Getting down to the wire
The Flames made another round of cuts today and the battle for roster spots is becoming more defined as the regular season approaches. Sheldon Brookbank and Nolan Yonkman both received their walking papers today as they were both released from their professional try-out contracts.
Brett Kulak, Corban Knight, Max Reinheart, Bill Arnold, and Sena Acolatse (pending waivers) were all assigned to Adirondack and will join the Baby Flames for preseason action on Friday against Utica.
33 players are left in camp, and the competition for the remaining spots is becoming much more clear.
Goalies Three goalies are left in camp, and there’s virtually no uncertainty over how this will play out. Expect to see Joni Ortio assigned to Adirondack over the next few days as Karri Ramo and Jonas Hiller battle it out to determine who will play the season (and home) opener on October 8th. Whoever loses that coin toss will likely see action in Edmonton on October 9th and from there on out the battle for the cage will be on.
Defense On the blue line we still have 10 candidates vying for 7 spots, but once the injury situation sorts itself out, there’s really only going to be room for 1. Right now that spot looks to be going to Raphael Diaz provided he can come to terms with the team on a contract. Pat Sieloff will likely be assigned to Adirondack as soon as one of the regulars gets back into game shape.
Forwards The only real competition for roster spots is within the forward ranks. The candidates include: Curtis Glencross, Mason Raymond, Devin Setoguchi, Sean Monahan, Jiri Hudler, Brandon Bollig, Sven Baertschi, Joe Colborne, Mikael Backlund, Brian McGrattan, Lance Bouma, Matt Stajan, David Jones, Paul Byron, Morgan Klimchuk, Johnny Gaudreau, Markus Granlund, Sam Bennett, Michael Ferland and Josh Jooris.
Once again, injuries continue to cloud the picture as Backlund, Klimchuk, Jones, Granlund, and Raymond are all currently either skating separate from the main group, or completely on the sidelines. Jones, Backlund, and Raymond all look to be on track to return in time for the season opener. Klimchuk will likely be sent back to the WHL as soon as his injury heals and Granlund will likely ease back into action in Adirondack following his concussion despite his impressive showing so far.
That basically leaves seven guys fighting for three spots. Baertschi, Byron, Setoguchi, Gaudreau, Bennett, Ferland, and Jooris will all look to make their case to stick with the squad between now and October 8th.
My prediction is that Bennett will stay with the team until Mikael Backlund is back to 100%, and then he’ll be returned to Kingston.
I personally don’t think that Setoguchi has done enough to earn a spot on this team and expect to see him waived and demoted if he goes unclaimed.
Of the remaining players I’m confident that Johnny Hockey will secure one spot, and that Paul Byron will take the spot as the 13th forward as I don’t think anyone will be too concerned to see him in the press box from time to time.
My pick for the last roster spot goes to…
Michael Ferland.
He has done more to win the spot than any other player since rookie camp, and I think we’ll see him rewarded, although I fully expect to see both Jooris and Baertschi with the big club for extended periods as the season progresses.
That's all for today folks, thanks for reading!