This years starting lineup

[Racki]

I'm guessing all the kids start in the AHL. I believe we will make every effort to win a Calder Cup for our new head coach in Adirondack. I think that Treliving and Burke would like to develop a winning culture starting with our future Flames in Glens Falls.

Glencross, Backlund, Hudler
Raymond, Monahan, Colborne
Byron, Stajan, Jones
Bollig, Bouma, McGrattan

Brodie, Giordano
Russel, Engelland
Smid, Wideman

[Goaltender]

Curtis Glencross - Mikael Backlund - Jiri Hudler
Sven Baertschi - Sean Monahan - Joe Colborne
Mason Raymond - Matt Stajan - David Jones
Lance Bouma - Markus Granlund - Paul Byron

Mark Giordano - TJ Brodie
Kris Russell - Dennis Wideman
Tyler Wotherspoon - Ladislav Smid

Ramo
Hiller
-------------------------------------------

This is what I would love to see as the starting lineup next season, with Gaudreau, Reinhart, Hanowski being the first call-ups in that order. Unfortunately, knowing that we are now in the Burke/Treliving era it is inevitable that Sven will be either gone by then or with the baby flames, and Wotherspoon/Granlund/Byron will be sitting while the face-punchers (Bollig, McGrattan, Engelland) eat up minutes, at least until injuries occur.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by DOOM

I really hope Granlund/Wotherspoon are not kept up as healthy scratches. IMO, they need to either be NHL regulars or getting top minutes in the AHL.

Granlund and Jones would be interchangeable and I doubt Jones would warrant being kept for any stretch of time. Byron was used as the 13th forward last season and people didn't have a huge issue with it. Why? Cause with injuries which inevitably happened and or guys underperforming, he found himself in the line up a lot of nights after he was called up. Same thing would happen with Granlund. Either slots in for Jones or injuries, and they will happen. He would see plenty of ice time, and easily more than he's seen playing in Europe. It's really not as big an issue as people here tend to make it out to be. With the lack of solidified top players on this roster, players are even more interchangeable, and injuries are guaranteed to happen. And in my mind he'll be good enough to deserve regular playtime and eventually perhaps overtake Jones or one of the centers if he proves to be good enough in the middle.

As for Wotherspoon, same thing applies, but regardless he'd have to earn his way into the top 6 like anyone. And I think he'd learn plenty being with the team. They don't just sideline the extra players all the time. He'd learn a lot and I think he's good enough to have moved past the ahl.

And the thing with this is it's the opening night roster. Just cause these kids start as extras doesn't mean they'll stay there. If the top three pairings look strong and Wotherspoon looks to have little chance to get in, he can be sent down. Same with Granlund. But I guarantee you injuries or other opportunities will come up for both, and they'd have every chance to move up the lineup. It's not just "riding the pines" as people like to put it. It's a learning experience of what it is like to have to earn a regular spot on an NHL team. And if both these kids are that close, then it's an experience worth having. I don't believe in the Edmonton mentality of giving kids top minutes just cause they're young, and having this paranoia of somehow screwing up their development without doing so. If anything, giving top minutes prematurely would do more damage. You ease kids in to the NHL. IMO it's just the right way to do it.

[Dajazz]

I don't expect anything major to happen, kids will get a shot during the season with injuries. I think one spot in top six will be open from preseason play as well one in the bottom six.

Jones' spot is up for grabs and there is space for one forward in the top 6. Byron till probably bounce around the line up depending on who's hot/cold and injuries.

Depending on Wotherspoons development I actually think Russell is the one who is expendable, not Wideman.

Glencross - Backlund - Hudler
Baertschi/Gaudreau/Granlund - Monahan - Colborne
Raymond - Stajan - Jones/Reinhart
Bollig- Bouma - McGrattan

Giordano - Brodie
Russell - Wideman
Smid - Wotherspoon/Engelland

[ricardodw]

Wow... I am shocked that CP (as a group) has basically discount the best Flame performance at the World Championship basically ever.

Is Monahan starting the year in the AHL?

He was not a leader or even a front line player on team Canada against exactly the same opposition that Gaudreau was a front line player.

Backlund had a great tourney.... time in the AHL to work out his problems?


I would be shocked if Gaudreau gets any time at all in the AHL.

[StrykerSteve]

ricardo being a proponent of a smaller player making the lineup is reminding me of this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKUvKE3bQlY

[FlamesAddiction]

I just can't see us being the 30th team next year in terms of payroll. I suspect some pretty big changes still.

[EldrickOnIce]

It has nothing to do with Gaudreau's talent, it has to do with him learning to be a pro. Not handing him the keys to the kingdom, ala Oilers.
It's about developing properly.












and it's about McDavid

I believe Gaudreau himself could be worth 6 wins, and quite frankly that's 12 points the Flames simply do not need next year.
Sorry - but it true.
Best for his development to play in the AHL, best for the Flames future


EDIT to add: I really thought the Flames opened the door for Gaudreau to play full time in Calgary (when they did not qualify Byron).
That door is now closed.

[J epworth]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

It has nothing to do with Gaudreau's talent, it has to do with him learning to be a pro. Not handing him the keys to the kingdom, ala Oilers.

It's about developing properly.

























and it's about McDavid



I believe Gaudreau himself could be worth 6 wins, and quite frankly that's 12 points the Flames simply do not need next year.

Sorry - but it true.

Best for his development to play in the AHL, best for the Flames future

If Flames management agree with you and believe Gaudreau is worth an extra 6 wins, there is no chance in hell he plays in the AHL. That's probably the difference between a 12th place finish and making the playoffs. Remember, coaches and managers put together teams to win as many games possible.

[Miniac]

Originally Posted by J epworth kendal

If Flames management agree with you and believe Gaudreau is worth an extra 6 wins, there is no chance in hell he plays in the AHL. That's probably the difference between a 12th place finish and making the playoffs. Remember, coaches and managers put together teams to win as many games possible.

Not every team.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by J epworth kendal

If Flames management agree with you and believe Gaudreau is worth an extra 6 wins, there is no chance in hell he plays in the AHL. That's probably the difference between a 12th place finish and making the playoffs. Remember, coaches and managers put together teams to win as many games possible.

No. It's the difference between 29-30 and 20-21 or so.

So, you are advocating (and you think the Flames will) not properly developing prospects for 6 more wins?
If so, they have become the Edmonton Oilers

[J epworth]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

No. It's the difference between 29-30 and 20-21 or so.

So, you are advocating (and you think the Flames will) not properly developing prospects for 6 more wins?
If so, they have become the Edmonton Oilers

I believe Gaudreau will and should start in the AHL. I also believe that he wouldn't add 12 points alone to the Flames final record. If I believed that however, yes, I would have Gaudreau playing in the NHL in a second.

He's going to be awesome for us, but still needs to get used to and learn how to play every second night and get used to the grind of a professional schedule.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by J epworth kendal

I believe Gaudreau will and should start in the AHL. I also believe that he wouldn't add 12 points alone to the Flames final record. If I believed that however, yes, I would have Gaudreau playing in the NHL in a second.

He's going to be awesome for us, but still needs to get used to and learn how to play every second night and get used to the grind of a professional schedule.

Gaudreau has that kind of game breaking talent. I truly believe that. So yes, I contend that once every dozen or so games, next year, he could turn a 2-1 Calgary loss into a 3-2 Flames win.
But that doesn't mean he is ready for the NHL just yet.

[saintjohnflames]

Goal
Hiller
Ramo
Defence
Giordano/Wideman
Smid/Engelland
Russell/Brodie
Offense
Raymond/Monahan/Jones
Hudler/Backlund/Gaudreau
Glencross/Stajan/Colborne
Bollig/Bouma/Mcgrattan

[Monahan23]

I think Bennett will play his 9 game tryout then get sent down. So I thinkw e starts with something like this

Glencross - Backlund - Jones
Baertschi - Monahan - Hudler
Raymond - Bennett - Colborne
Bouma - Stajan - Bollig
McGrattan - Byron

Brodie - Giordano
Smid - Wideman
Russell - Engelland
Cundari

Hiller
Rämö

Then Bennett gets sent down and we'll see

Hudler - Backlund - Raymond
Glencross - Stajan - Jones
Baertschi - Monahan - Colborne
Bollig - Bouma - McGrattan
Byron

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

It has nothing to do with Gaudreau's talent, it has to do with him learning to be a pro. Not handing him the keys to the kingdom, ala Oilers.
It's about developing properly.



and it's about McDavid

I believe Gaudreau himself could be worth 6 wins, and quite frankly that's 12 points the Flames simply do not need next year.
Sorry - but it true.
Best for his development to play in the AHL, best for the Flames future


EDIT to add: I really thought the Flames opened the door for Gaudreau to play full time in Calgary (when they did not qualify Byron).
That door is now closed.

Gaudreau is 21 year old. Monahan is 20. Does Monahan get a full year in the AHL for the same reasons as Gaudreau?

Is Bennett 3 years away from breaking into the Flames line-up?

If Gaudreau is 80% as good as he was at the world championship he is at the NHL on any team in the league.


Byron is not making the team as a small skilled player. He is making it as a 3/4 line energy guy. He is not competing with Gaudreau for a spot or ice time. Byron is competing with Bouma and Rienhart.



Gaudreau is a RFA in 2016. He would have been a UFA in 2015 and had his pick of teams had he played the year at BU. If he isn't given a chance to play at the NHL level and make the big bucks he would have to harbor some resentment to Flames management for leading him on to sign with them.

Glencross - Backlund - Hudler
Gaudreau - Monahon - Colbourne
Bouma - Stajan - Raymond
McG - Byron - Bollig

Jones rotating in for Colbourne / Raymond.....

I have no idea why they signed Raymond. Baertschi and Granlund 3 years out?


As for the McDavid "plan" .... totally messed that up signing Hillier.

Hillier and Rammo is 6 wins better than Rammo / Berra / Ortio and McDonald


If Gaudreau / Baertschi / Granlund not in the line up was Engelland and Bollig brought in to provide cover for Hudler/ Raymond / Stajan and Backlund??

There was a whole lot of justification on the Engelland signing as letting the young guys develop..... that kind of mean the young guys will be given a chance in the NHL.. Engelland isn't going to help them in the AHL.

[orrin83]

Glencross Stajan. Hudler
Geaudreau Monahan Byron
Bennett. Backlund Raymond
Bouma. Colborne McGrattan
Giordano. Wideman
Russell. Brodie
Engelland. Smid
Hillier
Ramo
Extras: Bollig, Jones, Billins or Cundari

Trade-deadline Roster.
Geadreau Monahan Byron
Raymond. Backlund D.Jones
Bennett Stajan Hudler
Bouma. Colborne Bollig
Giordano Wideman
Russell. Brodie
Engelland. Smid
Hiller
Ortio
Extras: Granlund, Billins, Cundari

Hoping the kids have some impact.
Engelland might see time on the wing again this year.
Wotherspoon is another name in the mix for last dman position.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

Gaudreau is 21 year old. Monahan is 20. Does Monahan get a full year in the AHL for the same reasons as Gaudreau?

Is Bennett 3 years away from breaking into the Flames line-up?

If Gaudreau is 80% as good as he was at the world championship he is at the NHL on any team in the league.


Byron is not making the team as a small skilled player. He is making it as a 3/4 line energy guy. He is not competing with Gaudreau for a spot or ice time. Byron is competing with Bouma and Rienhart.



Gaudreau is a RFA in 2016. He would have been a UFA in 2015 and had his pick of teams had he played the year at BU. If he isn't given a chance to play at the NHL level and make the big bucks he would have to harbor some resentment to Flames management for leading him on to sign with them.

Glencross - Backlund - Hudler
Gaudreau - Monahon - Colbourne
Bouma - Stajan - Raymond
McG - Byron - Bollig

Jones rotating in for Colbourne / Raymond.....

I have no idea why they signed Raymond. Baertschi and Granlund 3 years out?


As for the McDavid "plan" .... totally messed that up signing Hillier.

Hillier and Rammo is 6 wins better than Rammo / Berra / Ortio and McDonald


If Gaudreau / Baertschi / Granlund not in the line up was Engelland and Bollig brought in to provide cover for Hudler/ Raymond / Stajan and Backlund??

There was a whole lot of justification on the Engelland signing as letting the young guys develop..... that kind of mean the young guys will be given a chance in the NHL.. Engelland isn't going to help them in the AHL.

Sometimes saying less, says more...

Monahan would never have stayed in the NHL on a Treviling team.
Gaudreau will play 20-25 games in Calgary.
My opinion

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

ricardo being a proponent of a smaller player making the lineup is reminding me of this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKUvKE3bQlY

I have always said that there is room for non-gritty player ... they need to be your best skilled players.

Since the end of 2013 non-gritty players leaving the Flames:

Cervenka, Tanguay, Cammalleri, Stempniak, Derek Smith, Butler, Horak

add Boumeester at the 2013 trade deadline and you have 8 non-gritty guys moved out. I didn't even count Billins and Babchuck.

Non-gritty players left:

Hudler, Brodie, Raymond and one of Gaudreau, Granlund and Baertschi

Russell and Byron are undersized but play hard in the heavy going. Their games played and Ice-time can be managed.

We are left with Hudler, Brodie and Gaudreau fitting in with the non-gritty best players on the team spots..... Raymond is filler..... I can't see him being better than Baertschi and Granlund this time next year.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

Sometimes saying less, says more...

Monahan would never have stayed in the NHL on a Treviling team.
Gaudreau will play 20-25 games in Calgary.
My opinion

So coming out of camp Treviling is going into a direct confrontation with Burke?

Like Burke didn't tell Gaudreau that he would be given a clean chance of playing for the Flames and was expected to make the team rather than waiting a year and picking his own team?

We need to start a thread on who the next GM is going to be come Christmas.