Whether expansion actually becomes a reality or not, the recent rumours put an interesting thought in my head. In an expansion draft who would the Flames look to protect?

In 2000, the option was to protect either one goaltender, five defensemen, and nine forwards or two goaltenders, three defensemen, and seven forwards.
What would your protected list look like?

Note: Exempt from the Expansion Draft are (i) all first and second-year pros and (ii) unsigned draft choices (except unsigned draft choices drafted from European clubs
- jtommyt[drafted at least 4 years ago] and who remain unsigned).

Anticipating that the expansion draft would occur in the summer of 2016, Monahan, Johnny Hockey, Poirier, Granlund, Arnold, Reinheart, Wotherspoon, and Agostino would all be entering their 3rd or even 4th professional seasons so they'd all need to be protected.

Obviously, trying to do this a full season out involves a fair bit of crystal-ball gazing, but I think it's still fun.

My best guess would be:

1 Goalie: Ortio
5 Defensemen: Giordano, Brodie, Wotherspoon, Sieloff, Billins
9 Forwards: Monahan, Baertschi, Gaudreau, Poirier, Backlund, Granlund, Reinheart, Agostino, Klimchuk

A ton of our young kids signed pro contracts and played games either with Abby or with the Flames last year right at the end of the season. Unfortunately, I think that would expose them all to an expansion draft, forcing us to protect all of the young potential, and leaving our vets open to being poached by other teams.

Not going to protect Bennett?

Not going to protect Bennett?
- Yeti1181

Wouldn't have to. He'd only be a second year pro.

Wouldn't have to. He'd only be a second year pro.
- jtommyt

Oh didn't know about that stipulation

Oh didn't know about that stipulation
- Yeti1181

Note: Exempt from the Expansion Draft are (i) all first and second-year pros and (ii) unsigned draft choices (except unsigned draft choices drafted from European clubs - drafted at least 4 years ago and who remain unsigned).

Whether expansion actually becomes a reality or not, the recent rumours put an interesting thought in my head. In an expansion draft who would the Flames look to protect?

In 2000, the option was to protect either one goaltender, five defensemen, and nine forwards or two goaltenders, three defensemen, and seven forwards.
What would your protected list look like?

Note: Exempt from the Expansion Draft are (i) all first and second-year pros and (ii) unsigned draft choices (except unsigned draft choices drafted from European clubs
- jtommyt[drafted at least 4 years ago] and who remain unsigned).

Anticipating that the expansion draft would occur in the summer of 2016, Monahan, Johnny Hockey, Poirier, Granlund, Arnold, Reinheart, Wotherspoon, and Agostino would all be entering their 3rd or even 4th professional seasons so they'd all need to be protected.

Obviously, trying to do this a full season out involves a fair bit of crystal-ball gazing, but I think it's still fun.

My best guess would be:

1 Goalie: Ortio
5 Defensemen: Giordano, Brodie, Wotherspoon, Sieloff, Billins
9 Forwards: Monahan, Baertschi, Gaudreau, Poirier, Backlund, Granlund, Reinheart, Agostino, Klimchuk

A ton of our young kids signed pro contracts and played games either with Abby or with the Flames last year right at the end of the season. Unfortunately, I think that would expose them all to an expansion draft, forcing us to protect all of the young potential, and leaving our vets open to being poached by other teams.

I think take billings, agonstino and klimchuk off the protect list. I'd rather keep some role players so the teams competitive. Protect a vet forward or which ever of colborne/raymond or whomever starts panning out (could be knight/janko/hunter by then).

Billings will be behind some of the others by then. Russel being one of them.

saving grace, expansion could get wideman or stajan off our hands at the right time

I think take billings, agonstino and klimchuk off the protect list. I'd rather keep some role players so the teams competitive. Protect a vet forward or which ever of colborne/raymond or whomever starts panning out (could be knight/janko/hunter by then).

Billings will be behind some of the others by then. Russel being one of them.

saving grace, expansion could get wideman or stajan off our hands at the right time
- numbear

I think you're right about Colborne. I'll trade Agostino for him.

I actually like Billins, and he's really the only puck-moving defensive prospect that we have. I could see him taking Wideman's spot on the big club as a PP specialist 3rd pairing kind of guy. Russell might be worth keeping, but I think we've pretty much found his ceiling and by no means is he irreplaceable.

Whether expansion actually becomes a reality or not, the recent rumours put an interesting thought in my head. In an expansion draft who would the Flames look to protect?

In 2000, the option was to protect either one goaltender, five defensemen, and nine forwards or two goaltenders, three defensemen, and seven forwards.
What would your protected list look like?

Note: Exempt from the Expansion Draft are (i) all first and second-year pros and (ii) unsigned draft choices (except unsigned draft choices drafted from European clubs
- jtommyt[drafted at least 4 years ago] and who remain unsigned).

Anticipating that the expansion draft would occur in the summer of 2016, Monahan, Johnny Hockey, Poirier, Granlund, Arnold, Reinheart, Wotherspoon, and Agostino would all be entering their 3rd or even 4th professional seasons so they'd all need to be protected.

Obviously, trying to do this a full season out involves a fair bit of crystal-ball gazing, but I think it's still fun.

My best guess would be:

1 Goalie: Ortio
5 Defensemen: Giordano, Brodie, Wotherspoon, Sieloff, Billins
9 Forwards: Monahan, Baertschi, Gaudreau, Poirier, Backlund, Granlund, Reinheart, Agostino, Klimchuk

A ton of our young kids signed pro contracts and played games either with Abby or with the Flames last year right at the end of the season. Unfortunately, I think that would expose them all to an expansion draft, forcing us to protect all of the young potential, and leaving our vets open to being poached by other teams.

is there anything in the new CBA about expansion drafts? The rules could have changed since 2000. I'm wondering how the new divisions will be set up. I'm assuming that with Seattle and Vegas coming in, Calgary and Edmonton will move to the Central.

I think you're right about Colborne. I'll trade Agostino for him.

I actually like Billins, and he's really the only puck-moving defensive prospect that we have. I could see him taking Wideman's spot on the big club as a PP specialist 3rd pairing kind of guy. Russell might be worth keeping, but I think we've pretty much found his ceiling and by no means is he irreplaceable.
- jtommyt

I see russell and billings as the same type of player. with billings not making the cut yet to get into the NHL...maybe he's at his top level. He didn't inspire me whenever I saw him.

In two years. I'd hope we picked up a player to take that role rather then rely on a small pp specialist. And a RH one at that. We have some role playing forwards that could be more valuable (like bouma)

is there anything in the new CBA about expansion drafts? The rules could have changed since 2000. I'm wondering how the new divisions will be set up. I'm assuming that with Seattle and Vegas coming in, Calgary and Edmonton will move to the Central.
- flamminghead

that would suck big time for travel time.

or do you make it NW (vancouver, seatle, calgary, edmonton, colorado) and SW (LA, ANA, SJ, LV, PHX- if still there)

that would suck big time for travel time.

or do you make it NW (vancouver, seatle, calgary, edmonton, colorado) and SW (LA, ANA, SJ, LV, PHX- if still there)
- numbear

You could add Dallas to SW. Three divisions in west with 5,6 and 6 teams. Then have the same in the East. 17 teams in each conference 8 make the playoffs. I like the idea of going back to a NW division. Cuts out a lot of our competition from California.

I see russell and billings as the same type of player. with billings not making the cut yet to get into the NHL...maybe he's at his top level. He didn't inspire me whenever I saw him.

In two years. I'd hope we picked up a player to take that role rather then rely on a small pp specialist. And a RH one at that. We have some role playing forwards that could be more valuable (like bouma)
- numbear

You may be right. I'm happy to keep Russell instead. It was honestly a toss up in my mind, and I went with the younger guy, but Billins is going to play in the KHL this year and I don't know if he'll ever end up coming back at this point.

Whether expansion actually becomes a reality or not, the recent rumours put an interesting thought in my head. In an expansion draft who would the Flames look to protect?

In 2000, the option was to protect either one goaltender, five defensemen, and nine forwards or two goaltenders, three defensemen, and seven forwards.
What would your protected list look like?

Note: Exempt from the Expansion Draft are (i) all first and second-year pros and (ii) unsigned draft choices (except unsigned draft choices drafted from European clubs
- jtommyt[drafted at least 4 years ago] and who remain unsigned).

Anticipating that the expansion draft would occur in the summer of 2016, Monahan, Johnny Hockey, Poirier, Granlund, Arnold, Reinheart, Wotherspoon, and Agostino would all be entering their 3rd or even 4th professional seasons so they'd all need to be protected.

Obviously, trying to do this a full season out involves a fair bit of crystal-ball gazing, but I think it's still fun.

My best guess would be:

1 Goalie: Ortio
5 Defensemen: Giordano, Brodie, Wotherspoon, Sieloff, Billins
9 Forwards: Monahan, Baertschi, Gaudreau, Poirier, Backlund, Granlund, Reinheart, Agostino, Klimchuk

A ton of our young kids signed pro contracts and played games either with Abby or with the Flames last year right at the end of the season. Unfortunately, I think that would expose them all to an expansion draft, forcing us to protect all of the young potential, and leaving our vets open to being poached by other teams.

By 2016 we likely won't need that many vets anymore. Keep Gio as the 30+ guy/captain and by then the kids should be ready to make this team their own. Question though, does that expose Gillies? This will likely be his last school year meaning he'll play pro next year.

Edit: never mind. Just thought of the mTh for a second. Next year pro would only make him 1st year pro. Same with Klimchuk

By 2016 we likely won't need that many vets anymore. Keep Gio as the 30+ guy/captain and by then the kids should be ready to make this team their own. Question though, does that expose Gillies? This will likely be his last school year meaning he'll play pro next year.

Edit: never mind. Just thought of the mTh for a second. Next year pro would only make him 1st year pro. Same with Klimchuk
- TandA4Flames

They said the league would expand by 2017 so I'm guessing the expansion draft would be in the summer of 2017.

They said the league would expand by 2017 so I'm guessing the expansion draft would be in the summer of 2017.
- flamminghead

at that point our roster would be at quite a different stage. Almost helps some aging teams dump contracts (like st louis, vancouver, LA)

***by aging I mean by 2017, they'll have a mature team (vancouver well into it). So moving some older players that are slowing down to let in young players

Just remember, a guy who is known for hitting and shot blocking is doing those things...because he doesn't have the puck. Oh, wait, he's got grit and character and..."truculence"? What is this, a Brian Burke team? Oh, yeah, I forgot. Be careful with Burkie, he's old school, and that is not necessarily a good thing. (see Toronto)

Just remember, a guy who is known for hitting and shot blocking is doing those things...because he doesn't have the puck. Oh, wait, he's got grit and character and..."truculence"? What is this, a Brian Burke team? Oh, yeah, I forgot. Be careful with Burkie, he's old school, and that is not necessarily a good thing. (see Toronto)


- notalent

Well, you guys didn't have the puck a whole lot last year. Perhaps you could have used a player like Bouma to help retrieve it.

But thanks mr. 2cents

1 Goalie: Ortio
5 Defensemen: Giordano, Brodie, Wotherspoon, Sieloff, Billins
9 Forwards: Monahan, Baertschi, Gaudreau, Poirier, Backlund, Granlund, Reinheart, Agostino, Klimchuk

- jtommyt

I could see them letting billins go. Its that Kulac guy or something like that who is 6'7" they would want to keep. Does the 2 years of pro count for AHL players? Also if a player has a NMC do you automatically need to select them?

I could see them letting billins go. Its that Kulac guy or something like that who is 6'7" they would want to keep. Does the 2 years of pro count for AHL players? Also if a player has a NMC do you automatically need to select them?
- tmurph

6'7" guy is Kanzig.

6'7" guy is Kanzig.
- TandA4Flames

Thats the one! Damn brain fart. Those big guys usually take longer to break into the NHL. (Or at least be effective).

My hope is he becomes a Hall Gill type players. Not flashy but a really good shut down guy.

Thats the one! Damn brain fart. Those big guys usually take longer to break into the NHL. (Or at least be effective).

My hope is he becomes a Hall Gill type players. Not flashy but a really good shut down guy.
- tmurph

Yea, our problem is that our best D prospects are primarily shut down guys. Kulak and Culkin and iguess you can include Cundari in there, are our only puck moving D Prospects and they're not considered high end.

Bouma, Lance » $775,000 CapGeek

Bouma, Lance » $775,000 CapGeek
- tmurph

Me likey... 2 years would have been better...
Shultz signs for 3.625 in Oil...
Gio is at 4 mil, Brodie at 2.125... wow.
Mind you Wideman is over 5 mil...

I could see them letting billins go. Its that Kulac guy or something like that who is 6'7" they would want to keep. Does the 2 years of pro count for AHL players? Also if a player has a NMC do you automatically need to select them?
- tmurph

Bring back Sutter, everyone gets NMC, problem solved

Me likey... 2 years would have been better...
Shultz signs for 3.625 in Oil...
Gio is at 4 mil, Brodie at 2.125... wow.
Mind you Wideman is over 5 mil...
- geta02it

Brodie will get a 5 year at $4.5 million.
Gio will come up for free agent and will get $7 million. If his play continues. $5.5 if it doesn't.

Wideman is better than Nisakan and Orpik and look what they got. FA signings are always overpaid.

An example woud be if you were to give up a couple second round picks to have wideman at $4 million would you? I like him better at $5.25

Off topic but how do you guys think Cammalleri will fare playing with Zajac and Jagr?