Quote:
Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper
For me, I’m in the opposite camp. The rebuild to me is a last resort. For the first time in a long time, I think this team is truly headed in the right direction. I hope Gaudreau and Tkachuk stay because together with Lindholm, they’ve created arguably, the best 2 way line in the entire league.
This line alone has beaten a lot of average teams this season. But at the same time, they’ve also propped up the team and hidden the underlying flaws of the team that have recently been exposed against the the elite teams of the league.
Personally though, I think the Flames are a few pieces away from being a contender, not Tampa good, but Vegas/Colorado good. Tampa is just at a different level than everyone else. But we’ve got the right top line. It’s just a matter of insulating that first line with a consistent, dependable second line and a quality third line. I think some of the pieces (i.e. Mangiapane, Coleman and etc.) can be a part of the solution, but that’ll be Treliving and co’s ultimate job going forward, what can they add/remove to find the right mix and create depth throughout the lineup.
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On one hand you're right - the Flames are only a few pieces away from being a contender. The trouble is, if you identify those pieces, it turns out they aren't pieces the team can find or afford. I'd argue they are short of a top line center, a top D man, and probably a winger.
Lindholm is doing great, and if you think he's a legit 1c, I'll give it to you - I don't think he is a dominant, elite 1c, but let's say that's unavailable, there's no Sydney Crosby trade happening, and Lindholm is the guy, then what the Flames need badly is a much, much better 2C. This was, I had hoped, Monahan's slot. But he's fallen off the face of the earth. Where I thought it was real bad that the team's hoped-for future 1C in Bennett didn't pan out, I think we all felt that Monahan could kinda grind along. But that's not happening, and it's Lindholm (leaving one scoring right winger on the team apparently). Backlund has the smarts and might still have the tenacity, but he doesn't have any scoring touch really, he's not much of a threat out there, more a possession guy. Great 3rd line forward at this point. Adequate second line forward, but only adequate. So I still think there's a big hole at center for the team to look threatening.
The D core had a lovely surprise in Kylington, but he's still cutting his teeth and will be for another year or two in the NHL. He's got the talent, but not the experience. Rasmus I thought had a higher ceiling than what we are seeing - he's all right, but he's not a dominant defender. Tanev is good, but uni dimensional. Flames don't have an overly talented D group right now. Another skater, a shooter, a powerplay guy would be great.
The wing talent on the team simply isn't good enough. Other than the top line, Mangiapane has some finish, and then, ... who, Lucic? That's the next in terms of points? Need a Hertl, or need Dube to find some touch. Dube's a wildcard for me, he could turn in the right direction, but right now he's Lombardi 2.0 for me, fast and... pretty fast.
So the Flames, as is, are a pretty good team when they work hard and don't take penalties and mabye get a bounce. But the idea that they just need a quick tweak to be a real contender... I just don't see it.