Quote:
Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher
In the classical setup of
Scoring line (1)
Scoring line (2)
Checking line (3)
Energy/Grinding line (4)
You'd have to think they line up as follows
Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler (Scoring, Line 1)
Bennett-Granlund-Raymond (Scoring, Line 2)
Ferland-Backlund-Colborne (Checking, Line 3/4)
Bouma-Stajan-Jones (Checking, Line 3/4)
We don't really possess a 4th line like teams used to deploy that plays only 5-8 mins and has a goon. We really have two scoring lines and two checking lines that could occasionally score. But Hartley more than some coaches will roll these lines and ride the hot lines.
But I'd say based on last game's lines that Bennett-Granlund-Raymond is our scoring line.
As for Kassian? I just don't think he has the mental discipline to achieve his potential. Yes, the player he has the potential to be is appealing. But I think he has the possibility of being a distraction and a poor fit. I love power forwards and yet the idea of adding Kassian for free gets a "meh" from me. If the Flames coaches think they can teach the kid then maybe. But frankly I think Ferland has as much potential as Kassian or more to be a top two line power forward within the next year or two. I'd trade Raymond for Kassian I guess.
|
My point is that our second line is pretty bad compared to other teams. You can't just call guys 2nd liners because they play on one of the weakest 2nd lines in the league. Fact is, guys like Colborne, Raymond, Backlund, Granlund, Ferland, Bouma would be on most team's bottom 6/press box/farm teams. Bennett is the guy with real potential, the rest are pretty 'meh' and interchangable with generic replacement level players as far as I'm concerned. Kassian is no better than the plethora of options already available.
I would trade Kassian for Raymond too, but only for the cap savings. I would just give Sam Bennett more ice time and let the others fight it out to be on his line.