Colin Dambrauskas: Calgary Flames - Young Prospects Want to Crack Roster; Play or Develop?

Go big or go home

I think he'll get his 9 games, then probably end up staying.

My quesiton is where does he play? Is he reliable enough to be the 3rd line checker or is better off in a offensive position at 2C and let a more experienced guy take the third?

Gagner came in for the Oil right from being picked 6th at the draft, and he turned out ok considering who he's had to play with.

Depends on his showing at training camp, he has the size that should allow him to avoid injury (unlike RNH) so that shouldn't be an issue. If there's any question about him not being in the top six, you send him down for another year of development.

Depends on his showing at training camp, he has the size that should allow him to avoid injury (unlike RNH) so that shouldn't be an issue. If there's any question about him not being in the top six, you send him down for another year of development.
- LeftCoaster

Agreed!

Depends on his showing at training camp, he has the size that should allow him to avoid injury (unlike RNH) so that shouldn't be an issue. If there's any question about him not being in the top six, you send him down for another year of development.
- LeftCoaster

Absolutely, we picked him to be a top 2C. If he isn't ready for that role this year, 1 more of junior wont hurt, but let his performance make the decision.

Leaf fan here, but here's my 2 cents worth. Give the young forwards another year to develop, hope for another good 1st round pick. The critical area for the Flames looks to be goaltending if Kiprusoff does not come back and so far it looks like he's not.
So I feel Feaster either needs to sign an experienced goalie for a year maybe 2 or he needs to make a couple of big improvements on the D line. The Flames have some good looking potential young goaltenders, but if they get thrown to the wolves with their current defence... they may become to "shell shocked" to reach their full potential.
Now they also have a couple of good prospective D-men coming through their system, but they look to be 1 to 3 years away. So personally I would go with the younger goalies and try to sign a ufa (like Hainsey) and maybe try trading for a big yet mobile 5/6 shutdown guy who is not too expensive.

Let the prospects develop a little more it will only help them in the long run. They will be more productive when they do play full time if ya do.

I think he may get his 9 games and is then sent down. I certainly don't sant ti see him on the 4th line. Top 3 C IMO ars like Backlund, Stajan and Knight. We have a number of guys available that more suited for the 4th line.

To Canhockeyfan, I don't disagree with strengthening the D core. I wojld be ok with a 1 or 2 year deal for a guy like Tom Gilbert. That may even allow another vet trade either now or down the road. But I think CGY will go with a combo of Ramo, Joey Mac or Berra. No need to concern themselves with winning a whole lot of games right now. Just as long as they compete hard.

No doubt that if he earns it let him play. Of course there's always the alternative route of sending him back to juniors, tanking the season and settling for what should be a top lottery pick in hopes of landing McDavid. Baertschi, Monohan, McDavid top line a few years down the road wouldn't look too bad at all.

No doubt that if he earns it let him play. Of course there's always the alternative route of sending him back to juniors, tanking the season and settling for what should be a top lottery pick in hopes of landing McDavid. Baertschi, Monohan, McDavid top line a few years down the road wouldn't look too bad at all.
- Timmeh022

McDavid's draft isn't until the year after next. The next year sweepstakes are looking like Reinhart, Rychel (edit: Meant Nylander as Tand pointed out below) or Ekblad.

McDavid's draft isn't until the year after next. The next year sweepstakes are looking like Reinhart, Rychel or Ekblad.
- IggyOnly

I think you mean Nylander, not Rychel.

I think you mean Nylander, not Rychel.
- TandA4Flames

Yes, yes I did. Thanks.

Leaf fan here, but here's my 2 cents worth. Give the young forwards another year to develop, hope for another good 1st round pick. The critical area for the Flames looks to be goaltending if Kiprusoff does not come back and so far it looks like he's not.
So I feel Feaster either needs to sign an experienced goalie for a year maybe 2 or he needs to make a couple of big improvements on the D line. The Flames have some good looking potential young goaltenders, but if they get thrown to the wolves with their current defence... they may become to "shell shocked" to reach their full potential.
Now they also have a couple of good prospective D-men coming through their system, but they look to be 1 to 3 years away. So personally I would go with the younger goalies and try to sign a ufa (like Hainsey) and maybe try trading for a big yet mobile 5/6 shutdown guy who is not too expensive.
- Canhockeyfan

goaltending this year isn't really a main focus.

Yes the loss of kipper is big. but they have players that can step in this year (Ramo, Berra). And in the ranks Gillies is really developing nicely.

D they need to find one more top4 for the next 3 yrs or so.

And of course. that 1C centre and a big RW. I'd put those in front of goaltending as well.

so 1c, 1RW, top 4 D, then goaltender.

***and seiloff could be that stay at home top4 d in 3 years to

goaltending this year isn't really a main focus.

Yes the loss of kipper is big. but they have players that can step in this year (Ramo, Berra). And in the ranks Gillies is really developing nicely.

D they need to find one more top4 for the next 3 yrs or so.

And of course. that 1C centre and a big RW. I'd put those in front of goaltending as well.

so 1c, 1RW, top 4 D, then goaltender.

***and seiloff could be that stay at home top4 d in 3 years to
- numbear

Wotherspoon would b in that mix with Seiloff as well.

goaltending this year isn't really a main focus.

Yes the loss of kipper is big. but they have players that can step in this year (Ramo, Berra). And in the ranks Gillies is really developing nicely.

D they need to find one more top4 for the next 3 yrs or so.

And of course. that 1C centre and a big RW. I'd put those in front of goaltending as well.

so 1c, 1RW, top 4 D, then goaltender.

***and seiloff could be that stay at home top4 d in 3 years to
- numbear

I wouldn't even put goaltender there, lower priority in my mind. We have no idea what we have in Berra or Ramo considering Kipper didn't come to Calgary and dominate until he was 27 IRC.

like it. Play the kid if he makes it. He is big enough. He wants to be the NHL. If they put him back in Jr, and he gets hurt..then what..

like it. Play the kid if he makes it. He is big enough. He wants to be the NHL. If they put him back in Jr, and he gets hurt..then what..
- bixll

I think he makes the team out of training camp.

Wotherspoon would b in that mix with Seiloff as well.
- TandA4Flames

ya for sure.

thats why I think 1C and 1RW are ahead of D and way ahead of goalie

I think he makes the team out of training camp.
- whipper334

I think he can, but if he's 3rd line I'd rather see him in Jrs for a year

I think he makes the team out of training camp.
- whipper334

He will learn playing with players that are better, far more than he will, playing with players that are not to his caliber.

I think he can, but if he's 3rd line I'd rather see him in Jrs for a year
- numbear

Agreed!

He will learn playing with players that are better, far more than he will, playing with players that are not to his caliber.
- bixll

True story!

ya for sure.

thats why I think 1C and 1RW are ahead of D and way ahead of goalie
- numbear

Still, both Seiloff and Wotherspoon are a couple of years out I would think. Are thinking the Flames will be or should be looking to fill out the 1C and 1Rw via fa signing or trade or draft?

RW is definitely our weakest position throughout the organization. Nick Richie cojld be a possible solid draftee next year if we can't vet Ekblad or can pick up a 2nd 1st rounder.

He will learn playing with players that are better, far more than he will, playing with players that are not to his caliber.
- bixll

World juniors.