travel_dude

My concern isn't over whether Dube can play in the top 6; he can. My concern is that it bleeds the 3rd line. Rooney for the 4th line sounds good to me, since he can help that line without the puck. Ruzie would be okay in a 3rd line or 4th line role, but unless he's at C, I think he's going to struggle. To me, the Coleman-Backlund-Dube line sounds like the best 3rd line we can manage. So, we are back to finding the right player to fit the 2nd line. Toffoli will be fine as a RW in the top 6, just need to find the best fit. Same with Mangiapane, since he seems well suited as 2LW, but could also be a great fit as 1RW. If we could trade Valimaki for a middle 6 winger that would be better than burying him on the farm. I realize he has little value in what he's done, but he should have some.

We may be okay or we may have problems in the top 6. You break up Dube from Backlund, you have a different problem. Harder spot to replace than playing with Kadri. Have to get the top line right. Toffoli or Mangiapane have to be the only choices. That leaves one of them to play with Kadri. If Mangiapane is with Kadri, then the RW has to be a setup guy. If Toffoli is with Kadri, then the LW has to be a setup guy. I don't think we have that player. Realistically, we have two trade chips; Hanifin and Kylington. Kylington has more value to a team short on cap. He's also at max value right now. Hanifin would be best used on a more expensive winger. For instance, Willie Nee. Kylington would get you more like a younger winger with a decent ceiling.

The downside of the players not being good enough to make the top 6 also hinders their trade value. I don't think ARI would put in a claim on Valimaki, since they have to also trim their roster, but they could afford the cap hit. PITTS might put in a claim since we "stole" one of their players and Burke know a bit about Valimaki. They have cap issues themselves and 8 D. Dube looked good on the 2nd line, but really it was against a sub-par team, so I'm not reading much into it. If Ruzie could somehow break out as a winger, then it might be good to see him with Kadri. Would need to play on RW, unless Toffoli is moved down there and Mangiapane up. The unfortunate thing is that we have only 2 games. We should be down to the final roster being iced for those games. Too many D and not enough reps with the guys locked with the guys that may be fighting for a spot.

With a full roster, Stone has shown to be 7th. Probably had more highlights than Meloche, Mackey and Valimaki. But, the competition is very weak. If he is signed, they may run him the exact same way they did last year. If Kylington is not back to start the season, they will probably keep Stone and Mackey. Mackey has a pretty quiet game, but seems to also have decent first passes. I am still concerned about the upper part of the roster. The top line hasn't looked very good yet. Toffoli should be practicing with Kadri. I would like to see Bread up with Huberdeau. Then focus on the 2nd line LW. Dube with Backlund and Coleman is probably your best bet. That tells me that we are down a top 6 LW. Nobody has really grabbed it. Too many guys for the 4th line. Perhaps Ruzie can step up, since his other options of C or playing 3rd line seem to be drying up. I like Rooney's game, but a contender needs him to be a 4th line player. Lucic, if he plays 82, is going to be a big task to keep on the right side of the ledger. I would be more comfortable with Rooney/Ruzicka/Zohorna/Lewis/Ritchie. Some makeup of those guys; Zohorna-Ruzie-Rooney or Zohorna-Rooney-Lewis. Have to see some experiments there. This is a round about way of saying we are desperately needing a top 6 winger. Trade seems most likely. Expensive to find a top 6 winger though.

It was funny listening to Sutter's post game comments. He was kinda annoyed about the talk of Stone scoring goals. Said that's not the role of depth defense. They are supposed to prevent goals. Most minutes played by Zaddy-Weegar, with Tanevl-Hanifin following. Kadri isn't up to speed yet (Sutter), but looked fast in execution. The C's all had over 50% on the dot, with Backlund, Eakin and Ruzie having the best numbers over 70%. Kadri was 55%. It's hard to take much from this game, as we were missing the top 3 players and 2 of the regulars from the D. Beating Seattle isn't much to gauge the players on. I agree with your top 3. Like you, I saw the 4th line struggle a lot. Having Eakin barely made them passable. The fringe players didn't really do themselves any favor, but then again they didn't look any worse than the Lucic line. Not sure they did anything to hurt or help in the decision making.

Yeah, that is true. He picked us because he thought he could get a deal and saw an open spot. Then again, nobody really seemed to be jumping at him.

I'm really concerned about that 4th line. Rooney is fine. Lucic and others so far have looked off. If they can't get it together now, it's going to be bad once the season starts/ That also projects upward. Toffoli isn't fitting. Using Dube other than with Backlund seems to be a bad choice. We don't have either a 2RW or a 2LW, depending on where Toffoli slots in. I was hoping to see how Milano could play with Kadri and Mangiapane. That may not happen. Alternatively, Ruzicka on LW. Don't get me wrong, I like our team. We have too many depth guys though. Possibly 5 of 6 of Lucic, Rooney, Ruzicka, Lewis, Zohorna, Ritchie. Can't be having a 4th line that gets killed.

There is no reason to assume that signing Milano wouldn't result in him also being waived. We have an ancient 4th line, with Lucic and Lewis. Zohorna has dropped some pounds (according to Burkie) and is faster and better conditioned. We may see a couple of games with Milano and Zohorna. Need to see how people look in different spots. Zohorna with Lucic and Rooney. Milano with Kadri. Mangiapane with Huberdeau. Toffoli with Kadi. I don't think Sutter is very happy with the top 6 yet. Not to say that Dube can't be there, but he was really good with Backlund and Coleman.

I'm interested to see how Sutter uses Zohorna with 10 days and two games remaining after tonight. LW. Potential 3rd or 4th liner. If he is good, he's an option to replace Lucic. Not sure he pushes Lewis and Richie to the sidelines or even the farm, since both of them are RHS. I would think that Lewis is more likely to be waived than Ritchie, and that is just based on physical attributes not overall skill. Ritchie might be claimed by a team looking for toughness. EDM wanted to sign him to a PTO. I'm not sure we both with a waiver claim if we intend to send him to the farm. Too easy for PITTS to just re-claim him and he can be sent to the AHL. Without really seeing him play, I'm not even sure if he is a NHL ready player. We so rarely make claims, this is puzzling. I assume they scouted him.

I think he looked good in Tampa. Not sure about this Zohorna guy. Are we looking to build a roster of the biggest players available? Seems to have decent Czech and AHL numbers, the latter being limited action.

Sutter likes his abilities, but isn't sold on any particular spot. To me he looks better at RW over LW or C. I would like to see some different options, but Kadri and Mangiapane haven't played together yet, so need to try a few things. The 2RW spot depends on who the 1RW is. We will get a look at Dube with Kadri on RW tonight, bbut I sure would like to see some different options for top line. Right now: Hubie-Lindholm-Toffoli Mange-Kadri-Dube Rooney-Backlund-Coleman Like to see: Hubie-Lindholm-Mange Dube-Kadri-Toffoli Ruzicka-Backlund-Coleman Or keeping one line from last year: Hubie-Lindholm-Mangiapane Ruzicka-Kadri-Toffoli Coleman-Backlund-Dube The last option should not be seen as a demotion for Dube. Playing with Backlund is one of the toughest assignments there is. Him and Coleman can play either side. Backlund seems to really suit Dube's game, in that he carries the puck in with speed. Dube tends to go to the slot. I slotted Ruzicka in on the wing because he hasn't managed to get his faceoff numbers up and he's a big body. Could learn from Backlund or provide some passing to Toffoli. So far, Sutter is forcing Toffoli on the top line, and it's not really working yet. Takes time, but you need to have some other look in case it doesn't work. EDIT - I used Ruzicka because we have 4 x 4th liners. Roonie looks good, but I think he helps the 4th line with stability. So far, no other winger has shown to be capable of middle 6. Milano has 2 games after tonight to prove he's worth a contract.

Well, if they are truly looking for a top 6 RW for Kadri and Mangiapane, then they need to try that don't they? I get that Dube looks to have a shot, but that messes up one line we could be sure about. TBH, I don't really care if they sign Milano or not, but that reduces the possible people to grab a top 6/top 9 spot by one. If we don't have that player signed now, we better be getting one in trade.

I think they would like to protect Meloche, but with Kylington not being on IR, I am beginning to think they will waive him. As little as his value is, I think Valimaki is on the verge of being traded. They could sign Stone, then waive him. That would be strange but I don't think that teams would claim him. They pretty much know he won't report. As far as CGY is concerned, he would just practice with the Flames. Call him up if needed or in other words activate him. That allows them to keep Mackey, who looks ready. I think Eakin is done myself. They are using Milano with Ruzie and Ritchie as a way of seeing what else he can do. No, he hasn't stepped up in a top 6 role yet, but they need to see what he has. If we go with 7D and 14F, then I think Milano gets signed. More of a GM pick than a coach one. Ruzicka is a lock in my mind. If we make a trade for a top 9 player, then Milano is not being signed.

Zary has been the best prospect out there, followed by Schwindt. But, let's not kid ourselves, the C spots are filled. We could possibly use either of those kids on RW, but C is much more valuable to develop. They are both at least a year from being able to handle a full season of NHL top 9 play. They are working on the areas that need improvement, in Zary's case passing. Identify the places these guys need to improve. Pelletier has not really climbed the ladder yet, so I expect him to start on the farm. He's a top 9 replacement, so hold off with him until a spot there is vacant. He's not wowing yet, but then again he isn't really being showcased. Should be setting him up with Backlund as a passer, which is where I see him being the most effective. Milano has not shown his cards yet, but is also yet to play with top 6 talent, which is where he is best suited. The best 3rd line we can hope for is Coleman-Backlund-Dube, and we shouldn;t try to "fix" that. Let it dominate in 2 way play. Try Milano woth Kadri or Lindholm and see if there are any sparks. The D is really difficult to project without Kylington there. Mackie and Meloche and Stone have had good and bad stuff, so it depends on how they want to structure it without Kylington. Have all 3 until Kylington gets back? Waive one now? The cuts are coming, but I don't think many will be suprising. The PTO will stay until the end. The AHL guys will get sent down. Ruzie will survive, either as a 4th line option or top 8 winger. Phillips will not. Zary will stay as long as they can keep him there, but will not be on the opening roster. They will sign Milano, because Sutter will see something he likes and BT will want the depth option at a low cost.

I think Ruzie is earming his spot, assuming he can play wing. Can always move Kadri or Backlund to wing I suppose, but I prefer to use them at C. Other than that, I don't see any of the kids being ready to start the year. Zary is still a rookie with little time in the pros. As ready as he looks, it's a tall ask to start him with the Flames. Pelletier hasn't jumped off the page yet. He could still, but not holding my breath. Other than Ruzie, I think we have a full roster, with Ritchie taking up the extra spot. Milano, to me, is kinda like Mangiapane was when he first played on the team. Just not quite ready for the heavier game here. I would have no issue signing him as an extra. He could still break out. Other than that, we should really look at a trade to get a top 6 winger. I doubt we should be trading Hanifin at this point. Too much of a loss to start a season. No idea of Kylington's story, so I don't want to trade away needed depth. Valimaki, if he has any value, should be first to go. Dube can be considered in a trade that definitely makes us that much better. Not for Pooly. Only piece I would trade for Pooly is Valimaki. Would consider adding a prospect we won't see in the NHL here.

All valid points. What I would say is you sign a guy like Milano as insurance. We don't really have a top 6 player ready in case of injury. Move Dube up, we don't have a defensive F available. I'm looking at this year being the year that the farm players become 100% ready. Zary, Schwindt, Pospicil, Pettersen, Phillips, Pelletier are just a little off. Could they come in on an injury callup and blow the doors off? Sure, but they also have to be able to take the spot vacated. Without a long term chance, they would more likely just be an option.

I don't know what they are thinking. If we offered Valimaki, they should be all over it, regardless of being CGY. They get half the cap back and can get all but $500k if they waived him. He's already better than Broburg, not even close. Heard that they were looking at Chychrun. That's funny. Have to trade a 1st and at least a high value prospect + Barrie. Why ARI would consider that is a joke. Meanwhile, they will have Pooly playing out the year. And not get anything unless he lights it up. He won't because he's being given the shaft. Regressed under new coach.

Got no issues with Stone being signed, or the D crew. Mackey looks real good, but I think we have to get him down to the AHL when most teams are set. I do have an issue with Dube playing with Kadri and Mange. He's played with Mange before and the results weren't good. Dube would fit with Backlund and Coleman IMHO. I would prefer to see Mange takes some reps on the top line. Toffoli with Kadri and figure out the LW spot. See if Milano can do some damage there. Or see if Ruzie can fit the play. Milano or no Milano, we are down a top 6 winger. Valimaki is gonna be a waste unless we trade him. Right now, if EDM wanted him for Puljujarvi, I wouldn't even hesitate. Pooly has more than just scoring going for him. He's no less suited for top 6 than Toffoli. Him under Sutter would be a rebirth.

Mackey was steady all night. Meloche is quiet but in a good way. Valimaki had a rough game, and was burned on the first goal. Zary was the best skater and had his way with the Oilers. Considering the Oilers had most of their D core playing, this is bad for the Oilers. They will struggle to suppress goals. Campbell looks like the TOR goalie I remember from the spring. Need to try out a few players with Hubie. Toffoli is not really a top line player. Like to see one game of Mange with Hubie and one with Kadri. Same with Milano.

I had the sound off so I wouldn't have to hear EDM Jack going nuts everytime the Oils moved their bowels. It was a player down whistle, but it should have gone on for some time. I had to laugh that McLain fought Nuirse twice, the 2nd time because Nurse didn't like being pummeled. Kane chirped or did something douchy, and the said there was a CGY PP, but they had 5 Oilers out. Pre-season reffing. It was bad. Valimaki got better as the game went on, but he had a few plays that were hard to watch. One being the goal. Pooly looked out of step, so there may be a trade there. We need a top 6 F more than a 9th D. Mackey and Meloche are both better. Sonny had a point blank shot, and he got a decent shot away, but it should have been a one timer. Had a couple of plays that looked good, but nothing much. Ruzie looked prett solid, but we need a RW or play him opposite Toffoli. Mange move up in that case. I give time for Toffee to gel, but it can't be forced if he's a swuare peg. See how he does with Kadri.

I think Sutter has more confidence this year. Sutter has talked about it and it seems he's okay with Vladar. Last year, he had to prove it to the coach and he did. Too late to reduce Marky's starts.

I don't think Klapka, Sutter and Duehr are being considered for NHL jobs at this point. Too fronge, and Sutter is basically an AHL player at this point. Ritchie is the spare 4th liner right now with Lucic, Rooney and Lewis. It comes down to (IMHO) Milano and Ruzicka for the extra spots. Eakin may get a deal, but will be waived. So, to help me get a better sense of numbers, I did the roster like this: Hubie-Lindy-Toffoli Mange-Kadri-Milano Coleman-Backlund-Dube Lucic-Rooney-Lewis Ex. Ruzie, Ritchie Waived - Eakin, Phillips Hanifin-Andersson Kylington-Tanev Weegar-Tanev Ex. Stone Waived - Meloche, Valimaki, Mackey If Kylington is off for any time, Meloche will be kept as the 8th D.

The bolded part... He did mentioned that a lot of this is due to the fact that they haven't played Kadri much, and it's chemistry with that player that will determine who gets the spot. Nobody has stepped up, but then again nobody they haven't tried many looks of the top 6. Mange hasn't played. Kadri played with Backlund. Only the top line has played any time as a 3 man unit. Flames also have cut 6 of 8 F from the 3rd group, plus 2 goalies and all but Poolman from that D group.

Sutter views players differently. The NHL vets don't have to prove they are NHL players and are shaking off the rust. They do have to show that they are getting there. Rookies and young players have to show they belong as a regular. After all, it's not sky high competition. So, if Sutter has not seen you play in the NHL ever, he's expecting you to be the best player in a game. The vets get the benefit of doubt based on scouting and games played. It may not be right, but it seems to be the way.

IF we get any PP time, no doubt you will see Dube on it. Ruzicka gets a huge opportunity to play with the best.