[Cali Panthers Fan]

As others have noted, the kids have really impressed this camp, and there's little to distinguish some of these guys from some of the veteran pros. It feels like the next wave of the team as a group of young guys is about to emerge. Whether they're good enough or not to be a successful team remains to be seen.

There are going to be some tough decisions in the coming days. There are only 3 games left to evaluate the players, so I imagine the next game will be a final showing for some guys before they're sent down to let the vets ramp up their game in the final two. I would imagine some cuts will happen tomorrow morning, but I wanted to toss out some ideas on who should stay and go, and what the long term plan might be for some of these younger players.

Remaining roster. Safe veterans are struck through as they are not at risk. Bubble veterans underlined. Bubble prospects are bolded with comments. Most likely next cuts are in red text (this is all my opinion).

Forward

Mikael Backlund

Blake Coleman

Matt Coronato spent parts of last year on the roster and looked a little lost both physically and defensively, and had trouble creating offense, which is his main asset. Had a fantastic start to camp, but looked rougher last game against more veteran type players. It remains to be seen how he fares against the competition when rosters whittle down to veterans and they ramp up their game for the regular season. If he holds his own and still finds ways to create chances, I think he sticks to start the year.

Walker Duehr I like his speed and size. I think he plays a decent two-way game, but he just doesn't make much of an impact with all his tools when he's on the ice. I think he may end up being waived at the end of camp in favor of Klapka who is a bit more dynamic.

Martin Frk spent last year in Europe after stints in the NHL as a journeyman tweener. He has an absolutely ridiculous shot, some decent wheels and size, and some okay offensive acumen. Just average to below average defensively, and doesn't read the play exceptionally well. I think he ends up being cut to start the year because there just isn't room for his type of game, but could be called up to fill a spot if a scoring winger goes down to injury.

Samuel Honzek Of all the kids at camp, I've been most impressed by Honzek's overall game. He's going to be a pro, and it will be soon. However, he lost a lot of development time due to injury and needs some seasoning in the minors to round out his game. He's close the way Zary was close last year. He may be back up to stay by 10-20 games into the season, but he'll probably be cut to start the year.

Jonathan Huberdeau

Dryden Hunt Good all around player, plays with some jam and offensive flair, but a little small for the type of game he plays. A good player to swap in as an extra forward when needed.

Nazem Kadri

Justin Kirkland Not a terrible player, but isn't really much of anything at the NHL level. Good veteran for the AHL club.

Adam Klapka I think he makes the team as a 4th liner, replacing Walker Duehr. He's not as fast as Walker, but he still skates respectably well for his size, and he uses his size well. Intimidating hits, has some ability to shoot, and is a nice net front presence on the 2nd PP. He will be exposed against faster teams, hence why he probably swaps out with Pelletier some nights as the extra forward.

Andrei Kuzmenko

Ryan Lomberg

Anthony Mantha

Sam Morton Cut, but is the first injury call up if the team needs a center. He plays a pro game, has some offensive ability, and isn't too bad defensively. He might take Rooney's job by the end of the year.

Jakob Pelletier I think he makes the team only because of his waiver status and his ability to slot into the lineup into a lot of spots. He's fairly versatile, but unspectacular. A Swiss army knife with dull edges if you will. He'll be an extra forward for the first 20 games or so, and then maybe he gets sent down if he doesn't impress much.

Martin Pospisil

Kevin Rooney Despite his contract extension, he is very much a placeholder veteran until a better prospect replaces him. It could happen as soon as this training camp, but the reality is we don't have a lot of center prospects banging down the door, so he's more than likely safe.

Cole Schwindt Does some good things, but isn't highly skilled and sort of a vanilla player. A warm body most nights and not much more.

Yegor Sharangovich

Connor Zary



Defense

Rasmus Andersson

Tyson Barrie (PTO) He fills a big void as a powerplay specialist. The team had one of the worst PPs last year and it cost them a playoff spot (they had similar 5 on 5 numbers to Tampa Bay last year, but a monumentally terrible powerplay that cost them points most nights). I think Barrie will be signed and kept to at least the trade deadline to help out the powerplay and for no other reason. He fills a need.

Kevin Bahl this is purely reputation because I've never actually watched Bahl play a game. People seem to think he's safe.

Jake Bean

Hunter Brzustewicz A very good prospect, but he needs some time in the AHL to work on the pro style of game, especially pacing. He was caught flat footed a few times in camp and needs to adapt. He's very close to being on the team full time though. He's got a lot of NHL quality skills and vision for the game.

Artem Grushnikov May end up being the final cut at camp. He's a very good defender, likely has a long career ahead of him as a 2nd/3rd pairing guy. Struggles offensively, especially with the puck on his stick. That may be the only reason he gets cut, but he'll be back very, very soon. Probably the first injury call up.

Joel Hanley He's a 33 year old journeyman. A player you call up in case of injury, but not in the long term plans. He'll be a leader on the AHL club.

Yan Kuznetsov Nothing against Yan, but there's a lot of similar quality players in the organization. He just has never really taken that next step to stand out amongst his peers.

Daniil Miromanov

Brayden Pachal calling him a "veteran" only because he played a lot last year (50 games between Vegas and Calgary) and is 25 years old. He's a surprisingly good skater, and takes some calculated risks offensively. Brings a physical element as well. Still gets exposed on his decision making at least once a night, which makes me think he's still on the bubble. Probably a good bet to make the team, but it's far from certain.

Ilya Solovyov on the bubble due to waiver status. I think he might make the team because of that alone, similar to Pelletier. He's been pretty decent in camp, but not exceptional, and I think Grushnikov would be here instead if it wasn't for waivers. I like him, but he's probably not going to be more than a 6/7 d-man.

Jarred Tinordi got exposed badly by weak competition in a couple games. He's better suited to being a veteran on a young AHL squad. Not sure he even gets a call up this year.

MacKenzie Weegar


Goaltender

Devin Cooley His game surprised the hell out of me. He's got some flaws and inconsistencies that he's clearly working on, but as he'll tell you openly in interviews, he's aware of it and working hard on things. Has nice size and athleticism. I think he's the final goalie cut at camp, but I wouldn't be shocked at all if the Flames traded Vladar away at some point this year to have Cooley back up Wolf. Watch out for this guy. He's sneaky good.

Waltteri Ignatjew Looked good in the rookie camp and in small amounts of time in pre-season. However, he'll likely start the year in the AHL. Could be a dark horse to be a backup in the future.

Daniel Vladar

Dustin Wolf We all know the pedigree and success at lower levels. So far in camp he looks dialed in. I suspect he ends up as the opening day starter, but he's considered on the bubble until he establishes himself as a full time roster player. I think this is the year that happens.


Final roster prediction:

Sharangovich-Kadri-Kuzmenko
Huberdeau-Pospisil/Zary-Mantha
Zary/Coronato-Backlund-Coleman
Lomberg-Rooney-Klapka/Coronato

ex: Pelletier/Hunt

call up: Morton

Weegar-Miromanov
Bean-Andersson
Bahl-Barrie

ex: Pachal/Solovyov

call up: Grushnikov

Wolf
Vladar

call up: Cooley