Lines when Colborne/Backs/Raymond are all back

[DOOM]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

That rule only applies to junior eligibles. Poirier can move at will.

His contract can slide since he signed before December 31st last year.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by CKPThunder

I always thought, and correct me if I am wrong, that Poirier was a special case. Burke signed Poirier before Jan 1 last year which I thought allowed Poirier's contract to slide this year. If this is the case, wouldn't his contract slide if he played less than 10 games in the NHL this year?

I realize that Poirier can move at will but I was thinking that if his contract status is such that it would slide into next year then maybe the Flames are going to be a bit more cautious in terms of bringing him up unless absolutely necessary.

If his contract doesn't slide, then please disregard my rabble.

Yes, you're correct. Poirier is considered an 18 year-old signing because he signed his contract in calendar year 2013 (and was 18 on September 15, 2013). His ELC slid last season and will also slide this year if he plays less than 10 NHL games.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I hope that the Flames make moves both for what happens on the ice, and what happens off the ice. The reason I bring this up?

Flames got rid of Gelinas, and there was a noticeable downturn from that hard-working, lunch-pail group we all loved in '04.

Fast-forward a few seasons, and Sutter rips out another huge locker-room presence in Ference (I feel dirty typing that one now).

Is Stajan that valuable in the locker room? Is McGrattan? Glencross? Wideman? I don't know. I do hope that the Flames have a very, very good pulse on that room right now though. I think the Flames took a huge step back when Sutter stepped up and relinquished his coaching duties. I think Hartley probably has more to do with the culture than anyone in the organization (just like Darryl when he was coaching), but there are definitely vets on that team that support Hartley, his vision and his methods and help to ensure that gets followed-through with. Giordano of course. I would guess Russell as they made him an assistant. Who else? Hudler has apparently been great so far with the kids as we have been hearing the last 2 seasons. McGrattan too.

Now perhaps there isn't really any vets that are really helping to push that culture that Hartley has instilled in this team. Perhaps it is only Giordano. Perhaps it is a bunch of vets that are just trying to 'hang on' as suddenly the Flames have a boatload of kids that are pushing the pace, who are super excited and happy to run through walls at the moment, and who are actually making huge contributions. We are not privy to what happens in that room, and all we can do is speculate.

I just hope that the Flames make changes with the mindset of ensuring that this culture doesn't get disrupted - at least not irreparably so.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by getbak

Yes, you're correct. Poirier is considered an 18 year-old signing because he signed his contract in calendar year 2013 (and was 18 on September 15, 2013). His ELC slid last season and will also slide this year if he plays less than 10 NHL games.

And people (such as yourself and sureloss, if I'm not mistaken) have posted the relevant excerpts from the CBA.

So I find it surprising - and a touch disconcerting - that capgeek does not list him as having a sliding ELC. They are usually very competent with this sort of thing.

[delayedreflex]

Originally Posted by Monahan23

Gaudreau - Monahan - Colborne
Glencross - Backlund - Hudler
Byron - Jooris - Raymond
Bouma - Stajan - Jones

McGrattan, Bollig

Jesus, that's a fast line!

The above is pretty much what I'm expecting. Granlund will likely stay up until Stajan is back.

It'd be interesting to see if we are able to convert any more of our LW/C's to play RW. We've obviously got tons of depth down the left, including top prospects (Baertschi, Ferland, Klimchuk), and most of the swing centre/wingers are left shots (Colborne, Bouma, Byron, Backlund), and even most of those playing RW are left shots (Hudler, Raymond, and coming up, Poirier). Otherwise, I can't help but think there will be trades in the near future to even things up.

[Funkhouser]

To open up some spots for the youth, our options to move are as follows:
-Glencross: unclear if he will waive
-Stajan: unlikely to have real value on the market
-Hudler: 1 more season to UFA, but high skill and great attitude
-Jones/Setoguchi/McGratten: no value

Seeing this logjam, I think that it may make sense to trade Backlund (I say this as a fan). He is young, intelligent, still has untapped potential, and could likely provide a decent return. At some point we will have to deal players we actually like if we want to address our weaknesses, and Backlund might be one of our only trade chips with value at this point. Coupled with the fact he is often injured and is likely to get pushed down the depth chart in the next 2 years, it could be good asset management to sell high now.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by Funkhouser

Seeing this logjam, I think that it may make sense to trade Backlund (I say this as a fan). He is young, intelligent, still has untapped potential, and could likely provide a decent return. At some point we will have to deal players we actually like if we want to address our weaknesses, and Backlund might be one of our only trade chips with value at this point. Coupled with the fact he is often injured and is likely to get pushed down the depth chart in the next 2 years, it could be good asset management to sell high now.

I suppose if you get a good youngish defenseman for Backlund I would be fine with it, but I would hate to see Backlund traded and Stajan stay. Stajan wouldn't return much and the Flames might have to eat some salary, but I would still to prefer to trade him over Backlund.

[AcGold]

Sven belongs with Byron.

[OzSome]

I like Max Reinhart but Buffalo might be willing to trade Tyler Myers to Flames if he is included in the package. Reinhart, a draft pick like 2nd or 3rd pick and throw in Setoguchi. Will it happen? No idea. I am not even sure Myers in a play but Buffalo might want Max playing with his bro. Just an idea though.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Funkhouser

To open up some spots for the youth, our options to move are as follows:
-Glencross: unclear if he will waive
-Stajan: unlikely to have real value on the market
-Hudler: 1 more season to UFA, but high skill and great attitude
-Jones/Setoguchi/McGratten: no value

Seeing this logjam, I think that it may make sense to trade Backlund (I say this as a fan). He is young, intelligent, still has untapped potential, and could likely provide a decent return. At some point we will have to deal players we actually like if we want to address our weaknesses, and Backlund might be one of our only trade chips with value at this point. Coupled with the fact he is often injured and is likely to get pushed down the depth chart in the next 2 years, it could be good asset management to sell high now.

I am seeing the same thing especially with how well defensively both Monahan and Granlund have played this year. I am not sure an extension is on the cards for Backs especially with Bennett, Arnold, Knight, Reinhart pushing for spots soon.

Backlund would actually be a great fit for the Oilers but Inwould want Nurse in return and no way MacT makes that trade

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by OzSome

I like Max Reinhart but Buffalo might be willing to trade Tyler Myers to Flames if he is included in the package. Reinhart, a draft pick like 2nd or 3rd pick and throw in Setoguchi. Will it happen? No idea. I am not even sure Myers in a play but Buffalo might want Max playing with his bro. Just an idea though.

The Sabres are going to get offered a lot more than Reinhart and a 2nd for Myers.

A cash strapped team would easily take a 'risk' on the 24 year old defenseman with extreme potential making 4M a year (on average) for the remaining duration of his contract.

[Itse]

I think it's way too early to start talking about a logjam. Yes, we can already see a lot of the guys we have are probably going to have NHL careers. But that does not mean they're all guys you want to take with you when going cup hunting.

[robbie111]

There's no way Granlund goes down. He was dominant in the 3rd and overtime against one of the toughest teams in the NHL.

[SeanCharles]

Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Raymond-Backlund-Byron
Glencross-Granlund-Colbourne
Bouma-Jooris-Jones
Bollig/McGrattan

[robbie111]

Thought I'd make a PPG chart for the Flames so far this year to show the forwards to help this discussion.

1. Granlund .889 8 Pts 9 GP
2. Hudler .789 15Pts 19 GP
3. Colborne .727 8 Pts 11 GP
4. Raymond .700 7 Pts 10 GP
5. Gaudreau .684 13 Pts 19 GP
6. Monahan .600 12 Pts 20 GP
7. Jooris .538 7 Pts 13 GP
8. Glencross .500 10 Pts 20 GP
9. Jones .500 5 Pts 10 GP
10. Baertschi .429 3 Pts 7 GP
11.Bouma .421 8 Pts 19 GP
12. Byron .400 8 Pts 20 GP
13. Backlund .364 4 Pts 11 GP
14. Stajan .182 2 Pts 11 GP
15.Bollig .105 2 Pts 19 GP
16. Ferland .000 0 Pts 1 GP
17.Reinhart .000 0 Pts 3 GP
18.McGrattan .000 0 Pts 7 GP
19. Setoguchi .000 0 Pts 11 GP

Granlund has been our best offensive threat this year. Was nice to see him lead the team with a +3 tonight and have Getzlaf and Perry both be minus 3's. The lines sorted from Pts Per Game would be.

Colborne-Granlund-Hudler
Gaudreau-Monahan-Raymond
Glencross-Jooris-Jones
Baertschi-Bouma-Byron
Backlund Stajan

[FlameZilla]

Granlund has to stay up. He does not look like a rookie out there by any means. Jooris has injected so much energy into this lineup that I would be very hesitant to send him down. Gaudreau is going nowhere.

Baertschi and Ferland are the only 2 I could see demoted. Waive Setoguchi and we're still rammajammed.

I think most of us would rather see one of Stajan/Glencross/Bollig/Jones dealt, but who knows what the impact of losing one of them in the dressing room would be like. The returns would likely be negligible... Backlund or Colborne might fetch more on the trade market, but they are young players with potential to improve who should probably be kept hold of.

The best course of action would be to wait and see how these guys, once healthy, fit into the team as it stands now. There might be a better idea of who is expendable once the team is healthy again.

This much depth is a good problem to have, as long as everyone is happy to fill their role when needed – even if that role happens to be in Adirondack.

[flambers]

Flames will have a tough decision, but I would think the first player sent down is Reinhart, then most likely Sven.

Ferland will be sent down as well once he is healthly

Toughest decision is once all players are healthy (if that occurs) ... Grandlund and Jooris.

[Husky]

Most likely flames will never be 100% healthy across the board, there will almost be spots available for callups. As needed, suckagutchi comes out for someone. Bolligcomes out for someone.

[Resolute 14]

Largely, Treliving's hand is going to be forced by cap considerations. We can't simply dump anyone with dollars on their contract.

Sven is going back down. That's an unfortunate part of our reality. He is starting to show he can play at this level, but he's got too many guys ahead of him at the moment. Reinhart will be going down, as will Ferland.

Setoguchi will be waived and sent down or elsewhere. He simply is not outperforming either Jooris or Granlund.

After that, it gets messy. Burke's recent comments makes one thing clear: he still thinks the team is too small. So don't get your hopes up on McGrattan, or possibly even Bollig being sent out. At least not without a parallel move.

In my view, our best move to keep the other of Jooris/Granlund up would be to look to trade someone like Bollig and one of the third pairing defencemen (don't say Engelland, we both know it ain't happening) and try to bring in someone who can improve our third pairing a little.

[mrdonkey]

Granlund and Jooris have nothing left to prove at the AHL level, they should stick once players start returning to the lineup. After that it gets tough.

Gaudreau-Granlund-Hudler
Glencross-Monahan-Raymond
Byron-Backlund-Jooris
Bouma-Stajan-Colborne
Bollig and Jones extras

Sucks for Sven but he could use a bit more conditioning IMO. If he plays well in the minors leading into the TDL I hope Glencross is sent packing to make room.

Of course, injuries will always be a factor, one person returns and another gets hurt. So we will probably not see a healthy lineup like this. One thing is for sure, we should be looking to trade some forwards for D as we have a major excess of depth up front but very little on the back end.