[News] 2013-14 Calgary Flames Opening Day Roster

[Calgary4LIfe]

Too much drama around Colborne, Horak, Monahan and Reinhart (though I throw Reinhart in there as I feel he is borderline NHL ready for a prospect).

Flames are in a rebuild. To me, a rebuild means acquiring as much young talent with upside as possible. Does Colborne fit that? I think so. I myself think Horak is more deserving and has shown more than Colborne has, but I am fine with demoting Horak for now (and Monahan back to Junior, and Reinhart to the AHL), if it means the Flames acquire more talent and competition.

Yes, Colborne's status defeats the whole 'meritocracy' for now, but do people really think it will last all season IF Colborne sucks past 20 or 30 games? I don't. Trading for him and then exposing him to waivers without giving him a chance would be the ridiculous move.

Flames will open up their roster as the season progresses through trades and injuries. Horak and Reinhart will both be on this team in time, and we will all most likely get to see forwards like Granlund, Jooris, Ferland and any others that impress in the AHL. I am not high on Colborne, but I can at least acknowledge that he does have some upside, a 4th is at least 'fair value' for him right now (if not a bit of a bargain) and the Flames are in a rebuild.

Besides, the Flames will most likely have injury call-ups, and other teams may run into injuries as well forcing them to make trades for a few of Calgary's players, not to mention the deadline. I would expect to see most of the higher-end and more NHL ready rookies have a chance to shine for at least for a short stretch, and some may end up being here most of the season.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

No more Leafs.

We don't want/need their scraps, even if they're marginally better than ours.

This roster is already too crowded, and we have too many youngsters knocking on the door. No thanks.

A deal for Liles would only really make sense for Calgary if it came with the ability to acquire another young player or pick with it.

And taht would be the point. The Flames have tones of youngsters knocking on the door, but not enough kicking the door down. The Flames are trying to fill the cupboads full of youngsters to increase the chances that some of them stick, nothing wrong with any move that helps us do that, including taking on salary from a vet if we have to, not like we don't have the room on the back end.

[GirlySports]

woohoo!! I'm excited, bring on the season!

[djsFlames]

I'd only trade for Liles if one of Butler or SOB are going the other way.

Even with a nice young piece tacked on.

[Stupid]

Originally Posted by getbak

Last season, they had a 22 man opening roster because Hudler was on bereavement leave, so I included him in the 23 man roster:

Average height: 72.6 inches
Average weight: 196.26 pounds
Average age: 28.5 years old as of October 1, 2012

Again, this year's numbers:

Average height: 72.8 inches
Average weight: 200.30 pounds
Average age: 27.6 years old as of October 1, 2013

So, this year, they're slightly taller, heavier, and younger.



Last season, Giordano was the median age (Oct 3, 1983). Sven was the youngest and Kipper was the oldest.

Stempniak and Butler were the median weight at 196 pounds. Horak was the lightest (170 lbs) and Jackman was the heaviest (225 lbs).

Last season, nine players were the median height of 6'1". Cammalleri was the shortest (5'9") and Sarich and Bouwmeester were the tallest (6'4").

Thanks once again!

I thought they would have gotten taller, more. This is why seeing the number is always good. Glad to see them get younger and heavier.

I'm curious now what the league/division average stats are but I imagine that'd be a time consuming stat to come up with.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by getbak

Last season, they had a 22 man opening roster because Hudler was on bereavement leave, so I included him in the 23 man roster:

Average height: 72.6 inches
Average weight: 196.26 pounds
Average age: 28.5 years old as of October 1, 2012

Again, this year's numbers:

Average height: 72.8 inches
Average weight: 200.30 pounds
Average age: 27.6 years old as of October 1, 2013

So, this year, they're slightly taller, heavier, and younger.



Last season, Giordano was the median age (Oct 3, 1983). Sven was the youngest and Kipper was the oldest.

Stempniak and Butler were the median weight at 196 pounds. Horak was the lightest (170 lbs) and Jackman was the heaviest (225 lbs).

Last season, nine players were the median height of 6'1". Cammalleri was the shortest (5'9") and Sarich and Bouwmeester were the tallest (6'4").

Great job here. Asking for way too much, but I would be really interested in the Top 6 forwards and top 4 d-men this year as compared to last year.

I remember the Flames were the lightest team in the NHL, but the age was relatively somewhere in the middle. Then you factor in that most of the top 6 players were over the age of 30 and were amongst the oldest players on the team. Really changed the outlook once you start comparing them to contenders around the league that had a much young top 6 especially.

[robertsfanatic]

regarding liles, am I mistaken in my thinking that when a player is sent down to the minors that if a team picks him up once he's recalled that the new team would only have to pay half of the salary?
If so then I would take liles at half his salary, he's a better 5 d than what we have right now.

[MissTeeks]

Originally Posted by robertsfanatic

regarding liles, am I mistaken in my thinking that when a player is sent down to the minors that if a team picks him up once he's recalled that the new team would only have to pay half of the salary?
If so then I would take liles at half his salary, he's a better 5 d than what we have right now.

Not anymore, re-entry waivers were taken out of the new CBA.

[Ulrith]

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

Not anymore, re-entry waivers were taken out of the new CBA.

True, but in place of that the Leafs could trade him and while eating up to 50% of his salary though.

[GGG]

I would have liked seiloff over smith on D but other than that I like the roster

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

No more Leafs.

We don't want/need their scraps, even if they're marginally better than ours.

This roster is already too crowded, and we have too many youngsters knocking on the door. No thanks.

I agree. Flames do not need Liles. We are on a rebuild so i would rather see the Flames give Sieloff, Breen, and other D-men some playing time than picking up Liles. Liles will probably just stay for one season. I mean, Flames is expected to be on the bottom anyways.

[devo22]

I'd happily take Liles and use a compliance buyout on him if the Leafs send Gardiner with him, just saying.

[StrykerSteve]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Yes, Colborne's status defeats the whole 'meritocracy' for now, but do people really think it will last all season IF Colborne sucks past 20 or 30 games?

Outside of Colborne, every one of us pretty much pegged this as the opening night lineup before ever seeing a single development camp/training camp scrimmage/preseason game. Players that we thought had good camps, were sent down, not because they played poorly, but rather because it was convenient.

Those that made the lineup, made it primarily because of their contracts, and those that didn't would've had to have had an amazing preseason to avoid being sent down. The one real surprise would be Street, and even then, they already had him clear waivers so they can send him back down once Cammalleri comes back.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

Outside of Colborne, every one of us pretty much pegged this as the opening night lineup before ever seeing a single development camp/training camp scrimmage/preseason game. Players that we thought had good camps, were sent down, not because they played poorly, but rather because it was convenient.

Those that made the lineup, made it primarily because of their contracts, and those that didn't would've had to have had an amazing preseason to avoid being sent down. The one real surprise would be Street, and even then, they already had him clear waivers so they can send him back down once Cammalleri comes back.

Of the guys sent down, who is a better hockey player today than the guys that are here?

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Of the guys sent down, who is a better hockey player today than the guys that are here?

I don't think anyone. Although I'd probably replace Ben Street with Blair Jones, but that's more of a lateral move I think.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Also, who called Monahan making the team over some more established or older players like Horak and Knight? He earned a spot because he had an exceptional camp and has the ability to learn quickly. This is why his development was accelerated over some others and why he's on the team (albeit it is likely only for 9 games).

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

Outside of Colborne, every one of us pretty much pegged this as the opening night lineup before ever seeing a single development camp/training camp scrimmage/preseason game. Players that we thought had good camps, were sent down, not because they played poorly, but rather because it was convenient.

Those that made the lineup, made it primarily because of their contracts, and those that didn't would've had to have had an amazing preseason to avoid being sent down. The one real surprise would be Street, and even then, they already had him clear waivers so they can send him back down once Cammalleri comes back.

Sure, I don't disagree.. but this is part of asset management.

Is Horak, Knight, Reinhart, Granlund, Ferland, etc., going to suffer or have their development stifled by playing in the AHL vs the NHL? You can make a stronger case that it is more beneficial to over-season prospects than rushing them, correct?

Also, look how seemingly great the Flames have been drafting in even the late rounds. Hey, if Jackman plays this way throughout the year, you can probably trade him for a 4th or so at the deadline. Maybe a 5th or 6th. That could potentially be another Brodie, or Harrison, or Arnold, or Ramage, or Gaudreau, etc. Sure, the likelihood of that is low, but the Flames have been making late picks count a bit more of late. The more bullets in the chamber, the more likely the Flames are to draft and develop some more impact in the future.

As long as the prospects aren't having their development derailed, what is the issue then? Teams need to maximize contracts, cap and assets in the best way possible to eventually challenge (and win) the cup. If a team gives in and just unloads or sits potential players that can return future depth and options, just to appease a fanbase, then they are going about their business all wrong.

You may not like it, but I would prefer the Flames to keep doing exactly what they are doing now. It would be a different story to suddenly see Cammy, Stempniak, Stajan, Jackman and whomever getting multi-year extensions this season. It is another to let them play, hopefully build their trade value, and have them return more possibilities for the future.

Injuries and trades will happen. Most of the notable prospects will get a turn in the NHL, and there will be more and more permanent room on the roster for them as they show they deserve it. I like Horak and a lot of other prospects, but they didn't exactly prove that they belong in the NHL right now either. Out of place? Not so much.. but they didn't exactly kill it at camp and make it impossible for the Flames to send them down either. We would be having a different conversation if that was the case. There is obviously room for them to continue developing in the AHL, and in the end, it will just make the Flames that much of a better team later down the road (which is really the goal here, isn't it?).

[SeanCharles]

I don't see all the panic. I feel pretty confident B. Jones, Street, Smith, MacDonald and Butler are not in the long term plans and along with Cammy, Stajan and Stempniak are more likely to be moved than be resigned.

Young players will replace these guys...

[Bourque's Twin]

Originally Posted by SeanCharles

I don't see all the panic. I feel pretty confident B. Jones, Street, Smith, MacDonald and Butler are not in the long term plans and along with Cammy, Stajan and Stempniak are more likely to be moved than be resigned.

Young players will replace these guys...

I agree. If the fans can be patient for 1 season they will most likely see Cammalleri, Stajan, Stempniak, and Jackman all gone because they are UFA's at the end of the year.

[Stormchaser]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

No more Leafs.

We don't want/need their scraps, even if they're marginally better than ours.

This roster is already too crowded, and we have too many youngsters knocking on the door. No thanks.

For once i'm actually ok with the leafs as my trading parter. If there is anyone right now that would know their entire system it is Burke.