Glencross - Tanguay - Iginla

Baertschi - Backlund - Cammalleri

Comeau/Hudler - Cervenka/Stajan - Stempniak

Begin - Jones - Jackman

Bouwmeester - Giordano

Brodie - Wideman

Butler - Sarich

Basically the same as yours. Only I prefer Brodie playing the Schultz role with Wideman and keeping Hudler on the wing. Stajan has until Cervenka is back to prove he belongs (barring other injuries)

Hudler - Tanguay - Iginla
Baertschi - Backlund - Cammalleri
Glencross - Stajan - Stempniak
Horak/Jackman - Begin/Jones - Comeau

Bottom two lines get lower zonestart ratios, but face primarily bottom 6 comp when possible; the top two lines get a bit of a territorial advantage to compensate for the fact that anywhere from 3-5 of them are likely to be poor in terms of possession.

With this setup, the 3rd and 4th line would both get about equal ES icetime, and I honestly think it would beat up on a lot of other bottom 6 lineups. It's just too bad there isn't a really good defensive centre to use there (I'm against the idea of wasting Backlund on a checking line again). Nothing to change on D, though; I think that part is pretty straightforward.

Once Cervenka comes back, Jackman/Horak drops off and either he or Hudler moves down to that spot.

Originally I had

Tanguay-Cammalleri-Iginla Baertschi-Backlund-Hudler Glencross-Stajan-Stempniak Horak-Jones-Jackman

Bouwmeester-Wideman Giordano-Butler Brodie-Smith/Sarich

but now maybe

Baertschi-Tanguay-Iginla Cammalleri-Backlund-Hudler Glencross-Stajan-Stempniak Horak-Jones-Jackman

the combinations could go on and on.

Ok, one more: Glencross-Tanguay-Iginla Cammalleri-Baertschi-Hudler Backlund-Stajan-Stempniak Horak-Jones-Jackman

some wingers have to play C and some C have to play wing and just find that chemistry!

I don't like Tanguay at centre, I'd do this:

Forward:

Tanguay - Cammalleri - Iginla

Baertschi - Backlund - Glencross

Horak - Stajan - Stempniak

Comeau - Jones - Jackman

Defense:

Bouwmeester - Giordano

Wideman - Butler

Brodie - Smith

Section PL5 - Row 22

Begin - Sarich - Babchuk

Once Hudler is good to go, I put him on 2RW and Glencross on 3LW, Horak takes a seat.

I'll have to go with that complete insanity I came up with. Because of our complete excess of wingers. Because, you know. Who needs centers, right?

Cervenka - Tanguay - Iginla

Baertschi - Backlund - Cammalleri

Hudler - Stajan - Stempniak

Glencross - Jones - Comeau

Begin, Jackman

Giordano - Bouwmeester

Butler - Wideman

Brodie - Sarich

Smith

This operates under the assumptions that Cervenka and Hudler eventually both play at the same time, that Stajan is functional as the 3rd line center, and that Hartley doesn't continue to undervalue Brodie's awesome.

It's pretty obvious who would get the lion's share of the defensive starts. My hope would be that the tough matchups would be reasonably shared (with most going to Glencross) and that the top unit will get mostly offensive starts. Even if that comes at the expense of every other line.

I'm just going to go with a Roster assuming a completely healthy flames squad.

Tanguay - Cervenka - Iginla Baertschi - Backlund - Camm GlennX - Huddler - Stempniak Comeau - Stajan - Jackman Jones

Begin is a spare and Horak is sent back to Abbotsford, yes Horak is great and all, but putting him on a fourth line is a waste. I think he would be better suited to take first line minutes in the AHL.

Bouwmeester - Giordano Wideman - Butler Smith - Brodie Sarich

Pretty well everyones D will probably look like that or some close variation of I assume. Depending on the team they are playing and if Brodie/Smith can build upon their play from last year, I see NO reason why Sarich should be in any lineup, he's a decent guy incase someone gets injured and can fill a role, but in no case, should he take a roster spot from a much more mobile, quicker, younger player.

Kipper

I'm not putting a back up because quite honestly I don't see the backup getting a single game this year.

Any idea what horaks faceoff percentage is like? I noticed that nobody decided he could be used as a center (I do like jonesy) but what were his faceoff a like.

100% healthy, and presuming that Horak is sent down to make room.

Glencross - Cammalleri - Iginla
Baertschi - Backlund - Tanguay
Cervenka - Hudler - Stempniak
Comeau - Jones - Jackman
Begin sits

Bouwmeester - Giordano
Butler - Wideman
Brodie - Smith
Sarich sits

Kiprusoff Irving

LW. C. RW Glencross Backlund Iginla

Baertchi Cervenka. Cammalleri

Hudler Tanguay Stempniak

Horak/ Stajan/ Comeau/ Begin Jones Jackman

Bouwmeester - Wideman

Giordano - Butler

Brodie - Smith

Sarich

Does Horak have to clear waivers before being sent down? I agree sitting him is a waste but he would be claimed IMO. This would affect my lines.

I think Tanguay will evolve into a good centre so;

GlenX-Tangs-Iggy Baertschi-Backlund-Camm Hudler-Horak/Cervenka-Stemp Comeau-Jones-Jackman/Begin Stajan sits

Bouwmeester-GIO Brodie/Butler-Wideman (Depending on Situations) Butler/Brodie-Sarich Smith sits

Kipper-Kipper

Iggy plays with Tangs and Cammy, keep them away from top competition. Put Backlund between Glenx and Stemp,and askthem to lift the heavy load against the top units. Make euro unit as strong offensive 3rd line. With Cervanka out, Comeau moves up. Horak goes back to Abby. I would keep Jay and Butler together as the shut down pair, and have offensive guys Gio and Wideman play w Iggy's unit. Brodiegets#5 wwhomeveris healthy or playing well

He only played 61 games last year and is still on his ELC, I don't know how much changed for wiaver purproses in the new CBA, but under the old I believe he wouldn't have to clear waivers and just be assigned.

If thats the case, I expect that once Cervenka has been cleared to play we will see him returned to the AHL.

tangs cammy iggy

hudler cervenka baertchi

glencross backlund stempniak

comeau jones jackman

bouw gio

wideman brodie

butler smith

that.

Glencross-Tanguay-Iginla Baertschi-Backlund-Cammalleri Hudler-Cervenka-Stempniak Comeau-Jones-Jackman

Bouwmeester-Giordano Butler-Wideman Brodie-Smith

All I care about is keeping Backlund and Baertschi together and Brodie plays in top 6.

My opening lines would look quite similar to this. However, I'm ok moving GlenX down to the 3rd line and have he, Stajan & Stempniak as the hard minutes line. The problem then becomes only 1 of Hudler or Cervenka goes to the top line, where does the other go? Not the 4th because they're not those types of players. Also, I like the idea of keeping the Euro players together so maybe Hudler or Cervenka goes with them and Cammi to the 1st.

No more shut down line for Backs, at least for now. He needs to keep the offensive confidence going. May be later in the season he can start taking more of the toughs on.

TJ has to be top 6; he needs playing time. Horak should be assigned back to Abby, he needs playing time as well. But I hope he makes the decision REALLY hard.

There are just a lot if possibilities with so many forwards.

To start game # 1

Baertschi Backlund Cammalleri Glencross Tanguay Iginla Comeau Jones Stempniak Begin Stajan Jackman

Bouwmeester Giordano Butler Wideman Brodie Sarich

Kipper

Going LW - C - RW

Glencross - Tanguay - Iginla

Baertschi - Backlund - Cammalleri

Comeau - Stajan - Stempniak

Horak - Jones - Jackman

Begin is the extra forward.

Hudler draws in as the 3rd line LW when he returns, and Cervenka bumps either Stajan off or Backlund down when he gets back, depending on whichever of the two appears to be struggling.

Defense (are there even options?)

Bouwmeester - Giordano

Wideman - Butler

Sarich - Brodie

Smith draws in at #7 but with Sarich on a short leash.

I hadn't heard anything about a new potential backup for Kiprusoff, so I'll assume it'll be he and Irving. Poor kid.

On another note, does the Redden signing put aside any hopes of dealing Bouwmeester to St. Louis, at least for the foreseeable future?

That's a solid lineup there Piker.

The only thing I'd throw in is that I think Brodie replaces Butler in the 2nd pairing. Not immediately, but by the midpoint of the season (pere-rated of course).

I also think Horak gets recalled and Begin sent down, case well he'll be terrible.

"On another note, does the Redden signing put aside any hopes of dealing Bouwmeester to St. Louis, at least for the foreseeable future?"

Does the Oilers' signing of Fistric preclude the possibility trying to trade for Subban?

I don't see a Subban trade coming. Maybe in the off-season, but at what cost? It just doesn't make sense, to my mind. For either team.

They need a future 2nd line center, or some heavier players on the wings for depth.

Trades that I would consider would be to try and negotiate a deal that would land Ekman-Larsson and Henrik Samuelsson from Phoenix. The Coyotes need prospects badly, and could use an injection of offensive talent for the roster as is. I'm not sure what would do it, but you'd probably have to start with Paajarvi and Hemsky, and then add some picks and other prospects on top of that. It'd need to be cost effective meaning that the Oilers might have to eat some money in salary as well.

For trade partners I think I'd start to look at teams that were on the other side of the spectrum, rather than one like the Canadiens that were just undertaking a rebuilding process.

Whatever they do, though, I sincerely hope it doesn't involve any more picks from this year's draft. The first rounder needs to be spent on a center, and I'd like to see players like Hudson Fasching, Tristan Jarry, and their like become Oilers prospects by next year.

I hate to say it but that's makes alot of sense Rex. However, I think in order to get Ekman -Larsson though, the Oil would have to give up their first rounder Hemsky, and Paajarvi, where phx would then throw in a mid round draft pick to balance things out.

ROSTER 17 Jiri Hrdina 25 Joe Nieuwendyk 29 Joel Otto 39 Doug Gilmour 9 Lanny McDonald (Co-Captain) 24 Jim Peplinski (Co-Captain) 7 Joe Mullen 10 Gary Roberts 11 Colin Patterson 12 Hakan Loob 14 Theoren Fleury 19 Tim Hunter (A. Capt.) 22 Mark Hunter 27 Brian MacLellan 16 Sergei Pryakhin 2 Al MacInnis (A. Capt.) 4 Brad McCrimmon 5 Dana Murzyn 6 Ric Nattress 20 Gary Suter 34 Jamie Macoun 55 Rob Ramage 32 Ken Sabourin Goaltenders 30 Mike Vernon 31 Rick Wamsley

Assuming both full health and my hiring as head coach, these would be my line combinations, and scratches.

Baertschi Backlund Iginla Glencross Stajan Cammalleri Tanguay Cervenka Hudler Comeau Jones Stempniak

Begin Jackman

Bouwmeester Giordano Butler Brodie Wideman Smith

Sarich Babchuck (assigned to abbotsford or siberia)

Kipper

I have a good feeling about this season.

W/Y - Hudler-Tanguay-Iggy (vs 2nd's)

X - GlenX-Backlund-Stemps (vs toughs)

Y/W - Baertschi-Cervenka{-}Cammy

Z - ^Comeau-Jones-Jackman

Stajan

It's not what most people think, but I personally think it'd give the best chance at success... until Cammy demands a trade.;) Hopefully, he would enjoy playing with the "skill and speed" and flipping between RW and C.

I'd try and give the "W/Y" lines a clear message... whoever is going gets the "scorers" ice time. Against bigger teams Comeau and Baertschi can flip, cause that third line is a little small.

The rest (D and G)doesn't really need to be discussed in depth IMHO... I like what I see from Hartley

I will add.... I would love them to pace Irving for 18 games, but that'll never happen. Honestly though, we're not winning anything (big- ie. the division, the cup) this year and we (likely) won't have a goalie next year. With Irving, we need to fish or cut bait. After this year, he's either an NHL'r or he works in the goalie section at SportChek as far as I'm concerned.

If it meant Ekman-Larsson and Samuelsson are added, and depending on the range of that pick (14th or lower is alright), then I think that is a fair deal. It addresses a need for both sides and is, I think, something that speaks well of both GMs.

If the deal could be negotiated in advance of the draft, it would be ideal to move Whitney at the trade deadline then and try to recoup a 1st round pick as insurance.

I really don't like the prospect of entering the 2013 draft year with no 1st or 3rd round picks (two 2nds, though) and were it not for injury and a basic requirement of the roster, I think the Oilers would have to look seriously at moving a player like Ryan Jones or Ryan Whitney as expiring UFAs. This draft is going to be crucial to the long-term success of this rebuild. Screw it up and the Oilers may peak early and then get hollowed out in a similar fashion to the Blackhawks. Ace the draft, and you can draft and develop at a slower pace behind a solid core of talent.

Hey Rex! Maybe its pregame nerves after watching Anaheim hand Vancouver their helmuts:) but I thought I'd bug you. You think Whitney, coming off chronic injury the last few years, going to be a UFA, can garner Edmonton a 2013 1st rounder but you dont think Iggy or JBO would get that much. Interesting, I smell some Homer stripes coming off you.

Also, there is a good chance our Oiler tickets on Thursday can be had because both my partner & I are having trouble trying to schedule it in. We have 3 seats lower bowl,3rd row, they're $150/ each. You interested?

1st of all, I think you completely missed the point of my reply. It was a rhetorical question. As in, if a team wants a top pair dman, signing a bottom pair dman doesn't make that desire go away. signing Redden has nothing whatsoever to do with any hypothetical desire the Blues have for Bouwmeester. I could have put it another way by asking if the Flames signing Begin means they're not looking for a 1st line center anymore.

2nd of all... you actually think you can get Ekman-Larsson AND Henrik Samuelsson for Pajaarvi, Hemski, and a draft pick? You'd be lucky to get Ekman-Larsson for Yakupov and a 1st rounder.

That package might get you Yandle, but you're severely underrating Ekman-Larsson.

Sorry Rex, I meant the Saturday game against the Oil.

The possibility only exists because Whitney is a defenseman and an expiring UFA with a minimal cap hit of $4 million, with less on the actual money side of the contract.

I'll absolutely admit that it is pie-in-the-sky thinking, but I have to keep in mind, if Gaustad is worth a first round pick to a playoff-bubble team, then perhaps Whitney is worth the same to a more secure team looking to add a (presumably healthy) top-4 defenseman.

I've never said that Iginla and Bouwmeester weren't worth 1st round picks. In fact I argue that they are and that moving them for exactly that in return is a critical part of my Calgary Rebuild exercise.

There is some homerism there, but as I've said, being aware of my bias is part of the equation.

Thanks for the tix offer. I'd love to, but I've got some commitments that evening as well. I had an offer for opening night but had to turn them down. Very much appreciated though. Let me know next time and we can swap - tickets for my signed Semenko jersey. ;-)

Saturday would be good, but I think I might actually have an angle on free tickets to that one. I'll let you know.

Sorry. My mistake.

I think that the possibility exists for the two teams, Phoenix and Edmonton, to scratch their respective needs. It'll have to be creative and the Oilers would have to find just the right assets to address the Coyotes' structural weaknesses.

That is a curious valuation you have regarding Ekman-Larsson to Yakupov and a 1st round pick.

I'm not underestimating Ekman-Larsson at all. In fact, many of the Oilers fans I've spoken to aren't very interested in him and would prefer to find a way to get Shea Weber or P.K. Subban. Ekman-Larsson is my target principally because he tends to fly under the radar.

Phoenix's ownership situation presents it in a very unusual position, one which could be taken advantage of if the offer were right. Don Maloney is a smart fellow with a history of looking towards the future, and I believe that if he felt that he could take one player like Ekman-Larsson and turn that into multiple assets of an overall greater value to a team-structure, he could be persuaded.

Again, the price would have to be right, and it would likely be heavy. It might not involve Hemsky, but I include him because he is, in some senses, what the Coyotes need right now, an offensive player who can create and make those around him better. Paajarvi is the near-immediate future player, and then you'd likely have to include Marincin, Pitlick, and a 1st round pick in either 2013 or 2014. It is a heavy price, but the Coyotes have then diversified their assets, added immediate and future players, as well as stocked a development system with a few prospects.

Were the Coyotes without Yandle, then there is no chance a deal like this happens. Having Yandle though, opens the door for possibilities. Just as the Oilers' depth on the wings allows for the possibility of movement.

Thats cool. Anyone interested just email me at shelkor11@shaw.ca