I guess I just don't understand how Backlund is good enough to shelter Bennett but Nuge isn't good enough to shelter Draisaitl.

For the record, I think we should bolster our centre depth and leave Drai in Jr. but it has little to do with Nuge.
- Morris

1st off, Bennett likely wont make fhe team this year. 2nd, who ever said Backs would shelter him? But can play tough minutes. Hes proved it.

Q&A tomorrow gents.

Submit any questions here, via PM, or twitter.

Fck you guys are sensitive when it comes to your pansy assed high picks, eh? I was merely suggesting that OR would be the better option to go against ths bigger top C in the league. RNH is more a finesse player and would benefit fdom sedin like minutes. Pbysicality is not his bread and butter and despite his NEW MASSIVE FRAME ( ) you guys all rave about he's still a rail that will take a pounding I dont think he can take over a long career. But whatever, GFY
- TandA4Flames

I guess I just don't understand how Backlund is good enough to shelter Bennett but Nuge isn't good enough to shelter Draisaitl.

For the record, I think we should bolster our centre depth and leave Drai in Jr. but it has little to do with Nuge.
- Morris

I would like to point out Backlund is not a #1 center. He is a #2 playing on a bad team making him likely to be the #1 center. Its the combination of Stajan and Backlund that will be sheltering Monohan for the next couple years. Bennet will not make the team next year. If he does I will be kinda upset.

You need two centers to shelter someone. If you have a second line center on the team I wouldn't be as opposed to Draisitl playing. Not that I really care because its edmonton. The consensus around the hockey community (I'm talking scouts and professional writers) is that this should be the first year that no one plays a full season in the draft year. However, it all depends on team depth. Draisitl might actually make the team because of the lack of center depth.

My opinion is not that valid about Drasitl as I only saw him play live twice last year. And I didn't actually notice him (which could easily be due to drinking)

You need to remember that this year was a weak draft. This years top 5 guys would of went 5-9 last year.

Q&A tomorrow gents.

Submit any questions here, via PM, or twitter.
- Colin Dambrauskas

I have a few questions actually. Who will the Flames finish higher than in the West and why?

With all the departing players and the new additions, do you actually thing the Flames will be better in 2014-15?

Does th lack of quality Flames posters ever get you down, and does it hurt to know you wouldn't have much traffic if us quality Oilers posters didn't show up to spark conversation?

















Relax, ladies, just having a bit of fun with ya.

1st off, Bennett likely wont make fhe team this year. 2nd, who ever said Backs would shelter him? But can play tough minutes. Hes proved it.
- TandA4Flames

If Backlund has proved it, Nuge has proved it.

That is all.

Q&A tomorrow gents.

Submit any questions here, via PM, or twitter.
- Colin Dambrauskas

Colin,
I'm looking at roster spots and it looks like there is room for three players. One LW, one RW and one guy on the bench. Who do you expect to make the team and who will start the season in the minors.

These are my locks for making the team:
LW:
Curtis Glencross
Mason Raymond
Brandon Bollig
C
Sean Monahan
Mikael Backlund
Matt Stajan
Lance Bouma
RW
Jiri Hudler
David Jones
Brian McGrattan

On the Bubble:
Johnny Gaudreau
Sven Baertschi
Joe Colborne - Risk of losing him off waivers if he is sent down.
Paul Byron
Reihart
Granlund
Poirier


Additionally, I beleive that because of Piorier's birthday he can play in the AHL. If he doesn't make the flames do you think he should play in the A or go back to Jr.

I would like to point out Backlund is not a #1 center. He is a #2 playing on a bad team making him likely to be the #1 center. Its the combination of Stajan and Backlund that will be sheltering Monohan for the next couple years. Bennet will not make the team next year. If he does I will be kinda upset.

You need two centers to shelter someone. If you have a second line center on the team I wouldn't be as opposed to Draisitl playing. Not that I really care because its edmonton. The consensus around the hockey community (I'm talking scouts and professional writers) is that this should be the first year that no one plays a full season in the draft year. However, it all depends on team depth. Draisitl might actually make the team because of the lack of center depth.

My opinion is not that valid about Drasitl as I only saw him play live twice last year. And I didn't actually notice him (which could easily be due to drinking)

You need to remember that this year was a weak draft. This years top 5 guys would of went 5-9 last year.
- tmurph

Yeah, the flames essentially have three passable 2Cs/ good 3Cs.

For the record, I think that's what the Oil will lean towards too. If Boston is looking to unload Kelly as reported, I can see the Oil being all over that.

Nuge, Arco, Gordon and Kelly isn't an ideal set by any means, but it keeps Draisaitl in Jr. and at least we won't suffer from bad defense. Frankly, our powerplay has underachieved and I think it'll turn around this year, so I'm not going to worry too much about our goal scoring if we can add a good defensive centre.

I have a few questions actually. Who will the Flames finish higher than in the West and why?

With all the departing players and the new additions, do you actually thing the Flames will be better in 2014-15?

Does th lack of quality Flames posters ever get you down, and does it hurt to know you wouldn't have much traffic if us quality Oilers posters didn't show up to spark conversation?

















Relax, ladies, just having a bit of fun with ya.
- Jeropotato

I try to post whenever I have time

I would like to answer your question though. Flames basically took a step sideways. Lost a sniper but got better in goal. I used some math with stats at an earlier post that bascially showed that they would likely be in the exact same place as last year.

But everyone in the West got better this year. So it is relative. Flames and Arizona (that still sounds weird) will be fighting it out for last place. Maybe put Nashville in that conversation as well.

Yeah, the flames essentially have three passable 2Cs/ good 3Cs.

For the record, I think that's what the Oil will lean towards too. If Boston is looking to unload Kelly as reported, I can see the Oil being all over that.

Nuge, Arco, Gordon and Kelly isn't an ideal set by any means, but it keeps Draisaitl in Jr. and at least we won't suffer from bad defense. Frankly, our powerplay has underachieved and I think it'll turn around this year, so I'm not going to worry too much about our goal scoring if we can add a good defensive centre.
- Morris

The Flames scored more goals than the oilers last year mwhahhahaa. Who actually scored the goals is still TBD.

I try to post whenever I have time

I would like to answer your question though. Flames basically took a step sideways. Lost a sniper but got better in goal. I used some math with stats at an earlier post that bascially showed that they would likely be in the exact same place as last year.

But everyone in the West got better this year. So it is relative. Flames and Arizona (that still sounds weird) will be fighting it out for last place. Maybe put Nashville in that conversation as well.
- tmurph

YES! Tha means Oilers are minimum 5th worst in the west, factor in Carolina, Ottawa and Buffalo and we pick 9th?

Yeah, the flames essentially have three passable 2Cs/ good 3Cs.

For the record, I think that's what the Oil will lean towards too. If Boston is looking to unload Kelly as reported, I can see the Oil being all over that.

Nuge, Arco, Gordon and Kelly isn't an ideal set by any means, but it keeps Draisaitl in Jr. and at least we won't suffer from bad defense. Frankly, our powerplay has underachieved and I think it'll turn around this year, so I'm not going to worry too much about our goal scoring if we can add a good defensive centre.
- Morris

Backlund is exactly what we want from a 2C. 18 goals, +4 on a losing team, 18+ toi/game. He could do some work on faceoffs.

I agree with Stajan and Mono being passable 2C but good 3C. Which the center situation is really good in Calgary right now. We can shelter Mono so he can work on getting better while just feeding Stajan to the horses.

The depth is good as Monohan will get experience playing in top minutes while if injuries happen we have Knight, Granlund, and Reinhart ready to step in depending on who gets injured.

No Sh!t.That and the rediculous expectations/ceilings they have for their own young players. I suggested on here that Monahhan had the potential to be as good as Keith Primeau (pretty good compliment IMO) and they reacted as if I left a steamy Turd under their Christmas Tree.
- Jeropotato

Why dont you and Iggy go get a private room and stroke each other there. What do you expect when you come to a Flames thread? Youre not going to get stroked from us on your players.

The Flames scored more goals than the oilers last year mwhahhahaa. Who actually scored the goals is still TBD.
- tmurph

You guys outscored us by 9 at ES, and we got you by 6 on the PP. Hopefully that first gap narrows and the second one widens, I dunno though.

YES! Tha means Oilers are minimum 5th worst in the west, factor in Carolina, Ottawa and Buffalo and we pick 9th?
- Jeropotato

I'd say 7th as the lowest to making the playoffs. But likely between 9th and 12th.

Why dont you and Iggy go get a private room and strike each other there. What do you expect when you come to a Flames thread? Youre not going to get stroked from us on your players.
- TandA4Flames

Of course not...but when I pay a players of yours a compliment you guys freak the fck out because it wasn't complimentary enough.

I say Monohhan= Keith Primeau and buddy gets mad because I didn't say Eric Lindros.

If Backlund has proved it, Nuge has proved it.

That is all.
- Morris

RGH has definately earned the right to be in the NHL. His rookie year he did not belong (skill wise yes, Physically no). That has changed. I would say he is a #1 center on 10 teams in the NHL and a Number #2 on 15 teams. #3 on five

The five would be Anahiem, Pittsburgh, San jose, Colorado (pending Oreilly), and Boston.

Of course not...but when I pay a players of yours a compliment you guys freak the fck out because it wasn't complimentary enough.

I say Monohhan= Keith Primeau and buddy gets mad because I didn't say Eric Lindros.
- Jeropotato

LINDROS? Monahan has way more heart and longevity than that bum

Of course not...but when I pay a players of yours a compliment you guys freak the fck out because it wasn't complimentary enough.

I say Monohhan= Keith Primeau and buddy gets mad because I didn't say Eric Lindros.
- Jeropotato

Maybe he thought you meant Wayne. I like Keith, he was a good player.

Maybe he thought you meant Wayne. I like Keith, he was a good player.
- TandA4Flames

He might have, and know I typed Keith....then again there is the chance that he is a youngster and has zero real idea about who or what Keith Primeau was before he his brains became mashed potatoes. I would love to have a Keith Primeau in his prime on my team anyway.

Talk out of your ass much? RNH does not need sheltering as he has an advanced grasp of the 2-way game. He's weighing in at a lean 195lbs as of now and with his positioning he will have no problems with the tough opposition. I might be putting words in your mouth but by saying he needs to sheltered I assume you are suggesting he is either Physically weak or defensively unreliable, both false statements. I suppose it's possible you haven't seen him play.
- Jeropotato

Da (frank)?

LINDROS? Monahan has way more heart and longevity than that bum
- Morris

Stop comparing monohan to Flyers. He is way more like John Leclair... wait... Mark Recchi.... wait.... both were flyers?!?! and both were wingers?!!?!

I think his potential is Bergeron like but that is if everything goes perfect.

Da (frank)?
- The-O-G

For a 21 year old he is wicked smart at the 2-way game....do you watch Oilers games before sharing your opinions?

Stop comparing monohan to Flyers. He is way more like John Leclair... wait... Mark Recchi.... wait.... both were flyers?!?! and both were wingers?!!?!

I think his potential is Bergeron like but that is if everything goes perfect.
- tmurph

Yeah his potential is like Bergeron like Nuge's is like Datsyuk, Bennett's is like Gilmour, Hall's is like Iginla, Nurse's is like Chris Pronger and Gadreau's is like Denis Savard.

That'd be fun to watch though

For a 21 year old he is wicked smart at the 2-way game....do you watch Oilers games before sharing your opinions?
- Jeropotato

God no.....waste of (frank)ing time.