Predict the 2016/2017 Flames Starting Lineup

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Ok, I'll give it a shot. First of all, I don't see Wideman getting moved, not with that cap hit and a NMC. We'll have him on the roster as a 3rd pairing, 2nd unit power play specialist. No news on Nakladal means he likely won't be back at this point.

Secondly, I'm going to say that Tkachuk is very close to making the team, but ultimately is returned to junior for one more year. I really don't have many players likely to make the jump to the NHL this year. Likely only Shinkaruk and Hathaway at forward, and Wotherspoon or Kulak as the 7th d-man.

Gaudreau-Monahan-Brouwer
Shinkaruk-Bennett-Chiasson
Ferland-Backlund-Frolik
Bouma-Stajan-Hathaway
Bollig

Giordano-Brodie
Jokipakka-Hamilton
Engelland-Wideman
Wotherspoon/Kulak

Elliott
Johnson

I don't love that 2nd line right now, but it does have some serious potential and the skill sets could compliment each other greatly.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Now that most of the dust has settled I expect this come October.

Gaudreau - Monahan - Brouwer
Ferland - Backlund - Frolik
Tkachuk - Bennett - Chiasson
Bollig - Stajan - Hathaway
Bouma, Pribyl

Giordano - Brodie
Jokipakka - Hamilton
Wotherspoon - Wideman
Engelland

Elliott
Johnson

I still think there could be two moves before camp. I could see Wideman and Bouma both being traded, and then Nakladal being resigned, and a forward spot opening up for someone on the farm.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Originally Posted by New Era

Now that most of the dust has settled I expect this come October.

Gaudreau - Monahan - Brouwer
Ferland - Backlund - Frolik
Tkachuk - Bennett - Chiasson
Bollig - Stajan - Hathaway
Bouma, Pribyl

Giordano - Brodie
Jokipakka - Hamilton
Wotherspoon - Wideman
Engelland

Elliott
Johnson

I still think there could be two moves before camp. I could see Wideman and Bouma both being traded, and then Nakladal being resigned, and a forward spot opening up for someone on the farm.

I see it this way as well, but without Pribyl. Shinkaruk or perhaps Vey as an extra guy.

[dissentowner]

Now that we are into the meat of things this is what I see after training camp.


Gaudreau/Monahan/Chiasson

I really think Chiasson is going to be rejuvenated and entering camp with something to prove. I think he helps police anyone from taking liberties on Johnny and puts up over 20 goals. We are going to love this guy.

Shinkaruk/Bennett/Brower

Bennett will end up with 2nd line C duties after having a strong camp. Shinkaruk also has a good camp playing physical while showing he has an excellent shot. Brower rides shotgun to the two youngsters.

Stajan/Backlund/Frolik

This is going to be the best 3rd line in the NHL. I believe Gully has already spoken about finding a bigger role for Stajan and he is wasted on the 4th line. He was a winger in junior and I think going back there will help. This is a line you can match up against the other teams top line and they can shut them down while still producing offensively.

Bouma/Jankowski/Ferland

Jankowski makes the team out of camp and starts on the 4th line, getting valuable NHL experience. I see the Flames as a team that will role 4 lines so he should still get 8-10 minutes a night minimum. He also gets two physical wingers who can put the puck in the net.

Extra: Bollig. Can't see him moveable so he slots in as the extra guy.


Defence:

Gio/Brodie

One of the best pairings in the NHL.

Jokipakka/Hamilton

Not sure Joki is a 3-4 guy but he is the best guy that fits that spot.

Engelland/Wideman

I think Wideman is not moveable right now but hopefully he bounces back this year.

Extra: Could be Smid if he returns, if not it will be Spoon imo.

Goalies:

Elliot
Johnson.

[jaikorven]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Now that we are into the meat of things this is what I see after training camp.


Gaudreau/Monahan/Chiasson

I really think Chiasson is going to be rejuvenated and entering camp with something to prove. I think he helps police anyone from taking liberties on Johnny and puts up over 20 goals. We are going to love this guy.

Shinkaruk/Bennett/Brower

Bennett will end up with 2nd line C duties after having a strong camp. Shinkaruk also has a good camp playing physical while showing he has an excellent shot. Brower rides shotgun to the two youngsters.

Stajan/Backlund/Frolik

This is going to be the best 3rd line in the NHL. I believe Gully has already spoken about finding a bigger role for Stajan and he is wasted on the 4th line. He was a winger in junior and I think going back there will help. This is a line you can match up against the other teams top line and they can shut them down while still producing offensively.

Bouma/Jankowski/Ferland

Jankowski makes the team out of camp and starts on the 4th line, getting valuable NHL experience. I see the Flames as a team that will role 4 lines so he should still get 8-10 minutes a night minimum. He also gets two physical wingers who can put the puck in the net.

Extra: Bollig. Can't see him moveable so he slots in as the extra guy.


Defence:

Gio/Brodie

One of the best pairings in the NHL.

Jokipakka/Hamilton

Not sure Joki is a 3-4 guy but he is the best guy that fits that spot.

Engelland/Wideman

I think Wideman is not moveable right now but hopefully he bounces back this year.

Extra: Could be Smid if he returns, if not it will be Spoon imo.

Goalies:

Elliot
Johnson.

Just a thanks because I would love this to be the case.

[Fire in the disco]

Best lineup/analysis I've seen so far. If Chiasson can score 20 and keep up on the 1st line were looking real good next year. I like Jokkipakka/Hamilton as the 2nd pairing too.

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Now that we are into the meat of things this is what I see after training camp.


Gaudreau/Monahan/Chiasson

I really think Chiasson is going to be rejuvenated and entering camp with something to prove. I think he helps police anyone from taking liberties on Johnny and puts up over 20 goals. We are going to love this guy.

Shinkaruk/Bennett/Brower

Bennett will end up with 2nd line C duties after having a strong camp. Shinkaruk also has a good camp playing physical while showing he has an excellent shot. Brower rides shotgun to the two youngsters.

Stajan/Backlund/Frolik

This is going to be the best 3rd line in the NHL. I believe Gully has already spoken about finding a bigger role for Stajan and he is wasted on the 4th line. He was a winger in junior and I think going back there will help. This is a line you can match up against the other teams top line and they can shut them down while still producing offensively.

Bouma/Jankowski/Ferland

Jankowski makes the team out of camp and starts on the 4th line, getting valuable NHL experience. I see the Flames as a team that will role 4 lines so he should still get 8-10 minutes a night minimum. He also gets two physical wingers who can put the puck in the net.

Extra: Bollig. Can't see him moveable so he slots in as the extra guy.


Defence:

Gio/Brodie

One of the best pairings in the NHL.

Jokipakka/Hamilton

Not sure Joki is a 3-4 guy but he is the best guy that fits that spot.

Engelland/Wideman

I think Wideman is not moveable right now but hopefully he bounces back this year.

Extra: Could be Smid if he returns, if not it will be Spoon imo.

Goalies:

Elliot
Johnson.

[bax]

Really surprised to see how optimistic everyone appears to be with Chaisson. From pencilling him in on the top line to predicting 20+ plus goals I just don't see it. We didn't go out and acquire a solid player with a good history. He is clearly a reclamation project.

Hopefully the fan base doesn't sour on him too early if he isn't producing.

I hope he turns it around and becomes a middle six player, but I'm far more skeptical than most appear to be.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by bax

Really surprised to see how optimistic everyone appears to be with Chaisson. From pencilling him in on the top line to predicting 20+ plus goals I just don't see it. We didn't go out and acquire a solid player with a good history. He is clearly a reclamation project.

Hopefully the fan base doesn't sour on him too early if he isn't producing.

I think he is on the 4th line

[bigrangy]

What I want to see, probably won't happen but I think it could be a good mix

Gaudreau-Monahan-Brouwer
Ferland-Bennett-Frolik
Shinkaruk-Backlund-Chiasson
Bouma-Stajan-Hathaway
Bollig, Vey

Giordano-Brodie
Joikpakka-Hamilton
Wotherspoon-Wideman
Engelland

Top line needs no explanation, Johnny and Sean can't quite carry a scrub yet, so they get Brouwer to make space and add skill.

Second line gets interesting. Bennett needs a veteran winger on his line, and if Brouwer plays with Monahan, then Bennett should get Frolik. Frolik and Ferland are the Flames two best defensive wingers, but they also have more offensive potential than anyone below them on the depth chart. Ferland and Bennett can mix it up in the corners and Frolik is good enough to pound loose pucks home, as evidenced in AC's latest video.

Backlund gets to give the Backlund bump to two fresh faces this year. I would prefer to go Stajan-Backlund-Shinkaruk, but the I don't know if there's anybody in the organization I'd be comfortable with playing 4th line center other than The Franchise. Shinkaruk and Chiasson both have offensive potential, and Backlund is a great center to get the most out of them.

Bouma-Stajan-Hathaway should be an okay 4th line. Not a complete black hole offensively, but probably a corsi disaster. Pretty much just went with best players available here. It would be nice if Jooris came back, he's the ideal 4th line RW.

Top pair explains itself, best in the league, etc. Hopefully GG can keep them playing like they were under Hartley, but even better.

Second pair, Hamilton carries Jokipakka around. Maaaayybe Wotherspoon or one of the prospects steps up and surprises to earn this spot, but it's Kevin's to lose right now. I hope Brad doesn't go and sign someone to fill this hole, Jokipakka can do the job well enough.

Third pair, Wotherspoon gets his last chance to prove he can be part of the Flames, though sadly he has to carry Wideman around. It would be sweet if Wideman could be moved (for a middle six LW with no term please Brad, Kunitz?), and Nakladal could fill this spot. They're roughly equivalent players, but Wideman had better offensive IQ while Nakladal is better defensively.

Engelland as a spare, switch him in against the goon teams.

The goaltending should be fine, I expect to be in the thick of the playoff race in April. Something will have gone very wrong if the Flames are out by March. Either Elliot turns into Hiller, Johnny and Sean hold out, or Backlund turns into a duck.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by bax

Really surprised to see how optimistic everyone appears to be with Chaisson. From pencilling him in on the top line to predicting 20+ plus goals I just don't see it. We didn't go out and acquire a solid player with a good history. He is clearly a reclamation project.

Hopefully the fan base doesn't sour on him too early if he isn't producing.

I hope he turns it around and becomes a middle six player, but I'm far more skeptical than most appear to be.

I wouldn't necessarily put Chiasson on the first line but if he got 80 games with Gaudreau and Monahan I would be surprised if he didn't get 20 goals.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Fire

I wouldn't necessarily put Chiasson on the first line but if he got 80 games with Gaudreau and Monahan I would be surprised if he didn't get 20 goals.

It's not as easy as it sounds. Ferland produced next to nothing on their wing

[Angelino]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

It's not as easy as it sounds. Ferland produced next to nothing on their wing

Ferland produced pretty much next to nothing on almost every line last year no?

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Angelino

Ferland produced pretty much next to nothing on almost every line last year no?

So did Chiasson. My point is that simply being in that line doesn't give you 20 goals

[Flames Draft Watcher]

I don't want to quote dissentowner's whole post but it's hard to select portions on my phone. RE: Jankowski on the 4th line, I really don't see them doing that. Jankowski's upside is a top two line centre and he'll best achieve that by playing 1st line minutes in the AHL or top 3 line minutes in the NHL. I don't think starting him on the 4th would be good unless we're trying to stunt his development. I really think he needs to dominate the AHL first before moving up.

[Angelino]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

So did Chiasson. My point is that simply being in that line doesn't give you 20 goals

Yes you definitely need skill. Chiasson probably would fair better with the top line than Ferland though. I personally think Brouwer is the best option at this time however.

[Par]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

I don't want to quote dissentowner's whole post but it's hard to select portions on my phone. RE: Jankowski on the 4th line, I really don't see them doing that. Jankowski's upside is a top two line centre and he'll best achieve that by playing 1st line minutes in the AHL or top 3 line minutes in the NHL. I don't think starting him on the 4th would be good unless we're trying to stunt his development. I really think he needs to dominate the AHL first before moving up.

Totally agree with you I don't see Jankowski on the team next year, the AHL is better for his development.

[Par]

Originally Posted by Angelino

Yes you definitely need skill. Chiasson probably would fair better with the top line than Ferland though. I personally think Brouwer is the best option at this time however.

I think we can really use another top 6 RW, I don't know but I have a feeling that
Nail Yakupov is on this team come September, while Wideman is gone the other way.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Par

I think we can really use another top 6 RW, I don't know but I have a feeling that
Nail Yakupov is on this team come September, while Wideman is gone the other way.

There are likely 29 teams that would take Yakupov in exchange for a bad contract. I don't see them doing it for the Flames

[Par]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

There are likely 29 teams that would take Yakupov in exchange for a bad contract. I don't see them doing it for the Flames

I can dream, but serious, with Johnny and Sean still not signed, I think there is something going on.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Par

I can dream, but serious, with Johnny and Sean still not signed, I think there is something going on.

Yeah. The summer