Quote:
Originally Posted by PugnaciousIntern
Especially if he finds himself away from Backlund and Frolik, I'm almost expecting Tkachuk to see a dip in production this year. Would probably be my choice for a player on our team to take a step back (production wise) instead of a choice for a breakout season.
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I think the opposite. I think Tkachuk helped drive the play as much as those two did. And if he's away from them that means he's probably playing with players who have even more offensive skill in Gaudreau, Monahan, Bennett. I'd expect his numbers to go up if he plays with guys who have even more offensive skill than Backlund and Frolik. I think Tkachuk and Bennett could break out together and form a very dangerous 3rd scoring line if that line is tried. And even if he stays on the Frolik/Backs line I'd expect we'll see improvements in his skating and strength and that with improved confidence he'll start to just dominate.
But yeah personally I'd use Tkachuk as an offensive catalyst to get Bennett going. I think they could be a great 1-2 punch on their own line. Then for trios you have
1 - Gaudreau-Monahan
2 - Backlund-Frolik
3 - Tkachuk-Bennett
Make sure Gaudreau gets a powerforward opposite him in Ferland and then almost anybody can slot in with Backlund/Frolik or Tkachuk/Bennett. Versteeg, Brouwer, Jankowski, Foo all could make the case.
Gaudreau-Monahan-Ferland
Frolik-Backlund-Brouwer
Tkachuk-Bennett-Versteeg
OR if Jankowski outshines Bennett at centre then
Gaudreau-Monahan-Ferland
Tkachuk-Jankowski-Versteeg/Brouwer
Bennett-Backlund-Frolik
I think Tkachuk shines in any scenario really. Excellent puck handling, shooting, puck protection, physical play, hockey sense, etc. If the coach uses Backlund's line as a shutdown line then I think our offence is going to be deepest when Gaudreau-Monahan and Tkachuk-Bennett/Janko are the two scoring lines we deploy whenever Backs is off. Of course you could always load up on one big line by sticking Tkachuk with Monahan-Gaudreau but I think I now like the idea of creating three elite lines instead of two.
I think those that are afraid to break up the 3M line are underrating the offensive upside a Tkachuk-Bennett or Tkachuk-Jankowski duo could have. Having three elite lines makes the Flames harder to check and deeper in scoring depth. My argument is that Backs-Frolik is our most elite checking duo and that we should have our 4 most offensively skilled players on two separate other lines away from Backs-Frolik. That way we can have an elite checking line that would be a 2nd line on most teams while also having two other lines that would be considered top two lines. The Flames will be true contenders if:
-Gaudreau-Monahan-Ferland plays like a 1st line
-Tkachuk-Bennett-Versteeg/Brouwer plays like a 1st or 2nd line
-whoever-Backlund-Frolik plays like an elite two-way 2nd line that can shut down the other team's best players while still producing
-we get goaltending