Calgary Flames Projected Lineup and Salary Cap Situation

Mar 12, 2014; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames center Mikael Backlund (11) on ice against the Anaheim Ducks at Scotiabank Saddledome. The Flames won 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

The second part of our Calgary Flames season preview looks at the projected roster and  salary cap situation.

FORWARDS

Jiri Hudler – Sean Monahan – Curtis Glencross

Mason Raymond – Mikael Backlund – Johnny Gaudreau

Devin Setoguchi – Matt Stajan – David Jones

Brandon Bollig – Joe Colborne – Lance Bouma

EXTRAS:  Brian McGrattan, Paul Byron

There isn’t much top end offensive talent that are in the prime of their careers.  Backlund is a player the Flames have been waiting on to emerge offensively, but it hasn’t come yet and he could end up falling into the Antoine Vermette mold – good but not great.  Noticeable by their absence on this list are Sam Bennett, the Flames 2014 first round pick (4th overall) as well as Sven Baertschi, the first rounder from 2012.  While Bennett could use another season of experience in the OHL with what should be a good Kingston team, Baertschi has some proving to do to show he belongs in the NHL.

The Flames have just $25.5M committed to 14 forwards for the coming season, with no forward set to make more than$4M