I don’t think the Flames need to change up their centers at all. I’d like to see some different line combinations and maybe more minutes for Backlund so we don’t burn out Lindholm with the current schedule. But overall, the system Ward deploys already lends itself to more defensive responsibilities for their wingers. It’s not unusual to see the wingers rotate to the center ice position.
What the Flames really could use is that game breaking center like a Matthews or a McDavid or a Draisaitl who can tie a game or break it wide open in one shift. I find this team has to work so hard for their goals that it constantly takes them out of their team strategy at times and opens them up to mistakes and easy counters.
Thank goodness for Markstrom who can bail this team out when that happens now. I guess that’s one way of making it up. If you can’t find a dominant centerman, might as well find a dominant goaltender.
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