Quote:
Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan
Does nobody think Backlund will be re-signed? Backs has been our best forward in the last 2-3 weeks and if he continues to progress, could be a 1B/2nd line center for this team going forward. To me the lineup already looks like this for the start of next season:
Tanguay-Backlund-Cammalleri
Baertschi-Horak-Hudler
Glencross-Stajan-Stempniak
McGrattan/Bouma-Reinhart-Jackman
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your lineup seems reasonable with the players currently under contract.
The Flames however played much better the last 10 games of the season..... not counting the last 3 where they finally put in a line-up that looked like an exhibition game line-up.... when they put tougher players playing with the smaller skilled guys.
So in the top 2 lines
Tanguay 6-1 195
Backlund 6-0 200
Cammalleri 5-9 183
Baertschi 5-10 186
Horak 6-0 180
Hudler 5-9 178
average just under 5-11 187 lbs.
Eberle 6-0 185
Gagner 5-10 191
RNH 6-0 171
Hall 6-1 194
yakapov 5-11 185
Hemsky 6-0 184
average just under 6-0 183
kane 5-11 181
Bolland 6-0 184
Sharp 6-1 199
Hossa 6-1 210
Toews 6-2 208
Saad 6-1 203
Average 6-1/2 198
Cosby 5-11 200
Malkin 6-3 212
Neal 6-2 215
Iginla 6-1 207
Kunitz 6-0 193
Dupuis 6-1 200
Average 6-1 204
and the Stanley Cup Champs LA kings
Carter 6-4 199
Richards 5-11 199
Brown 6-0 204
Williams 6-1 191
Kopitar 6-3 225
Penner 6-4 242
Average just under 6-2 210
Spot the trend if you can.
The Flames (and Oilers) need 2-3 guys that are average sized on the good teams in their top 6. No amount of talent can overcome this.
That is why Glencross at 6-1 200 is the Flame's most valuable, un-tradeable forward.
If Cervenka, a UFA, is stupid enough to re-sign with the Flames where he has the absolute worst chance of success (outside of Edmonton), then he is so stupid that I wouldn't want him on the team.
The same goes for Hudler...... why would a tiny forward sign on to a tiny team when he has other better options?