Predict the 2017-18 Flames Lineup

[Da_Chief]

Tkachuk-Monahan-Ferland
Gaudreau-Bennett-Brouwer
Frolik-Backlund-Versteeg
Stajan-Lazar-Foo
Hamilton

Giordano-Hamilton
Brodie-Hamonic
Kulak-Stone
Wotherspoon

Smith/Lack

Jankoswki / Healey / Hathaway / Andersson as first call ups.

[TheIronMaiden]

Just for fun, on a lazy Sunday.

Gaudreau-Backlund-Versteeg
Jankowski-Monahan-Frolik
Tkachuk-Bennett-Ferland
Lazar- Stajan-Brouwer
Hamilton, Hathaway

Brodie-Hamilton
Giordano-Hamonic
Kulak-Stone
Wotherspoon

[Fan69]

Gaudreau-Monahan-Ferland
Tkachuck-Bennett-Brouwer
Lazar-Backlund-Frolik
Versteeg-Jankowski-Porier

Stajan

On defense I think it is set o the top 5 with Valimaki making the sixth spot.

[Samonadreau]

Originally Posted by Fan69

Gaudreau-Monahan-Ferland
Tkachuck-Bennett-Brouwer
Lazar-Backlund-Frolik
Versteeg-Jankowski-Porier

Stajan

On defense I think it is set o the top 5 with Valimaki making the sixth spot.

I think especially with Valimaki making captain for team finland he will be in juniors this season. No point in rushing him. If he has a good camp and preseason give him a game or two but then let him dominate in juniors and go to the WJC.

[Fan69]

Good point, with him it's gut feeling for me. Kid oozes poise and I really think the gauntlet has been thrown to the guys outside of the top 5.

[gvitaly]

Won't happen, but i think this could be a very good lineup disregarding previous chemistry.

Tkachuck-Monahan-Versteeg
Gaudreau-Bennett-Frolik
Ferland-Backlund-Lazar
Hathaway-Stajan-Brouwer

Hamilton

Frolik and Ferland being interchangeable.

[chopper89]

I think current coaching/management is concerned about toughness...hence the Gazdic and Glass situations.

I think they make space for one of those guys...probably taking F. Hamilton's spot as 13th fwd.

[Samonadreau]

Originally Posted by chopper89

I think current coaching/management is concerned about toughness...hence the Gazdic and Glass situations.

I think they make space for one of those guys...probably taking F. Hamilton's spot as 13th fwd.

Nothing personal but i hope you are wrong.... wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong.

[Enoch Root]

I really want to see...

Gaudreau - Monahan - Ferland
Jankowski - Backlund - Frolik
Tkachuk - Bennett- Jagr

and that leaves what would arguably be the best 4th line in the league:

Versteeg - Stajan - Brouwer

and there is still Lazar, Foo, Hathaway, and Hamilton

But I don't think we'll see that. If Jagr is signed, and assuming no injuries, I would guess we see something more like:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Ferland
Tkachuk - Backlund - Frolik
Versteeg - Bennett - Jagr
Lazar - Stajan - Brouwer
Hathaway, Hamilton

[bigrangy]

By the end of the year

Gaudreau-Monahan-Bennett
Tkachuk-Backlund-Frolik
Ferland-Jankowski-Lazar
Versteeg-Stajan-Brouwer

[GranteedEV]

I would like to see:

Gaudreau-Monahan-Ferland (Speed-Size-Both)
Tkachuk-Backlund-Lazar (Size-Speed-Speed)
Versteeg-Bennett-Jagr (PP Specialist-Speed-Size)
Frolik-Jankowski-Brouwer (Speed-Both-PP Specialist)
Stajan
Hamilton

Before you guys criticize me for putting Frolik on line four, recall that that is where he played on a cup winner just four years ago. Also I see it as four lines being rolled evenly and dominantly so because Frolik can stylistically carry Brouwer in many ways and he's always been the perfect vet to pair with a guy like Jankowski (in fact, he played with Mark Scheifele in Winnipeg) to bring them into the NHL. Yes, I even like the line Troy Brouwer is on.

[Fan69]

Agree on your call about Frolik.
To me the second pairing is Backlund - Tkachuk then Bennett and hopefully Jagr but more likely Brouwer.

Quite like your line up with an interesting call with Lazar, but agree with Jankowski. To me the argument of more minutes against inferior players doesn't wash and he's too good for the A.

[kehatch]

Gaudreau-Monahan-Tkachuck (I like Tkachuks offensive potential better then Ferland)
Ferland-Backlund-Frolik (Ferland should fit well)
Bennett-Jankowski-Lazar (Jankowski is ready and Bennett is better on the wing)
Versteeg-Stajan-Brouwer (Expensive fourth line, call it 3B if you want. They play well together though)

Giordano-Hamilton (obvious)
Brodie-Hamonic (obvious)
Valimaki-Stone (stretch, but Valimaki is my pick to surprise)

Smith, Lack (obvious)

Kulak, Wotherspoon, Bartowski, or another may end up ad the 5D. The third line RW could be Versteeg, Foo, Brouwer, Lazar, Jagr, or another from the system depending on camp. Also open to swapping Bennett and Ferland depending on chemistry and play.

[gunnner]

Gaudreau-Monahan-Ferland
Tkachuck-Backlund-Frolik
Versteeg-Bennett--Lazar
Hathaway-Jankowski-Brouwer
Stajan

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by gunnner

Gaudreau-Monahan-Ferland
Tkachuck-Backlund-Frolik
Versteeg-Bennett--Lazar
Hathaway-Jankowski-Brouwer
Stajan

Your third line is a bit weak defensively. Your fourth is a mess stylistically. I don't see those guys meshing.

[kehatch]

Originally Posted by gunnner

Gaudreau-Monahan-Ferland
Tkachuck-Backlund-Frolik
Versteeg-Bennett--Lazar
Hathaway-Jankowski-Brouwer
Stajan

Question to anyone bumping Stajan. Who is your second centre for the PK? It is rare a rookie (aka Jankowski) runs a PK. Bennett isn't great on it and he is often in the box. Monahan has never played the PK for the Flames.

Honest question because there are options. But the easiest option is to keep one of your best and most regular PKers on the fourth line (rather then trying to develop a rookie in a limited role.)

[DJones]

Gaudreau-Monahan-Ferland
Jankowski-Backlund-Frolik
Tkachuk-Bennett-Versteeg
Lazar-Stajan-Brouwer
Hathaway, Hamilton

And I think Kulak takes the #6 spot.

[stemit14]

Originally Posted by DJones

Gaudreau-Monahan-Ferland
Jankowski-Backlund-Frolik
Tkachuk-Bennett-Versteeg
Lazar-Stajan-Brouwer
Hathaway, Hamilton

And I think Kulak takes the #6 spot.

It's tough cause I really want to see janko to make the team and play centre but this is probably the best way for him to get his feet wet in the NHL. Backlund has shown to raise the game of everyone who gets put on his line... especially rookies. Guess it's a great place for janko to learn the NHL game.

It's great to see so many players with the potential to fight for a spot this year. Already just in the rookie tournament and it feels like foo, Janko, andersson, and valiamaki could push for a spot. Haven't even gotten to look at guys like klimchuk, poirier, shinkaruk, etc. yet. Going to be tough if some guys show enough in camp but still don't make the team.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by kehatch

Question to anyone bumping Stajan. Who is your second centre for the PK? It is rare a rookie (aka Jankowski) runs a PK. Bennett isn't great on it and he is often in the box. Monahan has never played the PK for the Flames.

Honest question because there are options. But the easiest option is to keep one of your best and most regular PKers on the fourth line (rather then trying to develop a rookie in a limited role.)

I want Jankowski centering the 4th line and anchoring the 2nd PK. That reach, those hands, that size, that position. Hallelujah.

Gaudreau-Monahan-Ferland
Tkachuk-Backlund-Frolik
Versteeg-Bennett-Foo
Stajan/Lazar-Jankowski-Brouwer
Stajan/Lazar

Gio-Dougie
Brodie-Hamonic
Valimaki-Stone
Kulak

Smith
Lack

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by kehatch

Question to anyone bumping Stajan. Who is your second centre for the PK? It is rare a rookie (aka Jankowski) runs a PK. Bennett isn't great on it and he is often in the box. Monahan has never played the PK for the Flames.

Honest question because there are options. But the easiest option is to keep one of your best and most regular PKers on the fourth line (rather then trying to develop a rookie in a limited role.)

Lazar maybe?

Does brouwer play PK? if so, he could do the job, since he takes plenty of draws too.

You do bring up a valid point. Looking at last year's PK TOI/GM, here's the order for our forwards:
1. Backlund (2:14)
2. Frolik (2:02)
3. Stajan (1:47)
4. Bouma (1:35)
5. Brouwer (1:33)
6. Bennett (1:07)
7. Chiasson (:55)
8. Monahan (:29)
9. F. Hamilton (:20)
10. Lazar (:16)

That leaves us with Backlund, Frolilk, Brouwer, Bennett as the guys who got any real substancial PK time (ignoring stajan if he is assumed to sit)...