Flames 06-07
After fleecing the Avs, with Tanguay and some signings it looks like the roster is taking shape. I thought Friesen might be a good fit, I’m pleased with picking him up for a mil or so. He had a terrible season but has skill to make a difference in the right situation
Sutter said he wants to try Tanguay at centre, he played centre in juniors? I don’t know if he is defensively aware enough? We’ll see.
Huselius-Tanguay-Iginla
Friesen-Langkow-Amonte
Lombardi-Lundmark-Kobasew
Nilson-Yelle-McCartyRegehr-Phaneuf
Hamrlik-Ference
Warrener-Zyuzin
I think that looks rock solid. Lundmark might get swapped in for ritchie. McCarty for Nystrom. But this I think will be the general starters. Langkow might move up to line 1. Huselius to line 3 and lombo centre in 2.
As for the avs, i think they are third/fourth line help and a turgeon/brisebois replacement away from serious contention. I suppose moving laaksonen up to line 3 and shuffling 3 lines might work if they have enough stamina. I doubt that’ll get them far though. It is a little bit surprising that they didn’t get very far with tanguay and blake since they still seem to be pretty good on paper.
Brunette-Sakic-Hejduk
Konowalchuk-Arnason-Svatos
Wolski-Turgeon-Laperriere
Laaksonen-Richardson-May
Leopold-Liles
Skrastins-Clark
Vaananen-Brisebois
- Wolski and Richardson could have breakout seasons as rookies. Look what a difference Phaneuf made in the regular season.
- if Svatos, Konowalchuk and Turgeon can remain healthy, that could be a great combo. Turgeon is still a decent playmaker and Svatos is a pure goal scorer.
- Leopold has nowhere to go but up. It’s tough to lose all your powerplay time go to a rookie (Pronger got 42/56 pts on the pp; Phaneuf 33/49). Now he’ll have his chance to potentially double his points production and be a #1 D-man in an all-American duo.
- Arnason and Theodore have the potential to be great players. If Theodore can find his MVP form in the offseason, I think the Avs will be looking alright with him at the helm from the get-go.