Lines that Huska will try at camp

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

I found this interesting comparison of all our depth D, in terms of what they brought last year, according to JFresh.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1835767244317466914

That's a lot of red. I also think Bahl is better than what it shows. Hanley was a bit of a surprise for me.

As I have been saying for six months…

This team only has two NHL defensemen.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I think a lot of times players cards can look terrible because they were miscast, or in a system that they didn't fit into.



A bit late here, but someone mentioned that nobody saw that 2014-15 team making the playoffs. That's actually wrong. I distinctly remember Cali Flames Fan predicting it, and I remember Aaron Ward predicting it as well, with both predictions coming at the end of the 2013-14 season. The Flames were playing well in that last half of the season, and carried it forward to the following season making the playoffs.


I don't see this team making it, but with all the noise that has been around this organization in the last few years being quieted down, I wouldn't die on the hill that this team absolutely does not make the playoffs. I wouldn't put money on it, however. I still feel this is a bottom 3 team this year, and probably another season after this, before they start moving up the standings naturally again.



Any way you slice it, in no way is this roster a 'burn it to the ground' roster in which we have been seeing over the last couple of decade + year in and year out where teams are looking like they are intentionally tanking. Calgary definitely isn't. I don't see another team tanking either, however. Everyone who has been bad lately has improved, so this makes it more difficult for Calgary to find a way this year. I am still fairly confident they finish bottom three in the league, but I also do believe that if they come out to a hot start somehow, especially by teams taking them lightly, that it can snowball into an unexpected season.


This is an easy season for me to get behind. If they spiral down the standings this year and finish last in the league, then I will think that's awesome since this franchise desperately needs an injection of franchise-level talent. If they pull out a successful season, well, that's great too, since everyone loves an underdog story. I know where I would bet, but I won't hate this season regardless of what happens.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

As I have been saying for six months…

This team only has two NHL defensemen.

You have been wrong then but okay...pretty sure Bahl and Bean spent last season in the NHL. They may not be top 4 but to suggest they arent NHLers is dumb. Bahl is also 24 and just scratching the surface.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by dino7c

You have been wrong then but okay...pretty sure Bahl and Bean spent last season in the NHL. They may not be top 4 but to suggest they arent NHLers is dumb. Bahl is also 24 and just scratching the surface.

Good for them. This team has two ESTABLISHED NHL D that any head coach would trust in high leverage situations.

Is that better?

Jake Bean is so whelming the team that drafted him in the first round let him walk for nothing. He also weighs 170 lbs.

Bahl is, at this moment, a bottom pairing D, and he provides an element they desperately need. He, like everyone on the blue line not named Weegar or Andersson, is a complete wild card.

I don’t know why anyone would bother arguing this trash blue line is trash - we’re going for a top-3 pick. We need a trash blue line.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

Good for them. This team has two ESTABLISHED NHL D that any head coach would trust in high leverage situations.

Is that better?

Jake Bean is so whelming the team that drafted him in the first round let him walk for nothing. He also weighs 170 lbs.

Bahl is, at this moment, a bottom pairing D, and he provides an element they desperately need. He, like everyone on the blue line not named Weegar or Andersson, is a complete wild card.

I don’t know why anyone would bother arguing this trash blue line is trash - we’re going for a top-3 pick. We need a trash blue line.

I'm arguing they have more than 2 NHL dmen on the roster because they do

Beyond Bahl and Bean, Tyson Barrie has also played over 800 NHL games and over 500 points...I think he is an NHLer and its pretty likely that he signs a deal IMO. We can be honest without having to be over the top.

[Roof-Daddy]

I still think this team could surprise many if they gel early and build confidence.

They have 5 veteran forwards who've scored 30 or more goals in the NHL at one point or another, plus Mantha and few young guys who could take some strides.

They could also easily sh1t the bed too.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I would say that the Flames have 2 'tested' top 4 defencemen. There could very well be other options that end up passing the test during the season and either fill-in adequately as top 4 defencemen, or even become bona fide top 4 defencemen with their consistent play this season.



However, I would definitely make the point that there certainly are more than 2 NHL defencemen in the lineup. Lots of journeymen are consistent NHL'ers. There is reason to believe that the Flames defence overall will be decent if things work out. Impressive or elite? Not a chance this season. Passable? Definitely could be. I think they could be more offensive as a group overall, but they will leak more chances than last year by far.

I am 100% confident that a Wolf and Vladar tandem will be good enough. I know the forwards - though not elite - will be fine as well. The biggest question mark for me is defence. I have no idea what kind of consistency this group will bring, but there are certainly options. Things have to start really well on the back-end for this team to change my mind out of assuming they will finish in the bottom 3 this year. It is an interesting group of old and young 'journeyman' types, with younger members having a chance to solidify themselves into 'core' players, or continuing to be replacement level.

[gvitaly]

Listening to Huska today, it sure seems that Brzustewicz is making an impression. The guys on 960, really liked his active stick as well, his name keeps constantly popping up. Weegar also had good things to say about him. It will be interesting to see him against NHL forwards.

If he wins the 3RD out of camp, and it's a big if... it would be interesting to see which 2D out of Solo, Pachal, and Hanley hit waivers.

[dammage79]

It's be Hanley IMO. Least amount invested organizationally.

[stemit14]

Will be interesting to see who plays tomorrow night. Wonder if Zary will get some reps at center if Backlund and Coleman take the night off? He was dominant last night while playing wing on their line but it was against the oiler’s “depth” players and prospects.

[memphusk]

Hanley didn't show well last year. PayPal is a good 7. I would really like to see Bratwurst and Grutwurst to start the season. Maybe they don't make the 10 games but let's see it.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by stemit14

Will be interesting to see who plays tomorrow night. Wonder if Zary will get some reps at center if Backlund and Coleman take the night off? He was dominant last night while playing wing on their line but it was against the oiler’s “depth” players and prospects.

That’s a funny statement