Building The 2018/19 Flames Roster

[Oling_Roachinen]

For the right price, sure. I would just be wary of paying a player "40 point producer market value" when he's put up 15-25 points throughout his career and then jumps to 40+ when he's 29.

[Strange Brew]

Cali - if we bring back essentially the same team as last year I'd like to see a deal to get back into the draft this year.

It's not tanking. It's just allowing the current tam to progress and see what we have under a different coach. But a couple of more good prospects in the system only helps the team over the long term and I don't believe we are getting much benefit from being so over invested on the back end.

Then you have picks, prospects and cap space to make a move if you are better than expected.

[Corral]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

I might be in the minority here, but I see Jankowski taking another step next year (as he's done literally every year he's played) and start producing offense at a 2nd line center level.
So I guess what I'm saying is that I would be ok if we went into next year like this:

Gaudreau-Monahan-Ferland
Tkachuk-Jankowski-UFA/Mangiapane/Foo
Bennett-Backlund-Frolik
Mangiapane-Shore-Lazar
Hathaway

Giordano-Hamilton
Brodie-Hamonic
Kulak-Stone-Andersson

Smith
Rittich
.

i'm also in the lets see if Jankowski can fill 2L centre crowd. But the concern for me with your line up is there are only 3 established top 6 forwards in that top 6. That isn't good enough.

The slowed (or failed?) Bennett development means this team needs to acquire another legit top 6 forward in his prime years if it wants to seriously compete during the current JG-SM contracts.

i'm thinking that is the shake up on its way this summer. And rather than overpay for a UFA - i'd prefer we trade a Dman to get that top 6 forward.

[Mattman]

Another player who fits into that same description is Tyler Bozak. RH center who consistently gets around 40-50 points. Grew up in Regina, so he could come back to western Canada.

[EldrickOnIce]

Need a RH shot to help the PP.
GranteedEV has convinced me of something (finally!). Kovalchuk

Gaudreau - Monahan - Ferland
Tkachuk - Jankowski - Kovalchuk
Frolik - Backlund - Bennett
Or something. Not sold on Jankowski there yet. Not sure Bennett is completely done at center.
Wingers can be moved up and down. Lots of options.
Doubt Kovalchuk would sign here, but you never know.

[FanIn80]

I took a stab at the Armchair GM tool on CapFriendly: https://www.capfriendly.com/armchair-gm/team/722015

I'm not sure if 5M/4yrs is enough to get Carlson though... I think he's going to get paid big time.

[Oling_Roachinen]

van Riemsdyk-Tavares-Kovalchuk
Gaudreau-Monahan-Marner
Tkachuk-Backlund-Frolik
Jankowski-Bennet-Lazar

Giordano-Brodie
Carlson-Hamonic
Anderson-Stone

Smith
Gillies

Just combine everything. Pair Brodie with Giordano. Hamilton for Marner, sign JVR, Tavares, Kovalchuk and Carlson. Easy.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

I'm not sure if 5M/4yrs is enough to get Carlson though... I think he's going to get paid big time.

Yeah, no. I think my post was more realistic than getting Carlson for 20M.

[Nelson]

Originally Posted by Corral

i'm also in the lets see if Jankowski can fill 2L centre crowd. But the concern for me with your line up is there are only 3 established top 6 forwards in that top 6. That isn't good enough.

The slowed (or failed?) Bennett development means this team needs to acquire another legit top 6 forward in his prime years if it wants to seriously compete during the current JG-SM contracts.

i'm thinking that is the shake up on its way this summer. And rather than overpay for a UFA - i'd prefer we trade a Dman to get that top 6 forward.

I'm absolutely against trying Jankowski in a 2C role. Last year he struggled mightily in a very sheltered role. Its true he was a rookie but he was 23 last year. That is when most players are in their prime. Granted, he might be a late bloomer, but I have seen very little (outside of game 82 when he scored 4 goals) suggesting he is a top 6 center.

I know we want to be optimistic about Jankowski because we don't want to believe both Jankowski and Bennett have failed to meet expectations, but unless Jankowski and Bennett both improve significantly, they are likely good bottom six players and that's it.

[theslymonkey]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

van Riemsdyk-Tavares-Kovalchuk
Gaudreau-Monahan-Marner
Tkachuk-Backlund-Frolik
Jankowski-Bennet-Lazar

Giordano-Brodie
Carlson-Hamonic
Anderson-Stone

Smith
Gillies

Just combine everything. Pair Brodie with Giordano. Hamilton for Marner, sign JVR, Tavares, Kovalchuk and Carlson. Easy.

The Flames have 12 Million in Cap space. Enlighten us on your math...

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Nelson

I'm absolutely against trying Jankowski in a 2C role. Last year he struggled mightily in a very sheltered role. Its true he was a rookie but he was 23 last year. That is when most players are in their prime. Granted, he might be a late bloomer, but I have seen very little (outside of game 82 when he scored 4 goals) suggesting he is a top 6 center.

I know we want to be optimistic about Jankowski because we don't want to believe both Jankowski and Bennett have failed to meet expectations, but unless Jankowski and Bennett both improve significantly, they are likely good bottom six players and that's it.

His role last year is the same as this year.
Playing behind Monahan and Backlund (playing toughest assignments). Then you have Jankowski, or replacement. So it's not really a different role, it expecting (hoping for) more production. Unless the notion is Backlund must be upgraded at C for PP2 and Jankowski doesn't cut it.

[Corral]

Originally Posted by Nelson

I'm absolutely against trying Jankowski in a 2C role. Last year he struggled mightily in a very sheltered role. Its true he was a rookie but he was 23 last year. That is when most players are in their prime. Granted, he might be a late bloomer, but I have seen very little (outside of game 82 when he scored 4 goals) suggesting he is a top 6 center.

I know we want to be optimistic about Jankowski because we don't want to believe both Jankowski and Bennett have failed to meet expectations, but unless Jankowski and Bennett both improve significantly, they are likely good bottom six players and that's it.

And if this is how it plays out .... the Flames blew it yet again for another generation - because of poor scouting and drafting side. You can't screw up multiple 1st round picks and expect to be a champion - because you are left to either acquire others 1st rounders who have failed to live up to expectations (eg Lazar) OR overpay UFAs who rarely work out anyways (the list is long).


One or both of those guys has to work out for this team - so acquire another legit top 6 guy to take some of the pressure off them - and see what happens.

[dissentowner]

I think both Jankowski and Bennett take big steps forward this year.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

I took a stab at the Armchair GM tool on CapFriendly: https://www.capfriendly.com/armchair-gm/team/722015

I'm not sure if 5M/4yrs is enough to get Carlson though... I think he's going to get paid big time.

You are trading TJ Brodie in your scenario, and all you are receiving in return are Grubauer's RFA rights. This is an unprecedented overpay by the Flames.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

You are trading TJ Brodie in your scenario, and all you are receiving in return are Grubauer's RFA rights. This is an unprecedented overpay by the Flames.

Indeed. Although I am not enamored with the goalie situation, I don't believe the Flames can afford to give up any more assets to try and improve this situation. If this team is going to be successful, one of the goalies in the system is ultimately going to need to emerge.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Indeed. Although I am not enamored with the goalie situation, I don't believe the Flames can afford to give up any more assets to try and improve this situation. If this team is going to be successful, one of the goalies in the system is ultimately going to need to emerge.

Agreed. If Mike Smith can figure out how to play at the Saddledome the situation will be much improved. His home/road splits are simply bizarre.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Mattman

Another player who fits into that same description is Tyler Bozak. RH center who consistently gets around 40-50 points. Grew up in Regina, so he could come back to western Canada.

One thing I love about Bozak is he's money in the shootout. You can get a few extra points in a season simply from having a guy like him on the roster.

Toronto fans aren't enamored with him simply because they have newer and shinier toys, but he provided solid depth scoring for years and filled in on top lines when called upon. You could do a lot worse than Bozak.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

He provided solid depth scoring for years and filled in on top lines when called upon. You could do a lot worse than Bozak.

That was Stajan's MO with his time in Toronto as well though.

Nah, I'd stay away from the 32 year old. Unless the Flames could get him on a very friendly short-term stopgap contract, which I doubt he would agree to.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

That was Stajan's MO with his time in Toronto as well though.

Nah, I'd stay away from the 32 year old. Unless the Flames could get him on a very friendly short-term stopgap contract, which I doubt he would agree to.

A 32 year old may not get more than a 3 year deal on the open market. I'd be ok with 2-3 years.

[Roof-Daddy]

Bozak is a better skater than Stajan, and also a really good face off guy.

I'd take him on a 2 or 3 year deal at $4-5 million per if he'd take that.

Of course, this is plan C or D for adding center depth after Tavares and then looking at trade possibilities.