Would you rather? - With Results (bye bye Rooney)

[Ferarri]

Coleman and Backs were instrumental in building the team culture/chemistry this year. At this stage of their career, they’re definitely not going to be putting up big numbers, but the leadership characteristics are extremely valuable. You need to set the tone and dictate what it is to be an NHL player and how to win. I believe the success and team growth that the Flames had can be traced back to how these guys prepare and the mindset they bring to the rink everyday. Sure, you want to make room for the kids, but replacing these two would cause the team to regress in my opinion.

[stemit14]

1. Sign if the contract is that reasonable but I highly doubt it will be. The tougher version of this question is if he is willing to sign for $7 million x 8 years. That’s still a reasonable AAV but for a longer term.

2 and 3. Keep Coleman and Backlund as the new 4th line. That would be a really solid 4th line no matter who the other winger is.

4. Let Rooney walk. Move Zary back to developing as a centre - but not as the 4th line centre (that should be Backlund). Put Zary and Coronato together as a centre-winger pairing.

5. Stay quiet. Want the team to build from within. That means having spots available for young players to step in. Coronato got his opportunity this year because Mantha got hurt. Would rather not depend on injuries happening for opportunities to be available for young players to make the team.

6. Keep Pachal.

7. Trade or waive Bean.

8. Keep Hanley if it’s a reasonable deal. Nothing longer than 2 years and no more than $2.5 million.

9. Trade or waive Miromanov

10. Keep Parekh in the NHL

Have a lineup something like this to start the year:

Huberdeau-Kadri-Klapka
Farabee-Zary-Coronato
Posposil-Frost-Sharangovich
Lomberg/Stromgren-Backlund-Coleman

Bahl-Andersson
Weegar-Parekh
Hanley-Pachal

Wolf
Vladar

[FBI]

I don't think Farabee should be on 2nd line.. Start him lower and see if he actually pops like Klapka and then maybe move him up.

[stemit14]

Originally Posted by FBI

I don't think Farabee should be on 2nd line.. Start him lower and see if he actually pops like Klapka and then maybe move him up.

That’s fine. I’ve always liked the system of pairs for each forward line. The remaining wingers can be interchanged based on chemistry or who is playing better. The centre-winger pairs I would like to see next year are:

Kadri-Huberdeau
Zary-Coronato
Frost-Sharangovich
Backlund-Coleman

That leaves Klapka, Farabee, Posposil and Lomberg/Stromgren/Kirkland to fill out the winger positions. I know some are adamant that Zary is a winger but I’m really hoping the team does not abandon developing him as a center. He was doing really well at it before his first injury this season. I know he was struggling in faceoffs but that happens with every young center. I think Zary with Coronato could be a great fit - and they can split face off responsibilities based on their strong sides. Like it or not, Zary is the best young player with the potential to be a top 6 centre in the system. And that’s likely to still be the case after the draft unless they win the draft lottery.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by FBI

I don't think Farabee should be on 2nd line.. Start him lower and see if he actually pops like Klapka and then maybe move him up.

He had 50 pts last year, and played to a 46 pt pace for the 4 years prior to this one. He is a 2nd liner who just had a bad year. The way to fix him is to play him with good players to help get the confidence back, not stick him on the 4th line.

[Enoch Root]

We need another middle 6 C (obviously a #1 C would be better, but they're hard to find in short order), and if we can get one, it really solidifies the roster:

Huberdeau - Kadri - Klapka - - - - - (not a #1 line, but it works for now)
Zary - Frost - Coronato - - - - - - - - (could develop into a really good line)
Farabee - ?????? - Sharangovich - - (lots of potential there)
Honzek/?? - Backlund - Coleman- - (as good of a bottom 6 as any contending team)
Lomberg

but we need to find a C

[cannon7]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

We need another middle 6 C (obviously a #1 C would be better, but they're hard to find in short order), and if we can get one, it really solidifies the roster:

Huberdeau - Kadri - Klapka - - - - - (not a #1 line, but it works for now)
Zary - Frost - Coronato - - - - - - - - (could develop into a really good line)
Farabee - ?????? - Sharangovich - - (lots of potential there)
Honzek/?? - Backlund - Coleman- - (as good of a bottom 6 as any contending team)
Lomberg

but we need to find a C

I don't think any of Tavares, Duchene or Nelson are going to want that spot.