Flames Claim Nigel Dawes

In a somewhat surprising move, Calgary has claimed diminutive Junior scorer and former Ranger Nigel Dawes off of waivers from the Phoenix Coyotes. Dawes scored 19 points in 57 games with the Rangers, but stepped into an elevator shaft when he moved to PHX, managing just 2 assists in 12 contests.

Dawes was a sniper in Junior whom, it has been rumored, was coveted for years by Darryl Sutter a la Jamie Lundmark. Dawes scored 47, 47 and 50 goals in his last 3 seasons in the WHL and has also managed 27 and 35 goals at the AHL level (the latter in his rookie season). He has yet to translate his scoring at the NHL level, although he’s been confined mainly to 3rd and 4th line duties.

I like the Dawes addition purely from a risk/reward stand-point: he cost the club nothing and has the pedigree to eventually develop into a capable forward. If he stagnates, however, it won't be a big deal.

One has to wonder what this means for the rest of the Flames forward roster, however. Dawes is an RFA and will be wanting a one-way deal. In addition (assuming Dustin Boyd get’s re-signed) the club already has 13 NHL forwards on staff – and most of them occupy the space Dawes will be looking to fill. This has to signal that at least one bottom-end forward is out the door; the natural choice is Wayne Primeau, of course, but the fact that Dustin Boyd has yet to sign a contract worries me…

This also means is guys like David Van Der Gulik, Kyle Greentree and Mikael Backlund will not be making the club out of camp this season.

by Kent Wilson