Quote:
Originally Posted by Vinny01
I find that hard to believe. The Flames are replacing Hamilton, Ferland, Stajan, and maybe Hathaway with Hanifin, Lindholm, Ryan*, Reaves* (*potentially) I don’t see how thst team is going to improve on their bottom 5 finish if goals for last year.
Didn’t they bank on Bennett last year taking the step as well?
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They didn't set Bennett, or the bottom 6, for success though, and I think we're already much better off in this regard. A big key for Treliving at the season ticket holder sessions was "we have to find a way to get more from who we do have as well as adding from the outside" (paraphrasing).
Last year the bottom 6 was such a hot mess that the few bright spots we did have (Bennett, Jankowski, Lazar for the final stretch of the season) were dragged down by the rubbish surrounding them.
Gaudreau - Monahan - Tkachuk
Jankowski - Backlund - Frolik
Bennett - Lindholm - ?????
Brouwer - Ryan - Reaves
Lazar
Then add in Foo and Mangiapane pushing for roster spots, and I like the make-up of these lines a lot more.
5v5 Breakdown:
- Tkachuk replacing Ferland on the top line will increase production, and make the line better defensively.
- Lindholm + ?????? should help Bennett improve, as they'll be the best linemates Bennett has had since his rookie year. Lindholm as the centre on this line is a huge step up from a rookie filling that role last year.
- Jankowski may not score 17 with Backlund and Frolik, but they'll be great defensively and we'll hopefully see a bit of a bounce back from Frolik offensively.
- Ryan should help carry the 4th line to a level of effectiveness we haven't seen before. His wingers will be key. I have Brouwer listed there, but I believe Brouwer will lose his job to Foo/Mangiapane. Eatbread + Ryan could be a great duo.