[GDT] Flames @ Jets, 6:00 PM MST. Sportsnet West, Fan 960

[killer_carlson]

I think the weak link on our blueline has been JJ. He has struggled this year.

I think we need to plant him in the press box for 2 weeks and see if someone develops chemistry with Kulak or Wotherspoon.

[dino7c]

Wotherspoon struggled as much or more than JJ with far less ice time

if Kulak or Wotherspoon want the spot they need to step up, it shouldn't be gifted to them because they are Flames draft picks

[genetic_phreek]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Derek Wills @Fan960Wills
#Flames projected forwards:
Gaudreau-Monahan-Chiasson
Tkachuk-Backlund-Frolik
Versteeg-Bennett-Ferland
Bouma-Stajan-Hathaway

Derek Wills @Fan960Wills
#Flames projected defence:
Giordano-Hamilton
Brodie-Wideman
Jokipakka-Engelland
Goaltenders:
Johnson (Starter)
Elliott

I would much prefer Bennett and Monahan to be switched and have Kulak in for Jokipakka. Jokipakka's puck moving skill is non existent and having Mony with Johnny together, they go through so many stretches where they are invisible and when they don't have the puck, they get hemmed in the defensive zone.

[Benched]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Derek Wills @Fan960Wills
#Flames projected forwards:
Gaudreau-Monahan-Chiasson
Tkachuk-Backlund-Frolik
Versteeg-Bennett-Ferland
Bouma-Stajan-Hathaway

Derek Wills @Fan960Wills
#Flames projected defence:
Giordano-Hamilton
Brodie-Wideman
Jokipakka-Engelland
Goaltenders:
Johnson (Starter)
Elliott

YES.

Hathawin!

[GioforPM]

Monahan and Versteeg seemed to have a bit of chemistry all right, and I'm not sure Bennett and Versteeg do. I understand why GG would like to get Monahan and Gaudreau clicking again, though.

Jokipaaka's puck moving to me is better than Engelland's. I'm not sure Kulak is an improvement there - he was prne to ringiong the puck (like Engelland does, like Russell did). Jokipaaka sure has a muffin of a shot though, and never gets it through.

[EldrickOnIce]

I'm hoping something ignites some even strength scoring from sources outside of the Backlund/Frolik/Tkachuk line. Lack of 5 v 5 scoring is scary.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Can we just sit Wideman already? He adds nothing. I mean, Gulutzan has to see that right?

Throw Kulak with Brodie and you've got a very solid top-4 on defense.

There is no doubt that Wideman is on his last legs in the NHL, and that Kulak is trending towards being a regular NHLer, but this is just wishful thinking at this point. Kulak has yet to prove he can be a regular on the 3rd pairing, never mind playing alongside Brodie in all situations. Wideman is steady most nights, but obviously his lack of speed is a serious issue that drags Brodie down. However, until very recently, Wideman was the better of the two on that pair and he was cleaning up regularly after Brodie's turnovers.

I don't love Wideman or anything, but I can recognize that he's still the best option we have in the organization for that 2nd pair...maybe bump Engelland up in his spot for a while if you need to, but that's about it.

I'm excited to see Kulak play again soon, but he's still got a ways to go to be a top 4 defenseman.

[GoJetsGo]

Not a fan of Chiasson with Johnny and Monahan. I realize he is a good net front presence but he still feels like a square peg there to me.

I've thought since the beginning of the season they should have Versteeg on the right side with those two - for an extended period of time (I realize it was tried earlier).

I think with a couple games to gel that line could resemble the Hudler-Monahan-Gaudreau line. Versteeg works well with Monny and has the intelligence to keep up with both of them.

Wish we'd see that because having them play like a top line would be a big boost with how well Baclkund's line is playing.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

There are few options for the RW with Monahan and Gaudreau.

Brouwer is off the table at the moment, otherwise he might be the best option.

Ferland has been tried before, and his production has stagnated yet again.

Versteeg is a suitable option skill-wise, but he's small and gets outmuscled along the boards in his own zone. You simply can't have him on the same line as Gaudreau who has similar problems.

Tkachuk is playing too well with Backlund and Frolik to split up that line. Frolik stays put for the same reasons.

The only option after that is Bouma or Hathaway, and that's simply not good enough.

Chiasson is perfectly fine as a 5 on 5 player with Monahan and Gaudreau. He's had some great chances in the past couple of games that the hasn't quite been able to capitalize on, but he's in the right spots and gets a good shot on net. He's also pretty solid defensively, which allows Monahan and Gaudreau to be more aggressive knowing Chiasson can cover for them. He also brings the "beef" element necessary to any line that has Gaudreau on it. Chiasson does well enough retrieving pucks in the corners to be a nice complement to Gaudreau.

Obviously Chiasson is not a top line RWer, but that just means the team needs to find a better option for that spot internally at some point. Short of trading for Tarasenko, that's the only way for this team to fill that spot.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Versteeg is a suitable option skill-wise, but he's small and gets outmuscled along the boards in his own zone. You simply can't have him on the same line as Gaudreau who has similar problems..

I don't buy this in the tone and finality with which you've presented it.

They're smart players, and capable of working around it.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

Not a fan of Chiasson with Johnny and Monahan. I realize he is a good net front presence but he still feels like a square peg there to me.

I've thought since the beginning of the season they should have Versteeg on the right side with those two - for an extended period of time (I realize it was tried earlier).

I think with a couple games to gel that line could resemble the Hudler-Monahan-Gaudreau line. Versteeg works well with Monny and has the intelligence to keep up with both of them.

Wish we'd see that because having them play like a top line would be a big boost with how well Baclkund's line is playing.

I've actually thought Chaisson's been getting better and better on that line recently, and I don't think he's holding them back at all. Now I agree, he's far from the ideal first line RW, he's playing out of position right now for sure. An upgrade would of course be ideal.

However, not sure I agree with the square peg analogy. I actually think he's the right type of player, but it would be better if he was more offensively gifted.

[TheIronMaiden]

This off season's cap dump will hopefully help clear some room for a UFA to fill that hole on the top RW.

RE: its too early to say who will be available but Radulov and Oshie are two notables without an extension yet.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

However, not sure I agree with the round peg square whole analogy. I actually think he's the right type of player, but it would be better if he was more offensively gifted.

In my opinion it's that he lacks the IQ. He's not terrible in the role because of his size and strength, but he's not at all cerebral and doesn't bring any creativity. I find it's somewhat stifling in my view.

[killer_carlson]

I'd really like to see Klimchuk given a 5 game audition on that first line RW.

And if he doesn't work, then Prybil or Mangiapane

[direwolf]

I'd like to see Monahan and Gaudreau split up again. They seem to be much more effective this season when they're separated.

[puckedoff]

I don't know why Monahan always wants to defer to Gaudreau this season but it makes the tandem extremely easy to defend.

[Since1984]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

I'd really like to see Klimchuk given a 5 game audition on that first line RW.

And if he doesn't work, then Prybil or Mangiapane

This would be ideal but I think Klimchuk still needs one whole season in the "A" and Mangiapane definitely needs the full year.

Klimchuk has proven that he can play with skilled players in the past while putting up decent points. The issue with Him and Mangiapane is they are not natural RW's.

Pribyl is our only right shooting C/RW that can fill that whole. As admirably as Chiasson has played with Johnny and Mony on the right side...I just want to see less of him, it may be his play but I think its mostly his face

[TheScorpion]

Right now, the Flames are solidly in a playoff spot. The top line has fine chemistry. There is zero reason to pick now to experiment with random prospects on the first line. Not only does it screw up chemistry, but it also probably bumps Hathaway out of the lineup

[GreenLantern]

Chiasson can keep that top line RW spot warm... for Iggy

BOOOM!!

[Monahan For Mayor]

Originally Posted by calgaryboy

It is fantastic! From China. Ordered in Nov 2016, received today, almost 2 months of waiting, but was worth it! Really happy about the new look!

What site ?