Predict the 2016/2017 Flames Starting Lineup

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by Henry Fool

Players can develop quite fast at this age. Sebastian Aho was a second rounder who few talked about, not much older than Matthews actually, and this season he's among the best forwards in the league: he had 45 points in 45 games in the regular season and leads the scoring in playoffs with 13 points in 11 games. As a player type he doesn't project to be a first line center, but it shows how much progress kids make in a few months.

Laine has stepped up in the playoffs. Puljujärvi still has 6 points in 7 games but he doesn't stand out on his team like Laine. Laine has 7 goals in 10 games, 5 goals in 5 games in the semifinal series so far, and not a single fluke among them. He leads the playoffs both in goals and shots (69). Project him forward six months and he's pretty close to an NHL player.

So these 2 guys are going to be the first 2 guys to come over from Europe and be 1st line players at 18 years old in the NHL ever?


They will be better than Jagr... Sundin, Forsberg, Barkov, Lindholm ?

Ovechkin maybe would have been a 1st line player as a 18 year old but had an extra year of preparation in Russia after he was drafted (lock out year)

Are these guys Ovechin level? Malkin drafted the same year as Ovechkin came over as a 20 year old playing 2 years in the KHL after being drafted.

Not saying that they will not end up being great players but coming over to a different culture is a huge adjustment.

Just on the age thing: They are going to be better than Monahan and Bennett?

Nathan Mackinnon who was a consensus #1 overall pick as a 16 year old a year before he was drafted was not on a NHL first line as a 18 year old.


PS. Henry Fool I quoted your post, as it was the one that did not personally attack me Yours was a far more reasonable post in that these guys might be NHL player next year.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

It's Oilers level foolish to assume anyone in this draft, even Matthews, would come in and play at a first line level.

Regardedless of how good they are, it's not how Bob Hartley coaches.

Who said 1st line level? I was just talking NHL ready

[saillias]

Originally Posted by heep223

I just can't believe that some people actually want to roll with Ramo/Ortio again.

It's funny how resistant to change this fanbase can be

[timbit]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

So these 2 guys are going to be the first 2 guys to come over from Europe and be 1st line players at 18 years old in the NHL ever?


They will be better than Jagr... Sundin, Forsberg, Barkov, Lindholm ?

Ovechkin maybe would have been a 1st line player as a 18 year old but had an extra year of preparation in Russia after he was drafted (lock out year)

Are these guys Ovechin level? Malkin drafted the same year as Ovechkin came over as a 20 year old playing 2 years in the KHL after being drafted.

Not saying that they will not end up being great players but coming over to a different culture is a huge adjustment.

Just on the age thing: They are going to be better than Monahan and Bennett?

Nathan Mackinnon who was a consensus #1 overall pick as a 16 year old a year before he was drafted was not on a NHL first line as a 18 year old.


PS. Henry Fool I quoted your post, as it was the one that did not personally attack me Yours was a far more reasonable post in that these guys might be NHL player next year.

How does " pretty close to an NHL player next year" translate to "first line player"?

Who has said Laine will step in next season and be a first line player?

Please explain this leap of logic?

[Poe969]

I'm extremely surprised at the lack of David Jones in people's line up.

As for rookies playing top 6 minutes, some people are acting like a rookie has never stepped in and done well. Saying ignorant crap like "well since he's not first in his league, is there league better than the NHL" is just mind bottling. Panarin is lighting in up, and he's playing a top 6 spot. I'm actually surprised that there aren't more rookies in peoples line ups, this is supposed to be about the Flames STARTING LINEUP not how they will play their lines every game. I'm sure some guys will be injured or things will come up and some rookies will come out and grab a spot for a few games at least. I don't think it's crazy to think that Matthews, Laine or Pull-an-RV would end up on an opening night roster next year...doesn't mean they'll stay there but they could. Rookies make teams every year, draft picks make teams every year. Those players don't always stay but they make the STARTING LINEUP because teams want to see what they really have with those guys. The way the league is changing it's playing style and under the salary cap, more and more teams are going to have to rely on rookies coming in on ELC's and making a difference, successful teams have a good mix of high paid guys and ELC's all contributing and to think the Flames won't do that is more than foolish.

I'm willing to bet a rookie makes the team next year and if we get a top 3 pick, I don't think it's cray to think one of this year's draft picks makes the team either.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by timbit

How does " pretty close to an NHL player next year" translate to "first line player"?

Who has said Laine will step in next season and be a first line player?

Please explain this leap of logic?

There were several posters (FBI, Cali Panthers Fan, Devo22, Sean Charles) that had the Finns in a #1RW ( I did not call them out personally, I disagreed with their hockey opinion as from your last post it appears you do as well)

I posted that that is high expectations and the Finns have not demonstrated that sort of play so far in their career

Immediately you and FDW jumped up and called me out somewhat personally on how great the Finns are.


Since I was clearly arguing that they were not going to be #1RW as 18 year old it is an easy assumption that you think that they are.


I replied to Henry Fools more rational response as a representative of your position as I did not want to engage with a name-caller.

I do not see your or FDW expected Flames line-ups. It seemed you just joined the thread to call me out.

Where would you have one of the Finns playing should the Flames be able to pick them?

[bax]

Originally Posted by 5by5

Some of these proposed rosters are awesome, but some have not taken one very important variable into account; EXPANSION.
Does it even happen, when, how many teams, NTC, etc.? How would mgmt protect all these shiny new assets if it does? 8 plyr max I believe. Do they keep Stajan, Wideman or Raymond for expansion fodder? This is a fun but a totally futile exercise until we know what the rules of the game are.

Expansion won't really affect the roster next year other than maybe a couple minor moves. There won't be any expansion teams until next season is over.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

Where would you have one of the Finns playing should the Flames be able to pick them?

Laine would probably play with Gaudreau-Monahan for me. But lets be clear about this. Just because someone is on your #1 line does not mean they are a 1st line player right now. Is Ferland a 1st line player? No. But he has played a lot on the 1st line. Since being recalled Shinkaruk has been mostly on the 1st line. Does this mean he's a 1st line player yet? No, of course not. If Patrick Laine plays on the 1st line does it mean he's already a 1st liner? No, of course not.

But make not mistake about it, Patrick Laine can play in the NHL next year. He and Matthews are NHL ready without a doubt.

Puljujarvi I'd probably play with Bennett or in the AHL depending on how his camp went.

[FBI]

I had Laine on 1st line RW because Hartley is willing to try a bunch of things there including Ferland, Colborne, Shinkaruk, even Raymond. That RW spot doesn't need to be a superstar right away to be effective on that line.

- FDW beat me to it

[Harry Lime]

I wouldn't do anything too dramatic outside of the goaltending situation. I would target some size for the right wing, perhaps a player mis-utilized by another organization. My target for the past two seasons was 5evante smith Pelley, but he is tearing up New Jersey, so I would really like Alex Chaisson out of Ottawa.

One defense I would move out Wideman, even in a sell low situation.

I think that the only NHL ready drafted player would be Matthews, so I'll assume whomever we get spends a year in Stockton.

J. Hockey - Monahan - Chaisson
Shinkaruk - Bennett - Ferland
Bouma - Backlund - Frolik
Jooris - Stajan - Grant
Bollig

Gio - Brodie
Jokipakka - Hamilton
Wotherpoon - Nakladal
Englland

???
Ortio

That team would entertain me. I also think that Colborne has priced himself out of Calgary.

[Weitz]

I'd be very surprised if Wideman wasn't on the team. I just don't think there is a market for him to be traded.

[JJ1532]

Gaudreau-Monahan-Shinkaruk
Colborne-Backlund-Frolik
Free agent-Bennett-Ferland
Stajan-Grant-Bouma
Bollig-Hathaway

Gio-Brodie
Kevin-Hamilton
Engellend-Wideman
Nakladal

Reimer
Ortio

[polak]

Originally Posted by Weitz

I'd be very surprised if Wideman wasn't on the team. I just don't think there is a market for him to be traded.

Can we bury him in the AHL?

I'd rather we not waste a spot on him.

[Harry Lime]

Wideman has more value than you think. You may not get much in return, after the drama last season, but there are always teams looking for an offensive defenceman with a proven history, even at that cap hit.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by polak

Can we bury him in the AHL?

I'd rather we not waste a spot on him.

Wideman has a No-Move Clause

Can't be sent down.

[FanIn80]

Gaudreau - Monahan - Okposo
Frolik - Bennett - Laine
Colborne - Backlund - Shinkaruk
Ferland - Grant - Hathaway

Giordano - Brodie
Hamilton - Nakladal
Engelland - Jokkipakka

Reimer
Ortio

Goodbye: Stajan, Bouma, Wideman, Jooris, Bollig

This is what I want. No idea how, though.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Laine/Dubois/Tkachuk/Shinkaruk-Monahan-Gaudreau
McGinn-Bennett-Ferland
Colborne-Backlund-Frolik
Bouma-Grant-Hathaway

Extra: Stajan or Jooris, Bollig

Brodie-Hamilton
Giordano-Engelland
Jokipakka-Nakladal

Extra: Smid or Wotherspoon

Reimer
Ortio

Deal Wideman. Get rid of one of Jooris/Stajan.

Sign one of Lucic, McGinn, Eriksson, Perron, Stamkos, Okposo or Staal. McGinn seems maybe the most realistic.

[fotiou22]

I'd like to see Stajan play wing next season.

[djsFlames]

Gaudreau - Monahan - Eriksson (UFA)
Tkachuk (6th OA) - Bennett - Frolik
Colborne - Backlund - Shinkaruk
Bouma - Stajan - Ferland
Bollig
Hathaway

Giordano - Brodie
Jokipakka - Hamilton
Engelland - Nakladal
Wideman

Bishop (trade)
Ortio

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Gaudreau - Monahan - Eriksson (UFA)
Tkachuk (6th OA) - Bennett - Frolik
Colborne - Backlund - Shinkaruk
Bouma - Stajan - Ferland
Bollig
Hathaway

Giordano - Brodie
Jokipakka - Hamilton
Engelland - Nakladal
Wideman

Bishop (trade)
Ortio

I'd love that team but I think even under ideal conditions that would exceed the cap.

7 6 5
0.925 0.925 4.3
2 3.575 0.863
2.2 3.125 0.825
1.25
0.69
2.2

6.75 4.65
0.9 5.75
2.9166 1
5.25

5.95
1

Green are new contracts. Blue are contracts that have bonuses (not included) and red is Raymond's overage.

That's 75M with Eriksson, a 30-33-63 defensively responsible 30 year old winger signing an AAV of 5M and Gaudreau and Monahan combining for 13M...