Predict the 2017-18 Flames Lineup

[mrdonkey]

Gaudreau-Monahan-Sharp
Tkachuk-Backlund-Frolik
Ferland-Bennett-Versteeg
Lazar-Stajan-Brouwer
x: Hamilton, Hathaway

Gio-Hamilton
Brodie-Hamonic
Kulak-Stone
x: Bartkowski

Smith
Lack

Jankowski and Foo in the minors to start the season, Stajan and Versteeg traded at the deadline to recoup picks and open those spots up.

Brouwer hopefully fired into the sun at some point.

[DJones]

Bennett will never crack 40 points if all we give him is versteeg and lazar to work with. Even ferland is iffy.

I don't think there's any chance they don't give him top linemates this year.

[Par]

Originally Posted by DJones

Bennett will never crack 40 points if all we give him is versteeg and lazar to work with. Even ferland is iffy.

I don't think there's any chance they don't give him top linemates this year.

How do you get those top linemates?

[Groot]

Gaudreau - Monahan - Williams (3.3 x 2)
Tkachuk - Bennett (2.8 x 2) - Ferland (2.2 x 3)
Jankowski - Backlund - Frolik
Versteeg - Lazar (1.0 x 2) - Hathaway
x: Brouwer, Hamilton (Stajan in Stockton)

Gio - Hamilton
Brodie - Hamonic
Kulak - Stone
x: Andersson

Smith
Lack

I know they likely won't have Stajan in the AHL or Brouwer in the press box to start the season, but I don't see a good fit and more so just really like the look of that lineup without them. It's really a 1, 2a, 2b setup with a strong 4th line and an amazing defense.

[Icon]

Originally Posted by DJones

Bennett will never crack 40 points if all we give him is versteeg and lazar to work with. Even ferland is iffy.

I don't think there's any chance they don't give him top linemates this year.

While you are right... Who are the top line mates he should have? I don't think you break up Monahan and Gaudreau, or Backlund and Frolik...

I guess you slot him with Tkachuk but not sure Tkachuk benefits from that.

Bennett still has to show what he can do himself before he justifies throwing existing chemistry into the blender

[Finger Cookin]

Just gonna kind of comment on the recent moves and signings here instead of in each individual thread.

The hallmarks of Treliving's time with the Flames (with regards to the rosters he's assembled) are flexibility and internal competition. And the moves he's made this last week continue to reflect those hallmarks.

The short terms and retained salaries for both Smith and Lack given Treliving options should one of the upcoming young goalies force him into making a move by winning a spot on the main roster, in this year's camp or next year's.

A lot of GMs might have stopped tinkering with the defence after Hamonic was acquired. By adding Stone at a discount to his previous contract, he's really solidified what has been a weakness in the group (D playing the right side with RH shots). Not only does this defence group mean players will be competing with each other for ice time, and that we have defencemen who are on the second and third pair that can step up their game in the event of an injury, it also gives the coaches short term flexibility for in game situations such as penalties being served by a defenceman.

Versteeg's renewal at a short term is another way to maximize flexibility and competitiveness. It gives the team a veteran option on the wing for the power play or even for the top two lines in the event of in-game line juggling or injuries. It also means the other wingers will need to be on top of their game if they want those top-6 minutes or PP ice time.

Lastly, all of the recent acquisitions and signings are on excellent value deals, which means if things turn for the worse in the next 2 seasons, they could be attractive pieces for other teams near the deadline.

Anyway, after all of that here's how the roster is shaping up

Gaudreau-Monahan-Ferland/Brouwer
Tkachuk-Backlund-Frolik
Versteeg/Stajan/Jankowski/Bennett-Bennett/Stajan/Lazar-Ferland/Brouwer/Lazar
Versteeg/Jankowski-Stajan/Jankowski/Hamilton-Brouwer/Lazar/Hamilton/Foo
Jankowski, Foo, Hamilton, Shinkaruk, and possibly Klimchuk/Poirier as first call-ups and extras

Giordano-Hamilton/Hamonic
Brodie-Hamilton/Hamonic/Stone
Bartkowski/Kulak-Hamonic/Stone
Bartkowski/Kulak, Wotherspoon, Andersson/Kylington as extras and first-call-ups

Smith
Lack
Rittich and Gilles as first call ups

I could see Treliving maybe trying to add a cheap veteran D or veteran winger sometime between now and the start of the season. Not necessarily on July 1 - possibly a late addition such as a PTO contract or a waiver pickup. Adding such players would just add to the depth, competition for roster spots, and flexibility of the overall roster.

I'm expecting a quiet July 1 from the Flames and Treliving. It'll be a well deserved day off IMO. Enjoy Canada Day and a BBQ, Mr. Treliving.

[DJones]

Originally Posted by Icon

While you are right... Who are the top line mates he should have? I don't think you break up Monahan and Gaudreau, or Backlund and Frolik...

I guess you slot him with Tkachuk but not sure Tkachuk benefits from that.

Bennett still has to show what he can do himself before he justifies throwing existing chemistry into the blender

It's amazing how all those guys have chemistry when matched with players of equal skill. Everyone thinks Backlund is our best player but it's sacrilegious to not give him our best RW and Tkachuk.

[Roof-Daddy]

So this is pretty much what we are looking at right now?

[Da_Chief]

Where's the 3rd goalie?

[jlh2640]

Dont count out Bartkowski, but he would be 7th. Foo may be a player to keep an eye on.

Guys like Shinkaruk, Klimchuck and Poirier would be a huge surprise if they pushed for a spot.

Still would love to see Jarome in that lineup ahead of Hamilton. But I like it on paper.

[Poe969]

Lol. It wouldn't be normal without a goalie controversy to start the season!

I don't they no kulak draws in, it'll be someone with more upside like anderson. I still think they'll land someone else for the top line RW and Stajan sits or is gone, Ferland moves to Lazar's spot and Lazar plays with Brouwer.

[Beninho]

Originally Posted by mrdonkey

Gaudreau-Monahan-Sharp
Tkachuk-Backlund-Frolik
Ferland-Bennett-Versteeg
Lazar-Stajan-Brouwer
x: Hamilton, Hathaway

Gio-Hamilton
Brodie-Hamonic
Kulak-Stone
x: Bartkowski

Smith
Lack

Jankowski and Foo in the minors to start the season, Stajan and Versteeg traded at the deadline to recoup picks and open those spots up.

Brouwer hopefully fired into the sun at some point.

Versteeg won't be traded at deadline unless this team is out of the playoff race and one of Foo or Janko will be on the team to start the season, my guess is Janko.

[bubbsy]

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

Hamilton - Giordano
Brodie - Hamonic
Kulak - Stone

Smith
Lack

[Flamescuprun2018]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

So this is pretty much what we are looking at right now?

That would pretty much be it for the 14F, 7D, 2G: 23 man roster.

Although better for Bartkowski to be the 7D in the press box than Wotherspoon. Of course Wotherspoon might not clear waivers either and need to be the 7D to avoid such a scenario.

Hathaway and Hamilton perfect as the 13F and 14F for the press box since their ceilings both limited. Rest of the prospects with higher ceilings need to continue to season in the AHL unless amazing pre-season.

I like the move of Stajan to the wing with Jankowski as 4C.

I presume the cap wiggle room of 2.6 million left over is in case Ferland will cost a bit more in arbitration and whether than can try for a longer term bridge deal for Bennett with higher AAV.

[Heavy Jack]

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

Giordano - Hamilton
Brodie - Hamonic
Stone - Andersson
Kulak, Bartkowski

Smith
Lack

[Gaudfather]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

So this is pretty much what we are looking at right now?

That looks about right.

If Brouwer doesn't show something early on, I would rather give Hathaway some ice time, and turn Brouwer into the most expensive popcorn muncher in the NHL.

[bucksmasher]

Johnny - Monny - BENNETT
3M
Versteeg - Janko - Ferls
Whoever

Give the boy a chance, he's a nice boy for gods sake

[Love]

Originally Posted by bucksmasher

Johnny - Monny - BENNETT
3M
Versteeg - Janko - Ferls
Whoever

Give the boy a chance, he's a nice boy for gods sake

Have always wanted to see how Bennett would do on the RW of JG/SM since he was known in junior for blazing down his offwing while protecting the puck and making power net drives; but it seems like this organization is committed into developing him into a center so I can't see this happening anytime soon. Thankfully though, it seems like we've finally started reaping the rewards of the growing pains of Center Bennett (ex: Anaheim series). I bet he has a huge season next year. Hopefully he comes out of the gate strong, pots a couple of goals early and finds himself on the powerplay, if that happens I can see him taking off and not looking back.

[Wolfman]

Originally Posted by bucksmasher

Johnny - Monny - BENNETT
3M
Versteeg - Janko - Ferls
Whoever

Give the boy a chance, he's a nice boy for gods sake

I really would like to see the first line look like this. Sam isn't an NHL C, put him on the wing we're be can fly and do his thing. Imo I think they are holding him back trying to make play C. You gotta let peacocks fly!!

[TheIronMaiden]

I really would like to see Tkachuk play with Bennett so that they can raise hell together. I also like the idea of Versteeg on that line because he is an excellent trigger man.

Jankowski with Backlund makes sense in my mind because Jankowski should learn from the best 2 way centre on the team. Also, Backlund and Frolik have proven that they work well with young talent.


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

Giordano - Hamilton
Brodie - Hamonic
Stone - Kulak,
Bartkowski

Smith
Lack