Misfit Fourth Line

[Makarov]

The fourth line remains a (the only?) glaring weakness on this team. It is comprised of cast-offs. It doesn't seem to have any identity. And, most concerning, it seems to get caved in by opposing teams every night.

Is there anything the Flames can do to fix it?

I don't have any great ideas. I would like to see Ruzicka centre it (Monahan to the press box I guess?).

[Heavy Jack]

Lucic - Dube - Lewis

That’s the ideal 4th line this year to me, if we end up not trading Monahan at the deadline he is most definitely not pressbox material IMO and is perfectly fine playing on the 3rd or 4th line.

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by Makarov

The fourth line remains a (the only?) glaring weakness on this team. It is comprised of cast-offs. It doesn't seem to have any identity. And, most concerning, it seems to get caved in by opposing teams every night.

Is there anything the Flames can do to fix it?

I don't have any great ideas. I would like to see Ruzicka centre it (Monahan to the press box I guess?).

Definitely gone island of the misfit toys and one of the reasons I hate when people have such a low opinion of the bottom two lines contributions in winning. Seems like the problem we had the last couple of years in the bottom pair of defence.
Revolving cast if guys with no identity or discernible contribution than filling space. Now don’t want to sound condescending to those guys but they really aren’t bringing anything to the table.

Would it make sense to find a reasonably speedy bottom six Center, put Monny on the wing, and change the complexion of the line?

[Scroopy Noopers]

Glaring weakness???

Is a firmly established 4th line a common thing?

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Makarov

The fourth line remains a (the only?) glaring weakness on this team. It is comprised of cast-offs. It doesn't seem to have any identity. And, most concerning, it seems to get caved in by opposing teams every night.

Is there anything the Flames can do to fix it?

I don't have any great ideas. I would like to see Ruzicka centre it (Monahan to the press box I guess?).

How is that?

4th lines generally dont supply much offense but if they can go out and play a regular shift (12-14 mins a night) and do not hurt the club by being a liability, then they are doing the job. Add to that the ability of Lucic and Dube to move around the roster, Lewis to the PK, and things look pretty good.

This clubs 4th line has done just that for the vast majority of the year.

Monny is what he is.

Some guys are there to paint a Picasso, others to paint a barn.

Need all types.

[TheSquatch]

It's glaring because in whatever incarnation, the fourth line has to use at least one of the slower players (Lucic, Monahan,) who can score, and the other players in that 4th line pool are a little faster but don't have much finish (Lewis, Ritchie, etc) but it's been effective, particularly with Lewis and Ritchie just causing havoc on the offensive zone, they have been fine, and done the role that they can do, which is not a possess-to-score role, it's a possess-to-tire-them role.

[kyuss275]

Lucic hasn’t been looking very good for a while now . They should rest him a bit for playoffs . Think Lewis is perfect on 4th line . Still not all that thrilled with Monahan. Guess he is the best option for 4th line center . When Richardson comes in for the odd game he seems to bring far more energy than Mony . Granted that could be because he is above well rested .

[Enoch Root]

Lucic has been struggling for a while now. He seems to be having a lot of difficulty getting the puck out of our zone, just fumbling and coughing it up on the half wall on a regular basis.

I really believe that Pelletier would be a big improvement there. He is a very smart player for a 20 year old, and plays a lot grittier than his size would suggest. He would also bring some much needed speed to that line.

Pelletier - Monahan - Lewis looks like a damn good 4th line IMO.

[Bingo]

In a cap world you don't get to have dominant lines and pairings throughout your roster, the fourth line will always be a fourth line.

It is the weakness for sure, but then it is on most teams or they wouldn't be playing fourth line.

Having said all that ... yeah Lucic is struggling and Lewis is too ... those two turnovers in the third after solid breakouts were tough to watch.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Lucic has been struggling for a while now. He seems to be having a lot of difficulty getting the puck out of our zone, just fumbling and coughing it up on the half wall on a regular basis.

I really believe that Pelletier would be a big improvement there. He is a very smart player for a 20 year old, and plays a lot grittier than his size would suggest. He would also bring some much needed speed to that line.

Pelletier - Monahan - Lewis looks like a damn good 4th line IMO.

Not sure what’s going on with Lucic in his own zone, with the puck. That used to be a strength.

Monahan has terrible possession numbers with Lewis. That said, unless they take a good player off another line, they’re stuck.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Lucic has been struggling for a while now. He seems to be having a lot of difficulty getting the puck out of our zone, just fumbling and coughing it up on the half wall on a regular basis.

I really believe that Pelletier would be a big improvement there. He is a very smart player for a 20 year old, and plays a lot grittier than his size would suggest. He would also bring some much needed speed to that line.

Pelletier - Monahan - Lewis looks like a damn good 4th line IMO.

Lucic also leads the team in hits despite being second behind Dube in time on ice. I don't see the Flames pulling Lucic for Pelletier, who is undersized. Could be matchup specific maybe if the Flames are up against a non physical and fast team. The Flames will likely want to keep Lucic going for a potential Colorado matchup.

[Stormchaser]

I say rotate Lucic in and out of the lineup with Richardson. At this stage I wonder if a game off once in a while would help him and keep his energy up. Last night he just seemed to be towing a piano around all night.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by blankall

Lucic also leads the team in hits despite being second behind Dube in time on ice. I don't see the Flames pulling Lucic for Pelletier, who is undersized. Could be matchup specific maybe if the Flames are up against a non physical and fast team. The Flames will likely want to keep Lucic going for a potential Colorado matchup.

I don't think they will either.

And I am Sutter's biggest fan, but this is one thing on which I disagree with him.

[flambers]

I thought the Flames 4th line had a tough night against the Canucks

Still think, if Monahan is the 4th line center, he needs to be traded,