Predict the 2016/2017 Flames Starting Lineup

[Samonadreau]

Originally Posted by JJ1532

Really? I'm curious as to what changes you expect to see this off season and where your realistic roster projection differs from that one. I don't count re-signing 6 free agents and bringing in a starting goalie(not to mention the draft) as doing nothing either.

In response to this which is a good point....but....

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

It would also get Treliving fired, as it would mean he literally did nothing over the summer.

You are correct in assuming just for going into next year with that lineup isn't worthy of firing over.... but.....

Originally Posted by RoughRiderRowdy

This roster gets us a top 5 draft pick for 2017.

This may be worthy of firing over......

[Da_Chief]

You have to consider the growth of your current players and having to impress the new coach.

Gaudreau/Monahan/Bennett/Hamiton should all be better.
Frolik should be more comfortable and hopefully healthy all year.
New coach = chance for depth players to show their hunger (Ferland/Hathaway/Bouma etc).
After the big 3 no D jobs are set in stone, especially with a new coach. Hungry Kevin/Nakladal/Wotherspoon/Kulak

I am hoping to land Okposo, Klein and Varlamov. Obviously would need Stajan/Wideman off the books.

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

You have to consider the growth of your current players and having to impress the new coach.

Gaudreau/Monahan/Bennett/Hamiton should all be better.
Frolik should be more comfortable and hopefully healthy all year.
New coach = chance for depth players to show their hunger (Ferland/Hathaway/Bouma etc).
After the big 3 no D jobs are set in stone, especially with a new coach. Hungry Kevin/Nakladal/Wotherspoon/Kulak

I am hoping to land Okposo, Klein and Varlamov. Obviously would need Stajan/Wideman off the books.

The big question is how to move Stajan of the roster!

[RoughRiderRowdy]

Originally Posted by Moneyhands23

The big question is how to move Stajan of the roster!

Literally the last 3 years we have been saying this. He needs to go, hopefully the expansion team picks him up

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by RoughRiderRowdy

Literally the last 3 years we have been saying this. He needs to go, hopefully the expansion team picks him up

IMO Flames will be buying out at least one player this summer. If they can't trade Wideman before buyout period, i think he is #1 to be bought out. If Wideman somehow traded, then I think Raymond is bought out. If Raymond not bought out then he will be given a chance in camp. He would really have to light it up in camp. More than likely goes to Stockton. I would also add a slight chance Stajan is bought out. More than likely Stajan stays on roster and spends a lot of time in the pressbox this year.

[Par]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

You have to consider the growth of your current players and having to impress the new coach.

Gaudreau/Monahan/Bennett/Hamiton should all be better.
Frolik should be more comfortable and hopefully healthy all year.
New coach = chance for depth players to show their hunger (Ferland/Hathaway/Bouma etc).
After the big 3 no D jobs are set in stone, especially with a new coach. Hungry Kevin/Nakladal/Wotherspoon/Kulak

I am hoping to land Okposo, Klein and Varlamov. Obviously would need Stajan/Wideman off the books.

I don't want Okposo here, I just don't like him and I don't think he is a good fit on the Flames, Varlamov is going to cost too much and he comes with too much baggage.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by Par

I don't want Okposo here, I just don't like him and I don't think he is a good fit on the Flames, Varlamov is going to cost too much and he comes with too much baggage.

Yeah, whatever team gets Okposo will be regretting the ridiculous contract in a couple of seasons.

[SeanCharles]

It's pretty hard to predict the starting lineup with the number of holes on forward (mostly wing), the question mark in goal and the cluster on defence..




Gaudreau-Monahan-______
_______-Bennett-_______
Colborne-Backlund-Frolik
Bouma-Stajan-Ferland
Jooris/Bollig

Gio-Brodie
Jokipakka-Hamilton
Engelland-Wideman
Smid/Nakladal/Wotherspoon

Ortio

It'll be interesting to see how these holes are filled. Ideally we trade from our depth at defence to help our dearth at wing..

[MarkGio]

Okoposo is one of the best right wing free agent options for the Flames this year and next. He's a former 1st round pick and a 5-time 15-goal scorer. He's 28 years old, so his are fits the group well.

I think Okoposo could use a change in scenery. The Islanders have relocated buildings, have gone through a very long rebuild, and has some ups and downs. His salary demands can't be too bad given he's been underperforming this year

[FlamesNation23]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

Okoposo is one of the best right wing free agent options for the Flames this year and next. He's a former 1st round pick and a 5-time 15-goal scorer. He's 28 years old, so his are fits the group well.

I think Okoposo could use a change in scenery. The Islanders have relocated buildings, have gone through a very long rebuild, and has some ups and downs. His salary demands can't be too bad given he's been underperforming this year

I think he will want above 5 mil on a long term deal and while I like him, I would rather stay away. I hope we can sign Backes to a 2-3 year contract. Big RW that can score is exactly what we need. Ideally, by the time the deal is over, you can fill the role with some of the propects we draft in this and the coming years.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

Okoposo is one of the best right wing free agent options for the Flames this year and next.

Loui Eriksson is a better RWer IMO

[Roof-Daddy]

Yeah, even though he's a left shot and a couple years older, I'd rather have Loui over Okposo.

[MarkGio]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Loui Eriksson is a better RWer IMO

Eriksson is a lefty and we have soooo many lefties.

[Par]

Originally Posted by SeanCharles

It's pretty hard to predict the starting lineup with the number of holes on forward (mostly wing), the question mark in goal and the cluster on defence..




Gaudreau-Monahan-______
_______-Bennett-_______
Colborne-Backlund-Frolik
Bouma-Stajan-Ferland
Jooris/Bollig

Gio-Brodie
Jokipakka-Hamilton
Engelland-Wideman
Smid/Nakladal/Wotherspoon

Ortio

It'll be interesting to see how these holes are filled. Ideally we trade from our depth at defence to help our dearth at wing..

Where is Shinkaruk?

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Par

Where is Shinkaruk?

He'll compete for a job but I think he's far from a lock.

[Angelino]

Originally Posted by Par

Where is Shinkaruk?

In Stockton.

[JJ1532]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

He'll compete for a job but I think he's far from a lock.

I think he might get a job by default, due to the lack of competition. I mean, who is he competing against for that 1st RW spot out of camp? Who is he battling against to play alongside Bennett? Ok, maybe you pencil in a free agent signing or our 2016 first rounder, but realistically, he won't have to get past many guys to earn a spot imo. If he does start next season in Stockton, I'd be interesting to see who makes the team ahead of him.

[Angelino]

Originally Posted by JJ1532

I think he might get a job by default, due to the lack of competition. I mean, who is he competing against for that 1st RW spot out of camp? Who is he battling against to play alongside Bennett? Ok, maybe you pencil in a free agent signing or our 2016 first rounder, but realistically, he won't have to get past many guys to earn a spot imo. If he does start next season in Stockton, I'd be interesting to see who makes the team ahead of him.

Maybe I have a lower opinion on Shinkaruk, but if he is the 1st line RW next season, I think Calgary will have a long tough season ahead. Hoping they can fill that spot in UFA. Shinkaruk could use more time developing in the AHL.

[JJ1532]

Originally Posted by Angelino

Maybe I have a lower opinion on Shinkaruk, but if he is the 1st line RW next season, I think Calgary will have a long tough season ahead. Hoping they can fill that spot in UFA. Shinkaruk could use more time developing in the AHL.

See, I'm not that worried. I don't see a long term option in the system and I just don't think we'll have the cap space or the pull to bring in a decent UFA. I want one more year of evaluation. I want to see what the likes of Colborne, Bouma, Kevin, Ferland and Shinkaruk can do. I want to see prospects come up and get an extended look to see if they can find a place in the team.

I think our improvement will come from hopefully a new coach who is bit more of a possession based guy. We have a pretty malleable group who would take to the transition well I think. If we improve our advanced numbers, plus bring in a goalie tandem who can give us the league average, I think with Gaudreau, Monahan, Bennett, Backlund, Frolik, Colborne and the defence, we'll have enough offence to keep us out of the bottom 7-8 and maybe keep us in play off contention into mid March. Where we need to improve next season for me is having the puck more and being better when we don't have it.

12 months time is when I'm really expecting big changes amongst the forwards. This years 1st rounder should be ready to have an impact, Bennett will be going into his 3rd year fresh off a breakout 16-17 season(hopefully), we'll have cleared Engellend, Smid, Raymond and Wideman off the books, so should be able to get some help in free agency. Backlund, Bouma and Stajan will be into the last year of their deals, so they might be a bit more moveable if that's the direction you want to take. Next season imo will be another tough season. Maybe not as a bad as this one, but still not great. 17-18 is our take off season I think.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by JJ1532

I think he might get a job by default, due to the lack of competition. I mean, who is he competing against for that 1st RW spot out of camp? Who is he battling against to play alongside Bennett? Ok, maybe you pencil in a free agent signing or our 2016 first rounder, but realistically, he won't have to get past many guys to earn a spot imo. If he does start next season in Stockton, I'd be interesting to see who makes the team ahead of him.

We don't know who he's competing against because the off season just began. No trades have been made, no UFAs signed. Do I think Treliving will have us enter the next season as is with no winger additions? Very doubtful. I'd expect at least 1-2 winger additions this summer. He could acquire an impact winger through trade at the draft with all the assets we have. He could sign a big or medium name UFA. Too early to tell.

What I do know is that Shinkaruk looked okay but didn't look like a guy who was obviously NHL ready and could contribute at a high level. I think he has a chance to win a job but personally I wouldn't even call him a favourite at this point.

Can't wait for some offseason moves though, I'm ready Treliving!