Predict the 2016/2017 Flames Starting Lineup

[djsFlames]

Brodano > all else

[AcGold]

Wideman on the first pairing makes me feel ill.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Engelland gets to play with Brodie again?

*Waits for everyone to say how well Engelland steps up his game again as though it's not entirely Brodie like in 2015*

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by CalgaryFan1988

IIRC Brodie and Engelland played excellent together when Giordano was out in '15.

Yeah, just like Nicholls had 70 goals in 89.

There hasn't been a player who didn't play excellent with Brodie.

[MisterJoji]

Originally Posted by Bourque's Twin

I trust what GG chooses to do. Having one of Giordano, Brodie, and Hamilton on the ice at all times is nice.

Giordano - Wideman
Brodie - Engelland
Jokipakka - Hamilton

So how do you think the TOI plays out?

Gio - Wideman = 22:00
Brodie - Engelland = 20:00
Jokipakka - Hamilton = 18:00

Or will there be too much mixing and matching, especially on special teams to estimate as a pair. Something more like:

Brodie = 26:00
Gio = 24:00
Hamilton = 21:00
Wideman = 18:00
Jokipakka = 16:00
Engelland = 15:00

[dino7c]

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.

what a clown

[MacFlame]

Really dislike the defensive pairings, but I'm no coach.

It is illogical to me that Wideman should be getting top pairing minutes..I'd love to be wrong, but I just don't think he skates well enough.

[DJones]

Originally Posted by MisterJoji

So how do you think the TOI plays out?

Gio - Wideman = 22:00
Brodie - Engelland = 20:00
Jokipakka - Hamilton = 18:00

Or will there be too much mixing and matching, especially on special teams to estimate as a pair. Something more like:

Brodie = 26:00
Gio = 24:00
Hamilton = 21:00
Wideman = 18:00
Jokipakka = 16:00
Engelland = 15:00

I think they'll just double shift Brodie and Gio. Fully expect Engellend and Wideman to be the lowest TOI

If there's a favorable matchup in the offensive zone, Gio and Wideman. Favorable in the defensive zone start Brodie and Engellend.

If it's a tough matchup put on Hamilton - Jokki or Brodie - Gio.

Be easy enough at home anyway

[Monahan For Mayor]

I don't like spreading out the talent. But I'm no coach. If it isn't working out in sure it reverts.

[tvp2003]

Re: D Pairings - I guess it makes sense if your emphasis is on puck movement out of the zone (instead of the stretch pass). This gives you at least one guy at all times who can get the puck moving forward and set up the attack.

And don't forget about PP and PK minutes as well. That probably means Gio/Wideman and Brodie/Hamilton together on the PP, and perhaps Gio/Brodie and Jokipakka/Hamilton on the PK?

[MolsonInBothHands]

Perhaps GG is going to showcase Wideman and get him traded. Rumour was he wanted out.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by TheoFleury

They are trying to spread out the talent. Engelland-Wideman would be a tire fire of epic proportions.

Easy fix to that: bench one and play Kulak.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

Re: D Pairings - I guess it makes sense if your emphasis is on puck movement out of the zone (instead of the stretch pass). This gives you at least one guy at all times who can get the puck moving forward and set up the attack.

And don't forget about PP and PK minutes as well. That probably means Gio/Wideman and Brodie/Hamilton together on the PP, and perhaps Gio/Brodie and Jokipakka/Hamilton on the PK?

Hamilton does not PK... that cuts his TOI.

[GioforPM]

The pairings make sense theoretically, if the goal is to always have a good defenceman out there. Gio is better than Brodie on defence and therefore has to be paired with Wideman, who is the worst of the bunch defensively. Brodie is less physical than Gio so pair him with Engelland who is the most physical. Jokipaaka is left to Hamilton and since they were paired together in the old mind-set, there's no difference.

I'd also imagine that in a tight game GG shortens the bench and Wideman sits and Brodie is elevated.

[TheoFleury]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Easy fix to that: bench one and play Kulak.

Wideman needs to go away, I would love to have Kulak in his spot. Unfortunately they will kill any trade value he might have if they start benching him. There is also the matter of the optics within the dressing room if hegets pushed to the press box for a rookie. If Kulak can fire on all cylinders, this probably isn't a problem but if he's just 'there' like he was last year, I could see it pissing guys off. Wideman is in a contract year, and he used to have an 'A', I could see some of the vets being jilted if they send Wideman to rot while Kulak is merely adequate. I didn't see any preseason games, so I honestly can't speak to Kulak's progress there, I am just taking people like you at their word if that he is ready now.

I would be in favor of Engelland sitting a few for Kulak as well, but I actually like him as our 6D overall, he adds something that none of the other guys do. I Would rather not scratch him for Kulak and leave Wideman in there. I would rather Wideman just went away.

You have to think all of the fringe D must be on a short leash if Kulak is truly ready. I think things would be much different had Wideman's contract expired last season, they are just dealing with the reality of the situation. I imagine buying Wideman out was discussed at length but they weren't sure if anyone was ready to take the spot at that time. The cap situation is too tight to be wrong on that one.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by MolsonInBothHands

Perhaps GG is going to showcase Wideman and get him traded. Rumour was he wanted out.

I highly doubt any coach would setup their lines to start the season for the purpose of increasing the trade value of a player. Coaches are looking for wins and are not concerned about trade values.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

The pairings make sense theoretically, if the goal is to always have a good defenceman out there. Gio is better than Brodie on defence and therefore has to be paired with Wideman, who is the worst of the bunch defensively. Brodie is less physical than Gio so pair him with Engelland who is the most physical. Jokipaaka is left to Hamilton and since they were paired together in the old mind-set, there's no difference.

I'd also imagine that in a tight game GG shortens the bench and Wideman sits and Brodie is elevated.

It just means there's a weak side on every pairing. Seems silly to me

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

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And don't forget about PP and PK minutes as well. That probably means Gio/Wideman and Brodie/Hamilton together on the PP, and perhaps Gio/Brodie and Jokipakka/Hamilton on the PK?

Replace Hamilton on the PK with Engelland l