Quote:
Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina
I think most fans here are realistic about the probability that this club, in its current form, is going to win a cup.
But sports is about enjoyment, so even if that's how one feels, it doesn't make sense to me to root against your team or not enjoy wins.
What people were objecting to is the notion, that the poster put forth, that he would prefer the team lose.
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I'm down on the coach and would prefer a coach who is a leader because I think this team needs it, but I think the make up of this team could be a cup contender.
Flames don't have an elite number 1 centre, but we do have two Selke level centremen, a scoring centreman, and a playoff beast, all down the middle. How many championship teams can claim to have two Selke type centremen like the Flames have?
Flames have some game breaking wingers in Gaudreau, Dube and Mangiapane.
Flames have a few power forwards in Tkachuk, Lucic, Bennett that are useful come playoff time.
Flames have a very mobile defense core that is relatively gritty. When you throw Mackey in there, it gives it some more size without sacrificing the mobility.
Flames have one of the top goalies in the game.
Another poster threw out the bones of how the forward lines should be set up:
Tkachuk-Lindy
Gaudreau-Mony
Mangiapane-Backlund
Lucic-Bennett-Dube
Those are 4 very good lines and if they are all rolling at the right time, ie playoff time, you have a very dangerous team.
Flames need to round out the RW positions. I think they need one more power forward in the lineup as the team is still a bit small. I know of certain posters who will hate this idea, but I'd try Brett Ritchie on Managiapane-Backlund's RW; he's a similar type of player to Lucic and you hope he can give that line the same thing.
I think Derek Ryan would make a very good RW for Gaudreau and Monahan. He's right shot, he can alternate faceoffs with Mony, he's fast and quick enough to keep up with Gaudreau, he's good defensively and in limited time with Johnny, he's also shown some chemistry.
I don't really like any of the remaining players for the RW spot on Tkachuk and Lindholm's line. Leivo isn't quick enough, nor skilled enough. Simon and Norstrom aren't skilled enough. Matthew Phillips might work, but he makes the team real small and you really need Ritchie in the line up.
One guy who I think might make sense to acquire for the Tkachuk-Lindholm line is Virtanen. Big, strong, fast with a good shot. Not the quickest brain, but he'd be playing with two of the better defensive guys. The RW on this line needs to be able to get in quick on the forecheck and bump the puck to Tkahcuk and Lindholm, this suits his size and speed. Then he just needs to get into scoring position and wait for Tkachuk and Lindy to get him the puck. Virtanen has a great shot. Intensity and being engaged is also one of Virtanen's problem, no better linemate than Tkachuk to have him constantly engaged in physical play. I don't know if the acquisition cost is too high.