Building The 2018/19 Flames Roster

[Kybb79]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Jesus if Ferland is on the top line RW over Neal they should fire the entire administration.

Ferland WAS the top line RW for lack of better options. not because he is THAT good.

Jesus Ferly more than earned his cap hit. I can't say that for most of the team last season. 1.75 million is a bargin for a 20 goal scorer. I have no problem with Ferly but i can call out some players that have no heart on this team that make big bucks. I agree Ferly is a 3rd liner on a Cup contender but it's not his fault Calgary has no depth upfront.

[Poe969]

That's the point, if the Flames get more RW depth Ferland should move down the lineup. If no one can build chemistry, he's a backup.

[CalgaryFan1988]

I remember Treliving, a few years ago, stated that he believed the new NHL is all about depth and not about top end talent. So he's well aware of what it takes to win, he's just failed to put a deep team together, thus far.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by CalgaryFan1988

I remember Treliving, a few years ago, stated that he believed the new NHL is all about depth and not about top end talent. So he's well aware of what it takes to win, he's just failed to put a deep team together, thus far.

Yeah.

Lost Byron on waivers
Baertschi wanted out
Brouwer was a miss
Bennett regressed
Shinkaruk was a miss
Klimchuk not as good as hoped
Poirier battled addiction
Stajan's offense fell off a cliff
Bouma was a one hit wonder
Lazar has no NHL offense
Vertseeg unable to stay healthy
Jagr too old


Hopefully he finds the right recipe soon, because we are wasting the last years of high level Gio, and also wasting the bargain years of Hamilton, Johnny and Monahan.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by CalgaryFan1988

I remember Treliving, a few years ago, stated that he believed the new NHL is all about depth and not about top end talent. So he's well aware of what it takes to win, he's just failed to put a deep team together, thus far.

Depth is great and all, can't win without it, but both teams in the final had at least 3 players score 65+ points and the flames had 1 ( honourable mention Monahan with 64).

Both teams finished top 10 in scoring and all 4 conference finals teams were top 10 in scoring.

This is a goal scoring league now and the flames are built reminiscent of the top heavy defensive years under Brent.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Poe969

That's the point, if the Flames get more RW depth Ferland should move down the lineup. If no one can build chemistry, he's a backup.

If the Flames get more RW depth, they should use it to make the 2nd and 3rd lines scoring threats, rather than incrementally improve what is already one of the most productive lines in the NHL.

Why does Tampa have Killorn on their 1st line, instead of Palat or Gourde? Because the Stamkos-Kucherov line isn't going to produce significantly more goals if you add Palat or Gourde, but the 2nd and 3rd lines will.

[Toonage]

Peters already stating he likes to keep pairs on each lines and then cycle talent up and down to finish the lines. regardless of who the Flames pick up this off season I expect to see them shuffle up and down, so Ferland will still get his looks on the first line.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

If the Flames get more RW depth, they should use it to make the 2nd and 3rd lines scoring threats, rather than incrementally improve what is already one of the most productive lines in the NHL.

Why does Tampa have Killorn on their 1st line, instead of Palat or Gourde? Because the Stamkos-Kucherov line isn't going to produce significantly more goals if you add Palat or Gourde, but the 2nd and 3rd lines will.

I agree - look at Edmonton putting Draisaitl on the top line. Sure he gets more points but does their team scoring improve much?

That said, no matter who they add, and where, RW scoring need to get better. If its a guy on the top line that pushes Ferland down, that improves whatever line Ferland is on.

[Strange Brew]

I occasionally think that while Ferland is not a first line player, the line of Gaudreau Monahan Ferland is a serviceable first line.

If you had a plus playmaking centre playing with Tkachuk on the second line and Backlund centering a shutdown third line you would be alot more balanced up front.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

I occasionally think that while Ferland is not a first line player, the line of Gaudreau Monahan Ferland is a serviceable first line.

If you had a plus playmaking centre playing with Tkachuk on the second line and Backlund centering a shutdown third line you would be alot more balanced up front.

[Drunk Uncle]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

If the Flames get more RW depth, they should use it to make the 2nd and 3rd lines scoring threats, rather than incrementally improve what is already one of the most productive lines in the NHL.

Why does Tampa have Killorn on their 1st line, instead of Palat or Gourde? Because the Stamkos-Kucherov line isn't going to produce significantly more goals if you add Palat or Gourde, but the 2nd and 3rd lines will.

Agree. On almost every team in the NHL right now the top 6 forwards are split into pairs over 3 lines. The issue is we need a top 6 forward to round out a 3rd pairing. Is Ferland a top 6 player? Not on a contending team. Does that mean he shouldn't play on the top line? No.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

If he said that it is just reaffirming my belief that BT is not the man for the job anymore.

He doesn't tell a group of fans at a season ticket holder meeting who he's thinking of trading so he has to go?

OK ...

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Depth is great and all, can't win without it, but both teams in the final had at least 3 players score 65+ points and the flames had 1 ( honourable mention Monahan with 64).

Both teams finished top 10 in scoring and all 4 conference finals teams were top 10 in scoring.

This is a goal scoring league now and the flames are built reminiscent of the top heavy defensive years under Brent.

Sure but Monahan played the last half of the year unable to hold a stick and Tkachuk missed the last few weeks and is sure to improve year over year again.

The Flames have those top three ... I think it's next set of three where they come up short.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

If the Flames get more RW depth, they should use it to make the 2nd and 3rd lines scoring threats, rather than incrementally improve what is already one of the most productive lines in the NHL.

Why does Tampa have Killorn on their 1st line, instead of Palat or Gourde? Because the Stamkos-Kucherov line isn't going to produce significantly more goals if you add Palat or Gourde, but the 2nd and 3rd lines will.

I think people focus way too much on lines and who plays with who.

The key is to add another top six forward, how they are deployed is up to Peters and likely subject to change.

The Caps moved Wilson to the top line, he's essentially Ferland, but that isn't to say they don't think Oshie and Backstrom are second line players, or not as valued as Wilson.

That's the mix they wanted.

Calgary needs to add to that top group ... whether you see it as a top line or top three forwards, they need an improvement in forward 5 essentially.

[Red]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I think people focus way too much on lines and who plays with who.

The key is to add another top six forward, how they are deployed is up to Peters and likely subject to change.

The Caps moved Wilson to the top line, he's essentially Ferland, but that isn't to say they don't think Oshie and Backstrom are second line players, or not as valued as Wilson.

That's the mix they wanted.

Calgary needs to add to that top group ... whether you see it as a top line or top three forwards, they need an improvement in forward 5 essentially.

Hopefully with size. A guy like ROR would do wonders. Tavares I feel is a pipe dream unfortunately.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I think people focus way too much on lines and who plays with who.

The key is to add another top six forward, how they are deployed is up to Peters and likely subject to change.

The Caps moved Wilson to the top line, he's essentially Ferland, but that isn't to say they don't think Oshie and Backstrom are second line players, or not as valued as Wilson.

That's the mix they wanted.

Calgary needs to add to that top group ... whether you see it as a top line or top three forwards, they need an improvement in forward 5 essentially.

I like the idea of pairs and one of the players in the pair should be a center. Backlund is a good player but personally I think a playmaking/scoring center with Tkachuk makes sense.

Do you believe Backlund's salary is a killer in the 3C slot?

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Do you believe Backlund's salary is a killer in the 3C slot?

Not at all. Cap space is not a huge issue for the Flames. Backlund should be the 3rd centre in an ideal world.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

I like the idea of pairs and one of the players in the pair should be a center. Backlund is a good player but personally I think a playmaking/scoring center with Tkachuk makes sense.

Do you believe Backlund's salary is a killer in the 3C slot?

I think it would be a bigger issue a decade ago when you had two scoring lines, a checking line and a fourth line of misfits and tough guys.

now they want to flow from line to line, and he's essentially a poor man's second line center or an elite third line center.

Either way with the way he makes players around him better he's a huge piece of the top nine and not over paid at all in my mind.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by dammage79

^ there's the over valuing of Micheal Ferland. Right there.

Bonafide top six scorer. Jesus mary and joseph.

People overate what they think a top 6 forward is - especially when it comes to even strength scoring.

First Line:
Top 30: 66 points to 50 points
Top 60: 50 points to 45 points
Top 90: 45 points to 40 points

Second Line:
91-180: 40 points to 30 points

Third Line:
181 - 270 (Third Line): 30 points to 20 points

Flames forwards fell into the following threshold at ES.

First Line:
Gaudreau - 60 points
Monahan - 45 points (On pace for 50+ before injury)

Top 6:
Ferland - 35 points
Tkachuk - 32 points
Backlund 31 points

3rd Line:
Bennett - 23 points
Frolik - 23 points
Jankowski - 20 points

While people always clamor for that forward to play with Monahan and Gaudreau, IMO it's actually more impactful for the Flames to add a "top line" talent that they can play on their own line or with Tkachuk.

Similar to how Washington splits up Ovechkin (56), Kuznetzov (52), Backstrom (45) or Tampa with Kucherov (64), Stamkos (53), & Point (50).

For example if the Flames added an Eberle or Kessel (50 ES points last year). They would be better off doing something like:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Ferland
Tkachuk - Jankowski - Kessel
Bennett - Backlund - Frolik

That would better balance out the scoring and give them 3 more dangerous scoring lines opposed to loading up on one line at Even Strength - and then you'd run 4 FWD - 1D on the PP (Gaudreau, Monahan, Tkachuk, Kessel, Hamilton/Gio).

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I think it would be a bigger issue a decade ago when you had two scoring lines, a checking line and a fourth line of misfits and tough guys.

now they want to flow from line to line, and he's essentially a poor man's second line center or an elite third line center.

Either way with the way he makes players around him better he's a huge piece of the top nine and not over paid at all in my mind.

You could see a guy like Dube perhaps fitting with Backlund in another year or so, hoping Frolik doesn't continue to decline next season.

Find offensive center to play with Tkachuk. Someone who also makes the PP work.

Now maybe you have something.