[PGT] Flames 3 Kryptonite 4

[GS Skier]

The team is pretty good at keeping most shots from outside. Markstrom did have an off night. The flutter ball from the point was a maybe but the uncharacteristic failure to stay on the post on the goal from the corner was a definite mistake. 2 of the 4 were no good.

[Leeman4Gilmour]

I really really want Monahan to right his ship. But, I can no longer ignore the pattern;
~ Gaudreau moved off Monahan's line - back to superstar
~ Dube moved off Monahan's line - instant improvement
~ Monahan moved off 1st PP with the arrival of Toffoli
~ Monahan moved off 2nd PP with the arrival of Jarnkrok
~ Lucic with Richardson and Lewis - on fire. Lucic with Monahan - fire extinguished.

Strictly observational and I'm not adept enough to back these observations with stats. I do believe Carpenter is going to supplant Monahan as the 4th line center. I don't know if it's physical or between the ears. Either way it's tough to see the fall.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by robertsfanatic

maybe they could swap him and Mony for a few games...everyone crapping on Mony but the style of Lewis and looch don't work with his game.

You mean putting a finisher between a guy whose first instinct is to dump and chase, and a guy who can't take or make a pass, is not going to lead to success? Sutter is a genius but can't seem to figure this one out? It's great having a cushion where you can piss games away as you tinker with the line up, but it's become increasingly obvious what your line combinations should be. Stop ####ing with things that work.

Gaudreau-Lindholm-Tkachuk
Mangiapane-Backlund-Coleman
Lucic-Dube-Lewis

All three of these lines have experienced success this year. They've all been very effective and made life miserable for the opposition. The only wildcard is a Monahan line. It is obvious that Monahan needs to play with guys with skill. Check. Toffoli and Jarnkrok have skill. Monahan also needs someone who is strong defensively. Check. Jarnkrok is that guy.

Jarnkrok-Monahan-Toffoli

If these guys can't get it done, then it's time to move Monahan to the pressbox, make him the 14th forward, and prepare him for a buyout this summer. At that point, bring up Ruzicka and insert him in the Monahan slot. Carpenter can slot in the Dube/Lucic slot should they stumble.

[Gaudfather]

Originally Posted by Leeman4Gilmour

I really really want Monahan to right his ship. But, I can no longer ignore the pattern;
~ Gaudreau moved off Monahan's line - back to superstar
~ Dube moved off Monahan's line - instant improvement
~ Monahan moved off 1st PP with the arrival of Toffoli
~ Monahan moved off 2nd PP with the arrival of Jarnkrok
~ Lucic with Richardson and Lewis - on fire. Lucic with Monahan - fire extinguished.

Strictly observational and I'm not adept enough to back these observations with stats. I do believe Carpenter is going to supplant Monahan as the 4th line center. I don't know if it's physical or between the ears. Either way it's tough to see the fall.

What your saying is Monahan is "the Cooler"!

[Stanley]

Yea as much as I'm rooting for Mony to get his game back I really think he needs to sit for a couple games and let Carpenter do his thing with Looch & Lewis (or Ruzicka for that matter). It's time.

[Toonage]

Well that game didn't go as planned. Yesterday I suggested it was a whole new team in red that would take it to the Sharks. Instead it played out pretty much like the last game between these two. Weird.

While we're throwing new lines out there (or a refreshed 4L) how about putting Carpenter in there but on the wing?

Lucic-Dube-Carpenter

Sort of unfair to Dube but he plays well with Lucic and this gives the line some speed, and two centres (R&L) for draws.

Lewis goes back to playing with Coleman & Backlund for shut down purposes.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Well that game didn't go as planned. Yesterday I suggested it was a whole new team in red that would take it to the Sharks. Instead it played out pretty much like the last game between these two. Weird.

While we're throwing new lines out there (or a refreshed 4L) how about putting Carpenter in there but on the wing?

Lucic-Dube-Carpenter

Sort of unfair to Dube but he plays well with Lucic and this gives the line some speed, and two centres (R&L) for draws.

Lewis goes back to playing with Coleman & Backlund for shut down purposes.

It is unfair to Dube after his best couple games all season (and I’ve been pretty down on him). Partly because Lucic has just not been very good lately. Obviously can’t comment on Carpenter.

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by BoLevi

Let's be honest, this team has been inconsistent for a few weeks now.

Hopefully it's just one of those swoons that every team goes through.

But right now, they're being very Flames-like and playing down to their opponents. Tonight was not a good effort.

They have overcome a lot of obstacles this season and reached a few milestones. I think they just got away from the game a little bit, they have to stop playing like a high-scoring team and start playing like a hard-working team. It is a fine line and sometimes I think they start getting a bit overconfident.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by Leeman4Gilmour

I really really want Monahan to right his ship. But, I can no longer ignore the pattern;
~ Gaudreau moved off Monahan's line - back to superstar
~ Dube moved off Monahan's line - instant improvement
~ Monahan moved off 1st PP with the arrival of Toffoli
~ Monahan moved off 2nd PP with the arrival of Jarnkrok
~ Lucic with Richardson and Lewis - on fire. Lucic with Monahan - fire extinguished.

Strictly observational and I'm not adept enough to back these observations with stats. I do believe Carpenter is going to supplant Monahan as the 4th line center. I don't know if it's physical or between the ears. Either way it's tough to see the fall.

I'd say Dube's big improvement is just playing Tkachuk. Chucky is pretty good.

[klikitiklik]

Move on. Sit Monahan. Bring back Ruz

[howard_the_duck]

I've really liked Jarnkrok in his spot on the third line, and think him along with Mangiapane and Coleman could be a lights out line for us (especially in playoffs) with some time to gel.

Contrary to some comments of moving him down being a good idea, I'll take 60% in the faceoff dot, a visible two-way game that is much stronger than Monahan at this point, and playing with pace.

Give me that all day long vs plugging him down to the 4th line.

[Heavy Jack]

How many think the flames will consider a buyout on Monahan? If they buy him out in mid June it will save them 4 mill in cap space in the initial year and give a buyout AAV of 2 mill for the 22/23 season and 23/24 season. I don’t want to think Mony is worthy of a buyout but he’s been rotten the past few weeks and has fallen down the depth chart despite being given some good opportunities throughout the year to try and bounce back.

[Coach]

In my list of reasons the Flames lost, I forgot to include props to Reimer. He played a great game and if not for him it would have been a run away pretty early on. The Flames didn't capitalize on some major chances throughout the game and some of them were because of big saves by him, including on Gaudreau's penalty shot.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

I've really liked Jarnkrok in his spot on the third line, and think him along with Mangiapane and Coleman could be a lights out line for us (especially in playoffs) with some time to gel.

Contrary to some comments of moving him down being a good idea, I'll take 60% in the faceoff dot, a visible two-way game that is much stronger than Monahan at this point, and playing with pace.

Give me that all day long vs plugging him down to the 4th line.

I’m not sure the sample size is adequate and I haven’t been as impressed. I do agree though that the lines should be settled down for a while. The constant changes are not producing consistent play. I don’t know that Jarnkrok (or Coleman for that matter) are offensively gifted enough to complement Mangiapane. And Jarnkrok on the power play just didn’t work at all.

[Hemi-Cuda]

In a just world Monahan rides the pine and Ruzicka takes his place. I really hate how that's impossible due to contract situations

[Heavy Jack]

Yea if Johnny pots that penalty shot it’s 4-1 and likely a 6 or 7 to 1 or 2 finish. Riemer played stellar for them and looked close to death at the end there lol.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

How many think the flames will consider a buyout on Monahan? If they buy him out in mid June it will save them 4 mill in cap space in the initial year and give a buyout AAV of 2 mill for the 22/23 season and 23/24 season. I don’t want to think Mony is worthy of a buyout but he’s been rotten the past few weeks and has fallen down the depth chart despite being given some good opportunities throughout the year to try and bounce back.

Trade, even with retention, is better than buyout, but they will buy him out if they can’t move him.

I don’t think his opportunities have been very lengthy, however. And when he’s been moved between decent wingers, it hasn’t looked bad. He, Toffoli and Dube looked good off the bat, and were a little unlucky on a few great chances. But they were split up after only a couple games. He may not “deserve” to play with better players, but it’s a better move for the team if they want contribution from him.

[N-E-B]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

Did you see the last game in OT?

My brain had eliminated that from my memory bank.

[Classic_Sniper]

Losses happen, not the end of the world. In the grand scheme of things, it’s only 2 points that the Flames don’t necessarily need to have. Their cushion is still considerable. Markstrom looked rather unremarkable while Reimer did. It happens. SJS for whatever reason have the Flames number this season. It would be a concern if they were in the playoff hunt, but they’re not, so it’s fine.

On the bright-side, out of town scoreboard looked pretty good overall. Certainly lessens the blow of a loss.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

How many think the flames will consider a buyout on Monahan? If they buy him out in mid June it will save them 4 mill in cap space in the initial year and give a buyout AAV of 2 mill for the 22/23 season and 23/24 season. I don’t want to think Mony is worthy of a buyout but he’s been rotten the past few weeks and has fallen down the depth chart despite being given some good opportunities throughout the year to try and bounce back.

option #1: trade

option #2: buyout

One or the other has to happen because there isn't room for him, along with all the guys they need t re-sign. And when it's time to choose, it would be a fireable offense to choose Monahan over Gaudreau, Tkachuk, Mangiapane or Kylington. You can't even choose him over Gudbranson or Zadorov.

He is 100% gone. Sadly. But sports is a cruel business.