Line Combos: 2018/19 Roster Discussion

[Johnny Hoxville]

He’s progressing but we have Gio, Hanifin as the top 2 lhd then he’s fighting with Kulak, Valimaki for the last spot. Looks like right now Valimaki has the inside track to start there and Kulak would have to go through waivers.

Personally think Kylington has a ton of potential, anyone that skates like he does has a shot. His problem is that he tends to make a pretty diasterous mental mistake a couple times a game that wipes out the good he’s done.

Exactly this. Kylington is close and he should have an NHL career sooner than later, but he needs to make better decisions with the puck. The problem for him is that Valimaki just leap frogged him and he probably isn’t going to give him back that spot, ever.

I think if Kylington progresses enough the Flames will find a spot for him, but that’s all on him at this point. He’s got a lot to like about his game.

 

[BigRangy]

Well with Kulak waived, it seems to me that Flames management is comfortable with running Valimaki or Kylington (or some waiver pickup or minor trade target) at #3LD all year.

Should be a big step for one of those two.

 

[super6646]

Well with Kulak waived, it seems to me that Flames management is comfortable with running Valimaki or Kylington (or some waiver pickup or minor trade target) at #3LD all year.

Should be a big step for one of those two.

Not Kylington since he was sent down. Either Valimaki or Andersson (I'd think the later).

 

[OvermanKingGainer]

I swear, if Edmonton claims Kulak and Kulak is in their top 4 en route to the playoffs I will go crazy.

 

[SKRusty]

Wouldn't surprised to see a team like Montreal or Vancouver pick up Lazar hoping they can find some magic. There are a few teams that might pick up Kulak as he is cheap and a relative upgrade on what they have. Chicago, Edmonton, Vancouver.

 

[super6646]

Gaudreau-Monahan-Lindholm
Tkachuk-Backlund-Neal
Dube-Ryan-Frolik
Bennett-Jankowski-Czarnik
Hathaway

Giordano-Brodie
Hanifin-Hamonic
Valimaki-Andersson
Stone, Prout

Smith
Rittich

This is my guess for the opening roster

 

[Asimplehockeyfan]

Gaudreau-Monahan-Lindholm
Tkachuk-Backlund-Neal
Dube-Ryan-Frolik
Bennett-Jankowski-Czarnik
Hathaway

Giordano-Brodie
Hanifin-Hamonic
Valimaki-Andersson
Stone, Prout

Smith
Rittich

This is my guess for the opening roster

I agree with you on most of it. I see Frolik and Czarnik be changed throughout the season and I think valimaki will get sent down. The 3rd pair is probably going to be stone a d andersson to start

 

[JPeeper]

You think Bennett gets a raise?

I am of the belief that he isn't a bust at 22 years old and that he will get better under a coach who isn't a complete incompetent moron and a line-mate who isn't Garnet Hathaway. So yes.

 

[JPeeper]

I swear, if Edmonton claims Kulak and Kulak is in their top 4 en route to the playoffs I will go crazy.

Will lol if Edmonton claims Kulak. They already have Kris Russel, take more of our overrated bad d-men, please do it Edmonton.

 

[super6646]

I am of the belief that he isn't a bust at 22 years old and that he will get better under a coach who isn't a complete incompetent moron and a line-mate who isn't Garnet Hathaway. So yes.

He'll also get 4th line minutes and probably be bolstered by PK time. What makes you think he's going to significantly improve even if he has a better RW

 

[JPeeper]

He'll also get 4th line minutes and probably be bolstered by PK time. What makes you think he's going to significantly improve even if he has a better RW

Because he is a good player who the Flames fanbase has turned on because the Flames fanbase are clueless impatient morons. no hate

 

[Bosnian Beast]

I swear, if Edmonton claims Kulak and Kulak is in their top 4 en route to the playoffs I will go crazy.

Can't tell if you're severely overrating Kulak and his abilities or saying that Edmonton's defence is so bad that Kulak would be a legitimate Top 4 option for them (hint: Kulak would probably be a bottom pairing D-man in Edmonton, too).

 

[Sparky93]

He'll also get 4th line minutes and probably be bolstered by PK time. What makes you think he's going to significantly improve even if he has a better RW

I really don’t see Dube bumping down Bennett. There’s probably a better chance of him pushing Janko to the wing, than there is jumping Bennett.
Bennett-Dube-Frolik
Jankowski-Ryan-Czarnik

 

[OvermanKingGainer]

Can't tell if you're severely overrating Kulak and his abilities or saying that Edmonton's defence is so bad that Kulak would be a legitimate Top 4 option for them (hint: Kulak would probably be a bottom pairing D-man in Edmonton, too).

With Sekera hurt, Kulak is probably the fourth best D on their roster after Klefbom, Nurse, and Larsson. The only other guy who might be better would be Bouchard, a 19 year old straight out of junior who can't skate at an NHL level. Kulak's an upgrade on Russell, in my opìnion, and Benning (who is a tirefire defensively and is purely a PP specialist).

 

[SKRusty]

With Sekera hurt, Kulak is probably the fourth best D on their roster after Klefbom, Nurse, and Larsson. The only other guy who might be better would be Bouchard, a 19 year old straight out of junior who can't skate at an NHL level. Kulak's an upgrade on Russell, in my opìnion, and Benning (who is a tirefire defensively and is purely a PP specialist).

I find that fact very reassuring as a Flames fan. Kulak could not crack our top 7 starters(It wasn't even close). He may be better than Prout but organizationally Kulak is even ranked behind Kylington. You are right he is likely 4th or 5th best in Edmonton but that does not prove much.

If Kulak gets claimed it is probably in the best interest in the club and him as his attitude might be toxic in the AHL. Kulak likely was not happy with the strong-arm tactic Tre used on him over the summer and rather than come in inspired he came in as the same Brett Kulak.

 

[Lunatik]

Can't tell if you're severely overrating Kulak and his abilities or saying that Edmonton's defence is so bad that Kulak would be a legitimate Top 4 option for them (hint: Kulak would probably be a bottom pairing D-man in Edmonton, too).

He's absolutely overrating Brett "waiver fodder" Kulak

 

[DFF]

I find that fact very reassuring as a Flames fan. Kulak could not crack our top 7 starters(It wasn't even close). He may be better than Prout but organizationally Kulak is even ranked behind Kylington. You are right he is likely 4th or 5th best in Edmonton but that does not prove much.

If Kulak gets claimed it is probably in the best interest in the club and him as his attitude might be toxic in the AHL. Kulak likely was not happy with the strong-arm tactic Tre used on him over the summer and rather than come in inspired he came in as the same Brett Kulak.

He has been saying Kulak was the Flames top 4 in the past year so if he moves to the top 4 in Edmonton, it's a lateral move.
I am surprised he didnt say Kulak would be their top pairing lol

 

[Bosnian Beast]

With Sekera hurt, Kulak is probably the fourth best D on their roster after Klefbom, Nurse, and Larsson. The only other guy who might be better would be Bouchard, a 19 year old straight out of junior who can't skate at an NHL level. Kulak's an upgrade on Russell, in my opìnion, and Benning (who is a tirefire defensively and is purely a PP specialist).

Overrating Kulak it is, then.

 

[SKRusty]

Overrating Kulak it is, then.

To me Kulak being waived is so unimportant it is like listening to what pork bellies are doing today. There is no question that Andersson, Valimaki and Kylington have all surpassed Kulak on the organizational depth chart. If he gets picked up I think it is better for Calgary just to make sure he isn't poisoning the minds of the prospects.

If he leaves I wish Brett the best and hope he does well wherever he lands. I just know the Flames are stronger for not having him in the line-up.

 

[Calculon]

Losing Kulak would be a blow to the team's depth. Without him, there's only Kylington, Healey and one of Andersson/Valimaki in the minors. Not a lot of leeway when it comes to injuries. They could sign Siemens or Falk, but they're terrible.

 

[Johnny Hoxville]

I also don’t think Stone or Andersson playing the right side is going to happen, at least right away. If that was the intention of Peters, the time to experiment with that would have been in the preseason. We know Peters is more flexible than Gully as it relates to handedness and which side guys will play, but it is something Peters has stated several times that typically he wants guys playing on their proper side.

I think Valimaki is on the team and it’s down to Stone and Andersson.

 

[Anglesmith]

To me Kulak being waived is so unimportant it is like listening to what pork bellies are doing today. There is no question that Andersson, Valimaki and Kylington have all surpassed Kulak on the organizational depth chart. If he gets picked up I think it is better for Calgary just to make sure he isn't poisoning the minds of the prospects.

If he leaves I wish Brett the best and hope he does well wherever he lands. I just know the Flames are stronger for not having him in the line-up.

Get this, though. Last weekend at a beer 'n meat fest here in Victoria, I ate pork belly and octopus on a skewer with a kind of salsa verde topping. It was very delicious, but I learned I'm not really a fan of octopus.

I find that to be a poor comparison you're making.

Kulak, though, yeah, at this point it doesn't affect our organization one way or another. It's not as though the fanbase has "turned on him," it's just that he isn't going to make this team better by being kept over others.

 

[SKRusty]

Losing Kulak would be a blow to the team's depth. Without him, there's only Kylington, Healey and one of Andersson/Valimaki in the minors. Not a lot of leeway when it comes to injuries. They could sign Siemens or Falk, but they're terrible.

Calgary would have to lose 4 d-men at the same time for a prolonged time before the depth would be impacted. Lets say GIO Brodie and Hamonick went down.... It would be the worlds worst nightmare. We would still have Andersson & Valimaki, Kylington & Hanafin, and Prout & Stone.

People are making way to much of this.

 

[Calculon]

Calgary would have to lose 4 d-men at the same time for a prolonged time before the depth would be impacted. Lets say GIO Brodie and Hamonick went down.... It would be the worlds worst nightmare. We would still have Andersson & Valimaki, Kylington & Hanafin, and Prout & Stone.

People are making way to much of this.

Yeah, except it's not like the guys in the minors are just waiting at home. They're playing too with just as much of a chance to be injured as well.

The situation's not dire or anything, it's just not good either.

 

[DFF]

I think Valimaki is on the team and it’s down to Stone and Andersson.

Gio-Brodie
Hanifin-Hamonic
Valimaki-Stone
Andersson.

Prout will be waived when they pluck somebody off waiver or waived to AHL regardless.

I do not see BT let Stone go anytime soon.