I'm hoping Treliving is able to move some of our bad contracts. If the Flames can open up spots for several rookies that are better than the vets, the Flames will look deadly. Replace Stajan with Jankowski. Replace Wideman, Engelland and Smid with Wotherspoon, Kulak, Nakladal, Kylington, Morrison, Andersson or Jokipakka (we Have a LOT of option on the back 3). Replace Bollig with Shinkaruk/ Bouma and I think the final LW spot goes to Mangiapane/Ferland. RW we could see Jooris, Poirier or Prybil. The top spot goes to a FA. I'm crossing my fingers for Okposo. Frolik was underutilize by Hartley and I think if we give him better opportunities his offensive numbers will improve. Frolik was our best RW and didn't get any time on the PP. Hartley's use of Frolik was inexplicable.
Now I realize it would be a miracle to lose Wideman, Engelland, Smid, Stajan, Raymond and Bollig to trades/buyouts/AHL. This is just my best case scenario roster with the guys we have in our system (minus a FA). The Flames can bury Bollig easily and Stajan would be a good vet on the AHL team. We probably trade Wideman with half his salary remaining.
Forwards
Gaudreau - Monahan - FA (?)
Tkachuk - Bennett - Frolik
Bouma/Shinkaruk - Backlund - Colborne
Mangiapane/Ferland - Jankowski - Jooris/Poirier
Defense
Gio - Brodie
Kulak/Wotherspoon - Hamilton
Nakladal/Kylington/Morrison/Andersson/Jokipakka (depends on camp)
Goalies
Elliott
Ortio/Gillies
That lineup looks amazing to me and makes me excited about the Flames future!
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