Building The 2018/19 Flames Roster

[Harry Lime]

I too like the makeup of the team, with different line combinations, and an accent on speed and activated D as opposed to multiple short passes.

I keep coming back to only three players that would trump the current roster. Taveras (good luck), ROR (the trade that won't go away), and Kovalchuk (play in the west, you bum). Any one of the three would put the flames back into a playoff conversation.

Gaudreau-Monahan-Foo
Tkachuk-Jankowski-Frolik
Bennett-Backlund-Ferland
Mangiapane-Shore-Klimchuk
Lazar or Hathaway

Giordano-Hamilton
Brodie-Hamonic
Kulak-Andersson

Smith
Rittich

I honestly believe that Stone is the most tradable asset on the team, and although I like him as a player I don't see him here next year.

If any of the above mentioned three players shakes up the roster as written, awesome. But to be honest I don't mind the makeup of the team right now. I clearly don't think that last year's line combinations played to the overall strength of the team.

I also know that there will be immediate responses of 'Foo has done nothing to be gifted top line duty', but sometimes you double down and hit your 21. That's how you win big.

[dissentowner]

Foo is a guy I am really interested in seeing what he brings to camp this year. He seems to have taken big steps in the second half in Stockton and looked decent in his cup of coffee with the Flames.

[N-E-B]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

At least one if not both. I think some people are underrating how much these two could move forward. Great post.

This is now the third off-season people have been thinking Bennett will take a step forward. I wish I could be as optimistic as you are but I'll believe it when I see it. Until then I'm expecting a 25-30 point decent depth forward.

[TheScorpion]

I can't wait for Foo to be denied a top-six role because he can't be "gifted a role" like that and then Brouwer gets PP time again.

Here's what I'd like to see, at least to start, with my preferred acquisitions:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Hoffman
Tkachuk - Jankowski - Foo
Bennett - Backlund - Vanek
Ryan - Shore - Frolik
Versteeg

Giordano - Hamilton
Valimaki - Hamonic
Kulak - Andersson
Wotherspoon

Smith
Grubauer

That, in my opinion, is a team with great forward depth and it's easily attainable. The only real question marks there are Foo and Valimaki, but why not give them a shot? Here's how I'd shake everything there:

Signings:
Vanek - 2 years, $2.25 million per
Ryan - 2 years, $1.75 million per
Versteeg - 1 year, $900k
Wotherspoon - 1 year, $850k

Trades:
Brodie for Hoffman
Ferland and Lazar for Grubauer
Stone for 2 3rds
Brouwer (33% retained) for a 4th

[1qqaaz]

I am skeptical that Bennett will take a step forward. It's possible that a new coach may help his development. I still think he has potential, but it might take a while.

His career +/- is last among all Flames players ever. It's hard to take a step back, at least in that regard.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Foo is a guy I am really interested in seeing what he brings to camp this year. He seems to have taken big steps in the second half in Stockton and looked decent in his cup of coffee with the Flames.

Yeah, hopefully Foo is for real.

I am so 'wait and see' though. I've been excited before because of late season forward call ups looking like they might be alright going forward, only to have them crash and burn hard.

Shinkaruk and Poirier come to mind from recent times.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

I can't wait for Foo to be denied a top-six role because he can't be "gifted a role" like that and then Brouwer gets PP time again.

If you think Foo deserves to be in the top-6 you're going to be disappointed. He's just not good enough. Good chance he will be starting the AHL again next season. He stepped up his game at the end of last season, but I would think Mangiapane and Dube would have better odds on making the team out of camp even though they shoot left.

[herashak]

#trusttheprocess
JG - Monny - Ferland
Chucky - Backs - Bennett
Mangi - Jank - Frolik
Klimchuk - Shore - Brouwer
Hathaway

[Harry Lime]

Foo was quite a coup for the Flames to sign. It took Johnny flexing his US College cred to help close the deal. Players on the team were excited about the possibilities, and that was even knowing that he was a year away, as he had to learn the pro game and prove that he could play at this pace.

Every year other teams have these guys that come flying out of seemingly nowhere, and it takes the whole team to the next level. No one expected the Bruins to be as good as they were last year, but they gave a couple of young guys all the chances they could, and it paid off.

It's a very Calgary thing to let a player get crushed with fourth line duty, till they prove themselves. Some players are just suited for a top six role.

Nothing will impress me more than if Peters makes a legitimate threat out of someone like Foo or Magniapane.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by herashak

#trusttheprocess
JG-y - Monny - Ferly
Chucky - Backsy - Benny
Mangy - Janky - Froly
Klimmy - Shorry - Brouwy
Hathy

Fixed that for you.

[Yrebmi]

For those who like name aesthetics it would be fun if Klimchuk took a giant step forward in development.

KlimchuK, janKowsKi, tKachuK coming at you.

I guess FroliK sort of works, but a "Double K" line sounds way better than k or kkk.

[Roof-Daddy]

That'd be amazing if the Flames could trade for both Tyler Johnson and Ryan O'Reilly somehow.

Gaudreau - Monahan - Johnson
Tkachuk - O'Reilly - _______
Ferland - Backlund - Frolik

Fill in the empty spot with Foo, Mangiapane, some other internal option, or sign a guy like Czarnik cheap and see if he breaks out.

Build the 4th line from the most deserving guys in camp.

[Roof-Daddy]

Stone, Brouwer, Mangiapane for Hoffman, B. Ryan ($2,000,000 retained)
Bennett, Fox for Tyler Johnson

Gaudreau - Monahan - B. Ryan
Tkachuk - Backlund - Johnson
Hoffman - Jankowski - Frolik
M Ferland - D. Ryan - S. Foo

Shore/Lazar

Giordano - Hamilton
TJ Brodie - Hamonic
B. Kulak - Andersson

Hoglund

Smith
Rittich/Gillies

$76.2 million cap hit

Not without risk with the Ryan contract (even retained) and the potential Hoffman baggage, but adds three legit top 6 forwards into the top 9, and vastly improves the 4th line over last season. Same top 4 D gets another crack with a new coach, and bring in Rasmus for his rookie season.

[playmaker]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Stone, Brouwer, Mangiapane for Hoffman, B. Ryan ($2,000,000 retained)
Bennett, Fox for Tyler Johnson

Gaudreau - Monahan - B. Ryan
Tkachuk - Backlund - Johnson
Hoffman - Jankowski - Frolik
M Ferland - D. Ryan - S. Foo

Shore/Lazar

Giordano - Hamilton
TJ Brodie - Hamonic
B. Kulak - Andersson

Hoglund

Smith
Rittich/Gillies

AFAIK Jonas is a winger and he is 45 :-) I wouldn't mind him as 7th dman though

[spuzzum]

Has Brouwer for Callahan straight up been discussed? Callahan only has 2 years remaining on his contract at a higher AAV. Doesn't put up much points but still crashes and bangs.

[the_only_turek_fan]

I really want them to try Bennett on the wing on the big line.

I think he could get 20-25 goals playing with them.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by spuzzum

Has Brouwer for Callahan straight up been discussed? Callahan only has 2 years remaining on his contract at a higher AAV. Doesn't put up much points but still crashes and bangs.

I don't think straight up is an option. He has a higher cap hit ($1.3 million more), a NMC (meaning we couldn't stick him in the minors), a worse buy out ($2,666,667 for two years and then $1,566,667 for two more years) and he's actually produced less than Brouwer.

They'd need to kick in a pick as far as I'm concerned, or do it up as a part of a package.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by spuzzum

Has Brouwer for Callahan straight up been discussed? Callahan only has 2 years remaining on his contract at a higher AAV. Doesn't put up much points but still crashes and bangs.

His "crashing and banging" stats aren't a whole lot different than Brouwer's - very slightly more, but not much. In a fight, Brouwer's actually very good when healthy (he was hampered in the second half because of his broken face).

[Lanny_McDonald]

The delusions run deep. Embrace the delusions.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

I really want them to try Bennett on the wing on the big line.

I think he could get 20-25 goals playing with them.

I only want Bennett on the top line if he provides a clear upgrade on Ferland. 20-25 goals is not an upgrade.