[News] Flames opening day roster set

[blender]

Originally Posted by bigrangy

23 guys and maybe 14 or 15 of them (+ Coleman) belong on an NHL roster.

Probably going to be a long year.

Absolutely false.
You have no eye for talent.

[Enoch Root]

The cognitive dissonance that will spewing all over this place when the Flames aren't horrid, is going to be delicious.

[flames_fan_down_under]

Gotta think Mangiapane is going to take another step forward in his progression. Would love to see him touch the 28-30 goal, 55-60 point threshold.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by flames_fan_down_under

Gotta think Mangiapane is going to take another step forward in his progression. Would love to see him touch the 28-30 goal, 55-60 point threshold.

I expect him and Coleman to set new career highs...which would be pretty massive for the Flames

[Since1984]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

The Flames simply need to finish in the top 15 to prove you wrong. To be honest I count more than 15 NHLers on the team no matter how you slice it. Either that or most of the teams in the league have 4-5 forwards, and 2-3 defensemen that are either prospects that just cracked the team or are removed from being relevant.

Just for practice take Tampa's roster, I think they're a top 15 team...
Forwards from capfriendly:
Kucherov, Stamkos, Point, Palat, Cirelli, Killorn, Colton, Perry, Bellemare, Maroon, Raddysh, Katchouk, Barre-Boulet, Smith, Joseph.

Half of them are replacement level players by your criteria, or not NHLers.

I have pointed out two former cup winners that are on our roster that would not be on a top 15 NHL team. I don't agree with the poster that said the Flames only have 15 nhlers. I just pointed out that having two cups from 10 years ago does not make them any good now. Both are in my eyes below replacement level players.

Using Tampa Bay's roster is kind of dumb, Tampa is very top heavy, with one of the best RW and C , the best Defenceman and goalie in the league. Not to mention they have arguably the best coach in the league. You take that 4th line and put it on any other team and that team is struggling to compete. But when you play a great system for a top coach, while having the best goalie and defenseman in the league behind you.... You look a lot better.

And yes, all Calgary has to do to prove me wrong is finish in the top 15, however with this roster they will be lucky be top 20.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Since1984

I have pointed out two former cup winners that are on our roster that would not be on a top 15 NHL team. I don't agree with the poster that said the Flames only have 15 nhlers. I just pointed out that having two cups from 10 years ago does not make them any good now. Both are in my eyes below replacement level players.

So the top 15 teams in the league don't have any players below replacement level, right? That's what you're saying?

Using Tampa Bay's roster is kind of dumb, Tampa is very top heavy, with one of the best RW and C , the best Defenceman and goalie in the league. Not to mention they have arguably the best coach in the league. You take that 4th line and put it on any other team and that team is struggling to compete. But when you play a great system for a top coach, while having the best goalie and defenseman in the league behind you.... You look a lot better.

So the Tampa Bay Lightning, who have players below replacement level on their roster, obviously aren't one of the top 15 teams. Right? You said so yourself.

[Since1984]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

So the top 15 teams in the league don't have any players below replacement level, right? That's what you're saying?

So the Tampa Bay Lightning, who have players below replacement level on their roster, obviously aren't one of the top 15 teams. Right? You said so yourself.

I guess I should have been a bit more careful with my words, The Calgary Flames, with those two below replacement level players are not a top 15 team in the league.

The Tampa Bay lightning, on the other hand, would be a top 15 team strictly due to the fact they have better top end players at key positions.

My apologies for how vague my comments were. Yes top teams can have below replacement level players. This is due to them having better higher end players in key positions. Most choose to have younger players fill those roles with a one veteran. Some choose the older role players.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by AC

Weird, I like the make up for the most part. Mangi has skyrocketed up the roster and Dube still has upward mobility.

Our top 9 looks good to me with Pitlick healthy, the 4th line consists of defensively dependable vets, and we have some rookies pushing for spot duty.

The D is the biggest question mark but if/how the young guys (Hanifin, Andersson, Valimaki, and Kylington) improve and how Zadorov meshes will determine the bulk of our success. Gudbranson is the only ugly aspect of the roster to me.

It's not a sexy roster per-se. But when you analyze it thoughtfully, you realize that it's pretty solid. Good top 9 with Mangiapane and Dube continuing to take steps toward being impact players, and a bottom line that will do well not to hurt you. And you can see the Sutter influence behind it that may make it effective.

Really like the goaltending. Both guys looked rock solid in the exhibitions. These are two guys that can really dial it in that will be battling it out and pushing each other. That can only mean good things for the Flames.

Zadorov and Gudbranson both being here is redundant and a head scratcher though. The defence is where we'll need some question marks to fall in our favour for this season to go the way we hope it will.

Still, I would not trade our defence for Vancouver's or Edmonton's.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Since1984

I guess I should have been a bit more careful with my words, The Calgary Flames, with those two below replacement level players are not a top 15 team in the league.

The Tampa Bay lightning, on the other hand, would be a top 15 team strictly due to the fact they have better top end players at key positions.

My apologies for how vague my comments were. Yes top teams can have below replacement level players. This is due to them having better higher end players in key positions. Most choose to have younger players fill those roles with a one veteran. Some choose the older role players.

OK, that makes things clearer, thank you.

If the Flames as they stand are not a top-15 team, though, replacing those two guys with the very best 4th-line forwards in the league isn't going to make them one. They aren't the problem here. If the only thing they bring to the team is the willingness to work hard, that's one thing the roster has been critically short of – and it is almost the only good thing that one player can actually transmit to his teammates. If that happens, they might just be a small part of a solution.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Zadorov and Gudbranson both being here is redundant and a head scratcher though.

I don't think anyone expected Kylington to discover his ‘ON’ switch so suddenly. If he pushes one of those two out of the lineup, that can only be a good thing.

[SeeGeeWhy]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Duerhr last guy cut. Who'd have predicted that?

Especially disheartening as there is also no Givehr on the roster either

[calumniate]

At least Killington survived the cuts! No there's plenty of options to not play gudbranson

[Flamesfan05]

Originally Posted by dino7c

I expect him and Coleman to set new career highs...which would be pretty massive for the Flames

Mangi, definitely yes

Coleman is 30 soon, more than likely he is what he is by now

[1qqaaz]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

It's not a sexy roster per-se. But when you analyze it thoughtfully, you realize that it's pretty solid. Good top 9 with Mangiapane and Dube continuing to take steps toward being impact players, and a bottom line that will do well not to hurt you. And you can see the Sutter influence behind it that may make it effective.

Really like the goaltending. Both guys looked rock solid in the exhibitions. These are two guys that can really dial it in that will be battling it out and pushing each other. That can only mean good things for the Flames.

Zadorov and Gudbranson both being here is redundant and a head scratcher though. The defence is where we'll need some question marks to fall in our favour for this season to go the way we hope it will.

Still, I would not trade our defence for Vancouver's or Edmonton's.

I actually think that scoring goals will be more of a problem than keeping pucks out of the next.

It's a Sutter team.

I share your questions about the defense, but I'm more concerned about the offensive production coming from the back end. As it stands now, there's no PP quarterback.

So for me, the biggest question on defense is whether Rasmus Andersson can anchor a powerplay.
Zadorov and Gubranson are what they are.

[Flamesfan05]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Who said high caliber? he said they don't belong on an NHL roster

Playing 26 playoff games in a cup run is a part time player?

there are worse players in the league on rosters

Who are these top 15 teams because you would be suprised

Simon and Brian Boyle are on the Pens by the looks of it...every team has vets that will be in and out of the lineup

Yes, they are no better than last year’s bottom 6, just different

The key is still the top line and Markstrom. If they struggle, don’t expect the bottom lines and the defense to bail them out.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

Yes, they are no better than last year’s bottom 6, just different

The key is still the top line and Markstrom. If they struggle, don’t expect the bottom lines and the defense to bail them out.

How many teams are expecting the bottom lines to bail them out?

They're there to take ten minutes off the clock with no damage, and I think this year's fourth line is better suited to do that.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Infinit47

So much negativity.

31st ranked negativity. Thanks UCP!

[Flamesfan05]

Originally Posted by Bingo

How many teams are expecting the bottom lines to bail them out?

They're there to take ten minutes off the clock with no damage, and I think this year's fourth line is better suited to do that.

I remembered a few years ago we had somewhat balanced 3-4 lines. You are right that the bottom lines won’t completely bail out a team but when your top lines are not the best, it would help if the bottom lines can chip in once in awhile. This may happen when Zary, Pelletier and Coronato are ready but I don’t see it on the current team. It’s not really a complaint, just an observation/opinion.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

He doesn't play for Calgary anymore so stop bringing him up.

Seriously? you didn't see the joke in that?

Also, is Bennett off limits now? who decided that?
He's played 10 (regular season) games in a different uniform.

[Heavy Jack]

I actually think the bottom 6 sets up quite differently than last years and imo can help win some games over the course of the season. It’s a heavier hitting bottom 6 with a lot more leadership and playoff experience sprinkled throughout. With guys like Dube and Mangiapane pushing as well to make a case for top 6 roles the forwards really balance nicely and give lots of options depending on matchups any given night.

With Backlund looking really good with Dube and Mangiapane, once Coleman slots back in I think the change over in the bottom 6 is actually quite dramatic.

Gaudreau - Lindholm - Tkachuk
Dube - Backlund - Mangiapane
Lucic - Monahan - Coleman
Richardson - Gawdin - Lewis
Ritchie

The 4th line is all about pace and has a very young driven Centre who can help drive possession with the two Sutter pickups and the that 3rd line to me has a lot of chance to shock if given an opportunity. The spots should solidify to a degree after the first 15 or so games but to say the bottom 6 is the same as last year just with different players isn’t completely accurate IMO.

Bottom 6 out
Ryan
Leivo
Nordstrom
Simon
Robinson

Bottom 6 in
Coleman (middle 6 really but can play up and down)
Lewis
Richardson
Pitlick
Gawdin

Just looking at the 5 players listed, in the out list outside of Robinson the other 4 players were pretty passive players where as every single player from the in list plays with jam and a heavier game in general which sets up well with Sutters expectations and the roles we are trying to fill throughout the lineup.