The Future Outlook of our Forward Group?

[SeanCharles]

For starters I'm not starting this thread because I've given up on the season and want to look forward. This is just something that has been on my mind for a while given our depth scoring struggles.

I'm wondering what most of you would like to see for next season in the forward ranks?

The defence and goaltending situation is fairly easy to figure out as it'll be Smith and a young guy in net and on defence there could be some changes but generally I think Bart is gone, Andersson is on the big club and maybe a player like Stone is moved.

The forward situation is more unknown, so what would you like to see?

For me next season:

C: Monahan, Backlund, Jankowski, Shore
W: Gaudreau, Tkachuk, Ferland, Bennett, Frolik

Fringe/extras: Hathaway, Lazar

Gone: Stajan, Stewart, Glass, Hrivik, Brouwer, Versteeg

I know it seems excessive but I think we need a major overhaul at the bottom of the roster and we need to add 3 new guys to push current guys down or replace outgoing guys.

If Versteeg comes back and lights it up maybe you look at bringing him back but given the situation I only see him regressing further. It's unfortunate because I love the guy.

Even though Brouwer is playing better this season I think you need to look at using the 3 million in cap space more effectively.

What are your thoughts?

[kyuss275]

I would think you need to add 3 quality botom 6 forwards next season. That's if Bennett is the solution to the top line ( not convinced he is).

For me it goes deeper than just filling those spots . I feel the main core of the group has to much of a " nice guy locker room" feel to it. One of the reasons i would not have re-signed Backlund. Our 2 top 6 centers are "nice guys". I love our captain, but his partner, who is part of core is " Bouwmesteer the 2nd". I know posters hate the saying, but they are not " players that hate losing".

[Bourque's Twin]

Originally Posted by SeanCharles

For starters I'm not starting this thread because I've given up on the season and want to look forward. This is just something that has been on my mind for a while given our depth scoring struggles.

I'm wondering what most of you would like to see for next season in the forward ranks?

The defence and goaltending situation is fairly easy to figure out as it'll be Smith and a young guy in net and on defence there could be some changes but generally I think Bart is gone, Andersson is on the big club and maybe a player like Stone is moved.

The forward situation is more unknown, so what would you like to see?

For me next season:

C: Monahan, Backlund, Jankowski, Shore
W: Gaudreau, Tkachuk, Ferland, Bennett, Frolik

Fringe/extras: Hathaway, Lazar

Gone: Stajan, Stewart, Glass, Hrivik, Brouwer, Versteeg

I know it seems excessive but I think we need a major overhaul at the bottom of the roster and we need to add 3 new guys to push current guys down or replace outgoing guys.

If Versteeg comes back and lights it up maybe you look at bringing him back but given the situation I only see him regressing further. It's unfortunate because I love the guy.

Even though Brouwer is playing better this season I think you need to look at using the 3 million in cap space more effectively.

What are your thoughts?

Gaudreau - Monahan - Ferland
Bennett - Backlund - Tkachuk
UFA - Jankowski - Frolik
Lazar - Shore - Hathaway

I hope Mangiapane, Dube, Klimchuk, or Foo can make a case but I wouldn't count on it.

It would be ideal to land a top line RW and move Ferland to play with Jankowski and Frolik. Kovalchuk, E. Kane, JVR, etc. However, the Flames have to be cognisant of their cap space.

[The Fonz]

Gaudreau Tavares Ferland
Bennett Monahan Tkachuk
Mangiapane Backlund Frolik
Klimchuk Jankowski Lazar

Hathaway, Shore

-Trade Brouwer @ 50% retained



Dare to dream...

[genetic_phreek]

For me:

Johnny - Mony - Benny/Chucky
Chucky/Benny - Backs - Frols
Ferly - Janko - Lazar
?? - Shoresy - Brow

Extras: Mangi/Klimchuk/Foo

I think we'd be better off with only one of Shoresy/Hath, not both. I pick Shoresy since he's a C.

[smiggy77]

Personally, I think Tkachuk will be in a position to carry his own line soon. What I'd love to see:

Johnny - Mony - Ferland or a trade replacement
Benny - Backs - Fro
Tkachuk - Janko - Ferland or trade replacement
Hathaway - Shore - Lazar/Brouwer

I don't really believe in signing UFA's cuz it's usually an overpayment, but I'd go all in to bring Tavares in. We're in pretty solid shape cap wise when our top guys are only at that 6mil, but I highly doubt he would make his way here.

[ComixZone]

My hope for next year would be to add two prime aged scoring wingers. All 4 lines need to be able to contribute.

Gaudreau - Monahan - Ferland
Tkachuk - Backlund - ?
Bennett - Jankowski - ?
Frolik - Shore - Lazar
Hathaway

Frolik should be the new face of our veterans on the 4th line, as he'd help guide the line forward. His utilization on the PK will still allow his minutes to be what we'd traditionally expect.

That's only two new wingers - relatively small roster turn-over.

Part of freeing up the cap for those 2 wingers and Tkachuk's extension would include relying on at least 1 of Andersson/Fox being on the roster in place of Stone (and likely one of Fox/Andersson will be included in acquiring one of the wingers)

Unlikely we have the assets to acquire two good forwards via trade, so Frolik will probably stay on the 2nd line and that other spot is opened for promotions from within.

[genetic_phreek]

Originally Posted by smiggy77

One point out of a playoff spot with 17 games left to go? lol ok.

What's that got to do with the future outlook of our forwards?

[Loudog]

Originally Posted by smiggy77

One point out of a playoff spot with 17 games left to go? lol ok.

Did you read the first sentence of the OP?

[The Boy Wonder]

Can we please abandon any hope of Tavares signing here. That is absolutely pointless. There is little to no chance he leaves the eastern conference and the only 4 teams less desireable than Calgary in the west are Edmonton, Winnipeg, Phoenix and Van

[smiggy77]

nvm

[genetic_phreek]

Originally Posted by smiggy77

Yeah, giving up on the season when you're one point out with 17 games left to go seems ridiculous to me.

I still don't see where the OP said they've given up.

[The Fonz]

Originally Posted by The Boy Wonder

Can we please abandon any hope of Tavares signing here. That is absolutely pointless.

Until he signs a contract elsewhere, I'll remain hopeful. Assuming an 80M cap, this team could offer him 10-11M.

[smiggy77]

Originally Posted by genetic_phreek

I still don't see where the OP said they've given up.

LOL my bad. I definitely can't read.

[Loudog]

Originally Posted by Loudog

Did you read the first sentence of the OP?

Originally Posted by smiggy77

Yeah, giving up on the season when you're one point out with 17 games left to go seems ridiculous to me.

so.... no?

[smiggy77]

Originally Posted by Loudog

so.... no?

lol no, definitely no.

[The Boy Wonder]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

Until he signs a contract elsewhere, I'll remain hopeful. Assuming an 80M cap, this team could offer him 10-11M.

That’s not gonna do it. Calgary will have to offer him mcDavid money at a minimum and then he still wouldn’t want it because he probably doesn’t want the travel involved in being out west. Has no ties to the area, really think there is about 0.000000001% chance he signs here. Tre probably doesn’t even get that far down the road with him because he’d be basically making double the next highest paid flame and that’s not how we roll


I mean I too would love to sign him here I just don’t think it’s worth wasting our time discussing it

[yourbestfriend]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

My hope for next year would be to add two prime aged scoring wingers. All 4 lines need to be able to contribute.

Gaudreau - Monahan - Ferland
Tkachuk - Backlund - ?
Bennett - Jankowski - ?
Frolik - Shore - Lazar
Hathaway

I more or less agree with this. Darryl Sutter stated that on a SC contending team, Backlund and Frolik would be an ideal third line to have, which I agree with. If we want to be true contenders, our line up would need to look something like this:


Gaudreau – Monahan – Ferland
Tkachuk – xxxx – xxxx
Bennett – Backlund/Jankowski – Frolik
One of our AHL kids – Shore – Brouwer

That essentially means we somehow need to find 2/3 of a 2nd line. It would also depend on how Bennett and Jankowski develop. If they somehow develop into legitimate top6 players, it solves a lot of our problems. If not, then those two holes are going to be extremely tough to fill given our bare cupboards and cap space.

[BigErnSalute_16]

Originally Posted by Bourque's Twin

Gaudreau - Monahan - Ferland
Bennett - Backlund - Tkachuk
UFA - Jankowski - Frolik
Lazar - Shore - Hathaway

I hope Mangiapane, Dube, Klimchuk, or Foo can make a case but I wouldn't count on it.

It would be ideal to land a top line RW and move Ferland to play with Jankowski and Frolik. Kovalchuk, E. Kane, JVR, etc. However, the Flames have to be cognisant of their cap space.

Perfect lineup imo I would either do exactly this or go Bennett - Jankowski - Tkachuk and keep Backlund and Frolik together with the idea being that they can be more of a "third" line shutdown role and allow Tkachuk and Bennett to play in the offensive zone more often.

[jlh2640]

Originally Posted by SeanCharles

For starters I'm not starting this thread because I've given up on the season and want to look forward. This is just something that has been on my mind for a while given our depth scoring struggles.

I'm wondering what most of you would like to see for next season in the forward ranks?

The defence and goaltending situation is fairly easy to figure out as it'll be Smith and a young guy in net and on defence there could be some changes but generally I think Bart is gone, Andersson is on the big club and maybe a player like Stone is moved.

The forward situation is more unknown, so what would you like to see?

For me next season:

C: Monahan, Backlund, Jankowski, Shore
W: Gaudreau, Tkachuk, Ferland, Bennett, Frolik

Fringe/extras: Hathaway, Lazar

Gone: Stajan, Stewart, Glass, Hrivik, Brouwer, Versteeg

I know it seems excessive but I think we need a major overhaul at the bottom of the roster and we need to add 3 new guys to push current guys down or replace outgoing guys.

If Versteeg comes back and lights it up maybe you look at bringing him back but given the situation I only see him regressing further. It's unfortunate because I love the guy.

Even though Brouwer is playing better this season I think you need to look at using the 3 million in cap space more effectively.

What are your thoughts?

I would keep Stewart as a 4th liner. Brouwer isnt going anywhere. Versteeg I would also consider keeping.