Is the bottom six good enough

[Flaming Horse]

Is the bottom six of the forward group good enough and deep enough to go on a long run in the playoffs. I feel they are at least one more forward away. Not a fan of the 4th line. I like lewis but as a 13th forward. If we have one more forward for the second line and move Coleman with Dube and backs the bottom six looks a lot better.I like the idea of Milano as I think he could be a sleeper pick and someone that's ready to pop and could slot well in the top six. This team is in win now mode and we have the depth in goal and on d but at least one more piece is missing with the forward group. I hope tree doesn't wait to long as he could miss out on a good add at a very affordable price.

[TheScorpion]

I personally don't think so, but I'm not really a fan of Trevor Lewis being a regular. I would like to see another play-driving forward — perhaps a guy like Tyler Motte — to play with Lucic and Rooney on the fourth line.

[bubbsy]

If backlund is your 3rd line C, paired a guy like Coleman, and lucic/Lewis on the 4th line, I think that's pretty damn good regardless of who else fits in.

That's why I am so happy about the kadri pick up.

I see our third line being a solid 2-way line. The way sutter uses the 4th line, as long as they "win" more shifts than not, they'll be fine.

[AustinL_NHL]

I think the Flames will have one of the best 3rd lines in the entire league this season, if not THE best.

That 4th line is quite puke-worthy at the moment though

[robertsfanatic]

finding the top 6 forward will be more difficult and potentially costly if it is via trade so maybe what Scorp suggested is the way to go.

do you not think Ruzicka or Pelletier are good enough to help? or just aren't fits for the bottom 6?

[EVERLAST]

Hey if they can check , prevent goals, keep the opponent deep in their zone all while giving our top players a breather I have no expectations other than that.

Do I like how it looks right now? NO....but I've seen what Darryl can do with guys who are willing to commit to a certain style that makes them better 200 ft players .

It's all about the details and if you've listened to Darryl speak, Darryls assistants speak ....he doesn't miss details and is sharper than anyone they have coached with before .

I believe.

Go Flames , Go Wranglers

[Vinny01]

Backlund along with Dube or Coleman in the bottom 6 is pretty strong. I also think they add another winger which will add to that group or push Coleman to the third line. Solid vets in Lucic and Lewis and some good young players on the farm in Pelletier, Ruzicka, Philips who may get a look. I am also interested to see what they saw in Rooney to give him a multi year deal on the first day of free agency

[TheIronMaiden]

You can improve the bottom six by getting a top six RW who will bump a better player onto the third or fourth line.

[Bourque's Twin]

I'm praying that Dube or Pelletier can fit in on the 2nd line properly. If the 2nd line can roll, then the 3rd line will be one of the best in the NHL. The 4th line isn't that bad. Lewis is a veteran who does a lot of good things. Lucic is the toughest guy in the NHL and he has to play somewhere. Rooney is a quality 4th line C.

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

I personally don't think so, but I'm not really a fan of Trevor Lewis being a regular. I would like to see another play-driving forward — perhaps a guy like Tyler Motte — to play with Lucic and Rooney on the fourth line.

I thought Lewis was great for us last year, and in the playoffs. Lucic - Ruzicka -Lewis was a great 4th line in the regular season.

As for the 3rd line as long as we have Backlund and Coleman playing together we will have a very formidable 3rd line, an upgrade on last year's. The fact that we now have Backlund playing in the bottom 6 makes it good enough for me.

The only problem I have with the 4th line is that it might be a bit slow. I don't have a solution for that, but perhaps someone from the Wranglers like Duehr will step up.

[blankall]

It looks pretty thin right now. 1-2 of the prospects emerging could really change that though. I'm hoping we get both Ruzicka and Pelletier sticking with the club by the end of year. That changes things dramatically. Then you've got a very solid bottom six.

[Dude Where's Makar?]

I do think adding someone like Motte on the 4th line and using Lewis as a 13th forward would be ideal. Brings some more speed to our lineup.

Motte has a great motor.

Hub - Lindholm - Toffoli
Mang - Kadri - Dube
Ruz - Backlund - Coleman
Lucic - Rooney - Motte
Lewis

Weegar - Tanev
Hanifin - Anderson
Kylington - Zad

That just looks like a very strong, competitive lineup.

Motte would be an excellent cheap addition. Would help out the PK too.

[Funkhouser]

I see the bottom 6 as:
Pelletier - Backlund - Coleman excellent 3rd line!
Lucic - Rooney/Ruzicka - Lewis/Phillips unknown

I would go with the kids on the 4th line and see what we have.
I'm a big Motte fan as well, and would have much preferred him to Rooney

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

I personally don't think so, but I'm not really a fan of Trevor Lewis being a regular. I would like to see another play-driving forward — perhaps a guy like Tyler Motte — to play with Lucic and Rooney on the fourth line.

Has Tyler Motte ever really been a play driver though?

Underwater in Columbus
Always under water in Vancouver
Good numbers in NY but that was 9 games

Lewis is brutal offensively, but he plays a role, and is pretty important in the room from what we've seen.

I know you're not a fan of the defensive hockey player, but it's not like Motte is a producer.

[TheScorpion]

He wasn't really underwater in Vancouver (at least, not recently). His defensive results were excellent last year.

I like effective defensive hockey players. Derek Ryan was awesome. I don't like players whose reputation as defensive players surpasses their actual capabilities in their own zone. Trevor Lewis used to be a great defensive player ... last year, he was run over.

[Flamesfan05]

Originally Posted by Funkhouser

I see the bottom 6 as:
Pelletier - Backlund - Coleman excellent 3rd line!
Lucic - Rooney/Ruzicka - Lewis/Phillips unknown

I would go with the kids on the 4th line and see what we have.
I'm a big Motte fan as well, and would have much preferred him to Rooney

I don’t think all of Ruzicka, Pelletier and Phillips will make the team
I hope Pelletier make it because he has the highest upside

Ruzicka was doing Ok but he got worse , the jury is still out on him
I would be shocked if Phillips make the team

Treliving will bring in another forward.

[agulati]

I think our third line will be solid. XXXX - Backlund - Coleman? Sign me up. Fourth line leaves a bit to be desired. If we can get another middle six winger either as a signing or a player who works himself up to play at that level from the Wranglers, it would be huge.

[Goriders]

I think so. 4th line will be agressive. 3rd line can generate some offence.

[Harry Lime]

Pelletier-backlund-coleman is a fantastic third line.

I'm hoping ruzicka and Phillips show up in camp and push Lewis and rooney.

[memphusk]

4th line needs to hit everyone that feels they have freedoms. Other than that I'm pretty much sold on this season.