2024 DRAFT 9th Overall Zayne Parekh

[Fig]

I don't think the Flames want to make the mistake of promising him a spot next year, but I simply cannot see them not wanting him on the squad next year. He obviously has game-breaking skill and will sell tickets.

I think they just want to control the narrative to be that he came into camp, blew away the coaching staff and forced their hand. So I doubt there will be any indication of the Flames planning to have him on the team next year.

Probably trying to do earned not given which I understand, but there's really no options for him if he doesn't earn his roster spot outright.

 

[Zirakzigil]

Is anyone intelligent left at 960?

Pat is the only decent on there. Wes and Vickers are interesting as a rotation. I think it was Vickers who was pushing the Europe loan route. I believe he’s usually the one on top of prospects and the rules. Just seems fairly odd to push that option without having vetted it first.

Probably trying to do earned not given which I understand, but there's really no options for him if he doesn't earn his roster spot outright.

If he doesn’t deserve it he goes back to the OHL. Getting torched against NHL forwards would destroy his development far easier and quicker than sending him back down and saying figure out how to become an elite defender. He wasn’t remotely close to being ready last camp. Hopefully there is significant improvement this season. But Brew is a prime example of how hard the job to pro is. He struggled with the adjustment from the CHL to AHL. Jump to the NHL is even more massive.

 

[crackdown44]

The problem with him going back to the CHL is that I don’t really know how much he can shore up his defensive game there. Like he takes risks because he can get away with it because the competition is bad. Saginaw is also in a spot where that’s what they need from him to win games

Is it feasible to tell him to back off some pinches and work on defending better against guys that are no where near NHL level? At this point he might as well figure out what works and what doesn’t work at the NHL level

I’m not saying they should guarantee him a spot but if the alternative is playing guys like Miro/Bean/Hanley on a regular basis I don’t know why you wouldn’t keep him on. Unless he looks incredibly lost in camp and pre season