Training Camp Predictions & Discussion

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

The mix on this team is still atrocious.

There are essentially 2 spots up for grabs up front, and I think we all agree that Baertschi takes one of them. That means there is really only one spot on forward. My money is on Horak taking it. Every other forward plays in Abbotsford or back in Junior this season.

On the back end, the way I see it, there are no spots available, so there will be very little competition there.

The roster is basically already done. The line they play on is the only real mystery here.

Cammalleri
Backlund
Jones
Glencross
Stajan
Stempniak
Hudler
Galiardi
McGrattan
Jackman

This group is as much a sure thing as you're going to get. That's 10 guys for 12 forward spots. One-way deals across the board.

Same goes on the back.

Giordano
Wideman
Butler
Russell
Brodie
O'Brien
Smith

Seven guys with one-way deals. Kids aren't making this lineup.

make it 11 forwards on One-way deals -- Blair Jones.....


Then Baertschi at least starts and would have to play 20 awful games to get sent down.


Really 2 spots open on the forwards (Bouma and Horak) and 1 (Cundari?) on D. before injuries.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

New Era takes the cake. Not only are you adding 5 youngsters, you have the flames keeping 3 goaltenders.

Does the cake also come with ice cream???

Seems like a reasonable 23 man roster to me?

Cammalleri-Stajan-Stempniak
Glencross-Backlund-Hudler
Ferland-Granlund-Horak
Galiardi-Reinhart-Jones
McGrattan

Brodie-Giordano
Wideman-Butler
Ramage-O'Brien
Carson

Ramo
Berra
MacDonald

Three goaltenders until one of them stands up and takes the starter position by the throat. That isn't happening soon, so a three headed monster is likely for the first month or so, then the club will decide on what to do with the third man. I doubt they are going to let one of the two eurotenders skip overseas and lose him for the season instead of making sure what they have. Better to go with the three headed monster until they know for certain.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

People need to account for possible trades that may occur between now and puck drop on the season. One or two one-way contracts could be moved if they feel it necessary.

Otherwise that would implicate that they've been lying to the public and the kids about giving them an honest chance. Doesn't sound like something this management group would do, especially with the state of the team. If vets have to be unloaded, they will be.

They have said the same thing for the past 2 years. If they can make a trade they will do it. If they can't make a trade, then the 2 way contract will go down.

Remember when Byron came up and was a little spark plug 2 years ago. When he was sent down, Feaster said he would do anything to get him back up. It took 3-4 months until Feaster could get him back up. Trades are not as easy as some think at this time of the year. I really can't remember many, if any trades, after training camp in the past 2 years.

[transplant99]

For the majority of guys who are on one ways that have a chance to get sent down in favor of youngsters....they dont make all that much so little if ANY of their salaries would count against the cap...therefore with the Flames willing to spend to the cap, Feaster has 18 million dollars of cap room he can theoretically bury...of course that will never happen nor does it need to, but those painting the whole thing with a dark cloud need to ease off a bit....many many ways to get young guys on the big club.

[Goodlad]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

make it 11 forwards on One-way deals -- Blair Jones.....


Then Baertschi at least starts and would have to play 20 awful games to get sent down.


Really 2 spots open on the forwards (Bouma and Horak) and 1 (Cundari?) on D. before injuries.

Man, opinion in here has really turned sharply against Baertschi. I personally think he'll have a solid, but not Calder worthy season. I also don't think he'll be sent down to Abby at all this season.

Edit: NM, the way it's phrased confused me for a bit. You're saying unless he has a 20 games stretch of awful play he won't be sent down.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

Remember when Byron came up and was a little spark plug 2 years ago.

No, don't remember that at all. I remember Byron coming up and having a couple of good games then turning into the timid little player that he is. There was no rush to get him back up because he wasn't the answer to any of the team's problems, trades or not.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by New Era

No, don't remember that at all. I remember Byron coming up and having a couple of good games then turning into the timid little player that he is. There was no rush to get him back up because he wasn't the answer to any of the team's problems, trades or not.

Whether you thought Byron should stay up or stay down is irrelevant. What is relevant, for what we are talking about, is that Feaster is on record saying he liked his energy and would do everything he could to get Byron back up with the big club as fast as he could.

[_Q_]

Cammalleri - Backlund - Hudler
Glencross - Stajan - Stempniak
Baertschi - Granlund - Galiardi
Bouma - Reinhart - Jackman
Horak/McGrattan

Giordano - Wideman
Brodie - Butler
O'Brien - Smith
Cundari

Ramo
McDonald

No way Monahan makes the team in my opinion. He needs time before he makes the big show.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Too many players on one way deals still, unfortunately.

Cammi. Backlund Hudler
Glencross Stajan Stempniak
Baertschi Jones Jones
Jackman Galiardi McGrattan

Giordano Wideman
Brodie O'Brien
Butler Russell
Smith

Ramo
MacDonald

[Stampede2TheCup]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

Fair enough, but I'm working under the understanding that these are the playable spots.

You may be able to carry 23, but you don't play 23 on a nightly basis. If the kids are going to make this lineup, I want them in the lineup, not watching fromt he press box, and I don't see Calgary paying veterans on one way deals to ride the pine... so like I said, there's not a lot of wiggle room here, IMO.

I'd love to be proven wrong though!

Why not? The ownership is willing to spend to the cap but we're well below it. There's been a fair bit of money in the press box the past couple years while Brodie and Horak earned spots.

[Freeway]

Locks:
F (10): Cammalleri, Hudler, D. Jones, Stajan, Glencross, Stempniak, Backlund, McGrattan, Jackman, Galiardi
D (6): Wideman, Giordano, Brodie, O'Brien, Butler, Russell

Close:
F (for 4 spots): Baertschi, Knight, Granlund, Ferland, Horak, Reinhart, Bouma
D (for 1 spot): Sieloff, Ramage, Smith, Cundari, Breen
G (for 2 spots): Ramo, MacDonald, Berra

In The Mix:
F: Monahan, Hanowski, B.Jones
D: Wotherspoon
G: Ortio

Longshots:
F: Jooris, Nemisz, Byron, Street, Elson, Eddy
D: Billins, Martin
G: Brossoit

[Hatter]

I see Cammalleri being started at centre again this season, as the Flames don't have enough firepower at that position. My guess to start the season is something like this:

Glencross - Cammalleri - Hudler
Galiardi - Stajan - Stempniak
Baertschi - Backlund - D. Jones
Bouma - Horak - Jackman
McGrattan

Wideman - Brodie
Giordano - Russell
O'Brien - Butler
Cundari

Ramo
MacDonald

We'd have to imagine some trades are made after training camp or something. I'd like to see spots for Knight and Smith, but I can't see Beaster exposing Cundari and Horak to waivers (assuming they are eligible, which I believe they are.) Maybe we'll see a 23 man roster.

[#-3]

It will probably end up looking something like this

No Line deserves to be called line 1.
L2 Cammi-Backs-DJones
L2A Sven-Stajan-Stemp
L2B Glenx-Horak-Hudler
L3 TJG-Bouma-McGrat
Xtra Jackman&Monahan

Gio-Wide
Brodie Russel
Butler SOB
Smith

Ramo
McDonald

I think, Jackman, McGrattan, Smith, MacDonald and to a lesser Extent Butler, Horak and Ramo will need to have good training camps to avoid being waived for Abby. But it is unlikely to happen. I'm not sure where to put Knight yet, maybe a trade or an injury will solve that for us.

Reinhart will replace Monahan shortly after the season starts.

D call ups should be interesting this year with Ramage, Breen Wotherspoon, Seiloff and Cundari. All likely playing in Abby, I think Training camp will be vary important to get first priority on that list.

[Drury18]

Originally Posted by Hatter

We'd have to imagine some trades are made after training camp or something. I'd like to see spots for Knight and Smith, but I can't see Beaster exposing Cundari and Horak to waivers (assuming they are eligible, which I believe they are.) Maybe we'll see a 23 man roster.

Cundari is not exempt from waivers. Horak has 1 year/57 games waiver exemption left.

Horak will probably be victim again of the fact he can be moved to and from Abbotsford without risk of losing him.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

Fair enough, but I'm working under the understanding that these are the playable spots.

You may be able to carry 23, but you don't play 23 on a nightly basis. If the kids are going to make this lineup, I want them in the lineup, not watching fromt he press box, and I don't see Calgary paying veterans on one way deals to ride the pine... so like I said, there's not a lot of wiggle room here, IMO.

I'd love to be proven wrong though!

Sarich could tell you whether the Flames are open to sitting a veteran in favour of kids out of the gate.

[DeluxeMoustache]

I think down the middle we see Backlund, Stajan, then if he brings enough, Knight over Horak. If Cammalleri plays C, you have to slot in one of these guys as a 4th line C and that is not a natural fit. Neither Backlund nor Stajan are 3rd line who are best in the typical role of solid checkers. No sense playing either of them with 3rd line wingers.

Baertschi should pretty much be up and I could see Cundari if he plays like last year but unlikely Hanowski.

[GoFlamesGo1989]

I really get the feeling Ferland and Granlund make the team out of camp.

[Wolfman]

Put Jackman and Butler on waivers. Please!!!!

Cammalleri-Backlund-D Jones
Glencross-Stajan-Hudler
Baertschi-Monahan-Stempniak
Galiardi-Bouma-Ferland
McGrattan

Giordano-Brodie
Wideman-Russell
O'Brien-Cundari
Breen

Ramo
MacDonald

[Wastedyouth]

Glencross - Stajan - Stempniak will be a line. I'll bet on it. The best line the Flames iced last year in tough comp tough zone starts. Hartley will go back to it.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Wastedyouth

Glencross - Stajan - Stempniak will be a line. I'll bet on it. The best line the Flames iced last year in tough comp tough zone starts. Hartley will go back to it.

I would be interested to see that and Baertschi-Backlund-Hudler. Hopefully both B's stay healthy and take the next step.