[News] Flames finalize 23 man opening roster. Peluso,Mangiapane,Andersson,Gillies to Heat.

[FlamesFanFromBC]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

Strange. Herald published interview with Lazar this morning, where he was very upbeat and really looking forward to playing in AHL.

In the interview I heard (from yesterday) he said he was open to go to AHL to get his game back on track, more playing time, etc.

He also mentioned he was still going to be meeting with management to figure out a plan.

[David Struch]

I'd say over the long term, both of Brodie & Stone will be let go of before the rest of the D...

Giordano - Andersson
Hanifin - Hamonic (re-signed in two years)
Välimäki - Kylington/Valiev

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by FlamesFanFromBC

In the interview I heard (from yesterday) he said he was open to go to AHL to get his game back on track, more playing time, etc.

He also mentioned he was still going to be meeting with management to figure out a plan.

He outright said he'd rather be playing and improving in the AHL than sitting in the NHL.

Anyway, Having two rookie defencemen who are NHL ready doesn't mean you want them starting out at the same time. If Valimaki looks like he's going to stick, then you can bring Andersson up and move Stone (or Brodie). If he struggles, then you just swap them.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by cznTiburon

So what are you thinking then?
Gio - Hamonic
Hanifin - andersson
Valimaki - stone?

in a scenario where Brodie becomes expendable I'm looking at

Gio - Hanifin
Hamonic - Valimaki
Andersson - Stone

if you want to babysit a bit maybe you run:

Hamonic - Hanifin
Gio - Valimaki/Andersson
Valimaki/Anderson - Stone

Yes, I understand the handedness is not ideal but we're talking about rolling with two L shots on the top pairing right now as is.

The Flames are going to have to get a starter by this time next year, it would make sense to package up a bunch of assets that look to have replacements in the next year or two into one deal that gets them that goalie in return.

[Toonage]

^ All those RHD and you stick Hanifin on the RS?

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Toonage

^ All those RHD and you stick Hanifin on the RS?

Swap 'em.

[TheAlpineOracle]

I just don’t understand Lazar. Either send him to the AHL to find his game and try to undo the damage Ottawa did, or simply move on. He’s too young to be sitting in a press box.

[FlamesFanFromBC]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

He outright said he'd rather be playing and improving in the AHL than sitting in the NHL.

He did but that was prior to having an in depth conversation with management.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

This will be an unpopular opinion but I think if Andersson makes the team it will be at the expense of Brodie, not Stone.

I think Stone might be here for the duration, or at least this season.

Brodie needs to pick up his game, and he did not look great in preseason imo. My outlook on Brodie after the preseason games is 'troubling'.

I definitely disagree with you on this one. I thought he looked more comfortable than he has in 2 seasons. Actually one of my main positive takeaways from the preseason is the re-emergence of Brodie.

Funny how we can all watch the same games and have such divergent views...

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by GullFoss

Not yet....soon, but not yet. And it will be Stone.


Andersson is ready - but do you really want a rookie pairing of Valimaki-Andersson?

My theory would be they are going to let Valimaki get up to speed for a few months to see how well he does before a trade involving Stone would take place.

[McG]

I’m definitely not for trading to make room for waiver wire eligible players. We will have injuries, and that is where players will get playing time upon callups.

All this talk of organizational depth goes away if we get trigger happy before we should.

[ah123]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

I just don’t understand Lazar. Either send him to the AHL to find his game and try to undo the damage Ottawa did, or simply move on. He’s too young to be sitting in a press box.

My guess is that they are using the next two or three games to see if Dube is really ready for the NHL. If Dube looks ok after three or four games, then they will assign Lazar

[wretched34]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

in a scenario where Brodie becomes expendable I'm looking at

Gio - Hanifin
Hamonic - Valimaki
Andersson - Stone

if you want to babysit a bit maybe you run:

Hamonic - Hanifin
Gio - Valimaki/Andersson
Valimaki/Anderson - Stone

Yes, I understand the handedness is not ideal but we're talking about rolling with two L shots on the top pairing right now as is.

The Flames are going to have to get a starter by this time next year, it would make sense to package up a bunch of assets that look to have replacements in the next year or two into one deal that gets them that goalie in return.

There's two left shots on the top pairing because Brodie is more comfortable on his off hand.

You essentially put every defenseman but Gio and Stone on their off hand in your first line-up, that would likely be disastrous.

If Brodie is dealt, I think you see something like:

Gio-Hamonic
Hanifin-Andersson
Valimaki-Stone

Preferably, Stone is the one moved out, but if they're looking for a big return, it'd make more sense if it were Brodie.

Without Stone, I think our D-Core is actually stronger, and the combo's are better suited for eachother:

Gio-Brodie
Hanifin-Andersson
Valimaki-Hamonic

All 3 pairs you get a good offensive guy, and a good 2-way guy. If Brodano returns to form, you have an elite top pair, and 2 very good second pairs.

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by McG

I’m definitely not for trading to make room for waiver wire eligible players. We will have injuries, and that is where players will get playing time upon callups.

All this talk of organizational depth goes away if we get trigger happy before we should.

I am with you on this. Yesterday Peters said its better to have more players than spots. Just by virtue of the game, spots will open. Last year only 3 D men played the entire season. The Flames were fortunate in that regard. So long as the Flames have contract control they should be greedy with their assets. The Flames essentially have 7 good NHL defence men under contract for the next two years. No need to rush the process.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I think it would be ridiculous to conclude that Brodie will be sat in favour of Andersson. What in the world am I reading today? Andersson gets in on the bottom pairing - as he should - when he gets recalled. Give him some PP time, pop him up on the 2nd pairing for a spell (depending on who is out), etc. Yeah, let's throw an inexperienced defencemen on the top pairing and wreck his confidence.


As for Lazar, I was hoping he would clear (accomplished) and would get sent down to get some bigger minutes at the AHL level. If there is one guy that needs a confidence boost it is him.

[Enoch Root]

I thought Brodie had a solid pre-season, lots to like. It wasn't perfect by any means, and he wasn't 14/15 Brodie, but give it some time, and it was after all, pre-season.

Giordano was awesome throughout camp. No question. But I think it has to be asked: how much of that was because he had support, especially in the defensive zone. Giordano was joining the rush like we haven't seen him do in some time. I don't think it's a coincidence that it coincides with Brodano.

One other point on this, I am more concerned with the success of the pairing than I am with how I thought either one of them played individually. If the pairing is good, you're done. Simple. Let's not try to fix what isn't broken.

[Strange Brew]

What I think:

They probably shopped Lazar some yesterday knowing he is more valuable having cleared waivers. Obviously nothing panned out if they did.

If the Flames do find themselves making a trade for a goalie, they may well move a defenseman if they are truly sold on Andersson, Stone returns you little, so it leaves Brodie or Hamonic as possibilities. Nothing is imminent but there are so only so many roster players on this team that realistically would be moved.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Treliving live on Sportsnet 960 right now.

http://player.sportsnet960.ca

[Split98]

I would feel awful for Brodie if he regains form, and is traded as soon as his career starts to trend back upwards

[Reggie Dunlop]

Treliving: Some players assigned to Stockton will find their way back to the big club sooner than later.

Treliving a big fan of Rasmus Andersson