Calgary Flames prospect Dillon Dube has done a lot of things in his young hockey career. He’s about to embark on a new challenge: the American Hockey League. The club announced on Thursday afternoon that they’ve assigned Dube to the AHL’s Stockton Heat.
.@CortexBusiness Transaction Alert: The #Flames have assigned Dillon Dube to the @AHLHeat. https://t.co/zwLzNgwJoA
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) November 29, 2018
The 20-year-old Dube has been on the Flames roster since the beginning of season after being one of the best players – if not the best player – in training camp. He’s been full of energy throughout his tenure with the Flames, but he’s struggled at times to withstand the physicality of the NHL game – particularly the battles in the corners. In 20 NHL games he’s put up a goal, four assists and a plus-four rating, while playing exclusively in the bottom six.
The pending return of Michael Frolik to the Flames’ lineup likely forced management to really assess Dube’s first quarter of the season. Frolik is what he is at this point and spending time on the bottom six likely won’t hurt his development, but Dube’s 20 and has a ton of runway left. Playing big minutes in Stockton – who coincidentally just lost a prominent winger in Morgan Klimchuk in a trade with Toronto – will do nothing but good things for his development on and off the ice. Let’s be honest: being The Guy in Stockton will be better for him than being part of the supporting cast in Calgary.
Until Frolik returns from the IR, it seems likely that Ryan Lomberg will play on the fourth line – given his age and skillset, that seems like a decent fit.
Considering Dube’s success at lower levels of hockey and how well he processes the game, Wednesday night likely isn’t the last we’ll see of him wearing a Flames jersey.
Best decision for him. Get him some real playing time and that goal scoring confidence back. Time to call up Mangiapane?
Mangiapane – Jankowski – Neal
I’d honestly not bring anyone up. Mostly because signing Czar then truly does become pointless. Let’s give him a real chance before we banish him to the press box. He was a free agent that chose Calgary, let’s treat the man with some respect. We want to still be seen as a good city for free agents. Secondly I think players should stay down because Stockton needs to win and become the powerhouse we were expecting in the off season. Winning breeds winning. Thirdly I don’t believe Mangi is ready nor do I believe we have a spot for him. He is essentially Czar with more upside. We don’t have a spot for Czar so why would we for Mangi? Both these players play more finesse games conducive for the top 6. Let everyone develop, wait till space presents itself and let’s keep public relations good.
Thoughts?
I can get behind that. Give Czarnik a chance to settle in. Let Dube build some chemistry with Mangiapane and then at some point they can move that chemistry up the NHL.
Cheers to that!
Czarnik reminds me a better version of Byron.
Public relations? No one is this leauge is goi g to be weary because AC cant keep his spot. He ok with the puck and can skate but he gets outworked and over powered allot of nights and his very ineffective. Mangi style is better suited in the big show, he plays with some sand and understands body positioning. If it were up to me, Andrew would have had a chance in the lineup before eved signing Austin.
I suppose. That said it would be good if a free agent actually had success in Calgary instead of coming to die. I’m a new and young fan so I admittedly don’t have many examples at my disposal but allow me to try.
Troy Brouwer:
Sought after free agent. Had a name as a playoff performer. Fairly reliable and you could bet on 35-40ish points. We all know how that worked out. He then goes on the revive his career in Florida.
James Neal:
Perninial 20 goal scorer. Comes to Calgary and seemingly forgets how to play.
Austin Czarnik:
An insanely valued free agent. Isn’t getting much playing time and has barely touched the score board.
Jonas Hiller:
Previously an extremely solid (boarderline elite?) goaltender. Comes to Calgary and his career dies.
These are all within the last 3-4 seasons. I do not think it would be outlandish to say that Calgary is creating a stigma for itself within the hockey community. I think it would be prudent to try to create more success stories before the black becomes insurmountable.
I don’t think the Flames are alone – It isn’t difficult to argue that almost all UFA signings are bad. MTL just put Alzner on waivers and the list goes on. Because of the salary cap building through the draft is critical. Flames signed Neal because of a lack of home grown goal scoring prospects (Poirer, Klimchuk, Shinkaruk – all duds).
Hiller’s first year with Calgary was his best season in four years. By far. His second year he did what all players do: he got old.
Pretty much every FA signing linked to Tre I have disliked from the get go with the exception of Neal. To date, Neal has been a bust and even if he proves a flop in his Calgary stint, I will not blast Tre for this signing. The Flames needed a big time scorer and Neal was about as big as they came in last season’s FA class. Go big or go home. Tre went big and landed Jimmy. That was a coup for him and the org and told me as a Flames fan that the club was serious about winning now. I loved the courage of the move and still applaud Tre for pulling it off.
As for Tre’s other free agent signings from last summer, didn’t care much for either. Yeah, if Peters loves Ryan then Tre was probably right to defer to Peters on this signing.
Czarnik? Never even heard of the guy until Tre signed him. As for all the buzz he supposedly generated with other GMs, I’d call it free agent hype or all sizzle and no steak. Upon signing Czarnik, my source down east reported that Czarnik would never be more than a high-end AHLer.
As for the purpose of this article, Dube being demoted, it seems reasonable. All I saw from Dube last night was a guy with a bad moustache who failed to distinguish himself in any way, shape or form. In addition to regaining his confidence as a playmaker in the AHL I suggest he start hitting the weight room at 5:00 am and add some bulk to his frame.
@Baalzamon… so Hiller was a young stud one year and then an old hound the next? Must have been some terrible time-warped offseason. He’s the same age as Mike Smith, and he’s been back in Switzerland for 3 seasons. Age might be a contributing factor, but I think there was more to it.
Optics and public relations are actually such a huge part of the league. The NHL is a brotherhood, and the way an organization treats its asset and other organizations is a strong factor. Why do you think offer sheets are nonexistent amongst GMs? Why do you think teams are so reluctant to go into arbitration with RFAs?
How about we make a rule and sign no free agent for longer than 2 years. Take it or leave it. If they leave it you’re going to be right 90% of the time anyway.
You take that back in that ‘stache is the absolute Burt Reynolds sh!t!!!!!!
Think this is the best for Dube.
Only drawback it looked like Jankowski Hathaway and Dube were developing some chemistry.
Good choice. Hopefully he comes back more ready to become the next Backs.
I’d rather see Mang, than Lomberg… But Lomberg is already up, so I guess that decision is made for the LA game at least.
Lomberg is the most pointless NHLer I have seen the Flames tinker with in some time. He gets whipped in fights against even mid-sized opponents and he’s not an NHLer in terms of skill. So what’s the point?!?! Every fight he has he’s one punched by someone who isn’t even tough.
Once Mangiapane gets healthy he should be up with the Flames, he’s earned a shot at the NHL.
He has some worth, but I don’t think it’s at the NHL level.
What he does bring, is a lot of speed, and good fore-checking. He can be a useful interruptor, but doesn’t have the play making vision or the finish that would make him a long-term solution for the Flames. I doubt he’ll get many games, but he’ll do in a pinch (one game only, I hope).
Most Pointless NHLer ever for the Flames? Maybe but I will submit it might be a toss up with Freddie Hamilton. Pretty sure Freddie was only here to keep Dougie company at the museum.
Lomberg literally hasnt played…. Why would they call up Mangi to sit in the press box????
Musical press boxes
Spunk. Lomberg adds spunk. Did you see any of it last night?
Mang last year handled physical play worse than Dube this year. Mang deserves his chances, because if you’re not going to give him his chances what’s the point of having him, but that comes with many **** The staff in the AHL need to be prepping Mang to play in the NHL, working on his puck protection, his strength, his awareness of the other players, cause he’s obviously got the skills to get called up, but when he’s up he does less than Dube has done, he doesn’t get a ‘scorers’ role and he can’t muck and grind. If anything he was a detriment cause he was always getting flattened.
Bring up Rychel, good skater, can throw the body, bottom six guy. I think he’s earned his shot.
I’d rather see Rychel than Lomberg who is barley an effective AHLer. He tries to be a super pest, but he just gets swatted away like a fly. He has zero strength and actually toughness for someone that acts so tough.
not seen enough of Rychel to know but scouting report is, he struggles at the NHL because he is a slow skater
Lomberg is a fine 14th forward, not a 4th liner on a consistent basis.
With Frolik coming off IR, we would need to place Valimaki on IR or run with 8D and 13F, with Lomberg being the 13th. Honestly, there not much Lombo brings to the table. He’s a pest like Hathaway, He fights, but gets pummeled by bigger players.
If you want a guy to be able to slot in on the 3rd or 4th line LW, bring up Mangiapane or Rychel. Ryan can be the start of an effective 4th line. Really the bottom 6 lines need to be sorted out. Actually, the 2nd line needs work. Bennett is fine with Backlund and Frolik in a shutdown role, but Tkachuk needs to play an offensive role. Tkachuk-Janko-Neal? Bennett-Backlund-Frolik? Rychel-Ryan-Hathaway? Mangiapane-Ryan-Hathaway?
Not a chance putting Bennett back on a checking line with Backlund & Frolik. Bennett is ready & has played well. Would rather see Neal up with Gaudreau & Monahan & put Lindholm between Bennett & Tkachuk. Frolik Backlund & Ryan & then Janko between Hathaway & Czarnick.
Replace Czarnik with Mangiapane, and I’m on board with your experiment.
Well why not put them in the right spots too Tkachuk-Bennett-Lindholm cause with those two I’d like to see Benny get another kick at center.
Lomberg’s good on the PK, draws penalties, can skate… He’s not a bad 14th forward. Guys like Mangiapane and Rychel need to play.
Is Mangiapizza healthy yet. If sent back down is he waiver free?
BTW I think the chemistry is Janko with Hathaway not Dube.
I think Peters may see “Hathaway-Jankowski” as one of his “pairings”. They’ve always played well together.
Mang is back and scoring goals, according to the last Prospects Update.
How about Hathaway-Jankowski-Neal?
4th line can be Czarnik-Ryan-Lomberg?
That said, I think one of Mangiapane or Rychel’s coming to Calgary. If Mangiapane, he will replace Czarnik, perhaps, on that 3rd line.
I’d like to see;
Mangiapane-Jankowski-Ryan
Rychel-Ryan-Hathaway
I could also live with;
Mangiapane-Jankowski-Neal
Hathaway-Ryan-Lomberg/Czarnik.
Get Czarnik off the 3rd line.
Why bring up a guy like magiapane if hes going to be playing 4th line minutes? In my opinion one of Alan quine or kerby rychel should be called up. Stocktons finest has compared rychel to Hathaway, but with more skill. I cant speak to the playing style of quine, but he has decent size, and can take faceoffs. Additionally quine is over a point per game pace in the AHL, so he has to have some offensive talent.
Not sure why everyone thinks they’re going to call someone up. Not gonna happen. Frolik is coming back, thus filling all roster spots. I’d rather Lomberg up here eating popcorn than Mangi when he’s getting top line minutes in Stockton. Lineup should look like this going forward:
JG – Monny – Lindy
Chucky – Backs – Benny
Frolik – Ryan – Neal
Hath – Janko – Czarnik
Still think Neal needs to get away from Ryan and Janko should move higher up the lineup after the steady games hes had recently…
Anyone who thinks Neal needs to play top 6 has not seen him play this year.
He is slow, turns over the puck 90% of the time and shoots the puck straight into the goalies chest every time.
He is completely useless…..
WW
Chicken or the egg scenario. What comes first? Goals, or talented linemates? I dont think Neal has ever been known to be a line driver, he needs talented playmakers to get him the puck for his shots. I’m saying give the guy a chance, and not straddle him with a defensive minded centre. He’s a perennial 20 goal scorer, lets at least try to get him going, that’s all im saying
Anyone can highlight the negative aspects of a player’s game… Gaudreau is a defensive liability that cant hit, might as well trade the guy for being a plug right?
If Neal is a complete plug without talented linemates they shouldn’t have paid him $5.75M per. And in case you haven’t noticed – his “not talented” linemates all have more points than he does while making far less $$$.
Neal is getting paid big bucks to drive a line
I went off on Neal on another thread last night trying more or less to make this same point. I have to say that I am honestly shocked at how ineffective Neal is as a player. He had to have been with line mates in the past who were doing all the spade work in order for him to get this far because he sure as hell hasn’t done much of it here. Even Chiasson has 7 or 8 goals already this year. Neal was supposed to be a guy that would help us get over the hump and into the upper echelon of the league but he has been a major disappointment so far.
“Not sure why everyone thinks they’re going to call someone up.”
Because Peters said they were going to: https://twitter.com/Fan960Steinberg/status/1068229039591055360
They are going to call someone up. Unless BP is starting to throw us some curveballs.
No they’re not. Frolik is back from the IR, and needed someone to go down. Czar is now going to an extended run in the lineup. Lomberg the new popcorn guy.
*get an extended run
I hope Dube is not turn out to be Byron.
No, Byron tiene una letra más en su apellido. También su primer nombre es Paul.
Culo.
He won’t be 😀
I think Dube will eventually be this teams 2nd line centre. Monahan, Dube, Jankowski sounds good to me. He’s been called a left handed Brayden Point. If he develops into that type of player we should all be absolutely thrilled.
Funny thru all of the replies to this article not one mention of Foo coming up.
If Foo would have chosen the Oilers instead of the Flames he would be a full time top 6 NHL winger right now….
WW
Love the sarcasm.
Don’t think it is sarcasm. Likely true given the Oil’s issues on right wing.
Dube will light up the A, get a call up in a month or two after he’s learned the pro game abit more and never look back. Another solid 2nd round pick from BT!
Neal and Stone for Nylander……go ahead and trash.
Payback for giving up Gilmour 🙂
Exactly. Worst Trade in Hockey History. Cliff Fletcher fleeces Doug Risebrough. All done apparently because of some petty ego battle between Risebrough and Gilmour,
which Fletcher knew about because of his prior GM position with the Flames.
Never happen. Too much salary. Would have to be Neal and one of the three D prospects+
Wouldn’t want him anyway. He thinks he is better (and worth more) than he is.
Dubas would never make that trade but BT would. Even paying Nylander 8MM the Flames save 1.25MM which can go towards Tkachuk’s raise next year. A few other little cap moves and we have an excellent forward group.
Except Nylander, just like his dad. Self absorbed, bigger than the team. No thanks.
Talent wins Cups.
Not when it is holding out in Europe
Backlund and Stone for Nylander????
Perfect.
Except Backlund is overpaid and has a no trade, Stone is injured, and Nylander doesn’t fit in our internal cap, and there are probably 29 better offers on the table for Toronto……
Other than that; perfect trade!!!!
WW
Who wants me me me guy? He starting to look like a dressing room cancer that’s ready to multiply. If you’ll pardon the expression.
I don’t know about this. He put up 3 points in his last 4 games, and he’s had plenty of golden chances. I guess it won’t hurt him, but I thought he was coming along just fine.
Your Stockton Heat lines:
Mangiapane – Lazar – Dube
Rychel – Quine – Foo
Pollock – Graovac – Phillips
McMurtry – Gawdin – Peluso
(I know McMurtry is a center, but he was playing wing last game)
Crap, left Robinson off this list. Maybe add him on that 3rd line instead or Pollock. Pollock and McMurtry are interchangeable.
Yep and shouldn’t Gawdin be with Phillips too?
Btw it’s kind of a bummer that we have now officially gotten essentially nothing out of those Poirier and Klimchuk draft picks that we traded for.
Poirier was always a bad pick; the obvious pick in that spot would have been Hunter Shinkurak……
WW
Sarcasm…
Peters mentioned that the Flames were going to call up another forward, any thoughts on who that might be Mr.Finest?
Maybe Rychel.
Great move! Hopefully he finds his scoring touch down in the minors!
Was I wrong. I thought they traded Klimchuk to make room for Czar, not Dube. 😉
Hey the Oiler’s tired out the King’s for you guy’s, good luck against the dreaded backup jinx.
I remember WW crying last month that the Oilers always get to play the traveling teams 2nd. So far in the last 2 weeks I think the flames have been on the other side. See Walt it all evens out.
Khudobin played both games…
Hoping to see a highly motivated flames team tonight playing teams coming off back to back losses to the oilers. Time for the team to go on a run here and create some seperation from the rest of the pack. Many times in the last couple years flames had top spots in the standings and stumbled back into the middle of the pack and chasing WC spots. Last game flames didnt look totally invested and looked satisfied maybe with there spot in the standings. Looking forward to a beatdown of the last place team tonight GFG!