[PGT] Flames Win Again: Calgary 7 - San Jose 3

[Burning Beard]

Originally Posted by Naitix

Ya probably... but this is a way I can justify Sutter putting Lucic in the top 6 and Phillips not playing for what like 5 games now?

Sutter clearly has some sort of a plan, I am just trying to guess what it might be haha

Maybe just maybe his plan was using a motivated Lucic to get that line going... And it worked!

[Naitix]

Originally Posted by Burning Beard

Maybe just maybe his plan was using a motivated Lucic to get that line going... And it worked!

But it is not sustainable long term, so Sutter must have a plan for what's next, and I personally think it is to try Phillips there eventually

[GioforPM]

I still think they should platoon Ritchie and Lucic.

[keenan87]

Originally Posted by Naitix

But it is not sustainable long term, so Sutter must have a plan for what's next, and I personally think it is to try Phillips there eventually

Isn't Ruzicka a younger and more skilled version of Lucic?

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by keenan87

Isn't Ruzicka a younger and more skilled version of Lucic?

No not nearly as aggressive or physical as Lucic was in his younger years.

[SuperMatt18]

Huberdeau comparison to last year at 5v5.

Huberdeau 21-22: P/60: 2.98; xGF per 60: 3.21; xGA/60: 2.80; xG:53.4%; Offensive Zone: 69.7%

Huberdeau 22-23: P/60: 1.58; xGF per 60: 2.48; xGA/60: 1.92; xG: 56.4%; Offensive Zone: 62.0%

So his point production is down a lot but his xG% share is actually better this year than last year. His focus on defensive play has been very clear IMO.

If he can continue to hone his defensive play, and the offensive production starts to come a bit more as it has the last 10 games, then we will be in good shape.

Over the last couple games we've really started to see that creative passing lead to goals that we hadn't seen earlier this year (Lindholm's goal Sunday, Kadri x2 and Lucic last night). Also doing a much better job of controlling the puck, and using his body to shield the puck and create space to make those plays that he was known for in Florida.

[keenan87]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

No not nearly as aggressive or physical as Lucic was in his younger years.

That's fair. I still think he might be a potential long-term solution on that line.

Dube-Lindholm-Toffoli
Huberdeau-Kadri-Ruzicka
Mangiapane-Backlund-Coleman
Ritchie-Lewis-Lucic/Phillips

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by keenan87

That's fair. I still think he might be a potential long-term solution on that line.

Dube-Lindholm-Toffoli
Huberdeau-Kadri-Ruzicka
Mangiapane-Backlund-Coleman
Ritchie-Lewis-Lucic/Phillips

Oh for sure. I certainly don't think Lucic is. Neat story last night and you have to feel good for the guy. But he can't be in the top 6 or top 9 for the long-term.
Right now Ruzicka seems to be the best available option.
Huberdeau and Kadri finding some chemistry would be huge for the team, particularly with the new top line looking good (so far).
And then that allows you to retain a 3rd line that makes a ton of sense.

[Naitix]

Regarding Ruzicka with Huberdeau: If that would to happen I would imagine Ruzicka takes the LW and Hub the RW. Ruzicka played Center his whole life and he struggled with breakouts for a bit as a LW, if he was to switch to RW he would just struggle again for awhile.

Breakouts off the boards are the hardest and most stressful defensive responsibility for a winger, it is not an easy thing to be good at.

I would imagine it would be way easier for Hub to adjust to RW (which he probably played before), than having Ruzicka trying it

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Naitix

But it is not sustainable long term, so Sutter must have a plan for what's next, and I personally think it is to try Phillips there eventually

Sutter's system has always been reward players who play his system with ice team and line combo positioning.

I also want Phillips but I fully expect Lucic on the 2nd line until Sutter thinks he needs another wake up call.

Lucic is actually pretty good at zone entry with his size, the problem is the play dies on his stick. The biggest problem with the Huberdeau-Lindholm-Toffoli line was they had nobody to do zone entry (Dube is doing that now). Last year the zone entry player was Gaudreau.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Lucic is actually pretty good at zone entry with his size, the problem is the play dies on his stick. The biggest problem with the Huberdeau-Lindholm-Toffoli line was they had nobody to do zone entry (Dube is doing that now). Last year the zone entry player was Gaudreau.

I've wanted to see Huberdeau with Dube all season for this reason.

Huberdeau needs players that attack the middle of the ice with speed to create room for him to work. Duclair and Bennett both did that, as does Barkov.

With Huberdeau-Lindholm-Toffoli nobody really did that. Lindholm and Toffoli are both good on the cycle, and are great at finding soft spots to create a scoring chance, but don't really drive the middle to create time and space for others.

Dube and Kadri IMO are closest skill set wise to both Bennett and Duclair. So with Dube+Kadri, or even Lucic+Kadri you start to see more of that ice open up for Huberdeau. It's also why I think Phillips could work too, he's a guy that like's to attack the zone/net with speed in the AHL.

[Naitix]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Sutter's system has always been reward players who play his system with ice team and line combo positioning.

I also want Phillips but I fully expect Lucic on the 2nd line until Sutter thinks he needs another wake up call.

Lucic is actually pretty good at zone entry with his size, the problem is the play dies on his stick. The biggest problem with the Huberdeau-Lindholm-Toffoli line was they had nobody to do zone entry (Dube is doing that now). Last year the zone entry player was Gaudreau.

Phillips would be the best zone entry player on the Flames and plays don't die on his stick (maybe Dube can contend, he has been playing better and better)

[Vinny01]

Huberdeau-Kadri-Dube would be an interesting line. Move Mangiapane to the top line or go get a new winger.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Huberdeau-Kadri-Dube would be an interesting line. Move Mangiapane to the top line or go get a new winger.

Ruzicka-Lindholm-Toffoli was great together in their time together and that's what I'd go to.

Ruzicka-Lindholm-Toffoli
Huberdeau-Kadri-Dube
Mangiapane-Backlund-Coleman

I honestly think that would be our best top 9 forward deployment right now.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I didn't say anything about southern markets. I don't really consider San Jose to be all that southern. Nor did I suggest that anywhere can't have fair weather fans. I was actually surprised to see attendance so low because I always considered it a prime market. I just noticed that the poor attendance this season also seems to be coinciding with a year that the team is awful.

Oh, my response was 100% nothing to do with you, sorry for the confusion.

[Naitix]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Ruzicka-Lindholm-Toffoli was great together in their time together and that's what I'd go to.

Ruzicka-Lindholm-Toffoli
Huberdeau-Kadri-Dube
Mangiapane-Backlund-Coleman

I honestly think that would be our best top 9 forward deployment right now.

I remember Sutter said that he does not like Dube on the RW or that he prefers him playing Center or LW.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Naitix

Regarding Ruzicka with Huberdeau: If that would to happen I would imagine Ruzicka takes the LW and Hub the RW. Ruzicka played Center his whole life and he struggled with breakouts for a bit as a LW, if he was to switch to RW he would just struggle again for awhile.

Breakouts off the boards are the hardest and most stressful defensive responsibility for a winger, it is not an easy thing to be good at.

I would imagine it would be way easier for Hub to adjust to RW (which he probably played before), than having Ruzicka trying it

When I coached I often flipped the wingers ... I think the breakout is easier on your wrong side.

You're open to your defenseman, have better sight lines to the curling center and less blindside risk from the pinching dman on the other team.

[Drunk Uncle]

Thought there was a lot more balance to the top 3 forward lines last night.

Fun fact: according to Money Puck the Backlund line had an xG% of 94.6% last night... and they were the least productive group in the top 9.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Naitix

Regarding Ruzicka with Huberdeau: If that would to happen I would imagine Ruzicka takes the LW and Hub the RW. Ruzicka played Center his whole life and he struggled with breakouts for a bit as a LW, if he was to switch to RW he would just struggle again for awhile.

Breakouts off the boards are the hardest and most stressful defensive responsibility for a winger, it is not an easy thing to be good at.

I would imagine it would be way easier for Hub to adjust to RW (which he probably played before), than having Ruzicka trying it

Huberdeau's distinguishing skill is finding passing lanes to his linemates from the wing. I don't think you want to make him do it with his backhand. Whereas the big body who can protect the puck would be even better able to carry it across the goalie on his forehand.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by SebC

Huberdeau's distinguishing skill is finding passing lanes to his linemates from the wing. I don't think you want to make him do it with his backhand. Whereas the big body who can protect the puck would be even better able to carry it across the goalie on his forehand.

Might actually help him as he button hooks a lot.

Would put his outside spin-o-rama on his forehand.