TSN reported recently that the Minnesota Wild have forfeited their rights to the former first rounder by failing to sign him to an entry level contract. The linked article suggests Thelen will now be a free agent and that the Calgary Flames have an interest in signing him.
Some points of interest:
1.) It makes me wonder why Thelen would be a FA and not just re-enter the draft. I'm not familiar with the current CBA's fine print on such matters, but it seems to me the latter situation would make more sense. Should that occur, it'll be interesting to see where he get's re-drafted.
2.) Why was Minnesota willing to pass on Thelen in the fist place? Assuming the deal wasn't scuttled by the kid's simple refusal to sign with the Wild (who does that besides Lindros?) it really does look like the Minny organization soured considerably on Thelen as a prospect. Considering his rather mediocre performance in the WHL since the '03 draft, that actually make some sense. Last year, Thelen played as an overager and managed just 8 goals, 21 points and a +7 rating which is nothing that screams "NHL potential". For comparison purposes, let's consider recently signed Flame prospect (undrafted) defenseman Brad Cole: like Thelen, Cole was a 21 year old last year. Unlike Thelen, he scored 16 goals and 41 points while Captaining the Saskatoon Blades (an inferior team to Thelen's Vancouver Giants). That's an 8 goal, 20 point difference. And Thelen wasn't even alternate Captain on the Giants. Hmmm...
Course, what we don't know here is the qualitative stuff: why has Thelen's performance fallen so far off the map since being chosen? Does he have mental issues - one of those guys with all the tools but no toolbox? Was he simply projected too high for his actual skill-level? Hard to say.
3.) The Flames have a couple notable prospects in their farm system now: Pelech, Baldwin, Ramholt and Richie Regehr. Would Thelen thrive in an AHL system battling for top 4 ice?
Signing a former first rounder for nothing sure sounds attractive, but I would be tempted to look this gift-horse in the mouth. On one hand, it's probably never a bad idea to have as many blueliner prospects as possible. On the other hand, something smells off about this guy and it makes me think that any cash thrown his way will likely prove to be money wasted. The Minnesota Wild apparently thought so as well.
