Quote:
Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher
I think one top 6 forward who drives offense will be enough
The rest comes from progression and development of our young guys and better lineup construction.
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My line of thinking is similar to this as well. The offensive problems I saw with last year's team were two fold:
1) The Flames only had two players (on two lines) who had the skillset to carry the puck into the offensive zone and create quality scoring chances - those two were Gaudreau and Backlund.
Guys like Tkachuck and Monahan need those two guys to carry the puck in for them which allows Tkachuk and Monahan to set up and do what they do best. In my opinion they are not that dynamic player that can break down defences with their puck carrying and create chances in prime spots for others. Don't get me wrong, I love both players and Tkachuck is supremely skilled at playmaking but as everyone can see those skills are on display down low. The puck needs to get there for him.
2) The system the Flames played last year was extremely conservative. They wanted no turnovers or 'risky' plays so the puck followed a very consistent pattern when the Flames had it:
D to D pass then up to winger who would chip it in deep. The offence was dependant on the forecheck to force a turnover or retrieval and then back to the point for quick shots, hoping for tips or rebounds. It was a volume shooting offence. There was no dynamic quality to the Flames offence.
So, getting a player who could get another 20+ goals is good but really what's needed IMO is a player who can carry the puck in, create those cross ice tap ins or hold the puck, break the defence down and find the guy who gets loose and in a prime spot (one timers, walking in from the point etc)
To me, if you want three scoring lines you need three players who control the puck and can carry it in over the blue line and create plus a system that encourages those types of plays.
Maybe they already have that third line driver in Jankowski or Bennett but I think they need a guy on their line who is that shifty puck control type of player. You have to play with a ton of confidence and brio and not be scared to make mistakes or get benched for doing it. A guy with great stick handling and vision who is shifty and fast.