Waived: [CGY] Devin Cooley (cleared), Jakob Pelletier (cleared), and Cole Schwindt (claimed by VGK) waived by the Flames

[Ledge And Dairy]

For 5 years, he showed up looking like shit at training camp. It’s not his first time. Remember people whining when Sutter cut him and Phillips.

Also Pelletier is not even the only 1st rounder in his draft that got cut….sometime team made mistakes in scouting.

Of course he's not the only one who got cut from that draft. Ryan Suzuki was also waived today, the difference is Suzuki hasn't even succeeded at the AHL level. I think it highly unlikely Suzuki gets claimed, whereas I would say there is a very good chance Pelts does. Again, odds are Hanley doesn't play a single game this season, waive him instead.

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

I guess not even Huberdeau could save Pelletier.

 

[biturbo19]

Hfboards always loves these little guys, right up to...and including the point at which they are absolutely SHOCKED that they're hitting waivers and can't believe they won't be claimed.


Pelletier has had opportunities to stick, he just hasn't grabbed them by the horns. When a guy starts losing his game, confidence, and is also still a little 5'9" "tweener" at best...roster decisions get made. They're often on the losing end of that.

Doesn't mean he can't get some AHL time, come back hungrier in a year or two and log some games somewhere. But that path looks a lot more likely to me at this point, than suddenly getting a "change of scenery" to another team and "breaking out".

The reality is (same with tiny offensive D) there are extremely scarce teams that have the time of day for a "project" of this type on their roster. Not the type that "competitive" teams have the time to waste a roster spot on (better Top-9 options, not a 4th line fit). Young/rebuilding teams typically have their own guys they want to give those nice minutes to instead - guys who haven't already have multiple opportunities and failed to latch on.

 

[Figgy44]

He's just smaller and needs to add strength. He hasn't been injured nearly enough for you to be saying he's made out of glass.

Yep. IIRC, wasn't the hit that hurt him last year basically a suicide pass? He's not made of glass, but he has been injured a bunch of times. I do worry that much in unrelated injuries has affected his development and mindset. The latter I think was on display this preseason. Once he gets his mojo back, there's a really good piece there.

What? The decision to waive Valimaki was in favor of keeping Connor Mackie as the 6th defenseman. Kylington wasn't at camp and Stone was still on a PTO.

Also I fully agree that Honzek won a spot over him but I don't agree on Coronato. Matt played well in the first couple games when other teams were also running weaker rosters but he became strictly less noticable as camp tightened up. Pelletier ultimately lost his spot to Klapka, not Coronato. Coronato will more than likely be sent down tomorrow morning unless we are moving someone to SOIR.

Yeah, but in the end, weren't both guys (Valimaki and Mackey) basically gone by the end of the season? The Yotes got some good games out of Valimaki, but IIRC Valimaki's injury unluckiness continued after he was claimed. That story of him almost dying in the emergency room was nuts.

what's up with Schwindt? I thought he'd make the team by now.

I have no clue. He was sorta starting to put it together, then plateaued. I think his decision making at the NHL level just didn't quite make it to the next level. Of all people, Kevin Rooney started looking like he developed/and improved to keep Schwindt in the AHL.

I think longer term, Schwindt could carve himself a nice bottom 6 career. I think a few of us Flames fans are also confused why he hasn't been able to take that next step by now. Unfortunately, I think he's going to be a tweener for us.

 

[Figgy44]

Hfboards always loves these little guys, right up to...and including the point at which they are absolutely SHOCKED that they're hitting waivers and can't believe they won't be claimed.


Pelletier has had opportunities to stick, he just hasn't grabbed them by the horns. When a guy starts losing his game, confidence, and is also still a little 5'9" "tweener" at best...roster decisions get made. They're often on the losing end of that.

Doesn't mean he can't get some AHL time, come back hungrier in a year or two and log some games somewhere. But that path looks a lot more likely to me at this point, than suddenly getting a "change of scenery" to another team and "breaking out".

The reality is (same with tiny offensive D) there are extremely scarce teams that have the time of day for a "project" of this type on their roster. Not the type that "competitive" teams have the time to waste a roster spot on (better Top-9 options, not a 4th line fit). Young/rebuilding teams typically have their own guys they want to give those nice minutes to instead - guys who haven't already have multiple opportunities and failed to latch on.

I can see the logic for taking these 3 guys, but I personally wouldn't worry about it. Especially Pelts. He lost his mojo. Once he finds it again he'll be a good piece, but until then, I don't think any other teams will have any idea what to do with him. The mojo thing is a Pelts specific issue to resolve and I honestly do hope he does. I love his attitude and personality.

It's not like Solo where we knew many teams are always trying to figure out bottom pairings and a little more borderline (hence management strategically waiving him earlier).

 

[MMC]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1843351753850507451

 

[Bond]

Not surprised he cleared.

For Pelletier's sake, I hope he's claimed. The Flames are just utterly hopeless when it comes to developing their own prospects or basic common sense asset management.

Also would be nice if Schwindt was claimed, mainly cause he sucks.

You must be doubly happy today. Hopefully you are right Pelletier.

 

[Figgy44]

Not surprised he cleared.

You must be doubly happy today. Hopefully you are right Pelletier.

I think VGK just started going after RHS C if they claimed both Schwindt and Lavoie. It didn't matter who was waiving them.

 

[DFF]

Of course he's not the only one who got cut from that draft. Ryan Suzuki was also waived today, the difference is Suzuki hasn't even succeeded at the AHL level. I think it highly unlikely Suzuki gets claimed, whereas I would say there is a very good chance Pelts does. Again, odds are Hanley doesn't play a single game this season, waive him instead.

The reality is nobody trusts his skill set

Hope he is not shock scrubs like Schwindt and Lavoie got claimed instead. He is going to have to turn around quick or it’s pretty much over if not already

 

[Bond]

The reality is nobody trusts his skill set

Hope he is not shock scrubs like Schwindt and Lavoie got claimed instead. He is going to have to turn around quick or it’s pretty much over if not already

He is a great example of why so many teams draft for size. I am not a huge proponent of it but if Pelletier was 6 foot + then he is probably in the NHL.

It is crazy that Honzek took his spot so far.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Wasn’t this guy almost untouchable not too long ago?

Of course he was, he was first round pick and in fans minds they ALWAYS pan out and are untouchable

 

[DFF]

He is a great example of why so many teams draft for size. I am not a huge proponent of it but if Pelletier was 6 foot + then he is probably in the NHL.

It is crazy that Honzek took his spot so far.

Actually it’s not

Honzek had done more this training camp than Pelletier has even done in 6.


It may not last but he earned it

Every year we hope Pelletier would do something at camp and he never impressed. It’s always one thing or another . Remember people were blaming Sutter ?

 

[DJJones]

Of course he was, he was first round pick and in fans minds they ALWAYS pan out and are untouchable

He looked great two seasons ago. Got hurt and never seemed to get the spark back

 

[Bond]

Actually it’s not

Honzek had done more this training camp than Pelletier has even done in 6.

It may not last but he earned it

Every year we hope Pelletier would do something at camp and he never impressed. It’s always one thing or another . Remember people were blaming Sutter ?

That’s because Pelletier’s game is great in the AHL and isn’t translating to the NHL. A lot of it is due to his size. If he was 6 feet or taller and had his AHL numbers then he’d be in the NHL.
Similar concerns with Wolf. He will need to adapt and find a way to stop pucks from guys who can pick corner.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

He looked great two seasons ago. Got hurt and never seemed to get the spark back

I knew nothing about the player but called him a bust as soon as he was drafted, just had busty name .


Sometimes you gotta stick to your gut

 

[Figgy44]

That’s because Pelletier’s game is great in the AHL and isn’t translating to the NHL. A lot of it is due to his size. If he was 6 feet or taller and had his AHL numbers then he’d be in the NHL.
Similar concerns with Wolf. He will need to adapt and find a way to stop pucks from guys who can pick corner.

I think it's both. I think if he's bigger, maybe he doesn't get as hurt last season from that borderline suicide pass. Then he doesn't seemingly play as scared.

But if he's bigger the Flames don't get a chance to draft him at 26... But IMO there's also other factors that have hurt that entire draft class.

I knew nothing about the player but called him a bust as soon as he was drafted, just had busty name .


Sometimes you gotta stick to your gut

For that draft though, Flames had no second rounder. I'm not sure who they had if Pelletier wasn't there, but it feels like they took a home run swing for that draft. I do think it was a gut feeling swing. Sometimes you strike out, but looking at the later names, I can't really blame the scouts on that boom/best attempt, especially since that entire draft kinda got derailed by Covid related disruptions.

Coincidentally, two from that same draft class were picked up on waivers by VGK today.

Who knew that the most valuable player from that draft for the Flames was the guy they took in the 7th round.

 

[Zirakzigil]

Pelts doesnt play with the same tenacity he did when he was drafted and showed briefly in the NHL. Poor guy lost all confidence after back to back shoulder injuries. He has the skill to be an effective middle 6 winger. Hopefully he can find his confidence again in the AHL.

 

[Rubi]

Pelts doesnt play with the same tenacity he did when he was drafted and showed briefly in the NHL. Poor guy lost all confidence after back to back shoulder injuries. He has the skill to be an effective middle 6 winger. Hopefully he can find his confidence again in the AHL.

I'm not one to blame everything on Darryl Sutter but I have to wonder if Sutter did a number on him that he just can't seem to come back from. Sutter CAN be a real asshole sometimes.