[PGT] Flames 1 Oilers 2

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by activeStick

The need for some sort of top end forward to play on the top line is simply not true and you can very easily look around the league and you'll see guys like Sheary, Coyle, etc playing on top lines. The salary cap won't allow anymore for three top flight guys anymore and sometimes, like with the Pens even two. Nothing wrong or crazy with the coach putting Chiasson on the top line. It might not be working but every team needs to find something similar that works.

I've said the same thing quite often. However, the big caveat is that the two top flight players have to play very well to allow the third "OK" guy to fit in, contribute and not be a liability. Like Getzlaf, Perry and "OK" Penner.

This year, you couldn't say that Monahan and Gaudreau are playing well enough to carry a guy like Chiasson. If they were, he could be very useful in the corners, screening, etc.

[EldrickOnIce]

With Bennett, long term is more important than short term, but still not sure what is best.
Galchenyuk is a real good comparison/example.
Therrien basically refused to play him at center through more than his first 200 NHL games. Finally last year, after any playoff hopes were over, they moved him to center full time, and he has been lights out since. Therrien took a lot of heat for not letting him find his way as a center earlier, but certainly looks like it didn't hurt Galchenyuk's development in the position at all. Of course, playing with Radulov and Gallagher/Pacioretti makes it just a bit easier to have success than with the line mates Bennett has.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

With Bennett, long term is more important than short term, but still not sure what is best.
Galchenyuk is a real good comparison/example.
Therrien basically refused to play him at center through more than his first 200 NHL games. Finally last year, after any playoff hopes were over, they moved him to center full time, and he has been lights out since. Therrien took a lot of heat for not letting him find his way as a center earlier, but certainly looks like it didn't hurt Galchenyuk's development in the position at all. Of course, playing with Radulov and Gallagher/Pacioretti makes it just a bit easier to have success than with the line mates Bennett has.

I think Gaudreau is as good as those guys. Brouwer is a different player, but pretty darn good.