Predict the opening day line-up

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Cammalleri-Backlund-Hudler
Glencross-Stajan-Stempniak
Baertschi-Monahan-Jones
Galliardi-Colborne-Bouma
McGratten/Jackman

Giordano-Brodie
Russell-Wideman
Butler-O'Brien

Ramo
MacDonald

Yup...that'll be the lineup no question in my mind. The question is what will happen when Monahan is returned to junior after 9 games. IMO Horak will come back up or Galiardi will be moved to center.

[moon]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Why would McGratton be suspended for fighting?

If he is instigating fights against guys who don't want to fight him he will be suspended.

95% of guys that are going to hit the young guys or "look at them the wrong way" won't fight McGrattan.

Clutterbuck isn't going to stop hitting players because McGrattan is there, neither will Smid, Bieksa, Dustin Brown, Doan etc.

[SeanCharles]

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

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

Ramo
MacDonald

[Vulcan]

Glencross-Stajan-Stempniak
Galiardi-Backlund-Hudler
Baertschi-Monahan-Jones
Bouma-Colborne-Jackman
McGrattan/Horak

IR Cammallari

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

Ramo
MacDonald

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

Yup...that'll be the lineup no question in my mind. The question is what will happen when Monahan is returned to junior after 9 games. IMO Horak will come back up or Galiardi will be moved to center.

I disagree. I like Horak but I just don't see him as an NHLer. I think Corban Knight plays great in Abby and gets the callup for good.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Glencross-Stajan-Stempniak
Galiardi-Backlund-Hudler
Baertschi-Monahan-Jones
Bouma-Colborne-Jackman
McGrattan/Horak

IR Cammallari

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

Ramo
MacDonald

No argument about the probability of the lineup.

Just an observation... Stempniak age 30 who is supposed to provide veteran leadership gets to play on a line with the Flames oldest and best veterans...


The three oldest most experienced Flames forwards playing on the same line when the rest of the forwards will be under 25 and having very little NHL experience.

When Cammalleri comes back will he go on a line with Hudler and David Jones to protect him from playing with the newbies?

I don't hate Stempniak.... but he is taking up a roster spot... especially in the top-6 where he has to play.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Glencross-Stajan-Stempniak
Galiardi-Backlund-Hudler
Baertschi-Monahan-Jones
Bouma-Colborne-Jackman
McGrattan/Horak

IR Cammallari

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

Ramo
MacDonald

My only comment would be on Breen, there is no chance he starts with the Flames IMO. Late last week Feaster was on the Radio and said he was not cleared as of yet.

Breen has not played or particpated in training camp. I would think if he is cleared fairly soon. He will need a month or so at Abbotsford to get back in the swing of things.

[Savvy27]

Just listening to Conroy on Sportsnet 960 and he commented on goalies:

-Clint Malarchuk is really excited about Berra as a prospect, he just needs games (seems like he'll be in Abby)
-Said that he is very comfortable with MacDonald as the backup. He is a steady guy who is good at the back up role
-Ramo was hurt coming into camp and has looked better and better as he healed and got more comfortable.

Judging from what he said, it seems like it will be Ramo and MacDonald. No surprise there.

He also commented on Colborne and said that he's going to get games and minutes and a chance to play.

[_Q_]

Since the Colborne aquisition, putting Smith on waivers (presumably to be sent down to Abbotsford) and assuming Cammalleri won't be playing the first game, my prediction is now as follows:


Glencross - Stajan - Stempniak
Galiardi- Backlund - Hudler
Baertschi - Colborne - D. Jones
Bouma - Monahan - Jackman
McGrattan & Horak extras

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

Ramo
McDonald

[Hells Bells]

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

[Savvy27]

Conroy On D:

-Sieloff earned his way to this spot. He'll probably spend some time in the minors at some point but they think he'll be a big part of the NHL team in the future
-Breen is a guy that they have tabbed for a shut down role. They may send him down for a conditioning stint (except that costs them a roster spot on the big club)
-O'Brien used to chirp Conroy constantly, telling him to retire. He likes O'Brien and thinks he has some skill. Likes his attitude and strangely referred to his 'getting into it with Glencross' as leadership
-Russell has improved as the camp went along. Thinks that he has to be paired with the right guy (a big guy) due to his size. Felt like he struggled vs. Edmonton, but got better.

On Forwards:
David Jones: doesn't sound too impressed with him. Thinks that he showed some good, simple stuff in pre-season. They need production out of him though and he wasn't putting up much in pre-season.
Galiardi: Great speed, needs to use it when he's playing center. It's still an experiment having him at C.
Hudler: He can play the right side. He scored 25 at an RW. He's smart and makes passes that you don't even see open watching from the pressbox.
4th line: You want a physical presence, since we are not a very physical team upfront. Jackman and Grats have played great. Jackman can play left side too. Line up will change depending on the opponent. They want to make sure that there is a bell to answer for anyone who's looking to intimidate young/small guys.
Spark plug: Boomer mentioned Galiardi doing it. Conroy says that guys sometimes make the NHL by being an irritating guy, then they think they've made it and want to just be a player. Doesn't seem like they have anyone really pegged for that role.
Sven: He puts pressure on himself. He wants to do the right things and wants to be the go-to guy. It's a lot harder in the NHL though. Loved his 3rd period in the Edmonton game (said he took over the game). They need to get his consistency there. He has all the tools to be a scorer, but he's one of several young guys now so he doesn't need to put all that pressure on himself. Conroy is a big, big fan but is also really hard on Sven. Came into camp in good shape, but he needs to put those extra hours in. Mentioned that Pat Sieloff is doing those things right now and when Sven does it he'll get there. Sounds convinced that Sven will get there, just a matter of time.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Savvy27

Just listening to Conroy on Sportsnet 960 and he commented on goalies:

-Clint Malarchuk is really excited about Berra as a prospect, he just needs games (seems like he'll be in Abby)
-Said that he is very comfortable with MacDonald as the backup. He is a steady guy who is good at the back up role
-Ramo was hurt coming into camp and has looked better and better as he healed and got more comfortable.

Judging from what he said, it seems like it will be Ramo and MacDonald. No surprise there.

He also commented on Colborne and said that he's going to get games and minutes and a chance to play.

Yeah, Conroy is trying really hard not to give anything away but he gets excited and can't help himself.

[_Q_]

Probably should have waited for the roster to be finalized before I updated my line-up. Here's what I think the first game against the Capitals looks like:

Glencross - Stajan - Stempniak
Galiardi- Backlund - Hudler
Baertschi - Colborne - D. Jones
Bouma - Monahan - Jackman
McGrattan & Street extras

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

Ramo
McDonald

I think, when everyone is healthy and with the talk about Baertschi possibly going to the AHL and Monahan back in the OHL the line-up will ultimately look something like this:

Glencross - Stajan - Stempniak
Cammalleri- Backlund - Hudler
Galiardi- Colborne - D. Jones
Bouma - Horak - Jackman
McGrattan & Street extras

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

Ramo
McDonald