Which Heat Players Make the Big Club?

[kehatch]

I am assuming the season actually gets played. Which AHL players do you see making the Flames roster opening day regardless of AHL injuries.

Called Up Opening Day - Regardless of Injuries
Brodie: No question. He was a full time Flame to finish the season and has improved his play over the off season
Baertschi: He was already penciled in to the roster. After his play with the Heat I can't see him not making it.
Horak: I personally thought he would start the season with the Heat. But how can the Flames site merit and not bring him up based on his ridiculous play? I don't think they can.
McCarthy: It was already heavily implied by Hartley that he wanted McCarthy on the Flames roster. He has been very good with the Heat. And the Flames need more size.

Routine Guys - Only for Injury Support:
Aliu: Quick easy call-up
Bouma: See above (when healthy)
Byron: Depends on his play
Nemisz: See above

Occasional Call Ups - Rewards or Excessive Injuries:
Reinhart: I think he will get a few games to help his development. Not more.
Street: I wouldn't be surprised to see him get a couple of games.
Bancks: I think he gets rewarded with a game or two if injuries hit
Walter: Another guy who might get rewarded with a game or two
Piskula: Desperation call-up
Breen: Desperation call-up
Kolanos: Desperation

[kirant]

Opening Day Roster
Bouma - Bottom line/13th forward
Brodie - Top 6 D
Baertschi - 3rd line
Horak - 3rd line
Irving - Backup goaltender
McCarthy - 7th D

Call ups
Aliu - Could work up to 4th line agitator
Byron - Emergency bottom 6 forward
Nemisz - Emergency bottom 6 forward

Occasional Call Ups - Rewards or Excessive Injuries:
Breen - Reserve D
Kolanos - Reserve forward
Piskula - Reserve D
Reinhart - Reserve bottom 6 forward

[sureLoss]

I think Walter has made a stronger case to be up with the Flames than most people realize. I would put him in the Routine guys for sure.

He certainly needs to be considered before Krys Kolanos who has reminded me of a disinterested Alexi Kovalev this season.

[kyuss275]

Pretty much agree with Kehatch on who should start with the big club. Thing is i did not think Horak or MCcarthy would make the opening day flames roster a couple of months ago. So now who sits? On D would have to be Smith or Sarich ( or both). On forward Stempniak?

[kehatch]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

Pretty much agree with Kehatch on who should start with the big club. Thing is i did not think Horak or MCcarthy would make the opening day flames roster a couple of months ago. So now who sits? On D would have to be Smith or Sarich ( or both). On forward Stempniak?

If those two guys do make the roster things are going to be interesting (if people are healthy). Just as interesting is what is left with the Heat roster.

Breen, Piskula, Callahan, and McKelvie have been the other regulars. Lamb, Tuzzolino, and Martin are also both available. That is a pretty dreadful D even when the NHLers get sucked out of the league. Though Carson may find himself on the roster.

[Canada 02]

Flames currently have 47 NHL contracts

McCarthy and Walter would really need to outperform for Feaster to burn contract spots he has intended to save for college free agents

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

Flames currently have 47 NHL contracts

McCarthy and Walter would really need to outperform for Feaster to burn contract spots he has intended to save for college free agents

Walter is already signed to a 2 way contract and counts as one of the 47 contracts.

http://www.capgeek.com/flames/reserve-list/

[kehatch]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

Flames currently have 47 NHL contracts

McCarthy and Walter would really need to outperform for Feaster to burn contract spots he has intended to save for college free agents

Walter already has an NHL 2-way contract. Adding McCarthy still leaves 2 for free agency. And that is assuming other players aren't unloaded / bought out.

[sureLoss]

Oh and Feaster will also probably want to save a spot on the reserve list for John Ramage.

As it is 4th year in college, signing Ramage to an ELC as soon as his NCAA career is done will cost a reserve spot.

[Huntingwhale]

I think most of those players will at least get a shot or 2 at some point whenever play resumes. Last season had to have been the most callups the Flames had ever had in a long time. I'm liking that Feaster is at least giving the prospects a taste and all of them seemed to have fit in quite nicely. I think that's a testament to the job that coaching staff in Abbotsford are doing.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

I think Walter has made a stronger case to be up with the Flames than most people realize. I would put him in the Routine guys for sure.

He certainly needs to be considered before Krys Kolanos who has reminded me of a disinterested Alexi Kovalev this season.

Don't want to derail the thread, but you are spot on.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

I find it unlikely that McCarthy would make the Flames. He's certainly nowhere near a lock and IMO isn't as likely to make the roster as many other players. The OP mentions that McCarthy brings size, not sure if we're talking about the same McCarthy but he is very much an average sized defenseman. Breen would add size to the Flames. Yes McCarthy is having a good season so far points wise but that should be expected of a long time pro who was drafted in the first round 13 years ago. I think he has a chance but he shouldn't be anywhere near the Baertschi, Brodie, Horak category IMO.

The Flames defense currently includes Bouwmeester, Giordano, Wideman, Butler, Sarich, Smith and likely Brodie. That leaves Babchuk on the outside looking in and McCarthy not really having a chance to crack that top 7-8 unless a real injury crunch happens.

Almost sure things to make the Flames:
Brodie
Baertschi
Horak

Possibilities:
Aliu
Bouma
Byron
Nemisz

Long shots or severe injury recalls:
Reinhart
Street
Bancks
McCarthy
Breen

[Alberta_Beef]

I will go with none, just because I don't see a season starting this year.

But with guys coming off the books next year I can see Baertschi, Brodie, Horak, Reinhart and Irving making the team out of camp in 2013/14

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

I will go with none, just because I don't see a season starting this year.

But with guys coming off the books next year I can see Baertschi, Brodie, Horak, Reinhart and Irving making the team out of camp in 2013/14

The only way i see Irving on the flames for the 2013/2014 season is if Kipper retires or is traded. Sounds like Ramo will be on the flames 2013/2014 for sure.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

The only way i see Irving on the flames for the 2013/2014 season is if Kipper retires or is traded. Sounds like Ramo will be on the flames 2013/2014 for sure.

I don't expect Kiprusoff back if there is no season. I also think Flames management things higher of Irving than people around here think.

[Freeway]

The Flames have a LOT of trust in Ward's judgment, particularly after his performance as a development coach last year.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

I don't expect Kiprusoff back if there is no season. I also think Flames management things higher of Irving than people around here think.

I hope you are right about the bolded part because i like Irving. I am just going by what Feaster has said this off season. Feaster pretty much said that had things gone his way, Ramo would have been the back-up to Kipper this season. Irving would have either been traded or left for Europe if that had happenned.

[StrykerSteve]

Originally Posted by kirant

Opening Day Roster
Bouma - Bottom line/13th forward
Brodie - Top 6 D
Baertschi - 3rd line
Horak - 3rd line
Irving - Backup goaltender
McCarthy - 7th D

Call ups
Aliu - Could work up to 4th line agitator
Byron - Emergency bottom 6 forward
Nemisz - Emergency bottom 6 forward

Occasional Call Ups - Rewards or Excessive Injuries:
Breen - Reserve D
Kolanos - Reserve forward
Piskula - Reserve D
Reinhart - Reserve bottom 6 forward

Hopefully the team doesn't look at it like this.

The Flames have wallowed in mediocrity for a long time now, if they want to affect real change, then they need to stop thinking so conservatively.

Why can't Horak and Baertschi be top line forwards (if they deserve it and outplay the older guys in camp)? Brodie could play on your top 2. Let the vets play the lesser minutes and let the kids play the majority, what's the worst that can happen, you miss the playoffs again and your future gets real development time?

I'm confident though, Hartley has shown in the past that he prefers to let youth step up and excel...

Iginla isn't a top line player any more, but on the second/third line, playing against lesser defenders on a regular basis... he'd be lethal.

[KOgear]

Too many guys to slot.

LW - C - RW

Tanguay - Camellleri - Iginla
Glencross - Cervenka - Hudler
Bartschi - Backlund - Hork
Comeau - Jones - Jackman
Bouma - Stajan - Stempniak
Alui - Byron - Neimez

Bouwmeester - Wideman
Girodano Butler
Brodie - Sarich
Smith - Babchuk
Mccarthy

Kipper - Karlson - Ramo - Irving

[dammage79]

I am going to go out on a limb here and say Sven will play the whole season in the AHL unless injuries get him called up. Far too much forward depth and not enough centers. The most likely candidate would be Horak followed by Brodie. Just a guess of course but there are too many one way contracts and for Sven to get a full time Slot someone will need to be traded i.e Stempniak, Comeau, Jackman, Stajan. Stjan being a Center and with negative trade value I do not see him being dealt.