Quoting: Dr_Invictus
I think we have different concepts of "rushing". Mackey is 25 and has just played in the NHL. Philips will walk as a UFA and get playing time elsewhere. Valimaki was lost on waivers but is doing well in Arizona, considering the team quality. call ups should be dependent upon their play in the AHL or farm system. This sends a message to other kids we draft that they won't get their shot in Calgary. That's especially worriesome for NCAA picks. We also had very poor drafting until BT came to Calgary (except Feaster getting Gudreau). I would say that Goalies are different: they take longer to develop. I wouldn't want Wolf called up. Pelletier has had 5 years to develop, but is still eating snacks I the stands. What's the point? He will take a QO and walk as well.
He's 26, played in the NCAA until he was 23, was passed on by multiple NHL teams multiple times and has 18 games under his belt because the Flames have had to, not because he has earned the spot. He's been fine but if there were no injuries there would be no Mackey. Valimaki is having his best season as a pro, healthy, great, could not be happier for him but in reality after a really bad training camp, who are you replacing on the Flames top 6 for him at the start of the season? It was the right move at the time.
Phillips will walk and likely never hit 50 NHL games, look at the undersized AHL scorers that are well over a point per game in the past handful of years that never make that jump and never stick with an organization, why would Phillips be any different? Poturalski, Tynan, Carcone, Phillips, O'Regan, Anas, etc. etc. etc. All those guys also have relatively middling or poor +/- while putting up over a ppg, some over a hundred points, it's not a perfect stat but when the discrepancy is that big, they clearly have 1 dimensional tendencies and can't keep the puck out of their net while on the ice at the AHL level let alone the NHL.
Pelletier isn't even half way through a second pro season? Flames were fortunate enough that he got two more years in the Q before they had to start his pro clock. He hasn't played pro hockey for more than 100 games yet, he will get his shot and become a mainstay.
Which prospects have taken their QO and walked?