Dec 11 Practice Notes. All injured players are "not close" to returning.

[SuperMatt18]

With the injuries to Frolik and Backlund I feel like loading up the top line leaves the rest of the depth on this team lacking.

I'd prefer:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Bennett
Tkachuk - Lindholm - Czarnik
Mangiapane - Jankowski - Neal
Quine - Ryan - Hathaway

Bennett always seems to spark a little when playing with Gaudreau. Tkachuk and Czarnik have shown good chemistry and Lindholm can play anywhere. I've like Mangiapane and Neal together at times.

[PsYcNeT]

Ryan on the second line makes sense if you believe Peters is rewarding players for doing their jobs, and Ryan has done his job so far this season.

[djsFlames]

Gaudreau - Lindholm - Neal
Tkachuk - Monahan - Bennett
Bread - Jankowski - Czarnik
Dube/Quine - Ryan - Hathaway

Lindholm can play center, those two can create and score on their own so Neal probably won't be a deterrent but he may just be a beneficiary there. Monahan is easily the best shutdown center option and can create offence with Tkachuk as tkachuk could feed him from behind/beside the net where he likes to play, and similarly Bennett could benefit from having two productive players on his line rather than just one.

Monahan plays better when he doesn't have Gaudreau there to do all the puck carrying/distribution. Gets him to make more plays on his own.

[Karl]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

Ryan on the second line makes sense if you believe Peters is rewarding players for doing their jobs, and Ryan has done his job so far this season.

Not really.

Him doing an overall great job defensively is not good enough. He's not good enough offensively and doesn't have the offensive upside to be a 2nd line option, even with the current injury problems to other players.

[GranteedEV]

Ryan - Czarnik is bound to fail. Doesn't matter if you put them with Tkachuk or Mario Lemieux in his prime. Just too undersized.

[PsYcNeT]

Originally Posted by Karl

Not really.

Him doing an overall great job defensively is not good enough. He's not good enough offensively and doesn't have the offensive upside to be a 2nd line option, even with the current injury problems to other players.

So the solution is to gift 1st and 2nd line minutes to guys who are playing the puck like it's a grenade, whiffing wide on most shots, and are generally not playing well?

[PsYcNeT]

I guess "Always Earned, Never Given" actually did die with Hartley's firing.

[Karl]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

So the solution is to gift 1st and 2nd line minutes to guys who are playing the puck like it's a grenade, whiffing wide on most shots, and are generally not playing well?

Yes, because some of those guys have the upside to be better offensively than Ryan. Derek Ryan just doesn't have that potential to be very much better offensively than what he is now.

Ryan should get the Stajan role and little more than that.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Yeah the Ryan thing is weird.

There once was a Flame called Stephane Yelle. Great checking center, who was trusted with defensive zone draws, shutdown duties and the PK.

Stephane Yelle was not rewarded with 2nd line minutes or PP time.

[PsYcNeT]

Guess we should trade for Ty Rattie and put him on the top line then, he's got better P/PG than Neal, as well as P/60

[Karl]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

Guess we should trade for Ty Rattie and put him on the top line then, he's got better P/PG than Neal, as well as P/60

Oh you...very funny.

[sempuki]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Ass injuries are hard to predict

Just ask my wife. She's constantly complaining about a pain in the ass.

[DMac]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Pat Steinberg @Fan960Steinberg
#Flames at practice today:

Gaudreau-Monahan-Lindholm
Tkachuk-Ryan-Czarnik
Mangiapane-Jankowski-Neal
Bennett-Quine-Hathaway

Giordano-Brodie
Hanifin-Hamonic
Kylington-Andersson

For fun, here was lineup approx a year ago:

Gaudreau-Monahan-Ferland
Tkachuk-Backlund-Jagr
Mangiapane-Jankowski-Brouwer
Bennett-Stajan-Hathaway

Giordano-Brodie
Hamilton-Hamonic
Kulak-Stone

Smith

[SeanCharles]

Originally Posted by locsofblu

I'm fine with this. Bennett on the fourth line makes more sense than him on the second as he clearly lacks the finish at the NHL level but is still a useful player when he's on his game.
I think its time the fans realize this as well.

All this singling Bennett out crap is getting old.

I agree he needs to do more but name one forward not named Gaudreau, Monahan, Lindholm, Tkachuk or Backlund that is piling up points at a 2nd liner rate.

There isn't one.

All the praise for adding depth to the roster Treliving gets is mostly because Lindholm is proving to be a first liner and has masked the troubles of our depth players ability to score.

The reality of the matter is we only have 5 forwards contributing points regularly so singling Bennett out is uncalled for.

We do have more forward depth but I'm still not sold on it being vastly improved over last season, at least not until Neal proves his worth which may not happen..

[Psytic]

Originally Posted by SeanCharles

All this singling Bennett out crap is getting old.

I agree he needs to do more but name one forward not named Gaudreau, Monahan, Lindholm, Tkachuk or Backlund that is piling up points at a 2nd liner rate.

There isn't one.

All the praise for adding depth to the roster Treliving gets is mostly because Lindholm is proving to be a first liner and has masked the troubles of our depth players ability to score.

The reality of the matter is we only have 5 forwards contributing points regularly so singling Bennett out is uncalled for.

We do have more forward depth but I'm still not sold on it being vastly improved over last season, at least not until Neal proves his worth which may not happen..

Hes not the only one but he hasn't been part of the solution either. Our depth scoring is lacking for sure. Good thing the guys at the top have been very consistent this year.

[dino7c]

Bennett and Ryan have the same number of points

if one is an "offensive black hole" so is the other one

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by flamesforcup

Our centre depth could be much better. Imagine if Monohan or Backs get injured in the playoffs. I think this wouldve been the time to try out Lindholm.

What team survives losing their top two centers in the playoffs?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by flamesforcup

Our centre depth could be much better. Imagine if Monohan or Backs get injured in the playoffs. I think this wouldve been the time to try out Lindholm.

Its not like hes never done it before. Lindholm knows how to play centre, you dont have to try him out at it.

[David Struch]

Originally Posted by SeanCharles

All this singling Bennett out crap is getting old.

I agree he needs to do more but name one forward not named Gaudreau, Monahan, Lindholm, Tkachuk or Backlund that is piling up points at a 2nd liner rate.

There isn't one.

Sam Bennett has earned some 2nd line icetime and he hasn't produced, callng every Flame fan who sees it a hater is what's getting old.

[Always Earned Never Given]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

I guess "Always Earned, Never Given" actually did die with Hartley's firing.

Nope! I’m still breathing my friend!