Predict the opening day line-up

[4oh3]

Camaleri - backlund - Stempniak
Baertschi - stajan - Hudler
Glencross - monahan - D. Jones
Ferland - Knight Jackman


Giordano - Brodie
Wideman - Russell
O'Brien - Smith


Ramo
McDonald

[TurnedTheCorner]

I predict everyone on CP will love the opening line-up, and that there will be no debate or dissenting opinions about it's make up.

[kyuss275]

I've tried to do the lines a couple of times and every time one of Galliardi or Jones ends up on the 4th line. I don't think that was the plan when the flames acquired these guys? Galliardi has looked very good in the couple pre-season games i have seen.

Do we really need Hudler if Monahan stays up for the full year? Would anybody take Hudler off our hands?

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

I've tried to do the lines a couple of times and every time one of Galliardi or Jones ends up on the 4th line. I don't think that was the plan when the flames acquired these guys? Galliardi has looked very good in the couple pre-season games i have seen.

Do we really need Hudler if Monahan stays up for the full year? Would anybody take Hudler off our hands?

I would rather have Hudler than Jones or Galiardi.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

I've tried to do the lines a couple of times and every time one of Galliardi or Jones ends up on the 4th line. I don't think that was the plan when the flames acquired these guys? Galliardi has looked very good in the couple pre-season games i have seen.

Do we really need Hudler if Monahan stays up for the full year? Would anybody take Hudler off our hands?

Hudler is likely the most skilled guy on the team...I just don't get some of you

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I would rather have Hudler than Jones or Galiardi.

Jones at $4 million is untradeable. Galiardi is the type of player they need to re-sign and not trade.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Hudler is likely the most skilled guy on the team...I just don't get some of you

It's not that i don't like Hudler, but you have to think the flames want to get bigger in the Top 9. I guess i was trying to fit in a youngster and saw no way. Maybe next year youngster.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

From Stajan's interview after his recent 3 point game, he mentioned that he'd like to stick with the same line mates (Glencross Stajan Stempniak) and coaching must feel the same.

So I think we'll see:

Cammalleri - Backlund - Hudler
Glencross - Stajan - Stempniak
Baertchi - Monahan - D. Jones
Ferland - Knight - Bouma

Giordano - Brodie
Wideman - Russell
O'Brien - Smith

Ramo
McDonald

I am okay with this and I think we'll see some exciting hockey out of this bunch. Some people may not want to see the young guys on the 3rd line, but with these scoring lines we could very well see them rolling the 2nd and 3rd lines evenly, cutting down on 1st line minutes as well.

[metroneck]

You'd think this exercise would be easier...

Galiardi has not been outplayed by Ferland or Knight. He will be in there.

I'd really like to see Ferland and Bouma in there somehow...

[Wolfman]

Cuts Wednesday and Thursday, will get better idea then. Jackman should be on waivers in a day or two IMO.

[Ring of Fire]

Cammalleri
Hudler
D. Jones
Stajan
Stempniak
Glencross
Backlund
Baertschi
Galiardi
Bouma
Monahan
Jackman
McGrattan
Knight
(Horak if Monahan gets sent to jr after 9 games & 1st call-up)

Wideman
Giordano
Brodie
Russell
O'Brien
Butler
Smith
(Sieloff 1st call up)

Ramo
McDonald
(Berra called up part way)

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Wolfman

Cuts Wednesday and Thursday, will get better idea then. Jackman should be on waivers in a day or two IMO.

I don't really see the point of putting Jackman on waivers anymore. As of now i have him in the pressbox and behind McGrattan who is also in the pressbox. There is no point giving a youngster his position, when the position is sitting in the pressbox.

[Vulcan]

Projected Lines: Flames vs. Coyotes

http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=683988


It looks like Street is still in the running along with Monohan and Knight.

[alan21]

Cammalleri - Backlund - Stempniak
Baertschi - Monahan - Jones
Galiardi - Stajan - Hudler
Bouma - Horak - McGrattan

Giordano - Brodie
Wideman - O'Brien
Butler - Russell

Ramo
MacDonald

[FlameZilla]

Knight & Ferland start in Abbotsford, unless both Hudler & Cammalleri are injured on the season opener. Monahan has earned his 9 game audition. Awesome! Strong on face offs & seems to already have an eye for goal. The regular season is a different kettle of fish though, and if he struggles there is no harm in sending him back to junior.

Glenncross/Stajan/Stempniak -> most NHL experience & proven chemistry
Baertschi/Backlund/Jones -> Jones should be able to make room for the 2 skilled young'uns
Cammalleri/Monahan/Hudler -> Worth a try!
Galiardi/Horak/Jackman -> McGrattan & Bouma slot in easily from the pressbox

Brodie/Giordano
Russell/Wideman
Butler/O'Brien (God help us all)

Ramo -> the most solid option
MacDonald -> veteran stability as a backup, just not a #1

Bouma, McGrattan & Smith in the pressbox.

Sieloff, Ferland & Knight should be injury call-ups from Abbotsford. All would benefit from some time in the minors to adjust to the pros.

[Hells Bells]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

It looks like Street is still in the running along with Monohan and Knight.

Looks like Street is just filling Cammalleri's spot until he's ready to go.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Hells Bells

Looks like Street is just filling Cammalleri's spot until he's ready to go.

Hey, I'm surprised he's still around and getting something of a shot as well. He's the red headed step child of Flames prospects as far as publicity goes but he always looks involved in the play.

[flambers]

Glencross Stajan Stempniak
Cammalleri Backlund D Jones
Jiri Hudler Monahan Baertschi
Bouma TJ Galiardi Brian McGratton

TJ Brodie Mark Giordano
Chris Butler Dennis Wideman
Kris Russell Shane O'Brien

Karri Ramo
Joey MacDonald

In the Press Box
Derek Smith
Roman Horak
Corban Knight

I would think the Flames will waive Tim Jackman.... Bouma and Jackman are basically in camp chasing the same spot.

Reinhart & Knight are chasing the same spot. I'll give the edge to Knight, thus Reinhart will start the season in AHL.

Of course key question is will Hudler & Cammalleri be healthy enough to start the season....

[Makarov]

Originally Posted by Bandwagon In Flames

From Stajan's interview after his recent 3 point game, he mentioned that he'd like to stick with the same line mates (Glencross Stajan Stempniak) and coaching must feel the same.

So I think we'll see:

Cammalleri - Backlund - Hudler
Glencross - Stajan - Stempniak
Baertchi - Monahan - D. Jones
Ferland - Knight - Bouma

Giordano - Brodie
Wideman - Russell
O'Brien - Smith

Ramo
McDonald

I am okay with this and I think we'll see some exciting hockey out of this bunch. Some people may not want to see the young guys on the 3rd line, but with these scoring lines we could very well see them rolling the 2nd and 3rd lines evenly, cutting down on 1st line minutes as well.

Missing Galiardi.

[clancy]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

Can't really disagree with "Q" on who makes the team. The lines might be a bit different. The only player i can see being traded or put on waivers is Jackman and i doubt they will do it.

Those bottom 4 pairings are horrible, but accurate. Not sure what will be worse the Butler-SOB pairing playing 15 minutes or less, or, Wideman - Russell playing 17- 20 minutes?

I really think the flames will try and make a trade for someone that can play on the 2nd pairing. They could then put Brodie down on second pairing, rather than him going against the ellite talent in the league. He is going to be good, but he is not there yet.

Trading for a top 4 will likely mean trading a prospect of pick. I would rather throw journeyman to the wolves if Brodie starts going backwards. Let's see if he can handle it. He has risen to every challenge thrown his way so far.