Quote:
Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper
I actually do agree for the most part. In hindsight it’s easy to say that they should’ve tried Bennett as the #1 or #2 pivot, but Gaudreau-Monahan did Backlund-Tkachuk worked very well at the time. So it was hard to move away from that. There really was no winger that fit with Bennett, so they eventually had to shift him to wing with Jankowski.
Problem is, the league finally figured out Gaudreau and Monahan for good. So now, the duo that Treliving relied on for most of the team’s offense is no more and the rest of the forwards lines can’t score enough to make up for the former dynamic duo’s lack of production.
Blame can be shifted in a lot of different ways depending on the perspective. But I’d point my main finger at management for not seeing it first. There were signs dating all the way back to the beginning and it’s like they didn’t see it coming or refused to react before #### completely hit the fan. It’s their job and they’re paid to forecast, not just react and I find it difficult that all the people in that boardroom, all that brainpower couldn’t see it coming. Not enough smart people in that room methinks.
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To add to this.
Both of those top line combinations you mentioned imploded in the playoffs two years in a row, while Bennett exceeded. Surely Bennett earned some top minutes somewhere there?
I've always found it very odd how the Flames seem to give so many chances to their guys, and then shun or pigeonhole other players without any rhyme or reason. In the past I've always chocked it up to management knowing more than I do and getting a better chance to see the talent perform.
However, ppg centre vs fourth line grinder is a massive gap and missing that is something no one who does, what the Flames management does professionally, should ever do.