[GDT] Flames vs. Islanders, 7 pm, SN1

[Zulu29]

I love Grats but it seems like this may be the end of the road for him as a hockey player. Not sure it they should try and trade him or get him to retire or what but he's taking up a roster spot right now for pretty much no benefit.

[Yoho]

I like those lines, the play is dying on Jones stick lately..

[codynw]

Originally Posted by Zulu29

I love Grats but it seems like this may be the end of the road for him as a hockey player. Not sure it they should try and trade him or get him to retire or what but he's taking up a roster spot right now for pretty much no benefit.

Someone has to sit in the press box.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by codynw

Someone has to sit in the press box.

Raymond looks just fine up there.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by Zulu29

I love Grats but it seems like this may be the end of the road for him as a hockey player. Not sure it they should try and trade him or get him to retire or what but he's taking up a roster spot right now for pretty much no benefit.

"Hey Brian, instead of collecting another $500,000 why don't you retire?"

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Karl

Looks like Bouma got promoted and Jones demoted.

If I'm Jones, I see playing with Stajan and Bollig as a positive for my own production if I'm not playing on Monahan's line.

[indes]

We're gonna have a really solid top 6 when Backlund gets back. I'd like to see;

Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
Glencross - Backlund - Colborne

[Poe969]

Why would you want to split up Gaudreau-Jooris-Hudler? I'd keep the lines as is and put backlund on the third line as that's where he seems to do the best.

I do like the idea of Monahan and Johnny together though...

[killer_carlson]

Originally Posted by indes

We're gonna have a really solid top 6 when Backlund gets back. I'd like to see;

Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
Glencross - Backlund - Colborne

No.

Backlund can earn his spot in the top 2 lines.

[Jiggy_12]

I wasn't too sure where to put this fun little stat, so figured I'd throw it in this thread.

The Flames are the only team in the West (And Washington is the only other team in the NHL) who have five players with 10 or more goals.

Hudler - 13
Gaudreau - 12
Monahan - 11
Giordano - 10
Wideman - 10

Not to mention Jooris (9) and Glencross (8) knocking on the door.

Most teams currently have just 2 or 3 players at double digits, kind of neat to see us at or near the top of this list.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Igster

Most likely, but I would argue Granlund has been better than Byron recently.

Byron would have to clear waivers. Granlund does not.

[Karl]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

If I'm Jones, I see playing with Stajan and Bollig as a positive for my own production if I'm not playing on Monahan's line.

Hmmm...could be. Jones will get easier matchups on that 4th line because of...well, Bollig. On the other hand, Bollig usually cannot be relied upon to do much of anything except hit people (or drag his line down). That said, Jones doesn't have the best of hands either, but he will boost Stajan and Bollig offensively. So basically, you got Bollig who'll be the crasher & banger, Stajan as the defensive conscience, and Jones for the offense.

Then we've got Granlund, Byron & Bouma together now. Bouma and Byron are certainly not good offensive players, you could even call them stone-handed players. Two good crashers & bangers flanked by Granlund who already has an NHL-calibre shot and can finish plays well at times but still shows his inexperience, and it's questionable whether the two he's playing with here can get him the puck at the right time.

[heep223]

I like that with this lineup we can roll 4 lines. I hope Stajan sees at least 10 minutes tonight, he's been playing a lot better. Adding Jones in there and I think that's one of the best "4th" lines in the league and will outmatch anything the Isles will throw at us.

Honestly Colborne has been playing well also. But for some reason I'm still not convinced he's a true top 6 yet. I can't quite put my finger on it.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by Poe969

Why would you want to split up Gaudreau-Jooris-Hudler? I'd keep the lines as is and put backlund on the third line as that's where he seems to do the best.

I do like the idea of Monahan and Johnny together though...

Because Jooris is generally overmatched in the top six, despite flashes. And Backlund is an established NHLer. Jooris is a better fit for the bottom six for now.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

No.

Backlund can earn his spot in the top 2 lines.

What a preposterous judgement. So he goes from a solid #1 C before injury to a demotion of #3 C after? Backlund has done more than enough to merit a top six role - and he's proven very capable of it. It's not like the injury suddenly made him become a worse player on the ice.

While I don't necessarily agree with putting him right back in #1, as I think Monahan's earned it for now, I think it's utterly ridiculous to shunt him to bottom 6 duties unless he's outplayed by Jooris.

[Vinny01]

Flames have a big break after this game and even another big break after the game next Saturday. Wouldn't be shocked to see some moves made during that point perhaps to open up a roster spot to keep Granlund up

[Split98]

Originally Posted by indes

We're gonna have a really solid top 6 when Backlund gets back. I'd like to see;

Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
Glencross - Backlund - Colborne

I would love to see that after his first month or so, but I'm worried about Backs coming back with the weight he's at right now. Let Jooris play up as he's doing well, and hope that his slide coincides with Backs getting into game shape.

But that 1st line will be a ton of fun to watch.

[bubbsy]

i think backlund would look great between gaudrea/hudler.

[HelloHockeyFans]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

i think backlund would look great between gaudrea/hudler.

Agreed. Keep Glencross, Monahan and Colborne together and slide Backlund after he gets his legs back, in between Gaudreau and Hudler.

Granlund / Byron goes down to the A and Jooris slides on to the third line between Bouma and Granlund / Byron.

[Split98]

Ohhh, you're right. Backs with those two really would be cool.

I just wanna see that Monahan and Gaudreau pairing start happening! I guess we do have an entire freakin' decade to see it...