Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post

Calgary4LIfe · 01-06-2021, 12:13 PM

I think Backlund will age well, and there will have to be other players blowing the doors wide open for the Flames to even think about exposing him.

Centres are extremely valuable commodities in the NHL. When you factor in Backlund's defensive game, plus how he still contributes on the scoresheet year in, year out with his utilization, I just think we are undervaluing him.

I like Lindholm. However, when Ward moved Linholm to centre in an attempt to fill-in Backlund's role, Lindholm didn't exactly succeed. I have always argued that having Backlund on the team allows for the other lines to get a lot more opportunities offensively as well.

I also think that Backlund is a very strong skater. I think he will continue aging well and will continue being a positive contributor at his cap hit.

I am fine running:
Monahan
Lindholm
Backlund
as the centre depth, and I am fine with running:
Monahan
Backlund
Bennett

Gaudreau - Monahan - Leivo/Simon/whomever - offensive first line

Tkachuk - Lindholm - Mangiapane - decent 2-way line (more offensive)

Bennett - Backlund - Dube - strong 2-way line (more defensive)

Lucic - Ryan - Nordstrom/whomever (should be capable of playing strong defence)

I like the look of that lineup.

Gaudreau - Monahan - Leivo/Simon/whomever - Offence

Tkachuk - Backlund - Lindholm - elite defensively and very good offensively

Mangiapane - Bennett - Dube - question mark, but should be a fast line - more offensive and will probably need some sheltering at least to start

Lucic - Ryan - whomever - capable 4th line

I think that the first lineup is probably a bit stronger and more versatile at the moment, but it really depends on how a Mangiapane - Bennett - Dube line look. If that is a real improvement on the Lucic - Bennett - Dube line while also being competent defensively, then that might be the better option.

Either way, the Flames have some depth this season - more than last season, and I was of the opinion that losing both Frolik and Jankowski (though relatively unpopular) was a blow to this team's depth and versatility. I think this team is better on forwards now than last season.

Defence pairings are going to be interesting to follow. The most sense from a 'win now' perspective is

Giordano - Tanev
Hanifin - Andersson
Valimaki - Nesterov/Kylington

That's kind of a weak bottom pairing considering NHL experience, but Valimaki is coming in looking really poised and ready for the NHL (and has SOME NHL reps under his belt), while Kylington I thought was ok for most of last season outside of his 2 horrendous games in a row. Nesterov seems likely to take that spot given his professional history, but who knows.

Giordano - Valimaki
Hanifin - Andersson
Kylington/Nesterov - Tanev

Love Valimaki, and I think playing next to Giordano will really help him develop, but that is still throwing him to the wolves expecting him to play on the top line right off the bat. Maybe he ends up getting there at some point this season, but I wouldn't throw him up there to start.

Giordano - Andersson
Hanifin - Valimaki
Kylington/Nesterov - Tanev

This is probably the 2nd best option IMO. More balanced bottom pairing, and doesn't throw Valimaki right to the wolves just yet. I would rather start Valimaki on the bottom pairing and let him work his way up.

I like the Depth that the Flames have right now. I would still much rather have Brodie over Tanev, but when looking at last season's roster, having Tanev + Valimaki > Brodie + Hamonic. I do think Hamonic was sort of disruptive on the backend defensively, and was too slow to transition. I am expecting Tanev to be better defensively, but still be a bit slow on the transition (hoping to be surprised). Hopefully each defence pairing can work well together. If so, then this will be an upgrade over last season's pairings (at least with Hamonic in the lineup).

My lineup of choice right now is:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Leivo (or someone fast who can get in on the forecheck and recover pucks, Leivo is a RHS which is just a bonus)
Tkachuck - Lindholm - Mangiapane
Bennett - Backlund - Dube
Lucic - Ryan - Nordstrom/Simon

Hopefully some chemistry starts developing with any changed lines. Flames really need to get out of the gate ready.

01-06-2021, 12:13 PM	#41
Calgary4LIfe Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Exp:	I think Backlund will age well, and there will have to be other players blowing the doors wide open for the Flames to even think about exposing him. Centres are extremely valuable commodities in the NHL. When you factor in Backlund's defensive game, plus how he still contributes on the scoresheet year in, year out with his utilization, I just think we are undervaluing him. I like Lindholm. However, when Ward moved Linholm to centre in an attempt to fill-in Backlund's role, Lindholm didn't exactly succeed. I have always argued that having Backlund on the team allows for the other lines to get a lot more opportunities offensively as well. I also think that Backlund is a very strong skater. I think he will continue aging well and will continue being a positive contributor at his cap hit. I am fine running: Monahan Lindholm Backlund as the centre depth, and I am fine with running: Monahan Backlund Bennett Gaudreau - Monahan - Leivo/Simon/whomever - offensive first line Tkachuk - Lindholm - Mangiapane - decent 2-way line (more offensive) Bennett - Backlund - Dube - strong 2-way line (more defensive) Lucic - Ryan - Nordstrom/whomever (should be capable of playing strong defence) I like the look of that lineup. Gaudreau - Monahan - Leivo/Simon/whomever - Offence Tkachuk - Backlund - Lindholm - elite defensively and very good offensively Mangiapane - Bennett - Dube - question mark, but should be a fast line - more offensive and will probably need some sheltering at least to start Lucic - Ryan - whomever - capable 4th line I think that the first lineup is probably a bit stronger and more versatile at the moment, but it really depends on how a Mangiapane - Bennett - Dube line look. If that is a real improvement on the Lucic - Bennett - Dube line while also being competent defensively, then that might be the better option. Either way, the Flames have some depth this season - more than last season, and I was of the opinion that losing both Frolik and Jankowski (though relatively unpopular) was a blow to this team's depth and versatility. I think this team is better on forwards now than last season. Defence pairings are going to be interesting to follow. The most sense from a 'win now' perspective is Giordano - Tanev Hanifin - Andersson Valimaki - Nesterov/Kylington That's kind of a weak bottom pairing considering NHL experience, but Valimaki is coming in looking really poised and ready for the NHL (and has SOME NHL reps under his belt), while Kylington I thought was ok for most of last season outside of his 2 horrendous games in a row. Nesterov seems likely to take that spot given his professional history, but who knows. Giordano - Valimaki Hanifin - Andersson Kylington/Nesterov - Tanev Love Valimaki, and I think playing next to Giordano will really help him develop, but that is still throwing him to the wolves expecting him to play on the top line right off the bat. Maybe he ends up getting there at some point this season, but I wouldn't throw him up there to start. Giordano - Andersson Hanifin - Valimaki Kylington/Nesterov - Tanev This is probably the 2nd best option IMO. More balanced bottom pairing, and doesn't throw Valimaki right to the wolves just yet. I would rather start Valimaki on the bottom pairing and let him work his way up. I like the Depth that the Flames have right now. I would still much rather have Brodie over Tanev, but when looking at last season's roster, having Tanev + Valimaki > Brodie + Hamonic. I do think Hamonic was sort of disruptive on the backend defensively, and was too slow to transition. I am expecting Tanev to be better defensively, but still be a bit slow on the transition (hoping to be surprised). Hopefully each defence pairing can work well together. If so, then this will be an upgrade over last season's pairings (at least with Hamonic in the lineup). My lineup of choice right now is: Gaudreau - Monahan - Leivo (or someone fast who can get in on the forecheck and recover pucks, Leivo is a RHS which is just a bonus) Tkachuck - Lindholm - Mangiapane Bennett - Backlund - Dube Lucic - Ryan - Nordstrom/Simon Hopefully some chemistry starts developing with any changed lines. Flames really need to get out of the gate ready.