Building The 2018/19 Flames Roster

[simonarea]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Then why do you think they should switch?

Hope to see young d men step up to make bridie kulak and stone expandable

[kehatch]

The Calgary Flames are not the Tampa Bay Lightning. We aren't going to beat teams with out star power. If we are going to contend its because we can roll three five man units.

That was the issue last season. Our top guys are all paid under 7 million allowing us to invest in our depth. But we squandered that on players like Stajan and Brouwer. That was what this summer was about. Balancing our D to run 3 functional pairs, and investing in our forward depth.

Which is why I don't like the idea of stacking our top 6. Rather then throwing all the top names on the top two lines, let's balance the line up.

Gaudreau-Monahan-Bennett
Tkachuk-Lindholm-Neal
Frolik-Backlund-Ryan

This gives you three capable and purposeful lines making the Flames very difficult to defend against. It also gives us two strong defensive zone options so we aren't relying exclusively on the Backlund line.

[Freddy]

I think Jankowski is underrated on this forum, it wouldn’t surprise me if he started the season in the bottom 6 but I think throughout the season with injuries/opportunities he’ll prove to be the next 2nd line center if Backlund isn’t producing some offence.

[Flames1217]

Originally Posted by kehatch

The Calgary Flames are not the Tampa Bay Lightning. We aren't going to beat teams with out star power. If we are going to contend its because we can roll three five man units.

That was the issue last season. Our top guys are all paid under 7 million allowing us to invest in our depth. But we squandered that on players like Stajan and Brouwer. That was what this summer was about. Balancing our D to run 3 functional pairs, and investing in our forward depth.

Which is why I don't like the idea of stacking our top 6. Rather then throwing all the top names on the top two lines, let's balance the line up.

Gaudreau-Monahan-Bennett
Tkachuk-Lindholm-Neal
Frolik-Backlund-Ryan

This gives you three capable and purposeful lines making the Flames very difficult to defend against. It also gives us two strong defensive zone options so we aren't relying exclusively on the Backlund line.

I really like this line-up. If a change is needed you slide Bennett and Neal from game to game.

[FlameZilla]

It's great to see so much depth on the roster this year. Balancing out the forward lines and spreading the scoring throughout the lineup should overload a lot of opposing teams. These top 3 units all look like scoring lines to me, but with a lot of capable defense-conscious forwards.

Gaudreau – Monahan – Lindholm
Bennett – Jankowski – Neal
Tkachuk – Backlund – Frolik

4th line will be Ryan plus 2 of Lazar/Czarnik/Hathaway/Rychel/Foo/Doobs/Mangiapane... Klimchuk(??)

Defensively it all depends on if Brodie can regain some form playing with Gio. It's a lot to expect these 2 to pick it up where they left off 2/3 seasons ago (Gio that much older; Brodes lacking confidence). I'm hoping they do regain some chemistry.

To me Stone & Hamonic are both old-school D-men. The game is gearing towards having smaller, more skilled guys quarterbacking the offence, even 5-on-5. With some really talented young guys itching to make their mark who would suit the modern game, I wonder if these 2 players will end up holding the team back a bit? Would we be better off playing Andersson & Kylington instead? Vallimaki strikes me as the most likely youngster to crack the lineup, should he beat out Kulak for that spot on the bottom pairing. For now the vets bring certain intangibles that the franchise loves to have, so I can’t see them being dropped. In the end I see Peters going with a conservative lineup of:

Giordano – Brodie
Hanifin – Hamonic
Vallimaki or Kulak – Stone
+Vet PTO pressbox fodder

With the Smith we had first half of last season I feel like there's the makings of a playoff team right there. Goaltending is the biggest 'if'...

[ForeverFlameFan]

I know Gaudreau and Monahan will stay together, but I’m just doing this one for fun:

Tkachuk - Monahan - Lindholm
Gaudreau - Jankowski - Neal
Bennett - Backlund - Czarnik
Frolik - Ryan - Lazar
Rychel, Hathaway

[flame^thrower]

I don't know but I would really love to see Tkachuk and Bennett tried on a line together. I usually don't do these, as I am more of a lurker/reader than a contributor, but here goes for forwards:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Neal
Tkachuk - Lindholm - Bennett
Jankowski - Backlund - Frolik
Hathaway/Lazar/? - Ryan - Czarnik

I know Ryan will probably be top 9 but I think our depth eliminates the typical 1 through 4 line style.
It's going to be fun to just see what lines Peters will roll out. Can't wait!!

Go Flames Go!!!

[420since1974]

My predictions for this season's opening night roster:

I took into consideration contracts, waiver statuses, positions, and how far up/down in the lineup that I can see them playing successfully:

Gaudreau (LW) – Monahan (C) - Neal (LW/RW)
Tkachuk (LW/RW) – Backlund (C) – Lindholm (C/RW)
Bennett (LW/C) – Jankowski (C) – Frolik (LW/C/RW)
Klimchuk (LW) – Ryan (C/RW) – Czarnik (RW)
Spares: Rychel (LW), Lazar (C/RW)

I don’t think that we’ll see Mangiapane unless one of the Top 3 LW get injured, same situation with Foo on the RW. Dube will get the first call-up at C regardless of which one goes down.

Giodano (LD) – Brodie (LD/RD)
Hanifin (LD) – Hamonic (RD)
Kulak (LD) – Stone (LD/RD)
Spare: Prout (RD)

Kylington or Valimaki will be first callups on the left side, Andersson first on the right.

Smith
Rittich

Gillies to get first call-up

[420since1974]

Double Post.

[PugnaciousIntern]

Looks like there will be some good players starting the season in the AHL or getting pick up off waivers.

[PugnaciousIntern]

Edit: DP

[SeanCharles]

Originally Posted by PugnaciousIntern

Looks like there will be some good players starting the season in the AHL or getting pick up off waivers.

Outside of the names written in pen the following skaters require waivers:

Lazar, Hathaway, Klimchuk, Peluso, Rychel, Robinson, Quine, Graovac, Kulak and Prout.

[PugnaciousIntern]

Originally Posted by SeanCharles

Outside of the names written in pen the following skaters require waivers:

Lazar, Hathaway, Klimchuk, Peluso, Rychel, Robinson, Quine, Graovac, Kulak and Prout.

Yeah, the others would fall under the 'playing in the AHL' group. Sorry I wasn't more clear

[SeanCharles]

Originally Posted by PugnaciousIntern

Yeah, the others would fall under the 'playing in the AHL' group. Sorry I wasn't more clear

I knew what you meant..

I just wanted to point out the waiver eligible guys cause I'm not overly concerned about losing any of them if Andersson, Dube, Mangiapane, Foo, Valimaki or Kylington made the team.

Klimchuk, Kulak, Lazar, Prout and Hathaway are probably the ones I would worry slightly over losing due to a loss of depth but they are all still close to be passed by better prospects.

[PugnaciousIntern]

I agree. It'll be a new sense of security this season knowing that there are likely a few NHL ready players on the farm. Should also make for some interesting ongoing battles for bottom line spots throughout the year. No reason the 4th line should stay uncompetitive for long with Dube, Mangiapane, Foo, etc ready to swap in when the line falters.

[djsFlames]

Gaudreau - Monahan - Neal
Tkachuk - Jankowski <-> Lindholm
Bennett - Backlund - Frolik
Dube - Ryan - Czarnik
Peluso, Lazar

[Kybb79]

Bennett has never proved he belongs in the top 6. Borderline bust right now.

[goflamesgo18]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Gaudreau - Monahan - Neal
Tkachuk - Jankowski <-> Lindholm
Bennett - Backlund - Frolik
Dube - Ryan - Czarnik
Peluso, Lazar

This.

[stemit14]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Gaudreau - Monahan - Neal
Tkachuk - Jankowski <-> Lindholm
Bennett - Backlund - Frolik
Dube - Ryan - Czarnik
Peluso, Lazar

Like this line up as well. With Lindholm and Neal being able to be switched around at times during games/during the season. There’s lots of ability to spread scoring around this year while also having the option to load up the top line when needed.

I think both Dube and Mangiapane have a good shot at that 4th line left-wing position. Might give the inside track to Mangiapane because of what he’s done at the pro level already. But Dube seems like he might fit better in a 4th line role. Lots of options for sure and it still leaves depth options for call ups to guys like Foo and Klimchuk if neither of them make the team to start the season.


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[Split98]

Gaudreau - Monahan - Neal
There's a lot to tempt you to put Tkachuk and Lindholm there, but Neal is the most lethal of the 3 to be accepting Johnny feeds.

Tkachuk - Jankowski - Lindholm
A lot of intelligence on this line, and 2 players that can bring their own brand of up-tempo. Lindholm's good at seeing the ice, good at setting up plays and can maintain possession of the puck. This combo could give a Tkachuk a lot more room, and allow Jankowski to play that brand of game a bit more freely.

Bennett - Backlund - Frolik
This is the smart line. Bennett has the toolset, but not the mindset to play well on this line. If Bennett can find a groove with this line, I think he's a great replacement to Tkachuk on the wing.

Dube - Ryan - Czarnik
Our 4th line is a fun enigma. I've been impressed with Dube since Canada, and have not been disappointed since.

--

Brodie - Giordano
Very excited to see this back

Hanifin - Hamonic
...fingers crossed

Anderson - Kulak
With a lot of Stone cycled in