Quote:
Originally Posted by Enoch Root
Huberdeau is the only clear top line guy
Mangiapane is a top 6 winger. As is Toffoli
Coleman is a middle 6 guy. As is Dube, unless he can elevate his game.
Pelletier is probably a 3rd line guy, but he needs to prove that.
So yeah, they need another top 6 winger.
But as I said... OR a #2 C.
Right now, Backlund is the 2C and we're not sure what Monahan is. If we add a 2C, pushing Backlund down to the 3rd line, that strengthens our middle 6 in much the same way.
The Flames need a top 6 RW, or they need a #2C. Either way, it significantly improves the forward depth and allows guys like Backlund and Coleman and Dube to be in roles that they can excel in, as opposed to having to punch above their weight class.
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I think people over estimate what a top line winger is. Huberdeau is our only elite winger - but Coleman, Toffoli, and Mangiapane all fit certain criteria of "top line winger" by different metrics.
There are technically 96 top line forwards in the NHL and 192 top 6 forwards - here's where Flames potential top 6 forwards rank by goals and points at 5v5 over the last three seasons:
Goals:
Lindholm: 53 - T-8TH
Mangiapane: 53 - T-8th
Huberdeau: 45 - T-27th
Coleman: 40 - T-51st
Toffoli: 37 - T-74th
Dube: 27 - T-157th
Backlund: 25 - T-183rd
Monahan: 19 - T-245th
Honestly finishing should not be an issue - we have 5 forwards in the top 90 of 5v5 goals over the last three seasons.
Points
Huberdeau: 121 - 11th
Lindholm: 101 - T-31st
Mangiapane: 92 - T-53rd
Backlund: 81 - T-92nd
Coleman: 77 - T-104th
Toffoli: 74 - T-119th
Dube: 56 - T-198th
Monahan: 51 - T-217th
It does show that ideally an upgrade on Backlund is where you'd focus. The team isn't really lacking finishers - it's lacking playmakers.
Tkachuk and Gaudreau were both great playmakers, and now we are down to just Huberdeau as a great distributor.
I wasn't on board with Kadri before the Tkachuk and Gaudreau moves...but now a top 6 center that can score and distribute the puck would really make all of our lines slot better.
Kadri really fits that bill if you look at his last three seasons:
Goals: 39 - T-56th
Assists: 55 - T-44th
Points: 94 - T-42nd
Having Lindholm, Kadri, and Backlund anchoring the middle of the ice, and shifting Monahan to wing probably really is the solution this team needs.