#1RW: Lindholm, Neal, Tkachuk, or someone else?

[Lanny_McDonald]

That’s an interesting idea. Jankowski’s size and ability to dish the puck would be interesting. I’d like to see that as well.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Or should it be somebody else on that top line? (Knowing Bill Peters, we'll probably see Derek Ryan there at some point.) What are your guys' thoughts?

I am not so sure you know Bill Peters. This supposed man crush on Ryan seems largely overstated.

I think it will be a blender, with mostly Lindholm and some Tkachuk.

[kehatch]

Obviously there is a requisite offensive ability, but outside of that I am looking for speed and defensive play on whomever ends up on that line. (Monahan isn't speedy and they need someone to keep them responsible.) That makes Lindholm the easy pick. His face off ability and RH shot don't hurt either. The other guy to consider is Bennett if he continues to play consistent smart hockey.

[kyuss275]

I pick Lindholm.

I will get blasted for this comment, but i hope Neal asks for a trade at end of season because he is not happy being on first line. I think he will pot his 20 this year, but that contract is going to be horrid by year 3.

[Yoho]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

I pick Lindholm.

I will get blasted for this comment, but i hope Neal asks for a trade at end of season because he is not happy being on first line. I think he will pot his 20 this year, but that contract is going to be horrid by year 3.

Just in time for a compliance buyout at the next lock out.

[Vinny01]

Lindholm has been great so far but I don’t mind the blender. Seeing Tkachuk, Lindholm, Neal and maybe Bennett up there at points is fine by me.

[bubbsy]

As of now, lindholm looks just fine on that line. Wins battles, has the skill and the finish.

The one guy who continues to trend upwards is Bennett. Uf Bennett continues to be the force he's shown, rewarding him a shot on the top line would be awesome. My main question is whether he has the high end finishing ability to play on that line. I think it's a confidence thing with a lot of these guys. Once they see their shots going in a bit, it's easier to keep that going.

That said, lindholm, tkatchuk, neal are obviously great options to have. I do also like the in game adjustments and rewarding we are seeing for playing time.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

I pick Lindholm.

I will get blasted for this comment, but i hope Neal asks for a trade at end of season because he is not happy being on first line. I think he will pot his 20 this year, but that contract is going to be horrid by year 3.

Silly post.

It’s been 5 games.

[DoubleK]

My top 6:

Gaudreau-Monahan-Tkachuk

Neal-Backlund-Lindholm

Put the rest in a blender and give the three best players 3rd line minutes.

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by EVERLAST

I keep thinking we fleeced the Canes.

I wish people would stop saying this.

It was a good deal for both teams.

[Macindoc]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Gaudreau-Monahan-Lindholm have not been terribly productive during 5v5 play. They’ve been quite good (at times) on the PP though, so I definitely say keep that PP unit together (although switch players to their off-wings).

For 5v5 play though, it should be Tkachuk. They’ve played their best 5v5 minutes with Tkachuk, and 2nd best 5v5 minutes with Neal. With Lindholm I think they struggle to generate high danger chances, and I think it has to do with Lindholm carrying the puck whereas with Tkachuk/Neal, Johnny is the one acting as the primary carrier.

What I’d like to see on Wednesday:

Gaudreau-Monahan-Tkachuk
Bennett-Backlund-Neal
Dube-Lindholm-Czarnik
Jankowski-Ryan-Hathaway

Absolutely love these lines, but I would give Frolik another chance as 4th line LW on his natural side, shift Janko to centre, where he has generally been more effective, and put Ryan on RW.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

I wish people would stop saying this.

It was a good deal for both teams.

Sorta. Six years of Hanifin/Lindholm for less than $10M.

Vs

Three years of Dougie

One year of Ferland

A magic bean NCAA defenseman who is going to graduate from Harvard and sign wherever he wants.

Based on what I've seen in my limited viewings, Hanifin at 24 is going to be better than Hamilton.

[GullFoss]

Players who make most sense there have the following qualities: Big, Fast, Rh shot

Who fits that mold?

1) Lindholm - not small, fast, rh shot - 2.5 for 3

2) Bennett - big, fast - 2 for 3
3) ferland - big, fast - 2 for 3
4) hudler - fast, rh shot - 2 for 3

5) tkachuk - fast - 1 for 3
6) Ryan - rh shot - 1 for 3
7) Neal - big - 1 for 3

So I'd actually slot Bennett in there if Lindholm goes cold. The ideal player would be someone like Pasternak, tarasenko or stone

[heep223]

Tkachuk isn’t fast.

I’d add a 4th category “smart”.

So basically they ideally need to play with a good RH hockey player.

[Flash Walken]

Loving the early returns of:

Gaudreau Monahan tkachuk
Bennett backlund Lindholm
Czarnik/Ryan dube Neal
Czarnik/Ryan jankowski Hathaway/frolik

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

Sorta. Six years of Hanifin/Lindholm for less than $10M.

Vs

Three years of Dougie

One year of Ferland

A magic bean NCAA defenseman who is going to graduate from Harvard and sign wherever he wants.

Based on what I've seen in my limited viewings, Hanifin at 24 is going to be better than Hamilton.

At the time of the deal Flames had no idea what it would cost to sign the RFAs.

Vs

Ferland wasn't going to sign in Calgary.

Fox wasn't going to sign anywhere.

The only known commodity at the time of the trade was the best player in the deal going to Carolina for three years at a decent price. That's not fleecing in my view.

[Finger Cookin]

I'm willing to wait until at least the 1/4 to 1/3 mark of the season before figuring out a preference. Lindholm and Tkachuk have both looked good next to Gaudreau and Monahan through the first 4-5 games.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

At the time of the deal Flames had no idea what it would cost to sign the RFAs.

Vs

Ferland wasn't going to sign in Calgary.

Fox wasn't going to sign anywhere.

The only known commodity at the time of the trade was the best player in the deal going to Carolina for three years at a decent price. That's not fleecing in my view.

Depends on what you think of that player.

Hamilton could get points but Gio covered a lot of holes in his game.

Flames got the two best players in the deal in my opinion, with massive advantage in terms of contract.

An absolute gem of a trade by Tre. Winner hands down.

[DoubleK]

That's revisionist history. Carolina had way more cap room than the Flames and couldn't get them signed.

Nobody had any way of knowing they'd sign deals for less than ~10M

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

That's revisionist history. Carolina had way more cap room than the Flames and couldn't get them signed.

Nobody had any way of knowing they'd sign deals for less than ~10M

To clarify, the intent was not to present revisionist history. By mentioning an advantage in terms of contract, I probably didn’t choose the perfect word - I meant team control / RFA status, not the terms they settled on after the trade.