Confirmed Signing with Link: [CGY] Calgary signs Kris Versteeg (1 year, $950,000)

[blankall]

If the oilers 2nd line isnt very good, id hate to hear what you think of the flames 2nd line.

The 2nd lines are very similar. The Oilers have the edge as Nuge has more experience than any of the Flames rookies on their 2nd line.

The Flames, however, have the much superior 3rd line of Backlund, Frolik/Brouwer, and Ferland/Chiasson. This 3rd line can shelter the rookies in the Flames' 2nd line. The Oilers do not have that luxury.

 

[BB88]

Obviously question marks with so many young guys. That being said, Tkachuk, Bennett, Monahan, and Gaudreau all have the potential to be top offensive guys in this league. Will they all reach that potential? Who knows. But I would definitely say it's a pretty special group. It's a group of players that bring everything a winning team would need and all compliment each other.

I also think Calgary has done the right thing buy adding a group of vets around them. Backlund, Brouwer, Versteeg, and Frolik are some of the most consistent 2nd and 3rd line guys in the league. Although they don't produce top line offense themselves, they all have the ability to move up into that role to compliment a true offensive talent.

Your basically looking at 8 bonafide top 9 guys in that group. All capable of producing at .5 ppg or more. There's also a solid mix of grit and skill in there. Very few, if any, teams have that.

This might not be the year everything comes together, but the future is very promising. Specifically, Tkachuck and Bennett may take another 1-2 years to reach a proper top 6 NHL level of play.

You have 1 star player Gaudreau and Monahan proven low end #1C today, then depth and young players with potential but question marks.
Like I said I don't see that as anything special today. When you especially add that right side on defense.

The 2nd lines are very similar. The Oilers have the edge as Nuge has more experience than any of the Flames rookies on their 2nd line.

The Flames, however, have the much superior 3rd line of Backlund, Frolik/Brouwer, and Ferland/Chiasson. This 3rd line can shelter the rookies in the Flames' 2nd line. The Oilers do not have that luxury.

If Edmonton runs with

Pouliot- RNH
Maroon- Drai
don't know how that's true.

If Edmonton plays Dra on the 2nd line they have superior 2nd line vs Calgary, and better 1st line.

 

[Price is Wright]

Funny to think this guy turned down a trade to goto Montreal last year.