Practice October 7 - Bennett promoted to second line

[MissTeeks]

Czarnik is out for a maintenance day.

[Tyler]

You did this to yourself Frolik

[bubbsy]

Great to hear.

We really need more from lines 2-4. They contributed very little offensively in the 2 games thus far.

[Gaudreau is a Ninja]

How long before we hear from Frolik’s annoying agent

[mrdonkey]

The more I look at those lines, the more I’m coming to realize that this maybe isn’t a super deep team. I think last year’s 2nd overall finish was a mirage that tricked us into thinking this group is better than they really are.

[SportsJunky]

I think that had Tre been able to move Brodie/Frolik for a top 6 guy things wouldn't look so bad. Valimaki injury messed things up.

[3thirty]

I like it. Mangiapane had a chance last game and didn’t do much on the second line when Frolik was demoted to the 4th. Bennett’s turn to play with some skilled line mates.

[MissTeeks]

Second power play changed up too

[dustygoon]

Finally. Hope it sticks for a few games if he doesn’t click right away.

[868904]

Originally Posted by mrdonkey

The more I look at those lines, the more I’m coming to realize that this maybe isn’t a super deep team. I think last year’s 2nd overall finish was a mirage that tricked us into thinking this group is better than they really are.

I think Flames definitely need another top 6 player. Preferably an upgrade on Backlund.

This is no sleight on Backlund but if you have Backlund as your third line centre, you have Stanley Cup contender depth.

I imagine the Flames are going to keep an eye out for an upgrade. At this point they will see if guys like Bennett, Jankowski, Mangiapane will take that next step into becoming top 6 guys. If they do, they might alleviate the need for an upgrade or they may be used to acquire the upgrade.

There isn't really a top centre available in the trade market right now, but that could change by the trade deadline. I bet the Flames are thinking that if someone become available and is an upgrade or even on par with Backlund, the Flames will try and acquire him.

[getbak]

Good. Good. Seize the opportunity, Sam.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by dustygoon

Finally. Hope it sticks for a few games if he doesn’t click right away.

I agree with that (it's why I sometimes dislike the comments in GTs about changing things when a couple shifts don't go well, or do go well, for a particular player).

[btimbit]

I'm glad. Frolik was a weak link the last 2 games, not to knock him but his game is more of a bottom 6 pk specialist now

[Erick Estrada]

Let's hope Bennett can find some chemistry on the 2nd line as it's getting close to time to move on from Frolik in the top 6.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I agree with that (it's why I sometimes dislike the comments in GTs about changing things when a couple shifts don't go well, or do go well, for a particular player).

It's been what I've always harped about when it comes to Bennett. Dude would get like a period with a new line, and then bang - Frolik is back up there, or Ferland is back up the 1st line, or hey - Chris Stewart has arrived, better knock Bennett off the top line where he just had a few points in a few games because Chris 'friggin Stewart just came in hot off waivers!

...Glen Gulutzan is no good.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by mrdonkey

The more I look at those lines, the more I’m coming to realize that this maybe isn’t a super deep team. I think last year’s 2nd overall finish was a mirage that tricked us into thinking this group is better than they really are.

They were top 3-7 in almost every single play measurement, and finished with 107 points despite pedestrian special teams and goaltending.

It wasn't a mirage.

Other teams could have improved more, some players may take a step back, who knows ... but nothing about last year was a fluke or a mirage.

[Toonage]

I also like the subtle toe dipping of Bennett back at C

Tried him there in the pre-season, have him there again now on the PP

An audition within an audition to go with his 2L promotion.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by Gaudreau is a Ninja

How long before we hear from Frolik’s annoying agent

Whether or not that point needed to be made in public, I do think there was a point to be made.

Frolik ended the season with 16G and 18A despite his injury. Roughly 20+22 pace, which to me seems perfectly respectable considering he missed a good chunk of the season to an injury and the way he kept being bounced from his spot on the second line for players who did even less with those opportunities.

He played only a total of 4 minutes of PP all season. That's less PP time than guys like Stone, Fantenberg and Hathaway. Even Ryan Lomberg got more PP time relative to games played. James Neal got fed 135 minutes of PP time and famously did nothing with them. (Frolik didn't even get much PK time last season, so that's not an excuse.)

You can question whether his offensive chops are good enough for 2nd line duty, but I can see why Frolik felt like he wasn't treated fairly.

[Geeoff]

I think I'd play Bennett on the left and Chucky on the right though

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Toonage

I also like the subtle toe dipping of Bennett back at C

Tried him there in the pre-season, have him there again now on the PP

An audition within an audition to go with his 2L promotion.

Bennett succeeding as a C, even as a 3C, has much more potential impact for the team than playing him off wing on one of the top two lines IMO.