Schlemko, Diaz, Potter; Who do we want to keep?

[Vinny01]

So here is the current flames signed for next year

Gio-Brodie
Russell-Wideman
Smid-Engellend
Wortherspoon

Now is Smid going to play? If he does that third pairing is a nightmare. If Smid can be moved that would be the best as I prefer Enegellend. It would be nice if Spoon could solidify a spot but I look at the #5 LHD spot. Either fill with a young guy via trade or i agree sign Erhoff to a 2 year deal. He would be a good partner for Engellend and would be another option on the PP

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Of that UFA list I wonder if a 2 year deal to Erhoff would be good. He fits the Flames skating style of play from the back end. Added weapon on the PP too. Has a Wideman esque knack for getting the puck to the net from the point.

Other than that, the usual suspects like Franson and McQuaid would be my favorites. But Erhoff just screams of a smart signing for the Flames.

Erhoff would be my first choice but I doubt he'll sign here given our top 4. I wouldn't be against offering him 2 years @ $7.5m per. Sounds crazy but that's probably what it would take for him to consider us on a short term contract.

[CSharp]

I think to judge whether which one to keep, you need to look at size and speed. Maybe you don't keep any of them if the physicalities aren't there. Flames currently have lots of mobility on the top 4 d-men, but they lack size. I really miss Regehr where he punishes players in his own zone. Players like Hemsky and Coligliano would go into the Flames zone looking over their shoulders, but now, they just freewheel in and do whatever they want.

[Phanuthier]

I think the answer is pretty obvious based upon the way Hartley used his D and Treiliving comments on Schlemko... Potter didnt really play at all this year, he's gone. Schlemko can play up the roster, he's going to be brought back for sure. Diaz I'm a bit less sure about, but I think Hartley really likes his game so he stays.

No silly UFA signings or overpay for trades

Keep 8 NHL D in case of injury, risk losing one to waivers.

Gio - Brodie
Russell - Wideman
Engelland - Schlemko
Diaz / Smid fight it out for the last spot

Wotherspoon, Ramage, Kulek for our callups.

Thats a pretty good lineup... no need for UFA signings or trades.

[Buff]

Schlemko and Wotherspoon can fight it out for the last spot, should Wotherspoon prove he is ready. I think next year is the time for him (Wotherspoon) to make his jump into becoming a more trusted player for Hartley to use. Schlemko is a great addition to this team so I would keep him as that 6/7 assurance. Maybe Schlemko, Engelland and Wotherspoon rotate in and out of the line up pending on who is playing the best.

[GGG]

Need to find one more top 4 defensemen to push Wideman or Russel down and keep Schlemko as a 7. Then we will have a solid defense core. Smid should survive waivers or else just carry 8 up and one less forward.

Definately need to upgrade if we want to contend for the division and not just a playoff spot. Its also an area that now or later we need to fix externally as we dont have the prospects to solve the problem in house

[blankall]

Originally Posted by cannon7

Really depends on who we can add to the blueline in the offseason. Have been pleased with Schlemko and Diaz in a third pairing role, though. Realistically we should have 8 d-men, so if Schlemko and Diaz are 2/3rds of the #6-8 then I'm OK with that. Would like to see Engelland as a part of that trio and instead sign a Green off the UFA market.

Giordano
Brodie
Russell
Wideman
UFA
Engelland
Schlemko
Diaz

That'd look good to me. If Wotherspoon or another prospect make a push then we could move one of the vets.

I really see us adding a 2nd pairing d-man shut down d-man and another David Jones type forward. It was fairly apparent that the Flames lacked size. The kids will all get bigger and stronger next year, but we really need to be harder to play against and have an answer for a team like the Ducks size. Wideman and Giordano both have descent physical aspects to their play, but the top 4 as a whole is relatively soft. They make up for it by skating hard, but that doesn't create the same effect.

[GioforPM]

I'd sign all three. Stockton needs D as well. I think Diaz and Potter can safely be sent down if they are shoved out of an NHL spot (and even if they get picked up on waivers, no big deal).

[Fire]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I'd sign all three. Stockton needs D as well. I think Diaz and Potter can safely be sent down if they are shoved out of an NHL spot (and even if they get picked up on waivers, no big deal).

Does Stockton need D?

Kulak
Culkin
Kanzig
Ramage
Morrison
Sieloff

Also possibly:
Wotherspoon
Roy
Acolatse
Cundari

[saillias]

Originally Posted by Fire

Does Stockton need D?

Kulak
Culkin
Kanzig
Ramage
Morrison
Sieloff

Also possibly:
Wotherspoon
Roy
Acolatse
Cundari

+ potentially Billins unless he really wants to spend his whole career in Europe. He was Abby's #1 in 13-14.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Fire

Does Stockton need D?

Kulak
Culkin
Kanzig
Ramage
Morrison
Sieloff

Also possibly:
Wotherspoon
Roy
Acolatse
Cundari

I think Stockton's D pool is broad but not deep. Obviously Morrison is a guy they want to see more of. The rest? I'm not too too impressed with Ramage or Seiloff so far. Wotherspoon is either up or out next year, I think. Acolatse and the 5'9" Cundari don't have much of a future. I'd rather have Diaz playing and being an injury callup than them. Culkin is a question mark for me. he could make it one day.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I think Stockton's D pool is broad but not deep. Obviously Morrison is a guy they want to see more of. The rest? I'm not too too impressed with Ramage or Seiloff so far. Wotherspoon is either up or out next year, I think. Acolatse and the 5'9" Cundari don't have much of a future. I'd rather have Diaz playing and being an injury callup than them. Culkin is a question mark for me. he could make it one day.

1. Giordano
2. Brodie
3. Wideman
4. Russell
5. Engelland
6. Smid (LTIR?)

NHL top 4 is set, barring a trade. Not sure about Smid, but if his career is in jeopardy then there might be a #6 spot for a young guy, but I doubt they leave it open....not this teams MO. Likely see a guy like Diaz or Schlemko back.....or both....or another UFA signing.

1. (22) Wotherspoon (ELC)
2. (23) Morrison (ELC)
3. (21) Kulak (ELC)
4. (21) Culkin (ELC)
5. (21) Sieloff (ELC)
6. (20) Kanzig (ELC)
7. (24) Ramage (RFA)
8. (25) Acolatse (RFA)
9. (25) Cundari (UFA VI)
10. (26) Stevenson (AHL)
11. (24) Yevenko (AHL)
12. (20) Roy (Unsigned)
13. (26) Billins (RFA)

Even without signing the bottom 4-5 guys on this list, 8-9 D-men to build an AHL defense group with. Going to be a log jam for sure, and plenty of young, inexperienced (1st/2nd year) guys leading the way too. As mentioned by Caged Great, I wouldn't be surprised if some of the "vets" are brought back and we end up with several Dmen playing in the ECHL next year.

Really don't think we need Potter signed.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I think Stockton's D pool is broad but not deep. Obviously Morrison is a guy they want to see more of. The rest? I'm not too too impressed with Ramage or Seiloff so far. Wotherspoon is either up or out next year, I think. Acolatse and the 5'9" Cundari don't have much of a future. I'd rather have Diaz playing and being an injury callup than them. Culkin is a question mark for me. he could make it one day.

You might not have been impressed but listening to Ryan Huska talk he was impressed with Ramage. Sieloff will be moved back to D as well.

[Hatter]

I think Schlemko did an admirable job stepping into an unfamiliar and banged up D corps. I'd like to see what he can do with a full season in Flames silks.

Potter and Diaz are serviceable, but easily replaced. I'd like to see the Flames take a run at Petry in the off-season.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Hatter

I think Schlemko did an admirable job stepping into an unfamiliar and banged up D corps. I'd like to see what he can do with a full season in Flames silks.

Potter and Diaz are serviceable, but easily replaced. I'd like to see the Flames take a run at Petry in the off-season.

Petry would kill the Oilers.

[EldrickOnIce]

Petry has been very good for Montreal.
Would be a good fit here, I think.
I expect cost will be significant though.

[Stay Golden]

Between Diaz, Schlemko and Potter you keep Schlemko 10 out 10 times.