CP Radio Show 3 Poll of the Week - what dmen make the team?

[JiriHrdina]

Seems like the blueline is the source of a lot of discussion and specifically who makes the team.

For the purpose of this question, we are assuming that Dion Phaneuf, Robyn Regehr, and Corey Sarich are on the squad. One could make similar assumptions about Jim Vandermeer and Mark Giordano but for the purpose of this question I've left them in there.

[MrMastodonFarm]

I've got a blueline of..
Regehr - Sarich
Phaneuf - Aucion
Giordano - Vandermeer

Alot of people are saying how good Warrener has looked, and I agree, but Warrener always looks good healthy. He looked fantastic early last season, but the injuries will probably pile up.

As my 7th guy, I'm going with Pardy. While I think him and Pelech are tied, the edge goes to Pardy because he is only, has more experiance and might be done learning at the AHL level. Pelech is a one year pro, and playing big minutes and being the man down there will only help him. We'll probably see Pelech later in the season.

[JiriHrdina]

To be clear - you are selecting the blueline that will be on the roster. It's up to you if you include a #7 or #8 in that or not. But don't limit yourself to just the top 6 if you think the Flames keep more than 6.

Edit: Forgot Aucoin, he's there now

[MrMastodonFarm]

I messed up.. just picked Pardy...

[flame^thrower]

Regehr - Sarich
Phaneuf - Aucion
Giordano - Vandermeer

I picked Warrener as the 7th but who knows how long he would be around .. trade maybe?

[Freeway]

Phaneuf - Aucoin
Regehr - Sarich
Giordano - Pardy
Vandermeer

[SebC]

As of today:

Phaneuf-Aucoin
Regehr-Sarich
Warrener-Giordano
Vandermeer

is my most likely (not preferred) scenario.

[FanIn80]

Doh, I thought we were just rounding out the top 6. Can you add Pardy to my selection of Gio, Vandy and Aucoin? Thanks.

[KevanGuy]

Wow, I'm the only one so far (out of about 35 it looks like) who thinks Eriksson will be here to start the season. I think Keenan makes room for him. Maybe carry 7 D, have Vandermeer play the wing, who knows, just my gut feeling.

[RougeUnderoos]

No surprises, no rookies. Eriksson goes, Warrener stays. Depending on who is doing what (playing well, opposition, injury) Giordano/Warrener and Vandermeer will split time in the pressbox.

If they are playing Phoenix or Anaheim, Giordano sits. Playing Edmonton, he plays and someone else sits.

[the_only_turek_fan]

Regehr
Sarich
The Dion
Vandermeer
Aucoin
Giordano

I think Aucoin may be moved though.

[chris lindberg]

I know I'll be alone in my thinking here...

Regehr - Sarich
Giordano - Phaneuf
Vandermeer - Pelech
Pardy

Perhaps one of Aucoin or Warrener remain, just as long as it isn't Eriksson.

[Vulcan]

Giordano, Aucoin and Vandermeer start. 7th spot is between Warrener and Pardy. Saying that Pardy and Warrener can both clear waivers, I'd keep Warrener until he's injured and than call up Pardy.

[HelloHockeyFans]

Dion
Regehr
Sarich
Aucoin
Vandermeer
Giordano
Warrener - to start season

Eriksson to minors.

Sutter swings a deal in the first month moving Warrener out, Eriksson gets called up.

[Ryan Coke]

Phaneuf - Giordano
Regehr - Sarich
Vandermeer-Aucoin
7-Warrener

I see camp breaking this way, but a trade involving Aucoin wouldn't surprise me in the early part of the season, then Pardy would come up as #7.

[Temporary_User]

I've got a blueline of..
Regehr - Sarich
Phaneuf - Aucion
Giordano - Vandermeer

Alot of people are saying how good Warrener has looked, and I agree, but Warrener always looks good healthy. He looked fantastic early last season, but the injuries will probably pile up.

As my 7th guy, I'm going with Pardy. While I think him and Pelech are tied, the edge goes to Pardy because he is only, has more experiance and might be done learning at the AHL level. Pelech is a one year pro, and playing big minutes and being the man down there will only help him. We'll probably see Pelech later in the season.I don't know how these radio threads work, so sorry if I'm not supposed to reply to things in them.

I don't understand your reasoning in picking Pardy (or Pelech) over Warrener. It seems to me like you believe that Warrener is the better man over the two for the job, you're just concerned about future injuries. We all know that you can never have enough depth at D. So unless there is a significant trade that makes the Flames a better team, I would keep Warrener as the 7th Dman and if and/or when an injury to him arisses, then Pardy or Pelech can take his place. No cap concerns there.


This all said without the research and knowledge of if Pardy and Pelech may be sent down or called up without clearing waivers. I assume they can do so.

[jtfrogger]

I think it is be: Giordano, Aucoin, Vandermeer, & Warrener. Eriksson won't play for the Calgary Flames again. I figure he'll be stuck in QC.

I think that Pardy will be the first call up, and will stick with the team once he does.

If we have a long term injury to once of the defencemen, no trades required. However, if we don't have a long term injury, I suspect that either Aucoin or Warrener will be traded to make room for Pardy. But I think a trade of either of these guys won't happen until after the season starts and some team without depth gets a little more desperate. And still, the Flames will likely have to give something more of value in order for someone to take one of those contracts off our hands.

[Brad Marsh]

Wow, I'm the only one so far (out of about 35 it looks like) who thinks Eriksson will be here to start the season. I think Keenan makes room for him. Maybe carry 7 D, have Vandermeer play the wing, who knows, just my gut feeling.

Obviously just my opinion, but I sayVandermeer sees very little time up on the wing this year. And the reason is that the team has very good 3rd and 4th line depth already. Last year - not so much, and so we saw him used in that role somewhat regularly. I'm sure there will still be the odd shift, but I don't think it will be anything we see on a regular basis.

And I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Keenan carry 7 D, I just don't think Eriksson will be one of the 7.

I don't know how these radio threads work, so sorry if I'm not supposed to reply to things in them.

I don't understand your reasoning in picking Pardy (or Pelech) over Warrener. It seems to me like you believe that Warrener is the better man over the two for the job, you're just concerned about future injuries. We all know that you can never have enough depth at D. So unless there is a significant trade that makes the Flames a better team, I would keep Warrener as the 7th Dman and if and/or when an injury to him arisses, then Pardy or Pelech can take his place. No cap concerns there.


This all said without the research and knowledge of if Pardy and Pelech may be sent down or called up without clearing waivers. I assume they can do so.

I kind of agree with MrMastodonFlame on this one.

Warrener might be better when healthy. And by all accounts he's had an outstanding camp. But the reality is that since the lockout he's only played 61, 62, and 31 games in each of the last 3 seasons. What's more is that in spite of looking great in pre-season games against pre-season calibre opposition, the reality is that his slow foot speed has been exposed by NHL wingers time and time again over the past couple of seasons.

The biggest thing for me though is his salary. Do you really want to commit $2.5 M to your #7 guy? Just my opinion, but I certainly don't/wouldn't.

So my top 7:
Phaneuf-Giordano
Regher-Sarich
Vandermeer-Aucoin (#2 PP pairing)
Pardy

[Pagal4321]

Dion
Regehr
Sarich
Aucoin
Vandermeer
Giordano
Warrener - to start season

Eriksson to minors.

Sutter swings a deal in the first month moving Warrener out, Eriksson gets called up.

I beleive the exact same situation will happen. HHF is a wise man.

[Flame19,289]

Flames top seven:

Regehr-Sarich
Phaneuf-Aucoin
Warrener-Giordano
Vandermeer

Pardy as the first call-up if the injury bug rears it's ugly head.

[browna]

Wow, I'm the only one so far (out of about 35 it looks like) who thinks Eriksson will be here to start the season. I think Keenan makes room for him. Maybe carry 7 D, have Vandermeer play the wing, who knows, just my gut feeling.

Yup, much to the chagrin/outrage that will infect this board, I too think Eriksson sticks, at least to start the year..maybe as a #7.

The coaches saw first hand last year that he compliments Phaneuf, which isn't a cake walk that anyone can handle. He's conditioned to be able to play 20 mins a game (Vandermeer for one struggled with that amount of minutes this preseason) based on last year.

Warrener looks as good or better right now, and god love him, but he's still a 31 year old playing in a 45 year old's body, as has been the case the last few years. Not dependable to play 60+ games anymore.

Eriksson's salary is $1.5m and did all he was brought in to do last year, and more, as that depth defenseman role. He seems to be the same unspectacular player this year. One may think guys like that are a dime a dozen around the league, but for every Eriksson, there are 3 other guys like that who are a crapshoot, see Andrei Zuzyin.

Maybe he lasts a few weeks until those younger guys maybe get some quality minutes in QC and maybe then he's out. Or not, and he's in a similar role as last year, switching in an out of the lineup with a still unproven (as to if he's improved from the player who was replaced by Zyuzin down the stretch two years ago) Mark Giordano.