Quote:
Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald
Biggest take away is this team needs another RW with some skill to play on the top line. If you have to give Matthew Phillips a shot because of the cap, make it happen. It is painful to watch the top line continue to struggle at generating any offense 5-on-5.
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Yup.
Look as the Oilers as an example. Was Yamamoto “ready” three years ago when they have him a shot, nope he was being outperformed by Phillips in the AHL back then.
But it helped the slotting with their lines and he found chemistry with Draisaitl so it worked. He’s not a star now but he’s a serviceable top 9 winger that provides some offence.
Flames need to do the same thing with one of Phillips or Pelletier right now, give them a look and see what you’ve got. It’s why training camp was so frustrating to not even give them a look with top 9 forwards.
Flames seem to expect these guys to come in and instantly be difference makers, or standout in preseason without actually giving them NHL linemates or NHL minutes to adapt to NHL pace and play.