJL

I never said the Flyers didn't have a good record developing forwards, I just commented that Detroit, who I feel is the most successful franchise over the last 20 years, seems to be very patient with their prospects and sends nearly all of them to the AHL for seasoning. It obviously has worked well for them.

I never said the Flyers didn't have a good record developing forwards, I just commented that Detroit, who I feel is the most successful franchise over the last 20 years, seems to be very patient with their prospects and sends nearly all of them to the AHL for seasoning. It obviously has worked well for them.
- BiggE

And my point was that in terms of forwards, the Flyers approach, has also worked well. Like I said, I think each player should be dealt with individually.

Not sure you can pin thier success on just overcooking prospects. I beleive if a player is ready, he's ready. And is better off in the NHL then the AHL if he is ready for the NHL.
- MJL

Lets just agree to disagree ok?

I think he's ready. He's 6'5, 205 lbs so its not like he isn't physically mature.

I think sending him back to Juniors would accomplish very little.
- PhillySportsGuy

I totally agree with that, he is yet another poster child for a prospect who would be better served in the AHL rather than Juniors.

perhaps, I guess you also have to consider that for much of the last 20 years Detroit was absolutely loaded at forward so it was easier to send guys down to develop. Plus they didn't have a cap to contend with.

Still no matter how good he looks playing against teenagers, he will still most likely have to look really good in the preseason to avoid being sent back. Ken Holland seems to love to let prospects take all the time possible to develop before he brings them up to the show.
- BiggE

Yeah, they're not going to hurry him. He can score goals now, but the rest of his game is still a work in progress.

I don't think anybody can question Holland's track record with developing players from ALL parts of the draft, and he's definitely steered one of the better transitions from the days of wanton spending to the cap model. The fact that the two are probably related shouldn't be overlooked.

Lets just agree to disagree ok?
- BiggE

NO PEACE IN OUR TIME

Nyquist is already on his 2nd contract and he's yet to break $1M AAV.

Unless you think you have a franchise, instantly-productive player on your hands, it doesn't seem to hurt to burn a few ELC years in the minors, or to bring them out of college/junior later.
- Tomahawk

Id hate to do this, but I agree with MJL. Each player needs to be evaluated differently. I don't advocate leaving a player in the minors for the sake of being extra patient. If the player appears ready, then give him a shot.

I can understand erring on the side of caution and only bringing players up who have shown they are ready for a lengthy stretch. I just don't think the Flyers should put every player in Juniors for 2 years and the AHL for 2 years.

With the Wings, you need to consider their prospect pool. They are picking at the end of the first round quite a bit. They also haven't been the greatest first round drafting team. They have found many of their studs in the late rounds. It's much easier to be patient with late round picks. Its almost like found money when they develop into anything.

- MBFlyerfan

Meh, it's Carlyle's cross to bear. He's still preaching chip n chase in a league that has already transitioned to gaining the zone w/ possession.

Yeah, they're not going to hurry him. He can score goals now, but the rest of his game is still a work in progress.

I don't think anybody can question Holland's track record with developing players from ALL parts of the draft, and he's definitely steered one of the better transitions from the days of wanton spending to the cap model. The fact that the two are probably related shouldn't be overlooked.
- Tomahawk

Best GM in hockey IMO

NO PEACE IN OUR TIME
- BulliesPhan87

NO PEACE IN OUR TIME
- BulliesPhan87

Pipe down, antiChamberlain!

Id hate to do this, but I agree with MJL. Each player needs to be evaluated differently. I don't advocate leaving a player in the minors for the sake of being extra patient. If the player appears ready, then give him a shot.

I can understand erring on the side of caution and only bringing players up who have shown they are ready for a lengthy stretch. I just don't think the Flyers should put every player in Juniors for 2 years and the AHL for 2 years.

With the Wings, you need to consider their prospect pool. They are picking at the end of the first round quite a bit. They also haven't been the greatest first round drafting team. They have found many of their studs in the late rounds. It's much easier to be patient with late round picks. Its almost like found money when they develop into anything.
- PhillySportsGuy

I certainly don't advocate each player spending 2 seasons in the AHL, I just think that most could benefit from spending some time there. For some it could be 2 or 3 seasons, for others perhaps just a month or 2. As MJL said, each is an individual and each should be evaluated accordingly.

BTW, the fact that you and MJL have agreed on something makes me think that its going to snow later!

Best GM in hockey IMO
- BiggE

He's very good. I think getting Dekeyser was huge for them. They'd be incredibly weak on defense if they didn't nab him. It may have forced a move.

I like how they're patient though. They've been close to missing the playoffs the last few years, but they haven't sold on a ton of prospects to get there. They haven't made massive signings either.

They're now set to have some good prospects hitting their primes next year. Guys like Jurco, Nyquist and Tatar should really be key contributors from here on out.

Yeah, they're not going to hurry him. He can score goals now, but the rest of his game is still a work in progress.

I don't think anybody can question Holland's track record with developing players from ALL parts of the draft, and he's definitely steered one of the better transitions from the days of wanton spending to the cap model. The fact that the two are probably related shouldn't be overlooked.
- Tomahawk

There's nothing wrong with spending to the Cap every year. In fact every top team with the resources to do so, should spend to the Cap every year, and maximize that resource. Cap space not used at the end of the year, is a waste, and doesn't do anything for a team. I'd rather my team do everything they can to put the best team possible on the ice. Not saying that Detroit doesn't do that, but if the lineup has holes, and all available resources aren't used, then the GM didn't do his job.To summarixe, spending to the Cap limit is not the bad thing that it is made out to be.

And by the way, Detroit has been maxed out against the Cap 3 out the last 5 seasons.

Id hate to do this, but I agree with MJL. Each player needs to be evaluated differently. I don't advocate leaving a player in the minors for the sake of being extra patient. If the player appears ready, then give him a shot.

I can understand erring on the side of caution and only bringing players up who have shown they are ready for a lengthy stretch. I just don't think the Flyers should put every player in Juniors for 2 years and the AHL for 2 years.

With the Wings, you need to consider their prospect pool. They are picking at the end of the first round quite a bit. They also haven't been the greatest first round drafting team. They have found many of their studs in the late rounds. It's much easier to be patient with late round picks. Its almost like found money when they develop into anything.
- PhillySportsGuy

Yeah, it's case by case, I just prefer if they erred on the conservative side.

Claude Giroux was more than ready to come up when he did. Other guys they deemed 'ready' like Sbisa, JvR, probably Pitkanen... all might have been better off with more tutelage and less instant pressure to produce/contribute. If Morin/Ghost/Hagg are in the lineup come October, I'm going to be concerned for them.

I certainly don't advocate each player spending 2 seasons in the AHL, I just think that most could benefit from spending some time there. For some it could be 2 or 3 seasons, for others perhaps just a month or 2. As MJL said, each is an individual and each should be evaluated accordingly.

BTW, the fact that you and MJL have agreed on something makes me think that its going to snow later!
- BiggE

Yeah. I just think the rule makes it difficult. The AHL would have been the ideal spot for Drouin to start the season. Unfortunately, that wasn't possible. In order to give Drouin any AHL time, they would need to send him to Juniors again then send him to the AHL in 2015-16. Thats just not the best course for his development.

Getting Hagg to the AHL is great. I'm hoping Ghost and Vasiliev follow.

Id hate to do this, but I agree with MJL. Each player needs to be evaluated differently. I don't advocate leaving a player in the minors for the sake of being extra patient. If the player appears ready, then give him a shot.

I can understand erring on the side of caution and only bringing players up who have shown they are ready for a lengthy stretch. I just don't think the Flyers should put every player in Juniors for 2 years and the AHL for 2 years.

With the Wings, you need to consider their prospect pool. They are picking at the end of the first round quite a bit. They also haven't been the greatest first round drafting team. They have found many of their studs in the late rounds. It's much easier to be patient with late round picks. Its almost like found money when they develop into anything.
- PhillySportsGuy

Excellent points. The circumstances a lot of times are the reason why players are left in the minors longer sometimes. And sometimes it has nothing to do with the player, but due to other issues. Nyquist was recalled in November I believe. And he's produced ever since. Is anyone going to state that with the production level he put up this Season, he wasn't ready for the NHL in October? If anything, in this situation Detroit screwed up. Should've never sent him down in the first place.

Pipe down, antiChamberlain!
- MBFlyerfan