Quote:
Originally Posted by Enoch Root
I think the notion of 2nd line, 3rd line, 4th line is antiquated. I see the Flames teeing up their lines more along the idea of purposes: Monahan's line as a scoring line, Backlund's line as a two-way line, Ryan's line (with maybe Frolik?) as another two-way line, and Jankowski's line as another scoring line.
And I doubt ice time will be linear between those lines - I bet it's more a function of game situations and who is playing well.
I also think that Peters likes to use the blender, which also renders the line numbers somewhat meaningless.
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To some extent it's changing for sure, but it can only go so far.
The average NHL game has only 47 minutes of five on five hockey. Last year the Flames had a rough split of the following, and I doubt it's too off from other teams.
Top three forwards - 14 minutes
Next three - 13 minutes
Next three - 11 minutes
Bottom three - 9 minutes
That adds up to 47 so it seems right.
You can't really blend the lines and have three guys only playing 9 minutes unless they're your stalwarts on the PK.
So I still think you have a cut off after three lines to some degree.
I get that the Flames have 10 top 9 forwards technically, so Jankowski may be the odd man out and center that line unless he proves he should be moved up.