The backbone that is Backlund, Frolik, and Tkachuk

[dash_pinched]

Some love from Travis Yost of TSN...

In fact, the case can be made that one of the better lines in hockey currently plays up in Alberta, and it contains roughly zero of the names that you would expect.

That line is Matthew Tkachuk, Michael Frolik, and Mikael Backlund, each of whom has 15 points this season.

The line has beaten every five-man unit back, becoming a mainstay for head coach Glen Gulutzan. Their reliability has led to Gulutzan’s utter refusal to break the group up. Season-to-date, they’ve played more minutes than all but five other trios in the league.

Coaches who refuse to waver from a certain line or pairing usually have good reason to do so. In most cases, it has to do entirely with how much the group beats up on their competition. We see that league-wide right now with some of the most utilized forward lines. Below is a snapshot of the eight trios that have already logged 200 minutes with one another (data via Corsica). As you might have guessed, they tend to smoke the opposition.

http://www.tsn.ca/talent/how-the-cal...ashes-1.630457

[GreenLantern]

I love that Tkachuk was able to come into things on his own instead of just being expected to contribute at a high level. This is what it is like to actually develop players properly, what a stark contrast from years past.

[belsarius]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

I love that Tkachuk was able to come into things on his own instead of just being expected to contribute at a high level. This is what it is like to actually develop players properly, what a stark contrast from years past.

Yeah at game 9 I think there was a legitimate conversation about keeping him up. I thought he deserved to stay but I understood why he might need to be sent back. 20 games later and he's all but erased that conversation from memory. Dude is an NHLer and drives the play on that line as much as the other two. Finding that kind of chemistry on a line is a rare thing these days.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Backlund and Frolik are such mirror images of it's each, its great they've found chemistry on that "third" line. Such a good position for young players to ride shotgun on too.

Last season - Bennett - Backlund - Frolik
This season - Tkachuk - Backlund Frolik
Next season - ? ? ? - Backlund - Frolik

Janokwski, Klimchuk, Poirier, Shinkaruk, Mangiapane?

[Bandwagon In Flames]

When you dominate the advanced stats category the way that line has, TSN has no choice but to pay their respects to the 'other' team in Alberta. You better believe they'll keep it as short and sweet as possible though so they can move onto an Oiler or Toronto love piece.

[FlamesFan68]

This line is one I proposed earlier as a Gaudreau, Backlund, Frolik line. However, I'm happy with how it has turned out. This line simply wears the other team down with work ethic, speed, puck control, and some sandpaper in the corners or behind the net.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Originally Posted by FlamesFan68

This line is one I proposed earlier as a Gaudreau, Backlund, Frolik line. However, I'm happy with how it has turned out. This line simply wears the other team down with work ethic, speed, puck control, and some sandpaper in the corners or behind the net.

It would be downright silly to have Gaudreau have most of his starts in the defensive zone...

There is a reason these guys are only .5 PPG and considered one of the most effective lines in hockey. They are responsible for shutting down other teams top lines, and shouldn't be relied on to be our main scoring line as well.

[Two Fivenagame]

Speaking of Tkachuk. Have the flames told Tkachuk to find permanent housing in Calgary yet?

[IgiTang]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Backlund and Frolik are such mirror images of it's each, its great they've found chemistry on that "third" line. Such a good position for young players to ride shotgun on too.

Last season - Bennett - Backlund - Frolik
This season - Tkachuk - Backlund Frolik
Next season - ? ? ? - Backlund - Frolik

Janokwski, Klimchuk, Poirier, Shinkaruk, Mangiapane?

Hunter Smith

[FlamesFan68]

Originally Posted by Bandwagon In Flames

It would be downright silly to have Gaudreau have most of his starts in the defensive zone...

There is a reason these guys are only .5 PPG and considered one of the most effective lines in hockey. They are responsible for shutting down other teams top lines, and shouldn't be relied on to be our main scoring line as well.

At the time I proposed it, the top line wasn't scoring. Monahan was struggling. The RW was a revolving door. Backlund and Frolik came back from a competitive world cup. To say it wasn't worth a try is foolish.

[IgiTang]

Originally Posted by Two Fivenagame

Speaking of Tkachuk. Have the flames told Tkachuk to find permanent housing in Calgary yet?

I hope not. Was the kiss of death for Jooris. I think that's when he started mailing it in.

Matt will always have to live in a teammates basement!

[belsarius]

Originally Posted by Bandwagon In Flames

It would be downright silly to have Gaudreau have most of his starts in the defensive zone...

There is a reason these guys are only .5 PPG and considered one of the most effective lines in hockey. They are responsible for shutting down other teams top lines, and shouldn't be relied on to be our main scoring line as well.

I also think that the physicality that Tkachuk brings to the line can't be understated. Gaudreau would be more offensively dynamic, but he wouldn't be punishing on the forecheck and in the faces of the opponents. The ability to match skill with the pest makes him a hard opponent, even as a rookie. One of the reasons they are so effective is the relentless pursuit of Frolik and Backlund and the danger of getting punished by Tkachuk, it makes the other team prone to mistakes and turnovers. I just don't know that Johnny adds to the dynamic better than Tkachuk does.

[Two Fivenagame]

Originally Posted by IgiTang

I hope not. Was the kiss of death for Jooris. I think that's when he started mailing it in.

Matt will always have to live in a teammates basement!

Maybe. I certainly like the idea of keeping that carrot firmly in the face of Tkachuk to help his development, but at the same time, hasn't he earned it by now?

He's been a major piece to one of the best lines in hockey for a while now.

Lets call a spade a spade.

Matthew Tkachuk is an NHLer.


Find a house kid.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Originally Posted by FlamesFan68

At the time I proposed it, the top line wasn't scoring. Monahan was struggling. The RW was a revolving door. Backlund and Frolik came back from a competitive world cup. To say it wasn't worth a try is foolish.

The solution to a player struggling is not to handicap him further. Gaudreau with Frolik and Backlund basically guarantees that Gaudreau faces top competition for both Home AND away games.

There's no scenario where that is a good idea and is why Gaudreau has played 0 minutes with Backlund and Frolik. Don't pretend like you are smarter than a professional NHL coach and have some insight that he's never thought of.

[FlamesAddiction]

It's also the only line we have made exclusively of former 1st round picks. They better be good!

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by FlamesFan68

At the time I proposed it, the top line wasn't scoring. Monahan was struggling. The RW was a revolving door. Backlund and Frolik came back from a competitive world cup. To say it wasn't worth a try is foolish.

It wasn't worth a try, it's also irrelevant.

Backlund and Frolik have been a pair since last season, so suggesting Gaudreau be on this line is not even remotely closely to suggesting Tkachuk be on this line. Those are two different lines. Why you're thinking you suggested Tkachuk/Backlund/Frolik when you admittedly didn't is weird.

[RoughRiderRowdy]

The lines been fantastic. Froliks hockey IQ is off the charts and his anticipation is great. Backlund has been having his best year in the nhl and tkachuk is easing in. Each players game complimentd eachother

[ASP#26525]

Originally Posted by belsarius

Yeah at game 9 I think there was a legitimate conversation about keeping him up. I thought he deserved to stay but I understood why he might need to be sent back. 20 games later and he's all but erased that conversation from memory. Dude is an NHLer and drives the play on that line as much as the other two. Finding that kind of chemistry on a line is a rare thing these days.

I think this was one of my favourite moments this year:

[getbak]

Originally Posted by IgiTang

I hope not. Was the kiss of death for Jooris. I think that's when he started mailing it in.

Matt will always have to live in a teammates basement!

It's not like they have a choice in the matter. It's required by the CBA after a player has been in the NHL for a minimum amount of time.

Tkachuk has been on the team long enough that he is free to get his own place to live, whether the Flames have told him to do so or not. It doesn't change any of their options for sending him down (although, that's obviously not going to happen given how he's playing).

[Five-hole]

Originally Posted by ASP#26525

I think this was one of my favourite moments this year:

What's the story here? I missed it the first time.