Predict the 2016/2017 Flames Starting Lineup

[heep223]

I just hope Gully doesn't break up Gio and Brodie. It's tempting because they both shoot left and Hamilton, Wideman, Engelland all shoot right, but it hasn't turned out well in the past.

Let Brodie make those slick backhand passes!

[Poe969]

Originally Posted by Plaedo

Wes Gilbertson ‏@WesGilbertson 4h4 hours ago
My fave Treliving line on Johnny: “I think the coach is OK if he hasn’t had a lot of practices. I think he’ll find a spot for him.” #Flames

Now that Johnny is in the fold...

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

Giordano - Wideman
Brodie - Engelland
Jokipakka - Hamilton
Kulak, Grossman

Elliott
Johnson

I think Vey is sent to the AHL, even though I want Vey to be, and unfortunately I'm guessing Grossman is signed. I think we start with 13 F, 8 D, and 2 G, but will loose a D at some point into the season. I'm hoping for a waiver pick-up tomorrow, but I doubt anything of value will get past the scrubs in last year's basement, and so we will be stuck with what we currently have for plugs.

I love this but maybe if they can claim one of the two rw's and try them on the first line, move ferland to the backlund line, Bouma to the last line, make hamilton the #13 and get rid of bolig. I love the d and I'm actually a fan of Grossman. I think the team has a lot of promise right now.

[Par]

I am going to challenge you a bit extra here, predict the 2 PP units and the PK units?

[Plaedo]

Originally Posted by heep223

I just hope Gully doesn't break up Gio and Brodie. It's tempting because they both shoot left and Hamilton, Wideman, Engelland all shoot right, but it hasn't turned out well in the past.

Let Brodie make those slick backhand passes!

I get the impression that Gully would like Brodie to play on the left and so he's giving him as many reps as possible to see if it will work out.

I also wonder if Flames brass (BT + Gully) is hoping to put Wideman in a position to get points to increase his trade value, provided he isn't a big liability. I mean, that is the only explanation I can come up with to explain the insistence of pairing him with Gio on the top unit, because in my eyes he hasn't earned a top 4 spot on the roster with his preseason play... And likewise, Hamilton looks like he is slow to adjust to the new systems again... I wasn't exactly impressed with his preseason either, so slotting him on the 3rd pairing makes sense to start the season.

[fire_starter]

Originally Posted by Par

I am going to challenge you a bit extra here, predict the 2 PP units and the PK units?

1st PP:
Johnny - Mony - Brouwer
Gio - Hamilton

2nd PP:
Tkachuk - Bennett - Frolik
Brodie - Wideman

PK 1:
Backs - Stajan
Brodie - Engelland

PK 2:
Bouma - Chiasson
Jokipakka- Hamilton

[Plaedo]

Originally Posted by Par

I am going to challenge you a bit extra here, predict the 2 PP units and the PK units?

I think it might depend on where the faceoff is for the PP - apparently Brouwer is good on his strong side, so maybe that puts him with Bennett to take the faceoff.

1st PP:
Gaudreau - Monahan - Brouwer
Giordano - Hamilton

2nd PP:
Tkachuk - Bennett - Backlund
Brodie - Wideman

PK 1:
Backlund - Stajan
Brodie - Engelland

PK 2:
Bennett - Bouma
Giordano - Hamilton

[Bunk]

Ok, now OT groups :-)

[SeanCharles]

Originally Posted by Bunk

Ok, now OT groups :-)

Monahan
Gio-Brodie

Backlund-Gaudreau
Hamiton

Bennett-Brouwer
Wideman

[Cactus Jack]

We all know there will be a revolving door at right wing on the top line. If it won´t be Brouwer, Frolik should see significant time there. There´s no reason Backlund can´t centre a good checking line with Ferland, Bouma and Chaisson on his wings.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

Gaudreau - Monahan - Ferland
Tkachuk - Bennett - Brouwer
Bouma- Backlund - Frolik
Stajan- Hamilton - Chiasson
Vey, Bollig

Giordano - Brodie
Wideman - Hamilton
Jokipakka - Engelland
Kulak

Elliott
Johnson


Love it or hate it, this is probably what we are looking at on Wednesday.

Is this a SC winning line-up? This is pretty much as good as the Flames will be on paper over the next 4-6 years.

the short term bad contracts (Wideman, Stajan,Engelland) are balanced out (absorbed) by the short term value contracts (Bennett,Elliott/Johnson, Jokipakka) and just keeping this crew together will have the Flames near the cap.


The Flames organizational depth is frighting....

Other teams spare parts are looking better than the players being developed by the Flames. If the Flames need a call up do they call someone up from Stockton or trade a 7th round pick for another teams B level prospects- reference to Freddie Hamilton.

Players developed in the organization only Kulak will be on the team (and in a fringe role). He is only 1 of 3 players on their ELC. (Bennett/Tkachuk). EDit: Ferland and Backlund along with Gio and Brodie were also developed by the Flames...

If Tkachuk does not exceed all expectations of a 6th round pick overall the Flames will have 2 journeymen players on the top 2 lines.


The 1st round picks Poirier, Klimchuck, Shinkaruk, Jankowski were not able to force their way into the lineup with reasonable openings.

The 2nd round pick defensemen that are rated as the best Flames prospects were not even ready for a hard look at the NHL level.

[FlamesNation23]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

Is this a SC winning line-up? This is pretty much as good as the Flames will be on paper over the next 4-6 years.

the short term bad contracts (Wideman, Stajan,Engelland) are balanced out (absorbed) by the short term value contracts (Bennett,Elliott/Johnson, Jokipakka) and just keeping this crew together will have the Flames near the cap.


The Flames organizational depth is frighting....

Other teams spare parts are looking better than the players being developed by the Flames. If the Flames need a call up do they call someone up from Stockton or trade a 7th round pick for another teams B level prospects- reference to Freddie Hamilton.

Players developed in the organization only Kulak will be on the team (and in a fringe role). He is only 1 of 3 players on their ELC. (Bennett/Tkachuk)

If Tkachuk does not exceed all expectations of a 6th round pick overall the Flames will have 2 journeymen players on the top 2 lines.


The 1st round picks Poirier, Klimchuck, Shinkaruk, Jankowski were not able to force their way into the lineup with reasonable openings.

The 2nd round pick defensemen that are rated as the best Flames prospects were not even ready for a hard look at the NHL level.

To say this is as good as the flames will be for the next 4-6 years is the most ridiculous thing i have ever heard. Bad contracts expire, you draft new players, drafted players can develop into stars. It is the job of the GM to continue making this team better and everything Treliving has done shows he is competent at his job. Just a ridiculous assessment

[Poe969]

That's really short sighted... who would have thought that Johnny would have turned into the star he is, some drafted players will develop unexpectedly and really help the team, contracts will expire and new UFA's will be signed, trades will be made and players will be shuffled around.

I don't even think that's the best this lineup will be this season let alone in a few years.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

Is this a SC winning line-up? This is pretty much as good as the Flames will be on paper over the next 4-6 years.

the short term bad contracts (Wideman, Stajan,Engelland) are balanced out (absorbed) by the short term value contracts (Bennett,Elliott/Johnson, Jokipakka) and just keeping this crew together will have the Flames near the cap.


The Flames organizational depth is frighting....

Other teams spare parts are looking better than the players being developed by the Flames. If the Flames need a call up do they call someone up from Stockton or trade a 7th round pick for another teams B level prospects- reference to Freddie Hamilton.

Players developed in the organization only Kulak will be on the team (and in a fringe role). He is only 1 of 3 players on their ELC. (Bennett/Tkachuk)

If Tkachuk does not exceed all expectations of a 6th round pick overall the Flames will have 2 journeymen players on the top 2 lines.


The 1st round picks Poirier, Klimchuck, Shinkaruk, Jankowski were not able to force their way into the lineup with reasonable openings.

The 2nd round pick defensemen that are rated as the best Flames prospects were not even ready for a hard look at the NHL level.

If you are seriously looking at 4-6 years, why are you considering Wideman, Stajan, Engelland and why are you complaining about the depth prospects like Poirier, Klimchuk, Shinkaruk and Jankowski and the second round defencemen? The former group will be gone in the next short while and the latter have only just begun to push for spots. What - Kylington and Andersson didn't make the team in their second serious training camp? Shockers.

Tkatchuk doesn't look like he will be a journeyman. But, as has been stated over and over, you don't need an elite player on all three forward positions on your top 2 lines. You need a complementary player who fits in with the pairing.

[Sutter_in_law]

Originally Posted by Bunk

Ok, now OT groups :-)

Gaudreau
Johnny-JG

JG-Gaudreau
Johnny

Johnny-JG
Gaudreau

[DJones]

I feel like we all need to sit down and someone give a presentation on how not to fall for trolls haha.

Getting bad lately

[Money Baer]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

Is this a SC winning line-up? This is pretty much as good as the Flames will be on paper over the next 4-6 years.

the short term bad contracts (Wideman, Stajan,Engelland) are balanced out (absorbed) by the short term value contracts (Bennett,Elliott/Johnson, Jokipakka) and just keeping this crew together will have the Flames near the cap.


The Flames organizational depth is frighting....

Other teams spare parts are looking better than the players being developed by the Flames. If the Flames need a call up do they call someone up from Stockton or trade a 7th round pick for another teams B level prospects- reference to Freddie Hamilton.

Players developed in the organization only Kulak will be on the team (and in a fringe role). He is only 1 of 3 players on their ELC. (Bennett/Tkachuk). EDit: Ferland and Backlund along with Gio and Brodie were also developed by the Flames...

If Tkachuk does not exceed all expectations of a 6th round pick overall the Flames will have 2 journeymen players on the top 2 lines.


The 1st round picks Poirier, Klimchuck, Shinkaruk, Jankowski were not able to force their way into the lineup with reasonable openings.

The 2nd round pick defensemen that are rated as the best Flames prospects were not even ready for a hard look at the NHL level.

As good as it gets? Let's assume we don't land any new FA, make trades, draft or promote new players... Even without that, we still have the internal development of our young core.. Johnny, Mony, Bennett, Tkatchuk, Hamilton, are all still developing and getting better. This team has a very promising core that is still growing. With the added direction and leadership in management, I'd say we have a very bright future. This is most definitely not, "as good as it gets"

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

If you are seriously looking at 4-6 years, why are you considering Wideman, Stajan, Engelland and why are you complaining about the depth prospects like Poirier, Klimchuk, Shinkaruk and Jankowski and the second round defencemen? The former group will be gone in the next short while and the latter have only just begun to push for spots. What - Kylington and Andersson didn't make the team in their second serious training camp? Shockers.

Tkatchuk doesn't look like he will be a journeyman. But, as has been stated over and over, you don't need an elite player on all three forward positions on your top 2 lines. You need a complementary player who fits in with the pairing.

So you are saying that you expect that the Flames will challenge for the SC this year?

There is no more room for even a 3-4M UFA addition.... other than a goalie if Elliott does not work out or would rather be with another team.

I am saying that if this Flames team is not in the top 4-6 in the West this year that I don't see the way forward.... it would take an exceptional event to make them better.....such as Kylington and/or 1 of the 22 year old 1st round picks developing a lot more than they have shown. or adding another TOP-6 draft pick

[jaikorven]

I just don't get ricardodw. Have you heard of progression development with the younger players, trades, cap increases, etc. Come on....things change.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Treliving's interview on the fan960 this morning was interesting. Once you get past all the obligatory Gaudreau talk it seems like the roster isn't set yet. Talked about potential waiver moves and how he has a couple things outside of that that could happen.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

It was a decent interview. The thing that struck me was that he thought camp was "chunky", "disjointed". Good reason for that, with Johnny and the World Cup, but I thought it was pretty telling that he sees a fair bit of work to be done.
Of course he never gave up much information, but it is pretty clear they are working on things.