2024/25 Calgary Flames roster discussion

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

I have serious doubts about Pelletier’s viability in the NHL.

He’s undersized, not excessively skilled, not excessively fast, not excessively elusive.

That’s a lot to overcome.

I agree. I think if he doesn’t take a step this year that his window will close. He hasn’t shown anything yet other than he gets injured a lot.

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by CsInMyBlood

I had some fear after the season that we might go big game hunting in the off season because of all the cap space and draft capital.

Like making some ridiculous offer to Reinhart or a play for Guentzel or signing Debrusk to a 7 year deal. Basically something to make us a better team while getting a worse draft pick in 2025.

Lomberg
Mantha
Bean
Cooley

Conroy knows what hes doing. This was one of the best UFA days I can remember.

Exciting times.

In his interview Conroy said he wanted to bring in players that would help the young guys to learn what it takes to win. So there's a bit of strategy as to how he wants to move forward. He also said that he wanted young guys using their skills and he didn't want vets blocking opportunities. This made me think of Sam Bennett, Conroy has been vocal about the young guys getting an opportunity to showcase their skills.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by DazzlinDino

In his interview Conroy said he wanted to bring employers that would help the young guys to learn what it takes to win. So there's a bit of strategy as to how he wants to move forward. He also said that he wanted young guys using their skills and he didn't want vets blocking opportunities. This made me think of Sam Bennett, Conroy has been vocal about the young guys getting an opportunity to showcase their skills.

The problem is which young guys.

Zary and Pospisil got a shot last year and made the best of it. Hunt seems to have also played himself into the lineup.

Duehr and Pelletier have had shots and didn’t do anything. Or at least sustain it.

Coronato needs some more soak time. Wolf is a TBC.

Beyond that I don’t see any forwards that are close. There are a few defencemen that could probably play. But I don’t see alot of blocking. I see nobody earning spots.

[Flamesfan05]

Originally Posted by DazzlinDino

In his interview Conroy said he wanted to bring in players that would help the young guys to learn what it takes to win..

That would apply to Lomberg for sure. Mantha and Bean not so much. Mantha is known for not showing up.

[Flamesfan05]

Originally Posted by Goriders

The problem is which young guys.

Zary and Pospisil got a shot last year and made the best of it. Hunt seems to have also played himself into the lineup.

Duehr and Pelletier have had shots and didn’t do anything. Or at least sustain it.

Coronato needs some more soak time. Wolf is a TBC.

Beyond that I don’t see any forwards that are close. There are a few defencemen that could probably play. But I don’t see alot of blocking. I see nobody earning spots.

Do you think it’s a 1 year rebuild?

The you guys are including the ones he is drafting or has yet to draft

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by Goriders

The problem is which young guys.

Zary and Pospisil got a shot last year and made the best of it. Hunt seems to have also played himself into the lineup.

Duehr and Pelletier have had shots and didn’t do anything. Or at least sustain it.

Coronato needs some more soak time. Wolf is a TBC.

Beyond that I don’t see any forwards that are close. There are a few defencemen that could probably play. But I don’t see alot of blocking. I see nobody earning spots.

Yeah we've got some guys that might not make the team if they're not careful. More than anything it's probably just a continuation of the young guys that we've got here learning to work ethic and staying competitive.

[GullFoss]

I think Pelletier has a spot on the team. Injuries have been his Achilles heel over the past three seasons. But if he's healthy, he should be on the team. It's a rebuild after all...gotta give him the space and time to adjust and show what he can do.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Goriders

The problem is which young guys.

Zary and Pospisil got a shot last year and made the best of it. Hunt seems to have also played himself into the lineup.

Duehr and Pelletier have had shots and didn’t do anything. Or at least sustain it.

Coronato needs some more soak time. Wolf is a TBC.

Beyond that I don’t see any forwards that are close. There are a few defencemen that could probably play. But I don’t see alot of blocking. I see nobody earning spots.

Some of these things are not like the others.

Hunt and Duehr will be playing their 29 and 27 year old seasons this year.

Pelletier and Coronato will be playing thi3ir 23 and 22 YO seasons.

Duehr's window has closed with Lomberg here. Hunt and Rooney are interchangeable I suppose, but otherwise, Hunt is not part of the plans either. Conversely, Coronato and Pelletier are definitely part of the plans.

[PepsiFree]

I feel like someone else said this first, but I see a lot of Curtis Lazar in Pelletier.

I think he has a future in the NHL, but I don’t know what it’s going to be. I saw some people swapping Coronato and Pelletier in their lineups, but those two are not remotely similar. Pelletier should absolutely spend time on the 4th line, Coronato is more top 9 or bust.

[FBI]

Pelletier hasn’t really had a chance yet when healthy. He has had glimpses of looking really good. This will be his year to show what he can do with healthy. I think he’s going to get a lot of chances with Conroy at the helm. I think he will shine with Backlund and Coleman.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

I feel like someone else said this first, but I see a lot of Curtis Lazar in Pelletier.

I think he has a future in the NHL, but I don’t know what it’s going to be. I saw some people swapping Coronato and Pelletier in their lineups, but those two are not remotely similar. Pelletier should absolutely spend time on the 4th line, Coronato is more top 9 or bust.

Lazar is built solid as a bowling ball and has been durable. The antithesis of Pelletier.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

I feel like someone else said this first, but I see a lot of Curtis Lazar in Pelletier.

I think he has a future in the NHL, but I don’t know what it’s going to be. I saw some people swapping Coronato and Pelletier in their lineups, but those two are not remotely similar. Pelletier should absolutely spend time on the 4th line, Coronato is more top 9 or bust.

Maybe if this was a deep, highly competitive roster you can go the 4th line route with Pelletier, but even at that rate there is no point in playing Pelletier 8-10 min a night with your most unskilled players if you want him to grow. It's AHL or top 9 in my books.

Pelletier should be riding shotgun with Backlund and Coleman, or at least one of these players for a good chunk of the year.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

That would apply to Lomberg for sure. Mantha and Bean not so much. Mantha is known for not showing up.

I think Mantha is the one move I don’t really get. Maybe he’s the only free agent that would agree to a one year deal?

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

Maybe if this was a deep, highly competitive roster you can go the 4th line route with Pelletier, but even at that rate there is no point in playing Pelletier 8-10 min a night with your most unskilled players if you want him to grow. It's AHL or top 9 in my books.

Pelletier should be riding shotgun with Backlund and Coleman, or at least one of these players for a good chunk of the year.

Same comments for Coronato.

[Funkhouser]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

Kuzmenko - Kadri - Pospisil/Zary
Huberdeau - Zary/Pospisil - Mantha/Sharangovich
Coleman - Backlund - Sharangovich/Mantha

I don't know where Coronato fits, probably starts in the AHL again until one of Coleman, Kuzmenko, and Mantha is traded. It looks like the rest of the squad will be fighting for 4th line duty: Pelletier, Lomberg, Rooney, Duehr, Hunt, Schwindt, Klapka, and Morton.

It seems as though we have at least 1 top 9 winger too many.

---

As for the D, the only pairing I see to start is Weegar - Miromanov.
Weegar - Miromanov
Bean/Bahl - Andersson
Bahl/Bean/Solovyov - Pachal
Solovyov - Hanley

I agree with a lot of this in terms of lineup projection
Sharangovich - Kadri - Kuzmenko (1st line)
Huberdeau - Zary - Mantha (2nd line - OZ starts)
Pelletier - Backlund - Coleman (3rd line - DZ starts)
Klapka - Pospisil - Lomberg
Hunt - Rooney

I hate putting Pospisil on the 4th line when he stirs the drink and has untapped potential. But this allows him to get his feet wet as a Centre and he can move up as opportunities allow. This also allows Klapka & Pelletier to get roster spotsa this year for their development. Coronado will get opportunities after the Trade deadline and with injuries. Kuzmenko & Mantha should both be gone in March.


Weegar - Miromanov
Bahl - Anderson
Bean - Pachal
Soloyov

I don't see any pairing sticking this season, I could see them shifting all season long. What is important is to allow for development from Bahl, Miromanov, Bean and Soloyov to see if one is a long-term fit. Hanley should be in the minors, and all call ups should be prospects. I could see Miromanov or Bean getting traded if either has a great year.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Some of these things are not like the others.

Hunt and Duehr will be playing their 29 and 27 year old seasons this year.

Pelletier and Coronato will be playing thi3ir 23 and 22 YO seasons.

Duehr's window has closed with Lomberg here. Hunt and Rooney are interchangeable I suppose, but otherwise, Hunt is not part of the plans either. Conversely, Coronato and Pelletier are definitely part of the plans.

Good points. I agree on Coronato. Not as sure about Pelletier. I think this is a big year for him. Getting injured in the first game last year was a big setback for him. It seemed like he was really ready to go.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

Do you think it’s a 1 year rebuild?

The you guys are including the ones he is drafting or has yet to draft

I don’t think anyone thinks it’s a one year rejig by looking at our roster. But I also don’t think they are going to keep guys around that are obviously not performing.

I would put Pelletier and Duehr in that category.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Goriders

Good points. I agree on Coronato. Not as sure about Pelletier. I think this is a big year for him. Getting injured in the first game last year was a big setback for him. It seemed like he was really ready to go.

Yes, of course - he has to earn it. But being 23, he is going to be given every opportunity to do so.

Conversely, Hunt is a roster-filler player.

[Icantwhisper]

I see a lot of 6-3 losses this year, scoring will be okay but I think our goalies are going to see a tonne of high quality shots

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

After a fantastic draft and a very tidy first day of UFA a good portion of the roster has taken shape though there likely is still lots to be decided before opening night; Let’s have a look at where we sit currently!

Huberdeau - Sharangovich- Mantha
Zary - Kadri - Kuzmenko
Pelletier - Backlund - Coleman
Lomberg - Pospisil - Coronato
Hunt - Rooney - Duehr

Weegar - Andersson
Bean - Miromanov
Bahl - Pachal
Hanley

Vladar
Wolf
Cooley

What are your thoughts on the roster so far at this point early into the offseason? Who are some prospects you think could push for spots?

After al the players the Flames have moved out that offensive core doesn't look nearly as painful as it should. Lot of question marks about that top line though obviously.

The big issue will likely be goaltending. Wolf is unlikely to become a Markstrom replacement, especially with that defence in front of him.

Meanwhile many of last year's bottom teams have gotten better: Columbus, Montreal, Ottawa, New Jersey, Blackhaws, Utah, etc.. should all be somewhat easy to fall behind. Hopefully that puts the Flames in a competition for a top 3 spot with teams like the Sharks and Ducks.