Predict the 2016/2017 Flames Starting Lineup

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Underdog

Gaudreau-Monahan-Chaisson
Shinkaruk-Bennett-Brouwer
Ferland-Backlund-Frolik
Bouma-Stajan-Hathaway

Gio-Brodie
Jokki-Hamilton
Nakladal-Wideman

With Chaisson's history in Dallas playing with Benn, I think he gets a shot to regain his form on our #1 line.

Based on what we know right now, this is pretty much what I think will happen, at least to start. Only quibble I have is that Wotherspoon will likely be our 6th D as Nakladal remains unsigned. I would not be opposed to having a rotation in the 6th D spot consisting of Wotherspoon and Nakladal/Kulak, depending on who is playing the best. At this point I am perfectly fine with holding on to Wideman for the year as there are no suitable upgrades available in UFA anymore. He will be a good 5th D/PP 2 guy at the very least.

I could still imagine a trade for a guy like Kreider or Hartnell as well. IMO Bouma would have to go the other way with a + depending on the target. I would rather Shinkaruk or Poirier start on line 3 if they make it, with a more established LW in the top 6.

[devo22]

Ideal post UFA lineup, based on Smid probably going to LTIR:

Johnny Gaudreau    Sean Monahan       Troy Brouwer / Michael Frolik / Alex Chiasson
Matthew Tkachuk    Sam Bennett        Troy Brouwer / Michael Frolik / Alex Chiasson
Hunter Shinkaruk   Mikael Backlund    Troy Brouwer / Michael Frolik / Alex Chiasson
Micheal Ferland    Matt Stajan        Lance Bouma
Freddie Hamilton   Garnet Hathaway

Mark Giordano      T.J. Brodie
Dougie Hamilton    Jyrki Jokipakka
Deryk Engelland    Jakub Nakladal
Tyler Wotherspoon

Brian Elliott      Chad Johnson

that scenario involves somehow getting ride of Wideman and Bollig though, so it'll never happen.

[flamesforcup]

where do u guys see priybl slotting in? will he even make the big club?

[FBI]

Stajan on wing with Bennett as center? Hell no. This is the year Bennett breaks out, not the year we stunt his growth with the scrubs.

[Moneyhands23]

How awesone would that be if Wideman had one of those massive seasons players sometimes have in their final year!
Would be sweet if he actually preformed up or above his contract!

[Jason14h]

Or like he played the season before ..... It isn't like he's years removed from a good season

[Apollo]

I'm going to update my player chart. It is a constantly evolving chart based on the available information I have come across. Before I placed Frolik on the top line, but that would leave Backlund's line thin. Frolik and Backlund play great together. I'm still having issue with the 1RW and who will take that spot. I'm not convinced Chaisson will automatically play with Calgary. I think the Final spot goes to the best player in the preseason, whether that's Chaisson, Poirier, Prybil or someone else.

Forwards
Gaudreau-Monahan-Prybil/Poirier
Shinkaruk/Stajan-Backlund-Frolik
Tkachuk-Bennett-Brouwer
Ferland/Bouma-Jankowski-Hathaway/Chaisson
Extras: Chaisson, Stajan

Defense
Giordano-Brodie
Jokipakka-Hamilton
Nakladal-Engelland

Elliott
Johnson

I think we will see Wideman traded before the season starts. Based on what Treliving said, I expect we will see Brouwer and Bennett on the same line. It sounds like Brouwer was brought in to insulate Bennett and is going to mentor and help develop him. If would make sense if Tkachuk is apart of that line. I like how he Tkachuk told Treliving "If you draft me, I will make the team." I like that type of drive. Bouma is supposedly on the trade market so I'm not sure where or if I should slot him into the roster. I have a feeling we will see Jankowski and Shinkaruk make the team.

[FanIn80]

Gaudreau Monahan(A) Chaisson
Tkachuk Bennett Brouwer
Shinkaruk Backlund Frolik
Ferland Stajan Bouma

Giordano(C) Brodie(A)
Jokipakka Hamilton
Nakladal England
Wotherspoon

Elliott
Cinqo

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Gaudreau (A)Monahan Chaisson
Tkachuk Bennett Brouwer
Shinkaruk Backlund Frolik
Ferland Stajan Bouma

(C)Giordano (A)Brodie
Jokipakka Hamilton
Nakladal England
Wotherspoon

Elliott
Cinqo

Would LOVE it if both Tkachuk and Shinkaruk forced their way onto the roster on top of Chiasson forcing his way onto the 1st line.

Those things would go a long ways to getting this rebuild to the next step.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Gaudreau Monahan(A) Chaisson
Tkachuk Bennett Brouwer
Shinkaruk Backlund Frolik
Ferland Stajan Bouma

Giordano(C) Brodie(A)
Jokipakka Hamilton
Nakladal England
Wotherspoon

Elliott
Cinqo

Love this line-up! If all players fit obviously. I could see going in with that line-up and then swapping out Chaisson and Brouwer depending on who clicks with the top line the best.

[Jason14h]

I don't understand why we are leaving wideman off and not getting a cap replacement !

He is better then Nak no matter how excited people get for 10 games when it didn't matter

[Par]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Gaudreau Monahan(A) Chaisson
Tkachuk Bennett Brouwer
Shinkaruk Backlund Frolik
Ferland Stajan Bouma

Giordano(C) Brodie(A)
Jokipakka Hamilton
Nakladal England
Wotherspoon

Elliott
Cinqo

Love this, if Tkachuk and Shinkaruk force there way on team that would, unbelievable, those lines look good, I think Chaisson will have a good season, he has history with Glen.

[AC]

Originally Posted by Par

Love this, if Tkachuk and Shinkaruk force there way on team that would, unbelievable, those lines look good, I think Chaisson will have a good season, he has history with Glen.

Yep, 7 games worth.

[Cantrader]

I like the flames grooming their young players and keep the qualit vets like engelland who called and help out with getting Brouwer here.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

I don't understand why we are leaving wideman off and not getting a cap replacement !

He is better then Nak no matter how excited people get for 10 games when it didn't matter

Wideman is not better than Nak. At this point, they're relatively equal: PP cannons with moderate defense. Wideman just gets paid over 5x more.

I think the general consensus is that Wideman will be gone by the end of 16-17, but for now, I'd say the D core looks like:

5 - 7
27 - 6
3 - 29
33

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

5 - 7
27 - 6
3 - 29
33

Potvin - Coffey
Tonelli - Housley
Phaneuf - Vernon
Roy

Weird, but I'll take it.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Moneyhands23

How awesone would that be if Wideman had one of those massive seasons players sometimes have in their final year!
Would be sweet if he actually preformed up or above his contract!

a Kulak Wideman bottom pairing could get us those results IMO. But there are too many bodies which make Wideman impossible to utilize.

[edslunch]

I wouldn't pencil Chiasson into the first line just yet. He had all of 14 points in 77 games last year. Maybe the wrong role and reduced minutes but it doesn't scream first line talent to me.

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Wideman is not better than Nak. At this point, they're relatively equal: PP cannons with moderate defense. Wideman just gets paid over 5x more.

I think the general consensus is that Wideman will be gone by the end of 16-17, but for now, I'd say the D core looks like:

5 - 7
27 - 6
3 - 29
33

Wideman is definitely better than Nak.

The amount of hate Wideman gets on here has jumped the shark. It's so ridiculous. Wideman is still a very serviceable defenceman. He makes some mistakes, but overall can move the puck decent enough and can play the game. Nakladal is not proven at all. Maybe one day this will be true but today not a chance.

[FanIn80]

The thing about our first line is that we don't need anyone to complete it. We just need a natural (not converted) RW with a right shot who can keep up with the play, dig the puck out of tight areas, drive the net and backcheck. A pretty tall order, for sure, but we don't need a Pavel Bure; we need an Adam Deadmarsh.

Edit: Holy crap, I forgot Deadmarsh was a 25-30 goal guy lol. Mind you, he played with Forsberg/Hejduk and was a master at everything I described above. If Chaisson does the same while playing with Johnny/Mony, he'll probably put up 20+ too.