2016-17 Defense Core

[SeanCharles]

The forward group for next year is a crapshoot to predict given the teams needs and the unknown moves upon us but there are still a couple question marks on D that might not be as unpredictable. What are your predictions for next seasons d-core?

IMO these guys will be back without a doubt:

Gio
Brodie
Hamilton
Engelland
Jokipakka

So who rounds out the top 7?

Wideman?
Nakladal?
Smid?
Wotherspoon?
Someone else?

[jayswin]

I hope Nakladal is brought back on a reasonable deal. Love what he brings.

[dammage79]

Wotherspoon, Smid and Nakladal IMO. Smid may be on his last legs due to the constant neck injuries and maybe he wil retire this year but when he's played in his short runs he's be solid. Nak and Wotherspoon have both looked really good in their stints as well. I believe Wotherspoon is finally ready to take the next step up.

I'm fully expecting the Hamonic train to come rolling through here in a hurry though.

Just for pure fun:

Doughty-Gio
Hamilton-Brodie
Hamonic-Karlsson

Dream team yo! Who cares if we cant afford forwards or goalies!

[btimbit]

Giordano
Brodie
Hamilton
Wideman
Jokipakka
Engelland
Nakladal

Wideman goes at the deadline, Wotherspoon or Kulak comes in.

The following year is where it gets more interesting, with Engelland likely walking as a UFA. Re-sign or Jokipakka? Wotherspoon and Kulak ready for full time? Maybe someone else steps up

Edit: Crap, forgot about Smid.... No idea what to do there. Nakladal starts the year in Stockton? I'd doubt it. Maybe he doesn't come back? My ideal solution is Wideman moved in the off season but I just don't see it happening

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Wideman will be moved during the offseason. Who knows about Smid

Wotherspoon and Nakladal fill out the remaining two spots.

[jg13]

I'm hoping Andersson impresses at camp and is given a look.

I think he's going to be a terrific player and will make the roster within the next 2 seasons.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by btimbit

Giordano
Brodie
Hamilton
Wideman
Jokipakka
Engelland
Nakladal

Wideman goes at the deadline, Wotherspoon or Kulak comes in.

The following year is where it gets more interesting, with Engelland likely walking as a UFA. Re-sign or Jokipakka? Wotherspoon and Kulak ready for full time? Maybe someone else steps up

Edit: Crap, forgot about Smid.... No idea what to do there. Nakladal starts the year in Stockton? I'd doubt it. Maybe he doesn't come back? My ideal solution is Wideman moved in the off season but I just don't see it happening

The way Rasmus Andersson looked in main camp this season and how he has fared in the OHL and the playoffs so far. He could be a serious darkhorse for a spot this year. I think I am wishfully thinking Wideman is moved this off season making room for these guys on the bubble.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by dammage79

The way Rasmus Andersson looked in main camp this season and how he has fared in the OHL and the playoffs so far. He could be a serious darkhorse for a spot this year. I think I am wishfully thinking Wideman is moved this off season making room for these guys on the bubble.

I agree 100% but I bet he still gets a full year in Stockton. Sees some NHL time with injuries maybe?

I don't know, I'm seriously starting to wonder if we re-sign Nakladal. Unless Wideman is moved, which again I hope happens but I can't see it. I could see Jokipakka getting moved next off season if someone like Andersson really impresses

[FlameZilla]

From an asset management point of view I think you should gamble on Wideman having a decent season in his contract year. You place him on the bottom pairing and 1st PP unit and hope he puts up great offensive stats like he did last year, then you flip him at the deadline for some decent assets. Trading Wideman now is selling very, very low.

Brodie Hamilton
Giordano Engelland
Jokipakka Wideman
Nakladal

[Caged Great]

If the Flames do not acquire a legitimate #4, they are going to struggle once again. Jokipakka is a quality #6 with future upside, but I don't think you can slot him as the #4 and expect to be a playoff team. A veteran UFA signing might be the best way to go about it. Signing a guy on a two year deal would make a ton of sense both in terms of short term impact and the future expansion draft. The Flames will need to expose 18 or so million in player contracts and we only have 5 million available likely exposed non-core players (Bouma + Stajan). It'll be a struggle to hit that mark if we don't add a couple moderate dollar guys or they may have to expose a guy like Frolik, which isn't ideal.

What I am hoping for is one of Alex Goligoski, Brian Campbell, Jason Demers, Nik Grossman, or Roman Polak. Each would have different $ costs (Goli would probably be six, with the others being in the 3-5 range)

Giordano-Brodie
New #4-Hamilton
Jokipakka-Engelland/Wideman

If the Flames could move either of Engelland/Wideman, that would be great. I would retain Nakladal if possible as the #7, but I am penciling him in as a UFA walk like Schlemko last year.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

If the Flames do not acquire a legitimate #4, they are going to struggle once again. Jokipakka is a quality #6 with future upside, but I don't think you can slot him as the #4 and expect to be a playoff team. A veteran UFA signing might be the best way to go about it. Signing a guy on a two year deal would make a ton of sense both in terms of short term impact and the future expansion draft. The Flames will need to expose 18 or so million in player contracts and we only have 5 million available likely exposed non-core players (Bouma + Stajan). It'll be a struggle to hit that mark if we don't add a couple moderate dollar guys or they may have to expose a guy like Frolik, which isn't ideal.

What I am hoping for is one of Alex Goligoski, Brian Campbell, Jason Demers, Nik Grossman, or Roman Polak. Each would have different $ costs (Goli would probably be six, with the others being in the 3-5 range)

Giordano-Brodie
New #4-Hamilton
Jokipakka-Engelland/Wideman

If the Flames could move either of Engelland/Wideman, that would be great. I would retain Nakladal if possible as the #7, but I am penciling him in as a UFA walk like Schlemko last year.

I agree with this completely. Although I think in order to address the need of a second pairing defenseman Wideman has to be dealt.

Of those you listed I think Grossmann could be the best fit as he checks a few boxes that this club needs. He's big, physical, blocks shots and is a good penalty killer. Also given his age I imagine he would be willing to sign a two-year contract.

[Imported_Aussie]

Both of you above have hit on the issue with the defence: the need to move the dollars from bottom pairing veterans to a true #4 and to rely on good young players as the bottom pairing. Engelland I would keep if possible, but it may make more sense to move him while he has value and wait for Wideman to regain value.

[Caged Great]

Here's a thought for a trade that could work. Dennis Wideman to Arizona for Mike Smith.

Smith has been displaced by Domingue quite effectively, and has three years remaining.

Smith costs 0.4 million more than Wideman. Arizona would be happy to get the three years off their book, while the Flames are looking for a solid short term starter until Gillies/McDonald are ready.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Here's a thought for a trade that could work. Dennis Wideman to Arizona for Mike Smith.

Smith has been displaced by Domingue quite effectively, and has three years remaining.

Smith costs 0.4 million more than Wideman. Arizona would be happy to get the three years off their book, while the Flames are looking for a solid short term starter until Gillies/McDonald are ready.

Mike Smith is also terrible. I wouldn't want him.

[Flames_F.T.W]

I think Andersson makes this team sooner rather than later. I was very impressed by him in main camp and he's had a fantastic season in Barrie and is one of their leading scorers in the playoffs thus far. He could end up being a steal for a 2nd rounder

[Lanny_McDonald]

Flames need to move out a bunch of salary before taking on any more. Wideman, Engelland and Smid need to go before the team can seriously think about bringing in another expense on the blueline. That's over $11.5M in bottom pairing defensemen. The Flames need to resign Nakladal to a friendly contract just to maintain what they have, then hope some of the kids from the farm step up and take a run at roles. The budget demands it if the team is still going to have these big contracts sitting in the press box or in limited roles.

[Poe969]

I don't know why people are including Smid in any future line ups. I think he's pretty much done and will remain on LTIR for the remainder of his contract. I honestly don't think Wideman will be around for next year, there's just too much going on and I think a team that goes for a guy like Ynadle and doesn't get him will settle for Wideman. Engelland will be on the roster but likely a #7 guy and Jokipakka and Nakladal will be our bottom pairing guys. I think the team will add a #4 guy but it verry well could be Chychrun at the draft if they're pick #5 or a UFA signing.

But I'm usually wrong more than I'm right so there's that too.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Poe969

I don't know why people are including Smid in any future line ups.

Because he still has a contract, is still on the books for cap purposes, and still counts as a roster spot.

[Split98]

Giordano - Brodie
Nakladal - Hamilton
Jokipakka - Engelland
Wotherspoon

Would be how I'd like the season to open. With Kylington, Andersson, Wotherspoon, Kulak, Morrison and Sieloff in the waiting I'd hope that they don't push to fill that top 4.

Engelland has shown multiple times he can step into a top role, Nakladal has been fantastic and I really like what Jokipakka has shown. 3 great options to fill the #4 role, and a good handful of prospects to improve on that role.

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

Wideman has to go in the summer. Probably Smid too.

Flames don't have cap room to keep them I don't think.