Constructing the 2016/2017 Calgary Flames

[StrykerSteve]

Woke up this morning, being the dog days of Summer and all, and felt like playing with the Flames' roster for the upcoming season. I made a few guesses based on what I believe needs to happen in order for this team to take a step forward. I also went with the idea that Calgary are focused on pairings, being Gaudreau with Monahan, Backlund with Frolik, and Bennett with Brouwer.

Tyler Wotherspoon, Matthew Tkachuk and Daniel Pribyl make this team out of camp. Ladislav Smid goes on LTIR.

Not a huge stretch, for sure, but in order for this to occur, three players that were NHL regulars last season would have to go.

Again, my best guess would Bollig, Wideman and Vey. All three are on expiring contracts, along with Engelland, Ferland, Chiasson, Bennett, Smid and Jokipakka. Of that group of potential free agents, only Bennett and Jokipakka are sure to receive a new contract offer from the Flames, IMO. Vey just signed a low-dollar one-year deal, so the only possibility I see happening is he ends up in the AHL.

That leaves Calgary in 2016/2017 with a roster constructed like so:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Pribyl
Shinkaruk - Backlund - Frolik
Tkachuk - Bennett - Brouwer
Ferland - Stajan - Chiasson
Bouma

Giordano - Brodie
Jokipakka - Hamilton
Wotherspoon - Engelland
Kulak

Elliott
Johnson

There's two glaring concerns with this lineup, as I see it. The first of which is Pribyl is still largely an unknown variable. None of us have seen him play and have no idea if he can handle top line minutes. Secondly, is Shinkaruk capable of successfully playing 2nd line minutes in the NHL.

Despite those questions, I feel it's a better scenario than this:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Chiasson
Ferland - Backlund - Frolik
Shinkaruk - Bennett - Brouwer
Bouma - Stajan - Vey
Bollig

Giordano - Brodie
Jokipakka - Hamilton
Engelland - Wideman
Wotherspoon

Elliott
Johnson

Thoughts?

[Street Pharmacist]

A bigger question for me is the defensive awareness of a Bennett/Tkachuk line. Brouwer week help, but...

[StrykerSteve]

Good question. I don't really see Bennett as a defensive liability, nothing jumps out in my mind to indicate that would be an issue.

[heep223]

Plus that will be the line that gets sheltered. Love the idea of Brouwer playing with those 2.

[Bingo]

I'm starting to wonder about Wideman ...

are they trying to move him?
trying to move him without retaining salary?
thinking it's best to keep him for the deadline?

I think the team has a much fresher start to the changes they've made if they get him off the roster.

[Par]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

Woke up this morning, being the dog days of Summer and all, and felt like playing with the Flames' roster for the upcoming season. I made a few guesses based on what I believe needs to happen in order for this team to take a step forward. I also went with the idea that Calgary are focused on pairings, being Gaudreau with Monahan, Backlund with Frolik, and Bennett with Brouwer.

Tyler Wotherspoon, Matthew Tkachuk and Daniel Pribyl make this team out of camp. Ladislav Smid goes on LTIR.

Not a huge stretch, for sure, but in order for this to occur, three players that were NHL regulars last season would have to go.

Again, my best guess would Bollig, Wideman and Vey. All three are on expiring contracts, along with Engelland, Ferland, Chiasson, Bennett, Smid and Jokipakka. Of that group of potential free agents, only Bennett and Jokipakka are sure to receive a new contract offer from the Flames, IMO. Vey just signed a low-dollar one-year deal, so the only possibility I see happening is he ends up in the AHL.

That leaves Calgary in 2016/2017 with a roster constructed like so:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Pribyl
Shinkaruk - Backlund - Frolik
Tkachuk - Bennett - Brouwer
Ferland - Stajan - Chiasson
Bouma

Giordano - Brodie
Jokipakka - Hamilton
Wotherspoon - Engelland
Kulak

Elliott
Johnson

There's two glaring concerns with this lineup, as I see it. The first of which is Pribyl is still largely an unknown variable. None of us have seen him play and have no idea if he can handle top line minutes. Secondly, is Shinkaruk capable of successfully playing 2nd line minutes in the NHL.

Despite those questions, I feel it's a better scenario than this:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Chiasson
Ferland - Backlund - Frolik
Shinkaruk - Bennett - Brouwer
Bouma - Stajan - Vey
Bollig

Giordano - Brodie
Jokipakka - Hamilton
Engelland - Wideman
Wotherspoon

Elliott
Johnson

Thoughts?

Man, the RW in both scenario is very weak.

[Strange Brew]

Thanks for starting the discussion SS. My changes to your list:

I believe 1 or 2 more vets still get signed. Tryout level or 1 year discount contracts. I suspect Tkachuk is sent back to minors and I'd be surprised if Pribyl makes it. There is also room for two extra forwards on the opening day roster. I think Vey and Hathaway are on the roster opening day if no other signings.

I believe Wideman is here until the trade deadline

[Vulcan]

Pribyl is coming off an injury and may not be ready to compete for a job. I'd say he goes to Stockton for a bit.

Bollig makes the team as the 12th, 13th or 14th forward as Treliving likes him. Vey may get a spot in default as well.

I'd like to see Wideman moved but I think it's getting more unlikely the nearer to training camp it gets. Maybe some team runs into injury trouble and needs him though. I'd say it's between Wotherspoon and Kulak for the 7th defenceman spot.

[Flamescuprun2018]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I'm starting to wonder about Wideman ...

are they trying to move him?
trying to move him without retaining salary?
thinking it's best to keep him for the deadline?

I think the team has a much fresher start to the changes they've made if they get him off the roster.

The NMC prevents any deal for Wideman until trade deadline at earliest/if ever. BT has been clear on this whenever asked.
Wideman is the only NMC on the team fortunately. Others have limited NTCs since BT era.

We are stuck with Wideman as a 4/5 D for most of the season. Hopefully he has a contract expiring type year and we can get a 2nd or 3rd round pick for him at deadline regardless of where we are in the standings.

Will be interesting to see if they move both Wideman and Engelland at trade deadline if we are playoff bound team (only UFAs with value that we could move).

Depth on D crucial for long playoff run but I am still thinking we are sellers for another year or more as we continue to stock the shelves with A and B prospects necessary for long term cap management.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Flamescuprun2018

The NMC prevents any deal for Wideman until trade deadline at earliest/if ever. BT has been clear on this whenever asked.
Wideman is the only NMC on the team fortunately. Others have limited NTCs since BT era.

We are stuck with Wideman as a 4/5 D for most of the season. Hopefully he has a contract expiring type year and we can get a 2nd or 3rd round pick for him at deadline regardless of where we are in the standings.

Will be interesting to see if they move both Wideman and Engelland at trade deadline if we are playoff bound team (only UFAs with value that we could move).

Depth on D crucial for long playoff run but I am still thinking we are sellers for another year or more as we continue to stock the shelves with A and B prospects necessary for long term cap management.

Interesting situation if Flames are in a playoff position at deadline. You could imagine a scenario where Wideman/Engelland are fixtures in top 6 and playing OK. Would be tough to trade off 1/3 of your D corps as you are competing for playoffs but arguably that is the dream scenario. Those two guys playing well and increasing their value. Get a decent return of draft picks which could be parlayed into a top 4 dman over the summer.

[Vulcan]

I don't understand the posters thinking that getting rid of Engelland is a good idea. He's the only one who provides some big physical play to our defence and also to our team. We're trying to get bigger and tougher to compete against the big teams and some want to get rid of our biggest and baddest player because his scoring stats suck.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Flamescuprun2018

The NMC prevents any deal for Wideman until trade deadline at earliest/if ever. BT has been clear on this whenever asked.
Wideman is the only NMC on the team fortunately. Others have limited NTCs since BT era.

We are stuck with Wideman as a 4/5 D for most of the season. Hopefully he has a contract expiring type year and we can get a 2nd or 3rd round pick for him at deadline regardless of where we are in the standings.

Will be interesting to see if they move both Wideman and Engelland at trade deadline if we are playoff bound team (only UFAs with value that we could move).

Depth on D crucial for long playoff run but I am still thinking we are sellers for another year or more as we continue to stock the shelves with A and B prospects necessary for long term cap management.

I'd bet Wideman would be willing to waive his NM clause if he could land in a good situation where he can get top PP time to get his stats up for his next contract.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

I'd bet Wideman would be willing to waive his NM clause if he could land in a good situation where he can get top PP time to get his stats up for his next contract.

Exactly

If he's a 6 guy in Calgary in a contract year he can't build his value for his next contract.

I think he waives for the right situation.

But with the cap not going up there aren't many teams that can take him without Calgary retaining some salary, something I have a feeling the Flames would rather not do.

[TX_Flame]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

Woke up this morning, being the dog days of Summer and all, and felt like playing with the Flames' roster for the upcoming season. I made a few guesses based on what I believe needs to happen in order for this team to take a step forward. I also went with the idea that Calgary are focused on pairings, being Gaudreau with Monahan, Backlund with Frolik, and Bennett with Brouwer.

Tyler Wotherspoon, Matthew Tkachuk and Daniel Pribyl make this team out of camp. Ladislav Smid goes on LTIR.

Not a huge stretch, for sure, but in order for this to occur, three players that were NHL regulars last season would have to go.

Again, my best guess would Bollig, Wideman and Vey. All three are on expiring contracts, along with Engelland, Ferland, Chiasson, Bennett, Smid and Jokipakka. Of that group of potential free agents, only Bennett and Jokipakka are sure to receive a new contract offer from the Flames, IMO. Vey just signed a low-dollar one-year deal, so the only possibility I see happening is he ends up in the AHL.

That leaves Calgary in 2016/2017 with a roster constructed like so:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Pribyl
Shinkaruk - Backlund - Frolik
Tkachuk - Bennett - Brouwer
Ferland - Stajan - Chiasson
Bouma

Giordano - Brodie
Jokipakka - Hamilton
Wotherspoon - Engelland
Kulak

Elliott
Johnson

There's two glaring concerns with this lineup, as I see it. The first of which is Pribyl is still largely an unknown variable. None of us have seen him play and have no idea if he can handle top line minutes. Secondly, is Shinkaruk capable of successfully playing 2nd line minutes in the NHL.

Despite those questions, I feel it's a better scenario than this:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Chiasson
Ferland - Backlund - Frolik
Shinkaruk - Bennett - Brouwer
Bouma - Stajan - Vey
Bollig

Giordano - Brodie
Jokipakka - Hamilton
Engelland - Wideman
Wotherspoon

Elliott
Johnson

Thoughts?

Not sure where, but I read somewhere that Brouwer was the favorite to get the 1st line RW spot.

[Savvy27]

I get what you're saying (Vulcan) about Engelland providing something relatively rare on the Flames D but I think the risk is overstated. Jokipakka is also a large, physical player. Giordano isn't big, but he's a physical player as well. Hamilton is large but not nearly as physical as Engelland, though I believe there is a chance that he will be more physical this year than last.

Wideman and Brodie are the only D on the roster that are not physical and whatever you think of defensive zone coverage, Brodie is significantly better at disrupting a cycle than Engelland and at anything else besides net front physical battles. I realize this isn't about Brodie vs Engelland, just saying that the advantage of Engelland is very limited.

I am okay with the Flames keeping Engelland because he does make the team bigger and tougher. I'd prefer the Flames to move Wideman of the two of them. However, I don't think that moving Engelland to make cap room for a proven top six right winger would leave a gaping hole in the roster or anything like that.

Engelland was more essential when the Flames had a top 4 of: Giordano - Brodie, Russell - Wideman. The additions of Jokipakka and Hamilton have addressed the problem of their D being undersized, at least enough that I don't think it would be a significant issue if he were moved. The bigger problem, imo, is that Jokipakka doesn't seem to be quite good enough to be a strong top 4 D and unless Wideman rebounds significantly there is a fairly significant talent gap between Gio, Brodie, Hamilton and the rest of the Flames D.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

I don't understand the posters thinking that getting rid of Engelland is a good idea. He's the only one who provides some big physical play to our defence and also to our team. We're trying to get bigger and tougher to compete against the big teams and some want to get rid of our biggest and baddest player because his scoring stats suck.

I haven't seen anyone suggest Engelland should be measured by his scoring stats. He is a UFA at end of year. Keeping him depends entirely upon:

1) his value at the deadline
2) his willingness to sign a reasonable contract after end of the year

[Vinny01]

Here is the way I hope things shake out for the Flames (assuming the roster is set)

Top line: Gaudreau-Monahan-Brouwer
The flames paid Brouwer to come in and they will get the most out of him playing him on the top line. Monahan and Brouwer are both pretty big bodies that should mesh well with Gaudreau.

2A line: Shinkaruk-Backlund-Frolik
Backlund and Frolik are very responsible 2 way players that have pretty solid offensive instincts. Shinkaruk gets a shot to be a top 6 scoring winger and is put in a good position to succeed.

2B line: Tkachuk-Bennett-Ferland
If this line clicks they could become the most popular trio amongst the fans. All 3 forwards play with a physical edge and posses offensive abilities. I would give this line favorable matchups and lots of offensive zone starts. This could be a solid cycling line that pins the opposition deep. Ferland gets a legit shot to be put in a scoring position. Tkachuk and Bennett have top end potential and should be paired together for the next 15 years.

4th line: Bouma-Stajan-Chiasson
Stajan is a solid vet and the wingers can play a crash and bang style. All 3 have a bit of offensive upside.

1st pair: Giordano-Brodie
Elite pair keep them together to start
2nd pair: Jokkipakka-Hamilton
Battle between Jokkipakka and Wotherspoon will be close but go with the guy with more games played.
3rd pair:
Wotherspoon-Wideman
If Wideman remains on the team I like his puck moving and offense to Engellend. Spoon deserves a shot to prove he is a NHLer.

Goalies: Elliott (starter), Johnson (backup)
Self explanatory.

[TX_Flame]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

I don't understand the posters thinking that getting rid of Engelland is a good idea. He's the only one who provides some big physical play to our defence and also to our team. We're trying to get bigger and tougher to compete against the big teams and some want to get rid of our biggest and baddest player because his scoring stats suck.

No, they want to get rid of him because he is slow, can't make a decent first pass and is a sieve defensively.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by TX_Flame

No, they want to get rid of him because he is slow, can't make a decent first pass and is a sieve defensively.

Comparatively slow I'll give you but the rest isn't what I see.

[bucksmasher]

I wonder if...

Shinkaruk - Bennett - Brouwer 2nd line

Ferland - Backlund - Frolik 3rd line

...would work out. A little more offence concentrated on the 2nd line and a little more experience/shut down/ checking on the 3rd line. I think Shinkaruk would blossom better with Bennett as a center rather than Backlund. The same goes for Tachuck if he makes the team (which I doubt).