Predict the opening day line-up

[dammage79]

I'd like to see a third line of Galiardi- Monahan- Hudler. That's all i got for predictions.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Bandwagon In Flames

It's pretty set in stone that D. Jones will be a top 9 RW to start the season. Hopefully he can regain his scoring form from a few years ago and continue to use his body.

McGrattan will most definitely stay on the fourth line with our scoring depth. The third line will be a scoring line so just throw Jones in there and waive Jackman. Guy is an enforcer that can't win fights. Not to mention we have enough tough guys without him.

Cammalleri-Backlund-Hudler
Glencross-Stajan-Stempniak
Baertschi-Monahan-D.Jones
Bouma-Galiardi-McGrattan

If a LW or Center is not playing well than get Galiardi into a scoring line, guy does not belong on the fourth line.

Jackman is a grinder not a fighter. You keep Jackman because someone has to eat popcorn. You can't put a youngster like Ferland in the pressbox for 50+ games.

Your lines look about right. Would like to see Horak get playing time, but it will be tough.

As for goalies i would have thought they would have sent Berra down by now? Maybe he is getting back-up job, and they are trying to squeeze MacDonlad through waivers when the most amount of players get waived.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by dammage79

I'd like to see a third line of Galiardi- Monahan- Hudler. That's all i got for predictions.

I like that line, but i have to think they will give D. Jones first crack at top 9.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Mattman

Call me crazy but I think a line of Cammy- Monohan- MgGratten could be something that would work.
Cammy ain't on the 1st line so he is able to move around and go C or LW or even RW. He is still one of our best players on the team and I think if he can't be with Glencross, Stempniak or Stajan then he should be with Monohan and help him adjust to the NHL and get him going.
MgGratten is overlooked by lots of people. He is gritty but is always stepping up for people. He played great at the end of last season on a line with the "younger guys". IMO he is one of the rare players on the flames that plays with passion. Call me crazy!

I think they would both be great mentors for Monohan.

McGrattan is barely AHL level in terms of hockey talent. Having him on that line is either a waste of a spot (if they are playing more than 5 minutes) or a waste of Monahan (having him here for 5 minutes).

Guys like Jones, Glencross and even Stempniak should be able to do a fine job of stepping up for Monahan on a line if need be. SOB and Gio can step up from defense if need be and Monahan isn't some 5'8 160 lbs. weakling and can stand up for himself.

McGrattan should see maybe 20-30 games this year at most and spend the majority of his time in the PB. While I like the excitement his fights bring for the most part other teams aren't going to have guys for him to fight and we have way too many young guys that need playing time to waste giving McGrattan a regular shift.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Cammalleri - Stajan - Hudler
Glencross - Backlund - Stempniak
Baertshi - Colborne - D. Jones
Galiardi - Bouma - Jackman
McGrattan

Giordano - Wideman
Brodie - O'Brien
Butler - Russell
Breen

Ramo
MacDonald

I think this is most likely the lineup after Monahan gets his 1-9 games.

[Skaloper]

Cammalleri - Backlund - Hudler
Glencross - Stajan - Stempniak
Galiardi - Colborne - D. Jones
Baertschi- Monahan - Horak
McGrattan Bouma

Giordano - Wideman
Brodie - O'Brien
Butler - Russell
Breen

Ramo
MacDonald

This is my guess after the addition of Colborne.

[djsFlames]

McGrattan should be out there for 50+ games with human flesh on his knuckles of anybody who so much as looks at our youngsters sideways.

[Savvy27]

Glencross - Stajan - Stempniak
Cammalleri - Colborne - Hudler
Baertschi - Backlund - Jones
Bouma - Horak - Galiardi
McGrattan

Giordano - Brodie
Russell - Wideman
Smith - O'Brien
Butler

Ramo
Berra

Monahan back to junior. Sure, he could stay and be a fourth line guy, but it would probably be better for him to go back and dominate the OHL and be a go-to guy at the world juniors.

Going off of what McKenzie and Friedman said about Colborne, he isn't a checker so playing him with Cammalleri and Hudler would put him in a prime position to put up some points. Hartley can give them soft minutes and offensive zone starts as he eases into the NHL and we'll see what we've got.

I like the idea of a Baertschi-Backlund-Jones line. Hopefully Jones will be able to create some space out there for the other two and also cause mayhem in front of the net.

Waive Jackman.

I really wish we had a better #4 than Russell.

[FlameZilla]

I reckon Cammy's out for the 1st few games. Monahan is blatantly only going to get less than 9 games (maybe 4 games now & 5 at the end of the OHL season). Sven is 50/50 to go down in my opinion.

[moon]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

McGrattan should be out there for 50+ games with human flesh on his knuckles of anybody who so much as looks at our youngsters sideways.

Well if that happens then he is likely suspended enough that he doesn't come close to playing 50 games.

[flambers]

With Smith getting waived, I'll be curious to see if the Flames will pick up another dman...

As I would guess Seiloff will be assigned to AHL

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by flambers

With Smith getting waived, I'll be curious to see if the Flames will pick up another dman...

As I would guess Seiloff will be assigned to AHL

More than likely Smith does not get claimed and could be called up after Seiloff has a 9 game stint.

[AC]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

More than likely Smith does not get claimed and could be called up after Seiloff has a 9 game stint.

But Sieloff is playing pro regardless this year, so there is no 9 game stint... right?

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by AC

But Sieloff is playing pro regardless this year, so there is no 9 game stint... right?

The 9 game stint refers to NHL games only and not pro games.

So if Sieloff does not play more than 9 NHL games and plays the rest in the AHL his ELC will slide another year.

[AC]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

The 9 game stint refers to NHL games only and not pro games.

So if Sieloff does not play more than 9 NHL games and plays the rest in the AHL his ELC will slide another year.

Awesome, good to know!

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by moon

Well if that happens then he is likely suspended enough that he doesn't come close to playing 50 games.

Why would McGratton be suspended for fighting?

[Fire]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

The 9 game stint refers to NHL games only and not pro games.

So if Sieloff does not play more than 9 NHL games and plays the rest in the AHL his ELC will slide another year.

Really? Are you 100% sure of this? This would be a nice surprise. I always thought playing in the AHL would burn a year off his deal.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Fire

Really? Are you 100% sure of this? This would be a nice surprise. I always thought playing in the AHL would burn a year off his deal.

Yes it is covered by CBA section 9.1 and Jerry D'Amigo played 43 games as a 19 year old for the Marlies and had his contract slide 1 year

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

If the Flames have to put Colborne (or a vet) in the press box for a few games to give Monahan is 9 games of experience, they should do that. Whatever is best for asset development and acquisition they should do that.

[Vinny01]

Cammalleri-Backlund-Hudler
Glencross-Stajan-Stempniak
Baertschi-Monahan-Jones
Galliardi-Colborne-Bouma
McGratten/Jackman

Giordano-Brodie
Russell-Wideman
Butler-O'Brien

Ramo
MacDonald