Flames 2014 Summer Development Camp July 4 - July 9

[Samiz]

I feel that Bollig, McGrats and Byron will probably cycle in an out of the lineup according to what the team needs more for the given night. So my guess is that one of the three will lose their spots to Gaudreau, but none of the three will play a full 82 game season

[StrykerSteve]

Originally Posted by Samiz

I feel that Bollig, McGrats and Byron will probably cycle in an out of the lineup according to what the team needs more for the given night. So my guess is that one of the three will lose their spots to Gaudreau, but none of the three will play a full 82 game season

So you feel that Gaudreau will play on the 4th line on many nights?

[chubeyr1]

Appreciate all the updates guys and gals.

[bob-loblaw]

I know that he was just in one session so far, but it sounds like Klimchuk looked pretty good. I wonder how he compares to our other prospects - most curious if there is a comparison to Gaudreau.

[stemit14]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

The more appropriate question really is, if he does make the team (which I believe he should and will), who loses their spot?

FORWARDS
Jiri Hudler ($4.000m) / Matt Stajan ($3.125m) / David Jones ($4.000m)
Mason Raymond ($3.150m) / Sean Monahan ($0.925m) / Joe Colborne ($0.660m)
Curtis Glencross ($2.550m) / Mikael Backlund ($1.500m) / Paul Byron ($0.600m)
Brandon Bollig ($1.250m) / Lance Bouma ($0.635m) / Brian McGrattan ($0.750m)

One of Bollig, Byron, bouma, and mcgrattan will likely alternate as the 13th forward and sit on certain nights.

[Samiz]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

So you feel that Gaudreau will play on the 4th line?

No, I think Jones would be moved around and Gaudreau would get good minutes with either Mony or Backlund

[sempuki]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Is there any way Johnny Hockey doesn't make this team out of camp? I mean c'mon...

I think he *has* to start out in Adirondack, management has paid so much lip service to not rushing prospects. Just how long he stays there is an open question.

I think he goes there, looks out of place, and as soon as Flames put on a losing streak he is the first call up, and just doesn't leave...

[Yrebmi]

Isn't JG a left wing?
Wow Hudler or Glencross I needs to be moved I guess. The other two are new acquisitions.

Or alternated in or off position.

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

The more appropriate question really is, if he does make the team (which I believe he should and will), who loses their spot?

FORWARDS
Jiri Hudler ($4.000m) / Matt Stajan ($3.125m) / David Jones ($4.000m)
Mason Raymond ($3.150m) / Sean Monahan ($0.925m) / Joe Colborne ($0.660m)
Curtis Glencross ($2.550m) / Mikael Backlund ($1.500m) / Paul Byron ($0.600m)
Brandon Bollig ($1.250m) / Lance Bouma ($0.635m) / Brian McGrattan ($0.750m)

I think it will be between Jones and Byron against bigger teams, and McGrattan and Bollig against the smaller ones. However, injuries and hockey go hand in hand so a bit early to worry about it.

[StrykerSteve]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

I think it will be between Jones and Byron against bigger teams, and McGrattan and Bollig against the smaller ones. However, injuries an hockey go hand in hand so a bit early to worry about it.

Injuries are a given, so I'm not too concerned about it. But PMM's question was does he make it out of camp. Is Gaudreau in the opening night lineup? I believe he is. I just have no idea who sits out.

Then again, that's what camp is for.

First game is at home vs the Canucks.

[Caged Great]

Agostino - one of the top players in group b. Lots of snipes and good secondary efforts. His determination will likely make him an nhler down the road.

Bailey - almost every time a walk on did something good it was Casey. Good shot good effort.

Bennett - looked more comfortable out there today. Seems to be better in more intense situations.

Gaudreau - it's like having an all star out there to mentor the kids. On a different planet entirely.

Harrison - needs to show up at some point

Hickey - our top defense prospect in a year or two. Not far off being the best now. 6-2 mobile dman that is good at both ends, sign me up.

Kulak - he was good again. Not as good as he could be.

Leedahl - best of the walk on forwards today. I like his game. Would need time but has a lot of tools. Similarities between him and Agostino.

Roy - as a defenseman he is dreadful. If he gets put as a forward he could be a contributor in some manner.

Sieloff - patty snipes. Banger who can pick corners. If. He wasn't in blue he would smash people and did anyway

Smith - not bad for a big guy. 3 years away likely because he needs to add 40 pounds at least. Could be a player though

Valcourt - at times he made good plays. Might be decent on an able contract. Not a big deal either way.

Wolf - nhl speed and size. Very strong battler all over. Might be best served in Addy for the beginning. Think Bouma but more intense.
Denham Dienes Downing Hathaway Tolkinen were all just there

[sempuki]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

Is Gaudreau in the opening night lineup?

I hope not. The A is obviously beneath him skill wise, but it would be wise to take some time and learn what it takes to train and prepare like a professional.

We're not winning any cups this year, so why rush things?

That said, if he gets called up, I'm not sure they'll be able to send him back down.

[StrykerSteve]

Originally Posted by sempuki

That said, if he gets called up, I'm not sure they'll be able to send him back down.

I think that's the key here. If they let him play in game 1, it's doubtful they can get rid of him. There's simply no one else on their roster that can do the things that he does, so consistently.

Likely the only way it happens, is if he gets his clocked cleaned by a huge hit.

[The Yen Man]

Even if Gaudreau has the skills to make the jump to the NHL, I think it would be beneficial for him to go to the AHL first just to get acclimated with the pro schedule. He's going to be playing twice as many games in a more intense environment. Why not let him adapt to it first in a league where he'll excel at, and then bring him up afterwards? We have this kid for the long term. Let's not rush him and risk him getting an injury in the bigs.

[Gaskal]

I honestly feel that even if Johnny is NHL-ready Flames management will send him to the AHL to start. If anything that's a lot less pressure than if he cracked opening day. I think Glens Falls will have the pleasure of watching him for at least a month or two and then we'll bring him in before the year ends. Burke has a history of taking it easy on expectations and Treliving seems that way as well.

And like you've all been pointing out he probably won't get sent back down unless someone voodoo jinxes him or steals his hockey skill through magic.

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

Injuries are a given, so I'm not too concerned about it. But PMM's question was does he make it out of camp. Is Gaudreau in the opening night lineup? I believe he is. I just have no idea who sits out.

Then again, that's what camp is for.

First game is at home vs the Canucks.

Yes, for sure... I am definitely rooting for him! Then again last year I didn't think Monahan will make it either. On the other side, I even remember Brodie being sent down(something I didn't expect at all at the time).

I still think a trade will happen before the start of the season that will change the forward ranks, so way way too early to tell.

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

Yes, for sure... I am definitely rooting for him! Then again last year I didn't think Monahan will make it either. On the other side, I even remember Brodie being sent down(something I didn't expect at all at the time).

I still think a trade will happen before the start of the season that will change the forward ranks, so way way too early to tell.

I think it's an easier decision to send a player down to the AHL vs. back to junior. Had Monahan been eligible for the AHL last season, I think we would have seen him start down in the farm rather than with the big club.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

I honestly feel that even if Johnny is NHL-ready Flames management will send him to the AHL to start. If anything that's a lot less pressure than if he cracked opening day. I think Glens Falls will have the pleasure of watching him for at least a month or two and then we'll bring him in before the year ends. Burke has a history of taking it easy on expectations and Treliving seems that way as well.

And like you've all been pointing out he probably won't get sent back down unless someone voodoo jinxes him or steals his hockey skill through magic.

As irrelevant as it sounds, I think it important all the same:
Gaudreau could be a Calder winner. If he plays on the farm for 30 games and 50 in the NHL, I expect he has no chance of winning it.

I hope it works out that he plays less than 25 in the NHL, or basically the whole season, so he could win it or not based on merit - or still be eligible the following season.

[Scoutski]

Johnny clearly has the skill to play, I would rather see him spend a season down while getting somewhat sheltered so he really can add some weight. Look at what happened with Nuge and his injuries, Johnny is much smaller than him. Just want to ensure that he can be safe and absorb the damage that comes with playing in the NHL.

[Caged Great]

Kanzig is out early to work on his skating