Flames Off-Season Game Plan - TSN

[Nehkara]

OFF-SEASON GAME PLAN: CALGARY FLAMES

Effort is admirable, character and grit are admirable. But if the Flames are going to climb the ladder in the Western Conference, they are ultimately going to need more talent, no matter the size.

25-year-old centre Mikael Backlund could be the top returning forward on the Flames' roster and he's coming off a season in which he scored a career-high 39 points. But Backlund also been the Flames' best possession forward over the past five seasons and, over the past three seasons, he's been doing it while not getting the easy work, starting shifts in the defensive zone and facing quality opposition. He's widely underrated because he doesn't have big point totals, but is a quality player at a bargain price.

For as impressive as a 22-goal rookie season was for 19-year-old Sean Monahan, he naturally has much room to improve and, to his credit, there was progression in his game as the year went on. For example, prior to Christmas, he was on the ice for 40.7% of 5-on-5 shot attempts and 45.9% after. That's progress and Monahan's emergence is a big part of the Flames' future.

If not for a broken ankle suffered in October, Mark Giordano would be front-and-centre in the Norris Trophy discussion. Even after missing 18 games, Giordano justifiably received lots of praise at season's end, putting up out-of-this-world possession stats, while playing the hardest minutes for a generally poor team. This was the best year of Giordano's career and it would be great for the Flames if this is his new standard level of play going forward, but there is some risk that he's not going to be able to duplicate such an impressive campaign.

It's a good article overall and long with far more interesting bits than the ones I've quoted.

This is Scott Cullen's projected roster for the Flames for next season:

[GreenLantern2814]

I'm fine with his off-season for us. Part of me would like to chase a big fish a la Paul Stastny, but saving cap space for when we're really ready to go for it is fine too.

[Nehkara]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

I'm fine with his off-season for us. Part of me would like to chase a big fish a la Paul Stastny, but saving cap space for when we're really ready to go for it is fine too.

Yeah I thought it was well thought out.

I like his additions to the lineup. Vrbata is a player I've always liked and Orpik could be the checking D-man we've been looking for.

The Flames definitely need to add salary, I don't think they want to be below the salary floor.

[Jay Random]

Winnik and Vrbata? Orpik? Greiss? Adam 'Bonavista, Newfoundland' Pardy of Bonavista, Newfoundland? Seriously?

And here I thought professional journalists weren't supposed to just make crap up by playing NHL 14 in GM mode. Silly me.

[jg13]

Not bad, i'd much rather have wotherspoon with us than pardy though.

[saillias]

Since when did TSN articles turn into a dry corsi seminar...

[Nehkara]

Originally Posted by jg13

Not bad, i'd much rather have wotherspoon with us than pardy though.

Yeah I think Winnik could be replaced by a forward in the system and Pardy could be replaced by Wotherspoon.

[Street Pharmacist]

That roster looks like a bottom 5 roster, but one I could get behind

[Roof-Daddy]

No Bouma?
No thanks.

[Vulcan]

When they list Poirier as a LW and Granlund as a LW, I don't think they really have much knowledge about the team other than looking at stats and the odd article.

[Coach]

Call me crazy, but I say Gio is even better next year. I think he's got a taste at the elite level and wants more.

[Gaskal]

Apparently he forgot we switched Colborne to the wing too.

[GettinIggyWithIt]

Of the new additions, I think Vrbata would be good for us. Orpik has played in the Pens system his entire career and is probably used to being on a top team. I'd be surprised if he goes to a team that is in the early phases of a rebuild. Seems like a competitor and at his age would likely go to a contender. No thanks to Pardy and Winnik. Both could be replaced by prospects. Not sure why Bouma was left out and I think Colborne stays on the wing. I think both Jones and Galiardi could go. I am just not sure who would take Jones' contract (I guess you could make the argument we need it for the cap floor but I'd much rather overpay for a Stastny or Callahan on a shorter term contract).

[the_only_turek_fan]

I would love to get Winnik.

I think Galiardi will be gone.

[djsFlames]

I won't be too happy if both Galiardi and Jones are lineup regulars next season.

I like the idea of bringing in Vrbata, but don't really care for Winnik when we have Bouma/Reinhart that can slot in. Unless of course he is replacing Galiardi. In that case, he's a better option.

[calgARI]

Why was that "article" even written?

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

Apparently he forgot we switched Colborne to the wing too.

Though you are correct in that Colborne has been switched to wing, Hartley did say it was not because the Flames prefer him there, but rather that it was a way to provide enough icetime that he felt Colborne earned. Something to that effect. I do think he ends up playing wing, but he may very well end up playing center.

[Vulcan]

I thought Pardy was playing pretty well for the Jets. He's at that age that defencemen start to prove their worth. I don't think we'll sign him but I wouldn't be upset if we do.

[McG]

i understand why people have issues with some (or even all) of the choices...particularly the NHL14 feel of it...

I didn't mind the analysis and the thinking behind it. I wouldn't have chosen the same players...and bouma in particular seems to be a miss...but it is one attempt to fill out the roster.

what i really want to see is our young players getting appropriate development time and shielded when they need to be shielded. I know that sounds like coddling them a bit, and maybe it is, but i also think that development is enhanced by managing the proper situations for young players to be exposed to.

i was chuckling at the idea that the analyst had a list of people left over on the UFA list... "hmmm...i have vrbata left over and the flames were at the bottom of my to do list...i'll put him there!".

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Winnik is a guy who usually impresses when we play Anaheim. Really like his game and he'd be a solid addition to the bottom two lines.

I'd be surprised to see Galiardi back. He had his chances all year and squandered them.

Granlund/Gaudreau are decent picks to make the team, I have them as a few of our strongest contenders to make the club as rookies.

Wonder if we'll bring Butler back. He's steady but unspectacular. Haven't heard anything on that front lately.