Cervenka
 

I was reading the post on Horak's future with the Falmes and it made me wondering where Cervenka fits in. Everybody' s talking abouth depth at center with Backlund, Stajan, B-Mo, etc. I initially thought that Cammalleri would start the season with Tanguay and Igy. I was hoping for Cervenka to outplay Backlund and get the second-line spot. He doesn't even seem on the radar... I didn't invest much into him but I am curious about this situation.

Any of you guys know more about that?

Cammy and Cervenka should be the top-6 centers in Calgary this year. Cervenka will get a long look in a key role. They didn't give him max rookie contract for nothing. How he does with the opportunity will determine his future in the NHL.

Backlund, Jones, Horak and Stajan will all be fighting for the 3rd & 4th line centre spot..

Horak is a great AHL player for now and could use some time there to develop.. He played 61 games last year for the Flames and played the majority with Tim Jackman and Kostopolous on the 4th line.. Horak is not a 3rd or 4th line player.. He need top min in a AHL team before making this jump.. If Calgary keeps him up in the big leagues it could hurt his development..

Projected Lines:
Line 1) Alex Tanguay - M. Cammalleri - Jarome Iginla
Line 2) Sven Bärtschi - Roman Cervenka - Jiri Hudler
Line 3) Curtis Glencross - Mikael Backlund - Lee Stempniak
Line 4) Blake Comeau - Matt Stajan - Tim Jackman
Line 5) Paul Byron - Roman Horak - Blair Jones

With the signing of Cervenka and Hudler it pushes Backlund, Stajan and Horak back.. Glencross and Stempniak are in spots more suited to help the Flames fill a all around roster.. Losing Jokinen hurt but gaining a PPQB like Wideman and gaining Hudler/Cervenka should help the offense.

Only two more years on the Stajan contract before we can kiss him goodbye..

Cervenka won't be that great. He wont be anymore then 3rd line centre.

Spoken as a true Oiler Fan !! :)

i like these lines, but i think glencross and bartschi will be switched... eventually, if not to start the eventual season...

cervenka and hudler will need some defensive awareness and toughness on their line or they will be eaten alive.

backlund is likely the flames best defensive center and his ability to drive the play will be a good fit for bartschi.

pretty sad top nine, whichever way things shake out...

lol no im a leafs fan im just a huge Eberle fan. I really don't see anything there with Cervenka being a top 6 forward.