2016/2017 Trade Speculation and Rumors

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Said it before but I'll say it again... here are my ideal lines for next year

Gaudreau - Bennett - Versteeg
Tkachuk - Monahan - Ferland
Frolik - Backlund - Brouwer
Lazar - Jankowski - Chiasson

Giordano - Hamilton
Brodie - Stone
Del Zotto - Andersson

Fleury
Gillies

That 1st line would get absolutely bodied along the boards. You didn't put a winger on that line who can fight through checking. I really don't think we can afford to have Tkachuk and Ferland on the same line. The player who most needs a player like them is Gaudreau, he needs a powerforward on his line to make room for him, win board battles after dump ins, drive the net, etc. Using the same players you had I'd rather see


Gaudreau-Monahan-Tkachuk
Ferland-Bennett-Versteeg
Frolik-Backlund-Brouwer
Bouma-Lazar-Hathaway

Not totally sure Versteeg is a fit. If Jankowski is ready to make the NHL I'd go with

Gaudreau-Monahan-Tkachuk
Bennett-Jankowski-Ferland
Frolik-Backlund-Brouwer
Bouma-Lazar-Hathaway

What if the top line winger that people are wanting can be filled from within? Gaudreau, Tkachuk and Bennett would make 3 1st line wingers to me. That's enough to win with

[DJones]

Originally Posted by kukkudo

Only thing I see is goaltending. Your expectations for Jankowski (1st year), Tkachuk (2nd year) seem too be high. I expect Bennett to take the next step.The bottom pairing D is hit and miss so you really can't say its an improvement.

I expect Treliving to make some moves but nothing earth shattering.

I expect Tkachuk to slightly improve his all around play and Jankowski to play like a third liner. If anything Andersson is the biggest reach on that line-up. Kulak would probably be my day one starter.

Our problem last year was our bottom 6 sucked, our bottom pairing couldn't push the puck up the ice, and our goaltending was inconsistent.

That line-up improves all of those things.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by kukkudo

Only thing I see is goaltending. Your expectations for Jankowski (1st year), Tkachuk (2nd year) seem too be high. I expect Bennett to take the next step.The bottom pairing D is hit and miss so you really can't say its an improvement.

I expect Treliving to make some moves but nothing earth shattering.

Expectations for Jankowski should be high with the development path he's taken. After 4 years of college and 1 full year in the minors he's developed longer than most prospects and as such should be ready to step into the NHL and make an immediate impact. This isn't a 19/20 year old kid that needs to be babied into the lineup. This is a mature kid who has been given all the time he needed to develop. He's likely ready to step in and made an immediate impact as a 2nd or 3rd line centre.

Why shouldn't expectations for Tkachuk be high? He's the best Flames player at controlling the puck along the boards I've ever seen, nevermind at his age. He's skilled, has good vision, knows how to crash the net, win board battles. He's a 1st line power winger in the near future and many of us think that's next year. I mean he could have a sophomore slump but I expect this kid to take a step forward. Should people have had high expectations for Monahan and Gaudreau in their 2nd years? Why not Tkachuk?

[DJones]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

That 1st line would get absolutely bodied along the boards. You didn't put a winger on that line who can fight through checking. I really don't think we can afford to have Tkachuk and Ferland on the same line. The player who most needs a player like them is Gaudreau, he needs a powerforward on his line to make room for him, win board battles after dump ins, drive the net, etc. Using the same players you had I'd rather see


Gaudreau-Monahan-Tkachuk
Ferland-Bennett-Versteeg
Frolik-Backlund-Brouwer
Bouma-Lazar-Hathaway

Not totally sure Versteeg is a fit. If Jankowski is ready to make the NHL I'd go with

Gaudreau-Monahan-Tkachuk
Bennett-Jankowski-Ferland
Frolik-Backlund-Brouwer
Bouma-Lazar-Hathaway

What if the top line winger that people are wanting can be filled from within? Gaudreau, Tkachuk and Bennett would make 3 1st line wingers to me. That's enough to win with

Personally, I don't want Tkachuk to be anywhere near Gaudreau. I don't want Gaudreau getting into five scuffles a game. At least Ferland knows better self control and just gets into one on one scuffles.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by DJones

Personally, I don't want Tkachuk to be anywhere near Gaudreau. I don't want Gaudreau getting into five scuffles a game. At least Ferland knows better self control and just gets into one on one scuffles.

Interesting, hadn't thought of that angle. Not sure if we should be concerned about that or not.

I think Gaudreau-Monahan-Tkachuk could be one of the scariest offensive lines in the NHL. Tkachuk has the skill to set up and finish but also does the things that line needs with his net crashing proclivities and domination of board play. He's got the skill of a Hudler but with the physical game of a powerforward. I salivated at the thought of that line even before we drafted Tkachuk. Would love to see them try him there next season

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

That 1st line would get absolutely bodied along the boards. You didn't put a winger on that line who can fight through checking. I really don't think we can afford to have Tkachuk and Ferland on the same line. The player who most needs a player like them is Gaudreau, he needs a powerforward on his line to make room for him, win board battles after dump ins, drive the net, etc. Using the same players you had I'd rather see


Gaudreau-Monahan-Tkachuk
Ferland-Bennett-Versteeg
Frolik-Backlund-Brouwer
Bouma-Lazar-Hathaway

Not totally sure Versteeg is a fit. If Jankowski is ready to make the NHL I'd go with

Gaudreau-Monahan-Tkachuk
Bennett-Jankowski-Ferland
Frolik-Backlund-Brouwer
Bouma-Lazar-Hathaway

What if the top line winger that people are wanting can be filled from within? Gaudreau, Tkachuk and Bennett would make 3 1st line wingers to me. That's enough to win with

I like having tkachuk or bennett on the first line RW. Though i do question the idea that size/physicality/grit as a required attribute for the winger playing alongside gaudrea/monahan. They were one of the top lines in the league with hudler as their RW. I think that a high skill level and good finish is critical for the role. It's actually for that reason (as you posted in your next post) that makes tkachuck such an intriguing candidate. His play with the puck in tight quarters is understated, but is absolutely unbelievable, which could play an incredible role on that line.

i'm not that worried about the extra curriculars that tkatchuk brings post whistle. It's not like frolik/backlund are the grittiest of players. Tkatchuk typically held is own without needing backup in the scrums.

[DJones]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

i'm not that worried about the extra curriculars that tkatchuk brings post whistle. It's not like frolik/backlund are the grittiest of players. Tkatchuk typically held is own without needing backup in the scrums.

I actually thought Backlund showed some nastiness this year. I liked it.

Online he was getting a reputation for being dirty. Which is obviously nonsense but people were noticing him anyway. Not sure we'll get that from Monahan or Gaudreau.

[loob job]

I have heard that Drouin turned down a pretty big bridge deal. Seems like his time in Tampa could be short.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by loob job

I have heard that Drouin turned down a pretty big bridge deal. Seems like his time in Tampa could be short.

Sounds like he is on the way out. They have Palat, Drouin, Johnson that need new contracts and the desire to add a blueliner. Rumors they would move Johnson or Drouin for a Dman

[Flash Walken]

Don't need that from Monahan. He's not a hitter, can't make him one.

He'll continue to show he's one of the toughest guys on the team by going into the dirty areas every shift he's out there, taking the crosschecks and the chops, winning the out-manned battle along the boards to retain possession.

[DJones]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Don't need that from Monahan. He's not a hitter, can't make him one.

He'll continue to show he's one of the toughest guys on the team by going into the dirty areas every shift he's out there, taking the crosschecks and the chops, winning the out-manned battle along the boards to retain possession.

Which is fine. I'm just not sure that's the best kind of temperament to put with Tkachuk. Having Ferland there would solve that problem though.

[sa226]

Bennett becoming an impact player changes the entire dynamic of the team. They need him to do that soon.

As awesome as the Backlund line was last year, their suitability as a second line depends on the effectiveness of the first line. Backlund can't do all of the heavy lifting, like he did last year.

Monahan and Gaudreau need to earn their paychecks for 82 games, not 50 to 60.

If an impact Bennett, and a couple spunky youngsters along with improved goaltending and a solidified defence join the above situation, we are in great shape.

I could always be wrong, but the core is in place. With the current cap situation, big name additions won't happen without significant subtractions.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by sa226

Bennett becoming an impact player changes the entire dynamic of the team. They need him to do that soon.

As awesome as the Backlund line was last year, their suitability as a second line depends on the effectiveness of the first line. Backlund can't do all of the heavy lifting, like he did last year.

Monahan and Gaudreau need to earn their paychecks for 82 games, not 50 to 60.

If an impact Bennett, and a couple spunky youngsters along with improved goaltending and a solidified defence join the above situation, we are in great shape.

I could always be wrong, but the core is in place. With the current cap situation, big name additions won't happen without significant subtractions.

Yeah, and this is what Tre means when he talks about most of the growth having to be internal. If the Flames 25 and under core continue to get better, this team will be really F-ing good. If they don't we will stagnate as a decent playoff team that is unlikely to get over the hump. Hamilton, Gaudreau, Monahan, Bennett, Tkachuk, Ferland and Lazar.

Also, as aging overpaid depth players become UFA's, we need kids from the farm to step up and become contributing NHLers. This coming year will be a big opportunity for guys like Kulak, Andersson, Kylington and Wotherspoon on the back end, and over the next two years we need a few guys out of Jankowski, Shinkaruk, Poirier, Klimchuk, Mangiapane, Hathaway, Lomberg to become solid NHL depth players at the very least so we don't have to overpay a bunch more older UFA's to augment the above core.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Clever_Iggy

Largely shuffling the chairs on an underwhelming 2016 team would be disappointing. The forwards need an upgrade.

Improvement will come internally. Bennett and Tkachuk can be expected to take another step. Even if they plateau offensively, Gaudreau, Monahan, and Hamilton can (and should) still see improvement in their overall game. Jankowski and Lazar will bring some dynamism to the bottom two lines. The team is accustomed to Gulutzan's system.

Without any signings, I would expect the team to improve moderately over last season's results. With an upgrade on the second pairing and in goal I would expect substantial improvement.

[fotiou22]

Would love to see Gaudreau and Bennett get a chance together. We've seen good chemistry between Monahan and Versteeg -- Tkachuk feels like a perfect compliment. Each of these lines has grit and skill.

If Brouwer is moved out, then Lazar could fit nicely with Frolik/Backlund.

Gaudreau - Bennett - Ferland
Tkachuk - Monahan - Versteeg
Frolik - Backlund - Brouwer
Lazar - Jankowski - Chiasson

Giordano - Hamilton
Brodie - Stone
Del Zotto - Andersson

Fleury
Gillies

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Said it before but I'll say it again... here are my ideal lines for next year

Gaudreau - Bennett - Versteeg
Tkachuk - Monahan - Ferland
Frolik - Backlund - Brouwer
Lazar - Jankowski - Chiasson

Giordano - Hamilton
Brodie - Stone
Del Zotto - Andersson

Fleury
Gillies

[Mattman]

http://m.rus.delfi.lv/sport/article.php?id=48919139
https://www.hockeyfeed.com/nhl-news/...-alex-ovechkin

"The Flames have offered the Capitals a trade for Ovechkin which involves Oliver Kylington, and two first round picks"

Checked back a few pages and didn't see this discussed or brought up. Sorry if it has.

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Improvement will come internally. Bennett and Tkachuk can be expected to take another step. Even if they plateau offensively, Gaudreau, Monahan, and Hamilton can (and should) still see improvement in their overall game. Jankowski and Lazar will bring some dynamism to the bottom two lines. The team is accustomed to Gulutzan's system.

Without any signings, I would expect the team to improve moderately over last season's results. With an upgrade on the second pairing and in goal I would expect substantial improvement.

Absolutely. I think the lack of skill in the top 9 forwards is concerning.

[CMPunk]

Originally Posted by Mattman

http://m.rus.delfi.lv/sport/article.php?id=48919139
https://www.hockeyfeed.com/nhl-news/...-alex-ovechkin



Checked back a few pages and didn't see this discussed or brought up. Sorry if it has.

There's a whole thread dedicated to it:
http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=162304

[DJones]

Originally Posted by Clever_Iggy

Absolutely. I think the lack of skill in the top 9 forwards is concerning.

Gaudreau
Backlund
Monahan
Tkachuk
Bennett
Frolik

All high skill guys.

Ferland
Versteeg
Jankowski
Brouwer

Borderline

Depth is fine. We just don't have an elite center and they are all left handed.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by DJones

Gaudreau
Backlund
Monahan
Tkachuk
Bennett
Frolik

All high skill guys.

Ferland
Versteeg
Jankowski
Brouwer

Borderline

Depth is fine. We just don't have an elite center and they are all left handed.

Jankowski is much more skilled than Frolik and probably right there with Backlund. Brouwer however is not a top 9 forward.