[GDT] Final preseason game. Battle of Alberta. 1pm MT. calgaryflames.com stream

[keenan87]

Originally Posted by Drunk Uncle

I think you see the exact same forward group with Mang where Dube was. Personally I thought Backlund and Tkachuk looked the best they've looked all preseason with Frolik on the right side. Not sure why the desire to split that up.

I think Backlund and Frolik are solid defensive players. However, I really think that Tkachuk has more to offer than 50-60 points a season playing on a defensive first line. Let Backlund and Frolik handle the defensive responsibilities as most of their zone starts will be on defense. As for Tkachuk, let him break out and become a top offensive player. Just my opinion though as I think he can have a lot more points playing with more offensive players.

[Flames1217]

Originally Posted by keenan87

I think Backlund and Frolik are solid defensive players. However, I really think that Tkachuk has more to offer than 50-60 points a season playing on a defensive first line. Let Backlund and Frolik handle the defensive responsibilities as most of their zone starts will be on defense. As for Tkachuk, let him break out and become a top offensive player. Just my opinion though as I think he can have a lot more points playing with more offensive players.

Could run with:

Gaudreau-Monny-Neal
Tkachuk-Lindholm-Czarnik
Bennett-Backlund-Frolik

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Flames1217

Could run with:

Gaudreau-Monny-Neal
Tkachuk-Lindholm-Czarnik
Bennett-Backlund-Frolik

As a hockey coach I just don't think that line works.

Both wingers are weak on their half wall on the break out, it would take the other 30 coaching staffs a week to break that down on video and flood the middle on the forecheck.

Peters focused on the face offs and needing to have that line with the puck more, but I'd add to that that they can't spend 30 seconds in their own zone often as well.

Lindholm is a safe bet to break out so you have Monahan down the pipe, the blueliners beating someone out of the corner, and Lindholm as a break out option.

[Enoch Root]

And if you have Lindholm on the right wall, who you can count on, with Monahan up the middle, the D have two solid options which they should leverage, thus allowing Gaudreau to blow the zone quicker, which forces the other team's D back, creating more room for Lindholm and Monahan on the breakout.

But with Neal, like you say, I think they struggle mightily with the breakout.

[GullFoss]

I want to see:

Gaudreau-Monny-lindholm
Tkachuk-backlund-Czarnik
Bennett-ryan-neal
Mangiapane-jankowski-frolik

[direwolf]

I hope the Flames are ready, as the Oilers will no doubt be treating this like it's game 7 of the Cup final. The preseason championship banner is within their grasp.

[wireframe]

These were the unholy lines from the final preseason game last year:

Gaudreau-Monahan-Ferland
Tkachuk-Backlund-Frolik
Versteeg-Bennett-Brouwer
Glass-Jankowski-Lazar

Giordano-Hamilton
Brodie-Hamonic
Bartkowski-Stone

It's almost unbelievable that it's only been one year.

[fire_starter]

Originally Posted by wireframe

These were the unholy lines from the final preseason game last year:

Gaudreau-Monahan-Ferland
Tkachuk-Backlund-Frolik
Versteeg-Bennett-Brouwer
Glass-Jankowski-Lazar

Giordano-Hamilton
Brodie-Hamonic
Bartkowski-Stone

It's almost unbelievable that it's only been one year.

Yikes that 4th line tho

[Drunk Uncle]

Originally Posted by keenan87

I think Backlund and Frolik are solid defensive players. However, I really think that Tkachuk has more to offer than 50-60 points a season playing on a defensive first line. Let Backlund and Frolik handle the defensive responsibilities as most of their zone starts will be on defense. As for Tkachuk, let him break out and become a top offensive player. Just my opinion though as I think he can have a lot more points playing with more offensive players.

I get what you are saying but i'm thinking the Backlund-Tkachuk-Frolik produced 2nd line offense with heavy d-zone starts 2 seasons ago (i'm calling last year an off year). I think you leave them together and give them more o-zone starts and give Tkachuk top line PP minutes. I still think he breaks out offensively that way and when other teams try to match that line with their top line you still don't have to worry about it.

[Icon]

Originally Posted by bluck

Rattie is listed as DTD in my fantasy pool, precautionary?

Lol

[wireframe]

Originally Posted by fire_starter

Yikes that 4th line tho

The third line isn't much better.

[Kerplunk]

Sounds like I am going to the game as part of a bachelor party....if I don't make it out, avenge me.

[direwolf]

Originally Posted by wireframe

These were the unholy lines from the final preseason game last year:

Gaudreau-Monahan-Ferland
Tkachuk-Backlund-Frolik
Versteeg-Bennett-Brouwer
Glass-Jankowski-Lazar

Giordano-Hamilton
Brodie-Hamonic
Bartkowski-Stone

It's almost unbelievable that it's only been one year.

I still have nightmares about Bartkowski.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Drunk Uncle

I get what you are saying but i'm thinking the Backlund-Tkachuk-Frolik produced 2nd line offense with heavy d-zone starts 2 seasons ago (i'm calling last year an off year). I think you leave them together and give them more o-zone starts and give Tkachuk top line PP minutes. I still think he breaks out offensively that way and when other teams try to match that line with their top line you still don't have to worry about it.

Actually last year they didn't.

Backlund and Frolik especially, but probably to some extent Tkachuk at even strength were all shot attempts and pressure with no results. They were primarily the reason the Flames missed the playoffs last year in my opinion.

They played well, but they didn't finish, and with the drop off in talent on lines three and four the top line couldn't get them there on their own.

Is that blip and the whole line bounces back this year? That's a decent assumption, but they had better watch that closely if they reunite them to start the year.

[Icon]

Originally Posted by GullFoss

I want to see:

Gaudreau-Monny-lindholm
Tkachuk-backlund-Czarnik
Bennett-ryan-neal
Mangiapane-jankowski-frolik

I'd tweak it to this

Gaudreau-Monahan-Lindholm
Tkachuk-Ryan-Czarnik
Bennett-Backlund-Neal
Frolik-Jankowski-Dube

Lines 2 and 3 equal minutes

[djsFlames]

nm

[Sec218]

less than two hours before game time and no projected lineups yet? why the secrecy?

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Is the stream available outside of the region? I need to know if I should make plans to watch the game or make other plans instead.

Just make a backup plan so you don’t set yourself up for failure. Want to know mine? College work.

Please, please be on Flames so I can procrastinate more.

[jg13]

Really pulling for Valimaki to be in the lineup and have a big afternoon.

[Drunk Uncle]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Actually last year they didn't.

Backlund and Frolik especially, but probably to some extent Tkachuk at even strength were all shot attempts and pressure with no results. They were primarily the reason the Flames missed the playoffs last year in my opinion.

They played well, but they didn't finish, and with the drop off in talent on lines three and four the top line couldn't get them there on their own.

Is that blip and the whole line bounces back this year? That's a decent assumption, but they had better watch that closely if they reunite them to start the year.

I think it was a blip on the radar. IMO your top defensive zone start line can't also be your second best scoring line. I think we have more options this year and that will free up that line a bit