Flames Veteran Prospects Are Making Their Case in the AHL

Not every prospect story is about a 19-year-old putting up big numbers and getting fans excited about the future. Sometimes, it's about players who have been around a while and are still trying to find their way back to the NHL. That's part of what's happening with the Calgary Flames' AHL affiliate, the Calgary Wranglers.

Two players stood out this week. Brayden Pachal picked up three assists, while Sam Morton scored twice in the Wranglers' 6-4 win over San Jose. Neither is likely to be the first name Flames fans think about when discussing the organization's future, but both have something to prove. And that's worth watching.

Brayden Pachal Is Waiting for Another Opportunity.

Pachal is 27, so we're not talking about a young defenceman just starting his professional career. He's already had NHL experience with the Flames, but he cleared waivers on October 6 after losing his spot in the lineup. That's the tough part of professional hockey. You can make it to the NHL, establish yourself as a useful player, and still find yourself back in the minors when the roster gets crowded.

Pachal added three assists in Calgary's 6-4 win over San Jose. It was his first time on the scoresheet in three games with the Wranglers. One game doesn't change his situation overnight, but it does give him something to build on. The Flames know what he can bring defensively. If injuries hit their blue line, Pachal could get another opportunity. In the meantime, he needs to keep playing well enough to make the decision easy for the organization.

Sam Morton Is Putting the Puck in the Net.

Morton's situation is a little different, but the challenge is similar. The 27-year-old forward has four games of NHL experience and appears likely to spend much of this season in the AHL. He scored twice against San Jose and now has three goals in the Wranglers' first five games. Last season, he recorded 38 points in 68 games. Those aren't eye-popping numbers, but they show he can contribute consistently at that level.

For Morton, the next step is keeping the offence coming and showing he can be useful if Calgary needs another forward.

Sometimes, You Just Need to Give a Guy a Chance.

Here's what I keep coming back to with players like Pachal and Morton. These guys are 27. They've had a taste of the NHL, but they haven't established themselves as regulars. They know how close they are to the league, and they also know how quickly that opportunity can disappear. Give a player like that an opening, and I suspect he'll bust his tail trying to make the most of it.

That's not to say hard work guarantees success. The NHL is a tough place to stick, and plenty of good players never quite get the chance they deserve. But when you have guys who are still hungry, still producing and still trying to prove they belong, that has to count for something.

The Flames may be in for a difficult season. They may not have the depth of talent to compete with the league's best teams right now. But building a team isn't just about finding the next superstar. It's also about finding players willing to do the little things, push for their opportunity and make the most of whatever ice time they get.

Could Pachal and Morton Make an Impact for the Flames?

Maybe Pachal and Morton become NHL regulars. Maybe they don't. I don't know. But I like the idea of giving hungry players a chance to show what they can do. Sometimes, the guy who works hardest to earn his opportunity turns out to be a pretty useful player to have around.

And even if the wins are hard to come by in Calgary this season, finding out which players are willing to fight for a place in the organization could be one of the more worthwhile things the Flames accomplish.