Well the first time we were getting Jokinen, so it wasn't any big deal to let go of him for a supposed number-one centerman. Not sure about the second time though.
To be honest we have a lot of guys who can fill bottom six roles like Prust can. I'm glad he's playing well, but I'm not exactly lamenting him as one that got away either.
Plus he was injured probably about half the time he was here.
Poor asset management. Personally, I love what Prust brings to the table. His passion, his work ethic, his "i'll take on anybody" attitude. Yes, he's only a fourth liner but I'd much rather have him at a bargain bin price over Jokinen who is getting 3 million to score about as much as Prust.
The first time we traded him, I got it. We thought Jokinen was a top center. But after that experiment failed, we still stuck with Jokinen and shipped off Prust. Honestly, I'd love to have Prust back on this team. Especially over Jokinen and his 3 million cap hit.
Because Prust is a dime a dozen grinder. The Flames have guys like Jackman and Glencross who can do what Prust does and they do it better.
1. Glencross doesn't do what Prust does.
2. Jackman is very good at filling a similar role, and I would've loved to have seen a line of Nystrom/Jackman/Prust to bang and crash and draw one or two penalties a game, but for some reason Olli Jokinen was a better use of the 3M it would've cost us to retain those three.
Truthfully, we do have a bunch of guys in the system who fill similar roles to Prust. Though it begs the question why we sign a guy like Jackman and trade for Kostopolous when our farm system is literally comprised of nothing but 4th line grinders with 4 foot ceilings. I'm gonna go with 'our GM is a clown', it seems to be a reasonable answer.
Prust was expendable because guys like him are a dime a dozen and almost ever similar player in the league also gets traded alot because they are cheap servicable throw ins who never get log term contracts... and if they walk after who cares because you always have 2 or 3 more in the system
X 2 Having said that I liked Prust and what he brought, he wasnt a gifted fighter by any means but he would step up to anyone, wasnt always pretty
Quote:
Originally Posted by OptimusPrime
1. Glencross doesn't do what Prust does.
2. Jackman is very good at filling a similar role, and I would've loved to have seen a line of Nystrom/Jackman/Prust to bang and crash and draw one or two penalties a game, but for some reason Olli Jokinen was a better use of the 3M it would've cost us to retain those three.
Truthfully, we do have a bunch of guys in the system who fill similar roles to Prust. Though it begs the question why we sign a guy like Jackman and trade for Kostopolous when our farm system is literally comprised of nothing but 4th line grinders with 4 foot ceilings. I'm gonna go with 'our GM is a clown', it seems to be a reasonable answer.
Yup I have to agree. Prust is pound for pound one of the best fighters in the league. Sutter was an idiot to let him go the second time. But I also agree with others Jackman is just as effective and he's been great for us. Though having a guy who can fight like Prust is a huge bonus that I really miss.
Prust may have been a dime a dozen when you consider skill set, no question, but he brought it almost every game, wore his heart on his sleeve, and went balls out for the team almost every time he hit the ice.
IMO, letting someone like Prust go (twice, no less) is the crux of the problem with the team, the culture, and the management.
Prust may have been a dime a dozen when you consider skill set, no question, but he brought it almost every game, wore his heart on his sleeve, and went balls out for the team almost every time he hit the ice.
IMO, letting someone like Prust go (twice, no less) is the crux of the problem with the team, the culture, and the management.
I disagree... I would argue most players with Prust's skill set bring it almost every game... they have to or there would be 2 or 3 guys waiting in the wings to steal their spot... that's why a teams grinders are their fan favorites and 'heart and soul' players... because if they don't lay it all on the table every single night they won't have a job because they lack the other skills needed to guarantee a job
I think the biggest problem the management has caused this team is the significant turnover every single year... you wonder why the players seem to lack confidence?... maybe its because they aren't sure if they will be part of the 2/5 of the team Sutter turns over in the next 12 months
Prust may have been a dime a dozen when you consider skill set, no question, but he brought it almost every game, wore his heart on his sleeve, and went balls out for the team almost every time he hit the ice.
IMO, letting someone like Prust go (twice, no less) is the crux of the problem with the team, the culture, and the management.
I agree. Guys like that shouldnt be considered expendable. Especially when it only cost 600k to keep him. Say what you want about dime a dozen guys but there were many nights last season when our 4th line of Nystrom-Prustrom-Sjostrom was our best line on the ice.
I agree. Guys like that shouldnt be considered expendable. Especially when it only cost 600k to keep him. Say what you want about dime a dozen guys but there were many nights last season when our 4th line of Nystrom-Prustrom-Sjostrom was our best line on the ice.
if by many nights you mean a few weeks in October then yeah you are right
I disagree... I would argue most players with Prust's skill set bring it almost every game... they have to or there would be 2 or 3 guys waiting in the wings to steal their spot... that's why a teams grinders are their fan favorites and 'heart and soul' players... because if they don't lay it all on the table every single night they won't have a job because they lack the other skills needed to guarantee a job
That's just it though - there are players that have to bring it nightly, but can't. Then there are the players like Prust who have to bring it nightly, and can.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lunatik
I think the biggest problem the management has caused this team is the significant turnover every single year... you wonder why the players seem to lack confidence?... maybe its because they aren't sure if they will be part of the 2/5 of the team Sutter turns over in the next 12 months
I agree - I've been saying this for quite some time now. That's solely on the guy holding the reins and if he could build a half decent team in the first place, the yearly turnover wouldn't be necessary...
That's just it though - there are players that have to bring it nightly, but can't. Then there are the players like Prust who have to bring it nightly, and can.
Not to mention Prust currently has as many points as Jokinen with twice the effort at roughly a 5th of the salary.
It just doesnt make sense to get rid of effective contributers to the team, no matter what role they play.
He brought energy every game, and on nights in which the top lines would be hemmed in there zone, the 4th line would come out and dominate a shift, changing the momentum.
For us, he was a dime a dozen player, aside from his effort. He's had an awesome start, but I wouldn't count on him keeping that pace up. Hope he does though.
For us, he was a dime a dozen player, aside from his effort. He's had an awesome start, but I wouldn't count on him keeping that pace up. Hope he does though.
The potential to do what he is doing now and more was clearly there when he was with the Flames. He should have been here as part of the "new" Flames rather than having all the young drafted players traded for mediocre veterans.
