[Cali Panthers Fan]

Pretty simple, and there's no right or wrong way to do this. Post your version of the Flames' long term depth chart. "Long term" can mean 2 years or 5 years, just explain how far down the line you are thinking. As well, if you do have a way "out there" lineup, please give reasons for it.

Mine is about 4 years out and a lot of the veterans we have are gone. Most of the veterans are replaced with younger, cheaper, mostly better options.

Gaudreau-Bennett-Poirier
Klimchuk-Monahan-Frolik
Ferland-Jankowski-Colborne
Bouma-Arnold-Jooris
Smith, Agostino

1st callup: Mangiapane


Brodie-Hamilton
Giordano-Morrison
Wotherspoon-Culkin
Kanzig

1st callup: Hickey


Gillies/Ortio

1st callup: McDonald


Key players: I like Backlund, but I don't see us retaining him long term with so many promising centers in the organization. He's pretty good in all areas, but doesn't excel in any one. Colborne I am iffy on, but he does have the size and skills suitable to a third line wing position. He's starting to use his size more which makes him even more suited to a 3rd line checking role with some offensive punch. Ferland will have to play his way off the roster at this point, and I think he'll be a valuable player. Klimchuk will surprise many by being a pure goal scorer at the NHL level with decent instincts in other areas. Playing him with an elite 2-way 2nd line center in Monahan and excellent 2-way possession player in Frolik will allow him to score 20+ goals a year. Poirier has the speed, hands, and defensive acumen to play a top line winger role. Putting him with elite offensive players in Gaudreau and Bennett will make an absolutely lethal top line. I feel like Jankowski and Arnold will be our bottom 2 centers, giving this team unreal center depth. Bouma and Jooris will be retained as "heart and soul" 4th line wingers who are great on the PK, but it's also possible that they will be replaced by that point. I don't see long term futures for Granlund or Shore.

I see Hamilton and Brodie as our top pairing for years to come. I think we retain Giordano for at least 5 years, but his role will gradually reduce over time to a 2nd pairing player. I feel like Morrison is going to surprise many and take over the 2nd pairing right side. Wotherspoon and Culkin will solidify themselves as above average bottom pairing defensemen in the next couple of years. Kanzig finds a way to make the NHL as a 7th d-man who slots in against more physical teams. I have a hunch that there isn't a long term future for Russell or Wideman on this team.

I think Gillies is destined to be a good starting goalie in the NHL and he'll need at least 2 years in the AHL to get there. Ortio solidifies his role as a very good backup. McDonald is a little younger and continues to work on his game in the AHL.

This is just for fun. No need to be super critical of anyone's opinions.