travel_dude

Did they set up for a presser to announce the re-signing of Stoney? So many people pointing to a new C being announced, and Sutter throws cold water on it.

Just one of those thigs that popped up. The only thing it does is give time for Huberdeau to become used to Sutter hockey. Backlund makes sense because he is the longest serving Flames player. Lindholm makes sense because he was the heart of the top line. Huberdeau makes sense because he is here for 9 years confirmed.

Getting the C

I heard it was gonna be Lucic, which would be very odd.

No doubt. He has zero insurance right now and is blocking practice for the two guys you need to decide on. Don't get me wrong, have no issue with Stone, but why practice? You know what he is.

I think Stone is relatively happy with the current state. He's a 7th D on this team when healthy, at best. That doesn't scream 2 year deal. Pettersen is already on Season Opening IR. He's waiver exempt so it doesn't matter so much. Pospisil is injured, and I image they need to fix that as well.

I'm not saying I totally understand the decisions or lack of them. Perhaps they only wanted to waive Valimaki fearing that Meloche would also possibly get claimed. Unless they resolve the Kylington thing, they are stuck having to waive someone to sign Stone. I think they expected it to be possible, since Drouin did it. But, as of now he is only a non-roster player but his salary counts. At least I read that from Pike.

^^^^ I believe we have only $425k cap without Stone signed. Pospisil is non-roster but his salary counts right now. Unless they waive Mackey or Meloche, they don't have the cap or roster spot to sign him.

Well, I won't make excuses. Hard to justify keeping him on the roster when we have 8 guys that have played better. Should have kept him up last year, when there may have been a chance of actually evaluating him. We had stretches when Kylington played sub par.

Well, he was relying on the top players playing like top players. Had we seen regular season versions of Gaudreau and Tkachuk, it may have been different. They neither played hard nor smart. They never raised to a new level. Perhaps a few did, but some regressed. I do feel he stopped shut down and went best on best. Our best was not the best. Backlund rose because he was less tasked with shut down.

It's a no brainer for PITTS. Maybe they moved on, but I think they still like the player. Getting him back and in the AHL gives them recall abilities. Pretty much zeero risk for them.

I am surprised with Gilbert, since I didn't realize he was still on the roster. I read where Valimaki was claimed by the Leafs. Zohorna is a low risk move for PITTS; they can assign him to the AHL. EDIT - The Valimaki part is just a rumor, not substanciated.

1 - Will the Flames make the Playoffs? Yes 2 - What will the Pacific Divsion standings be at the END of the season? 1 - Flames 2 - Kings 3 - Vegas 4 - Oilers 5 - Nucks 6 - Ducks 7 - Kraken 8 - Sharks 3 - Name from 1st to 3rd the top 3 GOAL scorers at the END of the season. Lindholm Huberdeau Mangiapane 4 - Name from 1st to 3rd the top 3 players with the most ASSISTs at the END of the season Huberdeau Kadri Lindholm

Looking for suggestions for Flames best lineup. The first game is against the Cup einner, so it has to be the best we can manage. Me first: Huberdeau-Lindholm-Mangiapane Coleman-Kadri-Toffoli Ruzicka-Backlund-Dube Lucic-Rooney-Ritchie Ex. Zohorna Weegar-Tanev Hanifin-Andersson Zadorov-Mecoche Ex. Stone, Kylington Waived - Lewis, Mackey, Valimaki If Kylington is back before game 1, then Meloche gets waived instead of Lewis, Stone is extra D.

Probably just a 2RW. Mange on the top line, he would be in prime spots for shots. Moving Lindholm would be a mistake, since he was one of the best 2-way C's in the league. I would be okay with Pooly. Wouldn't be that expensive in trade. Excess depth at D. The farm is growing more and we have two guys that are depth besides a guy we could trade.

I'm not really liking the lines as such. Mangiapane is much more capable at top line. You could then have Coleman on the Kadri line with Toffoli. Gives you ?-Backlund-Dube. Figure out the ?. If it's Rooney, then Ruzie is the default 4C. If it's Ruzie, then the 4C is Rooney, which makes up for the other guys.

Zohorna (IMHO) beat out Milano and Eakin for a top 9 spot. May not be entirely suited and Ruzie or Rooney may be better suited. Or we have too many bottom line and no middle 6 guys.

Kylington counts as a roster player. Unless he is suspended or in the substance thingy, he is counted. We have issues right now with the roster. I don't think Meloche and Valimaki have done enough to avoid the farm. So, that implies 14F, 7D, and 2G. We could hold off both waiving Valimaki and Meloche by not yet signing Stone. We give Meloche a chance until Kylington comes back. Then waive Meloche and sign Stone. I'm not sure that's a reasonable alternative, since Stone has no income until signed. The guys that have done the least but are almost certain to play or be on the roster are: Lucic, Lewis and Ritchie. Ruzicka has looked better of late. Zohorna was fine, and actually impressive considering the lack of practice.

It never worked out for the two PTO's that were looking to make the team. If you don't show enough to the coach, the GM isn't going to offer you anything. We are back trying to figure out the lines and see what chemistry will happen. TBH, I haven't seen much. Kadri has looked good. Seems like he fits with Mangiapane, but not 100% sure on that. Coleman and Backlund seem to fit. Hubie and Lindholm seem okay, but not 100% sure on that. I'm not overly concerned about winning or losing pre-season games, but we don't look set yet for the season.

We really can't get a good read without Kylington, since he was key to a 2nd pairing last year. Stone is a role player and not nearly as effective as Guddy was. Hanifin and Kylington should really be the last choices for PK, along with Stone. The pairings probably come down to the following two choices: Weegar-Tanev Hanifin-Andersson Zaddy-Kylington or Kylington-Tanev Hanifin-Andersson Zaddy-Weegar

The thing with Toffoli is that Sutter knows he is a score every 4 games guy. So, by that definition, he's not top 3. Would like to see if there is any chemistry with Kadri before dropping him to the 3rd line. He has defensive awareness, so 3rd line wouldn't be the worst thing. Unfortunately, what does that leave? Hubie-Lindholm-Mange Coleman-Kadri-Dube Rando-Backlund-Toffoli (rando = unknown player) or Hubie-Lindholm-Mange Coleman-Kadri-Toffoli Rando-Backlund-Dube Dube is putting himself in good positions, but you have to bury those shots.

Didn't notice right away, but Flames has 2F and 3D on the PP. Dube-Mangiapane Hanifin-Stone-Weegar

Anyone really notice Zohorna? Ruzie and Coleman seemed to carry the play.

One can never read too much into line assignments or who plays/doesn't play. Zohorna is getting a look because he was claimed to be a roster player. He might end up on waivers again, but PITTS would claim him, so he would go directly to the AHL. TBH, the two worst performing players remaining in camp are Lucic and Lewis, but they don't need to be good, they are safe. Milano and Eakin really didn't do enough to be offered a deal, but I am not the GM. There could be discussions Sutter had with BT about those two. But really, we don't have the roster spots available. If they want to sign then immediately be waived? Sure, why not.

Funny, I was just going to post this lineup. The one thing to note is that Ruzie is getting another chance to show his ware, this time with a responsible winger. Interesting to see Zohorna there as well. I like that they are trying out the D in different configurations. Hope Kylington gets back soon, as he is missing the entire camp. He's going to have to find his spot in the top 6. Zaddy has looked good in most of his deployments. Interesting to see him with Ras, as Ras normally has to be the tough guy on the pair.