2015/2016 - Predict the starting lineup

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Ryan Coke

I think Ferland is a guy that may surprise and look good with some top 6 ice time.

Depends on progression of course, but he has some hands to go along with the physicality and agitation.

Ferland scored a lot more than Bouma, so surely he could be a reasonable to six if needed

[ricardodw]

The Flames need 3 d-men. Right now they have 5 NHL level d-men. Schlemko should be the level of the #9 guy... someone who can come in and play 10 minutes of an NHL game without having a total panic if on the ice when the puck is iced.

Very very doubtful that the Flames add a forward before they figure out what they have.

They made that mistake in 2014 bringing in Raymond (and Stetoguchi) rather than waiting to see how Gaudreau, Jooris, Granlund, baertshi, Rienhart and Ferland were going to work out.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

The Flames need 3 d-men. Right now they have 5 NHL level d-men. Schlemko should be the level of the #9 guy... someone who can come in and play 10 minutes of an NHL game without having a total panic if on the ice when the puck is iced.

Very very doubtful that the Flames add a forward before they figure out what they have.

They made that mistake in 2014 bringing in Raymond (and Stetoguchi) rather than waiting to see how Gaudreau, Jooris, Granlund, baertshi, Rienhart and Ferland were going to work out.

No. Those kids are better because they had to take a job from a vet instead of having it handed to them.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

They made that mistake in 2014 bringing in Raymond (and Stetoguchi) rather than waiting to see how Gaudreau, Jooris, Granlund, baertshi, Rienhart and Ferland were going to work out.

And what are they supposed to do if those players don't work out? By the time they would have found that out, it would have been to late to find someone without a trade of some sort.

Seriously, some of the stuff you post makes no sense at all.

[Dajazz]

J Williams is exactly what we need, veteran, winner, right wing, right shot and yea again, winner. Decent size and plays the game hard.

Russell and Wideman were great this year, but they are not a second pairing on a contender when our D depth is poor. We need another top 4 D and they aren't cheap.

After Monahudreau it drops off faaaast. Bennett hasn't proven he belongs yet, sure he had a few good games in the POs. Poirier did not look at all ready. Ferland? Top six, I'm not convinced. Same with Bouma. Perhaps somebody really impresses in camp.

So, we need top 6-9 talent, not top line. Williams can be had, Staal would be awesome. Monahan-Staal-Bennett-Stajan nice C line up. Add top 6 wingers in J Hockey, Hudler, Williams, Jones (need his size) and we're still missing some talent there.

[ComixZone]

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

Giordano - Franson
Brodie - Engelland
Russell - Wideman
Schlemko, Diaz

Ramo
Hiller
Ortio

To Toronto:
2016 CGY 1st round pick
2015 VAN 2nd round pick
Markus Granlund

To Calgary:
James van Riemsdyk

- - - - - - -
Cody Franson - 4 years, 20M

Karri Ramo - 2 years, 9M
Rapha Diaz - 1 year, 1M
David Schlemko - 1 year, 1M
Josh Jooris - 2 years, 1.9M
Lance Bouma - 4 years, 12M
Michael Ferland - 2 years, 2M
Mikael Backlund - 4 years, 16M

Mark Giordano (July 1 - Extension) - 5 years, 30M
Kris Russell (July 1 - Extension) - 4 years, 16M

- - - - -

Sets us up with great depth and gives our youngsters time to develop in the AHL. Our defensive depth would allow Hartley to roll 3 pairings and not hammer players with too many minutes. Our forwards would be better thanks to the addition of van Riemsdyk for an immediate boost in size and skill while also banking on continued development from Bennett, Gaudreau, Monahan, Ferland, Bouma and Jooris to help offset any decline in Hudler's play (which may or may not happen, but he's the easiest choice for a player who COULD potentially put up less points next year).

Trading the 2016 1st round draft pick is the management continuing to show faith in this group and it being spent on van Riemsdyk fills an organizational need (size, top-6 winger) and because of van Riemsdyk's age, he could be part of the team long-term. Also banking on having 5 draft picks in the first 85 picks this summer in a deep draft being very important for our prospect pool.

- Jones has 1 year left, could be replaced by Klimchuk in 2016/2017
- Hudler has 1 year left, could be replaced by Poirier in 2016/2017 or could be extended.
- Wideman and Engelland both have 2 years left on their contracts and (hopefully) by the time those contracts expire we're looking at a prospect drafted this summer or Wotherspoon being ready to play meaningful minutes.

[Enoch Root]

I don't mind the idea of JVR, but there is a very real possibility that we miss the playoffs next year, and remember - the top 3 picks are all lottery.

Trading our first for 2016 is EXACTLY what those of us preaching patience are saying we shouldn't do.

[1qqaaz]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

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

Giordano - Franson
Brodie - Engelland
Russell - Wideman
Schlemko, Diaz

Ramo
Hiller
Ortio

To Toronto:
2016 CGY 1st round pick
2015 VAN 2nd round pick
Markus Granlund

To Calgary:
James van Riemsdyk

- - - - - - -

Karri Ramo - 2 years, 9M
Cody Franson - 4 years, 20M
Rapha Diaz - 1 year, 1M
David Schlemko - 1 year, 1M
Josh Jooris - 2 years, 1.9M
Lance Bouma - 4 years, 12M
Michael Ferland - 2 years, 2M
Mikael Backlund - 4 years, 15M

Mark Giordano (July 1 - Extension) - 5 years, 30M
Kris Russell (July 1 - Extension) - 4 years, 16M

- - - - -

Sets us up with great depth and gives our youngsters time to develop in the AHL. Our defensive depth would allow Hartley to roll 3 pairings and not hammer players with too many minutes. Our forwards would be better thanks to the addition of van Riemsdyk for an immediate boost in size and skill while also banking on continued development from Bennett, Gaudreau, Monahan, Ferland, Bouma and Jooris to help offset any decline in Hudler's play (which may or may not happen, but he's the easiest choice for a player who COULD potentially put up less points next year).

Trading the 2016 1st round draft pick is the management continuing to show faith in this group and it being spent on van Riemsdyk fills an organizational need (size, top-6 winger) and because of van Riemsdyk's age, he could be part of the team long-term.

- Jones has 1 year left, could be replaced by Klimchuk in 2016/2017
- Hudler has 1 year left, could be replaced by Poirier in 2016/2017 or could be extended.
- Wideman and Engelland both have 2 years left on their contracts and (hopefully) by the time those contracts expire we're looking at a prospect drafted this summer or Wotherspoon being ready to play meaningful minutes.

In regards to JVR, I don't think that would not be enough to get someone who is arguably the best player on their team. He and Morgan Reilly are the only 2 players on the Maple Leafs that have zero chance to be traded. We would have to throw in another first just to get the talking started.

Also, that second line looks horrendous. Bouma, Jooris, and Backlund totaled 2 points in 22 playoff games. Backlund even had lots of PP time and averaged over 20 minutes a game. How many second lines in the NHL have players that average 7 points in an 82 game season? They also didn't do a great job keeping Perry and Getzlaf off the scoreboard, as those two lead the NHL playoffs in points per game. Only Backlund had half a point per game in the regular season. Most playoff teams have 40-60 point guys on their second lines. I doubt Jooris and Bouma will improve much offensively. Perhaps the Flames should acquire one more 2nd liner to add a little offense to that line.

I agree with the rest though. It might be a good idea to sign Franson to slowly replace an aging Wideman. Franson's poor performance in Nashville does scare me though. The extensions on Gio and Russell look reasonable. Gio's might be a bit low, but maybe he'd sign a hometown discount.

[FBI]

That's a lot of new guys! Do you mean new guys via trade and UFA, or some of our new guys from the minors like Poirier and Wolf?

Originally Posted by Cheese

Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
Bennett - Backlund - (New guy)
Bouma - (New Guy) - Ferland
(All new guys)
(New guy), (New guy)

Gio
Brodie
(New guy)
Wideman
Engelland
Wotherspoon
(New guy)

Ramo
Ortio

[ricardodw]

b

Originally Posted by codynw

And what are they supposed to do if those players don't work out? By the time they would have found that out, it would have been to late to find someone without a trade of some sort.

Seriously, some of the stuff you post makes no sense at all.

Yep they had 6 guys - plus Hankowski, and Van Brabart and that had a solid taste of NHL plus Arnold and Bennett competing for 2 spots....

As it was only 2 of them worked out with Granlund not being quite ready.... If all 10 were crap then the Flames would be the Oilers.

IF the Flames were going to have to rely on Raymond / Setoguchi being in the top-9 forwards that means they were planning on tanking and going for McDavid.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

The Flames need 3 d-men. Right now they have 5 NHL level d-men. Schlemko should be the level of the #9 guy... someone who can come in and play 10 minutes of an NHL game without having a total panic if on the ice when the puck is iced.

Very very doubtful that the Flames add a forward before they figure out what they have.

They made that mistake in 2014 bringing in Raymond (and Stetoguchi) rather than waiting to see how Gaudreau, Jooris, Granlund, baertshi, Rienhart and Ferland were going to work out.

Not sure about 3 Dmen. Is Smid coming back? When will Wortherspoon get his shot? I think they need 1 Dman but someone that will be in the top 6 not a depth guy. Keep Schlemko for the 7/8 spot

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

b

Yep they had 6 guys - plus Hankowski, and Van Brabart and that had a solid taste of NHL plus Arnold and Bennett competing for 2 spots....

As it was only 2 of them worked out with Granlund not being quite ready.... If all 10 were crap then the Flames would be the Oilers.

IF the Flames were going to have to rely on Raymond / Setoguchi being in the top-9 forwards that means they were planning on tanking and going for McDavid.

They obviously weren't paying Setoguchi a salary of $750K (less than Jooris, Agostino, Hanowski etc.) because they thought he was going to be a top 6 or 9 guy.

And guess what, as much as Raymond gets dumped on (and I think he is not part of any future plans) if played a whole year, and maintained his PPG average, he is easily a top 9 guy production-wise.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

They obviously weren't paying Setoguchi a salary of $750K (less than Jooris, Agostino, Hanowski etc.) because they thought he was going to be a top 6 or 9 guy.

And guess what, as much as Raymond gets dumped on (and I think he is not part of any future plans) if played a whole year, and maintained his PPG average, he is easily a top 9 guy production-wise.

If Raymond played the whole season do you think the Flames would have made the playoffs?

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

If Raymond played the whole season do you think the Flames would have made the playoffs?

Giordano missed a quarter of the season and they still made it

One player is not as important as fans like to think.

Raymond is a 3rd/4th line guy - whether it was him or someone else wasn't likely to change the fortunes of the team

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

If Raymond played the whole season do you think the Flames would have made the playoffs?

Yes. The team never won because he wasn't in, nor did they lose because he was.

I'm not saying he was a big contributor. I'm saying he was on pace for 15-20 goals, which makes him a third line guy. And maybe with some more games before his injury, he gets his feet under him, a feel for the team play, and isn't catching up the rest of the year.

Hartley seemed to think he was good enough to play, over Granlund most of the time, over Poirier, and obviously guys like Reinhart and Hanowski.

[Roof-Daddy]

Just absolutely crazy depth still under contract or RFA, and more on the way....especially at forward.



Bring everyone back, and there aren't any spots for Raymond, Byron, Granlund or Shore.

Not to mention guys like Wolf, Reinhart and Poirier all of whom are knocking on the door.

Plus, Agostino, Arnold and Hathaway all had great AHL seasons this year, and should push for jobs as well, being that they are all early twenties, and have NHL size and speed.

Hard to add anything from the outside via free agency or trades without first moving a lot of bodies out somewhere.

Treliving said there will be changes, will be interesting to see how he goes about accomplishing that.

[MrMastodonFarm]

One of the more interesting things to watch over the next 8 months is what's going to happen with Hudler. Some hard conversations for Burke and Treliving coming up in regards to Jiri.

Outperformed even the highest of expectations but does anything think that will happen again to the pending UFA? He's been a great mentor to guys like Gaudreau and Monahan, but will they continue to need that?

I'd prefer to see him stay, but that's a good asset the Flames are sitting on. I can see arguments for keeping him and moving him here, in the playoff race next season or not.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

One of the more interesting things to watch over the next 8 months is what's going to happen with Hudler. Some hard conversations for Burke and Treliving coming up in regards to Jiri.

Outperformed even the highest of expectations but does anything think that will happen again to the pending UFA? He's been a great mentor to guys like Gaudreau and Monahan, but will they continue to need that?

I'd prefer to see him stay, but that's a good asset the Flames are sitting on. I can see arguments for keeping him and moving him here, in the playoff race next season or not.

I personally see him as a seat warmer for Poirer, but if it were up to me, Raymond could probably fill that role.

[tvp2003]

Don't know if Hudler can maintain a PPG pace next year, but he is only 31, which means he still probably has at least 3 (possibly 4, if not more) good seasons left in the tank. He doesn't play a reckless style of game and has been extremely durable (excluding the lockout season, all 7 years he's played in the NHL have been 73+ games a season).

I think you can bring him back on a 3-4 year deal; probably starts off on the top line with Monahan and Gaudreau next year but I can see him eventually moving over to play on Bennett's wing (Ferland/Bennett/Hudler would be an interesting combination). That top line is too small with both Hudler and Gaudreau -- ideally Colborne would be able to take Hudler's spot but that might be wishful thinking. Poirier is still a year away IMO.

The wildcard next year will be how Bennett progresses -- might be optimistic to have him finish the year as the #2 centre but I can see him staying on the wing given we have Backlund, Stajan, Jooris, Granlund and Shore who can all play centre.

[JohnnySkittles]

Hudler's previous career high was 57 points, I don't expect him to maintain a PPG pace next season, or ever again for that matter. Not many guys have career seasons into their 30s.

60~ points is what I see him getting for at least next season, as long as he stays on that Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler line.