Building The 2018/19 Flames Roster

[ricardodw]

It all comes down to the Goalie.

[dissentowner]

I am not even going to bother until Tre is done, some guys are certainly leaving town yet.

[Red]

Pump the breaks on Czarnik, Dube, Foo and Mangipane. It would be a huge win if one of them contributed like a decent rookie. Asking for all of them to step up is like expecting 7 NHL players from a typical draft year.

[keenan87]

Gaudreau-Monahan-Neal
Tkachuk-Jankowski-Lindholm
Bennett-Backlund-Frolik
???-Ryan-Brouwer
???/???

The last spots are open for some of: Foo, Czarnik, Mangiapane, Lazar, Klimchuk, or Hathaway

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Red

Pump the breaks on Czarnik, Dube, Foo and Mangipane. It would be a huge win if one of them contributed like a decent rookie. Asking for all of them to step up is like expecting 7 NHL players from a typical draft year.

I don't see anyone expecting all 4 of them to crack the lineup. We have:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Neal
Tkachuk - Backlund - Lindholm
Bennett - Jankowski - Frolik
Ryan - Brouwer

all fighting for jobs.

One of the guys you mentioned - and at the outside, two - are going to crack the lineup. And that's the whole point of having 4 of them (5 if we include Lazar in that group) - instead of simply gifting them roster spots, they have to earn it. Let the best players win.

And assuming that one (or maybe two) of those 5 could step up , is not at all unreasonable.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Red

Pump the breaks on Czarnik, Dube, Foo and Mangipane. It would be a huge win if one of them contributed like a decent rookie. Asking for all of them to step up is like expecting 7 NHL players from a typical draft year.

Agreed.

Dube is a raw rookie, and with our depth will most likely be a full time AHLer and that's good.

Mangiapane is just 21, and his season ended with an injury. It won't be a bad thing if he goes back to STK and repeats his 1.1 point per game AHL performance, or even improves on it.

Foo is a little older, and finished strong in the second half including an NHL call up at the end. I expect him to really push for a spot.

Czarnik is the one that really needs to step up. He's 25, already has 3 pro seasons and nearly 60 NHL games. Plus the Flames brass went out of their way to recruit him for a specific role. He is going to get every opportunity to shine and I am hoping he delivers.

[soreshins]

Pretty sure Ryan said on TSN yesterday that he was going to be playing middle six so if that’s the case it will be interesting how the lines get shuffled

[ForeverFlameFan]

Neal is the perfect fit for the 1st line to replace Ferland:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Neal
Tkachuk - Lindholm - Czarnik
Frolik - Backlund - Ryan
Bennett - Jankowski - Foo
Brouwer, Lazar

[EldrickOnIce]

Gaudreau - Monahan - Lindholm/Neal
Tkachuk - Backlund - Lindholm/Neal
Bennett - Jankowski/Ryan - Frolik
Brouwer - Ryan/Jankowski - Czarnik/Foo/Lazar/etc

[Poe969]

What about going after a young goalie now? I wonder if they could possibly trade for a guy like Saros(dream) or Korpisalo, Jarry, or even Dansk. Maybe see how the other guys do in camp and then maybe make a move if no one steps up

[djsFlames]

I think frolik has enough value to fetch us some picks or prospect. Been a while since we've sold any assets.

Brouwer is a lot harder but hell who knows with some money retained.

Gaudreau - Monahan - Neal
Tkachuk - Backlund - Lindholm

Is solid. Swap the two RWs even, either way it's balanced. It's nice to not feel like a one line team today.
Ryan will help boost the bottom 6 output as well, which was nom existent for much of last season. And if frolik sticks around and is pushed down a line it makes the bottom half better too.

Didn't expect to increase my hopes or expectations for next season but thinga have sure taken a pleasant turn awful fast.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Ok, here's my ideal lineup:

Gaudreau-Monahan-Neal *This is a no-brainer IMO.

**Jankowski-Lindholm-Tkachuk *I like this combination of size, smarts, and skill. I think Tkachuk can play his game equally well on the right wing. **see 4th line alternates for Jankowski placement

Bennett-Backlund-Frolik *Strong possession duo in Backlund/Frolik support Bennett as he continues to develop his two-way game and begins scoring on a more regular basis when he's given the freedom to be assertive in the offensive zone.

Mangiapane-**Ryan-Brouwer *You're not going to sit Brouwer to start the year. Ryan will help to drive the play along with Mangiapane who looks relatively ready for an NHL job. **see alternate lines

Extra forwards: Lazar, Hathaway. *Perfect guys to put in the lineup when you need a boost of energy on back to backs or over the course of a long season. Both players have strong defensive games and skate relatively well with good energy/jam. Perfect extra forwards for a good club.

**Alternate 2nd line: Tkachuk-Lindholm-Ryan *I like this a little better for handedness, and Ryan could be a solid 2nd line winger if our other wingers don't work out.

** Alternate 4th line: Mangiapane-Jankowski-Brouwer

I think the defense is relatively set:

Giordano-Brodie
Hanifin-Hamonic
Kulak-Stone
Prout

Smith
Rittich/Gillies



All this being said, I would expect one of Czarnik or Foo to force their way onto the club ahead of Brouwer by the end of the season.

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Neal is the perfect fit for the 1st line to replace Ferland:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Neal
Tkachuk - Lindholm - Czarnik
Frolik - Backlund - Ryan
Bennett - Jankowski - Foo
Brouwer, Lazar

I really like the looks of this.

[sureLoss]

Versatility was management's theme for the offseason. They got it.

[Nelson]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

It all comes down to the Goalie.

I usually think the exact opposite of what you think but this is a very important point. This team is still in a place where if Smith goes down, there season could go down the toilet very quickly. They need to clear some space for a capable backup.

[Roof-Daddy]

Amazes me how many potential options there are now for 1st line RW on the Johnny/Mony line.

1. Neal - Big body, puck protector, proven sniper, loves his off wing
2. Lindholm - Good two way game, right shot, can take faceoffs on his strong side, untapped offensive potential
3. Ryan - Nifty hands around the net, complimentary player, right shot, can take face offs on his strong side
4. Czarnik - Highly skilled, right shot, if he "pops" he could be a Marchessault type of surprise acquisition


Then you have long shot options that were already here with Tkachuk, Bennett and even Foo if he were to take a step or two.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Nelson

I usually think the exact opposite of what you think but this is a very important point. This team is still in a place where if Smith goes down, there season could go down the toilet very quickly. They need to clear some space for a capable backup.

Yes, we have amazing depth now at forward AND defense, but there are still two questionmarks with this team:

1) gaoltending
2) coaching

My biggest concern with this roster is: what happens if Smith gets injured?

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by keenan87

Gaudreau-Monahan-Neal
Tkachuk-Jankowski-Lindholm
Bennett-Backlund-Frolik
???-Ryan-Brouwer
???/???

The last spots are open for some of: Foo, Czarnik, Mangiapane, Lazar, Klimchuk, or Hathaway

Jankowski was the Flames rookie of the year. Not even close to being a top rookie in the league.


Going into the last game of the year he had 21 pts in 71 games and was a -10. Brouwer, who would get voted off Flame Island with a overwhelming majority had 20 pts in 75 games and was a -8.

Based on last year's performance Brouwer has earned the 2nd line RW spot to the same degree as Jankowski should be #2C

With centers Monahan 31 goals 62 pts, Lindholm 16G - 44 pts Backlund 14 G 45 pts and Ryan 15G 38 Pt based on their last season it would shocking to see Jankowski as anything but the 4th line centre.

[Bunk]

Almost every team is hooped if they lose their starting goalie. Rittich was very good as back up, bad when spotlight turned to him - but so was the whole team. That would hopefully have been a learning experience. He is capable. Gillies also has a chance.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

Jankowski was the Flames rookie of the year. Not even close to being a top rookie in the league.


Going into the last game of the year he had 21 pts in 71 games and was a -10. Brouwer, who would get voted off Flame Island with a overwhelming majority had 20 pts in 75 games and was a -8.

Based on last year's performance Brouwer has earned the 2nd line RW spot to the same degree as Jankowski should be #2C

With centers Monahan 31 goals 62 pts, Lindholm 16G - 44 pts Backlund 14 G 45 pts and Ryan 15G 38 Pt based on their last season it would shocking to see Jankowski as anything but the 4th line centre.

Not sure about ricardos ramblings but I agree with his overall conclusion. If janko stays at center it will be on the 4th line. Ryan is going to be the third line center.