2014 Training Camp Cuts. UPD: Oct 5 - Baertschi, Jooris and Ortio cut

[bigbadboss101]

Surprised Brice VB is down so soon. I think he and Knight both need to bring more to the table. Both have good size but not great hands. Some ice time in the AHL isn't bad for them.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by chubeyr1

If every fan is truly honest with themselves you could of picked the starting lineup for the flames prior to camp regardless of how the players play in camp.

And therein lies the problem. The number of 'veterans' given a free pass to work themselves into shape is a bit of a joke. Many of the vets have been outplayed or look just f'n horrible in their own right. Seriously, I haven't seen a single one of the new vets look better than many of the kids fighting for a job. It's sad that the lineup is so predictable.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by jg13

Are you writing off Granlund to make this team? Even with the Backlund injury?

Now with Granlund's injury, it would seem that he will not make the opening night roster. On the other hand, reports are that Backlund could be there.

[bigbadboss101]

Agree about Wolf. His skating needs work and he doesn't have the hands like Ferland.

[OzSome]

For defensemen : I think Ralphael Diaz will make it as a 7th defensemen on this team this season. One of his advantage over Brookbank, Yonkman and Potter is he can play powerplay point and he's got more offensive skills. If the Flames goes on the young guy's route, I can see Wotherspoon being in that position unfortunately he is injured right now. Pat Sieloff might be the guy then. I am actually impressed with some of the young Ds in this pre-season. John Ramage, Ryan Culkin, Brent Kulak, Pat Sieloff and even Acolaste is not too shabby. I probably missed some but those guys I like.

[Wolfman]

Originally Posted by nik-

Yeah, Agostino definitely has more of a chance than Hanowski.

IMHO both need a lot of work. Agostino needs a full year in AHL for sure. Hanowski looks like a career AHLer to me.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Wolfman

IMHO both need a lot of work. Agostino needs a full year in AHL for sure. Hanowski looks like a career AHLer to me.

I don't want to write off anyone, especially Klimchuk, but the further away we get, the more I hate that Iginla trade with every fibre of my being...

[chubeyr1]

Originally Posted by jg13

Are you writing off Granlund to make this team? Even with the Backlund injury?

Granlund is hurt right now, don't know how bad though.

I love Granlunds game. He has absolutely impressed me so much. Solid on D, has some great offensive instincts, and has amazed me by being a European player that can throw a body check from time to time.

Is he ready for the nhl? I absolutely believe he is. He is better than Backlund was at that age, more upside too I believe.

Yet the roster only has so many openings. Sven, Bennett, Gaudreau, Granlund Reinhardt. I hate to say it, all these guys deserve to be on the opening day lineup. Good chance none will be!

Wait till next year when they are all battling and we add our first round pick too, and Poirier and Klimchuck to that list of ready prospects.

I am so pumped by our forward prospects, its sad that I am hoping for many injuries this year so the young guys get a chance.

[chubeyr1]

Originally Posted by New Era

And therein lies the problem. The number of 'veterans' given a free pass to work themselves into shape is a bit of a joke. Many of the vets have been outplayed or look just f'n horrible in their own right. Seriously, I haven't seen a single one of the new vets look better than many of the kids fighting for a job. It's sad that the lineup is so predictable.

I hear you! Our management and coaching staff always say there are roster spots open, and we are a hard working team. Then you see the vets dog it on the ice in preseason. They are not in shape, and look horrible. Kids that look fantastic and easily outplay the vets get sent down.

Only thing I can add to this is it is preseason hockey. Just ask yourself, which players have been the best so far? Bennett, Gaudreau, Granlund? Out of all players these three all belong on the team based on performance. We will be lucky if one makes the team!

[FurnaceFace]

That's how preseason works doesn't it? You could go through every team and be 1 or 2 players off from the starting lineup. The veteran players don't need to prove themselves, they are a known commodity. They use training camp as a way to ramp up while the prospects come into camp 100% ready because this might be their only shot. Also you have the top prospects playing with a combination of: vets who are warming up, bubble guys, career minor leaguers, euro league players, and guys who will never make it. They tend to look really good in comparison but when they games really matter and it's all NHL players, it's still unknown. Temper expectations.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Ring of Fire

So here's who's left:

Forwards (25):
Raymond
Monahan
Hudler
Gaudreau
Backlund (injured)
Colborne
Glencross
Stajan
Jones
Bollig
Bouma
McGrattan
Byron
Setoguchi
Bennett
Baertschi
Reinhart
Ferland
Granlund
Knight
Poirier (injured)
Klimchuk (injured)
Arnold
Elson
Jooris

Defence (17):
Giordano
Brodie
Smid
Wideman
Russell
Engelland
Brookbank (try-out)
Diaz (try-out)
Yonkman (try-out - I'm expecting an AHL contract at some point)
Wotherspoon
Potter (injured)
Kulak
Sieloff
Cundari
Culkin
Ramage
Acolatse

Goalies (3)
Hiller
Ramo
Ortio

I guess Hartley must like what he's seen from Elson. I'm surprised he wasn't cut today.

My thoughts on how this will shake out:
Green=almost assuredly safe and on the opening day roster
Orange=in contention for one of the last few spots
Red=has a shot at a roster spot, but is a long shot
Purple=outside extreme long shot at the roster, but still has a chance
Bold=almost assuredly cut due to injury status or extreme lack of talent

I have 11 forwards in the green group, including Backlund, which means there's 4 spots for the following guys I believe are in contention: Jones, Setoguchi, Bennett, Gaudreau, Baertschi, and Ferland. 2 of those will be cut with the understanding that Backlund will be back soon so another guy will be sent down if he's ready. My money is on Jones, Setoguchi, and either Baertschi or Gaudreau.

I have 6 spots that are almost definitely taken on defense, and the only two I can see having a shot at the roster right now are Diaz and Brookbank. All the kids are likely going to need a full year in Addy before they're ready for the NHL, but at least there is some promise with them.

The goalies were probably determined before the camp began due to contract status and such. There's a chance Ortio really outshines one of the other two before the season begins, but he's been a little below average so far so he'll have to overcome that performance.

[Finger Cookin]

So you're saying Granlund has an extreme lack of talent??!?

[PeteMoss]

I think Granlund still has a shot even with the injury. Obviously would depend on the time he's out, but I'm pretty sure they planned to have him up this year.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

My thoughts on how this will shake out:
Green=almost assuredly safe and on the opening day roster
Orange=in contention for one of the last few spots
Red=has a shot at a roster spot, but is a long shot
Purple=outside extreme long shot at the roster, but still has a chance
Bold=almost assuredly cut due to injury status or extreme lack of talent

I have 11 forwards in the green group, including Backlund, which means there's 4 spots for the following guys I believe are in contention: Jones, Setoguchi, Bennett, Gaudreau, Baertschi, and Ferland. 2 of those will be cut with the understanding that Backlund will be back soon so another guy will be sent down if he's ready. My money is on Jones, Setoguchi, and either Baertschi or Gaudreau.

I have 6 spots that are almost definitely taken on defense, and the only two I can see having a shot at the roster right now are Diaz and Brookbank. All the kids are likely going to need a full year in Addy before they're ready for the NHL, but at least there is some promise with them.

The goalies were probably determined before the camp began due to contract status and such. There's a chance Ortio really outshines one of the other two before the season begins, but he's been a little below average so far so he'll have to overcome that performance.

You think Byron is a lock? Hardly.

[sa226]

I think they know exactly what they have in Granlund. He is ready. Injury or not. I think the worry for Granlund is when he is healed and ready to go, will there be a spot available for him?

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

You think Byron is a lock? Hardly.

Of all the players that were seemingly on the bubble coming into camp, he's been far and away the best and will likely have to play very poorly the rest of the way to get cut. Just my opinion.

[mile]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

Of all the players that were seemingly on the bubble coming into camp, he's been far and away the best and will likely have to play very poorly the rest of the way to get cut. Just my opinion.

I agree with you.

He can create offense (21 pts in 47 games last season in a utility role), he forechecks well, and he is a very good penalty killer. He can either be an effective 3rd/4th line player or fill in on the second line and not look out of place. Hartley felt that he was a regular last season and I don't see how his play so far would change that opinion.

[Gaskal]

Byron's motor can make him serviceable in a lot of roles. He also wins puck battles far more often than someone of his size should.

[killer_carlson]

I was hoping to see BVB and Wolf in the line up this season. However, sending them both down for some pro experience isn't a bad thing. I hope they take the opportunity to learn.

[djsFlames]

Byron will make an excellent 13th forward that we can swap in any time.