Which of the Flames "established" 24/25 year old forwards are a part of the future? - Page 4 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

jlh2640 · 03-09-2015, 02:37 PM

The first 3 only

Red Menace · 03-09-2015, 02:45 PM

By the way Wolf and Hanowski are part of this age group as well.
While I have some hopes for Wolf, i don't really think either factor into the long term plans.

Hackey · 03-09-2015, 02:48 PM

Both would have to make huge steps forward to be part of the Flames future IMO. Don't think that is very likely.

GioforPM · 03-09-2015, 02:51 PM

Hanowski is part of the future. He's an integral trading piece.

Roof-Daddy · 03-09-2015, 02:52 PM

My take:

Backlund - I see him as the future #3 center on this team, unless an upgrade can be cheaply found, and by upgrade I mean someone with his qualities + durability and better face off prowess, although he has improved in that regard. He's a guy that can play the #1-#3 center roles based on injuries, and young players developing....and not hurt you one bit in the short-medium term. Also, he's a guy who seems to bleed Flames red, and puts the team first. He's also a player who probably won't bog down your salary cap situation by having too big of a cap hit while playing third line minutes.

Bouma - IMO Bouma's going to be a Flame for a long time, if not his entire career. He's what this team's identity is all about, and is far more valuable to the club than anything you could possibly get in return via trade. Speed, size, grit, PK and defensive abilities, leadership and this season he's even added depth scoring to his list of attributes.

Colborne - Not cemented in here by any means, but I don't think he'll be going anywhere. He's got a great combination of size, speed and skill, not to mention he is very versatile being able to fill in on any line, or any forward position. I know many people wish he was meaner, and used his size to punish players more, but that's not his game. He uses his size well for his game of keeping the puck, working the boards, and trying to set up an offensive chance. We also need to keep in mind that this is only his 2nd NHL season, and his offensive game is still probably developing. I think it's very likely we continue to see improved offensive numbers from him going forward.

Shore - I think he's a piece that Treliving covets, and with his style of play I see him fitting in well with Hartley's system. For those reasons I see him being here long term as well. Another versatile player, with good work ethic, excellent speed and good two way potential. Also helps that he's a RH shot and better than average size.

Jooris - This is guy that I see as very similar to Shore, just a little smaller, and minus the "pedigree". I like Jooris, but I can definitely see him being moved, and not because he wouldn't be a useful player down the road for this team, but because his strong rookie season has likely raised his value and the Flames have depth at the forward position....and more specifically, a potentially better version of Jooris in Drew Shore. I can see Treliving dangling him out there as part of a package to upgrade the org somewhere else.....would be happy to be wrong though.

Byron - If this guy wasn't 5'7" and 150lbs, would anybody here want or think he should be gone? I highly doubt it, because he's friggin awesome......even with the lack of breakaway finish. I honestly think he makes this team better on most nights when dressed, and I wouldn't be surprised if Treliving felt the same way. We know Hartley does, becasue unless the guy is injured........he dresses. Time will tell, but I think he will be re-signed and continue to play a depth/utility role for this team moving forward.

TLDR;

My predictions are...

Backlund - WILL be here long term
Bouma - WILL be here long term
Colborne - WILL be here long term
Shore - WILL be here long term
Jooris - WON'T be here long term
Byron - WILL be here long term

Roof-Daddy · 03-09-2015, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Menace

By the way Wolf and Hanowski are part of this age group as well.
While I have some hopes for Wolf, i don't really think either factor into the long term plans.

Yes they are in that age group, however I left them out because they aren't "established".

Shore isn't really "established" either, but seeing as he's the only forward in this age group that Treliving actually acquired, plus he's here to finish the season and also the deadline day blurb from Treliving about Shore, I decided to include him.

GioforPM · 03-09-2015, 02:56 PM

I think Roof Daddy has it right. This isn't a next year thing for me though. Those vet contracts are hard to deal with. The most moveable is Jones (but he's also the most Treliving friendly of the vets IMO).

Roof-Daddy · 03-09-2015, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Came to read a ridiculous post by WAYCOS on how Backlund will be gone, he sucks, etc...left disappointed.

Won't be seeing any of those any more.....that's all I'm gonna say......

Monahan23 · 03-09-2015, 03:02 PM

LONG TERM

Mikael Backlund
perfect 3rd line centre that gives Bennett-Monahan easier minutes

Lance Bouma
Perfect bottom 6 player who has a huge compete level and can chip in with 10-20 goals

Joe Colborne
Big winger/centre. Can play the right side. Great middle 6 player.

Josh Jooris
Has great speed and compete.

ON THE FENCE

Drew Shore
To early to to tell

GONE

Paul Byron
Good compete, great speed but can't finish and can be replaced. Good short term but doesn't need to be here

CorsiHockeyLeague · 03-09-2015, 03:04 PM

Backlund is the only absolute necessity on that list for me.

GranteedEV · 03-09-2015, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I think Roof Daddy has it right. This isn't a next year thing for me though. Those vet contracts are hard to deal with. The most moveable is Jones (but he's also the most Treliving friendly of the vets IMO).

Bollig is 2 years @ 2.8 mil

Hard to move but if Treliving really wants he can even buy him out or waive him. I just don't see him as being able to force any of the young guns off the team. We've seen guys like Colborne and Ferland step up the "truculence" in his absence too.

Mason Raymond is 2 years @ 3.15 mil

I don't think Brad would have any difficulty finding a take for that as he's a proven 20 goal scorer in the league. Especially if he eats about 20% of it. I'm guessing Raymond's NTC is that "these 10 teams only" type that might throw a wrench it, but I don't see a problem. Perceived value depends on the buyer... we know Raymond's soft, inconsistent, and gets tunnel vision. But some buyer might see a proven 20+ goal scorer locked up for two years who skate and has played on some successful teams.

Stajan is 3 years @ 3.125

You might argue that he's the most difficult to move, yet at the same time I'd argue he's the most valuable to keep. So which is it? Is he valuable or a bad contract? Somewhere in the middle and I think if Treliving shops him, he'll find a taker in no-time and get a solid return too.

The Stajan situation is the most interesting, because Colborne, Shore, Jooris, Arnold, and Granlund are all vying for that roster spot next year. If even one of them shows Treliving that "we can live comfortably without Matt Stajan", I think he's gone.

Quote:

Good compete, great speed but can't finish and can be replaced. Good short term but doesn't need to be here

I want to point out that while Byron hasn't had the best season, he's still sitting above league average shooting percentage and last year he shot 15%

Dan403 · 03-09-2015, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by puckedoff

Gone:
Backlund

Ridiculous.

Red Menace · 03-09-2015, 03:11 PM

Still wondering how the Forward roster looks next season.
Of players who have played at least 1 NHL game (+ Sam), we have:
5 on UFA contracts signed (Hudler, Stajan, Jones, Raymond, Bollig)
5 on RFA contracts signed (Gaudreau, Monahan, Colborne, Granlund, Poirier)
1 prospect RFA signed (Bennett)
5 regular RFA's (Backlund, Bouma, Jooris, Shore, Byron)
7 prospect RFA's (Ferland, Wolf, Arnold, Reinhart, Hanowski, Agostino, BVB)

That's 23 forwards, 16 alone from the first 4 groups that you would expect to make the team...remove Byron and you still have 15. And that doesn't even factor in any UFA signings.
I'd like to see Bennett, Poirier and Granlund all make the team, but that would necessitate the removal of some current roster players.
It will be interesting for sure.

Obsidian · 03-09-2015, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monahan23

LONG TERM

Mikael Backlund
perfect 3rd line centre that gives Bennett-Monahan easier minutes

Lance Bouma
Perfect bottom 6 player who has a huge compete level and can chip in with 10-20 goals

Joe Colborne
Big winger/centre. Can play the right side. Great middle 6 player.

Josh Jooris
Has great speed and compete.

ON THE FENCE

Drew Shore
To early to to tell

GONE

Paul Byron
Good compete, great speed but can't finish and can be replaced. Good short term but doesn't need to be here

Best assessment and completely agree.

CalgaryFan1988 · 03-09-2015, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan403

Ridiculous.

How is someone's opinion ridiculous?

I like Backlund and hope he is here for a long time. A good 3rd line center IMO.

Dan403 · 03-09-2015, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CalgaryFan1988

How is someone's opinion ridiculous?

I like Backlund and hope he is here for a long time. A good 3rd line center IMO.

By definition.

Ridiculous = Open to ridicule.

polak · 03-09-2015, 04:18 PM

Pretty safe to say that Byron = Lombardi 2.0

Oling_Roachinen · 03-09-2015, 04:28 PM

In that he couldn't score on a breakaway, but Lombardi was the far superior impact player despite his injuries.

Lombardi scored more goals in a single season (multiple times) than Byron has scored in his career. With Phoenix, despite missing games, he put up 53 points on a team that Doan lead with 55 points. That was a playoff team and Lombardi lead the Coyotes with 6 points in 7 games in the post season. Imagine Byron being the second highest offensive producer on a playoff team and then tasked with being the most offensive threat.

CalgaryFan1988 · 03-09-2015, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan403

By definition.

Ridiculous = Open to ridicule.

Then compose a bit of an argument, instead of a one word drive by that doesn't contribute anything.

Also (to polak) Lombardi is getting severely underrated being mentioned in the same breath as Byron. Lombardi did everything BYron does and contributed offensively.

Itse · 03-09-2015, 07:26 PM

I'm actually starting to turn my coat on Byron. I've been a constant sceptic of his role on the team, and I admit Byron will probably never be on the team for his puck skills, but I'm starting to think that his relentless work combined with his speed is actually more useful to our team game than I've thought.

We're a team that feeds off momentum, wearing out the opposition and forcing the opposition into making mistakes and/or taking a defensive stance. Byron does all of that.

He might be the furthest thing from a traditional fourth liner, but I don't think it's completely crazy to think Byron would serve even a cup competitor very well in that role. Very limited icetime, but creates energy every time he's on. I'm not saying we surely WILL keep him, I'm just saying I'm not going to be surprised anymore if that happens.