2015/2016 - Predict the starting lineup

[Vinny01]

Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Colborne-Bennett-Frolik
Bouma-Backlund-Jones
Ferland-Stajan-Jooris
Shore
Giordano-Hamilton
Brodie-Wideman
Russell-Engellend
Schlemko

Ramo
Ortio

Hiller, Raymond, Bollig, Smid are either traded, waived, or IR

[kyuss275]

I've noticed nobody has pencilled in Byron in the regular line-up. Hartely seemed to love him last year. I predict Byron gets regular bottom 6 ice time and 2nd PK unit. I also have a bold prediction that Byron starts scoring on some of those breakaways this year.

Gaudreau- Monahan-Hudler
Bennet-Backlund-Frolik
Bouma-Stajan-Jones
Ferland-Colborne-Byron
Shore,Jooris

Gio-Hamilton
Brodie-Wideman
Russell-Engellend
Smid

Have no idea about goaltending.

[Da_Chief]

^You need to go back and read post #295.

[Demetric]

Gaudreau- Monahan-Hudler
Colborne-Backlund-Frolik
Bouma-Bennet-Shore
Ferland-Stajan-Jones

Jooris, Bollig, Raymond, Byron .... seems to be too many

Gio-Wideman
Brodie-Hamilton
Russell-Engellend
Smid / Nakladal .... I think Smid will be on LTIR

With Smid the above lineup has 7 1 round draft picks .... interesting

[Enoch Root]

Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
Bouma - Backlund - Jones
Ferland - Bennett - Frolik
Colborne - Stajan - Jooris
Bollig, Raymond, Byron, Shore (minus whichever 2 of the 16 are hurt)

Giordano - Brodie
Nakladal - Hamilton
Russell - Wideman
Engelland

Edit: I think Nakladal starts the season in Calgary and then goes to Stockton. I think Wotherspoon starts the season in Stockton but eventually becomes Hamilton's partner.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
Colborne - Backlund - Frolik
Bouma - Stajan - Jones
Ferland - Bennett - Jooris
Granlund, Byron, Bollig, Shore, Raymond (Granlund and Ferland may go to the AHL until room is made)

Giordano - Wideman
Brodie - Hamilton
Russell - Engelland
Nakladal

Ramo
Ortio (don't think management takes the risk of waivers with Joni)

[Demetric]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
Colborne - Backlund - Frolik
Bouma - Stajan - Jones
Ferland - Bennett - Jooris
Granlund, Byron, Bollig, Shore, Raymond (Granlund and Ferland may go to the AHL until room is made)

Giordano - Wideman
Brodie - Hamilton
Russell - Engelland
Nakladal

Ramo
Ortio (don't think management takes the risk of waivers with Joni)

I thought I read somewhere that Ferland requires to pass through waivers now

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Even if Ferland doesn't require waivers, I will be one sad panda if he gets sent down. I am fully aware he won't be able to replicate the Annihilation of Vancouver over an 82 game season, but I still think there is an elite 3rd line player waiting to explode.

[frodo_t_baggins]

Just going to discuss forwards for now.

1) Gaudreau-Monahan-Colborne

With Hudler being UFA, we should see how well thes 2 kids can survive without him. Monahan and Colborne had chemistry in the past and this would also show us if Colborne can take the next step.

2) Bouma-Backlund-Frolik

This line would be taking most of the tough matchups and defensive zone starts. Bouma plays his best hockey with Backlund, and hopefully Frolik can help Backlund get back to where he was offensively 2 seasons ago.

3) Raymond-Bennett-Hudler

Hudler likes playing with the kids and this would help Bennett develop much better than lining him up with scrubs. I think we are stuck with Raymond until he ups his value. He typically starts seasons hot and playing with these 2 may help increase his value enough so we can ship him out early in the season without taking back any cap.

4) Ferland-Stajan-Jones

This line was so money in the playoffs it can't be split up yet.

x: Byron, Shore, Bollig, Jooris, Granlund (we have way too many players right now)

Reunite Hudler with Sean and Johnny on PP1 and put Bennett in Bouma's spot for PP2 and I think this lineup has the best chance to improve our team as a whole. Line numbers are arbitrary, I feel all lines have equal chance of being effective.

[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.

[thymebalm]

Right now I think the lines have to be:

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

Giordano - Brodie
Hamilton - Wotherspoon(Engelland in reality)
Russell - Wideman

Ramo
Ortio

It's not a perfect line up. We need one more top-6 winger. Maybe Ferland emerges as a top-6er, I believe he has the skill set. I hope Wotherspoon(or another prospect) clicks and jumps Engelland on the depth chart, we'll see what happens there though. It's been a couple of seasons since we've had a rookie break through the defensive lines.

It's a competitive roster, but I worry without some scoring help on the wings (maybe Poirier takes a step) we won't get to that next level.

[colbym72]

I just think its hard to break up that top line to start the year. If we cant get scoring from anywhere else, then yes, it may have to happen but to start, you got to keep one of the most productive 14/15 lines together

[frodo_t_baggins]

Originally Posted by colbym72

I just think its hard to break up that top line to start the year. If we cant get scoring from anywhere else, then yes, it may have to happen but to start, you got to keep one of the most productive 14/15 lines together

I absolutely agree, and that's why I would keep them together as our PP1. It's just I worry that if we are dependant on Hudler being our top line RW, we are put in an even tougher position next off-season trying to get him signed alongside all the other big contracts that will be kicking in.

FBI, that's a good point, not something I really considered. Humour me, if my bottom 3 lines were kept together, who would you have playing alongside Johnny & Sean? A lot of people seem to think Poirier will eventually be a good fit, but from what I have seen, his game revolves around carrying the puck even more than Colborne.

Just trying to have a little discussion from a different perspective, certainly not trying to argue my lines are perfect

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by frodo_t_baggins

Just going to discuss forwards for now.

1) Gaudreau-Monahan-Colborne

With Hudler being UFA, we should see how well thes 2 kids can survive without him. Monahan and Colborne had chemistry in the past and this would also show us if Colborne can take the next step.

2) Bouma-Backlund-Frolik

This line would be taking most of the tough matchups and defensive zone starts. Bouma plays his best hockey with Backlund, and hopefully Frolik can help Backlund get back to where he was offensively 2 seasons ago.

3) Raymond-Bennett-Hudler

Hudler likes playing with the kids and this would help Bennett develop much better than lining him up with scrubs. I think we are stuck with Raymond until he ups his value. He typically starts seasons hot and playing with these 2 may help increase his value enough so we can ship him out early in the season without taking back any cap.

4) Ferland-Stajan-Jones

This line was so money in the playoffs it can't be split up yet.

x: Byron, Shore, Bollig, Jooris, Granlund (we have way too many players right now)

Reunite Hudler with Sean and Johnny on PP1 and put Bennett in Bouma's spot for PP2 and I think this lineup has the best chance to improve our team as a whole. Line numbers are arbitrary, I feel all lines have equal chance of being effective.

I like your reasoning and we'll see how it works out in camp. I'm not sure of putting Colborne on the first line but moving Hudler with Bennett would be good.

The second line is also my first choice but maybe Ferland moves up and takes Bouma's spot as I see him as more a scorer.

I don't want Raymond in the starting lineup but as you say showcasing him for a trade is good planning.

I think Shore gets traded for a pick, Granlund gets sent down and someone has an injury so we can retain Byron, Jooris and Bollig although losing Bollig wouldn't be a big deal.

On defence the top six are pretty well set with Wotherspoon, Nakladal, Smid? and maybe Morrison fighting for the 7th spot. Maybe Schlemko gets a tryout contract.

[FBI]

Hmm personally I'd keep Hudler there but yeah he would be a good mentor for Bennett as well. I could definitely see Poirier there in the future, I think he is less of a puck hog than Colborne.
What about Frolik?

Originally Posted by frodo_t_baggins

I absolutely agree, and that's why I would keep them together as our PP1. It's just I worry that if we are dependant on Hudler being our top line RW, we are put in an even tougher position next off-season trying to get him signed alongside all the other big contracts that will be kicking in.

FBI, that's a good point, not something I really considered. Humour me, if my bottom 3 lines were kept together, who would you have playing alongside Johnny & Sean? A lot of people seem to think Poirier will eventually be a good fit, but from what I have seen, his game revolves around carrying the puck even more than Colborne.

Just trying to have a little discussion from a different perspective, certainly not trying to argue my lines are perfect

[frodo_t_baggins]

Frolik I could see being a good fit as well. My hope is that Gaudreau and Monahan are good enough this season that anyone can slot in beside them and that line can still be effective. Then, because of that, we can have plenty of balance and depth throughout our forward lines, rather than being so top heavy like parts of last season.

[Vulcan]

One reason for putting Colborne or another big body with Johnny and Sean is because a big body might provide some protection. I kind of squirmed a little when I saw Johnny out there with no one to keep the opposition looking over their shoulder.

[GoJetsGo]

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

[Fire]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

One reason for putting Colborne or another big body with Johnny and Sean is because a big body might provide some protection. I kind of squirmed a little when I saw Johnny out there with no one to keep the opposition looking over their shoulder.

Colborne won't provide protection for anyone. He doesn't have that mentality. Moving Ferland to RW might work though.

[PugnaciousIntern]

Originally Posted by Fire

Colborne won't provide protection for anyone. He doesn't have that mentality. Moving Ferland to RW might work though.

I agree. Physical in the playoffs, but unlikely to continue at that pace / be enough over 82 games