Building The 2018/19 Flames Roster

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by activeStick

To date, Bennett hasn't been able to play along the line without going over it unlike Tkachuk or Neal. I'd keep Bennett on the third line until he demonstrates more improvement and better point production.

I get what you’re saying. And I agree... somewhat.

But Tkachuk and Neal have both been suspended. Neal has been suspended like 3 times, including a 5 gamer.

[Strange Brew]

I guess Peters is famous for blending his lines but does he keep guys in position?

I am very interested to see who the top four centers will be.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

I guess Peters is famous for blending his lines but does he keep guys in position?

I am very interested to see who the top four centers will be.

Me too. Now that we magically have 6 of them not including Bennett.

[foshizzle11]

I haven't really read too many of the posts in here but I'll give it a shot!

1st Line
Johnny - Monahan - Neal

2a Line
Tkachuk - Backlund - Lindholm

2b Line
Bennett - Ryan - Frolik

4th Line
Brouwer/Dube/Mangiapane/Foo - Jankowski - Czarnik

I think we will see a mix of the bottom 6 as others mentioned.

But I think we will see a lot of the top 2 lines I listed above.

I can see us having a 2a and 2b situation in the amount of ice time those lines will see since I believe those lines at points in the season could have similar success. Although the Backlund line in theory should be much better based on previous experience/results.

I hope to see mostly youth on that bottom line but I really don't see Brouwer coming out of the mix or sitting for too many games.

Do we see Monahan and Gaudreau split up?

If we do, I want to see Tkachuk with Monahan.

There needs to be some grit there. I think having Tkachuk - Monahan - Neal would be tough line to play against and they could have amazing success.

That would leave a smaller line but potentially more skilled line in Gaudreau - Backlund - Lindholm, or maybe they move Bennett over to the RW and you can have Gaudreau - Bennett - Lindholm playing together.

I think having the flexibility as a coach this coming season to develop lines that work well together will be fun with this group. We have more options on the RW now, we have center depth, guys who can play in many different situations and positions.

when does the season begin?

[The Boy Wonder]

I think projecting lines with this coach is next to pointless.

Really think we will see a ton of rotation especially within games, depending on situation.

I'm coming around to the whole idea but I really see the top 9 being rotated very heavily depending on situation and who's hot.

ie: you need a group to check a really fast, high skilled line: send out Backlund lindholm and frolik,

or you need a super gritty grind the puck line but still skilled? send out Bennett thachuk Neal


You need scoring off the rush? get Jonny Mony and Neal out there,

You need someone who can help Jonny and Mony defend a little more? send out Jonny Mony Lindholm

You need to absolutely win the faceoff and get the puck out? send out backlund, Lindholm and Ryan


I think the message in a lot of what Peters has said to the media this spring / summer with regards to wanting both Tkachuk and Bennett practicing playing RW this offseason, talking about trying lindholm on top line, neal, etc. is that he wants all his players to be versatile and able to play in multiple positions and schemes and assignments. I think the moves Brad has made are largely to get forwards who fit this idea, as Ryan, Lindholm and Neal all bring different things to the table but realistically the one thing in common is that they are all quite versatile players in terms of where they can be deployed.

[Hells Bells]

Gaudreau-Monahan-Neal
Tkachuk-Backlund-Lindholm
Bennett-Ryan-Czarnik
Mangiapane-Jankowski-Frolik

Brouwer, Lazar/Foo

Giordano-Brodie
Hanifin-Hamonic
Kulak-Stone

Prout/Andersson

Smith
Rittich

PP1: Gaudreau, Monahan, Tkachuk, Lindholm, Giordano.
PP2: Neal, Backlund, Bennett, Czarnik, Hanifin.

PK1: Backlund, Frolik, Hanifin, Hamonic.
PK2: Ryan, Lindholm, Giordano, Brodie.

[red sky]

I still see risk in depth scoring with the above lines. Not sure Ryan can carry his own line especially if Bennett struggles again. Fourth line is going to get good match ups but limited playing time.

Second line will see a jump in production but I am not convinced lines 3 and 4 will meet expectations. Granted if we are looking for improvement from last year then that should be achievable but a pretty low bar to set.

[Hells Bells]

Originally Posted by red sky

I still see risk in depth scoring with the above lines. Not sure Ryan can carry his own line especially if Bennett struggles again. Fourth line is going to get good match ups but limited playing time.

Second line will see a jump in production but I am not convinced lines 3 and 4 will meet expectations. Granted if we are looking for improvement from last year then that should be achievable but a pretty low bar to set.

I think Peters will lean on two lines heavily and divide the rest fairly even. Guys like Frolik, Ryan, Jankowski, Bennett are not 4th liners. Even Czarnik with his skill shouldn't be a 4th liner. I think it will be 1A/B and 3A/B.

Bennett/Czarnik I feel could possibly breakout together, as their games compliment each other IMO. With Ryan as the defensive minded C with some offensive upside. Mangiapane/Jankowski play pretty well together from what I've heard. Throw Frolik on that line to help defensively and chip in the odd goal here and there.

The lines will be all over the place likely, but I feel the Flames have a mix of players that can make life difficult for teams matching up.

Plenty of skill, speed and potential on those bottom lines.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by red sky

I still see risk in depth scoring with the above lines. Not sure Ryan can carry his own line especially if Bennett struggles again. Fourth line is going to get good match ups but limited playing time.

Second line will see a jump in production but I am not convinced lines 3 and 4 will meet expectations. Granted if we are looking for improvement from last year then that should be achievable but a pretty low bar to set.

I still want to see this:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Neal
Bennett - Lindholm - Tkachuk
Frolik - Backlund - Foo
Jankowski - Ryan - Czarnik

I think that puts people who need to take a step forward a good opportunity to do so while also creating a balanced 4 line attack.

Something that I think is going to be interesting is watching point totals next year. With how these lines are built, I see scoring being very spread out (although the Gaudreau line will be the clear leader).

[Lanny_McDonald]

Gaudreau-Monahan-Lindholm
Tkachuk-Jankowski-Neal
Bennett-Backlund-Frolik
Lazar-Ryan-Brouwer
Czarnik-Foo

Top two lines have a guy that can dish and two guys that can finish. Third line is a straight up hard working north-south line. Fourth line is a blend of size and speed. Would be nice to see Brouwer moved and replaced with someone else, but the Flames need his size on that line. Czarnik is no different than Foo and needs to prove he can play. Extra player until someone proves worthy and bumps another player.

[dustygoon]

Bennett. What do we get this year? New coach and better players around him to either push him down the lineup further or really help him.

I hope the message to him is clean slate, have fun, mistakes happen and let the effen puck fly as often as he can.

[Hells Bells]

Originally Posted by New Era

Gaudreau-Monahan-Lindholm
Tkachuk-Jankowski-Neal
Bennett-Backlund-Frolik
Lazar-Ryan-Brouwer
Czarnik-Foo

Top two lines have a guy that can dish and two guys that can finish. Third line is a straight up hard working north-south line. Fourth line is a blend of size and speed. Would be nice to see Brouwer moved and replaced with someone else, but the Flames need his size on that line. Czarnik is no different than Foo and needs to prove he can play. Extra player until someone proves worthy and bumps another player.

Lazar and Brouwer should be the popcorn eaters this year.

If those two guys are penciled in for the opening game, that means one of two things happened. Either Czarnik, Foo and Mangiapane are not ready for the NHL, or the Flames management/coaching decisions haven't changed at all since last season. Those two just don't generate offence at all. Why waste a player like Ryan or Jankowski playing with those guys. Why not just re-sign Stajan and reunite the whole line.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Hells Bells

Lazar and Brouwer should be the popcorn eaters this year.

If those two guys are penciled in for the opening game, that means one of two things happened. Either Czarnik, Foo and Mangiapane are not ready for the NHL, or the Flames management/coaching decisions haven't changed at all since last season.

Or they have really good camps. Lazar has wheels, hits and seems to get chances. He's not been able to finish, but sometimes that changes overnight.

Brouwer has had flashes of really good play, even last year (check the game threads for posters going "credit where it's due" or "who is that in Brouwer's uniform". Obviously not ever enough on this team. But I wouldn't be shocked if he turned in a good enough camp to cause him to get a starting spot. Heck, he had a great camp when he arrived (with Bennett).

[Hells Bells]

The Flames could use a 3rd/4th liner with some toughness.

Of course I don't want a goon, but someone that can stick up for his teammates while still keeping up with guys like Jankowski, Ryan etc...

Maroon would be perfect if BT could somehow get him signed at a good rate. Move Stone if you have to, as I feel Andersson is ready for duty.

[Hells Bells]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Or they have really good camps. Lazar has wheels, hits and seems to get chances. He's not been able to finish, but sometimes that changes overnight.

Brouwer has had flashes of really good play, even last year (check the game threads for posters going "credit where it's due" or "who is that in Brouwer's uniform". Obviously not ever enough on this team. But I wouldn't be shocked if he turned in a good enough camp to cause him to get a starting spot. Heck, he had a great camp when he arrived (with Bennett).

Yes, there is that chance they come to camp motivated and prove guys like me very wrong.

That would only be a good thing for the Flames. Foo/Mangiapane could perhaps use a little more time in the AHL anyway. If Brouwer starts playing even remotely like he did a few years ago, the Flames would benefit from having even more depth or finally be able to move him.

[Poe969]

Depending on what Maroon/someone like him would accept and what some of our current players would bring back in a trade, I think this is the the next move. I do think the team needs toughness but I can see them not doing anything and going with this roster. It's a tough spot to be in for this team, there are a lot of pieces in place and maybe even too many.

I do still think this team needs a proven backup.

[Yrebmi]

Gaudreau - Monahan - Neal
Bennett - Lindholm - Tkachuk
Jankowski - Backlund - Frolik/Foo
Mangiapane/Frolik - Ryan - Czarnik

Giordano - Brodie
Hanifin - Hamonic
Kulak - Andersson/Stone


Really both Frolik and Stone are quality players that could be traded for value or retained for veteran depth. Which ever helps the team more. Frolik in particular is great being able to play either wing up and down

[Roof-Daddy]

I'm surprised to see so many people still slotting Lindholm on the right wing since the additions of Neal and Czarnik....and even Ryan to an extent.

1. I get the feeling Lindholm would rather play center, at least that's the vibe I got, could be wrong.

2. Him at center would give us 3 legit 23 year old C options to work with long term in Monahan, Lindholm, Janko.

He's like Backlund to me, but younger and with a higher pedigree and ceiling offensively. Put him with Tkachuk and see if something develops.

Let Ryan play RW with Backlund or Janko, take face offs on his strong side, and be a back up option at C in case there are injuries.

The best long term play IMO is to keep Lindholm and Jankowski playing as much C as possible, especially since we have really good wingers to play with all of them now.

[Roof-Daddy]

Going with pairings:

1. Gaudreau - Monahan - (NEAL)
2. Tkachuk - Lindholm - (CZARNIK)
3. Bennett - Backlund - (RYAN)
4. Frolik - Jankowski - (FOO - or '?' see below)

The top two pairings are all 25 or younger. Sets us up for long term continuity and success with those two pairings.

The bottom two pairings have a younger guy with an older two way guy, rather than keeping Backs and Frolik together. This way they help to prop Bennett and Janko up while they find their NHL legs.

I like the idea of Neal on the top line RW, for obvious scoring reasons, but also because it gives the top 3 lines all one guy who is a POS and a pain in the ass to play against (Line 1 Neal, Line 2 Tkachuk, Line 3 Bennett).

I like another young guy like Czarnik or Foo on the 2nd line RW spot. Especially with two heavier players like Tkachuk and Lindholm, it might be beneficial for smaller guys like Czarnik or Foo. They are also strong playmakers and both Czarnik and Foo can shoot the puck. I really feel this would be a spot for Czarnik to shine in.

For the 3rd line RW spot I would put Ryan. He can help our weakest face off guy (Backlund) by taking draws on his strong side and plays a solid two way game.

On the 4th line I see a battle between Foo, Lazar, Brouwer and Mangiapane (Foo if he loses the battle with Czarnik for line 2). If Mangiapane wins the spot Frolik can switch back to playing his off wing and Mangiapane slots on the LW. Of course this is also a spot for any dark horses to win as well, like Hathaway, Dube, Quine, Ehliz, Shinkaruk, Klimchuk or maybe even Robinson.

[Gaskal]

Gaudreau - Monahan - Neal
Bennett - Lindholm - Tkachuk
Frolik - Backlund - Ryan
Mangiapane - Janko - Czarnik

Lazar, Brouwer


Giordano - Brodie
Hanifin - Hamonic
Kulak - Stone
Prout