Practice notes Jan 6

[sureLoss]

Pat Steinberg @Fan960Steinberg
#Flames changing things up a bit in group one today:

Mangiapane-Backlund-Ryan
Lucic-Bennett-Dube
Petterssen-Gawdin-Philp
Kirkland-Ruzicka-Phillips

Giordano-Tanev
Mackey-Petrovic
Lerby-Stone

Markstrom
Zagidulin

Pat Steinberg @Fan960Steinberg
#Flames making a few changes in group two, as well:

Tkachuk-Lindholm-Simon
Gaudreau-Monahan-Leivo
Zavgorodniy-Froese-Nordstrom
Rinaldo-Tuulola-Robinson

Hanifin-Andersson
Valimaki-Nesterov
Poolman-Yelesin

[_Q_]

I like those first two lines.

[Flames1217]

And Bennett back to center!

Cue the 14 page debate

[Wastedyouth]

#fireward

[868904]

I think next to Lindholm, Ryan is th best Rw for Monahan. He’s quick, has skill, is right shot and is good on face offs to spell Monahan off.

[Vinny01]

Wes Gilberston put a good question out on Twitter.

If both Bennett and Lindholm move to center then it is likely Bennett needs to be on the 4th line. Not sure that is the best spot for him and prefer he remain in the top 9. It would also push Ryan to the wing.

Tkachuk-Lindholm-Mangipane
Gaudreau-Monahan-Dube
Simon-Backlund-Leivo
Lucic-Bennett-Ryan

? Obviously some wingers could be shifted around but not sure I like that

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Wes Gilberston put a good question out on Twitter.

If both Bennett and Lindholm move to center then it is likely Bennett needs to be on the 4th line. Not sure that is the best spot for him and prefer he remain in the top 9. It would also push Ryan to the wing.

Tkachuk-Lindholm-Mangipane
Gaudreau-Monahan-Dube
Simon-Backlund-Leivo
Lucic-Bennett-Ryan

? Obviously some wingers could be shifted around but not sure I like that

Honestly, I'd love to see Monahan tried on Backlund's wing, it would really help re-organize this whole roster while keeping Bennett in the top nine. Something like:

Tkachuk-Lindholm-Mangiapane
Monahan-Backlund-Dube
Gaudreau - Bennett - Leivo
Lucic - Ryan - Simon

[Nelson]

Cool! I like this change because those are the centers I want.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Wes Gilberston put a good question out on Twitter.

If both Bennett and Lindholm move to center then it is likely Bennett needs to be on the 4th line. Not sure that is the best spot for him and prefer he remain in the top 9. It would also push Ryan to the wing.

Given the lack of natural RW I'd rather keep Lindholm and Ryan on RW anyway.. they can also take faceoffs on the right side when necessary for whatever left handed C is centering them.

[Geeoff]

I think if Lindholm works out at center, Backlund is expendable. But obviously it's tough to trade a player with Backlund's cap hit and with the covid rules. At the very least, it becomes easier to expose Backlund to Seattle

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Geeoff

I think if Lindholm works out at center, Backlund is expendable. But obviously it's tough to trade a player with Backlund's cap hit and with the covid rules. At the very least, it becomes easier to expose Backlund to Seattle

That whole NTC thing would be a bit of a barrier as well.

[Flames1217]

I figure we see Lindholm back at RW for group 2 today.

[Nelson]

Originally Posted by Flames1217

I figure we see Lindholm back at RW for group 2 today.

I understand that some people want Lindholm back at RW, but this is illogical, my friend. If that happens, who is the second NHL center in the second group? Tell me who the center is in this group of players: Gaudreau, Tkachuk, Simon, Leivo and Nordstrom.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Geeoff

I think if Lindholm works out at center, Backlund is expendable. But obviously it's tough to trade a player with Backlund's cap hit and with the covid rules. At the very least, it becomes easier to expose Backlund to Seattle

The only thing that will make Backlund expansion-expendable is the emergence of one of the younger forwards: Mangiapane, Bennett, or Dube. The Flames are already protecting Lindholm, so whether or not he supplants Backlund really has no bearing on Backlund's protection status—a big move is required from one of the other three.

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

The only thing that will make Backlund expansion-expendable is the emergence of one of the younger forwards: Mangiapane, Bennett, or Dube. The Flames are already protecting Lindholm, so whether or not he supplants Backlund really has no bearing on Backlund's protection status—a big move is required from one of the other three.

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

Agreed with exception to the "big" statement. Backlund's contract and age makes him less likely to get selected, than say a young player with lots left to prove.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Nelson

I understand that some people want Lindholm back at RW, but this is illogical, my friend. If that happens, who is the second NHL center in the second group? Tell me who the center is in this group of players: Gaudreau, Tkachuk, Simon, Leivo and Nordstrom.

Nordstrom is actually a C

But I agree with you, expect Lindholm to stay at C in his group

[Geeoff]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

The only thing that will make Backlund expansion-expendable is the emergence of one of the younger forwards: Mangiapane, Bennett, or Dube. The Flames are already protecting Lindholm, so whether or not he supplants Backlund really has no bearing on Backlund's protection status—a big move is required from one of the other three.

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

Well in theory, Lindholm is a strong 2-way forward, so if he can play Backlund's tough minutes, we can protect Dube, Bennett or Mangiapane instead of Backlund.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by geeoff

well in theory, lindholm is a strong 2-way forward, so if he can play backlund's tough minutes, we can protect dube, bennett or mangiapane instead of backlund.

He has a ntc

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

Agreed with exception to the "big" statement. Backlund's contract and age makes him less likely to get selected, than say a young player with lots left to prove.

Seattle’s not going to draft only young players. They are going to want some veterans as well . If for some reason Backlund is left exposed, I have no doubt in my mind they would select him.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

Agreed with exception to the "big" statement. Backlund's contract and age makes him less likely to get selected, than say a young player with lots left to prove.

Especially the NTC part of his contract, no?