Quote:
Originally Posted by blender
He doesn't need to be. There is a decent case to be made that Lindholm is that player, but more importantly the second best player on the Flames needs to be their number 1 Defenceman. If you add a legitimate number 1 D to this team, you have a true contender IMO.
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Ok let me clear that up, I do not believe Chucky and/or Lindholm can be your 2nd best forward/player on a Stanley Cup winning team. This is no slight against them, they are very good players and are very valuable to the team, but if the goal is the cup or building towards a consistent cup caliber team, they are awesome #3, 4, 5 players. Based on what I've seen, they aren't the guys that are the alpha horses that you need to win you a cup, again this doesn't mean they are bad, but a lot of their success in the o zone is dictated and determined by Johnny, who has the skill and IQ to elevate his teammates. In my opinion they don't possess that level of game, to the degree that can get us over the hump in the playoffs, as our 2nd/3rd best forward. Johnny needs a Rantanen, Point, Crysaitl, etc. to help him in crunch time.
To further clarify, Lindholm is awesome, he is super valuable to a good team, he's elite defensively, has an awesome shot, good offensive instincts, but as our #1 centre his offensive production is way to reliant on Johnny. Ideally we have a #1 centre that can dictate pace and create on his own. Lindy is the perfect 2nd line centre.
And before everyone jumps down my throat about regular season offensive numbers, my above opinion isn't based on regular season play, its completely about the playoffs and what we need to have to go up against the best of the best.