Predict the 2016/2017 Flames Starting Lineup

[JJ1532]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

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!

Unless Treliving manages to find new homes for Wideman and Raymond, plus maybe Smid(LTIR), there probably won't be room to trade for a winger, or even add a decent one in free agency.

My comments are simply "as it stands". I'm also trying to be realistic and keep my expectations for this off season and next season low. He could pull some rabbits out of hats again, but all I'm hoping for is for him to get the main RFAs re-signed, get a reasonable goalie tandem for next season and install a coach that can move us forward. Anything after that is a bonus in my eyes.

[ricardodw]

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

Yep those under performing 64 pt in 79 game guys who have size and bang around will not be getting big paydays.

The Flames will have a lot of cap room as Monahan who's contract is coming up (63 pts in 81 games) is coming off an equally under performing season.

[VladtheImpaler]

From what I have seen of Okposo, heartily do not want - slow, not too bright, just looks like a beneficiary of Tavares. Would not even want to pay him 1/2 of what he will want.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

Yep those under performing 64 pt in 79 game guys who have size and bang around will not be getting big paydays.

The Flames will have a lot of cap room as Monahan who's contract is coming up (63 pts in 81 games) is coming off an equally under performing season.

Why do you use such awful comparisons to make your point? Comparing a 28 year old RW to a 21 year old centre is brutal.

Frolik is likely a better comparable as he was a 27 year old UFA that scored a 5 year deal north of $4M per. Okposo has size, right shot, and better numbers he is looking at north of 5 years and north of $5M on his next deal

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

From what I have seen of Okposo, heartily do not want - slow, not too bright, just looks like a beneficiary of Tavares. Would not even want to pay him 1/2 of what he will want.

He's such a benefactor of Tavares

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Why do you use such awful comparisons to make your point? Comparing a 28 year old RW to a 21 year old centre is brutal.

Frolik is likely a better comparable as he was a 27 year old UFA that scored a 5 year deal north of $4M per. Okposo has size, right shot, and better numbers he is looking at north of 5 years and north of $5M on his next deal

Thank you for pointing that out. The 21 year old centre signing a 6 year deal is giving away 2 UFA years. Okposo is a UFA. It was just that Monahan and Okopos had similar scoring seasons.

As for the Frolik comparison: they are at different levels.

Okposo has been a #1RW for the at least the last 3 years.

He is the #9 scoring RW in the league over the last 3 seasons 258 games 208 pts 18:53 min/gam (#6 in the league in scoring for RW) He is #34 in the league in forward scoring over the last 3 years.

Frolik over the same period is #44 highest scoring RW 126 pts in 272 games playing 16:01 minutes a game... Frolik is #153rd in Forward scoring over the last 3 years.


Zach Parise has played the same number of games as Okoposo over the last 3 years and has 1 more point. An example of UFA stupidity. Edit to add Parise has just finished year 4 of his 13 year deal with a cap hit of 7.53

My heart is not in this discussion as there is no chance that the Flames would win a bidding war for him and should not consider it. They have already spent their UFA bucks on Frolik.... can't spend them twice.

But if Okopos does not get a big UFA pay day from someone then it would be a real shocker.

Okposo did not have an under producing year and neither did Monahan.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

I like Okposo as a player. However, he was at $4.5 million in salary last year and I would assume he will make more as a UFA. Likely too rich for the Flames, as would Lucic and Backes (who has similar numbers but is older).

[Fire of the Phoenix]

I would love if Okposo could come in and benefit from Gaudreau. Three 25+ goal 60+ point players on the top line would be ridiculous.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Sometimes I wonder if Ricardo actually watches hockey. Anybody who does knows that Parise is twice the player Okposo is. Hockey isn't played on spreadsheets of stats and salaries

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

From what I have seen of Okposo, heartily do not want - slow, not too bright, just looks like a beneficiary of Tavares. Would not even want to pay him 1/2 of what he will want.

If they want a RW bad enough to consider overpaying this guy I would rather they simply use the 6th pick on Nylander and using that money to shore up the goaltender situation and extending Monahan and Gaudreau.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Sometimes I wonder if Ricardo actually watches hockey. Anybody who does knows that Parise is twice the player Okposo is. Hockey isn't played on spreadsheets of stats and salaries

I'll admit I haven't watched tons of Parise but IMO he has one of the worst contracts in the league. I think of him as a top 20 winger in the NHL who is paid to be a top 5 winger and the contract is waaaaay too long. Wouldn't take him for free to be honest, not on that deal.

Their point production is similar, but what does Parise do otherwise that makes him so much better than Okposo? I'll agree he is better, but twice as good? That seems like a stretch even when comparing elite talents like Kane or Benn to a guy like Okposo. Twice as good is almost impossible to wrap my head around. Does that mean Gaudreau is five times better than Colborne?

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

I'll admit I haven't watched tons of Parise but IMO he has one of the worst contracts in the league. I think of him as a top 20 winger in the NHL who is paid to be a top 5 winger and the contract is waaaaay too long. Wouldn't take him for free to be honest, not on that deal.

Their point production is similar, but what does Parise do otherwise that makes him so much better than Okposo? I'll agree he is better, but twice as good? That seems like a stretch even when comparing elite talents like Kane or Benn to a guy like Okposo. Twice as good is almost impossible to wrap my head around. Does that mean Gaudreau is five times better than Colborne?

I am with you on this. Parise is a very good player but hard to quantify twice as good. His contract is awful. He is good enough that by being on the team he certainly helps them be competitive but totally hamstrings them going forward. There are very few players on the league I would want on the Flames making that kind of money.

Now I also think Flames should steer clear of Okposo as he will be too expensive. I hope the Flames do nothing on July 1.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Well twice might have been hyperbole :P What does Parise do better? It's all about his competitive drive, his consistency, his desire, his leadership. Parise is a warrior. Goes out there every shift trying to be a difference maker and often succeeding at that. Okposo is more of a passenger. I guess to use GranteedEV's terminology Parise is a driving player on his line and team.

Of course Parise seems overpaid as almost every UFA does.

Okposo is going to be way overpaid this summer. Rather go after Eriksson, Lucic, Backes, McGinn.

[SuperMatt18]

Okposo is a guy who is a 50 point player without Tavares and becomes a 65 point guy when he is on Tavares wing.

Personally I wouldn't want to spend the $6+ million to add a 28 year old winger.

[Poe969]

The only way I'd do okposo at $6 mil is on a one year deal but no one signs one year deals anymore lol

[Benched]

is there no chance Okposo re-signs with the Isles? Seems weird they didn't shop him around at least.

I know I know, they were 'going for the cup'....but honestly, was that realistic?

[JJ1532]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

Okposo did not have an under producing year and neither did Monahan.

There is a different between under producing and under performing. Taylor Hall is the classic example of this. Yes, he racks up points, but his performances often leave a lot to be desired. Another example would be Steven Stamkos when we played Tampa at the dome earlier this season. He was awful, as were Tampa. Yet Stamkos scored late on, padded his stats and on the face of it, you would say did ok. Do that 50 times a season and you'll have a player that yes puts up points, but might leave a lot to be desired in their all round performance. Perhaps this is the case with Okposo. I highly doubt there would be talk of him hitting free agency if he was such a good player for the Islanders.

[Roof-Daddy]

I know people were wary of Boedker's advanced stats, but didn't they improve when he went to Colorado?

Left shot, but he's got speed to burn, isn't small and is one of the youngest high profile UFA wingers at 26.

[GranteedEV]

FWIW if the price were reasonable I would prefer Okposo of some of the other big names (Lucic, Eriksson). I doubt the price will be reasonable though. He can snipe from his off-wing the left-wing - something we don't have.

https://www.nhl.com/video/okposo-not...912/c-40979203

He's not a perfect player or even the most intelligent one but he also comes from a pretty freewheeling Islanders team. He'd benefit from a structured offensive system like Winnipeg or L.A. not unlike Lucic.

[AcGold]

Freakin Wideman. He better be training his ass off everyday trying to become effective, good shot, good passing, OK defensively... slow as molasses. If we can't trade him he better try salvaging this tirefire.