[PGT] Flames lose 10th consecutive season-opener (5-3 Avs win)

[TheIronMaiden]

It's difficult to be upset after that game. Very clunky first couple of periods until the officiating and players calmed down. Once the game got a little rhythm the Flames looked fine.

The top line especially looks good again, which is nice because we will live and die by their production.

The third line also looked good after they were able to take some regular shifts.

I thought that Tkachuk really struggled. I hope that he doesn't need more games to shake off the rust. He had at least one outrageous give away, among other sloppy plays.

Defence looks line other the Kylington who continues to struggle in his own zone.


Final thoughts. I ####ing love that hockey is back. I love me some hockey watchin.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Bingo

History would certainly suggest Bennett isn't the answer, and I'm fine with that.

Until they find someone better though he may just be the answer now.

Still hoping he's about to have a coming out party ... not elite point per game 4th overall coming out party, but 25 to 40 points. Does that and he could be the answer.

Not if backlund is the C in my mind. Tkachuk needs someone to play with, it was clear last season and the early returns are not great this year.

If he was playing with schenn or Kadri or Lindholm, Bennett probably works, but the problem is offense and that line needs someone other than tkachuk that can do it themselves.

[Bonded]

It really is too bad that we missed out on Kadri, him and Tkachuk would be dynamite together.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Not if backlund is the C in my mind. Tkachuk needs someone to play with, it was clear last season and the early returns are not great this year.

If he was playing with schenn or Kadri or Lindholm, Bennett probably works, but the problem is offense and that line needs someone other than tkachuk that can do it themselves.

Yes, of course. Ignore that fact that Backlund’s production is consistent regardless of who he is playing with. Ignore the fact that Backlund was a considerably better-than-average second line ES scoring centre last year, out scoring all three of Kadri, Schenn and Bennett.

Backlund is NOT the problem.


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[Joborule]

I really hope that Peters breaks up the 3M line this season, and he contemplates either putting Thachuk on the first line, and have Lindholm play with Bennett, or bump Bennett up to play with Chucky.

The offensive spark of 3M is gone. Backlund and Frolik are not 2nd lines players, and it's detrimental to the team to treat them as such. Thachuk needs to be with players that can generate offense. He's not gonna with those two. Let Backlund and Frolik be the 3rd line.

[djsFlames]

3M trio is past its best before date.

Bennett has quietly been knocking on the door for a promotion through last playoffs, the preseason and the season opener.

It's time.

And if they don't want to play Bennett on the right side then Mangiapane and Rieder are interesting alternatives.

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

3M trio is past its best before date.

Bennett has quietly been knocking on the door for a promotion through last playoffs, the preseason and the season opener.

It's time.

And if they don't want to play Bennett on the right side then Mangiapane and Rieder are interesting alternatives.

I like Backlund and Frolik and partners because of the penalty kill. Also, I think that they are good at sheltering younger players together.

I would suggest something along the lines of


Bennett- Ryan- Tkachuk

Mangiapane- Backlund- Frolik

Lucic - Jankowski - Czarnik


That said, just for one game a line of Lucic -Bennett- Tkachuk would be nice.

[flamesgod]

Unfortunately the way it sits I think the 1st line needs to be broken up, to give us more options.

Gaudreau Monahan Mangiapagne
Tkachuk Lindholm Bennett
Lucic Backlund Frolik
Jankowski Ryan Czarnik

Rotate guys in and out of the top line if need be.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by bax

I also love the fact that Lucic went straight over to Zadorov, face washed him a couple times and said let’s go and when Zadorov declined and just stares off at the ref Lucic decides he’s not getting off that easy and pops him one.

Lucic is on of the rare players that will take that extra shot and I like it

And may Zadorov and all pukes alike understand now that this is the new reality when you take liberties against the Flames' young players. And yeah, maybe Lucic has a screw loose up there, so you better watch out.

I think Z's head was still in last spring thinking he could do whatever he wanted out there and no one would answer, like nothing had changed.

What a beautifully rude awakening that was.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by flamesgod

Unfortunately the way it sits I think the 1st line needs to be broken up, to give us more options.

Gaudreau Monahan Mangiapagne
Tkachuk Lindholm Bennett
Lucic Backlund Frolik
Jankowski Ryan Czarnik

Rotate guys in and out of the top line if need be.

I like that quite a bit.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by flamesgod

Unfortunately the way it sits I think the 1st line needs to be broken up, to give us more options.

Gaudreau Monahan Mangiapagne
Tkachuk Lindholm Bennett
Lucic Backlund Frolik
Jankowski Ryan Czarnik

Rotate guys in and out of the top line if need be.

Mangiapane looked a bit lost yesterday, not sure how he would do on the top line. Feels like we are missing a top 6 forward

[robertsfanatic]

Originally Posted by flamesgod

Unfortunately the way it sits I think the 1st line needs to be broken up, to give us more options.

Gaudreau Monahan Mangiapagne
Tkachuk Lindholm Bennett
Lucic Backlund Frolik
Jankowski Ryan Czarnik

Rotate guys in and out of the top line if need be.

even though this is a pretty good option, I think it really shows that we need another top 6 player to be cup contenders. (whether through trade or internally)

[flamesgod]

Originally Posted by Bonded

Mangiapane looked a bit lost yesterday, not sure how he would do on the top line. Feels like we are missing a top 6 forward

I agree, we need another top 6 forward. As of right now the only option is in house. Time for some of the kids to get a shot. I think most of us can agree Mangiapagne is not really a long term option on the 4th line.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by flamesgod

Unfortunately the way it sits I think the 1st line needs to be broken up, to give us more options.

Gaudreau Monahan Mangiapagne
Tkachuk Lindholm Bennett
Lucic Backlund Frolik
Jankowski Ryan Czarnik

Rotate guys in and out of the top line if need be.

I don't mind that. Switch Lucic and Jankowski. Ryan and Czarnik could use Lucic to make some space for them. Jankowski is better served playing with the two defensive guys and creating a true shut down line. I think their playing styles compliment each other the best.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Bonded

Mangiapane looked a bit lost yesterday, not sure how he would do on the top line. Feels like we are missing a top 6 forward

This is what it is.

Mix and match em any way you like but there is still going to be a huge hole on the right wing

[Royle9]

Originally Posted by Bonded

Mangiapane looked a bit lost yesterday, not sure how he would do on the top line. Feels like we are missing a top 6 forward

I think we've got a poorly placed bottom 6 in general.

I dont think your 4th line should be all Tweeners, especially Mangiapane who isn't built to be playing a 4th line roll he's a skilled guy that needs to be top 9 minimum.

4th line should be a tough/fast & physical line designed to punish the D men and give them no space to think. I think Colorado's bottom 6 outplayed ours by a mile.

I'd much rather see: (dont care what you do with Frolik/Janko)

Gaudreau Monahan Lindholm
Tkachuk Backlund Bennett
Lucic Ryan Mangipane
Reider Dube Rinaldo

Can swap bottom 6 around, even put Eatbread on 2nd line and drop Bennett down on any given night, but that bottom 6 is more versatile and I feel people can play up and down as need be.

Rinaldo is your perfect 4th line player, he's fast, he hits and is happy with 8 minutes a night because he's effective. Czarnik/Janko/Mangiapane aren't going to wear down any D core because they aren't physical enough to make a difference. There outcasts playing on a line of which they don't fit the roll.

[flamesgod]

Originally Posted by New Era

I don't mind that. Switch Lucic and Jankowski. Ryan and Czarnik could use Lucic to make some space for them. Jankowski is better served playing with the two defensive guys and creating a true shut down line. I think their playing styles compliment each other the best.

I agree with your line of thought. The only reason I put Lucic on the 3rd line is because I think he can still have a positive effect on the game. Just wanted him to get a few more minutes.

[Toonage]

Rinaldo would have been good to have in there last night. Wouldn't have missed the empty net, and open teammates that Jankowski did. Same for Dube actually, but Rinaldo has that chippy edge which would have fit the occasion.

Man alive I'm campaigning for Rieder & Rinaldo to get in there. Whats wrong with me?

[GioforPM]

I think with guys who don’t give effort, sure, demote them after one game to teach them. But if they struggle for other reasons - snake bit, just out of synch, etc., a lot of times this works itself out, often quite quickly. Sometimes you have to show confidence in a player who didn’t perform that well, not hammer them. It depends on the situation and the player. I didn’t view the game so I can’t say what the issue was with, say, Frolik, but there’s a lot of panic after a one goal loss in game one on the road.

[Royle9]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Rinaldo would have been good to have in there last night. Wouldn't have missed the empty net, and open teammates that Jankowski did. Same for Dube actually, but Rinaldo has that chippy edge which would have fit the occasion.

Man alive I'm campaigning for Rieder & Rinaldo to get in there. Whats wrong with me?

I mean.. as much as I want to give Sam better line mates and a shot in the top 6, could you imagine a "don't take your #### line" of:

Lucic - Bennett - Rinaldo

Yea, nobody's safe when they're "flying" (lets cut Lucic some slack here) around the ice laying the body let alone some fun post whistle scrums... That's a line that's gonna wear down the other team.