Quote:
Originally Posted by CliffFletcher
I'm not sure Neal on the Gaudreau-Monahan line is as obvious as some think. The top line already struggles without the puck, giving opponents some tasty match-ups. Neal is a pure sniper, and not any better than Gaudreau or Monahan without the puck. Putting Lindolm or even Tkachuk on that line as the defensive conscience would leave the top line less vulnerable to bad match-ups.
A better home for Neal is on the wing with Tkachuk-Backlund. That's a more balanced line.
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I agree and despite the Flames having tremendous forward depth now compared to a week ago, fans are going to be somewhat disappointed in Neal if they expect him to be a traditional, top line winger. That is not to say he cannot play minutes with Johnny-Monahan at ES, it's just more a case of him not being the true, consistent 3 zone player you'd expect. The way he was used in Nashville would be a great template for the Flames to follow.
I would try Tkachuk on the top line for the first chunk of the season and see where that gets this roster. This allows you to run with Neal on the second line and primarily on the top pp unit.
Gaudreau-Monahan-Tkachuk
Neal-Backlund-Lindholm
PP1:
Gaudreau-Monahan-Tkachuk
Giordano-Neal