Quote:
Originally Posted by TheScorpion
Three things I would do to change the Flames right now:
- Reunite Tkachuk with Backlund. It's a combo that works and is effective at both ends.
- Put Monahan on the wing. I'm not sold on him being an NHL option down the middle right now. With Lindholm looking effective at centre, Monahan might be redundant.
- Reunite Ryan with Mangiapane for a secondary match-up combo.
Hear me out...
Tkachuk - Backlund - Monahan
Gaudreau - Lindholm - Dube
Lucic - Ryan - Mangiapane
Leivo - Bennett - Ritchie
Rotate Phillips in there, too.
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I like the idea of reuniting Backlund-Tkachuk and I’ve been a proponent of this for a while, they’ve been two peas in a pod and the chemistry their chemistry is unmatched. Still not sure why they haven’t gone back to this duo. As good as Lindholm is, he’s not as good as Backlund on the cycle and that’s what Tkachuk needs, someone he can cycle for entire shifts with.
Lindholm and Dube seem more like counter strikers, turnover-score, off the rush-score. Gaudreau-Monahan-Lindholm in 2018/2019 scored most of their even strength goals off the rush, a lot on the forecheck and very few on the cycle. The coaching staff really should look into matching the players by strengths.
I would personally try:
Dube-Lindholm-Leivo
Mangiapane-Backlund-Tkachuk
Gaudreau-Monahan-Ritchie
Lucic-Ryan-Bennett