Will the Flames be Structured Differently than the General Line Structure?

[ForeverFlameFan]

We always here about the general "Top 6, Bottom 6" for the forwards and the "Top 4, 5/6" for defenseman.

Do you think the Flames will make more of a top 9, bottom 3 for forwards and a top 2, bottom 4 for defenseman?

In a few years, we have so many prospects who have proven themselves, so I will make a few lines (in no particular order as the top line):

Top 9

Baertschi- Backlund - Hudler

Gaudreau - Monahan - Colborne

Granlund/Klimchuk - S. Reinhart/Bennett/Draisaitl/Stajan - M. Reinhart

Bottom 3

Bouma/Ferland - Arnold/Knight - McGrattan

Top 2

Giordano - Brodie

Bottom 4

Not sure on pairings for the 'bottom 4' so just going to list some ('?'s are unsure on their status the future):

Russell
? Wideman
Smid
Breen
? Butler
Kanzig
Wotherspoon
? Cundari
Kulak
Culkin
Dougherty/Glover/Sanheim (hopefully with our 2014 2nd pick)


Aside from the lines I came up with, my question is do you think we'll be able to have more of a top 9 rather than a top 6 with the talent that we can have in a few years? Do we have the ability to roll out a 3rd line with similar minutes to the 1st and 2nd line, and have a bottom 3 with McGrattan leading the way?

In regards to defense, do you think that Brodie and Giordano will be a lock as the top 2 for a number of years, and then the 3/4 and 5/6 defenseman are fill ins with players that have either moved up in the Flames' system or will we sign a few UFA's with our "bottom 4" core?

EDIT: I guess we have to think about the 2015 draft as well, that will be a stronger draft with better NHL ready players than this one. Future is bright for the Flames.

[kyuss275]

To early to tell. More than half the prospects will bust. Also one or 2 of our prospects that become nhl players will be traded to fill in other organizational needs.

Looking at your top 9 I could see hudler, granlund, Sven or Backlund traded in the next 2 years.

[FeyWest]

I would definitely like to see a more balanced line structure rather than a top heavy one. It goes to show that when you have line depth you are more likely to succeed. Whether it be a 6/6:4/2 structure or a 9/3:4/2 as long as we have the depth and complementary playing system we should be good for years, too much line juggling and fluctuating structures/systems is where you end up with inconsistent results. Pick and Stick.

[Hackey]

Burke said awhile ago that the NHL has changed from two scoring lines like he had in Anaheim to now three scoring lines. To compete in the NHL these days you need 4 contributing lines and at least 3 that are able to help offensively. All the top teams have a pretty dependable top 9. In my opinion balance is key.