Predict the opening day line-up

[Hells Bells]

Glencross - Stajan - Stempniak
Cammalleri - Backlund - Hudler
Baertschi - Monahan - Jones
Bouma - Galiardi - McGrattan
Horak, Jackman

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

Ramo
MacDonald

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Henry Fool

Knight has been the most overlooked performance in the preseason in my mind.

Overlooked by fans?

I agree - I think he has been solid.

[Savvy27]

C:
Stajan
Backlund
Monahan
Knight
Horak
B. Jones

I'm disappointed that Horak is not in the mix, but I think he will be sent down. I had Knight behind him until I saw Knight finally get to play his natural position of Center and now I think he should be on the team.

LW:
Glencross
Cammalleri
Baertschi
Galliardi
Bouma

I feel like all of these guys have obviously played their way onto the team. Somebody is going to have to switch over, I think Galliardi or Cammalleri should be able to do so without too much trouble.

RW:
Stempniak
Hudler
D. Jones
McGrattan
Jackman
Street

I would keep McGrattan over Jackman and then really only play him when the opponent is a huge team, or has a heavyweight in the lineup. Otherwise, go with 4 lines where Bouma is the least talented guy out there.

D:
Giordano
Brodie
Wideman
Russell
Smith
O'Brien
Butler

These are the seven who seem to have made it, so let's see what they can do.

Ramo
MacDonald
Berra

Send Berra to the farm to compete with Ortio for starts and push Brossoit to the ECHL to be a starter. Next season let MacDonald walk and re-rank the goalies at that point. Unless, Berra or Ortio play their way into the NHL and then let that happen.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Henry Fool

Knight has been the most overlooked performance in the preseason in my mind.

I don't think he has been overlooked. Feaster said he is having a good camp. The only reason fans might be over looking him is because there are very little spots available. Him and Horak are fighting for that last spot. Going into last night i thought Horak was slightly ahead. I think they are even now, maybe even Knight slightly ahead. I don't think they will be making the decision between the 2 of them today. They are going to have to fight it out in the next couple of practices. Knight should have an advantage because he is better on face offs.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

I don't think he has been overlooked. Feaster said he is having a good camp. The only reason fans might be over looking him is because there are very little spots available. Him and Horak are fighting for that last spot. Going into last night i thought Horak was slightly ahead. I think they are even now, maybe even Knight slightly ahead. I don't think they will be making the decision between the 2 of them today. They are going to have to fight it out in the next couple of practices. Knight should have an advantage because he is better on face offs.

yup. My favourite scenario would still be waiving Jackman and keeping both Knight and Horak. Won't happen though.

[codynw]

I've already made a prediction, but now that pre-season is over I'm going to give it another go.

C
Stajan
Backlund
Monahan
Knight (Maybe Reinhart or Horak)

LW
Glencross
Baertschi
Galliardi
Bouma

RW
Stempniak
Cammalleri
Hudler
Jones
McGrattan (Not sure how he fits in here, maybe trade Hudler to make room for him? The team definitely needs an enforcer in the lineup though.)

D
Giordano
Brodie
Wideman
Russel
O'Brien
Butler
Smith

G
Ramo
MacDonald

I would like to see room made for Sieloff on defence. Trade/waive Butler or O'Brien and have him play on the bottom pair.

Berra needs some time in the AHL, he looked shaky last night. His puck-handling needs a lot of work, he was caught out of position a couple times. He had times where he looked solid, but he isn't quite ready for the NHL.

Monahan has impressed the hell out of me all training camp. He looked a little slow in the first game or two of the rookie tournament, but once he got going he looked great. If he gets sent back to Ottawa I'll be really disappointed. If he goes back, he NEEDS to be traded to a Memorial Cup contender. I'd prefer he stay up with the big team though.

Baertschi didn't look great, but that's because he didn't get a lot of minutes and it wasn't with players that compliment his skills very well. Not too worried about him.

Knight looked much better when he was actually playing at center. I would have said Reinhart makes the team before last night's game, but now I'm not sure.

Bouma has pretty much guaranteed himself a spot on the team. He's looked great through the whole camp. His knee doesn't seem to be bothering him at all which is a great sign.

Looking forward to seeing what management thinks though. When are they expected to annouce the rest of the cuts?

[Joker]

Originally Posted by Hells Bells

Glencross - Stajan - Stempniak
Cammalleri - Backlund - Hudler
Baertschi - Monahan - Jones
Bouma - Galiardi - McGrattan
Horak, Jackman

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

Ramo
MacDonald

HAHAH

So im typing my lines, then i scroll up and see this ^

My lineup is exactly the same, with room for Monahan to take over the 2nd line C position.

After seeing Monahan play against a very large and stifiling Coyotes team, I am sold on this kid (at least for the 9 games to start the season). While guys like Backlund and Stempniak disappeared, guys like Monahan, Bouma and even Jackman emerged. With teams like LA, Anaheim, Phoenix, SJ in the same division, the Flames are going to need some size. Would like to see Knight fit in somewhere also, but there are a lot of bodies to fill the roster.

[Henry Fool]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Overlooked by fans?

I agree - I think he has been solid.

I think he's being underrated. He looks like he could turn into a genuinely strong piece in his role rather than just a guy who's good enough to fill a spot. Skating isn't good, but his instincts are similar to how Langkow did things. So long as quickness doesn't turn into an issue.

[Stay Golden]

When the regular season ramps up the pace will be just guessing double the pace and 2x the intensity.
Monahan has looked great so far.
If he does not fall out of place in the 9 games up he will make the team.
If he falls off in area aspect. Hartley will not hesitate to want him sent back to Jr.
If Monahan gets sent back there is no downside for the player, but if he is able it will defiantly be more interesting to watch the Flames this year.

What my concern is that Hartley will watch his shifts like a hawk and if Monahan makes any small mistake he will limit his ice time. Monahan won't be effective and he gets sent back within 5 games.
Hartley has played Monahan extensively as it is just preseason, but when the regular season kicks in i don't believe Hartley will be fully on board with Monahan being here for this season unless he wows Hartley.
Hartley has said several times in recent interviews very similar to this.
"He has played great, a real smart hockey player, but lets not get ahead of ourselves this is only the preseason and that player is still quite young"
Coach speak for I have played him a lot because the wins losses don't count but he is not ready for the NHL as a teenager.
As a fan and every family member and friend that is a Flames fan i know we have all said I sure hope Monahan makes the team. Now Hartley definatly won't do what the popular fan consensus asks and nor should he. That is not a sign of a good leader and HC, but Hartley has been somewhat jaded in the past having drafted rookies on past NHL teams so i hope this isn't part of his decision making when it comes to Monahan. If the kid belongs in the NHL then he should be here.
My gut feeling is that Hartley does not endorse the same desire to have Monahan this season unless he is 100% convinced Monahan will be impact player right now and if he isn't convinced he will mess with the kids ice time. Flames end up sending him down because Hartley demands Monahan is close but not ready.
I hope Monahan has good early shifts puts points up and makes defensive back checks and forces Hartley to keep him.

[FlamesAddiction]

How has Backlund been in preseason?

I am a little disappointed to see that most people still have Stajan ahead of him. I realize Stajan has been good, but Backlund should be getting to the point that he gives him a run for his money.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Cammalleri-Backlund-D. Jones
Glencross-Stajan-Stempniak
Baertschi-Monahan-Hudler
Bouma-Horak-Galiardi
EXTRAS: Jackman, McGrattan

[Joker]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

How has Backlund been in preseason?

I am a little disappointed to see that most people still have Stajan ahead of him. I realize Stajan has been good, but Backlund should be getting to the point that he gives him a run for his money.

I am definitely not a fan, but I have tried to give the guy every opportunity to prove himself in my eyes (which is worth nothing really, but anyway...). So far he is the same old, same old. Soft, easily removed from the puck, etc. I did notice last night that he drove the net for a rebound, which was nice. I personally just dont see what others see in him. here's hoping...

[codynw]

If Monahan gets sent back to juniors he HAS to be traded to a Memorial Cup contender. Not at the trade deadline, as soon as physically possible. There is no point in sending him back to play with a bad team.

[FlameZilla]

CAPGEEK.COM USER GENERATED ROSTER
My Custom Lineup
FORWARDS
Curtis Glencross ($2.550m) / Matt Stajan ($3.500m) / Lee Stempniak ($2.500m)
Mike Cammalleri ($6.000m) / Mikael Backlund ($1.500m) / Jiri Hudler ($4.000m)
Sven Baertschi ($1.425m) / Sean Monahan ($1.775m) / David Jones ($4.000m)
T.J. Galiardi ($1.250m) / Roman Horak ($0.805m) / Brian McGrattan ($0.750m)
Lance Bouma ($0.578m) / Tim Jackman ($0.613m)
DEFENSEMEN
Mark Giordano ($4.020m) / T.J. Brodie ($2.125m)
Kris Russell ($1.500m) / Dennis Wideman ($5.250m)
Chris Butler ($1.700m) / Shane O'Brien ($2.000m)
Derek Smith ($0.775m) /
GOALTENDERS
Karri Ramo ($2.750m)
Joey MacDonald ($0.925m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled with the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $52,290,417; BONUSES: $1,561,250
CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $13,570,833

[stemit14]

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

Extras: Jackman & McGrattan

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

Ramo
Macdonald

[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.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

^ I don't hate the idea of a tough physical winger with the smaller skilled forwards, and I do agree that McGrattan, when given the opportunity, can actually score some goals in front of the net. However, that shouldn't be a permanent line for someone at the level of Cammalleri who is easily our best goal scorer. Somebody needs to feed HIM the puck, not the other way around.

If I were to put McGrattan on the same line as anyone, it would be Baertschi. He's already taken a few wallops already in his career and needs someone on the ice with him to keep the other players honest. David Jones would be ok, but nobody is intimidating like Grats is. If I were to make lines in that scenario it would be something like this:

Cammalleri-Backlund-Hudler
Glencross-Stajan-Stempniak
Baertschi-Monahan-McGrattan
Bouma-Galiardi-Jackman

[moon]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

How has Backlund been in preseason?

I am a little disappointed to see that most people still have Stajan ahead of him. I realize Stajan has been good, but Backlund should be getting to the point that he gives him a run for his money.

I imagine that they will have a line built around Stajan with guys like Glencross. Stempniak (maybe Jones) that will take the majority of defensive zone FO's, matched against top line of other team and play the "tough" minutes. Backlund likely goes with Cammy, Baerstschi, Hudler as the "offensive line" with softer starts, big PP time etc. Which one of those people want to label the top line is up to them but it likely doesn't matter much and the line that gets more minutes likely depends on what type of game it is. (i.e. Flames up, Flames down, tied/close game.)

So I wouldn't say either one is ahead of the other but that they will be used in different roles. If anything I would think it would be Backlund/Monhan competing to see who is in the offensive role and who is in the 3rd line role.

[stemit14]

Originally Posted by moon

I imagine that they will have a line built around Stajan with guys like Glencross. Stempniak (maybe Jones) that will take the majority of defensive zone FO's, matched against top line of other team and play the "tough" minutes. Backlund likely goes with Cammy, Baerstschi, Hudler as the "offensive line" with softer starts, big PP time etc. Which one of those people want to label the top line is up to them but it likely doesn't matter much and the line that gets more minutes likely depends on what type of game it is. (i.e. Flames up, Flames down, tied/close game.)

So I wouldn't say either one is ahead of the other but that they will be used in different roles. If anything I would think it would be Backlund/Monhan competing to see who is in the offensive role and who is in the 3rd line role.

I agree with this setup and hope that's how the flames use players to their strengths. Baertschi will be a force on the powerplay this year.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

^ I don't hate the idea of a tough physical winger with the smaller skilled forwards, and I do agree that McGrattan, when given the opportunity, can actually score some goals in front of the net. However, that shouldn't be a permanent line for someone at the level of Cammalleri who is easily our best goal scorer. Somebody needs to feed HIM the puck, not the other way around.

If I were to put McGrattan on the same line as anyone, it would be Baertschi. He's already taken a few wallops already in his career and needs someone on the ice with him to keep the other players honest. David Jones would be ok, but nobody is intimidating like Grats is. If I were to make lines in that scenario it would be something like this:

Cammalleri-Backlund-Hudler
Glencross-Stajan-Stempniak
Baertschi-Monahan-McGrattan
Bouma-Galiardi-Jackman

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.