The Light at the End of the Tunnel: 2016 Flames

[cowtown75]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

I will say, our goaltending will probably be bad who ever we have in 3 years.

Why do you say that ? Gillies is ripping it up boss style, Brossoit is a talent for sure and MVP, Ramo is a stud in the KHL, and Berra's stats (don't know much about him other than) have been super solid and they call him the "wall"- so why will goaltending be bad ? just saying things that make no sense for a reason ?

[playmaker]

Gaudreau - Monahan - Glencross
Baertschi - Jankowski - Ferland
Bouma - Backlund - Hanowski
Aliu -Jones - Bancks
+ Byron, Reinhart, McGrattan

Brodie - Breen
Giordano - Nurse
Wotherspoon - Sieloff
+ Ramage, Smith

Berra, Brossoit
+ Gillies

... assuming we'll trade our STL and PIT picks for another top 10 pick, then grabbing Monahan and Nurse.

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by cowtown75

Why do you say that ? Gillies is ripping it up boss style, Brossoit is a talent for sure and MVP, Ramo is a stud in the KHL, and Berra's stats (don't know much about him other than) have been super solid and they call him the "wall"- so why will goaltending be bad ? just saying things that make no sense for a reason ?

Every goalie you just mentioned has never played an NHL game (Ramo did, years ago though) and are all unproven. How does me saying that our goaltending will be bad make no sense? It could be good, it could be bad. Having seen countless goalie prospects bust and with Euro goalies who have been touted as "the best outside the NHL" not panning out, I'm not out to lunch.

If Brossoit or Gillies is even in the NHL at that time they'll be rookies/sophomores. I'm not reaching when I say they will probably be bad, that isn't to say they won't mature and grow, but if you are talking three years I don't think they will pull a Mason and with the Rookie of the Year.

[Lanny_McDonald]

The light at the end of the tunnel is further off than 2016. I think it's probably another two years off as we are just organizationally bereft of anyone on right wing. Our depth is so bad we are going to be forced to convert guys to that position. I think we have enough depth at the other forward positions we should be able to make that happen. Here's how I could see a lineup being cobbled together.

Baertschi, [First Rounder 2013], Backlund
Gaudreau, Jankowski, Granlund
Agostino, Reinhart, Horak
Ferland, Arnold, Hanowski
Wildcards: Glencross, Deblouw

Brodie, Giordano
Cundari, Wotherspoon
Sieloff, Ramage
Wideman, Breen
Wildcards: Culkin, Kulak

Ramo/Berra
Brossoit
Wildcard: Gillies

This is based on nothing but depth chart projection. I see a few wild card players that could either push themselves into the mix or still be hanging around for veteran presence.

Some random comments. I think we see a veteran presence existing on the blue line for a while. Giordano will likely be the next captain and will carry the torch until the next star steps forward. Bouma will be long gone and his spot taken by someone else. A year out of hockey really hurts players and their development. Tough luck for Bouma but I think his opportunity window is closed. Player movement is a great unknown so trades or waiver wire pickups will have an impact. This year's draft picks will have a major impact. The only thing that concerns me about this lineup is the lack of true top end talent. Realistically you want to see the top line on this play as your second line, but we're not the Oilers and we don't have 10 early first round picks to make up our top six. I see a really competitive team, a team similar to that late 80's Flames team, but not one that knocks your socks off with top end talent. Maybe after they make some noise people will make comments that elevates some of these players, but these are Flames we're talking about. They will be crap until they prove otherwise.

[trublmaker]

is that a light at the end of the tunnel or a train headed our way?

[TurnedTheCorner]

Originally Posted by trublmaker

is that a light at the end of the tunnel or a train headed our way?

Don't be so negative. The light is obviously a metaphor representing the sweet embrace of Death that has finally come to claim us from this miserable existence.

[TurnedTheCorner]

To address the OP seriously for a moment:

Based on the projected line-up with currently signed and known prospects, the question of drafting BPA or by position to fill specific needs is a moot point. The projected line-up is short:

- A top center
- A top winger
- Two top pairing defenceman
- A starting goalie

Drafting BPA is the only way to attempt to fill those specific needs.

[Roof-Daddy]

Trying to predict the Flames line up three years from now is pretty much an impossible task. I will say however, that hopefully the Flames are able to build as much of the future line up as possible through good drafting and development. Three first rounders in the upcoming draft should be able to help that cause though....or at least it better, because if they drop the ball in the 2013 draft, it's going to take a really long time to get things turned around.

[kyuss275]

Don't think the flames will be making a run in 2016. They will hopefully be taking the first step of making the playoffs or winning a round. Now that i think about it one of Ramo or Berra would have to have worked out for them to take a run in 2016. Not sure Brossoit or Gillies will be ready for full time starter by 2016.

Huge draft in a month for the flames. 2014 draft should be a good pick also. I think they will be drafting in the top3 for 2014.

Its going to take time and i hope flames ownership has the patience to see it out.

[albertGQ]

If the Flames mandate is to make the playoffs next year, I can see Feaster signing some vets this offseason.

I don't think we'll have a top 3-5 pick next year.

I think we'll be in he 4-6 spot in our division so playoffs are a possibility

Who knows, we can go the route of the Sens

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

If the Flames mandate is to make the playoffs next year, I can see Feaster signing some vets this offseason.

I don't think we'll have a top 3-5 pick next year.

I think we'll be in he 4-6 spot in our division so playoffs are a possibility

Who knows, we can go the route of the Sens

I don't if the route of the Sens is possible, as we lack that elite talent the likes of Spezza and Karlsson, and a proven goalie in Anderson.

Maybe we can turn things around after our blow up in the same way the Blue Jackets did though. Where we have a good mix of young go getters, useful vets, and have one of Ramo/MacDonald/Berra pull a Bobrovski.

Of course though, the Jackets didn't end up make the playoffs, but they did take a big step forward one year after blowing it to smitherines and finishing dead last

[Jason14h]

The lineups being posted won't even make the cap floor

[Sakari]

I think what we forget is that this year we are quite capable of getting 3 top 6 forwards. We have the 6th overall pick, and two picks between 17-30, one of which will be fairly close to 17. And one of which will hopefully be 30th. If we get 3 successful choices here, this team could look very good. I'm certain that we will not be like the Canadiens, and turn it around in one year, because lets face it , this team sincerely does suck, but next season we might be a 9th place team again, depending on off-season moves and how our prospects turn out. Which is nice and kinda sucks at the same time.

[TurnedTheCorner]

The St. Louis pick will be from 19-23, not 17. Carry on.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

If the Flames mandate is to make the playoffs next year, I can see Feaster signing some vets this offseason.

I don't think we'll have a top 3-5 pick next year.

I think we'll be in he 4-6 spot in our division so playoffs are a possibility

Who knows, we can go the route of the Sens

I'm not worried about it at all. The ownership can dream on with their mandate, it can't be reached. The UFA market is horribe and what little sort of good players that are on the list, probably would not come to Calgary. There will be better teams offering up big bucks for "meh" players.

[Ashasx]

This is fun.

Baertschi - Lindholm/Monahan - we need a RW prospect
Gaudreau - Backlund - Glencross
Agostino - Arnold - Horak
Bouma - Reinhart - Hanowski

Brodie - Ekblad
Wotherspoon - Giordano
Cundari - Wideman
Sieloff

Gillies
Brossoit

Might be a team that competes for the playoffs depending on our RW and goaltender situations at the time.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

This is fun.

Baertschi - Lindholm/Monahan - we need a RW prospect
Gaudreau - Backlund - Glencross
Agostino - Arnold - Horak
Bouma - Reinhart - Hanowski

Brodie - Ekblad
Wotherspoon - Giordano
Cundari - Wideman
Sieloff

Gillies
Brossoit

Might be a team that competes for the playoffs depending on our RW and goaltender situations at the time.

If Jankowski pans out, and Backlund takes that next step to being a legit top 6 center, the flames could put Lindholm on RW. I believe he played RW all this year.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

If Jankowski pans out, and Backlund takes that next step to being a legit top 6 center, the flames could put Lindholm on RW. I believe he played RW all this year.

I've partially only included players I think will pan out. I need to see what Jankowski does next season before I can think about penciling him in to the 2016 lineup (and even then, he may not be ready by 2016).

[PlayfulGenius]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

If the Flames mandate is to make the playoffs next year, I can see Feaster signing some vets this offseason.

I don't think we'll have a top 3-5 pick next year.

I think we'll be in he 4-6 spot in our division so playoffs are a possibility

Who knows, we can go the route of the Sens

I really hope that's not be case...if Feaster trades one of the 1st round picks for a roster player, I'll completely lose my cool...unless its for a young, improving player but I can't see a team making that deal...we'll see.

[PlayfulGenius]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I've partially only included players I think will pan out. I need to see what Jankowski does next season before I can think about penciling him in to the 2016 lineup (and even then, he may not be ready by 2016).

If he's not in the lineup by 2016, wouldn't we have to assume he likely won't ever be??? I don't think it ever takes 1st round picks that long to make the NHL, does it?