Stajan on the Wing

[DJones]

It looked like Hartley was playing Stajan with Backlund a lot last night. It seemed to work out well. I've always felt bad that he has had to carry Bollig around all year. How would people feel about putting him on a wing?

Could add some experience to Bennett's line or -
A Stajan - Backlund - Frolik line would be a nightmare to play against.

Get him some points next year so we can hopefully ship him off at the deadline.

Thoughts?

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by DJones

It looked like Hartley was playing Stajan with Backlund a lot last night. It seemed to work out well. I've always felt bad that he has had to carry Bollig around all year. How would people feel about putting him on a wing?

Could add some experience to Bennett's line or -
A Stajan - Backlund - Frolik line would be a nightmare to play against.

Get him some points next year so we can hopefully ship him off at the deadline.

Thoughts?

Going to wing instead of centre could, if nothing else, extend his career - the defensive footspeed isn't as big an issue, for example.

It also frees up the 4th line centre spot for Grant/Arnold/Shore/Jankowski.

[CroFlames]

Stajan has been able to morph his roles in the past and has been adaptable.

Since there is likely no chance he gets traded this off-season, I don't see a reason why you can't play him with Backlund if the 4th line has decent options from the farm.

[agulati]

He is a versatile veteran on the team. He is a decent bottom 6 player who brings good work ethic to the team. I wouldn't mind seeing him on the wing, or as a 4th line center

[Benched]

i like him on the wing so we can get our farm guys some time on the 4th.

if he plays like that with Backlund all the time....it will be a huge boon.

[Hatter]

It's hard to say because of how awful the Canucks are, but he certainly seemed rejuvenated playing on the wing with Backlund.

The move played right into his strengths, and masked his weaknesses. We all know Stajan is a great passer and a fairly cerebral player. If there is less skating per shift on the wing it's probably a beneficial change for a guy who has lost a couple steps.

[MarkGio]

Stajan's also not a strong faceoff guy and he doesn't do well in the dirty areas. He can't do much worse than Raymond did, but ideally Stajan wouldn't be taking a roster spot from somebody more deserving.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

Stajan's also not a strong faceoff guy and he doesn't do well in the dirty areas. He can't do much worse than Raymond did, but ideally Stajan wouldn't be taking a roster spot from somebody more deserving.

He's second highest on the team (of the regular centres) after Monahan and slightly ahead of Backlund.

[Flames_F.T.W]

I know it was a meaningless game, but he stood out A LOT to me last night playing wing. Could be a smart transition for him in his twilight years

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Based on Grant's play early this season coupled with his outrageous AHL year and Stajan's struggles I thought Grant had a decent chance of earning that 4th line centre role on merit. If Grant hadn't broken his jaw in practice I really think he might've cemented himself a spot already.

They tried Grant at wing this recent call up but it looked forced and Grant looked lost. If Stajan can play on Backlunds wing it solves a couple problems at once, freeing up the 4th line centre role for the bigger, stronger Grant who has some faceoff prowess.

Imagine our 3rd/4th lines as the following
Stajan-Backlund-Colborne
Bouma-Grant-Hathaway

That 4th line would be an absolute pain to play against. And that 3rd line could be one of the best two way checking lines in the league. Me likey.

[Karl]

With Stajan at wing the possibilities could get interesting for next year.

How about these 4 lines??

Shinkaruk?-Monahan-Gaudreau
Frolik-Bennett-Ferland
Stajan-Backlund-Colborne
Bouma-Grant-Hathaway

Hmmm.....

[locsofblu]

Hard to say as we played a horrible AHL team last night. Im sure he could adapt though.

[DJones]

Originally Posted by Karl

With Stajan at wing the possibilities could get interesting for next year.

How about these 4 lines??

Shinkaruk?-Monahan-Gaudreau
Frolik-Bennett-Ferland
Stajan-Backlund-Colborne
Bouma-Grant-Hathaway

Compared with;

Johnny Gaudreau - Sean Monahan - Jiri Hudler
Lance Bouma - Mikael Backlund - Michael Frolik
Micheal Ferland - Sam Bennett - Josh Jooris
Brandon Bollig - Matt Stajan - David Jones

At the start of the year.

I think that's a playoff team. Use the cap space on a #4 defense rather than a RW and let our prospects fill the whole eventually.

[Itse]

Sure why not Stajan on the wing. But Backlund has made a lot of guys look better this season, so as others have said, wouldn't read too much into that one game. But certainly it's an option to keep in mind.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Karl

With Stajan at wing the possibilities could get interesting for next year.

How about these 4 lines??

Shinkaruk?-Monahan-Gaudreau
Frolik-Bennett-Ferland
Stajan-Backlund-Colborne
Bouma-Grant-Hathaway

Hmmm.....

Is there any particular reason why you have several players on the off-wing?

[Karl]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

Is there any particular reason why you have several players on the off-wing?

No.

[Vinny01]

These would be my ideal lines

Gaudreau-Monahan-Matthews
Shinkaruk-Bennett-Porier
Colborne-Backlund-Frolik
Ferland-Grant-Hathaway

Gotta find new homes for Stajan, Bollig, Bouma

[DJones]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

These would be my ideal lines

Gaudreau-Monahan-Matthews
Shinkaruk-Bennett-Porier
Colborne-Backlund-Frolik
Ferland-Grant-Hathaway

Gotta find new homes for Stajan, Bollig, Bouma

Gaudreau would be the oldest guy in the top 6.

Somehow I doubt that would work haha.

[JJ1532]

No thanks. It was one meaningless game against a garbage team that was on the golf course. I think if Stajan to the wing was an actual thing, it would have been done far sooner than game 81 of a dead season. Its a one off and I personally have no wish for it to be repeated.

[Vulcan]

I think moving Stajan to the wing is worth taking a look at. He has some skill and it's mostly wasted on the 4th line playing with plugs.