Quote:
Originally Posted by TheScorpion
If the Flames plan on keeping Jankowski around, playing him with Backlund would be far from the worst option available. But I think they'd need a right winger with some strength and a good shot to play with those two guys. I'm a huge Dube fan but I'm not sure if he's the guy I'd put on that line.
I wonder how a Jankowski - Backlund - Lindholm line would work. It would be completely dominant defensively, for one, but I think Janko and Backlund would be good at getting the puck to Lindholm.
Gaudreau - Monahan - Dube
Tkachuk - Bennett - Mangiapane
Jankowski - Backlund - Lindholm
Lucic - Ryan - Rieder
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Well, the point of my post was to show that this team is fairly strong down the middle. Moving Lindholm to the wing kind of erases that, though I would be all for trying Bennett as a centre for an extended look. However, that third line that Backlund will be centering would be a traditional 'shut-down' line that is capable of chipping in (as Backlund usually does in that role). That's why Dube is on that line as well - he is a smart (though young) 2-way player that is quick and can help get in on the forecheck and cause some back-pressure as well.
Scoring line
Scoring line
Shutdown line that can chip in
4th line that can play in most situations
Monahan
Lindholm
Backlund
Ryan
That's decent depth. Backlund has shown himself being able to carry a line - especially a checking line - by himself, as he has proven himself to be an elite shut-down centre until fairly recently, and I bet he would be again. Lindholm - IMO - has proven himself to be a capable top 6 responsible centre.
Let's also not forget one thing - having Backlund take the tough minutes allows for the top two lines to take easier minutes - more offensive zone starts and time against weaker competition - that will help them generate offence. I really think having a guy like Backlund as a winger is a huge waste of an asset.