Brad Treliving on Vey, AHLers and Tkachuk talks
By Ryan Pike
7 years agoCalgary Flames development camp is in full swing down at the spacious Winsport complex at Canada Olympic Park, and the announcement of Linden Vey’s signing by the Flames prompted a brief media availability with General Manager Brad Treliving.
As usual, Treliving didn’t exactly gush about things he has on the horizon, but he shared his thoughts on the addition of Vey to the organization as well as the club’s depth at the American Hockey League level and a potential entry-level deal for 2016 first round selection Matthew Tkachuk.
ON THE TEAM’S SIGNING OF LINDEN VEY:
“Well, Linden’s a guy we know quite well. A
couple years ago he was the leading scorer in the American League.
He’s still a young guy, 24 years old, right shot, two-way contract.
In Linden’s case, he’s got to come in and earn an opportunity. We
think it provides more depth, and a guy who again, is versatile –
can play center or the wing. In his career has been used in a
power-play role, was successful at the minor league level. In his
case, I think he’s still trying to really establish himself as an NHL
player. It’s been well documented, went through some personal things,
some difficult things this year that now is behind him. Like I said,
it gives us more depth in an area that we wanted to add more depth.”
couple years ago he was the leading scorer in the American League.
He’s still a young guy, 24 years old, right shot, two-way contract.
In Linden’s case, he’s got to come in and earn an opportunity. We
think it provides more depth, and a guy who again, is versatile –
can play center or the wing. In his career has been used in a
power-play role, was successful at the minor league level. In his
case, I think he’s still trying to really establish himself as an NHL
player. It’s been well documented, went through some personal things,
some difficult things this year that now is behind him. Like I said,
it gives us more depth in an area that we wanted to add more depth.”
Treliving also noted the familiarity new head coach Glen Gulutzan has with Vey, who was previously in Vancouver’s system. Worst-case, he feels they added some depth to the organization.
ON ADDING SOME AHL DEPTH (AFTER NOT QUALIFYING SEVERAL ESTABLISHED AHLERS):
“Well, part of the process over the
course of the last two years we’ve graduated a lot of young guys, so
you’ve got to have opportunity for them to play in specific roles.
But we’ve spent a lot of time here over the last few days, even
before free agency, targeting certain guys from a depth perspective
and also from a leadership and a veteran perspective down in Stockton.
We have some things that will be on the horizon at some point.”
course of the last two years we’ve graduated a lot of young guys, so
you’ve got to have opportunity for them to play in specific roles.
But we’ve spent a lot of time here over the last few days, even
before free agency, targeting certain guys from a depth perspective
and also from a leadership and a veteran perspective down in Stockton.
We have some things that will be on the horizon at some point.”
In other words: walking away from potential restricted free agents such as Bill Arnold, Kenny Agostino and Bryce van Brabant was purposeful and meant to provide an opportunity for the youngsters in Stockton to steer the ship to some extent.
ON CONTRACT DISCUSSIONS WITH MATTHEW TKACHUK:
“We’ve had a couple discussions.
That may be something that may get done sooner rather than later.”
That may be something that may get done sooner rather than later.”
For context: 2011 first rounder Sven Baertschi signed on July 5, 2011; 2013 first round pick Sean Monahan signed on July 22, 2013 (Morgan Klimchuk and Emile Poirier both signed that December); 2014 first round pick Sam Bennett signed on July 25, 2014. Historically, the Flames sign their high-end draft picks rather quickly.
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