Quote:
Originally Posted by TheScorpion
I wrote an article on this exact topic that was published earlier today but I'd just like to reiterate the main points here.
The fourth line is horrible. Lucic, Ryan, and Nordstrom are a terrible combination and the three of them are all playing really poor hockey.
The main bad element on that line thus far has been Nordstrom, who has absolutely torpedoed the on-ice chance results of both his linemates thus far.
There's not a lot that can be done about Lucic and Ryan can still be expected to rebound with his excellent track record, but Nordstrom has been a total liability as a Flame thus far and has never been a play-driver in his career.
The Flames need to call up Matthew Phillips and give him a shot in the NHL. They have a fourth line that they know is terrible... they need to inject a guy onto that line with energy, speed, and skill. Matthew Phillips has all three of those things.
Phillips could re-shape the bottom six in a similar way to what Mangiapane did on the Ryan line two seasons ago. They need to make a change and they need to make it quickly — the fourth line is sinking this team. |
Maybe they need to change up the 4th line personnel, but that isn’t a role that would set up Phillips to succeed. The 4th line needs mistake free simple plays to wear out the opposition. Yeah Philips needs to follow Mangiapane’s development path as a Flame not Martin St. Louis. But the problem is Mangiapane is already on the team. If he gets injured, that might be a place for Phillips.
Lucic needs confidence & hopefully tonight helps, because without it the puck is a GD Grenade to him half the time, and his ability to play mistake free hockey is impossible without it.