2015/2016 - Predict the starting lineup

[BruceCody]

still rebuilding
Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
Bouma - Backlund - Jones
Ferland - Bennett - Granlund
Colborne - Stajan - Jooris
Bollig, Shore

Giordano - Brodie
Russell - Wideman
Shlemko - Engelland
Wotherspoon

Ramo
Ortio

potential transformation to:
Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
Granlund - Bennett - Poirier
Bouma - Arnold - Jones
Ferland - Stajan - Jooris
Wolf, Agostino

Giordano - Brodie
Russell - Wotherspoon
Culkin - Engelland
Morrison, Ramage

Ramo
Ortio

i wish

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by #-3

So 2 of the 3 defensemen you were talking about are not even roster players?

I know when your building at team you don't overlook anything, but needed to sign, re-sign, trade for or develop a 7th and 8th defenseman in the summer while you have plenty of cap space to burn isn't really an issue fans need to worry about too much.

I said that the Flames needed 3 more D men.

you replied

To say they are 3 defencemen away is asinine.

At most you could say the Flames need a good physical 3rd pairing Dman, and could stand to trade Russel or Wideman in for more of a pyshical threat like Gelinas (just a name that has been out there).

You were counting Schlemko, Wootherspoon and Smid as clear cut Flame roster players.

However you slice and dice it the Flames have 5 NHL playoff team calibre d-men. Gio-Brodie, Russell- Wideman and the surprise #5 guy Engelland.

The Ducks have James Wisneski as healthy scratch #7 and Josh Manson who played 18.5 minutes a game for 28 games for the Ducks as #8

With Gio hurt the Flames went into the playoffs with 4 d-men and the Ducks 7. The ducks #8 is arguably better than the Flames #5.

[killer_carlson]

Originally Posted by IgiTang

Let me stop you right there...

Hiller was arguably the difference in the Canucks series. Unneeded contract picked up?

Engalland was one of the only reason our D didn't get completely manhandled in both series... Must I remind you of the Hamuis/Dorsett vs Engalland? Unneeded contract?.. One of the main reasons why we got to where we were this season.

Brandon Bollig. Scored 2 goals in the playoffs but they were likely 2 of the biggest in his career and ignited the Flames to win those games when they needed big goals. Was a monster on the 4th line this season. Unneeded contract?...

Listen.. I don't want to pretend to know the future for these guys.. But they all played a significant role this season especially in the playoffs.

Its those kind of quality depth players that surprise in the playoffs and pick a team up when they are down. See Matt Belesky.

That is all.

Not only are you correct, here is another thought:

What is the liklihood we even make the playoffs without Hiller and Engellend this year? Both stepped up big down the stretch when injuries put them into clutch positions.

I don't care (that much) if they stink the joint out for the rest of their contracts, they both played key roles in getting us into the playoffs. The playoff experience was a fast forward in the development of our young core.

Hiller and Engellend did exactly what you want veterans on a young team to do - lead by example in crunch time.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

I wonder how many times a lineup with zero changes has been proposed in this thread? I think we're going to have some angry people here on July 1st.

[OzSome]

Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Granlund or ??-Bennett-Jooris
Colborne-Backlund-Bouma
Jones-Stajan-Ferland
Bollig and Byron

Giordano-Brodie
Wideman-Russell
Engelland-Schlemko
Wotherspoon

Ramo-Ortio

*********
I have a feeling that Mason Raymond will still be with the Flames but on my wish list he won't be. Wotherspoon will be draw in the lineup during the season and he better show he belongs in the NHL. I think this is the year for him to be a full-time NHL. As for the goaltending, it depends on how Joni Ortio shows in the training camp. If he shows he earns it, I think or hope the Flames will trade Hiller. I am not saying I don't like Hiller because I thought he played well enough and the two goalie system seems to work out. I just might prefer Karri Ramo's aggressive style. Ortio as we all know is going on a one-way contract meaning chances are someone will pick him up on a waiver or trade him.
It is going to be an interesting off-season. If Treliving decides we are still on rebuilding years, which we are..i don't expect to see a lot of UFA veteran signing.

[1qqaaz]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

I wonder how many times a lineup with zero changes has been proposed in this thread? I think we're going to have some angry people here on July 1st.

I know what you mean. Maybe people just like to avoid extreme uncertainty. I think they'll probably be 2 major changes (signings, trades, etc) before the start of next season.

Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
Bouma/Free agent - Backlund - Jones
Jooris/Bouma - Bennett - Colborne
Bollig - Stajan - Ferland/Jooris
Granlund, Shore, Raymond

Giordano - Brodie
Russell - Wideman
Ehrhoff (or another acquired player) - Engelland
Wotherspoon, Schlemko

Hiller
Ortio

I wonder what they will end up doing with Drew Shore? Maybe he'll just wait for injuries to affect the team. I didn't give Raymond a spot, but I think he'll rebound a bit next year (as long as he is given a chance). Other than Bennett, I don't see any rookies making the Flames next season.

With Ehrhoff signed (hopefully only one year), the D-corps would be quite old (no one under 25, 4 over 32), yet experienced.

The second line looks rather terrible offensively, so perhaps the Flames would sign some sort of 2nd line scorer, or Raymond could rebound. If the Flames regress next season, I bet it will be due to the pressure put on the first line.

I don't see the Flames benching Bollig often. Ferland is more likely to miss time (knowing how Hartley plays his players). Wootherspoon could potentially get a permanent spot on the lineup at some point during the season.

I am quite sure that the Flames will be keeping Hiller over Ramo. Ramo's contract is done, Hiller had considerably better stats across the board (both regular season and playoffs). The only risk is that Hiller be regress faster than Gillies progresses. The chances of Ortio being the long term starter over Gillies are very small in my opinion.

[FBI]

Bumping this to see if anyone thinks Nakladal will make the top 7 D for Calgary.. My guess is not but I wouldn't be overly surprised either I guess.

[Royle9]

Originally Posted by FBI

Bumping this to see if anyone thinks Nakladal will make the top 7 D for Calgary.. My guess is not but I wouldn't be overly surprised either I guess.

He'll have every chance to earn it, I suppose it depends how his game translates to the smaller ice. In my mind he's the perfect 7th D but lots can change depth wise between now and September

[browntrout]

Here is my take

Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
Bennett - Soderberg - Colborne
Poirier- Backlund - Jones
Ferland - Stagan- Jooris

Spare parts Bollig, Raymond, Granlund

Gio
Brodie
Franson
Wideman
Engelland
Russel
Hanifin
Diaz


Hiller
Ortio

Somehow this team gets Hanifin

[dying4acup]

Originally Posted by browntrout

Here is my take

Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
Bennett - Soderberg - Colborne
Poirier- Backlund - Jones
Ferland - Stagan- Jooris

Spare parts Bollig, Raymond, Granlund

Gio
Brodie
Franson
Wideman
Engelland
Russel
Hanifin
Diaz


Hiller
Ortio

Somehow this team gets Hanifin

You are assuming a few under contract pieces will be gone. I will assume u don't believe Raymond gets u hanafin....

[browntrout]

Originally Posted by dying4acup

You are assuming a few under contract pieces will be gone. I will assume u don't believe Raymond gets u hanafin....

I wish...if hanafin can step in next year I think its worth to trade up in the draft to get him...what kind of kings ransom would it take, who knows. I would imagine it would cost us all of our 2nd round pics to get him. But with him and franson , would it ever add some much need size on the blueline.

My two cents for what its worth

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by browntrout

I wish...if hanafin can step in next year I think its worth to trade up in the draft to get him...what kind of kings ransom would it take, who knows. I would imagine it would cost us all of our 2nd round pics to get him. But with him and franson , would it ever add some much need size on the blueline.

My two cents for what its worth

It is goi g to cost more than 15, 45, 52, 53 to get him I think. I agree though if we could get him somehow with not moving Johnny, Monahan, Gaudreau I would be all over that (unless we have to move all our picks, Porier, and Gillies or something crazy like that)

[N-E-B]

Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Beleskey-Bennett-Jones
Colborne-Backlund-Jooris
Ferland-Stajan-Poirier
Bollig

Giordano-Brodie
Russell-Wideman
Franson-Schlemko
Engelland

Hiller
Ortio

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Beleskey-Bennett-Jones
Colborne-Backlund-Jooris
Ferland-Stajan-Poirier
Bollig

Giordano-Brodie
Russell-Wideman
Franson-Schlemko
Engelland

Hiller
Ortio

Beleskey wouldn't be a good pick up, imo. He seems like that playoff performer we see every season who goes to another team and doesn't come anywhere close to bringing what people expect over the course of a season.

[N-E-B]

Originally Posted by flameswin

Beleskey wouldn't be a good pick up, imo. He seems like that playoff performer we see every season who goes to another team and doesn't come anywhere close to bringing what people expect over the course of a season.

22 goals in the regular season in only 65 games. 6'0 204lbs so not huge but not small. 27 so not too old either. I'd take him. I don't think they should go after him with a blank cheque, but if they can get him at a reasonable price for relatively short term (2-3 years) why not? Realistically could be a solid depth player who will score 10-15 goals/year. I know he's probably not going to be a perennial 20 goal scorer but he could also surprise us can become one. Plus you can never go wrong with good Ontario boys who don't wear visors... Or so Don Cherry tells me...

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

22 goals in the regular season in only 65 games. 6'0 204lbs so not huge but not small. 27 so not too old either. I'd take him. I don't think they should go after him with a blank cheque, but if they can get him at a reasonable price for relatively short term (2-3 years) why not? Realistically could be a solid depth player who will score 10-15 goals/year. I know he's probably not going to be a perennial 20 goal scorer but he could also surprise us can become one. Plus you can never go wrong with good Ontario boys who don't wear visors... Or so Don Cherry tells me...

I'd rather give Bouma/Ferland/Jones/Colborne the minutes that Beleskey would get. Seems like a decent player but not enough of an upgrade to push the aforementioned four players down the depth chart. Drew Stafford on the other hand...

[Da_Chief]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Beleskey-Bennett-Jones
Colborne-Backlund-Jooris
Ferland-Stajan-Poirier
Bollig

Giordano-Brodie
Russell-Wideman
Franson-Schlemko
Engelland

Hiller
Ortio

You traded Booms?

[Blixa]

Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Ferland-Bennett- Louie Eriksson
Bouma-Backlund-Jooris
Bollig-Stajan-Shore


Giordano-Brodie
Russell-Zbynek Michaek
Schlemko - Wideman
Engelland

Hiller
Ortio

Colborne, Jones and Raymond traded. Byron goes free agent.

[McLintock]

Gaudreau Monahan Hudler
Bennett Frolik Colborne
Bouma Backlund Jones
Ferland Stajan Jooris
Bollig Granlund

Giordano Brodie
Russell Wideman
Franson Engelland
Schlemko

Ramo
Ortio


Traded Raymond, Hiller

[squirtle]

Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
Bennett - Backlund - Jones
Ferland - Shaw - Bouma
Merkly - Stajan - Poirier

Gio - Brodie
Russel - Wideman
Schlemko - Wotherspoon

Ramo
Ortio