2015/2016 - Predict the starting lineup

[FBI]

This was a fun thread over the summer last year with some of you guys making impressive predictions such as picking up hiller, and Raymond etc.

Here's my super early take:
Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
Bennett - Backlund - Colborne
Bouma - Stajan - Ferland
Byron - Shore - Jooris
Bollig, Raymond

Gio
Brodie
Russell
Wideman
Engelland
Wotherspoon
Diaz

Ramo (what i'm hoping for, but it will probably actually be Hiller)
Ortio

Really hope somehow Raymond is gone next year.

[Samuelsson]

I hope we get in some UFA's. Especially a Defenseman. But otherwise, a good lineup.

Edit: Frolik also wouldn't look too bad on this team.

[codynw]

So the Flames acquire zero new roster players between now and October?

Makes sense.

[K1LLswitch]

I hope it has Shlemko on it!

[FBI]

This is a dickish free thread please. Feel free to post your lineup predictions.

Originally Posted by codynw

So the Flames acquire zero new roster players between now and October?

Makes sense.

[Phanuthier]

This is just my guess, and I do not think we will be acquiring any players via trade or UFA.

Gaudreau - Monahan - Colborne/UFA
Bennett - Backlund - Hudler
Bouma - Stajan - Jones
Ferland - Shore - Jooris
Bollig, Byron

Comments: I think Hudler is going to be a sell high asset soon, and is keeping a seat warm for Poirer. I wouldnt be surprised to see Poirer with a regular NHL spot by the end of the season. Bennett starts off at LW but eventually moves to center once he gets more comfy, so he mentors under Backlunds wing until then. The top 2 lines both have a center to take draws. Byron and Jooris will feel a lot of pressure by guys playing up the roster and targets for potential trade. Between the 2, I wouldnt be surprised to see Jooris being given an opportunity somewhere else. Bollig retains his spot in the lineup as we saw how important a guy of his ilk is in the playoffs.

Gio - Brodie
Russell - Wideman
Engelland - Schlemko
Diaz, Smid

No real surprises here

[tvp2003]

A quick resource to see who is under contract next year, remaining contract years, and UFA/RFA status: http://flames.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=97763

Originally Posted by FBI

Here's my super early take:
Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
Bennett - Backlund - Colborne
Bouma - Stajan - Ferland
Byron - Shore - Jooris
Bollig, Raymond

Jones traded?

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

\Byron and Jooris will feel a lot of pressure by guys playing up the roster and targets for potential trade. Between the 2, I wouldnt be surprised to see Jooris being given an opportunity somewhere else.

You picked small, speed, and grit over size, speed, and grit?

Between Byron and Jooris I'd have to go with the younger, bigger guy. Plus, Jooris has a right shot.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

You picked small, speed, and grit over size, speed, and grit?

Between Byron and Jooris I'd have to go with the younger, bigger guy. Plus, Jooris has a right shot.

Just based upon how I see Hartley pick his players. Byron might be small but he's a bit of a catalyst on the lower lines. Honestly though, I think both will get pushed down or out of the depth charts over time.

[Dr. Doom]

I could see the Flames acquiring a guy like Patrick Sharp for added offense and veteran presence...

[ForeverFlameFan]

Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
Colborne - Backlund - Williams (LA - 2y x 4.75m)
Ferland - Bennett - Shore
Bouma - Stajan - Jones
Bollig, Jooris

Giordano - Brodie
Russell - Wideman
Schlemko - Engelland
Diaz

Ramo
Ortio

[Phanuthier]

Isn't Patrick Sharp as LWer?

Justin Wiliiams would be awesome but I think it would cost closer to $6-7M per year, 2 years... Mr Game 7 is no secret. He might be worth it though.

[AC]

No Bennett ForeverFlameFan?

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by AC

No Bennett ForeverFlameFan?

How could I forget him..

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
Colborne - Backlund - Williams (LA - 2y x 4.75m)
Ferland - Bennett - Shore
Bouma - Stajan - Jones
Bollig, Jooris

Giordano - Brodie
Russell - Wideman
Schlemko - Engelland
Diaz

Ramo
Ortio

As nice as willams is he won't be signing a 2 year contract.

[Monahan23]

what I predict

Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
Bouma - Backlund - Colborne
Granlund - Bennett - Ward
Ferland - Stajan - Jones

Giordano - Brodie
Russell - Wideman
Schlemko - Engelland
Diaz

Ramo
Ortio

[GreenLantern]

Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Sharp-Bennett-Jones
Bouwma-Backlund-Colborne
Ferland-Stajan-Thikonov
Bollig, Shore

Giordano-Brodie
Russell-Wideman
Franson-Engelland
Schlemko, Wotherspoon

Ramo
Ortio

[Delthefunky]

There's a lot of pretty good options!. I think overall we need to get some bigger skilled guys in the lineup. Of course that's easier said then done.

I'm not sure who I would trade off of our roster, and I don't really think we should trade too many picks either. As far as forwards go, if anyone but Bouma, Ferland, Gaudreau, Monahan, Bennett and Poirier got us a really good deal, then I'd do it. On defense I'd consider Brodie, Gio, Russell pretty much untouchable, and I think I'd keep Wideman and Engelland unless a good deal was avail. I actually thought a guy like Smid would have been a good #6 in this series, and I'd like to keep Schlemko over Diaz, but ok with keeping both if we can. I thought Wotherspoon looked promising, to me right now he might end up a really good 5/6 guy to have going forward, and who knows 5 years from now.

Anyways, would be awesome if we could add to that a top 4 D with some good size

In goal, I'd keep Ramo.. Hiller was great at times, and really bad at times. In short he was pretty inconsistent and Ramo was really able to raise his game when it mattered. Hiller looked a bit fragile. I just think Ramo's the better overall of the two. Still not sure what to make of Ortio, I'm not as sold on him yet and just think we need to see him in more games. On his 6 game streak he did look really good. I kind of expect those 3 just to battle it out in Sept.

Or.. maybe we don't do much. A few minor moves but pretty much status quo. If we're determined to be patient I really like what the long term potential of our roster could be with guys like Poirier, Klimchuk, Carroll, and I forget our D-man in college who looks really good.. Maybe Kanzig ends up a good skater . How awesome would a capable 6'7 Keegan Kanzig have been against the ducks!.

After writing all this, I'm wondering if we can just add a good fwd and a good D through free agency -- both big and skilled. I don't really know who's all available, but I think a guy like Stafford would be alright. He just strikes me as a steady guy who competes hard. Then just push everyone down the depth chart and let them battle it out at camp.

So yeah! pretty much who the F knows.. I guess we just wait and see what becomes available, then look back this time next year Either way things are looking good! Screw you Oilers!!

[Travis Munroe]

Finally.... a off season where we have so many options.
A 4th line of Jones, Stajan, Ferland is absolutely perfect.
It is a great balance of youth and experience along with talent and size/aggression

Is there a chance to pry Toffoli from the kings as he is a RFA? I would love to see the same roster we had with the addition of a Joel Ward who has been the caps top performer in these playoffs & Toffoli should Treliving want to roll the dice and take a risk reward gamble.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Forwards

Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
Bennett - Vermette - Stafford
Bouma - Colborne - Jones
Ferland - Stajan - Jooris
Shore/Bollig

Trade bait: Backlund, Raymond, Granlund

Let go: Byron

Notes: I would not be opposed to trading to improve secondary scoring but I feel Vermette and Stafford would be good fits given their strengths. Both would likely come at a combined cap hit of around $10-$12m but if they would sign have to sign 2 year deals, which I'm not sure they would. I would offer Vermette 2 x 7m and Stafford 2 x 5m. If rejected, I would try the trade market to upgrade the top 6. Really like the look of that bottom 6, certainly would be hard to play against in the playoffs. I wouldn't mind seeing Colborne a center again, a 6'5'' center is just tantalizing. Jones becoming UFA in a year opens a spot for Poirier.

Defense

Giordano - Brodie
Russell - Wideman/Michalek
Michalek/Wideman - Engelland
Schlemko

IR: Smid

Let go: Diaz

Notes: This has been discussed ad nauseam in other threads but I really believe this D needs another 18-20 minute guy who is solid in his own zone, can skate and can also make a good outlet pass. Michalek is that guy and is RH to boot. With the lack of D on the horizon (I'm not even close to being sold on Wotherspoon and he's our #1 prospect) I would offer a guy like Michalek 5 years @ 5m per. Given the style he plays and his skating ability, I'm not worried about regression as he approaches 36, 37 in the latter half of the deal. In fact, I think he'd be a solid trade chip in some future season a la Zidlicky, once we do get our own drafted defensemen ready to play. I think trading for a younger version of Michalek will be way too expensive, so the UFA market will probably be where any upgrade the defense, if at all. I would love to see Schlemko retained as he is an ideal 6/7 guy who can move up with injuries.

Goaltenders

Hiller
Ortio

Let go: Ramo

Notes: Unless there is legitimate trade interest in Hiller, then I would look at moving him and signing Ramo. By legitimate I mean a 3rd round pick, at minimum.