JA_Boomer

I thought about this too, but Lucic-Backlund-Dube won't be the end of the world. Lots of decent play together between them.

Also agree. What message does it send to have your leading playoff scoring start on the 4th line at the start of training camp? Yes, I know Ward and Bennett wanted to see more time at center ice, but I don't think that's what Benny had in mind. This whole thing is probably a nothing burger, as Benny's current usage and play makes him replaceable in the regular season. A wasted opportunity that has probably run its course.

Totally agree. I dont even care if he plays center. With Tkachuk-Lindholm-Bennett you are maximizing the offensive potential of Bennett while minimizing his weaknesses by playing him with two of the strongest (perhaps the two best) two-way forwards on the team. Mangiapane-Backlund-Dube is such a solid, well rounded line that I think they would have great success. Then you have Johny-Mony and whoever getting fed offensive zone starts, and the 4th line can be used sparingly (with a lot of 4th line minutes coming from the PK).

I'm disappointed because now I feel that Ward is costing us players. No, Bennett doesn't deserve anything for being a 4th overall draft pick, or being consistently the Flames best playoff performer. But he is not being put in the right situations IMO. I don't blame him for being disappointed when after leading the team in playoff scoring, on the first day of training camp he is the 4th line center, later moving to 3rd line winger. He wasn't given a single opportunity in the top-6, watching guys like Leivo, Simon, and Dube slot in over him. I think it's clear now that Bennett can not carry a line, isn't great defensively, and doesn't make those around him better. What he can do is play with skilled players, play big minutes, and provide energy/grit. So play him on the right side with Tkachuk and Lindholm. Dube is a more well rounded player and a 3rd line of Mangiapane-Backlund-Dube would be more effective as your 2nd shutdown and 3rd scoring line. I don't think you lose anything with Bennett on the top line, but it helps the overall team depth. At the very least Bennett should have been given more powerplay time over the past two seasons over guys like Lucic and Ryan. Stajan can tell me all he wants how Lucic's teammates are rooting for him and rally around him when he succeeds. I don't buy it, and having Lucic be a fixture of the second powerplay unit has been a joke. Bennett's effort level has never been called into question. Yes, he needs to rein in his bad penalties, but I don't blame him for wanting a fresh start.

I think the Flames are totally misguided in their request for media silence. The lost the battle of public opinion, and so instead of trying harder to reach out to everyday Calgarians, they request media silence in the hopes that a deal can be reached with the City because it's in the best interest of the City. This is flawed for so many reasons: politicians never 'go silent' if it's not in their best interest, politicians aren't necessarily interested in the logical 'best interest' of the areas or constituents they serve, and you can not just ignore public opinion. The negotiations don't have to be conducted out in the open, but the Flames are very naive if they think they can conduct them free of media or public opinion. They must try harder to get their message across and the facts out to the public.

Slightly off-topic. To me the best new arena, would be one with a combined 2,000 seat, 8,000 seat, and 20,000 seat rinks. With this arrangement, concerts/events could be held in the arena that best suited the crowd size. For example, it may make more sense for the Hitmen/Roughnecks to play in the 8,000 seat rink some nights. I know some cities have built arenas with a practice ice sheet included in the building. Does anyone know of a facility with multiple ice sheets with different seating capacities?

Here are my thoughts: I think either Gillis or Parsons (perhaps even both) will be an NHL starter (60+ games per season), but it will take time. What we have to do is bridge the gap until they get here. But there's no reason to only bring in stopgap solutions and waste the next 2-3 seasons. We should be searching for NHL starters who can play next year and can challenge Gillis/Parsens in the future as well. We have determined that neither Elliott or Johnson is an NHL starter at this point (or I have). So we should be bringing in two new goalies next season to give us two more "bullets in the gun" to try and find an NHL starter for next season and beyond. I'm up for any combination of Darling, Bernier, Fluery, and Bishop. I'd hesitate on Bishop because I think his dollars and term are more than we need to commit to at this point. Ideally I trade for Fluery and sign Darling. Something I have not heard conclusively. If we sign Elliott after July 1, do we not still owe STL a 3rd rounder as we are RESIGNING him as a Flames UFA? Has anyone read the fine print on that? If we trade Gillis AND Parson to the Pens, could we land Murray? Not sure I would do it as Parson's stock has never been higher but it's something worth considering - bird in hand and all that.

I'm hoping the new Dome will be where the Big Four building currently resides.

Thanks. There was a few games where I thought Kulak, Andersson, and Spoon all dressed, was just wondering who got bumped to the 2'nd pair.

Is anyone aware of what the defense pairing are when Kulak, Andersson, and Wotherspoon are all playing? Is Culkin hurt or scratched most nights? He's promising play 2 years ago sure seems to be a fading memory.

I think the best option would be to trade for a young upcoming NHL goalie who can start for us next year. Just like SJ / Martin Jones last summer. Is there one of these fish out there .. I don't have the depth of knowledge about the NHL goalie pool to know. Ortio can back up next year, Gillies can continue his development in the AHL. MacDonald in the ECHL if he turns pro next year.Second best would be to trade for young goalie prospect who can develop alongside Gillies and one of the two can turn into our starter. Subban, Murray, Vashelevski come to mind in this situation. So we'd resign Ortio and either Ramo (if he looks like he might be rehabbed by training camp) or sign a free agent goalie to get us through next year. These guys might not be considered available, but these teams will quickly have to make a decision to trade or promote these guys, especially Tampa Bay because they're under more of a cap situation. I'd be more conformable with Ramo than Ward. Not sure what to make of Kudobin. But if Ramo is unavailable to start the season I think you have to go somewhere else. I guess the last option would be to trade for a veteran goalie like Elliott who could seal the gap until Gillies arrives. But you're really putting a lot of eggs in Gillies' basket because i don't think MacDonald projects to an NHL starter.

Haven't posted on here in a long time. Forgive me if I'm repeating other posts, although I did skim through the last 2 pages. What are the Flames realistic options for addressing the goaltending position this summer? UFA goalies: Ward and Kudobin are available (as of now). I'm not that interested in Ward as he's 32, I might take a look at Kudobin. What backup goalies / goalie prospects / or young starting goalies who might be on the block are available? You've got Subban / Rask, Vashalevski / Bishop, Fleury / Murray. Could we use our 2017 1st round pick + to get someone young in this way? Gillies still projects high but with not playing much this year you probably want to give him the entire year in the AHL next season. Who knows he's said his hip has been an issue for years so maybe he comes back even better. But can we bank on that and essentially stop-gap a solution for 2 years? Don't think that's a great idea. Ramo has had good stretches for us but with being out until December you'd have to think he's a last resort option as he'd miss the start of the season, have no training camp and be a complete wild card. I'm I missing any other options?