Predict the 2016/2017 Flames Starting Lineup

[devo22]

- sign David Backes (4 x 5.25m)
- trade Dennis Wideman for whatever ... retain 1-2m if necessary
- put Ladislav Smid on LTIR

7.500 Johnny Gaudreau   6.750 Sean Monahan      5.250 David Backes
0.925 Matthew Tkachuk   0.925 Sam Bennett       4.300 Michael Frolik
3.000 Joe Colborne      3.575 Mikael Backlund   0.863 Hunter Shinkaruk
0.825 Micheal Ferland   3.125 Matt Stajan       2.200 Lance Bouma
1.250 Brandon Bollig    0.690 Garnet Hathaway

6.750 Mark Giordano     4.650 T.J. Brodie
5.750 Dougie Hamilton   0.900 Jyrki Jokipakka
2.917 Deryk Engelland   0.900 Jakub Nakladal
0.700 Tyler Wotherspoon

2.500 Brian Elliott     0.750 Joni Ortio

---------------------

Buried: 2.200 Mason Raymond
Retained Salary: 1.500 Dennis Wideman

Salary Cap Hit: 70.685
Cap Space: 3.315

[Harry Lime]

Gaudreau Monahan Chaisson
Shinkaruk Backlund Frolik
Bouma Bennett Porier
Helm Jankowski Shore
Stajan, Bollig

Giordano Brodie
Jokipakka Hamilton
Wotherspoon Nakladal
Engelland

Elliott
Ortio

I know how everyone likes shiny new things, but I'm fairly certain that Tkachuk doesn't play this year. They see his skating as a fixable minor issue, and that screams development time.

I also don't see us throwing into the UFA and trade markets in a big way. What I have is Colborne going to Ottawa for Chaisson. Chaisson is a perfect foil for the top line (in the Probert with 94% less fighting way) and I don't think Calgary can meet Colbornes salary demands.

I think that we pick up a good 'teacher' type of player, around 30, with a great work ethic and decent ability as a UFA. I went with Darren Helm.

Finally, it's do or die time for Porier. I think he puts everything that he has on the ice in order to make the team. I think that Jankowski is the surprise of camp, and makes the team, and Stajan becomes the floater, playing up and down the line. To me, Shore, Stajan and Bollig become interchangable in the one open spot.

Something happens with Wideman.

[Samonadreau]

Originally Posted by devo22

- sign David Backes (4 x 5.25m)
- trade Dennis Wideman for whatever ... retain 1-2m if necessary
- put Ladislav Smid on LTIR

7.500 Johnny Gaudreau   6.750 Sean Monahan      5.250 David Backes
0.925 Matthew Tkachuk   0.925 Sam Bennett       4.300 Michael Frolik
3.000 Joe Colborne      3.575 Mikael Backlund   0.863 Hunter Shinkaruk
0.825 Micheal Ferland   3.125 Matt Stajan       2.200 Lance Bouma
1.250 Brandon Bollig    0.690 Garnet Hathaway

6.750 Mark Giordano     4.650 T.J. Brodie
5.750 Dougie Hamilton   0.900 Jyrki Jokipakka
2.917 Deryk Engelland   0.900 Jakub Nakladal
0.700 Tyler Wotherspoon

2.500 Brian Elliott     0.750 Joni Ortio

---------------------

Buried: 2.200 Mason Raymond
Retained Salary: 1.500 Dennis Wideman

Salary Cap Hit: 70.685
Cap Space: 3.315

Really hoping we keep Monahan and Gaudreau's salaries at or under 13M combined - 6.25 and 6.75 would do it. Also 5+ on a UFA with term is going to leave us with little room for Bennett and starting goalie raise next year. If this is a good season for both you can probably add 10M+ right there.

That being said that is a playoff contender right there.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

Why is Stajan the only option upfront?
Lets say Flames protect Gaudreau/Monahan/Bennett/Backlund/Frolik/Colborne.
That leaves Ferland, Stajan, Bouma, Shinkaruk, most of AHL guys and only one spot.They can easily go with the a guy like Poirier or Klimchuk or Agostino etc for development.

The point is there are better options then Stajan on Flames and Jokipakka across the league. The Flames luckily, will not be hurt by this expansion.

The better option on the Flames than Stajan is Bouma, Ferland or 9-game NHLer Shinkaruk? Only if two of them has a significantly better season than they had last year.... ie there is only room to protect 1.

How much trouble do you think the Flames are in this season when their #4 d-man on an expected good contract is way down the list of the other teams #4 and a 2-3 year AHL player might be a better option as forward than the Flames #8 forward?

Its not like there are a lot of NHL level forwards on their exempt list: Maybe Jankowski or Tkachuck.

Your analysis of how little the Flames will have to expose to the expansion draft severely tempers my enthusiasm on getting Elliot making the Flames a playoff team.

There is no margin of error or injury to the Flames top 10 players.

[Da_Chief]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

The better option on the Flames than Stajan is Bouma, Ferland or 9-game NHLer Shinkaruk? Only if two of them has a significantly better season than they had last year.... ie there is only room to protect 1.

How much trouble do you think the Flames are in this season when their #4 d-man on an expected good contract is way down the list of the other teams #4 and a 2-3 year AHL player might be a better option as forward than the Flames #8 forward?

Its not like there are a lot of NHL level forwards on their exempt list: Maybe Jankowski or Tkachuck.

Your analysis of how little the Flames will have to expose to the expansion draft severely tempers my enthusiasm on getting Elliot making the Flames a playoff team.

There is no margin of error or injury to the Flames top 10 players.

Jokipakka is not a #4 right now. As in my lineup prediction I said to buyout Wideman and sign Hamhuis. Right now Wideman is #4, which is not saying much but he is usually decent every other year lol.

Not many teams will be able to withstand many injuries to their top 10 players. Look what happened in Montreal last year. Flames are no different.

Flames top 3 D is near the top of the league. Their 2/3 of the top line can play with the elite. The Backlund line plays a role you need on a winning team. If Bennett gets a linemate and breaks out that give the Flames 3 lines that can go up against other teams. Last year all goalies sucked, now they have a goalie who is a #1.

So 3 potential scoring lines, top 3 D as good as any, and a #1 goalie has me optimistic. I think you should be too.

[DynastyEra]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Giving this one more try.

Johnny Gaudreau | Sean Monahan | Mikkel Boedker
Matthew Tkachuk | Sam Bennett | Joe Colborne
Hunter Shinkaruk | Mikael Backlund | Michael Frolik
Mason Raymond | Lance Bouma | Micheal Ferland
Josh Jooris

Dougie Hamilton | T.J. Brodie
Mark Giordano | Jyrki Jokipakka
Deryk Engelland | Jakub Nakladal
Dennis Wideman

Brian Elliott
James Reimer

I like Boedker. Feels very Hornqvist/Vrbata. Meaning he will either be a great fit or a total bust on the top line.. Very low key move as well. No need to go big right now.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Harry Lime

I know how everyone likes shiny new things, but I'm fairly certain that Tkachuk doesn't play this year. They see his skating as a fixable minor issue, and that screams development time.

How could you be certain? It's something none of us can be certain about.

Tkachuk has NHL smarts, vision, shooting and plays a pro style. He's more filled out than Monahan and Bennett were after being drafted. He could improve his skating enough this summer. He would fill a huge hole as we're desperate for a skilled player who plays gritty. He'd help the powerplay immediately with his in tight skills and net front presence.

I think I'd be more surprised if he didn't make the team. He might be one of the most NHL ready players we've ever drafted.

[bax]

Originally Posted by Samonadreau

Really hoping we keep Monahan and Gaudreau's salaries at or under 13M combined - 6.25 and 6.75 would do it. Also 5+ on a UFA with term is going to leave us with little room for Bennett and starting goalie raise next year. If this is a good season for both you can probably add 10M+ right there.

That being said that is a playoff contender right there.

Don't think its very realistic to expect 6.75 for Johnny. Tarasenko is his closest comparable and he got 7.5

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Samonadreau

Really hoping we keep Monahan and Gaudreau's salaries at or under 13M combined - 6.25 and 6.75 would do it. Also 5+ on a UFA with term is going to leave us with little room for Bennett and starting goalie raise next year. If this is a good season for both you can probably add 10M+ right there.

That being said that is a playoff contender right there.

we all hope that. But reasonably, I expect it to be more than 14m combined ... Gaudreau should get a similar deal as Tarasenko did and Monahan should be in that 6.5-7.0 bracket. Would be great if BT could get those numbers down, but it won't be easy.

as for Backes ... I think he'd be cheaper and on a shorter contract than other available wingers like Lucic and Okposo. Backes is an experienced guy who comes off a bit of a worse season than usual (strong playoffs though), maybe you can get him for ~5m for 4/5 years. Not ideal, but not as big of an anchor as Okposo (who is gunning for 7x7) or Lucic (wants a 7 year deal).

As for cap numbers - in the example above, about 8m come off the books for Bollig, Engelland, Raymond and the rest of Widemans contract. That'd be enough for Elliotts and Bennetts raises under normal circumstances.

[Apollo]

I'm hoping Treliving is able to move some of our bad contracts. If the Flames can open up spots for several rookies that are better than the vets, the Flames will look deadly. Replace Stajan with Jankowski. Replace Wideman, Engelland and Smid with Wotherspoon, Kulak, Nakladal, Kylington, Morrison, Andersson or Jokipakka (we Have a LOT of option on the back 3). Replace Bollig with Shinkaruk/ Bouma and I think the final LW spot goes to Mangiapane/Ferland. RW we could see Jooris, Poirier or Prybil. The top spot goes to a FA. I'm crossing my fingers for Okposo. Frolik was underutilize by Hartley and I think if we give him better opportunities his offensive numbers will improve. Frolik was our best RW and didn't get any time on the PP. Hartley's use of Frolik was inexplicable.

Now I realize it would be a miracle to lose Wideman, Engelland, Smid, Stajan, Raymond and Bollig to trades/buyouts/AHL. This is just my best case scenario roster with the guys we have in our system (minus a FA). The Flames can bury Bollig easily and Stajan would be a good vet on the AHL team. We probably trade Wideman with half his salary remaining.

Forwards
Gaudreau - Monahan - FA (?)
Tkachuk - Bennett - Frolik
Bouma/Shinkaruk - Backlund - Colborne
Mangiapane/Ferland - Jankowski - Jooris/Poirier

Defense
Gio - Brodie
Kulak/Wotherspoon - Hamilton
Nakladal/Kylington/Morrison/Andersson/Jokipakka (depends on camp)

Goalies
Elliott
Ortio/Gillies

That lineup looks amazing to me and makes me excited about the Flames future!

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by devo22

- sign David Backes (4 x 5.25m)
- trade Dennis Wideman for whatever ... retain 1-2m if necessary
- put Ladislav Smid on LTIR

7.500 Johnny Gaudreau   6.750 Sean Monahan      5.250 David Backes
0.925 Matthew Tkachuk   0.925 Sam Bennett       4.300 Michael Frolik
3.000 Joe Colborne      3.575 Mikael Backlund   0.863 Hunter Shinkaruk
0.825 Micheal Ferland   3.125 Matt Stajan       2.200 Lance Bouma
1.250 Brandon Bollig    0.690 Garnet Hathaway

6.750 Mark Giordano     4.650 T.J. Brodie
5.750 Dougie Hamilton   0.900 Jyrki Jokipakka
2.917 Deryk Engelland   0.900 Jakub Nakladal
0.700 Tyler Wotherspoon

2.500 Brian Elliott     0.750 Joni Ortio

---------------------

Buried: 2.200 Mason Raymond
Retained Salary: 1.500 Dennis Wideman

Salary Cap Hit: 70.685
Cap Space: 3.315

You can't just put a player on LTIR. If the doctors say he's cleared to play, that's that.

[Samonadreau]

Originally Posted by devo22

we all hope that. But reasonably, I expect it to be more than 14m combined ... Gaudreau should get a similar deal as Tarasenko did and Monahan should be in that 6.5-7.0 bracket. Would be great if BT could get those numbers down, but it won't be easy.

as for Backes ... I think he'd be cheaper and on a shorter contract than other available wingers like Lucic and Okposo. Backes is an experienced guy who comes off a bit of a worse season than usual (strong playoffs though), maybe you can get him for ~5m for 4/5 years. Not ideal, but not as big of an anchor as Okposo (who is gunning for 7x7) or Lucic (wants a 7 year deal).

As for cap numbers - in the example above, about 8m come off the books for Bollig, Engelland, Raymond and the rest of Widemans contract. That'd be enough for Elliotts and Bennetts raises under normal circumstances.

I think Barkov set the bar for Monahan and Mackinnon. Even if Monahan doesn't get signed for the 5.9M bargain deal that Barkov got I am hoping for 6.25 for Monahan with an extra year of term. As for Johnny I am optimistic in hoping they can get him signed for 7M or hopefully less. I would hate to see these contracts prevent guys like Bennett and even Tkachuck from getting paid what they may deserve .

[MarkGio]

Gaudreau - Monahan - Colborne
Shinkaruk - Bennett - Okoposo
Raymond/Poirer - Backlund - Frolik
Bouma - Jooris - Ferland

Giordano -- Hamilton
Brodie -- Wideman
Jokipakka -- Engelland

Elliot
Ortio

[kehatch]

Gaudreau-Monahan-Stewart
Colborne-Backlund-Frolik
Tkachuk-Bennett-Pribyl
Bouma-Stajan-Ferland

Giordano-Brodie
Jokipakka-Hamilton
Nakladal-Engelland

Elliot
Kuemper

[StanTheMan]

I think they stay out of the UFA pool, besides resigning Nakladal. Next year they go UFA hunting once the cap space opens up.

Gaudreau-Monahan-Shinkaruk
Colborne-Backlund-Frolik
Tkachuk-Bennett-Ferland
Bouma-Stajan-Jooris
Bollig/Raymond

Gio-Brodie
Nakladal-Hamilton
Jokipakka-Engelland

Elliott
Ortio

(Although my preference would be to add someone like Eriksson or Boedker on the top line RW and bump Shink down to the Bennett line)

[Bourque's Twin]

I can't see who has a better shot at making the top line than Tkachuk besides possibly Frolik. I hope the Flames don't sign a UFA who's going to eat up the CAP a year from now. Once Wideman, Engelland, Smid, Raymond, and Bollig are off the books, the Flames will have a clean slate with their core signed or on ELC.

Gaudreau - Monahan - Tkachuk
Colborne - Backlund - Frolik
Ferland - Bennett - Shinkaruk
Bouma - Stajan - Jooris

Giordano - Brodie
Jokipakka - Hamilton
Nakladal - Wideman
Engelland

Elliot
Ortio

[the-rasta-masta]

Originally Posted by Harry Lime

Gaudreau Monahan Chaisson
Shinkaruk Backlund Frolik
Bouma Bennett Porier
Helm Jankowski Shore
Stajan, Bollig

Giordano Brodie
Jokipakka Hamilton
Wotherspoon Nakladal
Engelland

Elliott
Ortio

I know how everyone likes shiny new things, but I'm fairly certain that Tkachuk doesn't play this year. They see his skating as a fixable minor issue, and that screams development time.

I also don't see us throwing into the UFA and trade markets in a big way. What I have is Colborne going to Ottawa for Chaisson. Chaisson is a perfect foil for the top line (in the Probert with 94% less fighting way) and I don't think Calgary can meet Colbornes salary demands.

I think that we pick up a good 'teacher' type of player, around 30, with a great work ethic and decent ability as a UFA. I went with Darren Helm.

Finally, it's do or die time for Porier. I think he puts everything that he has on the ice in order to make the team. I think that Jankowski is the surprise of camp, and makes the team, and Stajan becomes the floater, playing up and down the line. To me, Shore, Stajan and Bollig become interchangable in the one open spot.

Something happens with Wideman.

Nice call on Chiasson.

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by the-rasta-masta

Nice call on Chiasson.

Except it's very unlikely he's on the top line...$800k

[bigrangy]

Gaudreau-Monahan-x
Shinkaruk-Bennett-x
Ferland-Backlund-Frolik
Bouma-Stajan-Chiasson
Bollig, Jooris

Giordano-Brodie
Wotherspoon-Hamilton
Jokipakka-Nakladal
Engelland

Elliott
Pickard

with wideman gone and assuming no cap comes back, Tre will have 8.5-10 million to fill the two spots on Right Wing depending on what JG and Monahan sign for. Extra cap space could be opened up by doing something about Raymond and Smid as well.

I think the Ferland-Backlund-Frolik line could be one of the best shutdown lines in the league. Each guy is defensively responsible but still has decent enough puck skills and IQ to be able to do something with the puck once they get it.

I've had a suspicion for a while that Tre covets Pickard from the Avs. I think he'll make a strong pitch to them this summer.

I'm hoping Brad can find the right mix of savvy vets and unproven youngsters to bolster the right side, and I still hope Colborne comes back, but Ferland should do a good enough job replacing him on Backlund's wing.

[Par]

Originally Posted by bigrangy

Gaudreau-Monahan-x
Shinkaruk-Bennett-x
Ferland-Backlund-Frolik
Bouma-Stajan-Chiasson
Bollig, Jooris

Giordano-Brodie
Wotherspoon-Hamilton
Jokipakka-Nakladal
Engelland

Elliott
Pickard

with wideman gone and assuming no cap comes back, Tre will have 8.5-10 million to fill the two spots on Right Wing depending on what JG and Monahan sign for. Extra cap space could be opened up by doing something about Raymond and Smid as well.

I think the Ferland-Backlund-Frolik line could be one of the best shutdown lines in the league. Each guy is defensively responsible but still has decent enough puck skills and IQ to be able to do something with the puck once they get it.

I've had a suspicion for a while that Tre covets Pickard from the Avs. I think he'll make a strong pitch to them this summer.

I'm hoping Brad can find the right mix of savvy vets and unproven youngsters to bolster the right side, and I still hope Colborne comes back, but Ferland should do a good enough job replacing him on Backlund's wing.

This looks solid, hopefully, the Flames trade Engelland and go for Dan Hamhuis, would look good with Hamilton.