So Many Calgary Flames Questions to Start the Day
By Len Nunes
Sep 30, 2014; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Ryan Wilson (44) skates against Calgary Flames left wing Johnny Gaudreau (53) during preseason action at Scotiabank Saddledome. Flames won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
1. In Tuesday night’s Calgary Flames win over the Colorado Avalanche left winger Curtis Glencross played right wing. Part of the reason for this move had to be because Coach Bob Hartley wanted to see left wingers Johnny Gaudreau AND Sven Baertschi in the lineup. Glencross playing the right wing also allowed left winger Michael Ferland to draw into the lineup. Is Curtis Glencross moving over to the right wing going to be a permanent move?
Fairly or unfairly, Mason Raymond and Brandon Bollig are default left wing starters if healthy. Assuming the Flames keep the veteran Glencross playing right wing, which one of Johnny Gaudreau, Sven Baertschi or Michael Ferland do you send to the AHL?
2. Going into camp the Calgary Flames were admittedly short on right wingers featuring only David Jones, Brian McGrattan and summer acquisition Devin Setoguchi as NHL certified starters. Our Calgary Flames have experimented with Jiri Hudler on right wing with Sam Bennett as his center. Let’s assume the 1st round draft pick Bennett gets his 9 game NHL regular season tryout.
If the Flames were to put Hudler and Glencross on the right wing, which one of David Jones, Brian McGrattan or Devin Setoguchi becomes the odd man out?
3. When Mikael Backlund comes back from injury, does the Joe Colborne experiment at center end? One can’t imagine Colborne un-seeding Matt Stajan or Sean Monahan from one of their spots. Does Colborne become the 4th line center or does he move to back to right wing?
4. The Calgary Flames acquired Brandon Bollig and his three year contract while Brian McGrattan enters the final year of his contract. With the preseason emergence of 24 year old Josh Jooris playing the right wing AND the continuing emergence of center Lance Bouma as a certified 4th line player in the NHL – – are Brian McGrattan’s days numbered as a Calgary Flame?
Accepting answers in the comment section below or on Twitter and Facebook. Thank you!
My answers:
1) Ferland starts in the AHL.
2) McGrattan is the odd man out
3) Colborne goes to the wing on a line with Gaudreau.
4) Many times I have read that Dennis Wideman or David Jones are the most likely veteran candidates to be moved first by our Flames. I think Brian McGrattan is the veteran who is moved.