I don't like bashing and it would suck to be one of these former Flames and seeing my name. But when you're a fan and attend games semi-regularly (which I did until 2 years ago when I moved to Ontario) and purchase merchandise and are just generally part of the support structure of the team, I think you're entitled to voicing displeasure in poor decisions by management.
Anyway, as far as I'm concerned the eighties are pretty much out of the conversation as we had a phenomenal team for most of the years. So for me the project sells became part of our narrative for the last 20 to 25 years or so. Now we're not alone in this, especially in this day and age with the number of teams and all, but still: it feels like we've had more than our fair share of project players.
I can think of a good ten or so whose tenures rustled my jimmies for how long we waited for them to develop while being gifted prime minutes and opportunity - often, and most annoyingly, at the expense of other prospects and legit NHLers.
But without further adieu, the first player I think of with some annoyance in this regard: Chuck Kobasew.
It felt like a lot longer, but from 2002 until 2007 it felt like we were constantly waiting for big things from Chuck (between and after stints in the AHL after a strong WHL career; was our first round pick, 14th overall in in the first round in 2001). Scoring 4 goals in 40 games in 2006/07 for the NHL club was finally the nail in the coffin (though he had scored 20 the year before in a full campaign) while getting ample PP and regular ice time to prove himself. Nice kid but he just didn't work out as the top 6 player that we were hoping for.
Ugh, I'm biting my tongue on a bunch of other names I'd like to list, but I'll nod if I see their names come up.
Are there any disappointing Flames "projects" that come to mind for you?
Anyway, as far as I'm concerned the eighties are pretty much out of the conversation as we had a phenomenal team for most of the years. So for me the project sells became part of our narrative for the last 20 to 25 years or so. Now we're not alone in this, especially in this day and age with the number of teams and all, but still: it feels like we've had more than our fair share of project players.
I can think of a good ten or so whose tenures rustled my jimmies for how long we waited for them to develop while being gifted prime minutes and opportunity - often, and most annoyingly, at the expense of other prospects and legit NHLers.
But without further adieu, the first player I think of with some annoyance in this regard: Chuck Kobasew.
It felt like a lot longer, but from 2002 until 2007 it felt like we were constantly waiting for big things from Chuck (between and after stints in the AHL after a strong WHL career; was our first round pick, 14th overall in in the first round in 2001). Scoring 4 goals in 40 games in 2006/07 for the NHL club was finally the nail in the coffin (though he had scored 20 the year before in a full campaign) while getting ample PP and regular ice time to prove himself. Nice kid but he just didn't work out as the top 6 player that we were hoping for.
Ugh, I'm biting my tongue on a bunch of other names I'd like to list, but I'll nod if I see their names come up.
Are there any disappointing Flames "projects" that come to mind for you?
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