Quote:
Originally Posted by Rutuu
You're right. I should add some context to my comment.
They are not comparable players. However, they can both play LW on the 3rd line. One is over 30, and the other is 23yrs old. In my opinion the 3rd line checking role is extremely replaceable. We should have no veterans over 30 in the bottom 6 unless we're a top contending team.
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I think part of it is that Coleman is not really a 3rd line LWer. The Flames don't have a lot of separation between their top 3 lines. But amongst forwards Coleman is 5th in total ice time. Last year he was 6th, with the difference being that Lindholm is now gone. The rest of the top 5 is the same. So this is a top 6 forward who plays in all situations, and averages over 17 minutes a night, including the toughest match-ups.
Heineman is 13th in ice time for the Habs, playing 11 minutes, and a more sheltered role. As you would expect.
So yes both CAN play 3rd line LW I guess, but Coleman does way more than that for the Flames.
I also think sometimes we don't put enough value against how many young players get time on the Backlund line, including with Glencross, and how that seems to really help their development. This season we are seeing it with Coronato, but many of of the Flames younger players, spend time on that line, and emerge better players.