[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by New Era

Here's your crash and bang line. Galiardi slides into his usual wing position. I'm not sure why you would slot him in as a center except to get Bouma into the lineup? Galiardi has been a winger and is horrible in the faceoff dot. They're bringing in Knight because of his faceoff abilities, so he'll likely start on the 4th line to prove his abilities. He's one of the few guys I think may play up the roster without a trade.

After the Flames acquired him they talked a bit about him being able to play centre. I'd have him on the wing by default as well. Knight can centre the 4th line. Bouma has actually seen some time at centre as well. Some of the positions in my lineup were interchangeable. I just think those are the 14-15 forwards most likely to make the big squad.

Originally Posted by New Era

These are the extras unless the team wants to give a guy like Granlund a roster spot. McGrattan is there for his fists and Jones is there because he can play up the lineup without hurting you. They may put Granlund in this slot and let him float throughout the lineup as the injury fill in. The Flames may have their hand forced in this regard because of Granlund's out clause to go back to Finland. Once he goes, he's gone for the season, so they may elect to keep him and use him as the taxi squad player. He has a lot more to offer than Bouma. Another wild card is Reinhart. He could use some time in the AHL to improve his offense, but of course that would only work if the Heat played him in an offensive role and played him with some talented players.

Granlund doesn't have a lot more to offer than Bouma on the 4th line because he's not a grinder. He's a top 3 line player or you send him to the minors or Finland. I'd be surprised if he made the team from what I've seen of him thus far.

Originally Posted by New Era

Some awfully strong statements with very little to support it. What makes Knight more NHL ready than Reinhart? Knight hasn't even taken a shift in the NHL or against NHL level players. Why is B. Jones guaranteed to lose his spot, especially to a guy that didn't play last year? I would think that Bouma is going to have to prove that he can still play after his lost year. What good will he had built up may still be there but he's still going to have to prove he can play at the NHL level. If this team is really a developing meritocracy then Bouma has to earn his spot over guys who played last year.

Knight is older and more mature than Reinhart. He's also offensively dominated the last level he played at. Reinhart started in the AHL on the checking lines and was snakebitten offensively. Later in the season he moved up as the Flames recalled many Heat players once the NHL season finally started. Knight is dominant on faceoffs which is a huge need for the Flames. He also has size and strength at centre which is a huge need for the Flames. So I think he's a natural fit to be our 3rd or 4th line centre to start the season. He also looked good at the development camp and was a pleasant surprise according to Weisbrod.

Blair Jones is likely to lose his spot because it's clear he isn't a coach's favourite. His scratching when we were super short on centres followed by his demotion to the Heat is a clear sign of that. Unless he shows a lot more urgency and physical play I think he will lose his spot to guys like Horak, Knight and Reinhart. B. Jones was a favourite under B. Sutter but was clearly in the doghouse of the Hartley coaching staff.

Originally Posted by New Era

Well, there is Hanowski and Ferland as options as well. Bouma is probably the closest of the bunch, but his year away from the game could be a killer. He could already be well down the depth chart before camp opens up solely on the fact that he didn't play last season.

You are putting WAY too much stock into Bouma not playing last season. And not enough stock into the fact that he was an NHLer two seasons ago at the end of the season and was pencilled in last year as well. Hanowski is not NHL ready from what I saw of him last season and I think he needs some seasoning in the minors. Ferland couldn't even crack the AHL regularly last year and also needs some seasoning in the minors. Bouma is far more NHL ready than either of them IMO.

Originally Posted by New Era

I look at Galiardi, Jones, Jones, Jackman, Hanowski and Ferland as all viable options for the 4th line and could see them being pushed down to that level if certain players step up in training camp and we have a couple good surprises. I'm not discounting Granlund and Reinhart from being players who make pushes in camp and force some moves.

Granlund is a long shot IMO. Hasn't played any time on North American sized ice yet. Hasn't played in our system.

Reinhart looked good last year and could certainly take a depth centre role but I think he'd be best served long term by getting his offensive confidence back first in the minors. I think he's in the mix but I think Knight has the edge.