Quote:
Originally Posted by Textcritic
I think swapping out Hall for Gaudreau would be part of a restructuring of the whole forward core—not just individual parts. In that event, the Flames likely run with one of the following two combinations as the roster is currently configured:
Hall · Monahan · Lindholm
Tkachuk · Backlund · Mangiapane
Tkachuk · Monahan · Lindholm
Hall · Backlund · Mangiapane
This does not take into consideration the addition of any assets returned in a Gaudreau trade, but this on its own would shift the responsibility more to Monahan and Lindholm to carry the puck, which in my opinion is not a bad thing. I have always thought that Monahan defers to Gaudreau instinctively, and far too often. Impressing upon the players some different looks that require them to alter their own game can often produce better results.
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I don’t mind giving Lindholm more responsibly to carry the puck, but I don’t want that for Monahan. He is a unique center in that he finds the quiet areas and has a wicked release. His skating and elusiveness are nowhere near good enough to be the good dominating zone entries.
I like the idea of having Hall and Gaudreau on separate lines because they are both elite and getting into the offensive zone. Hall isn’t as good as a passer as Gaudreau, so I don’t like him with Monahan and Tkachuk doesn’t have the skating to be effective with Monahan in my opinion.