Training Camp: What to do on D??

[Funkhouser]

As it stands, the Flames have 5 places locked up for the upcoming D-core:

Hanley - Weegar
Bahl - Anderson
Pachal - Parekh
X - X

A number of D are fighting for a place. Here is where they stand:

-Miromanov (28 yrs, RD, one-way contract) - known entity, poor fit under Huska, limited playing time in exhibition matches...seems destined for waivers.

-Bean (27 yrs, LD, one-way contract) - known entity, versatile, NHLer with limited upside.

-Soloyov (25 yrs, LD, one-way contract) - unknown entity, 5/6 ceiling, big step forward offensively last season, great game against Seattle.

-Cicek (25 yrs, LD, one way contract) - known entity, 6/7 ceiling, has been steady but uneventful.

-Kuznetsov (23 yrs, LD, two-way contract) - unknown entity, 5/6 ceiling, continued progression, great early in camp but fading.

-Grushnikov (22 yrs, LD, two way contract, no waivers) - unknown entity, unique skill set, 5/6 ceiling, progression stalled, limited showing in camp but great game against WIN

-Brzustewicz (20, RD, two-way contract, no waivers) - unknown entity, 3/4 ceiling, continued progression, performed great in camp, needs to work on skating.

_________


Given there are 7 candidates fighting for 1/2 spots - and taking into account their age, contract, waiver status, performance, and the team's situation...

which 1-2 D are you keeping up and why??

[keenan87]

So, no room for Parekh on the roster or in the 7 fighting itnout?

In my opinion;

4 locks:
Weegar
Andersson
Bahl
Parekh
...

Waive:
Bean
Miromanov

...
Fighting for last 3 spots (7 dman total)
Hanley
Pachal
Grushnikov
Brzustewicz
Kuznetsov
Solylov
Cicek

by the end of the year and Andersson traded, I would like to see the following 6:
Weegar
Bahl
Parekh
Grushnikov
Brzustewicz
Pachal

[Cali Panthers Fan]

The first and most obvious omission is Parekh. Put him in a spot in the lineup.


Easy for me. Grush and Brzu go down due to waiver status. They both need a bit more time in the AHL anyway.

Waive Miromanov and Cicek. They're going to clear easily, and if they don't, oh well.

Keep Bean as a 6/7. He might rotate in and out of the lineup all year depending on his play and the playof others.

Keep Kuznetsov up, but waive Solovyov. They're both able to play at the NHL level now, but they may not be full time players. It would be a shame to lose either on waivers after investing so much time in their development. However, Solo already cleared waivers and I think Kuz is the better and younger player. If you have to lose one, you lose Solo.

[Funkhouser]

EDIT - I forgot Parekh...added him after the fact.

My two cents:

Keep Kuznetsov
Needs to show what they are at the pro level. Let him play into the lineup when injury occur or when Parekh is overwhelmed.


-We don't really care if Miro, Bean or Cicek are claimed (they won't be). Ideally we can unload one in a trade.
-Hopefully Solo passes through and can come up as required. Still an opportunity to grab that 7th place if Kuznetsov falters.
-Grush and Brz need development time. I expect Brz to be on the team once Anderson is traded, or next season at the latest.

[rogermexico]

I'm in the group that thinks they keep 8 D so that they can give Parekh breaks when he needs them. I think 7 and 8 will be Bean and Solo with Kuznetsov the first injury call up. I think they cook Bruz a little longer and see where he's at when Andersson's traded.

Edit:
Forgot about Kuznestsov and waivers. I think that actually tips him to being the number 8.

[Flamesfan05]

There are only 3 locks

[Calgary4LIfe]

This is a really tough year for competition. Parekh will make the team, and I assume Hanley will be up with Weegar again (but maybe I am jumping to conclusions). I would ignore all waiver-ineligible players as it doesn't make sense to lose someone, when other players haven't out-competed the waiver eligible ones anyway.


Pachal, Solovyov, Kuznetsov, Cicek (has looked really good IMO), Bean - all fighting for 5,6,7. One is getting waived for sure, and possibly two. Will the Flames keep 8D? I am not so sure.


Up in the forward ranks, the team from last year is basically set (assuming Klapka's spot is solidified from last season, which I expect it to be). You have Kerins, Morton and Kirkland all fighting for the 13th spot. I think Kirkland gets waived. Do they chance Morton/Kerins? Centers and defencemen with top 4 potential are the ones that get snagged usually. Tough decisions ahead!!

[flambers]

In my opinion, top 6 are already set ,

Hanley - Weegar
Bahl - Anderson
Pachal - Parekh

Flames will need to decide who is dman 7 and 8

Will they go with 13 F and 8 dman or 14 F and 7 dman

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by flambers

In my opinion, top 6 are already set ,

Hanley - Weegar
Bahl - Anderson
Pachal - Parekh

Flames will need to decide who is dman 7 and 8

Will they go with 13 F and 8 dman or 14 F and 7 dman

I think one of the waiver exempt kids will start in the A but soon move up and Hanley will be 7D.

[flambers]

Could be, my guess Weegar and Hanley are paired again this year

Depends on how Hanley plays this year, my guess he will be scratched along with Pachal to rotate dman 7 in the lineup,

Lots of games, tough schedule

Key question is, will Bean be dman 7?

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by flambers

Could be, my guess Weegar and Hanley are paired again this year

Depends on how Hanley plays this year, my guess he will be scratched along with Pachal to rotate dman 7 in the lineup,

Lots of games, tough schedule

Key question is, will Bean be dman 7?

I personally would like to see Bahl and Andersson together the whole time, and then Weegar alternating shifts with all 3 of Parekh, Hanley, and Pachal. Hanley would be the main guy since those two already have chemistry, but if we are in need of a goal I think Weegar and Parekh would be an awesome pairing to achieve that.

[Badgers Nose]

If Hanley needs Weegar to be effective, then I say let him go. I'm with FlamesFan05 in that only three guys should be considered a lock. But I don't think anyone has stolen Pachal's spot yet.

I'd err on the side of opportunity for the younger guys; Kuz and Cicek

If Hanley is legit a top pair D then he must have trade value, no?

Weegar - Anderson (Maximize trade value, get him out or sign him ffs)
Bahl - Parekh
Pachal - Bean/Bru
Hanley - Solo

then after trade

Hanley- Weegar (trade Hanley at TDL)
Bahl - Parekh
Pachal - Bean/Bru
Kuz - Solo

[FusionX]

I just don't think risking either Solo or Kuz over Hanley, Bean, Miro is smart management. I'll even throw Pachal into that group not because he isn't a decent player, but moreso I feel we know what all 4 of them bring. IMO they've already hit their ceiling whereas we're only starting to see what Solo and Kuz can do.

So for me, I'd waive the first 3 for sure before Solo/Kuz and wouldn't even be upset if they waived Pachal either.

I'm just not sure what the pairings could end up looking like though...

Solo - Weegar
Kuznetsov - Andersson
Bahl - Parekh
Hanley/Bean/Pachal/Miro

Not the best pairings as there's not a truly reliable top pairing but maybe you end up with 3 mid-tier but safe/trustworthy pairings whilst developing 3 rookies?

I doubt they go this way though ultimately

[DJones]

Parekh being on the 3rd pair screws everything up imo. Everything works better if he's top 4.

Then I'd do Pachal, Bean, and Kuznetsov as 5,6,7. Hanley should probably be there as well

[Wastedyouth]

"What to do on D" - Name of your sex tape?

[getbak]

Since a couple of people have mentioned waiving him, it should be noted that Cicek is still waiver-exempt this season.

https://puckpedia.com/waivers-tracker/nick-cicek

[TheIronMaiden]

Bean will be D7.

Once Andersson is traded, or an injury occurs bring up one of Solo or Kuz depending on who is having the better season.

[TherapyforGlencross]

Cicek over Bean any day.

[DoubleK]

I thought Bruz looked awful last night. He needs at least a year in the minors and really, really needs to work on his skating.

[flambers]

I would guess Flames will ease Parekh into it, he will start on pairing 3, and also see PP time

Hanley is a lock on pairing with Weegar, to start the season

Lots of options on who will stay on the roster for 7th and 8th dman, if they carry 8