2025/26 Roster Discussion

[Goriders]

So it’s looking like we are rolling into this season with essentially the same lineup as at the end of the season minus Vladar and potentially adding Pareckh. None of the rumoured trades or free agent additions seem to be materializing. We are a week away from physicals so I’m assuming nothing is going to happen on that front.

That being said there are still a few question marks. Big ones for me are:

1. Who replaces Vladar as backup to Wolf? It’s looking like based on contract make up Prosvetov is the front runner based on a one way contract. But could Cooley beat him out or did his second half last year lose him favour in the organizations eyes?

2. Who gets bumped out of the D group if Parekh pushes himself onto the roster? My guess is it would be Miromanov or Bean. Based on how much Bean was playing last year I would assume Miromanov would get sent down.

3. What’s going on with Zary and is he going to hold out? We seem to have a surplus of wingers so I would not be surprised to see Conroy play hardball with Zary. I can see his point based on Zary’s injury history. But I hope Zary gets signed before camp as players that miss camp typically have down years. Sharongovich and Mangiapane being recent examples. I don’t know which way this one will go. Someone will have to blink at some point.

4. Where are they going to slot in Klapka in the lineup? Per above we have a surplus of wingers. Problem I see is both Pospisil and Klapka will be wasted on the 4th line. But one of them is probably going to end up there. My guess is it will be Klapka. I think he should be further up the lineup to take full advantage of his tools. I think the same thing about Pospisil though.

5. Will any other youngsters be able to make the opening roster? I think the best chance would be on D. Players like Bean and Miromanov could easily be replaced. Someone will also have to come up when Andersson is eventually dealt depending on what comes back. Candidates would most likely be Brzustewicz, Solovyov and Kuznetsov. I would bet none make it at the start of the season but one of the three bumps in when Andersson is dealt.

We have a surplus of wingers if Zary signs and I don’t see any centers ready to bump any of the current ones. So I doubt any forwards make the jump unless one of Morton, Kerins or Honzek get added as the 14th forward in Hunt’s spot. That could easily happen.

6. How are they going to handle the Andersson situation? My guess is he gets traded at the deadline and one of the previously mentioned young dmen take a spot on the roster. This will be awkward for the team. Still hoping something gets done before camp starts. If they are in a playoff spot at the deadline it would create a vacuum on D and in the locker room. Not sure what to do if you’re Conroy. There’s also an issue with too many right dmen if Andersson and Parekh are both on the roster. Bumps Pachal out or he has to play the opposite side. Messy situation.

So based on the above and contract status here’s my guess for opening day lineup. I’m going to assume Zary signs.

Huberdeau Kadri Coronato
Zary Frost Pospisil
Farabee Backund Coleman
Lomberg Kirkland Klapka

Sharongovich
Hunt

Hanley Weegar
Bahl Andersson
Bean Parekh

Pachal

Wolf
Prosvetov

I guess ultimately anything could happen but that’s what I think will play out.

I do think there’s going to be some moves eventually because with Andersson on the team the D grouping is a bit of a mess and you have a number of young Dmen stagnating on the wranglers.

We also have a surplus of wingers causing a few to be under utilized and we have a shortage of centers. Seems like there needs to be a rebalance at some point this season. I see the Andersson situation as that oppurtunity.

[memphusk]

Just leave Huberdeau at home.

[Toonage]

Unless he’s hurt in preseason, 0% chance Sharangovich isn’t in the lineup.

[Johnny Makarov]

Having Sharangovich outside of the top 12 is just stupid.

[FBI]

Pachal either, he’ll be there. New contract

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Unless he’s hurt in preseason, 0% chance Sharangovich isn’t in the lineup.

Who gets bumped then. Sharongovich didn’t do much last year. Do you sit Pospisil or Klapka? I think they add more value.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by FBI

Pachal either, he’ll be there. New contract

I agree. If Andersson is still here and Parekh makes it one of Pachal/Bean or Hanley are sitting. Pachal is a RD and Hanley meshed with Weegar so I assumed Pachal would be the odd man out.

Best case is trading Andersson. Then there isn’t a log jam. Or not resigning Hanley. But that’s done.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by Goriders

Who gets bumped then. Sharongovich didn’t do much last year. Do you sit Pospisil or Klapka? I think they add more value.

Honestly? Either Pospisil or Klapka.

Sharangovich is about to start the first year of his big money extension. He hurt himself in pre season and never really recovered from that until the end of the year. He will be given every opportunity to prove last year was just a down one.

Klapka and Pospisil have new deals as well I believe but they’re paid to be bottom 6 and Pospisil found himself at the bottom of the lineup a bunch and Klapka only managed to stay in the lineup the end of the season. Plenty to prove still.

[Kipper_3434]

Lomberg shouldn't be an every game forward. Sharangovich is a top 9 scoring forward, possibly top 6. If no one is hurt, Lomberg, Pospiscil, and Klapka can rotate through the last spot along with Kirkland.

Huby-Kadri-Sharangovich
Zary-Frost-Coronato
Coleman-Backs-Farabee
Lomberg/Pospisil -Pospisil/Kirland- Klapka/Pospisil

Popsicle and Klaps can push for spots in the top 9 on either wing.

The defense is much trickier and we desperately need an upgrade on Hanley at some point. Not gonna guess on the d lineup til Anderson is gone or pre-season starts.

[Jiri Hrdina]

There's always injuries. We also tend to get really caught up in the opening night roster. But that's just a moment in time.
I also agree Lomberg ideally isn't an 82 game guy, but he does seem really important to the energy of the group, so you have to make sure you don't lose that if you take him out

[PaperBagger'14]

Hopefully Parekh can bring some level of entertainment and skill, the rest of that roster carries the same thrill factor as room temperature cottage cheese

[FBI]

I would much rather have Pachal in over Bean..

[gvitaly]

1. Prosevtov
2. Locks: Andersson, Weegar, Bahl, Parekh. The 3rd pairing will be a rotation based on how the players play. Based on last year Miromanov is the most likely to hit waivers before the season starts. Though I could see the Flames moving 2 or even all 3 of Miromanov, Bean and Pachal before the season.
3. Nothing is going on with Zary. It will get done before the season starts.
4. Klapka is likely going to start on the 4th line, with the occasional bumps up the lineup when he heats up
5. Absolutely, the Flames wouldn't want to lose young players on waivers. Moreover, Brzustewicz will be pushing, and his style would be a great fit for the 3rd pairing.
6. Play Andersson with Weegar to start, trade him by the new year to the highest bidder.

Lines out of camp:
Zary - Kadri/Frost - Coronato
Huberdeau - Frost/Kadri - Sharangovich
Farabee - Backlund - Coleman
Honzek - Pospisil - Klapka
Lomberg, Kerins

Weegar/Bahl - Andersson
Bahl/Weegar - Parekh
Bottom pairing rotation:
Hanley - Brzustewicz
Kuznetsov- Pachal

Key waivers: Kirkland, Morton, Hunt, Miromanov, Bean, Solovyov, Poirier, Cooley

[PepsiFree]

Kirkland in over Sharangovich or Pospisil is crazy. Even over Klapka might be crazy.

[FanIn80]

I know right shot D on the right side is important for corraling pucks off the boards... but... a right shot on the left side = so much more net to shoot at. Also it puts the blade in a much more open spot for those lane-opening cross-ice passes.

Ergo: Parekh on the left! (at least on the PP anyway)

[dissentowner]

I really hope Parekh is not saddled with Jake Bean. Like let's not put out budding franchise player with a bag of suck on hockey skates to start his pro career.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Goriders

Who gets bumped then. Sharongovich didn’t do much last year. Do you sit Pospisil or Klapka? I think they add more value.

He finished fourth on the team in goals while playing hurt. They don't go on that run to end the year without him scoring a bunch of key goals.

[Muta]

I still can’t believe we have Parekh, Brzustewicz, Morin, and Mews in our defence pipeline, and then on top of that, even more potential NHL depth in Kuznetsov, Solovyov Grushnikov and Poirier. What a goldmine of riches the Flames have built up on the backend.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by Muta

I still can’t believe we have Parekh, Brzustewicz, Morin, and Mews in our defence pipeline, and then on top of that, even more potential NHL depth in Kuznetsov, Solovyov Grushnikov and Poirier. What a goldmine of riches the Flames have built up on the backend.

Problem is how do you work them all in. There are only 7 spots. I think you eventually have to use some of them as chips to fill in other gaps.

[CFO]

Originally Posted by Muta

I still can’t believe we have Parekh, Brzustewicz, Morin, and Mews in our defence pipeline, and then on top of that, even more potential NHL depth in Kuznetsov, Solovyov Grushnikov and Poirier. What a goldmine of riches the Flames have built up on the backend.

Not all of them will hit their potential. If 2 could hit. Would be amazing.