2015/2016 - Predict the starting lineup

[Imported_Aussie]

I am starting to get the feeling that the Flames may even try to sneak Ortio through waivers - depending on how camp goes of course. Looking around the league, I see two teams in need a of a backup/1B, both of whom are cap-challenged - Boston and Pittsburgh. They may be left signing a veteran like Budaj or Emery on a cheap deal. So where could Hiller land if they want to clear him out?
San Jose - After getting Jones they would then have to bury Stalock at 1.6M (who has been impressive in a small sample) - not sure if that is a fit anymore
Edmonton - don't think there is a trade there, even though Hiller would upgrade Scrivens. Nor would you want to send Hiller there and see that team improve
Florida - if they want to make some noise, they should upgrade on Montoya as a backup, maybe there is a fit there, if their budget allows it.
Buffalo - do they want to start to compete yet? Hiller would upgrade on Johnson and give insurance if Lehner doesn't light it up

So the most likely fits:
Florida and Buffalo, but only if they lose faith in their backup/want insurance.

I think we see the Flames holding all 3 for a while yet


The Flames have 17 NHL calibre forwards, 8 NHL calibre D (includes injured Smid) and 2 NHL calibre goalies.

That means at a minimum, 3 forwards, 1 D and 1 goalie get traded or waived. Maybe you prolong that D move until Smid's status is resolved, but then what if a guy like Morrison/Nakladal/Culkin outperforms Wotherspoon in camp? Same goes for the forwards - what if Agostino makes a push?

I think you need to see if a market opens up for Hiller and Raymond, maybe even Bollig, but I like what he brings as a spare forward. Do you have to try to sneak guys like Granlund and Ortio through waivers? Do you trade a guy like Granlund, kind of like the Horak trade that brought Smid to town? What does a package of Hiller + Granlund or Raymond + Granlund bring?

A lot of questions, and it makes predicting a lineup tough. Based on the latest moves, this would be my lineup:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Frolik
Hudler - Bennett - Colborne
Bouma - Backlund - Jones
Ferland - Stajan - Jooris
ex. Bollig, Shore

Byron waived, clears
Granlund and Raymond traded

Giordano - Hamilton
Brodie - Wideman
Russell - Engelland
Wotherspoon

Smid starts on LTIR

Ramo
Ortio

Hiller traded


Hiller to Florida for MacKenzie Weegar and 4th round pick - boost AHL D depth, see if there is enough upside as a bottom pair offensive D
Granlund and Raymond for 2nd round pick in 2016 - Arizona need bodies, especially players with shorter term commitments who can move up and down the lineup.

[SuperMatt18]

My thought is one of the more expensive goalies goes through waivers.

Who is going to take a flyer on Hiller at $4 or Ramo at $3.8 that close to the start of the season?

I also think that Byron, Raymond, and Granlund are the 3 forwards that are the odd men out to start the season. Granlund doesn't need waivers, and Byron probably clears.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

My thought is one of the more expensive goalies goes through waivers.

Who is going to take a flyer on Hiller at $4 or Ramo at $3.8 that close to the start of the season?

I also think that Byron, Raymond, and Granlund are the 3 forwards that are the odd men out to start the season. Granlund doesn't need waivers, and Byron probably clears.

They're not sending Ramo down after signing a new deal. Sends the wrong message to future FAs. They're not sending Hiller down either. Sadly, with three goalies, Ortio is the waiver fodder if he gets called up

[Gaudfather]

It makes no sense to develop Ortio to this point and then risk losing him on waivers for no return. Far better to see what kind of return can be had for Hiller and get a deal done before the season opens. Then we run with a Ramo/Ortio tandem and see how it goes.

[united]

Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
Byron - Backlund - Frolik
Bouma - Bennett - Jones
Ferland - Stajan - Colborne
Raymond - Shore

1. A given
2. Elite possession and defensive players will shutdown every opponents' top scoring line allowing the other lines to succeed
3. Two bangers in Bouma and Jones who aren't slow either will give Bennett the room to continue his growth into an elite C against easier opposition
4. Steady and reliable, able to handle any role
Extras: Raymond will be tough to move and tough pill eating his salary in the American League. Shore hasn't been given much of a chance but did well in tough circumstances when he did - give him a better look and he may surprise. Ideally Raymond is moved allowing for Jooris. Bollig, despite his playoff performance, is ideally moved as well.

Giordano - Hamilton
Brodie - Wideman
Russell - Engelland
Wotherspoon

1. Giordano and Brodie played well, but Hamilton allows for equal distribution of RH-LH defenceman. We'll see if Hartley likes that or does not care for it - it depends on the coach. Babcock for example is a big proponent of equal distribution.
2. Wideman is slow while Brodie is extremely fast. Brodie's speed and defensive dominance will allow Wideman more time for his excellent passes and somewhat lessen his defensive responsibilities compared to what he shouldered with Russell.
3. Again, two steady guys. Both over their heads against top opposition but should push the pace against the bottom six forwards of the other team.
Extras: I'm not sure what's going on with Smid. I would like Schlemko back but we also don't know what's going on there. Schlemko over Wotherspoon, but Wotherspoon over Smid.

Hiller
Ramo

I've always been a fan of Hiller's, while at the same time it's clear something is going on internally, which I know effects things. His weakness is his mental concentration where he seems to be complacent toward poor-angle and long distance shots - he is exceptional on shots in tight and cross-ice, but the weak goals he lets in are killers. It's truly strange. If he ever cleaned up that aspect I see him as a .920+ goaltender. Again, I acknowledge this is the unpopular opinion.
What happens to Ortio? I don't know. Perhaps him and Gillies split duty in the American League this year.

[AC]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

They're not sending Ramo down after signing a new deal. Sends the wrong message to future FAs. They're not sending Hiller down either. Sadly, with three goalies, Ortio is the waiver fodder if he gets called up

Ortio has to clear waivers to be sent down to start the season, so it seems more likely we see a trade IMO.

Treliving and Hartley have both said they dislike running with 3 goalies, and Ortio would likely get claimed given his AHL dominance and how good he's looked so far in the NHL.

[Fire]

Gaudreau Monahan Frolik
Ferland Bennett Hudler
Bouma Backlund Colborne
Byron Stajan Jooris
Bollig Shore Jones

Note: Raymond traded or sent to the AHL. Granlund starts year in AHL. Still leaves the Flames with one too many forwards, but I 'm going to assume they have at least one injury going into the season.

Giordano Hamilton
Brodie Wideman
Russell Engelland
Smid

Notes: If Smid is on IR then one of Nakadal, Wotherspoon and Morrison will be the #7.

Ramo
Ortio

Note: Hiller traded.

With a healthy line-up Hartley shouldn't be concerned about playing the 4th line and 3rd pairing more minutes this season.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by AC

Ortio has to clear waivers to be sent down to start the season, so it seems more likely we see a trade IMO.

Treliving and Hartley have both said they dislike running with 3 goalies, and Ortio would likely get claimed given his AHL dominance and how good he's looked so far in the NHL.

I wonder if we trade Ortio... perhaps with another player for someone else that upgrades a position. Would love to pursue Karl Alzner if at all possible.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by united

Giordano and Brodie played well

Understatement of the year.

[Justin]

Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
Bennett - Backlund - Frolik
Bouma - Jooris - Colborne
Ferland - Stajan - Jones
Raymond - Byron
Bollig

[PrettyBoyFlizzy]

Samuel Bennett was drafted to play centre I don't see the point of him playing wing, Monahan didn't play wing. Bennett will get his minutes we have Backlund and Monahan to play the tougher minutes.

[Justin]

Bennett played wing during the post season.

[PrettyBoyFlizzy]

Originally Posted by Justin

Bennett played wing during the post season.

Yes because he came in to replace Mason Raymond not another winger. They had him playing 4th line centre against Anaheim. Sam will be up the middler this upcoming season and he will be amazing.

I would expect him to challenge Connor and Jack for the rookie of the year.

[Jason14h]

I feel like Bolig, Raymond and Byron will be our 2 pressbox with 1 playing rotation/injury reps

Granlund to minor strictly based on eligibility,

Odds are someone gets hurt before start of season too.

[Enoch Root]

I think the Flames lineup is sufficiently deep that they can shelter Bennett at C.

Having said that, it is also sufficiently deep that they can put him on wing for a year.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by Justin

Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
Bennett - Backlund - Frolik
Bouma - Jooris - Colborne
Ferland - Stajan - Jones
Raymond - Byron
Bollig

This makes the most sense to me upfront. I'd probably substitute Byron or Bollig for granlund however.

[Tron_fdc]

Surprised there isn't more talk about Bennett and his expectations. I think he's getting lost in the FA hype, and the Gio re-sign.

I expect him to contend for the Calder this year in a 1A/1B center role. He cut his teeth in the playoffs, so he's got a pretty good idea what he's up against. Has an off season to get bigger and stronger. I expect him to come out flying.

Mcjesus is the oiler appointed Calder winner, but I think Bennett is going to turn a few heads this season.

[Gaudfather]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

Surprised there isn't more talk about Bennett and his expectations. I think he's getting lost in the FA hype, and the Gio re-sign.

I expect him to contend for the Calder this year in a 1A/1B center role. He cut his teeth in the playoffs, so he's got a pretty good idea what he's up against. Has an off season to get bigger and stronger. I expect him to come out flying.

Mcjesus is the oiler appointed Calder winner, but I think Bennett is going to turn a few heads this season.

And having McDavid this and McDavid that in the press every day, will be an ongoing source of additional motivation for Bennett all season. Really looking forward to see how he responds this year.

[genetic_phreek]

Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
Bennett - Backlund - Colborne
Raymond - Granlund - Frolik
Bollig - Stajan - Jones

Giordano - Hamilton
Russell - Wideman
Brodie - Engelland

[ComixZone]

A touch of house cleaning:

To WSH:
Jonas Hiller (50% retained)
Mason Raymond (25% retained)

To CGY:
2016 - WSH 3rd
2017 - WSH 3rd

Some minor changes in order to bring balance to the lines:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Frolik
Bouma - Backlund - Jooris
Hudler - Bennett - Colborne
Ferland - Stajan - Jones
Byron, Bollig

Giordano - Hamilton
Brodie - Wideman
Russell - Engelland
Schlemko, Smid

Ramo
Ortio

2016 Trade Deadline:

To Florida:
Dennis Wideman (50% retained)

To Calgary:
2017 - FLA 1st Round pick