Matthew Tkachuk and the 9 games

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Why are breaking up an amazing line in the midst of the team continuing to post a very impressive winning percentage? Simply to make the players who we think should be leading the scoring takeover the team scoring lead?

Maybe if the team hits a rough patch, do what needs to be done, but we can let JG, Monahan, Bennett and Brower (when back) try to figure that out on their own. No need to break up what's been one if the better alround lines in hockey simply to attempt to jack Tkachucks rookie points or make our top two lines look more like how they were drafted up by the fans at the start of the year, at least not while we are winning.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

Why are breaking up an amazing line in the midst of the team continuing to post a very impressive winning percentage? Simply to make the players who we think should be leading the scoring takeover the team scoring lead?

Maybe if the team hits a rough patch, do what needs to be done, but we can let JG, Monahan, Bennett and Brower (when back) try to figure that out on their own. No need to break up what's been one if the better alround lines in hockey simply to attempt to jack Tkachucks rookie points or make our top two lines look more like how they were drafted up by the fans at the start of the year, at least not while we are winning.

It may not be a permanent thing. For instance, in Winnipeg Frolik was often moved around from line to line. When a line started playing poorly or was 'cold', he would be moved to that that line, and that line would usually find its' mojo again. He would then be moved off and onto another under-performing line, but the line that he was moved off of continued to click.

From that standpoint, I have no qualms about it.

Also, sometimes change is just plain good and helps to keep things fresh. Maybe it would turn into 3 very good lines? People argued that the Jokinen-Glencross combo was the best combo for the Flames for over a year, but then it got stale after a while and they both started getting a bit cold.

There is no better time than to tinker with the lines than when the Flames are playing a few of the bottom dwellers in a row, even if it is only for a period or two per game. If it isn't clicking, you can just revert back mid-game. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

Why are breaking up an amazing line in the midst of the team continuing to post a very impressive winning percentage? Simply to make the players who we think should be leading the scoring takeover the team scoring lead?

Maybe if the team hits a rough patch, do what needs to be done, but we can let JG, Monahan, Bennett and Brower (when back) try to figure that out on their own. No need to break up what's been one if the better alround lines in hockey simply to attempt to jack Tkachucks rookie points or make our top two lines look more like how they were drafted up by the fans at the start of the year, at least not while we are winning.

I personally couldn't care less who's producing and who isn't ... but a team with one line won't be a playoff team.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I personally couldn't care less who's producing and who isn't ... but a team with one line won't be a playoff team.

Totally agree, although I think calling the Flames a one line team might be a slight over exaggeration, and regardless, the Flames (for now) continue to win at a rate that will make them a playoff team, in fact at a rate that would make them much more than simply a playoff team if it wasn't for the very slow start.

I don't care about a mix and match of lines either, and I'm sure we are going to have to see some juggling of lines. The point is, you don't do it until the team starts to show signs of struggling to win at this point.

[Geeoff]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

For me, it makes sense to break up that line - at least on a trial period.

When Frolik was signed, Treliving's big selling point was that Frolik was a 'line fixer'. Frolik had a bit of a history in his career as being moved to a line that was struggling, and that line would find its' groove again.

We have seen Backlund making careers out of who he plays with - name a player he has played with for some time, and you will see 'career year' out of that player.

Tkachuk's advanced stat numbers contribute to his line, not detract. That's amazing given his age and the responsibility of that line. I would not expect him to drop off like Bouma did.

You wreck one of the NHL's better shut-down/depth scoring lines, but hopefully solidify your entire top 9 doing so. I agree that it is definitely worth a try.

FWIW, I really do like the Gaudreau/Bennett pairing. My lines would look a bit like this:

Gaudreau - Bennett - Frolik
Tkachuk - Monahan - Versteeg
Ferland - Backlund - Chiasson

I also think that a Tkachuk - Monahan pairing would probably force Monahan to incorporate a bit more snarl into his game. That's probably a good thing (and I say this with the opinion that Monahan is a very good and very underappreciated player).

Another good time to try it would be against Vancouver on Saturday. Vancouver was probably one of the 'easier' games for the Flames this year, though the added pressure of a HNIC telecast might alter that.

I am starting to think that Tkachuk is a 'line fixer' and a 'line driver' all by himself too. I actually wish Ferland played a bit more like Tkachuk is. The only guy I don't want to see Tkachuk playing with is Gaudreau (someone would have to play the off-wing anyways). He brings guys into the game emotionally. If there is one other guy on the Flames that seems to do this lately, it is Gaudreau (for better or worse) when he gets the brunt of the oppositions physicality and distracting tactics.

I don't think that Monahan needs snarl. I'm pretty sure Steve Yzerman didn't show a single emotion in his entire career and it turned out okay. Note: I'm not saying that Monahan is close to Yzerman as a player but they have similar demeanors.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I personally couldn't care less who's producing and who isn't ... but a team with one line won't be a playoff team.

We have 9 forwards who have at least .5 PPG. The Flames are the farthest thing from a 1 line team.

In fact the Flames probably have the most balanced forward lines in the NHL right now and they get deployed as such. The exact opposite of being a 1 line team.

[MrMastodonFarm]

The Flames have more than one line, unfortunately they're all 3rd lines right now.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

The Flames have more than one line, unfortunately they're all 3rd lines right now.

How do you figure? "Third line" production tends to equate to a much smaller figure than 0.5 pts/GP for players, and more than half of the Flames forwards are doing significantly better than that. It is more like three second lines.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

The Flames have more than one line, unfortunately they're all 3rd lines right now.

This is a pretty dumb thing to say. .5 PPG is 2nd line production, not 3rd line. So in reality we have 3 2nd lines. Nothing wrong with that. I'd say the same thing with Chicago the past 2-3 years.

[Bingo]

I think they are balanced in production for sure ... but since I've started doing those corsi summaries in game stories you really notice how often Monahan's line gets worked; it's basically a nightly occurrence.

One line and one defense pairing push the play up the ice

The fourth line and the second pairing are hot and cold

The second and third lines and the third defense pairing spend all their time in a Chinese fire-drill.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Geeoff

I don't think that Monahan needs snarl. I'm pretty sure Steve Yzerman didn't show a single emotion in his entire career and it turned out okay. Note: I'm not saying that Monahan is close to Yzerman as a player but they have similar demeanors.

I agree. IMO Monahan is a great steady centre who has a lot of upside. Lots of fans seem to want him to be something he's not - a dangler, or a physical instigator.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

How do you figure? "Third line" production tends to equate to a much smaller figure than 0.5 pts/GP for players, and more than half of the Flames forwards are doing significantly better than that. It is more like three second lines.

Originally Posted by Bandwagon In Flames

This is a pretty dumb thing to say. .5 PPG is 2nd line production, not 3rd line. So in reality we have 3 2nd lines. Nothing wrong with that. I'd say the same thing with Chicago the past 2-3 years.

Okay, "Not first line" there, changed for yous guys.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Also to Bingo's point (I think), notwithstanding a decent run of results, I don't think the team as a whole is playing overly well. A minor shake-up to hopefully create more opportunities for the Monahan line isn't a bad idea in my opinion.

GG had a soundbite on the radio the other day about how tough the games in Jan-Feb. are. I think they understand the value of these games coming up and how important it is to keep the pedal to the metal.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I agree. IMO Monahan is a great steady centre who has a lot of upside. Lots of fans seem to want him to be something he's not - a dangler, or a physical instigator.

Some of us would settle for an engaged and industrious player without the puck. Anyone can learn to play hard without the puck, regardless of their temperament. Backlund doesn't put guys through the boards, but he's very effective defensively.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Some of us would settle for an engaged and industrious player without the puck. Anyone can learn to play hard without the puck, regardless of their temperament. Backlund doesn't put guys through the boards, but he's very effective defensively.

I think Monahan is working on his defensive game, which I think is way better this year. He's sound enough positionally. And he's obviously been working hard on faceoffs. Backlund is better defensively, but I'd put money on Monahan finishing ahead in goals and points.

I think it's a mistake to assume that a guy who's not demonstrative isn't engaged.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Some of us would settle for an engaged and industrious player without the puck. Anyone can learn to play hard without the puck, regardless of their temperament. Backlund doesn't put guys through the boards, but he's very effective defensively.

Yeah but Backlund wasn't very effective at much at 22. His defensive game started to shine 2-3 seasons later.

[FBI]

Pretty cool when you think that:
Monahan, Bennett, Tkachuk, Gaudreau, Hamilton all might be quite a bit better than they are now in 3 years time.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by FBI

Pretty cool when you think that:
Monahan, Bennett, Tkachuk, Gaudreau, Hamilton all might be quite a bit better than they are now in 3 years time.

The hope is when they are all in their prime we are in the race for Lord Stanley