Starting roster 2014 better than 2013?

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

Goaltending will be improved. The rest of the team... who knows.

Yeah, goaltending will be a bit better... but realistically speaking we're talking about an improvement at back-up goaltender vs multiple talent losses at top 9 forward and maybe on defense as well. On the whole the team is very likely worse off then last years team. I would be surprised if come June the name that comes out of Trelivings mouth isn't one of McDavid/Eichel/Hanifin.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Yeah, goaltending will be a bit better... but realistically speaking we're talking about an improvement at back-up goaltender vs multiple talent losses at top 9 forward and maybe on defense as well. On the whole the team is very likely worse off then last years team. I would be surprised if come June the name that comes out of Trelivings mouth isn't one of McDavid/Eichel/Hanifin.

In reference to this specific point, replacing Cammy, Galiardi and Stumpy with Raymond, Setoguchi, Bollig, healthy Glennie I don't think is 'multiple talent losses'. Also not sure who you're referring to on D? Losing Butler and O'Brien?

Anyways everyone is entitled to their opinion of course but yours doesn't seem to make sense because you're only looking at talent lost, not talent replaced.

I would be surprised if come June the name that comes out of Treliving's mouth is one of McDavid/Eichel/Hanifin.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by heep223

In reference to this specific point, replacing Cammy, Galiardi and Stumpy with Raymond, Setoguchi, Bollig, healthy Glennie I don't think is 'multiple talent losses'. Also not sure who you're referring to on D? Losing Butler and O'Brien?

Replacing Cammy with Raymond is a talent loss as is replacing Stempniak with Setoguchi. That is more then one (thus mutliple). I don't consider Bollig or Galiardi top 9 guys nor believe that you can count healthy Glencross as an improvement because we have no way of knowing whether Glencross (or equivalent aggregate talent) will be any more healthy.

On D I think exchanging Butler for Engellend is a push at best (therefor the "maybe").

[wretched34]

I don't get all the commotion about losing Cammalleri's amazing offense.
In all, the Flames lost: Cammi, Stemps, Westgarth and Galiardi up front, who combined for 46 goals, and 57 assists, or total of 103 points. They also combined for an average age of 29.75.
The 3 forwards brought in, not as replacements, but as place holders are Bollig, Raymond, Setoguchi, who combined for 37 goals, 49 assists, total of 86 points last season. They combine for an average age of 27.33, and only had a difference of 17 points.
I'd say we got younger, faster and stronger up front.
Cammi and Stemps were guaranteed top 6 forwards, Galiardi was a top 9. Raymond is a top 6 filler, Seto is a top 9 filler, which makes it possible for a prospect like Baertschi or Gaudreau to EARN a spot, and if that's the case, those 17 points can be made up if they play even close to potential.
We're heading into year 2 of a rebuild, these are the sorts of changes you want to see. that 17 point difference is actually a great move by management, because they opened up some room for a youngster, who should be able to produce more than those 17 points, if we have any hope of becoming better.
I get that on paper, based on the past we look weaker, but we're looking towards the future, and if a prospect can't make up those 17 points, we don't have much of one.

[foshizzle11]

I agree with what wretched34 said above. I think it is important to look who could replace Cammi's offense. I think it will be a combo of things. I think Backs is going to pick up more points this season as well, he will have his best season yet. Raymond and Seto both are trying to reestablish themselves in this league, Glenny is playing for a new contract. I think there will be some surprises this season and I think there is still a space open for a prospect or two to make the Flames roster at the onset.

[Torrie the Whaler]

i am intrigued by the Raymond - Stajan - Setoguchi line.