The next item: RW discussion and predictions

[fastpuck]

I think this also makes sense, but I would like to see Lazar with Bennett. Struggling with the Brouwer role. I don't think he will be happy on the 4th line, where he belongs if last year was any indication.

Originally Posted by Caged Great

I like the thought of throwing Chucky out there on the first line. Gives Gaudreau protection as Tkachuk is a pain to play against and Tkachuk is a 1st line talent. That also provides a whole host of other options for the rest of the lineup. It is vastly easier to go out and get a middle six forward than a 1st line RW. A guy like Versteeg now becomes a perfectly acceptable budget option, as would a whole number of other players. Additionally, it does provide the option to play a rookie with Frolik and Backlund, say Jankowski to shelter that player as they transition into the NHL. Janko would be perfect for that line as he is known for being a high quality two way forward. What better players to put him with than two other high quality two way forwards.

If that's the case, perhaps you don't even need a forward up front and can just stock the team with defense for the offseason.

A lineup of

Gaudreau-Monahan-Tkachuk
Jankowski-Backlund-Frolik
Ferland-Bennett-Brouwer
Bouma-Stajan-Lazar
Chiasson

Gio-Hamilton
Brodie-Hamonic
Stone/similar-Kulak/Andersson

Smith
Johnson or similar

would be very formidable and would have virtually zero weaknesses.

[Ryan Coke]

Originally Posted by btimbit

I think Ferland could score 20+ easily. He got 15 last year and spent over half the season in the bottom 6 of the lineup

And with virtually zero power play time.

Go with Ferland (or Tkachuk) on the top line, give developing youth the chance. Don't continually block their way with a vet.

[killer_carlson]

Originally Posted by Imported_Aussie

With Ferland, the Flames need to work out if the inconsistency is due to him being a relative late starter in hockey and the time spent recovering from alcoholism putting his development a little off, or if he is just one of those guys who has the ability but cannot bring it every time like a true top line talent.
A lot of us fans will praise and acknowledge how Ferland has turned his life around, but don't stop to consider the impact this may have had on the normal career trajectory.

TL;DR - Ferland could be primed for a breakout, or show that he is another Curtis Glencross.

I think this means you kick tires on all options, but don't spend over the odds - there are internal options to shake up the other lines to try out Tkachuk, or you give Ferland and extended look and then if need be, make a trade in season

Can you expand on "show that he is another Glencross"?

I don't know what the opposite of Rose Coloured Glasses is, but it sure applies to people's memory of Glencross.

Glencross lead the team in goals one season while making third line money. How was that a bad thing?

[GoJetsGo]

Just hope however the lines shape up they keep Brouwer away from Bennett.

[JurassicTunga12]

When can teams start talking to Free Agents? Today?

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by JurassicTunga12

When can teams start talking to Free Agents? Today?

UFAs today, RFAs tomorrow

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

I wouldnt cry if they snagged Williams on a 1 year deal. Hes probably going to end up staying in the east though I imagine

Would be a decent stop gap while the Flames give Shinkaruk Poirier Klimchuk and Pribyl one more year to show their worth on the farm.

Don't Shinkaruk, Poirer and Klimchuck need to got through waivers to be sent down?

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

Don't Shinkaruk, Poirer and Klimchuck need to got through waivers to be sent down?

Only Shinkaruk IIRC

[Gaudfather]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

Just hope however the lines shape up they keep Brouwer away from Bennett.

Agreed - unless we see a different Brouwer in the 2017/18 season, we may just have to stomach him as an overpaid fourth liner, until Tre figures out an exit strategy.

If Brouwer isn't noticeably improved this year, this will prove to be the biggest blunder Tre made in his FA signings.

[Leeman4Gilmour]

I wouldn't mind seeing Gaudreau play the right side as he did in World's. The typical cons to playing your off wing aren't as prevalent with a guy like Gaudreau and him having more options with having the puck on his forehand in the center of the ice within the offensive zone could prove fruitful.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

I don't know what the opposite of Rose Coloured Glasses is, but it sure applies to people's memory of Glencross.

Glencross lead the team in goals one season while making third line money. How was that a bad thing?

I'm assuming he's referring to the fact that even though Glencross was at one point one of the best value contracts in the league, he eventually started unravelling. He was a player who had trouble with consistency (both in terms of production and effort), took dumb penalties, and whose over-valuation of his own worth probably shortened his career.

While obviously he had some very positive contributions to the team, Glencross does offer a bit of a cautionary tale.

[killer_carlson]

Sure, Glencross does offer a cautionary tale.

But it doesn't change his contributions to the team which, in your words (and I agree with), that he was one of the best value contracts in the league.

I'd love that moniker to apply to Ferland on his next contract.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

I'd love that moniker to apply to Ferland on his next contract.

Sure, I'll take it too. Every winning team needs a few guys who play above their contract, and if Ferland can ever get to Glencross-levels of value even just for a couple of seasons before petering out, it's a win for us.

The hope is though (and this is where the cautionary part comes in) that he doesn't ever let success go to his head. He might end up playing in a Top 6 role, but I think guys like him have to have a Bottom 6 motor and mentality to stick around.

[bigrangy]

I wonder what Rick Nash would cost.

Super pricy contract but only for one year. The way the Rangers have been dumping cap lately makes me think he could be available.

[sureLoss]

probably moot. It has been reported a few times that all the Canadian teams are on Nash's no trade list.

[sureLoss]

I was going to suggest Patrick Sharp on a cheap 1 year deal, but the rumor is Chicago might bring him back on a cheap 1 year deal and I doubt he turns that down for the Flames if true.

[Love]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

I was going to suggest Patrick Sharp on a cheap 1 year deal, but the rumor is Chicago might bring him back on a cheap 1 year deal and I doubt he turns that down for the Flames if true.

Sharp on a 1 year deal or Williams on a 2 year deal are what I'd prefer. Vrbata would be ok.

Marleau would be nice on a 2 year deal also.

No to the slow dissolving relics in Iggy, Doan or Jagr

Meh on Versteeg.

[FlamesAddiction]

I could see the Flames interested in Bobby Ryan. Burke was pumping his tires not that long ago.

Of course, the Sens would need to take back a contract or retain some salary.

[locsofblu]

I'd do a 1 year Williams or Marleau deal.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I could see the Flames interested in Bobby Ryan. Burke was pumping his tires not that long ago.

Of course, the Sens would need to take back a contract or retain some salary.

Bobby Ryan? Geez, that's really the kind of contract you want to avoid. Of course he would be a great compliment to our first line, but still, I'd only do it for Stajan and Bouma off our books. But then why would Ottawa do that?