The only reason Brodie's PP time went down was cause of Gio injury. Wideman and Russell got bumped up and Brodie's minute's declinded. Wideman also had a habbit of playing the entire 2min of powerplays also.
__________________
If you choke a smurf,what color will it turn.
I could see Wotherspoon having a great training camp this year and finding chemistry with his old world junior teammate. I know most people won't like the idea of having Hamilton on the 3rd pair and having the two youngest defensemen on the same pair as well... But I could see it turning into a great story about a young, up-and-coming defense pair... The same way Keith and seabrook were in 2008-2009.
Too many forwards. I'd like to see Raymond out, wouldn't be surprised if Jones is shipped out at some point too. Granlund is buried right now, not sure what his future is, but I still like him quite a bit. Shore is also kind of stuck.
Johnny Gaudreau - Sean Monahan - Jiri Hudler
Joe Colborne - Sam Bennett - Michael Frolik
Lance Bouma - Mikael Backlund - David Jones
Micheal Ferland - Matt Stajan - Drew Shore
Mark Giordano - Dougie Hamilton
T.J. Brodie - Dennis Wideman
Kris Russell - Deryk Engelland
Giordano- Hamilton
Brodie- Wideman
Russell- Engelland
Schlemko/ Smid/ Wotherspoon
Ramo
Ortio
So out of the heavy players Colborne, Bouma, Jones and Ferland there is only one in the top 6. Bennett will be instigating and need someone to cover his back...
It will be interesting to see if the other teams are going to be content to skate with the Flames as they did last year or focus a bit more on playing them physically.
Not often does a top line have 2 small guys on it and Monahan does not play overly aggressive.
Last year Monahan started the season between Glencross and Jones.
Over the whole season at even strength Monahan's linemates:
I really like the composition of this line-up. Hartley's system has the defence drive a lot of offence and jump into the rush (of which there's a lot of ability to produce points among this group), but we also have a very strong group of two-way forwards to play strong team defence. The additions of Hamilton and Frolik really reinforce this system with some top-end talent.
So out of the heavy players Colborne, Bouma, Jones and Ferland there is only one in the top 6. Bennett will be instigating and need someone to cover his back...
It will be interesting to see if the other teams are going to be content to skate with the Flames as they did last year or focus a bit more on playing them physically.
Not often does a top line have 2 small guys on it and Monahan does not play overly aggressive.
Last year Monahan started the season between Glencross and Jones.
Over the whole season at even strength Monahan's linemates:
Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
No explanation necessary.
Colborne - Backlund - Frolik
Bouma-Backs-Jones was one of our most stable and consistent lines last year but I don't think Bouma will have the same offense as he did last year, not 2nd line offense anyway and this pushes Bennett to the 3rd line where he can be sheltered.
Ferland - Bennett - Jones
As mentioned, shelters Bennett while surrounding him with good size and decent skill (Ferland > Jones)
Byron - Stajan - Jooris
Lots of speed on the 4th line with a solid veteran who can win faceoffs. Relentless attack from the wingers.
Giordano - Brodie
No explanation necessary.
Russell - Hamilton
Hard choice between Russell and Wideman but Russell is more defensively sound allowing Hamilton to jump into the offense.
Wideman - Engelland
If Engelland can carry last years play into this season this could be a solid pairing. I'd give Wideman a lot of O-zone starts and some PP time as well.
Ramo
Although slightly less consistent than Hiller he doesn't have the propensity that Hiller had of letting soft goals in at bad times. Better quickness and reflexes, younger too
Ortio
Can imagine he pass through waivers and he has earned the opportunity to be a full time NHLer, assuming he doesn't have a horrible camp.
Preferably one of the younger guys Wotherspoon/Poirier/Granlund/Shore can step up and make a veteran dispensable but barring any major moves, pretty solid lineup.
__________________
"Illusions Michael, tricks are something a wh*re does for money ....... or cocaine"
