[News] Flames announce 2020-21 roster and taxi squad

[Phaneufenstein]

4 right shot forwards out of 15 total. Is this typical or are we just weak on those?

[SeanCharles]

Originally Posted by Phaneufenstein

4 right shot forwards out of 15 total. Is this typical or are we just weak on those?

Where have you been the last few years?

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Even if you think the coaching staff has him penciled in as the 13th forward (unlikely, IMO), what do you think the odds are that there will be zero injuries?

There is no way that he will be waived 5 times. I doubt he is waived again (because he wouldn't clear). But for now, every penny that they save in the first couple weeks will help

There are always injuries, without a doubt.

I hope you're right and he isn't waived again. As it stands, I think Ryan is a lot closer to being the team's seventh-best forward than their 13th-best one. As the season progresses, the Flames will have more and more room to completely fit him under the cap. But I don't think they need to take the risk in waiving him again to extend his taxi squad eligibility. It's not necessary IMO.

I wonder when we might see Connor Mackey in the lineup for the first time?

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

There are always injuries, without a doubt.

I hope you're right and he isn't waived again. As it stands, I think Ryan is a lot closer to being the team's seventh-best forward than their 13th-best one. As the season progresses, the Flames will have more and more room to completely fit him under the cap. But I don't think they need to take the risk in waiving him again to extend his taxi squad eligibility. It's not necessary IMO.

I wonder when we might see Connor Mackey in the lineup for the first time?

I think you would be an outlier if you ranked him 7th. Personally, I think there are 8 forwards clearly ahead of him. Then you can rank Ryan, Leivo, Simon, Lucic, an Nordstrom however. He is somewhere in that group. For me, maybe 10th. I doubt many people (if any) would rank him 13th.

As for Mackey, I don't see him getting game action unless the injuries mount. He is probably #8 right now. And I think he is still a ways from being able to supplant any of the top 6.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Phaneufenstein

4 right shot forwards out of 15 total. Is this typical or are we just weak on those?

only 30% or so of NHLers shoot right

[Reggie Dunlop]

Mackey reminds me of a Jamie Macoun (to use a Flames historical comparable). Signed straight out of US college to the main team.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Tough to see Ryan higher than 10. 10, maybe 11 depending on how Leivo pans out.

[AC]

Treliving on 960 now, said he sees Ryan having a big role with the Flames this year still.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I think you would be an outlier if you ranked him 7th. Personally, I think there are 8 forwards clearly ahead of him. Then you can rank Ryan, Leivo, Simon, Lucic, an Nordstrom however. He is somewhere in that group. For me, maybe 10th. I doubt many people (if any) would rank him 13th.

As for Mackey, I don't see him getting game action unless the injuries mount. He is probably #8 right now. And I think he is still a ways from being able to supplant any of the top 6.

In no order — Gaudreau, Tkachuk, Lindholm, Monahan, Backlund, Mangiapane.... that's six. Then I slot in Ryan. Dube has the potential but hasn't shown it consistently yet, same with Bennett. They could both pass him this year but they haven't yet. Lucic is in that group too, along with Leivo, but Ryan has been consistently better at both ends of the ice than any of those four (Dube, Bennett, Lucic, Leivo).

In terms of value as an asset? Totally different story. Bennett, Dube, and Leivo zoom ahead. But Ryan is the seventh-best forward IMO and I don't really see much competition. 67 points in 159 games in Calgary while being one of the best defensive players on the team.

[alan21]

Why wouldn't they have taxi squaded Lucic too for the cap benefits?

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by alan21

Why wouldn't they have taxi squaded Lucic too for the cap benefits?

Lucic's no-move clause prevents it.

[FBI]

Scorp just loves those declining players that aren’t that great heh
What player jerseys do you have again?
You have a lot of hockey knowledge but I find it a bit humorous the players you get attached to.

[TheScorpion]

Haha, I'll have you know that my most recent purchase was a Valimaki jersey.

[FBI]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Haha, I'll have you know that my most recent purchase was a Valimaki jersey.

Dang it!! I had such high hopes for him

[DJones]

Originally Posted by FBI

Scorp just loves those declining players that aren’t that great heh
What player jerseys do you have again?
You have a lot of hockey knowledge but I find it a bit humorous the players you get attached to.

Not like he's wrong. Ryan clearly deserves to be on the opening roster.

And he'll probably play all the games they are allowed to play him

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

February 5th

Leagues with private jets, nice hotels, and private chefs are having a hard time keeping Covid at bay. I have little faith that the AHL can get off the ground this year in the way they have planned.

A tournament format would have made a lot more sense for that league.

[cowtown75]

I kinda feel for Yelesin. I thought he's been solid since coming over. Makes me wonder how long he's gonna be ok playing in AHL instead of the KHL for I assume, much less money.

[topfiverecords]

Treliving on 960 said the AHL guys will be here for another 8 days and then go to Stockton to start their camp.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

I totally understand the financial aspect of it but the savings are relatively limited. Just $300k over a whole season, and that's assuming Ryan will be waived five times. That's playing awfully risky chess if you ask me.

I also just don't trust the Flames to make the right coaching move in this scenario.

I think this is a fair point. I doubt he gets waived again, so they would create $60K of space? It's fair to ask if it is worth the risk, no matter how negligible.

I am curious if Ryan has to pay into escrow while on taxi squad. AHLers don't, correct?

Also happy to see Mackey make it this far. Looking forward to seeing him get some game action.

[Poe969]

Originally Posted by Phaneufenstein

4 right shot forwards out of 15 total. Is this typical or are we just weak on those?

Isn't this a huge improvement?!?!?! Maybe in a couple years the get up to 6 or even 7.