Lines when Colborne/Backs/Raymond are all back

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

For next year, shouldn't we all wait to see how Bennett (a) recovers; (b) plays in training camp; and (c) plays in his 10 game NHL window before shipping out actual NHL centres with decent contracts?

Agreed. Bennet, Jooris, Granlund. I love what I've seen of all of them. But you can't project these guys as sure-fire centres in 2015 based on the small numbers of games they've played against NHL competition. They haven't made anyone expendable yet. Let's not pull an Oilers here.

[JJ1532]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Agreed. Bennet, Jooris, Granlund. I love what I've seen of all of them. But you can't project these guys as sure-fire centres in 2015 based on the small numbers of games they've played against NHL competition. They haven't made anyone expendable yet. Let's not pull an Oilers here.

Fully agree. They shipped out Gagner and already inked in Draisaitl to replace him, without even seeing him in an Oilers jersey. Looks stupid now.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Agreed. Bennet, Jooris, Granlund. I love what I've seen of all of them. But you can't project these guys as sure-fire centres in 2015 based on the small numbers of games they've played against NHL competition. They haven't made anyone expendable yet. Let's not pull an Oilers here.

Pretty much this.

That said, I think Stajan is already redundant this season, and he should be of interest to some playoff bound team as a depth guy. We can always use an extra draft pick if nothing else.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Itse

Pretty much this.

That said, I think Stajan is already redundant this season, and he should be of interest to some playoff bound team as a depth guy. We can always use an extra draft pick if nothing else.

yeah the flames

[Itse]

Originally Posted by dino7c

yeah the flames

Haha, true

[dammage79]

Stajan may not be redundant in the locker room. But hard to argue the on ice aspect. As far as leadership goes on and off the ice, I feel between Hudler, Russell, Wideman and of course Captain Gio, there's enough to go around that Stajan can be traded.

If it's the center ice position leadership, Backlund is there to anchor the heavy defensive minutes even though Monahan is eating up plenty of those so far this season as well.

So I do think Stajan can be moved without great loss in the intangibles department on this team.

Bennett next season will get the Sean Monahan rookie season treatment. Heavily sheltered and put into a position to offensively succeed. Honestly there's no room for Ragin' Stajan after this season in my humble opinion.

If you can move him for a good value I think you have to look at it.

It also ultimately comes down to how will Teliving move forward with Backlund as well. Is Backlund a long term fit in Calgary. I say yes bu I can see if Granlund and Bennett shape up like I think they will, he could be expendable as well.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

Sven is going back down when people come back barring some kind of miracle. Some of you should brace yourself for it.

Probably, but it sucks. I wanted him to get some icetime with notsetoguchi.

I feel like he has so much potential that's going to stay untapped without players around him that let him just play his game.

[Where ru Chris O'Sullivan]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Agreed. Bennet, Jooris, Granlund. I love what I've seen of all of them. But you can't project these guys as sure-fire centres in 2015 based on the small numbers of games they've played against NHL competition. They haven't made anyone expendable yet. Let's not pull an Oilers here.

But, it's not like we'd be putting Joe Nieuwendyk and Doug Gilmour out to pasture? We're talking about Stajan and Backs at this point. One will have to go or one will have to play wing.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Probably, but it sucks. I wanted him to get some icetime with notsetoguchi.

I feel like he has so much potential that's going to stay untapped without players around him that let him just play his game.

I'm not sure what players would do that. "His game" is apparently not a good enough 200 foot game for the NHL according to the coaches who tell him to work on that aspect. The Oilers let Hall and Schultz just play their game. It's not good.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

But, it's not like we'd be putting Joe Nieuwendyk and Doug Gilmour out to pasture? We're talking about Stajan and Backs at this point. One will have to go or one will have to play wing.

And the guys you think make them expendable have less than 50 games of NHL experience between them.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by JJ1532

Fully agree. They shipped out Gagner and already inked in Draisaitl to replace him, without even seeing him in an Oilers jersey. Looks stupid now.

You don't think there's a major difference between the Oilers, who already lack any real depth at center, shipping out a center for an 18 year old vs the Flames making room for a 21 year old with two pro seasons under his belt?

I do agree, there isn't a rush, but kinda a difference in the situations.

[Where ru Chris O'Sullivan]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

And the guys you think make them expendable have less than 50 games of NHL experience between them.

We're already in Rebuild, if this was a concern we should have locked up the house, with iggy, kipper and conroy inside?

These guys aren't babies and are proving they are well ahead of the curve. If they weren't proving this it would be different.

[Ozy_Flame]

Sadly, Stajan is the kind of player the Oilers should be gaggin' for right now. But out of respect for Stajan, you don't move him to a team like Edmonton. That's like glassing the nice guy at the party with a pint of beer for no reason.

[Five-hole]

My lines:

Glencross - Monahan - Jones
Raymond - Backlund - Colborne
Gaudreau - Granlund - Hudler
Bouma - Stajan - Jooris / Byron

Press box: Bollig, Grats, Jooris/Byron
Sent down: Baertschi, Ferland, Knight, Setoguchi (waived)

Can press box Jones if he is slumping but he was playing really well before he got hurt again.

I think there's a very high probability of acquiring a 3/4/5 D at some point this season. Just too many bodies at forward and a serious lack of depth on the back end.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Five-hole

My lines:

Glencross - Monahan - Jones
Raymond - Backlund - Colborne
Gaudreau - Granlund - Hudler
Bouma - Stajan - Jooris / Byron

Press box: Bollig, Grats, Jooris/Byron
Sent down: Baertschi, Ferland, Knight, Setoguchi (waived)

Can press box Jones if he is slumping but he was playing really well before he got hurt again.

I think there's a very high probability of acquiring a 3/4/5 D at some point this season. Just too many bodies at forward and a serious lack of depth on the back end.

To get a 3, 4, 5 D would cost something I don't want to pay. Unless it's a Glencross (who I really like) for a solid D

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Probably, but it sucks. I wanted him to get some icetime with notsetoguchi.

I feel like he has so much potential that's going to stay untapped without players around him that let him just play his game.

Are you kidding me? He's been given the exact same opportunity all his young peers were given. None of them started on the PP and 1st and 2nd lines, they earned their way there, by making things happen when they were playing on the lower lines.

Last year Colborne spent significant time on the 4th line, prompting many comments in here about why would waste a draft pick on him. Monahan started with much less ice time, working his way up. Johnny did as well this year, and the complaints were abundant just a few weeks back about his lack of PP time, now he's a staple there.

Getting sick of the Sven apologists consistently suggesting he's not getting a fair shake or an opportunity. He is. And to be honest, sure he's not stepping it up as quickly as Monahan or Johnny did, but I thought this has been a positive call up for Sven. Clearly taken some steps forward IMO. If his plane ticket back to GF is going to be sooner than later, I hope some of the fans on here have patience with him and his development, patience with the Flames and how they handle his development, and most importantly I hope Sven himself has patience because I think he's starting to show some glimpses.

[noreply]

R U kinding! Granlund won`t be going anywhere

[Itse]

I actually agree that Baertchi is a player that might benefit from more cuddling. He has also had a rougher time than most prospects because of the pressure and attention put on him, so from a certain angle it might even be fair.

However, an important part of how prospects are developed in our organization is not giving favourable treatment to anyone, but instead making everyone earn every step of their way.

It's a policy that only works as long as you don't make exceptions.

[SeanCharles]

Glencross-Monahan-Jones
Gaudreau-Jooris-Hudler
Raymond-Granlund-Colborne
Bouma-Stajan-Byron
McGrattan/Bollig

IR: Backlund

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by SeanCharles

Glencross-Monahan-Jones
Gaudreau-Jooris-Hudler
Raymond-Granlund-Colborne
Bouma-Stajan-Byron
McGrattan/Bollig

IR: Backlund

This is pretty much it, and I'm 100% ok with those lines. I'll even be ok replacing Granlund with Backlund when he's healthy.