2015/2016 - Predict the starting lineup

[FBI]

Well, none of us were clairvoyant enough to see Hamilton in our lineup. So only room for one #6d now. Who's it going to be? Engelland? Wotherspoon? Diaz? Nakladal?

[fanman]

Originally Posted by FBI

Well, none of us were clairvoyant enough to see Hamilton in our lineup. So only room for one #6d now. Who's it going to be? Engelland? Wotherspoon? Diaz? Nakladal?

Don't forget Schlemko! He's in there somewhere too. Should be a great competition for ice time at training camp.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by fanman

Don't forget Schlemko! He's in there somewhere too. Should be a great competition for ice time at training camp.

Schlemko is UFA.

[AC]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Schlemko is UFA.

As is Diaz who FBI included.

Hamilton $6.5M?
Wideman $5.25M
Brodie $4.65M
Giordano $4M
Engelland $2.9M
Russell $2.6M

Smid $3.5M
Morrison $925k
Wotherspoon $925k
Nakladal $818k

Wonder if Smid will be ready, there was talk about possibly retiring or more likely going on LTIR.

[Roof-Daddy]

I'm very curious to see what happens with the forward group.

I mean, I count no less than 16 NHL quality forwards (including RFA's) as of right now, only one of which can be sent to the AHL without waivers (Granlund).

You look at the group and are underwhelmed, yet they're basically the same group that helped the Flames to the second round of the playoffs while contributing to the 7th best offense in the league this year. Most of them are fairly young too, and will likely improve....but man that is a lot of players in the fold, and it would be weird to see NO changes to the forwards from the end of one season to the beginning of the next.





....and that doesn't include Poirier, Wolf, Arnold all of whom are knocking on the door IMO.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by AC

As is Diaz who FBI included.

Hamilton $6.5M?
Wideman $5.25M
Brodie $4.65M
Giordano $4M
Engelland $2.9M
Russell $2.6M

Smid $3.5M
Morrison $925k
Wotherspoon $925k
Nakladal $818k

Wonder if Smid will be ready, there was talk about possibly retiring or more likely going on LTIR.

IMO Smid is done. LTIR then eventual retirement. I'm guessing Nakladal gets the job with Morrison and Wotherspoon nipping at his heels and the first injury call ups.

I have no idea on forwards or goal, but I expect we are going to be very busy chatting with FAs.

[FBI]

I thought Smid was done too but one of our management (Treliving?) said he would be back for training camp. Forgot about schlemko. Log jam at #6/#7 there. Hope we use it for a young guy.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

I'm very curious to see what happens with the forward group.

I mean, I count no less than 16 NHL quality forwards (including RFA's) as of right now, only one of which can be sent to the AHL without waivers (Granlund).

You look at the group and are underwhelmed, yet they're basically the same group that helped the Flames to the second round of the playoffs while contributing to the 7th best offense in the league this year. Most of them are fairly young too, and will likely improve....but man that is a lot of players in the fold, and it would be weird to see NO changes to the forwards from the end of one season to the beginning of the next.





....and that doesn't include Poirier, Wolf, Arnold all of whom are knocking on the door IMO.

Best case scenarios:

A)Raymond and Bollig injured im camp, have to miss a month or so, and then other injuries hit and so forth until the TDL.
B)Raymond and Bollig traded
C)Raymond traded, Bollig waived

[ricardodw]

Don't quite know if this requires its own thread.... but what will Hamilton sign for?

Brodie is starting the first year of a 5 year 4.65 / yer deal.

Landeskog 7 years at 5.5

Duchense 5 years at 6.0

Toffolli 2 years at 3.3

We had a rash of RFA signings before the lockout... Evander Kane, Eberle, Hall, RNH for 6 yrs @6M Hodgson signed 6 years 4.5M, Bogosian 7 years at 5.1.


seeing Hamilton at 6.5 seems to be at the very high end of all 22 year old RFA contracts.

Monahan and Gaudreau are in the queue .. If Hamilton get 6.5 for 6 years.... do they get 7?

If it takes 6.5 for Hamilton Hudler and Russell appear to have just become the Flames playoff rental for 2015-16.

[Street Pharmacist]

I'm thinking 5.5 - 6.5 when term is considered. Wouldn't even be surprised if it's higher

[Husky]

Russell and Wideman played well together but I hope Hartley tried Brodie with Wideman, it allows Russell to be a #5D then.

Giordano #1 - Hamilton #2
Brodie #3 - Wideman #4
Russell #5 - England #6

[Da_Chief]

Gaudreau-Monahan-Stewart
Colborne-Backland-Hudler
Ferland-Bennett-Shore
Bouma-Stajan-Jooris
Bollig

Moved out Jones/Raymond
Minors Granlund/Poirier

Giordano-Wideman
Brodie-Hamilton
Russell-Engelland
Wotherspoon

Ortio
Hiller

[Roof-Daddy]

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by Husky

Russell and Wideman played well together but I hope Hartley tried Brodie with Wideman, it allows Russell to be a #5D then.

Giordano #1 - Hamilton #2
Brodie #3 - Wideman #4
Russell #5 - England #6

Engelland played well with Brodie also so there is a possibility that we might see equal minutes between 3 D-lines if Hartley partnered Brodie with Engelland. Keep the Russell-Wideman together because they work well together and put Giordano with Hamilton. #7 Defenseman might not see a lot of games. At least Flames can try it for the beginning of the season. If it doesn't work then keep Gio-Brodie, Wideman-Russell and Hamilton-Engelland.

[AC]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

What happens with Stajan and Raymond in your scenario?

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by AC

What happens with Stajan and Raymond in your scenario?

Traded for picks hopefully.

[Finger Cookin]

nm, missed the edit

[FlameZilla]

I can't work out what to do with the D.

My initial instinct would be to keep the chemistry from last season, so:

Giordano Brodie
Russell Wideman
... But then Hamilton is stuck with Engelland or Wotherspoon which I doubt is Hartley's intention.

If you try lefty-righty combinations, and plop Gio and Dougie in as the top pairing (in the NHL?) then consider that Brodie played alright with Engelland in the playoffs, you can stick with something like:

Giordano Hamilton
Russell Wideman
Brodie Engelland

... on paper it looks stupid to have Brodie on the 3rd pairing, but Hartley could use those bottom two pairings evenly, so it would be more like 2A/2B. You'd see more of Engelland, but to me he played better when he logged more minutes with Brodie.

It's an embarrassment of riches on defence now. Wotherspoon and Morrisson will be making strong cases to be included in the argument. Maybe it's time to cash in on Wideman and pick up a talented RWer?

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

I can't work out what to do with the D.

My initial instinct would be to keep the chemistry from last season, so:

Giordano Brodie
Russell Wideman
... But then Hamilton is stuck with Engelland or Wotherspoon which I doubt is Hartley's intention.

If you try lefty-righty combinations, and plop Gio and Dougie in as the top pairing (in the NHL?) then consider that Brodie played alright with Engelland in the playoffs, you can stick with something like:

Giordano Hamilton
Russell Wideman
Brodie Engelland

... on paper it looks stupid to have Brodie on the 3rd pairing, but Hartley could use those bottom two pairings evenly, so it would be more like 2A/2B. You'd see more of Engelland, but to me he played better when he logged more minutes with Brodie.

It's an embarrassment of riches on defence now. Wotherspoon and Morrisson will be making strong cases to be included in the argument. Maybe it's time to cash in on Wideman and pick up a talented RWer?

All season long we were complaining that after the top 4 D that's it. So we were complaining and hoping that the Flames get another D who can take some heavy minutes and not just play 5 or a little more minutes. Now that Flames another D who can logged on minutes suddenly you wanted to trade Wideman? I just don't get it.

[Street Pharmacist]

What happens to Brodie now? Was 1st pairing, 1st PP.

Hamilton was 1st pairing, 1st PP.

Gio will continue to be 1st pairing 1st PP.

If we plunk Hamilton as 2nd pairing, 2nd PP, is that a) maximizing his talent b) going to demotivate? If you put him in Brodie's spot, does Brodie's motivation or play decrease?

It's a great problem to have, but I wonder how it plays out