Flames Off-Season Game Plan - TSN

[Rick M.]

Speed is the name of the game these days. We need forward and D adds who can skate, not over 30s in decline.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by Nehkara

Off-Season Game Plan: Calgary Flames

How on EARTH do we sign Alzner and Franson and acquire Jimmy Howard when it appears we haven't dealt away any assets at all? There also appears to be no consideration taken for how all these players fit under the salary cap. Great plan though :haha:

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

I mean, Vrbata is coming off of a 55-point season on one of the worst teams in the NHL, and is 35, not 37. I'd rather add him than a 39-year-old Iginla.

Nilsson was the best backup in the NHL last year. I'd be willing to give both he and Raanta a shot at the number-one job.

Sorry I thought he was 36 last season not 35. He had a great bounce back last year but failed to score 30pts the year before so unless it is a Versteeg style signing (PTO, under $1M on a NHL deal) then I hope the Flames steer clear.

Goaltending is just a massive risk. Maybe it pays off?

I just look at the roster you created and while it is all very realistic I would have concerns heading into October with that group. The goaltending is an even bigger question mark than this past year (could be good could be bad). The blueline has no depth and still pretty weak on the bottom 3, and the forwards are similar. If the goalie gamble pays off and the big 3 on the backend stay healthy I think that team gets in the playoffs but if those goalies fail and some injuries occur the team could be drafting top 10

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

For the sake of sakes, here's my projected roster:

Johnny Gaudreau - Sean Monahan - Micheal Ferland
Kris Versteeg - Sam Bennett - Radim Vrbata
Matthew Tkachuk - Mikael Backlund - Michael Frolik
Curtis Lazar - Mark Jankowski - Alex Chiasson
Matt Stajan

Mark Giordano - Dougie Hamilton
T.J. Brodie - Michael Stone
Paul Postma - Rasmus Andersson
Matt Bartkowski

Antti Raanta
Anders Nilsson

This is a pretty realistic lineup for next year. Lose Brouwer to expansion, move Bouma for anything (and possibly as a part in a Raanta deal). I would prefer to sub-out Vrbata for a younger player, possibly move on from Chiasson and perhaps leave Johnson in as a back-up.

[JJsChaos]

I think TJ Oshie should be at the top of their list.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by JJsChaos

I think TJ Oshie should be at the top of their list.

I think TJ Oshie would be a terrible fit. Radulov would be a much better fit because he would give JG another high end skill player to play with. Also just no to Howard, I would bring back Elliott before Howard! Hell, I would turn the starter over to Johnson, Gillies, or even bc-chris before bringing in Howard.

[topfiverecords]

Tkachuk - Backlund - Frolik
Gaudreau - Monahan - Ferland
Lazar - Bennett - Brouwer
Jankowski - Stajan - Hathaway
Chiasson

Giordano - Hamilton
Brodie - Stone
Bartkowski - Engelland

Smith
Gillies/Rittich

Kulak taken by Vegas

[Major Major]

Is this really a Cullen piece? Must have hired a ghost writer. Was expecting him to suggest an upgrade on Tony Amonte for 2nd line rw.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

Tkachuk - Backlund - Frolik
Gaudreau - Monahan - Ferland
Lazar - Bennett - Brouwer
Jankowski - Stajan - Hathaway
Chiasson

Giordano - Hamilton
Brodie - Stone
Bartkowski - Engelland

Smith
Gillies/Rittich

Kulak taken by Vegas

I doubt the Flames saddle Bennett with Brouwer again and I'm not sure if Lazar is more than a 4th liner at this point.

[wretched34]

Tkachuk-Monahan-Gaudreau (Gaudrea/Tkachuk can switch if more comfortable)
Ferland-Backlund-Frolik (Backlund and Frolik have proven with their chemistry they can elevate their linemate)
Versteeg-Bennett-Williams (Versteeg and Lazar can alternate if Lazar shows some growth)
Lazar-Jankowski-Brouwer
Stajan

Giordano-Hamilton
Andersson-Brodie (Andersson and Alzner can swap, I just see Andersson's game being better suited to playing with Brodie)
Bartkowski-Alzner
Kylington

Fleury
Gillies

Kulak taken by Vegas, Bouma + Poirier + 2018 2nd rd pick for Fleury + 3rd rd Pick (whether done with Pits or Vegas)
Sign Williams (3.15), Versteeg (1.75) and Alzner (3.0) as UFA's
Re-sign Bennett (2.95) Ferland (1.25) Lazar (1.1)

Cap hit just under $71M

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

I doubt the Flames saddle Bennett with Brouwer again and I'm not sure if Lazar is more than a 4th liner at this point.

I don't see Brouwer going anywhere, and there's no room for Bennett higher in the lineup. I don't think they'll want to give up anything to Vegas to take Brouwer.

Lazar is more than a 4th liner, in that his role will be less defensive/checking than you'd get from Jankowski and Hathaway.

If they can find a way to move out Brouwer, great, just slot Chiasson in his spot.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

I don't see Brouwer going anywhere, and there's no room for Bennett higher in the lineup. I don't think they'll want to give up anything to Vegas to take Brouwer.

Lazar is more than a 4th liner, in that his role will be less defensive/checking than you'd get from Jankowski and Hathaway.

If they can find a way to move out Brouwer, great, just slot Chiasson in his spot.

I agree that we're likely stuck with Brouwer but I would like to see Bennett with better players. Janko and Versteeg possibly.

[dissentowner]

Gaudreau/Monahan/Radulov
Tkachuk/Backlund/Frolik
Versteeg/Bennett/Ferland
Stajan/Jankowski/Lazar

Gio/Hamilton
Brodie/Stone
Andersson/Bartowski
Kulak

Smith
Johnson

Shinkaruk and Mason McDonald dealt to LV to pick Troy Brouwer

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

I agree that we're likely stuck with Brouwer but I would like to see Bennett with better players. Janko and Versteeg possibly.

Oh, don't get me wrong. 100% agree. I just see this as a cautiously likely scenario.

My preferred team would look very very different.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Shinkaruk and Mason McDonald dealt to LV to pick Troy Brouwer

So... a guy that they stand a decent chance of getting off the waiver wire later and a ECHL goalie (who wasn't very good in the ECHL) to take a 12M in bad money off our hands.

You have a very low opinion of George McPhee.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Gaudreau/Monahan/Radulov
Tkachuk/Backlund/Frolik
Versteeg/Bennett/Ferland
Stajan/Jankowski/Lazar

Gio/Hamilton
Brodie/Stone
Andersson/Bartowski
Kulak

Smith
Johnson

Shinkaruk and Mason McDonald dealt to LV to pick Troy Brouwer

The way pundits in the know are talking you are sending 1st/2nd rounders and young pieces to Vegas if you want a bad contract taken. Shinkaruk and McDonald likely are not getting it done.

[Toonage]

Yeah, the Flames don't really have a whole lot they would want to dangle in front of Vegas to prevent them from taking someone of greater value. If Vegas wants say, Brett Kulak, there won't be much stopping them from doing just that.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Yeah, the Flames don't really have a whole lot they would want to dangle in front of Vegas to prevent them from taking someone of greater value. If Vegas wants say, Brett Kulak, there won't be much stopping them from doing just that.

Nor should the Flames stop them. Imo there are only 2 expansion moves the Flames should consider. The first is incentivize Vegas to take Brouwer off our hands. Not giving up the 16th pick but if they have interest in Brouwer but also want Kulak we can send them Kulak and another prospect or late pick for free for taking Brouwer. The other move I could maybe see is if they swing a trade for a forward before expansion they may need to send something small to Vegas for not selecting Lazar.

If Vegas wants a first to take Brouwer or the Flames stand pat roster wise then Vegas can take whoever they want. Losing Kulak, Shinkaruk or Porier won't be the end of the world and players not worth sending assets to protect

[cannon7]

What about Loui Eriksson? Sure, he's a Canuck, but only has one year of stink on him. Hasn't fit in on the Canucks roster like they had hoped and with the Canucks being in rebuild mode he may want out. Canucks won't get much for him after the season he had, but Eriksson looks like a guy prime for a rebound. Maybe a prospect + pick for Eriksson? I admit that I was hoping the Flames had acquired him last offseason...his contract is steep, though, so I would expect the Canucks to eat some salary depending on how good the prospect/pick going back.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Parallex

So... a guy that they stand a decent chance of getting off the waiver wire later and a ECHL goalie (who wasn't very good in the ECHL) to take a 12M in bad money off our hands.

You have a very low opinion of George McPhee.

I thought I heard McPhee has a very high opinion of Brouwer though.