Let's play with the 2017 Roster

[StrykerSteve]

Regardless of how the rest of this season goes, major changes are coming to this team based on expiring contracts and the expansion draft. Calgary will have a lot of financial freedom to make some big decisions. How would you fill the gaps? Here's how I see it playing out.

Out - Wideman, Engelland, Smid, Jokipakka, Elliott, Chiasson, Bollig, Bouma (expansion)

That frees up something like 20M in cap space. What will they do with it?

First order of business...

Re-sign - Versteeg, Johnson, Kulak, Bennett, Ferland, Hathaway

Then, Here's a list of the impending free agent crop, as it stands today.

https://www.capfriendly.com/browse/free-agents

Some real gems in there. Shattenkirk (d), Alzner (d) and Oshie (rw) interest me the most. If Johnson can maintain the pace he's set thus far, I think they re-up him and let him run with it for another year. Get Gillies in as his backup, and hopefully pass the mantle in 1-2 years rather than tie up a lot of money in an expensive free agent.

So you roll with

Gaudreau - Monahan - Oshie
Tkachuk - Backlund - Frolik
Versteeg - Bennett - Brouwer
Ferland - Stajan - Hathaway

Giordano - Hamilton
Brodie - Shattenkirk
Alzner - Kulak

Johnson
Gillies

That's merely one possibility. What would you like to see happen?

[Tbull8]

Shattenkirk (7/year), Alzner (5.5-6), Oshie (6).

That leaves about a million for Johnson, Bennett, Kulak, etc...

Not sure how you see that as a possibility.

[Strange Brew]

Going all in on next year? Not with the team we're seeing now IMO. Free agency won't cure this team of its problems.

I do think they should re-sign Johnson but don't see Gillies close to being ready for NHL.

[ricardodw]

Where does the 2017 first round pick slot in?

Oshie 6x7 , Shattenkirk 7x6 Alzner 6x6 Bennett 3 x 2 (finally a bridge contract) that is 22 M

Ferland Kulak Hathaway currently making 825k, 660k and 690k all will be RFA have arbitration rights and need to be qualified.

[JiriHrdina]

Do we really think Johnson is a #1 and not a guy riding a hot streak?

[TheScorpion]

Gaudreau - Monahan - Oshie
Tkachuk - Backlund - Frolik
Versteeg - Bennett - Brouwer
Jankowski - Stajan - Carroll

Giordano - Hamilton
Brodie - Shattenkirk
Kulak - Kylington
Jokipakka

Gillies/Johnson

[nik-]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Do we really think Johnson is a #1 and not a guy riding a hot streak?

I hope our management doesn't.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by nik-

I hope our management doesn't.

A career backup who is playing well enough and an AHL goalie who isn't playing at the level where you would automatically trust them in the NHL.

What could possibly go wrong.

EDIT: Better?

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

A career backup who is playing well enough and an AHL goalie who is playing poorly.

What could possibly go wrong.

I agree with your point, but Gillies isn't playing poorly.

[Yanda]

Gillies will probably never develop, back to back injury riddled seasons.. hes the next Brett Krahn, its time to accept that and move on.

[belsarius]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Do we really think Johnson is a #1 and not a guy riding a hot streak?

Could be worse.. we could be stuck with a 3rd stringer who can't even break the backup role in San Jose being stuck as our starter after a few game hot streak.

[sureLoss]

The word is Shattnkirk wants to play on the East coast close to home. Don't think he will come here.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by belsarius

Could be worse.. we could be stuck with a 3rd stringer who can't even break the backup role in San Jose being stuck as our starter after a few game hot streak.

Sure. Let's bet another season on the notion that Johnson is the next Kipper.
Solid plan.

[Yoho]

Still wonder what Pens do with MAF before expansion draft.

[killer_carlson]

If we're playing with the Roster then the coaching staff has to be included in the discussion.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Sure. Let's bet another season on the notion that Johnson is the next Kipper.
Solid plan.

I agree with you -- but there are 57 games left in this season. If Johnson continues his play over that sample size, would you re-sign him and create a tandem of sorts, being that with Gillies or otherwise?

Also, in regards to Alzner -- we have a "veteran ironman defenseman" spot open for him. It's been vacant since 2013.

[AC]

Shattenkirk had no interest in Edmonton, doubt we're much higher on his list.

Alzner however, seems like a perfect fit to me.

[Toonage]

Gaudreau-Monahan-Patrick
Tkachuk-Backlund-Frolik
Versteeg-Bennett-Brouwer
Ferland-Jankowski-Hathaway
- Hamilton

Giordano-Brodie
Kylington-Hamilton
Kulak-Andersson
- Engelland

Bishop-Johnson

Flames win the lottery, draft Nolan Patrick.

Stajan lost to the draft, Bouma and Wideman moved out. Engelland re-signed and swaps with Andersson where needed.

Elliott moved at the deadline, Bishop signed in the off season, Johnson re-signed

[PepsiFree]

I'm not seeing big changes into next year, nor do I think we go after two big UFA fish.

Gaudreau - Bennett - Brouwer
Tkachuk - Monahan - Versteeg
Janko - Backlund - Frolik
Ferland - Stajan - Hathaway

Giordano - Hamilton
Brodie - Alzner
Kulak - Jokipakka
Engelland/Some PTO

Elliott/Johnson



Maybe we go after Eaves? Clutterbuck? I don't see Oshie. Maybe we upgrade over Elliott but Bishop is too expensive and Johnson isn't a guy you want to hand the starter role to.

I don't see any combination of a big name defenceman and a top forward, and it's basically a given that we're not getting TWO top dollar UFA D. 5 defencemen all making 4.5+ would be insane.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

I agree with you -- but there are 57 games left in this season. If Johnson continues his play over that sample size, would you re-sign him and create a tandem of sorts, being that with Gillies or otherwise?

Also, in regards to Alzner -- we have a "veteran ironman defenseman" spot open for him. It's been vacant since 2013.

Tough to say. It is a more complicated question.
- What other goalies will be available and at what acquisition cost? Feels like there could be a glut and the right opportunity to bring in an established #1
- How well does Johnson play
- Is Gillies ready to assume a back-up role

My overall lean would be that if the plan heading into next season is based on a career back-up and a goalie with no pro experience, you are taking a big risk.

And I think the Flames management know that. Johnson is performing above expectations but I would be stunned if they hand him the keys, with Plan B an unproven prospect.