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Calgary4LIfe · 04-09-2018, 10:43 AM

I don't think the Flames absolutely need to find another body. They need a better transition game, and need to make use of their speed.

Gaudreau - Monahan - Ferland
Tkachuk - Jankowski - Bennett
Frolik - Backlund - Foo
Mangiapane - Shore - Lazar
Brouwer

That's speed on every line, that is some scoring touch on every line, and that is some physicality on every line.

What is needed is to actually make use of a 2nd scoring line. Darryl Sutter was bang-on in his assessment of the Flames during the trade deadline - the Backlund line is the best 3rd line in hockey.

Bennett does look good with offensive players - especially players that play at speed. Maybe give him Foo on the opposing wing. Tkachuk will be fine though. It is two guys that can attack the net and Jankowski that can make really strong plays all over the ice. That's a good 2nd line, and I bet it would blossom if the transition game speeds up.

This team has an extremely mobile defensive group that can all pass well. This team has a lot of forwards that can play with a lot of speed. We have not seen it for 2 seasons. That's what has to change first and foremost. This isn't the Oilers where we have one fast player and that's it, with a team full of defencemen that find it hard to make a 20ft pass.

This team can and SHOULD be playing an up-tempo game, and they won't be worse defensively. Goaltending has improved, but it isn't like Calgary isn't giving up less shots against as compared to Hartley's tenure (in fact, they are giving up more, which is hilariously bad).

Play up-tempo. It doesn't have to change the puck-possession game. This team has really strong forecheckers on every line too, and every line can play along the boards. So if the Flames can't score on a fast break, it isn't like they have to give up possession. They have players that can retain possession. Joe Colborne became almost indispensable during the playoffs against Anaheim because he was one of the only players that could actually play along the boards (Ferland was hurt).

Now you have guys on every line that can do it. Go with a quick outlet pass, fast 2on1, 3on2, etc., and if you don't score, you have a higher chance of retaining possession with this roster than under Hartley's undersized roster.

I would still like to bring in a goal-scoring winger, but it isn't crucial. The Flames can't score goals because they play too slow. They play too slow in an era where everyone is trying to play faster.

04-09-2018, 10:43 AM	#9669
Calgary4LIfe Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Exp:	I don't think the Flames absolutely need to find another body. They need a better transition game, and need to make use of their speed. Gaudreau - Monahan - Ferland Tkachuk - Jankowski - Bennett Frolik - Backlund - Foo Mangiapane - Shore - Lazar Brouwer That's speed on every line, that is some scoring touch on every line, and that is some physicality on every line. What is needed is to actually make use of a 2nd scoring line. Darryl Sutter was bang-on in his assessment of the Flames during the trade deadline - the Backlund line is the best 3rd line in hockey. Bennett does look good with offensive players - especially players that play at speed. Maybe give him Foo on the opposing wing. Tkachuk will be fine though. It is two guys that can attack the net and Jankowski that can make really strong plays all over the ice. That's a good 2nd line, and I bet it would blossom if the transition game speeds up. This team has an extremely mobile defensive group that can all pass well. This team has a lot of forwards that can play with a lot of speed. We have not seen it for 2 seasons. That's what has to change first and foremost. This isn't the Oilers where we have one fast player and that's it, with a team full of defencemen that find it hard to make a 20ft pass. This team can and SHOULD be playing an up-tempo game, and they won't be worse defensively. Goaltending has improved, but it isn't like Calgary isn't giving up less shots against as compared to Hartley's tenure (in fact, they are giving up more, which is hilariously bad). Play up-tempo. It doesn't have to change the puck-possession game. This team has really strong forecheckers on every line too, and every line can play along the boards. So if the Flames can't score on a fast break, it isn't like they have to give up possession. They have players that can retain possession. Joe Colborne became almost indispensable during the playoffs against Anaheim because he was one of the only players that could actually play along the boards (Ferland was hurt). Now you have guys on every line that can do it. Go with a quick outlet pass, fast 2on1, 3on2, etc., and if you don't score, you have a higher chance of retaining possession with this roster than under Hartley's undersized roster. I would still like to bring in a goal-scoring winger, but it isn't crucial. The Flames can't score goals because they play too slow. They play too slow in an era where everyone is trying to play faster.