Gaudreau - Monahan - ?

[GioforPM]

Hasn't Ferland played LW most of the time?

[Savvy27]

Taking a look at the options available really hammers home how big of a hole the Flames have in their roster right now. Ferland and Chiasson are nowhere near first line players. Hopefully Treliving can make a move to bring in another talented winger with the surplus of defencemen and bottom-six calibre forwards currently on the roster.

[Calgary4LIfe]

This guy gets my vote:



I don't mind Ferland - he has soft hands and makes good plays. Great in the corners. Has good speed to keep up with the top line. Will protect Gaudreau. Can make nice passes. He just seems to be unable to score, even though his shot is decent (slapper and wrist).

However, I think it will figuratively be a revolving door until someone just fits. Pribyl when he gets healed up and up to speed in Stockton. Chiasson, Shinkaruk (though I think he is too small), Jankowski (once he gets a bit more experience under his belt), or whomever else isn't already coupled with someone else (like Frolik/Backlund and Brouwer/Bennett).

I know if I was Gulutzan, I would be looking at one or two guys initially, but if they don't end up scoring or looking like they are really contributing to that line, I would feel the pressure to try someone else for a 5 game stint, and on and on until someone ends up clicking.

You only really need someone that won't drag that line down, and hopefully that will make room for them. Heck, Hartley last season tried Bollig on that top line (for a half-game). I really do expect more of the same for the first 1/3 of the season - more if nobody manages to click.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

Ferland is the best of a series of poor options. Some points in his favor:

-He's big.
-Can skate.
-Goes to dirty areas.
-Causes turnovers.

Someone who can put a little panic in the minds of opposing D is not the worst option to have with Gaudreau and Monahan. Forcing bad passes and mistakes around those two? Good luck.

Edit: Just noticed Alex Tanguay is still available - put up 13 points in 18 games with Phoenix after being dealt away from Colorado. Only 36 years old. Given the choice between Tangs Round 3 or any of the already discussed options... We could do worse.

Tangs wouldn't be the worst option. Probably better than anything they can currently throw out there.

[dying4acup]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Tangs wouldn't be the worst option. Probably better than anything they can currently throw out there.

Nope. No. Nonononono.

I thank Tanguay for his time here, like I did Hudler and Russell, but the goal is to find those guys that will fill the role on a cup team, not to maybe scrape into the playoffs with a standin.

[Locke]

Oliwa!

Gaudreau - Monahan - Oliwa

Do it!

[Crumpy-Gunt]

2004 Jarome Iginla

[Cycling76er]

Gaudreau - Monahan - The 1976 Philadelphia Flyers

[Hockey_Ninja]

1. Steal a sample of Ovechkin's DNA
2. Clone him
3. ???????
4. Profit

[The 6 Flames]

Brad Boyes on a super cheap 1yr deal?

[Azhouse]

No Tanguay please.

[Finger Cookin]

Frolik gets my vote. I'd rather try a revolving door on Backlund's wing to see what sticks than doing so on the top line. And if he doesn't work out, at least you tried before joining him at the hip with Backlund.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

Frolik gets my vote. I'd rather try a revolving door on Backlund's wing to see what sticks than doing so on the top line. And if he doesn't work out, at least you tried before joining him at the hip with Backlund.

Frolik is my first option as well for a few reasons:

1) defensively responsible
2) He can shoot and finish plays, at least more than most on the team
3) he can skate and keep up with the play
4) he provides some veteran calmness and stability to 2, still very young, stars

Ideally it would be great if we could find a couple of guys to play Backlund's wing who can play solid defense and maybe contribute a little offensively. Korpikoski looks like he ca skate still, and he's ok defensively. Bouma would be great if he can regain his scoring touch a little. Stajan would make sense, as I don't think he's suited to playing center at this point in his career.

Stajan-Backlund-Bouma

Then you can slot Ferland in the Tkachuk role alongside Bennett and Brouwer. OR Shinkaruk if he impresses enough. A smaller guy with two bigger grittier guys makes sense to me.

Ferland(Shinkaruk)-Bennett-Brouwer

That leaves the 4th line, and I have been impressed by both F. Hamilton and Hathaway so far. Put the two young guys with a solid vet and you have a decent 4th line. That could be 1 of 2 options as I think you could see Korpikoski or Higgins make the team in a 4th line, PK role.

Korpikoski/Higgins-F. Hamilton-Hathaway

extra: Bollig, Vey

this would all be assuming Tkachuk is returned to junior after a 9 game stint, which I think is still likely for this season. If he somehow makes the team full time, you can bump every left winger down a spot and it would work out just fine.

Gaudreau?-Monahan-Frolik
Ferland (Shinkaruk/Tkachuk)-Bennett-Brouwer
Stajan-Backlund-Bouma
Korpikoski-F. Hamilton-Hathaway

[Imported_Aussie]

Frolik to the top line is interesting, and it gives the opportunity to put one of the other guys with Backlund, who is good at making his teammates better. I would wager that any decent player would have "chemistry" with Backlund.

Gaudreau - Monahan - Frolik (moving Shinkaruk up here for mismatches)
Tkachuk - Bennett - Brouwer
Bouma - Backlund - Shinkaruk (switching Frolik here for D-zone tough matchups)
Ferland - Hamilton - Hathaway/Chiasson

Stajan + 1 one Chiasson/Hathaway/Bollig as the spares

If you return Tkachuk to juniors, then Ferland lands on the "smash and grab" Bennett-Brouwer line

Stajan is the perfect 13th forward (except for the salary) for this team, as he is a great teammate and can plug in at Centre and win draws, or on the wing. Good insurance on Hamilton, but I feel Freddie has earned a regular spot in the lineup

[Lanny_McDonald]

Chaisson. They want some size on that line and someone who can retrieve pucks. They want a guy to go to the dirty areas and provide some physicality. The two guys that stand out in that regard are Brouwer and Chaisson. Ferland could be a fit, but he has to show some consistency. Based on the choices, and the desire to go with Bennett and Brouwer as a pair, Chaisson gets the nod until Ferland can show he can contribute.

[Karl]

Stajan should be used only as a winger in 5-on-5 situations at this point. He's too slow to handle centre responsibilities anymore. Wing or press box.

[A Shot Wide]

My vote for Frolik as well. A big compliment of his was he could play with anyone, and I think Backlund is like that as well, so maybe we're mistaking this special chemistry as just 2 really smart players that can adapt to their linemates. Plus Chiasson on the 3rd line allows him to play more his style of game.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Gaudreau?-Monahan-Frolik
Ferland (Shinkaruk/Tkachuk)-Bennett-Brouwer
Stajan-Backlund-Bouma
Korpikoski-F. Hamilton-Hathaway

Very close to my guess at the forward lines. I would put Chiasson alongside Backlund to start and release Korppikoski. Bouma gets that spot alongside the others on the fourth line. And then Bollig and Vey seem fine as extras.

Let us celebrate our new arrangement with the adding of chocolate to milk.

[CroFlames]

Ferland is the best of a bad situation. I don't think he's the type of player you want on your first line.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

I laugh in the face of anyone suggesting Frolik.

Did you guys watch the WC? He managed 1 assist and about 20 glorious scoring chances that he couldn't finish on. The guy has 0 finishing ability, he only scores because his up-tempo game causes lots of havoc in the offensive zone. But he doesn't play well with skilled players and it's been proven throughout his career.

That top line needs someone stronger, faster, better at passing and with an NHL shot. Not a very good shutdown 3rd liner.