2015/2016 - Predict the starting lineup

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

I see no way they break up the top line of Johnny-Monahan-Hudler with how dominant they were to end last season.

Put Hudler on the 4th line so he can't pad his stats and is easier to sign.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by FBI

Those are ok, but Colborne carries the puck too much to be on Johnnys line. Johnny needs to be the puck carrier from the neutral zone into the offensive zone to maximize his skill set. Colborne is good at that too but then he doesn't know what to do with the puck.

Good call. It's his biggest weakness, he tries to do too much instead of keeping the game simple. Sometimes the fanciness pays off, but Colborne is so much more effective when he keeps his play simple.

If he's on that line it'd be much better if he was letting Mony or Johnny carry while he just crashes the net and mucks it up along the boards. Now I don't see Hartley breaking up the wonder line, but ideally you want a good right shot RW to complete that line off.

You notice very often in the Gaudreau highlight vids where he gets a nice pass off to Hudler, but Hudler either has to switch to his forehand / try backhand and the chance ends up wasted.

I remember thinking about the right shot thing before the draft and then hoping for Konecny or Barzal, thinking they'd be the final key to that top line. We don't have too many high ceiling RH RWs - maybe Hunter Smith, but that's a toss up really. Could be bottom 6, could be top 6, could be bust. Treliving will definitely have the scouts ready for the RW selections next year. If he can solve our D problems in 48 hours, he can do the same with RW.

[buyakasha]

Strange feeling that Byron + Bennett will be really good on a line. Basing this on no intelligent research whatsoever

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

Giordano - Brodie
Russel - Hamilton
Engelland - Wideman

Ramo
Ortio

[Murph]

Depends if the want to get Bennett reps at centre ice.

If they do:

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

If they don't:

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

Giordano - Hamilton
Brodie - Wideman
Russell - Engelland

Ramo
Ortio

[Enoch Root]

I don't see how you keep Bennett on the wing in order to put Jooris at C. If there were another solid C around, then sure. But Jooris is just as effective at RW (where the Flames are in worse shape), so I can't see Jooris taking Bennett's spot.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by buyakasha

Strange feeling that Byron + Bennett will be really good on a line. Basing this on no intelligent research whatsoever

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

This, although I think Jooris might steal a spot. I'm also just assuming Raymond is traded at some point, but he'll be in the lineup when the season starts.

Giordano - Brodie
Russel - Hamilton
Engelland - Wideman

That last pairing is dangerously slow. I also think there's a good chance Engelland is shipped out as too expensive.

Giordano-Hamilton
Brodie-Wideman
Russell-Engelland/Nakladal/Wotherspoon (or maybe Morrison who also shoots from the right)

[Enoch Root]

I think it makes sense to keep Russell and Wideman together. I think the D breaks down like this:

If Smid is healthy...

Giordano - Brodie
Smid/Engelland - Hamilton
Russell - Wideman
Engelland/Smid

if not...

Giordano - Brodie
Engelland/Nakladal/Wotherspoon - Hamilton
Russell - Wideman
Nakladal/Engelland

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I don't see how you keep Bennett on the wing in order to put Jooris at C. If there were another solid C around, then sure. But Jooris is just as effective at RW (where the Flames are in worse shape), so I can't see Jooris taking Bennett's spot.

I agree Jooris probably wouldn't be the guy at centre, but I do think Shore has a decent shot as a 4th/3rd C.

[Murph]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I don't see how you keep Bennett on the wing in order to put Jooris at C. If there were another solid C around, then sure. But Jooris is just as effective at RW (where the Flames are in worse shape), so I can't see Jooris taking Bennett's spot.

I like the lineup a lot better with Bennett at centre as well. I especially like the idea of pairing Bennett with Ferland and Colborne. It's a good mix of size, tenaciousness and skill that a lot of teams will have difficulty handling, especially after they have sent their primary checking line out against Monahan's line.

[Murph]

Originally Posted by Itse

This, although I think Jooris might steal a spot. I'm also just assuming Raymond is traded at some point, but he'll be in the lineup when the season starts.



That last pairing is dangerously slow. I also think there's a good chance Engelland is shipped out as too expensive.

Giordano-Hamilton
Brodie-Wideman
Russell-Engelland/Nakladal/Wotherspoon (or maybe Morrison who also shoots from the right)

All due respect, but I think getting rid of Engelland is crazy talk. I think he more than proved his value after Giordano went down.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by Murph

All due respect, but I think getting rid of Engelland is crazy talk. I think he more than proved his value after Giordano went down.

I have nothing against Engelland. It's just that I don't see how we can afford to pay our 6th defenseman $2.9M.

At least one of Raymond, Stajan and Engelland has to go IMO, and defenseman generally speaking always have takers.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Murph

I like the lineup a lot better with Bennett at centre as well. I especially like the idea of pairing Bennett with Ferland and Colborne. It's a good mix of size, tenaciousness and skill that a lot of teams will have difficulty handling, especially after they have sent their primary checking line out against Monahan's line.

Actually, Colborne might be a great idea for Bennett's line. He is great down low on the boards (as is Bennett) and he adds some size. Also has good hands in tight.

I have been on board with Ferland on Bennett's left side for a while. Size, speed, hands, and can make sure no one takes advantage of Bennett (also back Bennett up when he takes on the entire other team).

I really like the idea of that line.

[Bourque's Twin]

Originally Posted by Itse

I have nothing against Engelland. It's just that I don't see how we can afford to pay our 6th defenseman $2.9M.

At least one of Raymond, Stajan and Engelland has to go IMO, and defenseman generally speaking always have takers.

The Flames can certainly afford Engelland for the duration of his contract (this season and next). They wouldn't trade him for that reason.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by Itse

I have nothing against Engelland. It's just that I don't see how we can afford to pay our 6th defenseman $2.9M.

At least one of Raymond, Stajan and Engelland has to go IMO, and defenseman generally speaking always have takers.

Next off-season you would be right but no rush to make any trades right now. Cap isn't an issue for this season and the ability to move out Raymond, Stajan and Engelland will be much better next off-season with one less year left on their deals. Of course you trade Raymond right now if you can do it without eating any salary, but that is unlikely.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by Bourque's Twin

The Flames can certainly afford Engelland for the duration of his contract (this season and next). They wouldn't trade him for that reason.

We now have $1.2M in cap space and haven't signed Ferland. Next season Monahan, Gaudreau and Giordano will be paid a lot, lot more.

We'll just have to see, but I certainly think moving Engelland is an option.

Of course everything depends on a lot of other things, such as...
- Do we re-sign Russell?
- Does a prospect push Engelland out?
- How good is Nakladal?
- How big is Giordano's new contract?
- Is Giordano asking for too much, forcing us to trade him?
- How hard to move is Raymond?
- Does Raymond have a surprise bounce-back, making him too valuable to move?

I could go on.

I'm just saying that I think Engelland is on the short list of guys to be shipped out if the cap gets too tight.

Originally Posted by Fire

Next off-season you would be right but no rush to make any trades right now. Cap isn't an issue for this season and the ability to move out Raymond, Stajan and Engelland will be much better next off-season with one less year left on their deals. Of course you trade Raymond right now if you can do it without eating any salary, but that is unlikely.

Trades are really hard to make these days. If you have a good deal on one of these guys you take it, because another one might never come.

[ComixZone]

Opening night roster:

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

Giordano - Brodie
Kylington - Hamilton
Russell - Wideman


Ramo
Ortio

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Itse

We now have $1.2M in cap space and haven't signed Ferland. Next season Monahan, Gaudreau and Giordano will be paid a lot, lot more.

We'll just have to see, but I certainly think moving Engelland is an option.

Of course everything depends on a lot of other things, such as...
- Do we re-sign Russell?
- Does a prospect push Engelland out?
- How good is Nakladal?
- How big is Giordano's new contract?
- Is Giordano asking for too much, forcing us to trade him?
- How hard to move is Raymond?
- Does Raymond have a surprise bounce-back, making him too valuable to move?

I could go on.

I'm just saying that I think Engelland is on the short list of guys to be shipped out if the cap gets too tight.




Trades are really hard to make these days. If you have a good deal on one of these guys you take it, because another one might never come.

According to NHLNumbers, we have $3.1M in space with 24 guys signed. And that includes Smid's $3.5M

[Gaskal]

We have 2.2 in space after Byron was signed

[Enoch Root]

NHLNumbers already had Byron in that figure

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

NHLNumbers already had Byron in that figure

I don't really see how that's possible then. Considering we were at that 3.1 figure of yours before Byron was signed, I think it's more likely the NHLNumbers salary total hasn't been updated yet.