Predict the 2016/2017 Flames Starting Lineup

[jaikorven]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

You don't have to be last place to get 1st OA. But a big, right handed skilled forward is just what the doctor ordered for the Flames:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Nolan
Tkachuk - Bennett - Brouwer
Shinkaruk - Backlund - Frolik

No longer are you having to try and juggle around guys like Vey, Chiasson, Pribyl, Ferland and whoever in your top 9

Okay fair, but I am also stating that we are not going to be a lottery team either, so it won't happen.

[MarkGio]

Originally Posted by jaikorven

Okay fair, but I am also stating that we are not going to be a lottery team either, so it won't happen.

How do you see the standings?

[jaikorven]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

How do you see the standings?

Without getting into listing it out, we would imo be making the playoffs so in turn, no lottery pick.

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[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

...No longer are you having to try and juggle around guys like Vey, Chiasson, Pribyl, Ferland and whoever in your top 9

It's a nice thought, but honestly, how many teams in today's NHL have the luxury of icing a lineup that boasts six bonafide top-six forwards?

The model for success in the cap era is to build around pairs and to fill holes in the lineup with versatile 'tweeners acquired through later rounds in the draft and free agency. All that to say, as good as a player like Nolan would look with the Flames, it is almost certainly not a plausible outcome. As many holes as the Flames appear to have heading into the season, they are almost certainly good enough to be at least a playoff team.

[GioforPM]

Gaudreau - Monahan - Chaisson [I don't particularly want Chaisson there, but they signed him and I think he gets a shot. If not, go with Ferland here]
Tkatchuk - Bennett - Brouwer
Stajan - Backlund - Frolik [I think Stajan could play on this line]
Ferland - Hamilton - Bouma [I like this 4th line very much]

Bollig

Gio - Brodie
Hamilton - Jokipakka
Engelland - Wideman [I don't like this at all but it's better than Hamilton - Wideman IMO]

ETA: Prybl could change all of this

[MarkGio]

Originally Posted by jaikorven

Without getting into listing it out, we would imo be making the playoffs so in turn, no lottery pick.

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Well it's one thing to say were in the playoffs, it's anther to explain it. Someone has to A) give up a playoff position and B) the other non-playoff teams have to let Calgary take that playoff position.

So who will give it up?

-- Dallas
-- St. Louis
-- Chicago
-- Anaheim
-- Los Angeles
-- San Jose
-- Nashville
-- Minnesota

Even if you assume Minny is the weak link, a few teams got better in the West, including Colorado, Winnipeg, and Edmonton. It's super tight and even an injury to Monahan or Elliot or Giodano could put a strain on the season. The Flames very much could be a lottery team

[GreenLantern2814]

Gaudreau-Monahan-Shinkaruk - by default, unfortunately. None of Ferland, Chiasson, Vey, or Stajan belong anywhere near the top line, and Prybl would have faced a monumental challenge adapting to North America even if he hadn't torn his knee up.

Stajan-Backlund-Frolik - solid, dependable, veteran second line that shouldn't make many mistakes. Stajan is smart enough to have a bit of a resurgence playing the wing.

Tkachuk-Bennett-Brouwer - the only line in the preseason that's looked good, from what I've seen. They compliment each other very well, and don't look like they'd be very fun to play against.

Ferland-Hamilton-Bouma - I too, really, like the look of that fourth line.

Hathaway. Deserves to be here more than Bollig, pure and simple. Don't care how fit Brandon is, he's not an NHL player in 2016.

Waived: Chiasson, Bollig, Vey

Gio - Brodie - duh.
George - Dougie - also duh.
Engelland - Wideman - unfortunately, we have to give Wideman the chance to either lose his job on straight merit or get injured and relieve some cap pressure. Off chance he rebounds.

Wotherspoon

Elliott
Johnson

[jaikorven]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

Well it's one thing to say were in the playoffs, it's anther to explain it. Someone has to A) give up a playoff position and B) the other non-playoff teams have to let Calgary take that playoff position.

So who will give it up?

-- Dallas
-- St. Louis
-- Chicago
-- Anaheim
-- Los Angeles
-- San Jose
-- Nashville
-- Minnesota

Even if you assume Minny is the weak link, a few teams got better in the West, including Colorado, Winnipeg, and Edmonton. It's super tight and even an injury to Monahan or Elliot or Giodano could put a strain on the season. The Flames very much could be a lottery team

It is rather obvious that any one team could miss due to any number of things, including injuries. However, both ESPN and USA Today released their projections today and have the Flames in a playoff spot, so take that for what you want. The Flames are arguably the most improved team from last year and others did not improve to the same extent or even became worse.

Again this is my opinion and I don't think it very likely that we get a lottery pick. The only caveats would be if Gaudreau doesn't sign or a significant injury, then we could be in some trouble for sure. Honestly, even if these things did happen, I still like our odds of making the playoffs.

[MarkGio]

Western teams I think have a well rounded top 6

Sharks
Wingles - Thorton - Pavelski
Marleau - Couture - Hertl
Plus I think Ward and Donskoi could fit the bill as top 6 forwards


Stars
Benn - Seguin - Hudler
Eakin - Spezza - Sharp
Plus I think Ritchie is a top 6 in the making

Jets
Burnistrov - Scheifele - Wheeler
Perrault - Little - Stafford
Plus I think Laine is a top 6

Oilers
Lucic - McDavid - Eberle
Pouliot - Nuge - Draisatl
Not to mention Puljarvi

Avs
Landeskog - McKinnon - Iginla
Soderberg - Duchene - Colborne

[MarkGio]

Originally Posted by jaikorven

It is rather obvious that any one team could miss due to any number of things, including injuries. However, both ESPN and USA Today released their projections today and have the Flames in a playoff spot, so take that for what you want. The Flames are arguably the most improved team from last year and others did not improve to the same extent or even became worse.

Again this is my opinion and I don't think it very likely that we get a lottery pick. The only caveats would be if Gaudreau doesn't sign or a significant injury, then we could be in some trouble for sure. Honestly, even if these things did happen, I still like our odds of making the playoffs.

I disagree about the Flames being most improved. I would be saying otherwise if guys like Poirer, Shinkaruk, Jankowski took big steps. We replaced Colborne with Brouwer, lost Hudler and Russell, and gained Elliot. Maybe we gained Tkachuk.

I look at some of the standouts in the Jets camp and like thier chances this year. They will be a beast in a season or two. Also can't ignore the Oilers replacing Hall with Lucic, replacing Ference with Larsson, and adding puljarj and Versteeg

[AC]

Versteeg is still a PTO at the moment. Is there talk the Oilers are going to sign him?

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

I disagree about the Flames being most improved. I would be saying otherwise if guys like Poirer, Shinkaruk, Jankowski took big steps. We replaced Colborne with Brouwer, lost Hudler and Russell, and gained Elliot. Maybe we gained Tkachuk.

I look at some of the standouts in the Jets camp and like thier chances this year. They will be a beast in a season or two. Also can't ignore the Oilers replacing Hall with Lucic, replacing Ference with Larsson, and adding puljarj and Versteeg

We are the most improved team because of goaltending alone and that has been discussed by many analysts throughout the Summer. Anything else is gravy on top.

Also having one of the youngest cores in the NHL a year older is huge.

Last year we had 1 true scoring line. This year we have 2. It's hard to debate that. We're adding 2-3 new faces to the top-6.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Bandwagon In Flames

We are the most improved team because of goaltending alone and that has been discussed by many analysts throughout the Summer. Anything else is gravy on top.

Also having one of the youngest cores in the NHL a year older is huge.

Last year we had 1 true scoring line. This year we have 2. It's hard to debate that. We're adding 2-3 new faces to the top-6.

Last year The Flames had their 3 best defenders all have career years offensively, and that got them to the basement.

I think with the new coaching systems if any one of those guys takes a major step back the Flames may have trouble scoring goals. I hope I am wrong obviously but there isn't a ton of talent in the forward ranks on this roster after Gaudreau and Monahan. Bennett is hopefully a 50 point player, Brouwer is hopefully a 40 point player but you've still got 2 massive question marks in the top 6 and the bottom 6 looks as offense starved as ever.

The good news is I think Hamilton looks great so far so hopefully that transitions right into the real season.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

MarkGio seems to have no clue how important our goaltending upgrade was. I pretty much never agree with him anyways

[1qqaaz]

I would say the Flames are hugely improved from last year. Elliott, Johnson, Brouwer and player progression can make a big difference.

But I think the Flames are only a bit improved from the 14-15 season, when Hudler, Russell, Wideman, Hiller and Ramo were a lot better.

Personally, I think MarkGio is one of the best pessimistic-leaning posters on CP.
I often agree with both MarkGio and FDW.

[DJones]

We're leaps and bounds better than 2014-2015. I don't get how anyone can think otherwise. We played like 9 rookies that year and Wideman was our #3.

We're way better than last year too. If Bennett and Brouwer can be a respectable 2nd line that is something we've been missing for years.

A healthy and stable defense is going to help so much as well. Sure we have holes at #4 D and #1RW but by the trade deadline those will be sorted out.

[bubbsy]

I think ferland can play on that top line and be successful. He has the net presence and board play size and physicality, decent speed, and has offensive touch potential.

I think he's the 2nd best option for the top line after brouwer.

In fact, more I think about it, I think brouwer ends up on the top line after starting on the 2nd line.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

MarkGio seems to have no clue how important our goaltending upgrade was. I pretty much never agree with him anyways

I think the analysis showed that with even average goaltending, the Flames make the POs last year. This year it hopefully will be average to above average. Then you expect Hamilton and Bennett to take a step forward, guys like Bouma and Ferland can improve, Brouwer will be a great fit and maybe Tkachuk pans out well.

[bluck]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

Western teams I think have a well rounded top 6

Jets
Burnistrov - Scheifele - Wheeler

Fixed:

Ehlers - Scheifele - Wheeler

[SeanCharles]

Instead of predicting what I think I went with what I would love to see and think could happen at some point in the season, if all falls into place:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Pribyl
Tkachuk - Bennett - Brouwer
Ferland - Backlund - Frolik
Bouma - Stajan - Chiasson
Bollig/Hamilton

Gio - Brodie
Jokipakka - Hamilton
Kulak - Wideman/Engelland

This allows the younger prospects to get big minutes in the A as we have cleared a lot of room by not qualifying a number of guys.

I think F. Hamilton has a predictable ceiling so keeping him up, is not only partially earned but also, lets some of the other guys develop further down on the farm.

Kulak, I feel, has earned another look and is proving to be a potential hidden gem. But he needs to play or else be sent down. I'd like to see him play top 6 but it's hard to push anyone out of that mix, all things considered.