Quote:
Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina
The other thing with the Panthers is they have such a deep forward group, and can roll 3 high end scoring lines that it creates match-up issues for the other team. Everyone is slotted in a position that allows them to excel. Teams have to choose which match-ups they want, which leads to advantageous match-ups for other players and lines.
They have 8 players with more than 25 points.
The Flames, just a comparisons have 3.
The Lightning have had a similar make-up the past few seasons, with 3 lines that can take it to you - which creates all sorts of issues for the other team. Having lost their 3rd line though in the off-season this year they have 5 players with 25 or more points.
None of that is to discredit Sam at all. Just pointing out that there are several dimensions to why he's been put into a position to succeed
- Coach's trust
- Playing with good players
- Offensive zone starts
- PP time
- Better slotting overall
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This is amazing really. Mangiapane started with 15 goals in 19 games.
I hope the gap isn't as wide as the bolded would suggest. Monahan, Backlund and Coleman are decent forwards but the secondary scoring just isn't there like those teams. Flames don't have that much cap tied up in the top line, they are built to be a deeper team.
Actually in looking at this some more, the Panthers are a bit of a unicorn with 8 players with over 25 points. The Avalanche for example have four forwards over 25 points but they get a ton of production from the back end.