Building The 2018/19 Flames Roster

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Maybe Valimaki could be a Sergachev - they have very similar pedigrees in junior and at the WJC.

Maybe, but even then the Flames wouldn't improve like the Lightning because defense wasn't a glaring need like it was for Tampa. The improvement on Stone or Brodie if Valimaki makes the team and breaks out this year just isn't the same that Sergachev had on Tampa.

I don't think there's a reason to assume any of the Flames prospects breakout like Gourde did out of nowhere. There's a difference between it happening (like Gourde did) and expecting it to happen (which I think its reasonable to assume no in the Flames farm system scores 25 goals and 64 points next season). Of course it's possible, but the same could be said for every other team in the league - of which probably all have more likelihood of it happen given the poor prospect depth of the Flames forwards.

Again, the problem with the Flames this year was forward depth. They don't have forward prospects that are expected to make a difference next season. Without some major shakeup, I don't have a ton of faith in the Flames. However, I do believe we'll see some major shakeup so I'm far from writing them off.

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

The Flames core all consist of players who can and will get better as they mature.

Except their captain are arguably most important player who is going to be 35.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Maybe Valimaki could be a Sergachev - they have very similar pedigrees in junior and at the WJC.

Sergachev blew me away as a prospect. That's who I wanted that year, even ahead of Tkachuk.

I like Valimaki but I think he's a lot closer to Oliver Kylington and Rasmus Andersson than he is to Sergachev.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

...Again, the problem with the Flames this year was forward depth. They don't have forward prospects that are expected to make a difference next season. Without some major shakeup, I don't have a ton of faith in the Flames. However, I do believe we'll see some major shakeup so I'm far from writing them off...

Forward depth was a problem, but I am not convinced it was THE problem. There were plenty of things that contributed to the Flames's disappointing season. From my perspective, most notable were:

1. the terrible powerplay
2. the terrible team-shooting percentage (which also includes significant, inexplicable reductions in shooting percentages for several key players)
3. the terrible record on home ice.

I think all three of these are fixable without adding new players. Furthermore, I would warrant that an improvement in all three of these areas in which the Flames dropped 17-, 15-, and 9-places respectively from their previous season would result in a playoff berth.

Of course, upgrading the forward group is also a key area of need, but there are numerous problems that need to be addressed beyond personnel, and which on their own are likely to improve the team.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

Except their captain are arguably most important player who is going to be 35.

I should have made that distinction when speaking about our core, but it was an obvious one.

I think he has a few good years left, and I'm also very optimistic about our prospects on the d-core.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Maybe Valimaki could be a Sergachev - they have very similar pedigrees in junior and at the WJC.

Or a Provarov, Werenski, or McAvoy. We've seen a few examples in recent years of defencemen drafted in that range who made the jump to the NHL at draft +1. Valimaki is my hope for a big bump internally. I don't see anyone in the forward ranks who looks likely to make an impact, though surprises do happen.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Sergachev blew me away as a prospect. That's who I wanted that year, even ahead of Tkachuk.

I like Valimaki but I think he's a lot closer to Oliver Kylington and Rasmus Andersson than he is to Sergachev.

I think Sergachev is a bit better but they are in the same class of player.

IMO Valimaki doesn't get enough respect as a prospect since we do have Kylington, Andersson, and Fox in the system as well, it leads to him to getting lumped together with the others when he's probably a tier ahead. He is easily the most complete of that group when it comes to putting size, skating, offensive, & defensive awareness together.

Valimaki was drafted a year later than Sergachev, but they were about the same age during the 16/17 season - when they had very similar junior and WJC seasons. ( I know points aren't great for d-men but defensive play isn't really an issue for Valimaki or Sergachev).

Valimaki
WHL: GP: 60 G:20 P:61
WJC: GP:6 G:2 P:2

Sergachev:
OHL: GP: 50 G:10 P:43
WJC: GP:7 G:1 P:1

I see no reason why Valimaki couldn't be just as successful in a more sheltered role as a rookie like Sergachev was. The biggest difference is that Valimaki isn't likely to get PP1 time here due to Gio/Hamilton/Brodie being on the roster still.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Bingo

He named pretty much everyone you could name as a core piece but hinted there could be significant change and that a player may not fit the culture.

GMs don't want to telegraph what they're going to do.

Oh ok, well that was not disclosed. The OP made it sound like BT was specifically saying Brodie is a core piece and won't be traded

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Or a Provarov, Werenski, or McAvoy. We've seen a few examples in recent years of defencemen drafted in that range who made the jump to the NHL at draft +1. Valimaki is my hope for a big bump internally. I don't see anyone in the forward ranks who looks likely to make an impact, though surprises do happen.

Mangiapane just registered a + 1.00 pts/gp 21-year-old season in the AHL. I think he could become an impact player soon.

[Strange Brew]

If development isn’t linear, it should mean young players and young teams over achieve occasionally, and not just under achieve.

Aside from Tkachuk it’s entirely possible the Flames young players are in their prime right now. Last year too.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

If development isn’t linear, it should mean young players and young teams over achieve occasionally, and not just under achieve.

Aside from Tkachuk it’s entirely possible the Flames young players are in their prime right now. Last year too.

It's also possible (and I think even likely) the majority of them have yet to put up career highs in goals and points.

I fully expect Gaudreau to challenge for a scoring title yet. Monahan to hit 40+ goals etc. I think Hamilton did well to lead the league in goals but think we'll see more overall points from him.

I think it would be a pretty pessimistic outlook to suggest we've seen the best of most of our young players yet. Pretty pessimistic... or someone just looking to argue with the same certain posters they fixate on.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

It's also possible (and I think even likely) the majority of them have yet to put up career highs in goals and points.

I fully expect Gaudreau to challenge for a scoring title yet. Monahan to hit 40+ goals etc. I think Hamilton did well to lead the league in goals but think we'll see more overall points from him.

I think it would be a pretty pessimistic outlook to suggest we've seen the best of most of our young players yet. Pretty pessimistic... or someone just looking to argue with the same certain posters they fixate on.

Pretty decent post until your last paragraph.

[bigrangy]

Mangiapane should be an impact NHLer next year, but I have little to no faith in this organization's ability to get the most out of guys coming up from the AHL

Also, there is no roster spot for him as it stands right now, which will complicate things.

[Vinny01]

I could see Mangipane being the guy to ride shotgun with Backlund and Frolik next year hopefully on a third line.

[Nelson]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I could see Mangipane being the guy to ride shotgun with Backlund and Frolik next year hopefully on a third line.

I’d be for Mangiapane - Backlund - Frolik as a 3rd line if the Flames acquire a 2nd line centre. Then we could see:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Ferland
Bennett - C - Tkachuk
Mangiapane - Backlund - Frolik
Jankowski/Shore - Shore/Jankowski - RW

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Nelson

I’d be for Mangiapane - Backlund - Frolik as a 3rd line if the Flames acquire a 2nd line centre.

I think Foo and Lazar are good candidates for that line as well. Both right shot RWers. Could move Frolik back to being a left shot LW.

Lots of options will be there for Peters to try out. So glad we don't have GG and his stubborn lineups where he almost never tried anything interesting.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

So glad we don't have GG and his stubborn lineups where he almost never tried anything interesting.

Huge reason to look forward to next season. The last two seasons feel so wasted... not just lineups but just a general reluctance to maximize anybody. Just the fact that Peters squeezed out of Zykov what GG SHOULD have squeezed out of Mangiapane has me twitchy for 2018-19 to kick off.

[Drunk Uncle]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I think Sergachev is a bit better but they are in the same class of player.

IMO Valimaki doesn't get enough respect as a prospect since we do have Kylington, Andersson, and Fox in the system as well, it leads to him to getting lumped together with the others when he's probably a tier ahead. He is easily the most complete of that group when it comes to putting size, skating, offensive, & defensive awareness together.

Valimaki was drafted a year later than Sergachev, but they were about the same age during the 16/17 season - when they had very similar junior and WJC seasons. ( I know points aren't great for d-men but defensive play isn't really an issue for Valimaki or Sergachev).

Valimaki
WHL: GP: 60 G:20 P:61
WJC: GP:6 G:2 P:2

Sergachev:
OHL: GP: 50 G:10 P:43
WJC: GP:7 G:1 P:1

I see no reason why Valimaki couldn't be just as successful in a more sheltered role as a rookie like Sergachev was. The biggest difference is that Valimaki isn't likely to get PP1 time here due to Gio/Hamilton/Brodie being on the roster still.

The prospects i am most excited about are Andersson, Valimaki, Fox, Mangiapane and Dube. I feel Dube will be the best offensive guy in that group and i predict he will be our Brayden Point. I think Valimaki will be the best defensemen in that group (it'll be close between him and Andersson). I don't think Kylington makes the NHL as a Flame. I just don't see the his defensive game being strong enough for the NHL.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

I might be in the minority here, but I see Jankowski taking another step next year (as he's done literally every year he's played) and start producing offense at a 2nd line center level. I think he's the internal answer to the question of: Where will we get more offense? He's always had the hands, and he has the frame to win puck battles and cycle down low if he wanted to. He's a good distributor of the puck with good vision, but also can score when he's in a good spot. A year of NHL experience and a little more muscle added, and I think he breaks out offensively next year. Put him with Tkachuk and that pair has the potential to be a legitimate secondary scoring threat.

Janko had 25 points last year, but 17 goals (I know, I know...garbage time 4 goal game inflates that a little). Considering how snakebitten/poor Bennett was, and how his other winger was a collection of crap over the year, it's hardly surprising that he only had 8 assists despite being primarily a passer. Put him with Tkachuk and he might be a 40+ point center next year.

Bennett already has some chemistry with Jankowski, but if he doesn't work we can always try Mangiapane, Foo, or possibly a FA winger brought in to give some offense to that second line. Bennett has had chemistry with Backlund in the past, and perhaps playing with two solid veterans who play well defensively is just what he needs to get back on track offensively.

I also think this is more feasible than going after Tavares or some other UFAs who will command inflated contracts. I think internal growth is how most teams get better these days, and rarely do you make good decision on free agent day. Picking up one quality scoring winger would be a good idea, but that's about it. If that's done through trade, you're far more likely to get a better player, but I think it will likely be through UFA. Trading away a defenseman would seem likely to fill that gap, however, I think only Andersson is ready for the NHL right now, so the only guy you're likely to move is Stone, and he's not getting that top winger unless you package him with some of our better prospects, which I am loathe to do. Defensemen take a long time to develop well, so letting a Valimaki or Kylington work in the minors for another year would be fine by me. Andersson can rotate in and out of the lineup with Kulak and Stone, and be a quality injury depth option.

I think buying out Brouwer makes nothing but sense to me as well, so I expect that to happen in order to give some kids some more ice time.

So I guess what I'm saying is that I would be ok if we went into next year like this:

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

Giordano-Hamilton
Brodie-Hamonic
Kulak-Stone-Andersson

Smith
Rittich


I honestly believe that coaching set this team back more than anything last year (and maybe the year before). I expect to see an entirely different looking team this year, even if the roster remains largely the same.

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

I might be in the minority here, but I see Jankowski taking another step next year (as he's done literally every year he's played) and start producing offense at a 2nd line center level. I think he's the internal answer to the question of: Where will we get more offense? He's always had the hands, and he has the frame to win puck battles and cycle down low if he wanted to. He's a good distributor of the puck with good vision, but also can score when he's in a good spot. A year of NHL experience and a little more muscle added, and I think he breaks out offensively next year. Put him with Tkachuk and that pair has the potential to be a legitimate secondary scoring threat.

Janko had 25 points last year, but 17 goals (I know, I know...garbage time 4 goal game inflates that a little). Considering how snakebitten/poor Bennett was, and how his other winger was a collection of crap over the year, it's hardly surprising that he only had 8 assists despite being primarily a passer. Put him with Tkachuk and he might be a 40+ point center next year.

Bennett already has some chemistry with Jankowski, but if he doesn't work we can always try Mangiapane, Foo, or possibly a FA winger brought in to give some offense to that second line. Bennett has had chemistry with Backlund in the past, and perhaps playing with two solid veterans who play well defensively is just what he needs to get back on track offensively.

I also think this is more feasible than going after Tavares or some other UFAs who will command inflated contracts. I think internal growth is how most teams get better these days, and rarely do you make good decision on free agent day. Picking up one quality scoring winger would be a good idea, but that's about it. If that's done through trade, you're far more likely to get a better player, but I think it will likely be through UFA. Trading away a defenseman would seem likely to fill that gap, however, I think only Andersson is ready for the NHL right now, so the only guy you're likely to move is Stone, and he's not getting that top winger unless you package him with some of our better prospects, which I am loathe to do. Defensemen take a long time to develop well, so letting a Valimaki or Kylington work in the minors for another year would be fine by me. Andersson can rotate in and out of the lineup with Kulak and Stone, and be a quality injury depth option.

I think buying out Brouwer makes nothing but sense to me as well, so I expect that to happen in order to give some kids some more ice time.

So I guess what I'm saying is that I would be ok if we went into next year like this:

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

Giordano-Hamilton
Brodie-Hamonic
Kulak-Stone-Andersson

Smith
Rittich


I honestly believe that coaching set this team back more than anything last year (and maybe the year before). I expect to see an entirely different looking team this year, even if the roster remains largely the same.

I would switch Brodie with Kulak then play the bottom 2 pairings equal minutes. Then trade whoever at the deadline if Valamaki is playing exceptional at the Ahl level and ready for a call up.

[Roof-Daddy]

I might be ok gambling on Janko taking a step I suppose, but I'd like to see the Flames acquire a right shot right wing that can also play center as an insurance policy.

Riley Nash would be a good low key candidate as a UFA, and he's from Alberta too.

He also broke into the NHL under Peters in Carolina.