Predict the 2016/2017 Flames Starting Lineup

[Funkhouser]

Originally Posted by hockey.modern

I see Bollig in the AHL and Hamilton & Hathaway as the 13/14th forwards. Aside from that, I might also switch Ferland and Shinkaruk...but essentially you nailed it!

[pgsieve]

Anyone that impressed with Shinkaruk? Could see Higgins in that spot or a long shot with Mangipane. I also have to think that Vey is going to work himself into the lineup somehow

[Niemo]

What I'd like to try:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Frolik
Ferland - Bennett - Brouwer
Stajan - Backlund - Bouma
Higgins - F. Hamilton - Chiasson
Hathaway, Bollig

(Sorry, but I really do think that 1 more year in juniors will be better for Tkachuk in the long run)

Giordano - Brodie
Jokipakka - Hamilton
Kulak - Wideman
Engelland

Elliot
Johnson

[1qqaaz]

Honestly, I don't like any of Chiasson, Ferland, Shinkaruk, Hamilton, etc. on the top line. There's clearly a hole on the top line RW spot. If the Flames can choose someone who's good on the boards and doesn't kill the offensive opportunities with their stone hands, they'll be fine.

Sames goes for our number 4 dman. Kevin, Kulak, Wotherspoon, Wideman, etc. might fill the hole, but I doubt any of them will excel there.

However, I think these are actually very manageable holes. It's nice that we're really only missing a top line RW, and a number 4 defenseman. Teams like Edmonton have many more holes, and those holes are much larger.

Overall, the team balance makes me think the Flames will be competitive this year. I'm mostly just excited to see the goaltending. Elliott and Johnson look great. Gillies and Parsons look like great prospects.

Can't wait for the season to start.

[Niemo]

I think next year we will have Tkachuk, Jankowski, and Shinkaruk in the line up for sure, with a 50/50 chance of seeing Kylington.

[Niemo]

I know Backlund and Frolik are supposed to be a pair, but he would work best on the top line - given what we have (Frolik that is).

[Captaincanada80]

Seeing how Tobias Rieder asked for a trade, what would it cost to obtain?

Its exactly what the doctor ordered on that top line RW

Hes young, hes controllable, and relatively cheap asking 2.5M

Would Bouma/Prospect/2nd get it done?

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Captaincanada80

Seeing how Tobias Rieder asked for a trade, what would it cost to obtain?

Its exactly what the doctor ordered on that top line RW

Hes young, hes controllable, and relatively cheap asking 2.5M

Would Bouma/Prospect/2nd get it done?

Source? That'd be a great add for this team.

[TheScorpion]

I too would love to acquire Rieder. He's one of the Oilers' only good draft picks of the last decade, and of course they had to ship him out to Phoenix.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Niemo

I think next year we will have Tkachuk, Jankowski, and Shinkaruk in the line up for sure, with a 50/50 chance of seeing Kylington.

That would be 3 or 4 rookies added in the same year. Almost unprecedented. If those guys are all going to be on the team next year, one or two need to make it this year.

[smiggy77]

Originally Posted by heep223

Source? That'd be a great add for this team.

http://thehockeywriters.com/tobias-r...n-trouba-more/

Not really a request out. It sounds more like an agent trying to gain some leverage in negotiations by causing a media swarm.

If it is the case, would love to add him!!

[Samonadreau]

Reider is decent but not for 2.5. Seems like a guy who needs to be a top 6 to make it but may not have the tools to be a top 6.

[Captaincanada80]

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sport...-cup/91091966/

“But at the end of the day, we’re not far apart but they’re not willing to do it at all. I would doubt at this point that I could say that anything’s imminent in getting done.”

http://arizonasports.com/story/84516...s-roster-cuts/

Rieder’s agent, Darren Ferris“I think it would be best for both parties if they just traded him,” Ferris wrote. “He is really disappointed with them.”

This article is more speculative than anything, but hints at an asking price

http://howlinhockey.com/2016/08/26/a...tobias-rieder/

A package of simply Rieder himself fetches one, if not two, second or third round picks. Arizona could easily recoup the picks the team lost in a trade with the Florida Panthers for Lawson Crouse and an LTIR candidate in Dave Bolland. That kind of trade is essential to continually supplying talent for the organization even after the rebuild has concluded.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by Niemo

I know Backlund and Frolik are supposed to be a pair, but he would work best on the top line - given what we have (Frolik that is).

This. Star players and depth at the other forward position give us options. We don't have those options and depth at RW. Frolik and Brouwer need to be our top two RWs with this roster.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

This. Star players and depth at the other forward position give up options. We don't have those options and depth at RW. Frolik and Brouwer need to be our top two RWs with this roster.

Why?

In 5v5, good teams roll 3 lines that can score. Backlund-Frolik make the third line a productive line. Stacking the 1st line and destroying our depth is not a good idea.

[Finger Cookin]

I don't think it constitutes stacking the lines. It did when Hudler was playing in that role. But not now. And I'd rather have two good scoring lines than plugs on the first line watering it down.

I'm good with what the coaches decide either way.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Originally Posted by Niemo

I know Backlund and Frolik are supposed to be a pair, but he would work best on the top line - given what we have (Frolik that is).

I've seen this posted a few times, and I feel the need to say something.

Frolik is never going to play on the top line for any team, period. His skill-set would be absolutely terrible alongside Monahan and Gaudreau for starters. Frolik has one of the weakest shots in the NHL. His goals are of the scrambly garbage style. He isn't good at one timing the puck or causing rebounds. He's not good at passing. Just look at the hat trick he scored last year. They are all grinder goals from within a foot of the net. Monahan is still the better net front presence and actually has good hands in tight.

Frolik - Backlund is a dominating force in the defensive and neutral ice. They focus on shutting down other teams best players. They can create their own offense just by keeping the puck up ice and grinding down low. No reason to mess with that.

[Finger Cookin]

Other than Brouwer, any of the other RWS have a skill-set that would be absolutely terrible alongside Monahan and Gaudreau. Frolik is the best choice amongst bad options.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

This. Star players and depth at the other forward position give us options. We don't have those options and depth at RW. Frolik and Brouwer need to be our top two RWs with this roster.

They are the top 2 RWs on the roster.

But they should be deployed where their skills are most needed and where they help the team most.

Frolik on Backlund's line perfectly utilizies his skills.

Brouwer can add experience, confidence, grit, and skill to Bennett's line.

Gaudreau and Monahan simply need a player that can work the boards and go to the front of the net.

IMO, many fans get way too hung up on ranking the lines 1, 2 and 3. There is a lot going on in a game and balance is important.

[cannon7]

I posted this in the other thread, but I would try Freddy Hamilton on that top-line RW. He has size, tenacity, will battle int he boards and has decent hands. No idea if the chemistry is there, as we can't ice a line like that until Gaudreau signs, but might be worth a try. Fall back to Brouwer if that doesn't work. Don't think we should break up the Backlund-Frolik duo, they're going to be 2/3rds of a top shutdown line. Only drawback of moving Brouwer to the top line RW is that Bennett loses a guy who can finish and we don't have a lot of skill to ice with Bennett after that. Personally want a vet like Brouwer on his wing.