Abbotsford Heat's Playoff Run Question

[Niemo]

I'm not familiar with the AHL at all so I have a couple questions.

With all the recent call-ups (basically 5 top forwards and 2 top goalies from the Heat), will they still make the playoffs?

When the Flames season ends, will we be able to send everyone (including Monahan) down to Abbotsford in time to start their playoff run?

Will Gaudreau, Arnold and Agostini make it down there in time for the Heat's playoff run?

Is Poirier eligible to join the Heat's playoff run (assuming whatever team he is playing for in the Q doesn't make it)?

Thanks!

[devo22]

Yes to every question ... except for Monahan. Not sure on this one. They'll easily make the playoffs - they currently have a 14 point cushion I believe. Yesterday they sent down Ortio, Granlund, Reinhart and Knight and immediately called them up again - meaning they were on the Heat roster at some point yesterday, and that'll allow them to play in the playoffs. Poirier can join them once is season is done - same for Klimchuk, Culkin, Kulak and all the other junior prospects. The college kids can join once they sign a contract, which surely won't happen until their season is over. AHL playoffs start after the Frozen Four final, so there's no problem at all. Could be an extremely stacked Heat team in the postseason

[codynw]

I do believe Monahan would be able to join them if the 67's season is over. Don't know for sure, but I recall reading that somewhere.

[devo22]

I asked the Monahan question a while ago and nobody here was sure. I think AHL rules state that junior draft picks can play, but I'm not sure if this also applies to a guy that has not been on the junior team, but in the NHL all year. I guess it does, but who knows.

[ForeverFlameFan]

I just know for sure that they will keep Mac up here as a bench warmer, door opener, backup (whatever you want to call it), once Ramo returns. No point in keeping Ortio up here, he'll be back for sure next year, especially from what we've seen.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

I just know for sure that they will keep Mac up here as a bench warmer, door opener, backup (whatever you want to call it), once Ramo returns. No point in keeping Ortio up here, he'll be back for sure next year, especially from what we've seen.

I HOPE they keep Mac here and send Ortio back down - I would much rather have him playing that opening the gate

[Niemo]

So assuming the best case scenario, what's the Heat line-up for the playoff run look like?

Beartschi - Monahan - Gaudreau
Reinhart - Granlund - Street
Jones - Knight - Byron
Elson - Arnold - Hanowski
Jooris
Bancks
Agostini
Locke
Poirier

SOB - Wotherspoon
Breen - Smith
Ramage - Billins
Lamb
Sieloff (if healthy)

Ortio
Roy

I'm not sure who most those forward names on the AHL roster page are ATM.

[GreenLantern]

Pretty sure that we solved the Monahan question? I think Drury or PMM or one of those guys can chime in but I think the answer was yes, he can play as long as the 67's season is over.

I could be wrong..

But imagine a Heat lineup of:

Granlund-Monahan-Reinhart
Gaudreau-Jones-Byron
Beartchi-Street-Olsen
Poirier-Knight-Hanowski
Locke, Klimchuk, Arnold, Jooris

Billins-Smith
Wotherspoon-O'Brien
Lamb-Ramage
Breen, Sieloff

Ortio
Macdonald

I am totally butchering lines and positions and some of those guys are injured, possibly for the season, but just let me have my fricken' dream alright? Thanks!

Edit: Hah Niemo beat me to it, but pretty similar line up! Both are stacked for a deep run. And if the Wings make the playoffs then our #1 competition (Grand Rapids) will be without a lot of their top players still.

Now there has been a lot of debate on the back burner forum about what will happen with all the returning/new players.. the general consensus is that Ward will give them a chance to earn a roster spot. But I doubt he shelves the entire line up that got him to where they are..

[getbak]

The QMJHL and WHL seasons both end next weekend (everyone's final game is either the 15th or 16th).

It looks like all the Flames prospects in junior will be playing in the playoffs, but none of them are on powerhouse teams, so most of them will likely get eliminated in the first or second rounds. This would make them available to join the Heat between the end of March or middle of April.

If their seasons ended early enough, Poirier, Kilmchuk, and Kanzig could join the Flames for a few games and wouldn't burn a year of their contracts as long as they don't play in more than 9 games.

With Kulak, Culkin, and Gordon, if they signed and played with the Flames, it would burn a year of their contracts. They can be signed to an ATO and play in Abbotsford without an NHL contract.


Yale is not having a good year, so they're unlikely to get invited to the NCAA tournament unless they win their Conference. Their season could end as soon as this weekend (more likely next weekend). After than, Agostino could turn pro, although, he's apparently a dedicated student, so I don't know if he'd leave school this early.

The latest Boston College could play is April 11. The Heat's final game is April 19, so Gaudreau and Arnold should be there for the end of the season and playoffs.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

Pretty sure that we solved the Monahan question? I think Drury or PMM or one of those guys can chime in but I think the answer was yes, he can play as long as the 67's season is over.

I could be wrong..

But imagine a Heat lineup of:

Granlund-Monahan-Reinhart
Gaudreau-Jones-Byron
Beartchi-Street-Olsen
Poirier-Knight-Hanowski
Locke, Klimchuk, Arnold, Jooris

Billins-Smith
Wotherspoon-O'Brien
Lamb-Ramage
Breen, Sieloff

Ortio
Macdonald

I am totally butchering lines and positions and some of those guys are injured, possibly for the season, but just let me have my fricken' dream alright? Thanks!

Edit: Hah Niemo beat me to it, but pretty similar line up! Both are stacked for a deep run. And if the Wings make the playoffs then our #1 competition (Grand Rapids) will be without a lot of their top players still.

I'd be fairly certain Locke wouldn't be a scratch. He's a former AHL MVP.

Highly doubt they send Monahan down (and I'm not sure they could anyways). He's an NHL player now... you don't just send a guy down for the sake of it.

[wretched34]

I don't think they'd be sending Monahan down "just for the sake of it". They'd be sending him down to get a taste of success and a deep playoff run. Not to mention time to play with guys that will surely be making their way to the big club in the next season or two. Not only is it beneficial to Monahan, it's beneficial to the players around him, and the organization as a whole. They can see who has chemistry with him, which could play a big role in who is on the Flames roster to start next season. Sure, he's an NHL'er, and you don't just send an established NHL'er down to the AHL to stack the team for playoffs, but you have to remember, he's still just 19. The majority of the kids he was drafted with are still playing Juniors, it's not going to hurt his feelings to send him down to get paid to play some meaningful hockey.

[Da_Chief]

Jooris will be staying in the lineup. He's been terrific. He's got a big chance of being a full time NHL player next year with the Flames.

[GreenLantern]

I can include this:

I am totally butchering lines and positions and some of those guys are injured, possibly for the season, but just let me have my fricken' dream alright? Thanks!


And still get called out on my line choices, lo fricken l. I think the point was missed.. that being the Heat will have a plethora of talent, going up against other AHL teams that will be picked clean by their respective clubs (namely Grand Rapids their direct conference rivals, Marlies, Stars, Wolves.. )

[StrykerSteve]

Much of Baerstchi's success has been since he started playing with Locke, I believe.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

I'd be fairly certain Locke wouldn't be a scratch. He's a former AHL MVP.

Highly doubt they send Monahan down (and I'm not sure they could anyways). He's an NHL player now... you don't just send a guy down for the sake of it.

He's 19 and needs to play - also, as good as he has been, he is not 'above' the AHL. It is pretty good hockey and is good enough for Gaudreau, Baertschi, Granlund and Reinhart.

Also. why not give him the playoff experience?

[Enoch Root]

If they can make a deep playoff run, there will be more than enough opportunity for everyone. Also, with their travel, it is good to be able to move guys in and out of the lineup.

The Heat are going to be absolutely stacked for the playoffs.

[getbak]

I looked this up yesterday. This is what the CBA says regarding AHL loans and recalls and the Trade Deadline:

Article 13.12

(j) A Player may be Loaned to a club of any league affiliated with the League at any time up to 3:00 p.m. New York time of the fortieth (40th) day immediately preceding the final day of the Regular Season (the "Trade Deadline"). Following this period, no Player may be Loaned, except that:

(i) a Player who has been Recalled during such restricted period under Article 13.12(l), 13.12(m), or 13.12(n) may be Loaned back to the member club of the affiliated league from which they were Recalled;

(ii) a Player who is on the Bona-Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Exception, or who has been unfit for 24 calendar days and ten (10) NHL Regular Season games, may be Loaned on a Bona-Fide Long-Term Injury/Illness Exception Conditioning Loan (with the Player's consent) pursuant to Section 13.9 above for a period not to exceed the longer of six (6) days and three (3) games (which Loan is not subject to any extension), provided, however, if the Player is not on the Bona-Fide Long Term Injury/Illness Exception, he cannot be Loaned while he is on Injured Reserve; and

(iii) a Player may be Loaned (with the Player's consent) provided such Player (a) was on Recall and was determined to be disabled as of the Trade Deadline, (b) is determined to be fit to play prior to such Loan, and (c) was on the Active Roster for less than twenty-five percent (25%) of the period from the beginning of the Regular Season up to and including the date on which he was determined to be disabled.

Monahan was not one of the "paper" transactions yesterday, so he was not in the AHL at the deadline. This means he can't be loaned to the Heat for the rest of the year, even after the 67's season ends.

[GreenLantern]

Good to have that cleared up, thanks.

I think either way this is ok, if he got to play it would be great experience.. but even without him the Heat are still stacked and will enjoy a deep run. More time for Monahan to focus on his training! 2000 face offs a day, go.

[Niemo]

Originally Posted by Niemo

Beartschi - Granlund - Gaudreau
Reinhart - Knight - Street
Jooris - Jones - Locke
Elson - Arnold - Hanowski

Bancks
Agostini
Poirier

SOB - Wotherspoon
Breen - Smith
Ramage - Billins
Lamb
Sieloff (if healthy)

Ortio
Roy

Updated

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Looking at Gatineau's playoff chances. They should win round 1 with their firepower. However, unless there are three upsets in the first round they will end up playing either (1) Baie Comeau, (2) Halifax, or (3) Blainville-Boisbriand. So I don't see them getting past round 2.

I do believe he can go to the AHL once Gatineau is done.