Quote:
Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix
I wonder how many times a lineup with zero changes has been proposed in this thread? I think we're going to have some angry people here on July 1st.
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I know what you mean. Maybe people just like to avoid extreme uncertainty. I think they'll probably be 2 major changes (signings, trades, etc) before the start of next season.
Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
Bouma/Free agent - Backlund - Jones
Jooris/Bouma - Bennett - Colborne
Bollig - Stajan - Ferland/Jooris
Granlund, Shore, Raymond
Giordano - Brodie
Russell - Wideman
Ehrhoff (or another acquired player) - Engelland
Wotherspoon, Schlemko
Hiller
Ortio
I wonder what they will end up doing with Drew Shore? Maybe he'll just wait for injuries to affect the team. I didn't give Raymond a spot, but I think he'll rebound a bit next year (as long as he is given a chance). Other than Bennett, I don't see any rookies making the Flames next season.
With Ehrhoff signed (hopefully only one year), the D-corps would be quite old (no one under 25, 4 over 32), yet experienced.
The second line looks rather terrible offensively, so perhaps the Flames would sign some sort of 2nd line scorer, or Raymond could rebound. If the Flames regress next season, I bet it will be due to the pressure put on the first line.
I don't see the Flames benching Bollig often. Ferland is more likely to miss time (knowing how Hartley plays his players). Wootherspoon could potentially get a permanent spot on the lineup at some point during the season.
I am quite sure that the Flames will be keeping Hiller over Ramo. Ramo's contract is done, Hiller had considerably better stats across the board (both regular season and playoffs). The only risk is that Hiller be regress faster than Gillies progresses. The chances of Ortio being the long term starter over Gillies are very small in my opinion.