Todd Cordell: Calgary Flames: What's In Store On Day Two?

Feaster talked yesterday about still trying to find a 2nd line centre, I wonder if that means the plan is for Backlund to centre the top line? I have always liked Backlund's potential but he is almost guaranteed to be hurt for half the season ...

Feaster talked yesterday about still trying to find a 2nd line centre, I wonder if that means the plan is for Backlund to centre the top line? I have always liked Backlund's potential but he is almost guaranteed to be hurt for half the season ...
- LenW3

That's what I was wondering as well. I think Monahan might be NHL ready, but if he plays in the NHL I think the Flames would be smart to use him on the 3rd line going against 2nd/3rd D pairings. He should also see some PP time.

Either way, Flames need a top-6 center.

After watching Feasters interview yesterday it seems more likely that they'll use the trade avenue to get a centreman. However, he stated about 10 days ago that we are in a rebuild, and their going to give the young guys every opportunity.

That's what I was wondering as well. I think Monahan might be NHL ready, but if he plays in the NHL I think the Flames would be smart to use him on the 3rd line going against 2nd/3rd D pairings. He should also see some PP time.

Either way, Flames need a top-6 center.
- Todd.Cordell

Feasters also stated it wouldn't be fair to expect monahan to play a big role but they'll see what he can do and act appropriately.

What's the depth chart look like right now for the Flames?

What's the depth chart look like right now for the Flames?
- mochoson

Basically a ton of wingers, no centers and they want to throw 1/2 kids in the top-9.

Maybe I missed the story, but what is going on with the Mason Raymond contract?

Maybe I missed the story, but what is going on with the Mason Raymond contract?
- houseofcards74

There were rumors he was close to signing with Calgary but nothing has come of it yet. Still unsigned at this point.

Basically a ton of wingers, no centers and they want to throw 1/2 kids in the top-9.
- Todd.Cordell

There was a point last season where Matt Stajan was the only true centerman. I suppose there's been a slight improvement since then.... haha

This may be a long winter for yas. At least the team's taken a step in the right direction. I hope they properly develop Monahan instead of bringing him up.

After watching Feasters interview yesterday it seems more likely that they'll use the trade avenue to get a centreman. However, he stated about 10 days ago that we are in a rebuild, and their going to give the young guys every opportunity.
- Bosky

Feaster has been saying the bolded part for 2 years. The truth of the matter is top 6 centers do not come cheap in trade and the flames don't have a deep enough prospect base or quality NHL players to make it happen.

More than likely what you see on the roster right now will be what you see when camp starts. They don't need any more wingers, top 6 center is a pipe dream, and top 4 d men are also hard to get.

It looks like one top 6 forward could help a ton, (could they try Cammallari at center?)

top 6
Hudler D. Jones, Cammalleri, Glencross, Stempniak

bottom 6
Stajan, Galiardi, Baerteschi, T Jackman, B Jones, Backlund

D Wideman, Giordano, D Smith, O'Brian, Russell, Butler Brodie

G
Rammo MacDonald

not too bad, maybe Grabovski added to the top??

It looks like one top 6 forward could help a ton, (could they try Cammallari at center?)

top 6
Hudler D. Jones, Cammalleri, Glencross, Stempniak

bottom 6
Stajan, Galiardi, Baerteschi, T Jackman, B Jones, Backlund

D Wideman, Giordano, D Smith, O'Brian, Russell, Butler Brodie

G
Rammo MacDonald

not too bad, maybe Grabovski added to the top??
- puckhead17

Baertschi and backlund will get a big opportunity to play top six. Both should be on second line.

We will more than likely ice the players that are willing to play hard for 60 mins and just roll four lines. Skilled players will get extra time on pp.

It looks like one top 6 forward could help a ton, (could they try Cammallari at center?)

top 6
Hudler D. Jones, Cammalleri, Glencross, Stempniak

bottom 6
Stajan, Galiardi, Baerteschi, T Jackman, B Jones, Backlund

D Wideman, Giordano, D Smith, O'Brian, Russell, Butler Brodie

G
Rammo MacDonald

not too bad, maybe Grabovski added to the top??
- puckhead17

I would be surprised if Cammy is still with the Flames when the season starts. Backlund will be in the top 6 and Monohan is expected to make the team.

It looks like one top 6 forward could help a ton, (could they try Cammallari at center?)

top 6
Hudler D. Jones, Cammalleri, Glencross, Stempniak

bottom 6
Stajan, Galiardi, Baerteschi, T Jackman, B Jones, Backlund

D Wideman, Giordano, D Smith, O'Brian, Russell, Butler Brodie

G
Rammo MacDonald

not too bad, maybe Grabovski added to the top??
- puckhead17

cammelleri was a center last year mostly and the year before, so they might continue that if needed.

top 6 is more likely -
cammy (hopefully traded so stajan more likely the one moving up) , hudler, backland, baertschi,GlenX, D. Jones,

bottom 6 -
Galiardi, T Jackman, Knight, MCgrattan/bouma, Stemper, stajan, and the last spot will be a fight between Hanowski/horak/maybe even monahan

I would be surprised if Cammy is still with the Flames when the season starts. Backlund will be in the top 6 and Monohan is expected to make the team.
- flamminghead

i'm expecting a second line of baert/backland/Djones, which actually wouldn't be bad

Feaster talked yesterday about still trying to find a 2nd line centre, I wonder if that means the plan is for Backlund to centre the top line? I have always liked Backlund's potential but he is almost guaranteed to be hurt for half the season ...
- LenW3

Adding one more 2C would do wonders for depth.
Backlund
Grabo
Stajan
Knight
Horak
Reinhart

if/when he gets injured, it elevates one of the others. Still not convinced they NEED to sign a C, but if they do, I hope it is Grabo.

Very happy with Feaster's restraint yesterday. And I would be happier still if Kip came back and split duties with Ramo...though we know that won't happen.

At the least, Flames will ice a more competitive team than the Oil's first two rebuild years.

I'm glad Feaster didn't overpay for anyone last year.

I think Jagr for a year would be an interesting pickup and he's someone they could flip for a pick at the deadline if they were out of it.

Basically a ton of wingers, no centers and they want to throw 1/2 kids in the top-9.
- Todd.Cordell

We really don't have anything established that teams will give us a bonafide #1 or even a #2 C for. This year is going to be the year players with potential on our team have the stage to make their own stars. Backlund, Sven, Knight are all going to be given top 6 opportunity. They will be surrounded by NHL players like Jones, GlenX, Hudler, Cammi until the TDL, Stemps. Its going to be a long friggin year but the plot will be to see if any of these kids can make a name for themselves. Monohan will get 9 games, no need to waste a year & put him through this unless he plays so well out of the gate, he has Calder potential.

My only hope is that the Flames could have been able to pull off a trade to a team with their balls against the cap & score a RFA worthy of a big contract. Don't see that deal right now, but just keep letting these teams sign the big $$$ UFA's & opportunities will arise come August.

We really don't have anything established that teams will give us a bonafide #1 or even a #2 C for. This year is going to be the year players with potential on our team have the stage to make their own stars. Backlund, Sven, Knight are all going to be given top 6 opportunity. They will be surrounded by NHL players like Jones, GlenX, Hudler, Cammi until the TDL, Stemps. Its going to be a long friggin year but the plot will be to see if any of these kids can make a name for themselves. Monohan will get 9 games, no need to waste a year & put him through this unless he plays so well out of the gate, he has Calder potential.

My only hope is that the Flames could have been able to pull off a trade to a team with their balls against the cap & score a RFA worthy of a big contract. Don't see that deal right now, but just keep letting these teams sign the big $$$ UFA's & opportunities will arise come August.
- Kevin R

I have a feeling Monahan will play here all season. Hope he plays with Glenx and Galliardi.

I agree, but we should wait it out. Phily is the team to go after, but only next off season. Schenn and Couturier are RFAS.

I have a feeling Monahan will play here all season. Hope he plays with Glenx and Galliardi.

I agree, but we should wait it out. Phily is the team to go after, but only next off season. Schenn and Couturier are RFAS.
- Boom.

I don't see it.

i'm expecting a second line of baert/backland/Djones, which actually wouldn't be bad
- numbear

Same line I came up with. I like it. Speed, some size and creativity/finishing ability.

I don't see it.
- FLflames34

I just don't want him to play fourth line, so I would only want him on the team if he can play top 9.

It is probably for the best that he plays junior again next year.

I just don't want him to play fourth line, so I would only want him on the team if he can play top 9.

It is probably for the best that he plays junior again next year.
- Boom.

It is. None of the draft picks should be in the lineup. Maaaaybe a late season call up ala Baert a cpl yrs ago, for 9 games, once vets are traded for picks.

I want to see what Knight has. He is old enough to see if he can play top-9 minutes or will be a lost cause.

Backlund needs to be given top line minutes to see if he can take the next step.
In an ideal world, Back becomes 1C and Monahan develops into a Marleau-type 2C and potential future Captain.