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
Feb 27, 2014; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman (6) skates against the Los Angeles Kings during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Los Angeles Kings won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
DEFENSE
Mark Giordano – Dennis Wideman
Deryk Engelland – Kris Russell
Giordano is the captain and could be one of the most underrated defensemen in the entire league. The rest of the unit is patchwork and does not inspire much awe. They will be tested in the tough grind of the Western Conference night to night. It might be somewhat surprising to note that the 6 defensemen on the Flames roster account for nearly as much as the 14 forwards, with Wideman accounting for a team high $5.25M
May 16, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller (1) makes a save against the Los Angeles Kings during the second period in game seven of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
GOALIES
The rookie duo of Ramo and Reto Berra was severely overmatched last year, so the Flames went out and brought in the veteran Hiller, who was pushed out of Anaheim by a pair of young prospects.
Apr 9, 2014; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames center Sean Monahan (23) celebrates his second period goal with left wing TJ Galiardi (39) against the Los Angeles Kings at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
SYNOPSIS
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Without a doubt you would be hard pressed to find anyone who thinks the Flames will be anywhere close to the playoffs this season. It is going to be about development and improvement from the likes of Monahan and giving Backlund perhaps a final chance to show his offensive wares before he gets pigeonholed as a third line centre for the rest of his career. The blue line is somewhat concerning, because after Giordano there isn’t much there now, or in the system besides perhaps Tyler Wotherspoon who is still a year or two away.
That being said, they certainly aren’t overspending, with the lowest cap hit in the league, and they will be mentioned in the Connor McDavid/Jack Eichel conversation pretty much from the start of the season to the end.