So Where do we go from here? Analysis & Predictions

[MAC331]

8 hours ago, kehatch said:

 

Me too. But I won't be shocked to see him as the 13 forward and brought out for games where "more toughness is needed". At least to start the season. 

Good for a coach to have options if you need them.

[cross16]

My problem with Vanek is part motivation but part what role do you have for him? He needs a role where he's sheltered in an offensive capacity because he's so bad defensively and play lots on the pp. that role only works with the top line so are they prepared to play Vanek on the top line? They shouldn't imo so that's why I don't think Vanek fits. 

 

As much as Jagr would we a cool story and I'd love it from a fan perspective it really doesn't make much sense from a hockey perspective. I don't think guys like hemseky, Iginla or Doan have anything left and I don't see the value in trying them out. Flames need a proven scorer as they already have their own reclamation projects (sort to speak) on the roster. If you can't get a proven scorer they are better off to roll with what they have. 

[MAC331]

1 minute ago, cross16 said:

My problem with Vanek is part motivation but part what role do you have for him? He needs a role where he's sheltered in an offensive capacity because he's so bad defensively and play lots on the pp. that role only works with the top line so are they prepared to play Vanek on the top line? They shouldn't imo so that's why I don't think Vanek fits. 

 

As much as Jagr would we a cool story and I'd love it from a fan perspective it really doesn't make much sense from a hockey perspective. I don't think guys like hemseky, Iginla or Doan have anything left and I don't see the value in trying them out. Flames need a proven scorer as they already have their own reclamation projects (sort to speak) on the roster. If you can't get a proven scorer they are better off to roll with what they have. 

What about PA Parenteau on a 1 year deal ? He could be another Hudler with JG and SM.

[phoenix66]

12 minutes ago, cross16 said:

My problem with Vanek is part motivation but part what role do you have for him? He needs a role where he's sheltered in an offensive capacity because he's so bad defensively and play lots on the pp. that role only works with the top line so are they prepared to play Vanek on the top line? They shouldn't imo so that's why I don't think Vanek fits. 

 

As much as Jagr would we a cool story and I'd love it from a fan perspective it really doesn't make much sense from a hockey perspective. I don't think guys like hemseky, Iginla or Doan have anything left and I don't see the value in trying them out. Flames need a proven scorer as they already have their own reclamation projects (sort to speak) on the roster. If you can't get a proven scorer they are better off to roll with what they have. 

My thinking now is while it would be nice to get 20-30 goals from that right side , unless its internal its just not realistic now from whats left on the market . But if you can get a guy who garners just enough attention you open up johnny and Monahan more.

Even at this stage , Iggy brings the hard corner work and can still float a really nice pass in from the corner . Guy still got 14 goals last year . Nobody is implying he's the Iggy of old, but on that line he'd likely get you 15-20 next year while improving the production of the top 2. Even if you put him with Bennett, it could be just what he needs to start being the center we're expecting him to be .

[cross16]

7 minutes ago, MAC331 said:

What about PA Parenteau on a 1 year deal ? He could be another Hudler with JG and SM.

 

Id pass. I don't think he is a top line player. Probably get more out of ferland in that same role. 

[cross16]

Just now, phoenix66 said:

My thinking now is while it would be nice to get 20-30 goals from that right side , unless its internal its just not realistic now from whats left on the market . But if you can get a guy who garners just enough attention you open up johnny and Monahan more.

Even at this stage , Iggy brings the hard corner work and can still float a really nice pass in from the corner . Guy still got 14 goals last year . Nobody is implying he's the Iggy of old, but on that line he'd likely get you 15-20 next year while improving the production of the top 2. Even if you put him with Bennett, it could be just what he needs to start being the center we're expecting him to be .

 

You think much higher of Iginla that I do. He is basically a PP specialist at this point. 

[travel_dude]

Any interest in Drew Stafford?

RHS, LW/RW capable.

31 years old.

6'3", 214 lbs.

 

Not to familiar with him, so he might be slow or useless, but his points total seems ok

As long as you could sign him for less than 3m, he might help.

 

FF52 probably has some insight from his years in WPG.

[phoenix66]

15 minutes ago, cross16 said:

 

You think much higher of Iginla that I do. He is basically a PP specialist at this point. 

My thinking at this point is just improvement .

It would be nice to hit the home run on that right side, and we may still.. but the goal at minimum is just to get someone better than Chiasson. Do that and you have improved the team. If you can't , then just resign Chiasson .

Many of those players discussed , while not a home run , are an improvement on Chiasson 

[MAC331]

15 minutes ago, cross16 said:

 

Id pass. I don't think he is a top line player. Probably get more out of ferland in that same role. 

He may be the type that could do better than his averages with those two. Using Ferland elsewhere in the line up gives us a better set up IMO.

The main move I would want soon is seeing Stajan moved.

[MAC331]

Just now, phoenix66 said:

My thinking at this point is just improvement .

It would be nice to hit the home run on that right side, and we may still.. but the goal at minimum is just to get someone better than Chiasson. Do that and you have improved the team. If you can't , then just resign Chiasson .

Many of those players discussed , while not a home run , are an improvement on Chiasson 

Are they ? Chiasson scored 12 last season so I don't see any real improvement going to a 40 year old Iginla.

[MAC331]

The one player no one is talking about for the top line RW is Tkachuk. I wouldn't rule out GG giving him the opportunity there over Ferland.

[phoenix66]

5 minutes ago, MAC331 said:

Are they ? Chiasson scored 12 last season so I don't see any real improvement going to a 40 year old Iginla.

its more than just the goals..  its the ability to create room, dig the hard pucks in the corner, have some passing ability , improve the other 2 players .. all the things Chiasson doesn't do .

Plus , even at his age , the produciton should be higher .  Remember once he got on a decent team he got 6 goals after the TDL.  I think 20 would be within reach 

The thing with Iggy , and has been this way his entire career .. is he needs to be motivated, hes not a motivator..  its no wonder he was useless in Colorado , after October he had nothing to play for.

Last Season -- last playoff with a team with a shot--  there are enough motivators you would get the last drop in his tank.

[phoenix66]

1 minute ago, MAC331 said:

The one player no one is talking about for the top line RW is Tkachuk. I wouldn't rule out GG giving him the opportunity there over Ferland.

he's a LW

[MAC331]

3 minutes ago, phoenix66 said:

its more than just the goals..  its the ability to create room, dig the hard pucks in the corner, have some passing ability , improve the other 2 players .. all the things Chiasson doesn't do .

Plus , even at his age , the produciton should be higher .  Remember once he got on a decent team he got 6 goals after the TDL.  I think 20 would be within reach 

The thing with Iggy , and has been this way his entire career .. is he needs to be motivated, hes not a motivator..  its no wonder he was useless in Colorado , after October he had nothing to play for.

Last Season -- last playoff with a team with a shot--  there are enough motivators you would get the last drop in his tank.

PASS

[kehatch]

I don't think Ferland will last on the top line over 82 games. I could be wrong, and hope I am, but I expect he falls off at some point. That just isn't his game, and it's his off wing. But we don't have good options if it doesn't work. 

 

I also want to find someone to play with Bennett. Versteeg-Bennett-Brouwer wasn't good last season. Again, we lack options. 

 

I don't think getting a depth player is about finding someone to play on line x. It is about having depth and options. Maybe thst comes from the system, but we don't have much there unless Foo is ready or someone like Pribyl, Poirier, Shinkaruk, etc takes a big leap. 

[MAC331]

7 minutes ago, kehatch said:

I don't think Ferland will last on the top line over 82 games. I could be wrong, and hope I am, but I expect he falls off at some point. That just isn't his game, and it's his off wing. But we don't have good options if it doesn't work. 

 

I also want to find someone to play with Bennett. Versteeg-Bennett-Brouwer wasn't good last season. Again, we lack options. 

 

I don't think getting a depth player is about finding someone to play on line x. It is about having depth and options. Maybe thst comes from the system, but we don't have much there unless Foo is ready or someone like Pribyl, Poirier, Shinkaruk, etc takes a big leap. 

If you want another versatile player go with Jussi Jokinen he has played LW, C and RW. GG could start with Ferland and use Jokinen with Backlund and Frolik allowing Tkachuk to play with Bennett. I would like as a preference to see what a line of Tkachuk, Bennett and Lazar could do.

[kehatch]

16 minutes ago, MAC331 said:

If you want another versatile player go with Jussi Jokinen he has played LW, C and RW. GG could start with Ferland and use Jokinen with Backlund and Frolik allowing Tkachuk to play with Bennett. I would like as a preference to see what a line of Tkachuk, Bennett and Lazar could do.

 

Tkachuk-Bennett-Lazar is a nasty line and it would be fun. But it is really young with two of three players that need to get going. 

[travel_dude]

39 minutes ago, MAC331 said:

The one player no one is talking about for the top line RW is Tkachuk. I wouldn't rule out GG giving him the opportunity there over Ferland.

 

My preference for using Tkachuk is LW with Bennett.  I think they could do some damage as a pair.

That would mean Ferland could be the top RW or play LW with Backlund.  

 

Personally, I would prefer to see Stajan moved out and play Janko on the 4th line.  Leave Hathaway as the 13/14th forward.  Bring Gazdic up only for certain games, play him as a 13th F for about 8 minutes in those games.  

 

I think Ferland has untapped potential, but we need to be careful that we aren't stuck wth no other option, or spend half a season looking for chemistry from someone else.

 

RANDOM THOUGHTS

Difficult balancing act.  Ferland has shown that he can play.  Tkachuk has shown he carries a line as much as Backlund (so it appears).  Foo and Janko both seem like they could be an option for the NHL, while being able to move to/from the AHL.  Brouwer needs to start being a better top 9 option if he is going to stay above the 4th line.  We need one more scoring forward, that can produce about 20 goals on RW.

 

Options for RW:

Ferland*

Frolik

Versteeg**

Lazar

Tkachuk*

Foo

Brouwer 

 

*converted LW'er

**prefers LW

[phoenix66]

Dont have to worry about Hemsky being an option , MTL just took him.. 1Year , 1M

[MAC331]

20 minutes ago, travel_dude said:

 

My preference for using Tkachuk is LW with Bennett.  I think they could do some damage as a pair.

That would mean Ferland could be the top RW or play LW with Backlund.  

 

Personally, I would prefer to see Stajan moved out and play Janko on the 4th line.  Leave Hathaway as the 13/14th forward.  Bring Gazdic up only for certain games, play him as a 13th F for about 8 minutes in those games.  

 

I think Ferland has untapped potential, but we need to be careful that we aren't stuck wth no other option, or spend half a season looking for chemistry from someone else.

 

RANDOM THOUGHTS

Difficult balancing act.  Ferland has shown that he can play.  Tkachuk has shown he carries a line as much as Backlund (so it appears).  Foo and Janko both seem like they could be an option for the NHL, while being able to move to/from the AHL.  Brouwer needs to start being a better top 9 option if he is going to stay above the 4th line.  We need one more scoring forward, that can produce about 20 goals on RW.

 

Options for RW:

Ferland*

Frolik

Versteeg**

Lazar

Tkachuk*

Foo

Brouwer 

 

*converted LW'er

**prefers LW

GG will have options and not sure I envy the task he has in front of him. My guess is he will start with Ferland on RW with JG and SM. As some of us have mentioned Tkachuk with Bennett and Lazar could be interesting however he could chose to leave him with KB and MF. Where is the best use of Versteeg now that he is back ? If you move out Tkachuk and still want some scoring maybe he works with MB and MF. What if he tries Frolik with JG and SM then uses Versteeg and Brouwer with MB ? lots for GG to consider for sure.

[MAC331]

23 minutes ago, phoenix66 said:

Dont have to worry about Hemsky being an option , MTL just took him.. 1Year , 1M

It would surprise me if BT isn't pretty much done for now.

[phoenix66]

12 minutes ago, MAC331 said:

It would surprise me if BT isn't pretty much done for now.

I don't foresee any trades-- I'd love to pick up JVR, but i don't see where we'd be wiling to meet the ridiculous price TO would probably have for him now 

I fully expect a bargain signing or 2

Jokinen definitely interests me .. would not suprise me one bit if hes looking at Yakupov for either a PTO or 1 yr bargain show me deal.. but hes waiting to see what the market is offering .. 3 or 4 teams are apparently talking to him .. if he can get him on a 1 yr $1M, i say hes open to it ..   somebody wants to give him 2 years, they can take that risk themselves.

[travel_dude]

30 minutes ago, MAC331 said:

GG will have options and not sure I envy the task he has in front of him. My guess is he will start with Ferland on RW with JG and SM. As some of us have mentioned Tkachuk with Bennett and Lazar could be interesting however he could chose to leave him with KB and MF. Where is the best use of Versteeg now that he is back ? If you move out Tkachuk and still want some scoring maybe he works with MB and MF. What if he tries Frolik with JG and SM then uses Versteeg and Brouwer with MB ? lots for GG to consider for sure.

 

If you play Tkachuk away from Backlund, then I doubt Frolik does too.  Versteeg may be a good option, but I can't say his game matches there's.  Not enough evidence.  That said, I think you could do a line of Tkachuk-Bennett-Frolik.  The latter two had previous chemistry.  The what?  Versteeg-Backlund-Lazar?

[phoenix66]

man the Stars are just loading up ...

 

 

[Flyerfan52]

2 hours ago, travel_dude said:

Any interest in Drew Stafford?

RHS, LW/RW capable.

31 years old.

6'3", 214 lbs.

 

Not to familiar with him, so he might be slow or useless, but his points total seems ok

As long as you could sign him for less than 3m, he might help.

 

FF52 probably has some insight from his years in WPG.

I liked him as a Jets but he's less top line material than Frolik. He'd be good on the 2nd or 3rd but those we have enough of.

 

Looking @ remaining UFAs I think we'd have to trade if we want to upgrade RW. I notice the Wild still haven't inked Niederreiter , Foligno & Granlund. They have just short of  $16 left in cap, need 1 more D (even after Murphy) & an upgrade @ backup. They want to keep all 3 RFAs (especially Nino) so I wonder if there's a chance of getting Coyle (my choice) or Zucker from them.

I keep seeing JVR brought up as an option. TML will ask high, he's 4.25 x 1 then UFA & IMO a product of the GTA media hype.

 

A trade I wish we'd been in on was Marcus Johansson. That boy can skate! Debbies got him for a 2nd & 3rd in 2018. But we're low of picks & that's what the Caps needed so they'd gain cap space.

 

I'm thinking of James Neal. I wonder if a deal could be reached with Vegas that sends Stajan (cap & leadership purposes) & a couple of waiver exempt prospects (we can't spare picks) in return.