Predict the 2016/2017 Flames Starting Lineup

[mrdonkey]

Gaudreau/Monahan/Chiasson

Ferland/Bennett/Brouwer

Bouma/Backlund/Frolik

Bollig/Stajan/Vey

X: Pribyl, Shinkaruk


Gio/Brodie

Kevin/Hamilton

Engelland/Wideman

X: Wotherspoon or Smid (if healthy)

[dammage79]

Post UFA day roster prediction:

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

Gio-Brodie
Jokipakka-Hamilton
Engelland-Wideman
Wotherspoon

Elliott
Johnson

I don't have Tkachuk pegged for a spot. Nothing wrong there with that. Plenty of competition for spots though with the like of Vey, Pribyl (not sure what we have there yet so slotting him into a spot is a bit hopeful).

You could easily take spots away from Bouma and Ferland and Stajan. Could even move Frolik over to LW if Shinkaruk and Tkachuk and Bouma or Ferland flatline during camp and one of the other RW's shows better.

Plenty of options and intrigue heading into main camp.

My big hopes are for some young D men to steal spots. And Wideman can move on.

[memphusk]

I wonder if a Brad Boyes could make a nice little run on the top 2 lines. He is a free agent is he not? Maybe a PTO. Minimal dollars with a chance to shine.

[Par]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Post UFA day roster prediction:

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

Gio-Brodie
Jokipakka-Hamilton
Engelland-Wideman
Wotherspoon

Elliott
Johnson

I don't have Tkachuk pegged for a spot. Nothing wrong there with that. Plenty of competition for spots though with the like of Vey, Pribyl (not sure what we have there yet so slotting him into a spot is a bit hopeful).

You could easily take spots away from Bouma and Ferland and Stajan. Could even move Frolik over to LW if Shinkaruk and Tkachuk and Bouma or Ferland flatline during camp and one of the other RW's shows better.

Plenty of options and intrigue heading into main camp.

My big hopes are for some young D men to steal spots. And Wideman can move on.

I look at those forwards, that you have and I worry very much, that looks a bottom 10 forward group.

[Party Elephant]

Originally Posted by memphusk

I wonder if a Brad Boyes could make a nice little run on the top 2 lines.

Yeah, but which one???

[memphusk]

Originally Posted by Party Elephant

Yeah, but which one???

Brads Boye.

[Strange Brew]

Looking at all these line speculations drives home to me that there are a number of question marks up front with so many rookies pencilled in. Will the Flames really go to camp with 2 or forward spots wide open?

[Samonadreau]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Looking at all these line speculations drives home to me that there are a number of question marks up front with so many rookies pencilled in. Will the Flames really go to camp with 2 or forward spots wide open?

We are speculating roster spots but in reality you could pick 5 out of 10 predictions and they will likely all be tried in the first 10 games. It's a team still in a rebuild with a lot of new and/or young peices

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Par

I look at those forwards, that you have and I worry very much, that looks a bottom 10 forward group.

Is what it is right? I do not see a bottom ten FW group though. The weaknesses I see is in 3 spots and they're in the bottom 6. I don't think Shinkaruk is getting enough credit. I really think he has the jam and skill to produce in a top 6 role.

And Tkachuk/Shinkaruk would be the two who would be battling for the #2 LW spot IMO.

[Vulcan]

Forwards
Gaudreau - Monahan - Brouwer
Bouma - Backlund - Frolik
Tkachuk - Bennett - Ferland
Shinkaruk - Stajan - Chiasson
Hathaway/Vey - Bollig

Shinkaruk gets spot duty on the top three lines. Pribyl gets the same treatment as Nakladal got, meaning a late season call up if he produces.

Giordano - Wideman
Brodie - Hamilton
Jokipakka - Engelland
Wotherspoon

Until the too many right siders is solved by getting rid of Wideman, we'll need to split up the 1st pairing. This way Wideman gets the chance to showcase his talent.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Shinkaruk gets spot duty on the top three lines. Rittich gets the same treatment as Nakladal got, meaning a late season call up if he produces.

Isn't he a goalie?

[jaikorven]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

Isn't he a goalie?

That was my first thought as well. lol

[Wolfman]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

Isn't he a goalie?

Goalies can produce too ya know!

[BurningSteel]

Wish Nakladal was penciled in

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by BurningSteel

Wish Nakladal was penciled in

I agree with an earlier assessment (can't remember where from) that Nak and Wotherspoon, the two D that we're "kinda-sorta" penciling in, are likely waiting on the medical results from Smid first. Brad is probably leveraging the lack of cap space - "Come on boys, we gotta get Johnny and Mony and there's practically scraps left anyways if you wanna stay", but Wotherspoon and Nak have been told by their agents not to commit to the lower offers until the situation with Smid is made clear. I'm sure they'd love to stay with the Flames, but that's an extra 3.5 million of cap space that could be milked from the Flames if Smid starts the season on LTIR.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

I agree with an earlier assessment (can't remember where from) that Nak and Wotherspoon, the two D that we're "kinda-sorta" penciling in, are likely waiting on the medical results from Smid first. Brad is probably leveraging the lack of cap space - "Come on boys, we gotta get Johnny and Mony and there's practically scraps left anyways if you wanna stay", but Wotherspoon and Nak have been told by their agents not to commit to the lower offers until the situation with Smid is made clear. I'm sure they'd love to stay with the Flames, but that's an extra 3.5 million of cap space that could be milked from the Flames if Smid starts the season on LTIR.

I think posters have to realise that Nak is probably not saught after by other NHL teams. My guess is if there is interest in him from other teams its a 2 way contract.

As for flames the only way i see them re-signing Nak is if they can trade Wideman. I don't think there is much of a chance that flames can trade Wideman before the season starts.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

Isn't he a goalie?

Yeah sorry, I meant Pribyl.

[14]

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

Gio-Brodie
Jokipakka-Hamilton
Engelland-Wideman
Wotherspoon

Elliott
Johnson

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by 14

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

Gio-Brodie
Jokipakka-Hamilton
Engelland-Wideman
Wotherspoon

Elliott
Johnson

Add Vey and Bollig as extra forwards and there you have it. Although I expect another Setoguchi type signing before start of year. Lots of open spots up front.

[Roof-Daddy]

Still kind of hoping the Flames can sign Pirri to a two way.

Good competition in camp for Shinkaruk, etc and if he gets sent down would be a solid offensive "ringer" for the Heat.