2015/2016 - Predict the starting lineup

[Redrum]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

I'm as big of a Flames fan as the next guy but Eichel and McDavid are clearly in a higher tier. That's no slight against Bennett, who I think is awesome, it's just reality. Johnny couldn't beat out Ekblad and Stone with a 64 point season, what makes you think Bennett can beat out the most hyped prospect since Crosby and a slightly lesser player in Eichel?

If Bennett puts up 75 points next year, it will only be a 50/50 chance he wins IMO. Do you think he puts up that much or do you think McDavid and Eichel are over hyped? It's pretty much one or the other if you think Bennett has a "fantastic shot at the Calder". I would say "fantastic" means he's the odds on favorite, which I think is a false statement.

Well luckily McDerpid is in the west so at least Bennett has an even playing field. Not like this last season when some 5 year NHL vet who shouldn't have even been nominated got more votes than Johnny just for being in the weak-ass east where my 5 year old nephew could put up a PPG.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

I'm as big of a Flames fan as the next guy but Eichel and McDavid are clearly in a higher tier. That's no slight against Bennett, who I think is awesome, it's just reality. Johnny couldn't beat out Ekblad and Stone with a 64 point season, what makes you think Bennett can beat out the most hyped prospect since Crosby and a slightly lesser player in Eichel?

If Bennett puts up 75 points next year, it will only be a 50/50 chance he wins IMO. Do you think he puts up that much or do you think McDavid and Eichel are over hyped? It's pretty much one or the other if you think Bennett has a "fantastic shot at the Calder". I would say "fantastic" means he's the odds on favorite, which I think is a false statement.

I truly think Bennett is going to emerge as by far the best player from the 2014 draft. He was injure for quite some time and once he recovered he stepped right into the lineup. He seems so competitive and driven with a full healthy summer I think he adds size and his ability will make him a great secondary scorer.

I a, not convinced that McDavid and Eichel are in another level at 18 then Bennett is at 19. The flames have a far more mobile D and play an offensive style I think Bennett can challenge for rookie scoring leader

[squirtle]

I personally would rather prefer to put Hamilton with anyone but Engelland despite the chemistry that was built with the pairings last year.

Giordano - Wideman
Brodie - Hamilton
Russell - Engelland

All left - right shots paired together

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by PrettyBoyFlizzy

Yes because he came in to replace Mason Raymond not another winger. They had him playing 4th line centre against Anaheim. Sam will be up the middler this upcoming season and he will be amazing.

I would expect him to challenge Connor and Jack for the rookie of the year.

God, I hope not!



I have high hopes for Bennett, but I don't see any problem with starting him on the wing. Conroy openly criticised Sam's understanding of his defensive responsibilities when playing centre. Bennett is not Monahan as a rookie; he has a bit of work to do before he can assume one of the centre roles on this team. It's very possible he picks it all up very quickly at development camp and main camp — he's a smart kid. If he doesn't, I would rather see him get top 6 minutes on the wing playing with someone defensively responsible. It would allow him to soak up as many playing minutes as possible and also pick up some of the intricacies of the C position by watching a solid veteran do it. Before long he will be a top 6 centre on this team, but for the time being I would rather see him as a top 6 forward. We've seen players like Duschene, Seguin & Mackinnon break into the league on the wing, despite being drafted as C, and then shifted over sometime in their rookie seasons. I would expect to see the same thing with Bennett.

[gvitaly]

The Flames should just roll 5 defense-man(24 min each).
Surprisingly it works out exactly like last season's TOI:
Brodie-25:12
Giordano-25:10
Wideman-24:38
Russel-23:56
Hamilton-21:20
-------------------
AVG- 23:52

I know it won't happen and it resulted in some tired defense-man during the playoffs, but it is amazing that it is even a possibility.

[Justin]

I can't see Hartley putting Jooris on the wing. He was exceptional in the face-off circle last season.

I can't recall the exact numbers, but Jooris was our best face-off guy last year. Something close to 50%.

[Trailer Fire]

Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
Ferkland -Bennett - Frolik
Bouma - Backlund - Jones
Byron - Stajan - Colborne
Bollig - Jooris

Brodie - Hamilton
Giordano - Engelland
Russell - Wideman
Smid

Ramo
Ortio

---

Raymond gets moved for a 3rd round pick.
Hiller gets moved (@ 25% retained salary) for a 2nd round pick.
Granlund gets moved for a 3rd round pick. (Good player, simply can't break up a working line-up)

Ferkland emerges as a dominating power forward.
Bennett not only takes over the 2C position, but nearly forces Monahan out of 1C. Wins Calder despite McNumbnuts best efforts. 70 point season. Gasp.

Hartley rolls 3 defensive lines with Brodie/Dougie only earning 3 more minutes a night than Russell/Wideman.
Gio stays healthy and takes home the Norris.

Ortio emerges as the true #1 by mid season.

[Justin]

Originally Posted by Trailer Fire

Raymond gets moved for a 3rd round pick.
Hiller gets moved (@ 25% retained salary) for a 2nd round pick.
Granlund gets moved for a 3rd round pick. (Good player, simply can't break up a working line-up)

Ferkland emerges as a dominating power forward.
Bennett not only takes over the 2C position, but nearly forces Monahan out of 1C. Wins Calder despite McNumbnuts best efforts. 70 point season. Gasp.

Hartley rolls 3 defensive lines with Brodie/Dougie only earning 3 more minutes a night than Russell/Wideman.
Gio stays healthy and takes home the Norris.

Ortio emerges as the true #1 by mid season.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Trailer Fire

Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
Ferkland -Bennett - Frolik
Bouma - Backlund - Jones
Byron - Stajan - Colborne
Bollig - Jooris

Brodie - Hamilton
Giordano - Engelland
Russell - Wideman
Smid

Ramo
Ortio

---

Raymond gets moved for a 3rd round pick.
Hiller gets moved (@ 25% retained salary) for a 2nd round pick.
Granlund gets moved for a 3rd round pick. (Good player, simply can't break up a working line-up)

Ferkland emerges as a dominating power forward.
Bennett not only takes over the 2C position, but nearly forces Monahan out of 1C. Wins Calder despite McNumbnuts best efforts. 70 point season. Gasp.

Hartley rolls 3 defensive lines with Brodie/Dougie only earning 3 more minutes a night than Russell/Wideman.
Gio stays healthy and takes home the Norris.

Ortio emerges as the true #1 by mid season.

Why move Granlund for that return? He doesn't require waivers next year and is good depth.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

If Granlund isn't in the long term plans (I don't think he is) than it would probably be smart to move him at some point between now and the trade deadline as he is waiver eligible in 16/17. A 3rd for him at this point is probably fair, but maybe he could get a 2nd? Connolly just went for 2 2nds, Baertschi for 1, and I think those guys are reasonable comparables but probably higher valued around the league at the same time due mainly to draft pedigree.

[Gaskal]

I'd consider Raymond's contract as negative value so I don't think teams would want him unless they get a bit of compensation, like upgrading a later round pick. Say, Raymond + 5th for 6th.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

I'd consider Raymond's contract as negative value so I don't think teams would want him unless they get a bit of compensation, like upgrading a later round pick. Say, Raymond + 5th for 6th.

Sold! If I'm BT, I'm pushing the secretary out of the way and faxing confirmation to the league personally.

[Yanda]

Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
Bouma - Backlund - Frolik
Ferland - Bennett - Colborne
Jooris - Stajan - Jones
--- Bollig, Raymond, Byron, Granlund, Shore ---

Giordano - Brodie
Russell - Hamilton
Engelland - Wideman
--- Smid, Schlemko, Tspoon ---

Ramo
Ortio
--- Hiller ---

[devo22]

CALGARY

Johnny Gaudreau - Sean Monahan - Jiri Hudler
Sam Bennett - Mikael Backlund - Michael Frolik
Michael Ferland - Matt Stajan - David Jones
Lance Bouma - Josh Jooris - Joe Colborne

T.J. Brodie - Mark Giordano
Kris Russell - Dougie Hamilton
Dennis Wideman - Deryk Engelland

Karri Ramo - Joni Ortio

Scratches/Extras: Brandon Bollig, Drew Shore, David Schlemko

I think Bennett will play in the middle by the end of the season, but I wouldn't be surprised if he starts the season on the wing. I thought he played well on a line with Backlund in the playoffs and Frolik could be a good addition on that line. The Ferland-Stajan-Jones line worked pretty well in the playoffs, so that leaves Colborne, Jooris and Bouma. Flames wouldn't have a typical fourth line in that scenario, but rather two third lines to operate with and keep the pressure on all the time. Shore requires waivers, so he stays up. IMO the Flames then still need to get rid of two forwards out of Bollig, Byron and Raymond ... picked Bollig to stay because he stepped up in the playoffs. Granlund goes down again because he's waiver exempt, but he'll spend a lot of time in Calgary again.

On the blueline, Wotherspoon goes down again to play big minutes in Stockton, while the Flames retain Schlemko for one year to be the 7th defenseman (unless Smid recovers, but unfortunately, I have my doubts).

In net, I hope we trade Hiller with salary retained and go with the Finnish tandem.

---------------------------------------------

STOCKTON

David Wolf - Markus Granlund - Emile Poirier
Morgan Klimchuk - Bill Arnold - Kenny Agostino
Turner Elson - Derek Grant - Garnet Hathaway
Bryce van Brabant - Mathieu Tousignant - Austin Carroll

Tyler Wotherspoon - Kenney Morrison
Ryan Culkin - Jakub Nakladal
Brett Kulak - Patrick Sieloff

Jon Gillies

Scratches/Extras: Hunter Smith, Louick Marcotte, Keegan Kanzig

[Da_Chief]

Gaudreau-Monahan-Sharp - Top 2 young forwards with the newcomer
Ferland-Bennett-Hudler - Hudler gets to play with 2 new kids
Backlund-Colborne-Frolik - Colby can win faceoffs, Backs can't, Hello down low cycle
Bouma-Stajan-Byron - This line would be relentless
Bollig/Jooris
Granlund and Shore traded for Sharp
Raymond traded for a 7th to Coyotes. Old Boss doing him a favour

Giordano-Wideman - Play 22 a night, Gio is better then Russell so Wideman's mistakes limited
Brodie-Hamilton - Play 22 a night Could be the top pair by seasons end
Russell-Engelland - Play 16 a night, Russell = fast, small, Engelland = slow, big
Wotherspoon - Gets in for whoever is hurt

Ramo - Starts the season as #1
Ortio - As #2
Hiller - Ortio outperforms him, Hiller is traded/waived at training camp

[SeanCharles]

Makes more sense to post what you want as the starting lineup as opposed to predicting it:

Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Bouma-Backlund-Frolik
Ferland-Bennett-Colborne
Jooris-Stajan-Jones
Byron/Shore

Gio-Brodie
Russell-Hamilton
Schlemko-Wideman
Engelland

Ortio
Ramo

[mrdonkey]

Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Raymond-Backlund-Frolik
Bouma-Bennett-Jones
Ferland-Stajan-Colborne
Bollig, Byron

Gio-Brodie
Russell-Hamilton
Smid-Wideman
Engelland

Hiller
Ramo

Unless Treliving has another rabbit in his hat I can't see him finding new homes for Raymond, Bollig, or Hiller just yet. Shore and Jooris get traded for late rounders to teams looking to pick up some extra depth. Ortio goes on waivers out of camp and people freak out, but he clears and comes back up after the trade deadline. Raymond gets waived part way through the season and is replaced with call ups.

Smid and Wideman looks like a scary pairing, but they probably won't see that much time over the top 4.

PP1:

Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Gio-Wideman

PP2:

Raymond-Bennett-Frolik
Brodie-Hamilton

PK1:

Backlund-Frolik
Gio-Brodie

PK2:

Bouma-Stajan
Russell-Hamilton

[NewFan]

Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Sedin-Sedin-Frolik
Bouma-Backlund-Jones
Ferland-Stajan-Colborne
Bollig, Byron

Gio-Brodie
Russell-Hamilton
Byfuglien-Wideman

Ramo
Ortio

[DJones]

Originally Posted by NewFan

Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Sedin-Sedin-Frolik
Bouma-Backlund-Jones
Ferland-Stajan-Colborne
Bollig, Byron

Gio-Brodie
Russell-Hamilton
Byfuglien-Wideman

Ramo
Ortio

Not shown; We no longer have any prospects

[Enoch Root]

or cap space

or future