Can you Force Bennett in the top 6 with Gaudrau?

[N-E-B]

Yeah Ferland looks awful on the 1st line. He's gone a whole 1 game without a point. His 20 goals are worthless.

The 1st line isn't the issue with this team. There's no need to fix it.

Bennett and Jankowski need a better winger, Hathaway and Brouwer aren't cutting it.

[Brick]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Another game without production from Ferland.

I think it's time to move Tkachuk up to the top line.

If you're going to be top heavy, go all-in on this sucker.

Gaudreau - Monahan - Tkachuk
Ferland - Backlund - Frolik
Lazar - Jankowski - Bennett
Jabroni - Stajan - Jabroni

I feel like more than anyone, MONAHAN would benefit from having Tkachuk out there.

I think this experiment with Gaudreau and Bennett worked 'okay'. But, IF you can get some kind of thing going there and can add a scorer here in the next week or so, maybe that is a line.

Something I've been thinking about for a few months is this: Is there a player in the league who is more desirable to play with than Gaudreau? He can basically play with anyone. He can take and make, receive and distribute just about any puck. Some of his takes tonight were incredible. He takes passes and does things with them than 90% of the league with double clutch on if they could corral it at all.

That is the thing that's desperately missing from the roster. Backlund should be a third line guy for Calgary. The offense just isn't there, he gets prime minutes and should produce more. Give him third line icetime and watch him freakin' dominate like he doesn't have an opportunity to at as a second line player demanding offense. If the Flames had a centre who could pass and shoot the puck on the second line, an alternative to Monahan that Gaudreau could play with, that would be the ultimate. Maybe that player isn't a centre, but a winger? IF you don't want to move Bennett, can you build Bennett to be a top 6 centre if you play him with Gaudreau and a top flight winger in their own right?

If the Flames brought in another top line winger, and I mean top line here, could you force Bennett at centre with Gaudreau if it meant splitting first line icetime with a line comprised of Monahan/Tkachuk/someone?

Gaudreau - Bennett - (James Neal/Nyquist/Tatar/Tyler Johnson)
Tkachuk - Monahan - Winger (ferland?)
Brouwer - Backlund - Frolik
Hathaway - Stajan/Jankowski - Lazar

Could you package Brodie or Stone with a top defensive prospect for a winger under contract capable for scoring 30 goals/70 pts? Could you build a deal for a top, top player?

I had similar thoughts watching the game last night. Hathaway is a 4th line player. They need someone good to play with Bennett, who looked so much better with Johnny and also when they played Tkachuk with him. With what I saw, the experiment proved that it would probably be worthwhile to use some assets to add another solid top six player.

[Enoch Root]

I really like the idea of putting Tkachuk on Monahan's line. Tkachuk can handle RW just as easily as LW, I suspect - the kid is just a smart hockey player. Plus, he has more offensive talent than the team is currently utilizing. He has hands of butter and an elite IQ for offensive creativity. Put him with Monahan and Gaudreau and let's see what he can do. I have a feeling that him and Gaudreau could develop something amazing. And they would have Monahan as their trigger man.

[Enoch Root]

I could also get on board with the idea of putting Tkachuk with Bennett and Jankowski.

Then put someone smart defensively on Backlund's line - Stajan for now? Then Brouwer or Versteeg when they're back?

Then go full energy line for the 4th line.

but I think the best idea is Tkachuk with Gaudreau:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Tkachuk (crazy good, IMO)
Versteeg/Brouwer - Backlund - Frolik
Bennett - Jankowski - Versteeg/new guy
Ferland - Lazar - Brouwer/Hathaway (energy line)

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I could also get on board with the idea of putting Tkachuk with Bennett and Jankowski.

Then put someone smart defensively on Backlund's line - Stajan for now? Then Brouwer or Versteeg when they're back?

Then go full energy line for the 4th line.

but I think the best idea is Tkachuk with Gaudreau:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Tkachuk (crazy good, IMO)
Versteeg/Brouwer - Backlund - Frolik
Bennett - Jankowski - Versteeg/new guy
Ferland - Lazar - Brouwer/Hathaway (energy line)

I wouldn't want to saddle Tkachuk with that much dead weight. Tkachuk and Backlund proved they were good enough to carry Troy Brouwer around for a month and turn him into nearly a 0.5 PPG player.

Put Frolik with Jankowski and Bennett - when he came to us from the Jets, one of the things that was talked about with Frolik was that he was a fixer. You could put him on any line and he could get that line going because he's a solid, smart pro hockey player.

The third line needs fixing.

Also, I'm watching AC's Bennett video from 14/15 - don't know where that player has gone. Maybe a switch back to 63 is in order.

[EVERLAST]

I think rotating guys onto the top line is a good idea. Creating healthy competition/ reward factor is a good thing.

Tkachuk needs to drive his own line as I wonder if he's left there by Glen because Glen isn't 100% sold on Matt playing elsewhere. I love that Tkachuk makes others better ....just does. Getting guys engaged to play this way is awesome.

Putting Bennett up there could backfire tho.

I think it's easy to get into Ferlunds and Bennett's heads by doing this and maybe it's a way to motivate them ....or maybe it isn't.

Glen needs to do something. Johnny can play with anyone and make them look good.
I think the same can be said of Tkachuk, Sean, Backs and Frolik.
Line juggling can be risky but you just never know what your going to get.....kinda like a box of chocolates....couldn't resist.

We're damn close to getting this figured out I think.

I'd hate to be Glen though. He's trying every thing and is just barely getting the results. It's not easy putting a positive spin on things butnyou gotta try.

[CSharp]

Ferland is fine on any line, really. Even if he doesn't score 82 games a season, he's still contributing on the ice. 20 goal season isn't that shabby either, it's actually fantastic, especially when he pounds the other players into the boards. So, what's the complaint here?

Not sure why Bennett needs to be appeased to play with the top players when there are better players on the top six that's doing their job favorably. What this team really need is a top 6 right winger and maybe add another 3/4th line right winger for depth.

I'd leave Tkachuck on line two to spread out the offensive threat. Both Ferland and Tkachuk plays it tough on the offensive zone, which is awesome.

[Itse]

I wouldn't mind an experiment of swapping Ferland and Tkachuk just to see what happens, but then again I have a hard time seeing it make much of a difference. Possibly the the first line puts up a few more points and the 2nd line a few less.

I think swapping Ferland and Frolik could do more good. Idea basically being that since you don't want to break up Gaudreau-Monahan, Tkachuk-Backlund-Ferland is the best possible 2nd line we can create with the rest, and then you put the 6th best guy with Gaudreau-Monahan with the assumption that they're the guys who create most of the offense on that line anyway. I think there's a good chance the new 3M created this way would get a decent increase in points with Ferland replacing Frolik, while the 1st line loses quite little.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Bennett and Gaudreau have chemistry. Put Bennett with Monahan and Gaudreau. Ferland would play great with Jankowski and Hathaway. Even on the PP last night Gaudreau and Bennett were great on Jankowski’s goal.

[H2SO4(aq)]

I’d be fine trying bennett up in ferlands place if only because it might get Benny going. Although I think the smarter play would be to acquire a better winger for the third line. But with versteeg coming back I don’t really see it happening

[Brick]

Originally Posted by H2SO4(aq)

I’d be fine trying bennett up in ferlands place if only because it might get Benny going. Although I think the smarter play would be to acquire a better winger for the third line. But with versteeg coming back I don’t really see it happening

I hope that you're wrong because Versteeg is slowing down and is injury prone.
He'd help on the powerplay but what do they do if he gets injured again?

[GoJetsGo]

There is no way you break up the top line when they're playing as well as they are to get the 3rd line going. You risk having the top and third lines stall out.

Keep Johnny-Monahan-Ferland together while they're clicking as well as they are. It's a great dynamic.

[H2SO4(aq)]

Originally Posted by Brick

I hope that you're wrong because Versteeg is slowing down and is injury prone.
He'd help on the powerplay but what do they do if he gets injured again?

I hope I’m wrong too. Just going off what I’ve heard from treliving and Burke the last couple weeks in interviews. I think flames need a piece to put them over the top and I don’t think versteeg is it.

Id be big time on board for bringing Hoffman in but will be a lot easier to just stick with versteeg and not give up picks/prospects.

[LostCatalyst]

Of late it seems like the top line success has little to do with Ferland though. I’m not opposed to just switching him and Bennett for a few games. Bennett brings the same style with a little less finish seemingly. Not a knock against ferly as his season has been great, but we can’t be scared to switch Bennett and Ferland in the lineup. If removing Ferland ruins gaudreau and Monahan (it won’t) then I’ll eat a big helping of crow

[LostCatalyst]

Of late it seems like the top line success has little to do with Ferland though. I’m not opposed to just switching him and Bennett for a few games. Bennett brings the same style with a little less finish seemingly. Not a knock against ferly as his season has been great, but we can’t be scared to switch Bennett and Ferland in the lineup. If removing Ferland ruins gaudreau and Monahan (it won’t) then I’ll eat a big helping of crow

[The Boy Wonder]

After seeing GG coach this team for the past season and a half I highly doubt we'll see any big changes in line combinations. I would be in favour of trying Bennett up with gaudreau, and ferland can fit anywhere inthe lineup, he's basically turned into what the flames were expecting brouwer to be. A guy who can be slotted in anywhere in the lineup to add a bit of everything

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by LostCatalyst

Of late it seems like the top line success has little to do with Ferland though. I

I think you're underestimating how imporant chemistry is. There's a lot of elements that go into a line having success and Ferly is at a good place walking a line between making smart adept plays (with the confidence he belongs there) - while maintaining a physical presence that creates room.

That line is working now and has been most of the season. Splitting it up just to get a 3rd line player going risks having two lines not clicking. One of which is the better lines in the league.

Doesn't make sense and I can't see it happening.

[LostCatalyst]

If chemistry is the main worry then why not try it for a couple shifts per game. Our zone entry is normally gaudreau coming to the half boards and then dropping to the d for a high cycle. If the puck goes deep Ferland digs it out. If it’s a fast break, 2 on 1, or Ferland with a clear shot then by all means he’s outperformed Bennett in those situations. Honestly in the board battles as well. Dammit I just want Bennett to crack 40 points!

[nightfx]

I think we're getting close to the point to where the linemates excuse is the issue we want it to be rather than the real issue. Bennett has gone on streaks where he looks great and streaks where he is terrible with the same linemates he has now.

It really seems to me like it's the mental game that's really holding him back, there isn't a player on this team who seems to benefit more from the confidence gained by scoring a goal than Bennett. Bennett clearly gets (overly) frustrated when he isn't producing the way he thinks he should be and it ends up hurting his game even more, I'm sure he'll figure it out as he gets older but it could be years from now.

[oldschoolcalgary]

isn't Gaudreau 2nd in NHL scoring?

not sure why anyone would want to break up that line...while i can see making changes on a very short term basis, just to keep things fresh, it strikes me as odd that one would make change for the sake of change.

Ferland has had a breakout season...