[bubbsy]

My answer/opinion on the OP question:

1) Depth scoring outside the top line:The 3M line isn't playing at last year's level, hence, the depth scoring has become a more exaggerated issue. Split them up, and balance more of skill players across the 3rd line. I don't think many teams have the luxury of expecting scoring from their 4th line, and frankly the flames don't have enough depth in the skill department to do so. They just can't be a possession liability as they are every night. I hope hathaway comes in hungry, and forces the coach to think about what to do wtith versteeg, brouwer, stajan, hamilton.

2) Change the D pairings. I'll leave it to the coaches to figure out what tandems they want to try, but change it up. I know it's an unpopular topic amongst those that hold advanced stats in high regard, but yes, i'm completely open to splitting up that giordano/hamilton pair also. I am convinced that their stats has less to do with the way they compliment one another, but rather the fact that Giordano is still hands down our best d man. It's like when iggy was here. Regardless of who he played with, it was our #1 line. Plenty of options there:
Gio/Hamonic, Brodie/Hamilton, Stone/kulak
Gio/Brodie, Hamonic/Hamilton, Stone/kulak
Gio/Brodie, Hamilton/Stone, Hamonic/Kulak
Gio/Hamilton, Brodie/Stone, Hamonic/kulak

lastly,I don't care if it's on the coach's strategy and gameplan, or it's on the player's and lack of execution, but the turnovers in their own zone have got to stop. It's not a sudden occurrence popping up in the last few games. It has been something that has plagued this team for every single game of this season, other than perhaps the 1 good/complete game played by this group in the first 24 (the game last week @Washington). I don't care what players they have playing, and on what lines/pairings, if they can't sort this out, it's going to continue to be a very up/down season, with at best, a short playoff season.