What about pairing Backlund and Monahan? With Bennett and Lindholm we have two guys quite capable of playing center that aren’t right now. But Monahan is a good finisher and Backlund isn’t so put the two together with someone.
Then can do something like Gaudreau and Lindholm on the top line with a third. Maybe Tkachuk but that’s more like 3 play makers with no sniper. Perhaps Neal and keep Tkachuk with Backlund and Monahan. Although not sure if Neal would make that line much better defensively than Monahan. More physical yes but not sure how much defensively it would improve.
Then third line can be centered by Bennett and fourth Jankowski. Ryan could back up one of them.
Idea being that if we’re going to split them up there is no need to keep him as the only center on his line and that Backlund and him could work well together.
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