2015/2016 - Predict the starting lineup

[Bunk]

^ Seems plausible. How about Granlund. Stockton all year and a call up, or traded?

Seems like he's the odd man out for a lot of people. I like his game.

[Enoch Root]

I would think that if Granlund isn't a full-time Flame by the deadline, he's moved.

(I don't see him in the plans, personally)

[Fire of the Phoenix]

I really hope Brodie/Engelland isn't used outside of absolute necessity. It would suck to have a great player's potential wasted by playing him with a player who doesn't possess top 4 talent. You can pretty much pencil Brodie in for less than 30 points if he plays the year with Engelland.

[ScorchyScorch]

I think it'll come down to Bennett vs. McDavid for the calder. Both lit the OHL on fire in the time that they played last season scoring at over a 2ppg clip, and Bennett showed he's ready for the big league during the playoff run that experience may allow him to get off to a hotter start this year than McDavid.

Of course unless a d-man emerges. But I think it'll come down to those two, which will make for a fun and heated battle. Just hope for Edmonton's sake that they don't expect him to be their enforcer too, and say um, break his finger trying to do the dirty work for the team on top of everything else..being the messiah and all.

[jg13]

Originally Posted by ScorchyScorch

I think it'll come down to Bennett vs. McDavid for the calder. Both lit the OHL on fire in the time that they played last season scoring at over a 2ppg clip, and Bennett showed he's ready for the big league during the playoff run that experience may allow him to get off to a hotter start this year than McDavid.

Of course unless a d-man emerges. But I think it'll come down to those two, which will make for a fun and heated battle. Just hope for Edmonton's sake that they don't expect him to be their enforcer too, and say um, break his finger trying to do the dirty work for the team on top of everything else..being the messiah and all.

I think McDavid will win just because he'll be gifted top 6 minutes and 1st unit PP.

Where as I expect Bennett to be sheltered on the 3rd line for at least half the season and on the 2nd unit PP

[codynw]

Originally Posted by ScorchyScorch

I think it'll come down to Bennett vs. McDavid for the calder. Both lit the OHL on fire in the time that they played last season scoring at over a 2ppg clip, and Bennett showed he's ready for the big league during the playoff run that experience may allow him to get off to a hotter start this year than McDavid.

You are underrating Eichel.

[FanIn80]

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

Giordano - Hamilton
Brodie – Wotherspoon
Russell - Wideman
Engelland

Ramo
Ortio

[Enoch Root]

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

(Jones and Colborne being inter-changable)

Giordano - Brodie
Russell - Wideman
Wotherspoon - Hamilton
Engelland

(Hamilton with over 20 minutes, not used as a 3rd pairing guy)

[Fire of the Phoenix]

It's going to be Eichel vs McDavid for the calder, let's not kid ourselves. Bennett could put up 60 points and still finish a distant third.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

It's going to be Eichel vs McDavid for the calder, let's not kid ourselves. Bennett could put up 60 points and still finish a distant third.

Don't kid yourself, Bennett has a fantastic shot at the Calder next year

[#-3]

I'm gonna go really crazy here.

Colborne, Granlund, Raymond, Russell, Hiller and Kanzig will all be sent packing, probably in 3 different trades, where the Flames will walk away with Patrick Sharp, an expected mid round 1st, and 2 seconds.

Gaudreau - Monahan - Sharp
Bouma - Backlund - Frolik
Hudler - Bennett - Jones
Ferland - Stajan - ???

Fighting for 3 spots in training camp Byron, Bollig, Jooris, Poirier, Shore.
Outside Chance Klimchuck, Arnold, Wolf, and Grant

I think the Flames will sign Schlemko and 1 other experienced Dman, like Ehrhoff, Odoya, Butler :Bag:

Giordano - Hamilton
Brodie - Wideman
Smid - Engelland

(assuming Smids healthy)

7th roster spot will be a fight between, Wootherspoon, Shlemko, and unnamed UFA.
Sieloff and Culkin are long shots but could make some noise in camp.

I also think the Flames will pick up a goalie like LaBarbera.

Ramo/Ortio
(AHL) Gillies/LaBarbera.

about $66M,

Space to add a fair amount of depth if they are headed to the playoffs.

If they do not take a big step forward they have some big assets to deepen the development system Wideman, Hudler, Sharp, and to a lesser extent Jones.

Assuming the Flames are headed to the playoffs, they have an extra 1st, three 2nds and a 3rd to deepen the team.

Assuming they are in a dogfight again moving out some of the UFA mentioned could probably net them up to two first round picks. Leaving them with 6 picks in the top 60.

[dammage79]

Impossible to figure out the FW group as it sits right now. I really think three of these FW's are on their way out before camp hits. Namely Raymond and Jooris. Jones is a solid fit with Stajan. Tough to see him be moved in his final year when they'd be perfectly happy to play his final year out and let him walk.

Bennett could be the soution for 2nd line LW, could be the #3 C too. Drew Shore should wrap up a spot.

Who knows with Granlund. Billy Arnold could make a serious push in camp and I suspect he will indeed do just that.

So many frickin variables. And I still want the Flames to sign Semin on a show me contract.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Don't kid yourself, Bennett has a fantastic shot at the Calder next year

I'm as big of a Flames fan as the next guy but Eichel and McDavid are clearly in a higher tier. That's no slight against Bennett, who I think is awesome, it's just reality. Johnny couldn't beat out Ekblad and Stone with a 64 point season, what makes you think Bennett can beat out the most hyped prospect since Crosby and a slightly lesser player in Eichel?

If Bennett puts up 75 points next year, it will only be a 50/50 chance he wins IMO. Do you think he puts up that much or do you think McDavid and Eichel are over hyped? It's pretty much one or the other if you think Bennett has a "fantastic shot at the Calder". I would say "fantastic" means he's the odds on favorite, which I think is a false statement.

[BrownDrake]

Bennett wins the calder, can't be a top point producer unless you have a good d core that can get out of the zone and get you the puck...we have that. 45 minutes of the game our top 4 d men will be on the ice. Bennett's proved he can play at this level and will likely get a lot more space in the regular season on the second or third line and 2nd pp unit.

Bennett is going to feel like he is in the OHL over the regular season after those playoff games he experienced.

Can't wait

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by BrownDrake

Bennett wins the calder, can't be a top point producer unless you have a good d core that can get out of the zone and get you the puck...we have that. 45 minutes of the game our top 4 d men will be on the ice. Bennett's proved he can play at this level and will likely get a lot more space in the regular season on the second or third line and 2nd pp unit.

Bennett is going to feel like he is in the OHL over the regular season after those playoff games he experienced.

Can't wait

How many points do you think Bennett will get next year? How about McDavid?

If they tie for points or are within a couple of each other, you know McDavid will win due to the hype factor.

I'm honestly surprised anyone cares about the Calder after the abortion that was the voting results from this past season. Who cares what a bunch biased writers think? Honestly, I think the top 10% of CP contributors know more about the game than most of the people who get to vote for this stuff.

[robbie111]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I would think that if Granlund isn't a full-time Flame by the deadline, he's moved.

(I don't see him in the plans, personally)

Why move Granlund when he can be sent to the AHL this year without waivers and be there in case of injury on the Flames. People forget that when Granlund was on Hudler and Gaudreaus line Granlund led the Flames in points per game for the first 3 months of the season. He obviously needs to work on faceoffs but why get rid of an asset that is still developing and can be sent to the AHL free of waivers.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by robbie111

Why move Granlund when he can be sent to the AHL this year without waivers and be there in case of injury on the Flames. People forget that when Granlund was on Hudler and Gaudreaus line Granlund led the Flames in points per game for the first 3 months of the season. He obviously needs to work on faceoffs but why get rid of an asset that is still developing and can be sent to the AHL free of waivers.

Because next year, he is waiver eligible.

That's why, by the deadline, if he hasn't made the team full-time, you have to move him.

[robbie111]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Because next year, he is waiver eligible.

That's why, by the deadline, if he hasn't made the team full-time, you have to move him.

Then move him at the deadline. He's a pretty good insurance policy until then.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by robbie111

Then move him at the deadline. He's a pretty good insurance policy until then.

Which is precisely what I said.

[jayswin]

great convo guys, lol.