Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - Are the Flames BETTER than they were in 2021-22?

Lanny_McDonald · 08-21-2022, 10:55 AM

I see the lineup should shake out based on talent and success.

Huberdeau-Lindholm-???
Mangiapane-Kadri-Toffoli
???-Backlund-Coleman
Lucic-Rooney-Lewis

The question marks are the issues IMO, especially on the top line. The players I suspect are possibly going to be earning a chance to play in those gaps are Dube and Pelletier. One of them will have to play their off wing and really step up to play on the big line. I don't think it's undoable as we've seen Huberdeau turn some really middling talents into capable scorers. Could Dube change wings are turn into Duclair? That's the question IMO. Who is going to end up playing on that top line to close that gap and who will ride shotgun with Backlund and Coleman? That will determine the efficacy of the team as a whole. If they can fill that gap internally, they're going to be a force. If they can't find a body that clicks and the first line struggles, we're going to be caught in the same cycle we've been stuck in for years - looking for that one body that will make the difference. I don't think the team can afford to go into the season with the question mark on that top line.

BTW, not excited with that 4th line. Have a feeling their going to get owned when they're on the ice.

08-21-2022, 10:55 AM	#221
Lanny_McDonald Franchise Player Join Date: Mar 2013 Exp:	I see the lineup should shake out based on talent and success. Huberdeau-Lindholm-??? Mangiapane-Kadri-Toffoli ???-Backlund-Coleman Lucic-Rooney-Lewis The question marks are the issues IMO, especially on the top line. The players I suspect are possibly going to be earning a chance to play in those gaps are Dube and Pelletier. One of them will have to play their off wing and really step up to play on the big line. I don't think it's undoable as we've seen Huberdeau turn some really middling talents into capable scorers. Could Dube change wings are turn into Duclair? That's the question IMO. Who is going to end up playing on that top line to close that gap and who will ride shotgun with Backlund and Coleman? That will determine the efficacy of the team as a whole. If they can fill that gap internally, they're going to be a force. If they can't find a body that clicks and the first line struggles, we're going to be caught in the same cycle we've been stuck in for years - looking for that one body that will make the difference. I don't think the team can afford to go into the season with the question mark on that top line. BTW, not excited with that 4th line. Have a feeling their going to get owned when they're on the ice.