[News] Breaking down the NHL’s best and worst first lines this season

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by Kovaz

That's not really accurate. We only acquired Lindholm in 2018, and in 2018-19 our top-6 lines were excellent:

Gaudreau-Lindholm-Tkachuk (2021-22): 62.0% xGF%, 4.00 Goals/60
Gaudreau-Monahan-Lindholm (2018-19): 54.0% xGF%, 3.79 Goals/60
Tkachuk-Backlund-Frolik (2018-19): 58.1% xGF%, 4.07 Goals/60


So really, the time range for this "problem" would be from some time in late 2019 to whenever it was in mid-last season that Sutter put this new line together. And that's only if you think those lines both deserved to be broken up immediately after the Colorado series, otherwise it narrows even further.

Yes, the current line was tested out early in 2019. The Gatorade line was not working out the first month of the season after having struggled late into the 18-19 season and the entire 2019 playoffs. That line was essentially broken when the league figured out how to defend them sometime in the 18-19 season.

In regards to the 3M line, if you remember, they were broken up some time in the 19-20 season as well. It was Mangiapane who was moved up and he was ended up excelling with Backlund and Tkachuk. That line was actually legitimately good, but again, just like with today, when they put Gaudreau and Tkachuk together, the rest of the lines flounder.

It’s like this team is always missing that one piece, that one play driver that can glue the second line together. There’s good complimentary pieces to help build a legit second line, but they’re missing the anchor. Maybe Eichel could’ve been that anchor, but alas, the Flames couldn’t beat out Vegas.

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Teammates since 2018, not 2016.

I’m glad this is a line but it does give me reason for concern in the playoffs if they can’t add scoring depth.

Tkachuk and Gaudreau have been teammates since 2016. That’s what I meant. They could’ve been together since day one and perhaps Treliving could’ve tried to find the answer up the middle sooner. Maybe acquire a 2 way center earlier for them.

The way things went though, it was unlikely. But honestly, I would’ve taken 2019. Almost 3 seasons of this top line would’ve been just gravy.

[dino7c]

only CP could take having the best first line in the entire NHL and turn it into a knock on the GM and organization

[djsFlames]

^ It's why we can't have nice things.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Itse

That's a weird example, considering how Columbus completely destroyed it's future in exchange for a lousy second round exit.

The extent to which they sacrificed everything for short term gains was a terrible idea even back then.

People continually hold up Jarmo as a terrific GM and I don’t see it.

[TheSquatch]

I think if Monahan trends upward here and can slot at 2C, it's probably the difference between a successful season or another near miss for this team. I'm a huge Backlund fan, but he hasn't brought the tenacity or the smarts he's shown in years past. I don't expect goals but once in awhile from him. So a great third line C.

The team is top-heavy in that only the top guys do ANYthing, there's just so much dead weight here, Lewis, Pitlick, Ritchie, Richardson, Dube if I'm feeling mean, ... and then a tier up guys like Coleman who aren't hurting you but you need more from. If the top line is shut down, the team isn't going to win. That's something we've laughed at about the Oilers for a long while.

They need more threats. Amazing top line wins the President's Trophy and exits first round - we know this script.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by TheSquatch

They need more threats. Amazing top line wins the President's Trophy and exits first round - we know this script.

Seven teams in history have won the Presidents' Trophy and then been eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.

The Calgary Flames are not one of those teams.

So where, precisely, do you ‘know this script’ from?

[dino7c]

Lewis is a really good Pker just ask Sutter, he isn't going anywhere

[TheSquatch]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

Seven teams in history have won the Presidents' Trophy and then been eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.

The Calgary Flames are not one of those teams.

So where, precisely, do you ‘know this script’ from?

Sorry, I spoke metaphorically.

The script occurred in 2018-19 when the Calgary Flames won the Western Division and had more points than anyone but God, and then got skated out of the barn by a determined Avalanche team. The top line was real good that year, though I think not as good as the year before (when Hudler was still here EDIT LOL I'm old, Hudler was 2016).


If Monahan isn't good/healthy/active/scoring/competing this team is in real trouble come playoffs. He's hugely important... possibly the most critical link in developing an actually dangerous second line.

You think the team's good enough as is? I don't.

[TheSquatch]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Lewis is a really good Pker just ask Sutter, he isn't going anywhere

And Sutter knows more about hockey than me by 1000%, and yeah, we're stuck with this crew this year, largely.

Maybe Ruzicka will stick. That'd be great.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by TheSquatch

Sorry, I spoke metaphorically.

You mean hyperbolically. You exaggerated to make your point, because the actual facts don't support your case.

You think the team's good enough as is? I don't.

I never offered any opinion about that, since the subject didn't even come up. But hey, I guess you're just speaking metaphorically, right?