Flames 6th and 7th Defencemen - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Kipper_3434 · 08-08-2017, 10:48 PM

With the top 5 locked up, who fits in as number 6 and 7? Noticed that a number of lineups and proposals have Bartowski in the minors. Kulak, however, seems to make the cut more often than not. Personally, I wouldn't be shocked to see the flames bring in a veteran late in the off season. Given their tendency in the past to use up every shred of cap possible.

Furthermore who do you see, if anyone, making the team as a regular over the next 3 years and beyond? Could anyone potentially displace one of the big 5?

My best guess as the team stands right now: Kulak makes the team and plays 60ish games. Bartowski is number 7, as he has some experience and the least need for playing time. In terms of injury Anderson and Wotherspoon are the likeliest call ups.

Long term Kulak could be a good depth guy while Anderson and Valimaki(sp?) could seemingly replace spots in the top 5 eventually. Kylington is interesting, if Kulak isn't a good fit with Stone on the bottom pairing, then Kylington could be used as a power play specialist in that spot.

Summer is boring and I'm not sober.

TheScorpion · 08-08-2017, 10:50 PM

1 - Giordano
2 - Hamilton
3 - Brodie
4 - Hamonic
5 - Stone
6 - Kulak
7 - Wotherspoon
8 - Andersson

This is what I expect for the coming season. I imagine management will actually want to give Wotherspoon one decent final shot, and if he falters, Andersson can easily supplant him. Bartkowski is there in the AHL.

GranteedEV · 08-08-2017, 10:51 PM

#6 - Kulak
#7 - Wotherspoon
Dark Horse #7 - Healey
1st Callup LD - Kylington
1st Callup RD - Andersson
Get off mah lawn - Bartkowski

FBI · 08-08-2017, 10:52 PM

I sorta wish Wotherspoon was gone but looks like he still might be in the plans... So make or break for him for #6/#7 spot I think..

savardandjokinen · 08-08-2017, 11:01 PM

Kulak as 6th, Bartkowski as 7th with Wotherspoon in contention for 7.

Mister Yamoto · 08-08-2017, 11:20 PM

I think the job is Bartkowskis'. And if any of Wotherspoon, Kylington, Andersson or Kulak outplay Bartkowski in camp then the job is theirs.

Calgary4LIfe · 08-08-2017, 11:46 PM

I actually think the job is wide-open right now for the 6th spot.

I would bet the favorite is Kulak. I do think he can out-play Bartkowski for that spot. Wotherspoon and Kylington both have a shot at it as well.

I would also bet that Treliving would prefer Bartkowski in that 7th spot over Wotherspoon, and for sure over Kylington. I think Wotherspoon still has some upside left, and he is a rock in Stockton anyways. If any of the young defencemen don't win the #6 spot, they will probably get sent down even if Wotherspoon and Kulak need waivers. Small gamble I think that Treliving would take.

btimbit · 08-09-2017, 06:48 AM

I'd say Batkowski has the 7th spot unless he craps the bed in training camp. 6th spot is wide open

Bingo · 08-09-2017, 07:12 AM

What makes the team interesting now is the 7th spot is only a roster spot in name given the push by Gulutzan to play lefties with righties.

Bartkowski is the logical choice to sit in the press box, it's better use of development for other players.

The righties don't really have a chance to beat out any of the three on the right side, but they would leap frog past Bartkowski into the guy playing if a right handed D goes down.

So as said it's Kulak vs Wotherspoon in my mind as I can't see Kylington or Healey pushing through just yet, Bartkowski to munch popcorn.

But a minor injury to any of Hamilton, Hamonic or Stone and you get an interesting call up this year.

sureLoss · 08-09-2017, 07:27 AM

^ As things sit right now there is only one rightie signed to an NHL deal outside of Hamilton, Hamonic, or Stone: Andersson. Which may indicate they are looking to perhaps add another depth rightie.

Also FWIW, I heard some rumblings Kulak may be wearing #3 this season. Its not worth a lot though, as they gave Wotherspoon a regular number a few years ago...

Flames Draft Watcher · 08-09-2017, 07:29 AM

Agreed with some that it's Kulak likely for spot #6 and Wotherspoon vs Bartkowski for #7. If Wotherspoon and Kulak both do well in camp I could see us keeping both and waiving Bartkowski. Don't think Kylington is ready yet. Healey is a long shot as well IMO.

calgaryblood · 08-09-2017, 07:41 AM

Bartkoswki should be no where the NHL Flames at any point this season. Just a very bad defenseman who isn't about to figure it out. Please shoot him in to the sun.

neo45 · 08-09-2017, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

Bartkoswki should be no where the NHL Flames at any point this season. Just a very bad defenseman who isn't about to figure it out. Please shoot him in to the sun.

He was better than both Kulak and Wotherspoon which is why he played in the playoffs.

Kulak and Wotherspoon won't be gifted anything. If they don't take a big stride forward either one could be put on waivers. Last year they were not good enough.

GioforPM · 08-09-2017, 07:54 AM

Kulak really didn't impress me much last year - he tended to get trapped a lot. And when Wotherspoon got a call-up he looked fine as a bottom pairing guy. So I would give the latter (who I agree is on his last chance ticket) the opportunity.

Bart is the designated sitter.

calgaryblood · 08-09-2017, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neo45

He was better than both Kulak and Wotherspoon which is why he played in the playoffs.

Kulak and Wotherspoon won't be gifted anything. If they don't take a big stride forward either one could be put on waivers. Last year they were not good enough.

No he really wasn't. Kulak was better than him and Wotherspoon barely got any real playing time to say one way or another.

What I do know is Bartkowski was trash in pretty much every game. He is awful.

Cleveland Steam Whistle · 08-09-2017, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kipper_3434

With the top 5 locked up, who fits in as number 6 and 7? Noticed that a number of lineups and proposals have Bartowski in the minors. Kulak, however, seems to make the cut more often than not. Personally, I wouldn't be shocked to see the flames bring in a veteran late in the off season. Given their tendency in the past to use up every shred of cap possible.

I think you see Kulak in most line up proposals because that's what we'd all like / hope we'll see. One of the young prospects step up, it would be what's best for the team now and long term.

I think Kulak has a great chance of taking that spot potentially, but you'll see that from most fans (myself included) when you look at any roster proposal - tendency to be overly optimistic about what a rookie can bring and sometimes a much harsher and less realistic view on what the veterans actually bring to the table.

Cali Panthers Fan · 08-09-2017, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

No he really wasn't. Kulak was better than him and Wotherspoon barely got any real playing time to say one way or another.

What I do know is Bartkowski was trash in pretty much every game. He is awful.

This is pretty hyperbolic. I'm not in love with Bartkowski, but he was a passable defenseman in most games. Good physical presence, able to skate the puck up ice decently, ok in his own zone with some questionable decision making at times. Pretty much what you expect from a bottom pairing defenseman.

Hockey-and_stuff · 08-09-2017, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

This is pretty hyperbolic. I'm not in love with Bartkowski, but he was a passable defenseman in most games. Good physical presence, able to skate the puck up ice decently, ok in his own zone with some questionable decision making at times. Pretty much what you expect from a bottom pairing defenseman.

Agreed. Bartkowski isn't super impressive but he was passable most nights. Kulak didn't do enough to distinguish himself last season, as IMO his decision making was poor and he had a tendency to get pinned in his own zone too often.

I can say the exact same things about Bartkowski as well. If you're expecting your bottom pair D to play like Drew Doughty you'll be disappointed every season. They're bottom pair for a reason.

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Bingo · 08-09-2017, 08:58 AM

I think there's a tendency to hammer 13th forwards and 7th defenseman for not being very good, when in actual fact they're not supposed to be as they don't have healthy roster positions.

Bartkowski wouldn't be on a two way contract if he was "good", he wouldn't have been rescued from the AHL if he was "good".

He was a serviceable 7th guy that was thrust upward on a roster that had Dennis Wideman going toes up midway through the season.

His signing got them expansion draft check marked, and now he's a solid idea for a guy that doesn't play much unless there's an injury to the left side.

Fire · 08-09-2017, 09:24 AM

The last thing the Flames need to do is sign another veteran defenseman before the season start. Let Bartkowski, Andersson, Wotherspoon, Kulak, Kylington, etc fight it out for the #6 and #7 spots. My guess is that Bartowski is the #7 guy and Kulak wins the #6 spot. If a RH d-man gets hurt then Andersson is the first call-up. If another RH D-man gets hurt they can always move Brodie back to the right side and than Bartkoswki or Wotherspoon can move into the line-up.