Quote:
Originally Posted by howard_the_duck
They may have been top 10 but that's also driven by huge point totals from the blueline in a bit of a helter-skelter system under Hartley.
5 on 5, aside from top line, there's not a lot of point consistency in that group until Bennett reaches the next step in his development. I would be a lot more comfortable shifting Bouma/Ferland down to the 4th line and adding a top 6 and top 9 winger into the fold to feel good about this group.
|
I can agree with most of this, but the notion that scoring is a serious problem is fairly ridiculous. Most NHL teams have the same issue—Hell in the SCF players like Conor Sheary and Carl Hagelin are taking shifts in the Penguins top six. If the Flames can "solve" the matter by adding another scoring winger, then they will likely be an elite level offensive team. It's a terrific goal, but hardly one of pressing concern in the light of other problems like goaltending, size on defense, and special teams play.
Even if the Flames experience a reduction in scoring as a result of system adaptation and coaching, they will still likely be no worse than an average team offensively. Regardless of what happens, they will still be a team that benefits tremendously from a mobile and talented blueline, and which will manage to score consistently by way of committee.