Many question marks surround Flames defence this offseason - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Steve Macfarlane · 06-14-2022, 03:59 PM

Top pairing is set. After that, there are many unknowns on the back end.

Tanev's rehab, Kylington's contract and the UFAs and prospects could mean a very different look to start the season.

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FlamesAddiction · 06-14-2022, 04:09 PM

If the Flames succeed in locking down Gaudreau and Tkachuk, it practically guarantees a big opportunity for 2 or 3 players from the farm. I am sure they will sign a few cheap veterans and bring some in on PTOs to challenge the farm hands for a spot, but given the money and space issues, we are probably talking about minimum salary competition.

Mackey and Valimaki are the obvious choices that could slide in, but Valimaki's $1.55 million cap hit is a real detriment for him. Not only does he have to be better than whatever veteran they bring in to challenge him, but he will have to justify that extra cap hit on a team that will be up against it.

Is Kinnvall's stint over now? Because this could be his big shot if he signs a reasonable extension.

EVERLAST · 06-14-2022, 04:18 PM

Good read . Tanev is the most important d man on this team right now.
He makes all pairs better on the ice and shows all the dmen what a veteran can and should be doing on and off the ice .

Our D needed little more support IMO by our forwards backchecking.

If we get that and then better goaltending should happen as whoever is back there won't need to make so many 10 bell saves .

This team is headed in the right direction and I have little worry about that.

The experience gained last year or since Darryl stepped back behind the bench has been phenomenal for everyone concerned and that includes assistant coaches and AHL coaches and players in the system.

If they can get Valimaki, Mackey into good places mentally I think the physical side just naturally follows and then we go from there.

Kylington is an absolute adventure with a ton of potential.

Will Stone fit in again?

flambers · 06-14-2022, 04:45 PM

Defense need a dman that can move the puck quickly and can operate the power play.

Not sure Sutter will want a really young defense core.

My guess an older dman is acquired.

5th, 6th type of guy who can help with the leadership with Tanev

ForeverFlameFan · 06-14-2022, 04:48 PM

It sure sounds like you establish competition for the #4D spot. Have Kylington, Valimaki, and Mackey compete for it. If any have an atrocious game, have Stone step in on the bottom pairing.

The Cobra · 06-14-2022, 08:36 PM

I thought their d was a mess going into this year, and look what Sutter did.

I expect he’ll manage again.

NOISIA · 06-14-2022, 09:55 PM

Hanifin
Andersson
Tanev
Kylington
Mackey
Stone
Valimaki

Maybe Gudbranson comes back if we have room cap wise.

Flamesfan05 · 06-14-2022, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NOISIA

Hanifin
Andersson
Tanev
Kylington
Mackey
Stone
Valimaki

Maybe Gudbranson comes back if we have room cap wise.

That’s not going to happen. The defense folded against the Oilers .

Markstrom was the biggest problem but changes are going to be made. They’ll get at least one vet on top of resigning Gud.

NOISIA · 06-14-2022, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

That’s not going to happen. The defense folded against the Oilers .

Markstrom was the biggest problem but changes are going to be made. They’ll get at least one vet on top of resigning Gud.

They cant afford that.

If Gud is brought back and another Vet is signed then Mackey is on waivers.

Flamesfan05 · 06-14-2022, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NOISIA

They cant afford that.

If Gud is brought back and another Vet is signed then Mackey is on waivers.

They’ll have to move someone

NOISIA · 06-14-2022, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

They’ll have to move someone

It all comes down to Gaudreau re-signing.

ForeverFlameFan · 06-15-2022, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

That’s not going to happen. The defense folded against the Oilers .

Markstrom was the biggest problem but changes are going to be made. They’ll get at least one vet on top of resigning Gud.

Maybe a vet at the TDL, but I fully expect us to roll out with the 7 listed above and then grab a vet because of injury or injuries and/or bolster the depth.

dammage79 · 06-15-2022, 07:40 AM

All 6 D men had career years last year IIRC. I predict Gud Stays and Stone takes the 6 spot.

Leaving the 7th D man open to a farm kid.

Can't see a seismic shift on D this offseason but who knows. There's some crazy variables going on with this roster fro. Top to bottom. Going to be really interesting to see how the Flames shake it all down heading into camp.

ComixZone · 06-15-2022, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dammage79

All 6 D men had career years last year IIRC. I predict Gud Stays and Stone takes the 6 spot.

Leaving the 7th D man open to a farm kid.

Can't see a seismic shift on D this offseason but who knows. There's some crazy variables going on with this roster fro. Top to bottom. Going to be really interesting to see how the Flames shake it all down heading into camp.

I can't say I'd be stoked to see a Stone-Gudbranson 3rd pairing, and I'd probably be a bit surprised to see Stone back in Calgary. It's not as if Sutter was gushing about him.

Hanifin - Andersson
Kylington - Tanev
Valimaki - Gudbranson
Mackey

I could see that coming about, but I also wonder if Treliving doesn't go after someone like Chychrun as losing Tanev really exposed our lack of top-4 defencemen.

activeStick · 06-15-2022, 08:56 AM

My prediction is

Hanifin - Andersson
Kylington - Tanev
Mackey - Gudbranson
- New 6/7 guy signed or acquired via trade
- Stone
- Valimaki (AHL to start, does he require waivers this coming season because based on his full year down in the A, he isn't ready.)

GranteedEV · 06-15-2022, 09:59 AM

To me, the biggest question is if Noah Hanifin can elevate his execution in high-pressure, high-quality opponent situations. I feel comfortable with Tanev, Andersson(despite footspeed limitations), and Kylington, but Hanifin seems to be a "fairweather" defenseman, so to speak.

I don't worry too much about 3rd pair, some really good teams went all the way with just two pairs, and no 3rd pair guy would be expected to be ready to step up into that role in injury case, unless it's a high-upside prospect.

cannon7 · 06-15-2022, 10:18 AM

In my mind, Hanifin-Andersson should be the second pair. If we could acquire a top pairing d-man and pair them with Tanev, I like that top four a lot better.

Maybe package a forward with Kylington and Vladar?

Would love to have Stone back, but agree that he doesn't seem to be a Sutter guy, for whatever reason. He's also likely looking for a consistent roster spot and the best the Flames can do is #5/#6.

NOISIA · 06-15-2022, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by activeStick

My prediction is

Hanifin - Andersson
Kylington - Tanev
Mackey - Gudbranson
- New 6/7 guy signed or acquired via trade
- Stone
- Valimaki (AHL to start, does he require waivers this coming season because based on his full year down in the A, he isn't ready.)

He does. I think he would likely clear at this point though. He needs to play and im not sure a team would be willing to gift him a top 6 spot.

activeStick · 06-15-2022, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NOISIA

He does. I think he would likely clear at this point though. He needs to play and im not sure a team would be willing to gift him a top 6 spot.

Ah, thanks for the info. I can see it from your perspective, but I also think he comes with enough draft hype that a team with a spot would make that claim. Makes me think now the Flames will make a decision on him in the off season and potentially package him up in a trade.

boogerz · 06-15-2022, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cannon7

In my mind, Hanifin-Andersson should be the second pair. If we could acquire a top pairing d-man and pair them with Tanev, I like that top four a lot better.

Maybe package a forward with Kylington and Vladar?

Vladar is an unproven backup goalie and Kylington is a #4/5 dman. Unless Tkachuk is on the block, the Flames would have to add more than they can afford to get a legitimate top pairing dman back in a trade.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NOISIA

He does. I think he would likely clear at this point though. He needs to play and im not sure a team would be willing to gift him a top 6 spot.

Valimaki is one season removed from lighting up the Finnish league, he's a former #1 pick that still has good tools and potential, and he's still technically 23 years old at the start of next season.

The Flames need to be careful because someone will take a chance on Valimaki if he goes through waivers. Look at Juolevi as an example...he's an inferior player to Valimaki and his NHL career was toast, yet two teams claimed him off waivers this past season.

Given the extremely tight cap situation and the Flames' lack of assets (only eight total draft picks for 2022 and 2023), it's unlikely that we see any changes to the Flames defense group unless Johnny walks or Tkachuk is traded.