The 2025 Offseason thread.

[stemit14]

Whatever the outcome of this season, I would really like the management/coaching staff to prioritize putting young players in positions to succeed and contribute. For example, with the current roster, I would like to see something like this:

Huberdeau-Kadri-Klapka
Posposil-Zary-Coronato
Honzek-Frost-Sharangovich
Farabee-Backlund-Coleman
Lomberg

Hanley-Weegar
Bahl-Andersson
Solovyov-Parekh

I would ideally like to see Andersson and Coleman traded for good value to open up spots in the lineup. But even with them on the roster, I’d like to see Klapka somewhere in the top 3 lines, Zary centering Coronato, Honzek in the top 3 lines (if he makes the team) and I’d like to see the number one powerplay unit have Parekh, Coronato and Zary on it.

I’m doubtful most (if any) of these things to happen since coaches tend to prefer vets rather than young players in most situations but it’s my hope that giving the young players these opportunities pays off early to convince the coaches to stick with it.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by stemit14

Whatever the outcome of this season, I would really like the management/coaching staff to prioritize putting young players in positions to succeed and contribute. For example, with the current roster, I would like to see something like this:

Huberdeau-Kadri-Klapka
Posposil-Zary-Coronato
Honzek-Frost-Sharangovich
Farabee-Backlund-Coleman
Lomberg

Hanley-Weegar
Bahl-Andersson
Solovyov-Parekh

I would ideally like to see Andersson and Coleman traded for good value to open up spots in the lineup. Nut, even with thrr ref m on the roster, I’d like to see Klapka somewhere in the top 3 lines, Zary centering Coronato, Honzek in the top 3 lines (if he makes the team) and I’d like to see the number one powerplay unit have Parekh, Coronato and Zary on it.

I’m doubtful most (if any) of these things to happen since coaches tend to prefer vets rather than young players in most situations but it’s my hope that giving the young players these opportunities pays off early to convince the coaches to stick with it.

Kinda lost ya there for a bit

[AC]

Originally Posted by FBI

Do you have a before and after pic?

From: https://www.thefaceoff.net/center-ic...0-bda91ffb74a4

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Kinda lost ya there for a bit

Just a slight stroke, that's all.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by AC

From: https://www.thefaceoff.net/center-ic...0-bda91ffb74a4

Plus a cool look at the history of Flames centre ice designs here:

https://twitter.com/user/status/1956154703638880321

That's a hilarious logo chart there. Matthew Johnson has it as Olympic Saddledome from opening day until 1995, then Canadian Airlines Saddledome (for one season) before it became Pengrowth Saddledome in 1997 (three years before Pengrowth signed their 10 years naming rights deal). Then in 2000, the first year of the Pengrowth deal, the logo suddenly goes back to Canadian Airlines Saddledome, before going back to Pengrowth until 2009. What a mash up of foolishness, lol. An absolute failure of a centre ice logo history that should have been so easy.

For anyone wondering, the real naming rights changes were Olympic Saddledome until Canadian Airlines bought the rights during the 94'95 major renovations, followed by Pengrowth purchasing naming rights in the year 2000, then Scotiabank purchasing naming rights in October of 2010.

[jayswin]

He also says "First new centre ice design, more or less, since 1996; neat!" when there were three centre ice designs within that time that were more drastic than this simple reversing of red colouring from the logo to the ice in the circle. That isn't a new design, it's a reversal of colours. Who is this guy?

[AC]

Good catch, looks like he messed up compiling the logos a bit. I was just looking at the overall different styles of centre ice designs.

Either way, I dig the new design.

[SuperMatt18]

Yeah the new design looks great.

[lazypucker]

Red line on the red background, there could cause controversies on icing calls....

[UKflames]

Having the ice go in with the logo on always gives me a good feeling that the new season is nearly upon us.

[Goriders]

Not much happening in Flamesland. Only about a month before things start firing up again. Hopefully they can iron out the Zary and Andersson situations before then. Doesn’t seem like any big trades will be happening.

Pretty low key.

[3thirty]

Originally Posted by lazypucker

Red line on the red background, there could cause controversies on icing calls....

Was the same before, just in opposite spots.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by stemit14

Whatever the outcome of this season, I would really like the management/coaching staff to prioritize putting young players in positions to succeed and contribute. For example, with the current roster, I would like to see something like this:

Huberdeau-Kadri-Klapka
Posposil-Zary-Coronato
Honzek-Frost-Sharangovich
Farabee-Backlund-Coleman
Lomberg

Hanley-Weegar
Bahl-Andersson
Solovyov-Parekh

I think Coronato is going to get that top line spot to start the season. Also, if you are pushing a youth movement then Hanley shouldn't be a lock for Weegar's partner.

Huberdeau-Kadri-Coronato
Farabee-Frost-Sharangovich (Snakebit line)
Pospisil-Zary-Klapka (Pest line)
Honzek-Backlund-Coleman (Shutdown line with the rookie-whisperer)
X: Lomberg

Bahl-Weegar (top coverage assignments, D zone starts)
Kuznetsov-Andersson (offensive assignment)
Solovyov-Parekh/Pachal
X: Pachal, Hanley

In the forward group I think you would essentially run with a top line and then 3 balanced lines behind. The second line would be really interesting as those guys all had poor production last year and need to help each other succeed.

In the D group, you need to put Bahl and Weegar on the shutdown assignments that Andersson had last year. Push Andersson into a more offensive role being deployed with the Kadri line and boost his stats to get the trade. Hanley can play 7th D and sub in for Kuznetsov or Solovyov as they adjust to the NHL and Pachal can split duty with Parekh until Andersson is traded. (As excited as I am about Parekh, most 19 year old rookie D do not play a full season. 50-60 games is a good target)

Ultimately, the team has too many bodies. Kirkland, Bean, and Miromanov would all need to go the Wranglers to start. Otherwise you are risking losing Kuznetsov on waivers in order to have more Bean.... which is not a good asset management decision IMO.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Why do you have Honzek on the roster instead of Kirkland?

[Johnny Makarov]

Originally Posted by Wolven

Farabee-Frost-Sharangovich (Snakebit line)

FFS is a good term for this line.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Why do you have Honzek on the roster instead of Kirkland?

Why not?

Honzek made the team out of camp last year. And I'd rather the team promote at least one of the young forwards from the Wranglers instead of a 29 year old journeyman.

[DJones]

Originally Posted by Johnny Makarov

FFS is a good term for this line.

I think that line will be the difference maker this year. If they all can score as well as they have before that could be a huge 3rd line

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Why not?

Honzek made the team out of camp last year. And I'd rather the team promote at least one of the young forwards from the Wranglers instead of a 29 year old journeyman.

What's better for his development - playing 4th line winger minutes or playing a ton for a full season, in all situations, including at center in the AHL?

It seems like the assumption is that Kirkland is the 4th line center, taking on the Rooney role, at least to start the year.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

What's better for his development - playing 4th line winger minutes or playing a ton for a full season, in all situations, including at center in the AHL?

It seems like the assumption is that Kirkland is the 4th line center, taking on the Rooney role, at least to start the year.

For Honzek specifically probably being in the AHL since he hasn't had much time in that league.

But for alternatives like Kerins, Stromgren, etc I'd argue they've learned all they are going to learn in their 2-3 seasons in the AHL and need NHL time to continue their development.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Not sure I agree, as both have clear holes in their game still.
Stromgren needs to show way more consistency.
Kerins needs to show he can play at pace.

And I don't think either will learn those things on the 4th line.
As I mentioned before, Kerins best hope is that Zary is a hold out, as it opens up the right type of spot for him.
Stromgren I think would have to blow the socks off the team in camp. He just was way too up and down last year.