The Calgary Flames today called up summer free agent signing Corey Potter. Potter got the recall to Calgary because Ladislav Smid has been placed on the Injured Reserve list. I am accusing our Calgary Flames of playing their cards to close to the vest by recalling Potter instead of Tyler Wotherspoon.
Yes, I understand that whomever got the call-up from Adirondack may or may not actually see any ice time while with Calgary. Whether it’s 30 year old Potter skating alongside Rafa Diaz or Deryk Engelland OR 21 year old Wotherspoon skating with Diaz or Engelland, the call-ups ice time is still going to be limited. So if you are calling up a defenseman for a short period of time already knowing their minutes will be monitored, why not gamble and go with the younger one?
In 19 games this season with Adirondack, Potter has accumulated 5 assists and a team leading +9. Many folks have told me that the plus/minus stat is a garbage stat but when you are a team on a three game losing streak, you start picking at straws.
In 24 games this season with Adirondack, Wotherspoon has 1 goal, 9 assists and is -6. Only Sven Baertschi, Bryce Van Brabant and Mathieu Tousignant have worse plus/minus figures than Wotherspoon. Wotherspoon’s 9 assists are one behind the team leader Ryan Culkin.
Culkin is also a defenseman. Culkin, unlike Wotherspoon, was healthy during training camp and had his chance to impress Calgary Flames brass and fans. During the time Laddy Smid is on the IR, Wotherspoon could have been afforded his opportunity to impress Flames brass and fans that he never had during training camp due to injury.
Sadly, our Flames decided to play it safe with this recall and err on the side of caution with Corey Potter. At least Wotherspoon looks up to Potter!