Practice Notes Nov 28

[Drunk Uncle]

Posted this in another thread:

Below are the xGF% of forward lines over 20min that have played for the Flames this year.

Mangiapane-Backlund-Lewis - 20.6min 73.3%
Huberdeau-Backlund-Lewis - 24.3min 69.2%
Huberdeau-Lindholm-Toffoli - 87min 58.7%
Lucic-Lindholm-Toffoli - 22.3min 56.3%
Ruzicka-Lindholm-Toffoli – 84.4min 55.8%
Coleman-Backlund-Lewis - 83.5min 54.1%
Huberdeau-Backlund-Coleman - 54.9min 53.3%
Coleman-Dube-Ritchie - 21min 52.6%
Mangiapane-Kadri-Dube - 131.8min 47.8%
Lucic-Rooney-Ritchie – 81.3min 43.7%
Coleman-Kadri-Dube – 20.7min 41.7%
Lucic-Kadri-Mangiapane – 21.1min 29.2%
Mangiapane-Kadri-Huberdeau – 22.2min 26.7%

It's a bit of a headscratcher to me why the Kadri line with Dube and Mangiapane has been left together for so long with no tweaks. Offensively they have been great but defensively they have been an absolute tire fire. Sutter must really feel that over time the defensive side of that lines game will improve significantly.

[Kasi]

I just think we need to inject a new element. At some point rearranging chairs just doesn’t do anything. They need to add a positive impact player and subtract a negative player. This will also help the four line strategy he likes to roll with. Bringing up a skill player will help the fourth line since it will push a poor player out.

[1_Flames_Fan]

I think until Markstrom gets his game together he should be rotating starts with Vladar or maybe even win and you stay in. Markstrom knows his game isn't where it needs to be and he has to play better. I don't see Markstrom pouting or anything if that happens, he seems pretty mature.

[ComixZone]

These are the best the lines can be with the current roster.

That’s an improvement. I’m excited for the game tomorrow!

A lot of this teams potential success is tied right to Lindholm and Huberdeau clicking. They are our best two forwards.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Kasi

They were 5-1 and had some pretty good metrics. They had beaten some good teams. Then they lost to Edmonton and he hit shuffle. He’s not stopped hitting it since so yeah I have to say I don’t agree with you right now.

Me? I haven't offered up an opinion on when the lines should be changed.

Just pointing out that he didn't change them much at all last season so he has a history of going with what works.

This year it's not working so he makes changes. You can argue it would work if he didn't make changes, and you could be right, guy with the cups could be correct as well.

[savardandjokinen]

The forward lines are better, but could still be better. With that said, this is progress and I like it. Ideally I'd like

Huberdeau Lindholm/Kadri Toffoli
Ruzicka Kadri/Lindholm Dube
Mangiapane Backlund Coleman
Whatever combo of Lucic/Lewis/Ritchie/Rooney

[TheScorpion]

I would consider putting some more good players on the fourth line.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

I would consider putting some more good players on the fourth line.

Ditto.

…but not at the expense of placing those 4th line players on the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd lines. If only this puzzle could be solved…

[AFireInside]

I'd like to see

Ruzicka - Kadri - Phillips
Coleman - Backlund - Mangiapane..

Dube can go to the 4th line or sit. If Mangiapane doesn't do anything then put Dube there.

Or even

Huberdeau - Kadri - Phillips
Ruzicka - Lindholm - Toffoli
Coleman - Backlund - Mangiapane
Dube and whoever...

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

I would consider putting some more good players on the fourth line.

dusts off the only 48 minutes of five on five hockey in a hockey game explanation for the third straight week ....

[TheScorpion]

Bingo that still doesn't change that there should be good players on all four lines. You can up guys' minutes with PP deployment if need be. But the current arrangement isn't working, and the only reason you keep dusting off that explanation is because nothing has changed.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Bingo

dusts off the only 48 minutes of five on five hockey in a hockey game explanation for the third straight week ....

K even then.

14 Minutes: Huberdeau - Lindholm - Toffoli
12 Minutes: Mangiapane - Kadri - Phillips
12 Minutes: Dube-Backlund-Coleman
10 Minutes: Pelletier - Ruzicka - Lewis

Press Box: Lucic, Ritchie
Waived: Rooney

I'd be perfectly fine with giving that usage a go.

[HighLifeMan]

I am curious as to why Kadri and Toffoli have not been given a look together. Stylistically they seem like a match, and the 2nd line just isn't working anymore.

Huberdeau - Lindholm - Mangiapane
Ruzicka - Kadri - Toffoli
Dube - Backlund - Coleman

This just makes sense to me - but what the heck do I know.

[madmike]

Sticking with Hanifin-Anderson makes no sense at all. They were brutal in Carolina. And logically they’re not a good match. Neither is a strong defence-first type.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by madmike

Sticking with Hanifin-Anderson makes no sense at all. They were brutal in Carolina. And logically they’re not a good match. Neither is a strong defence-first type.

I actually agree and its not like Weegar-Tanev are unplayable.

I think you need to switch it up and I'm not even concerned about how. Play Weegar/Tanev with one of Andersson/Hanifin. It balances things out.

Then Zad and Stone can ruin whoever is left because I like those two together. Just two irritable, unpredictable giants.

[topfiverecords]

Don't matter. It's still four 4th lines.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by HighLifeMan

I am curious as to why Kadri and Toffoli have not been given a look together. Stylistically they seem like a match, and the 2nd line just isn't working anymore.

Huberdeau - Lindholm - Mangiapane
Ruzicka - Kadri - Toffoli
Dube - Backlund - Coleman

This just makes sense to me - but what the heck do I know.

Your first line probably hasn't happened because Mangiapane hasn't earned it this year.

[Harry Lime]

Zadorov-Tanev was so effective that there were multiple media outlets and fans commenting on the emergence of Zadorov.

Weegar-Tanev has been a little underwhelming.

I understand that you don't really want to bury Weegar, working with Stone, but if Stone is merely a placeholder for Kyington, then I would run with Weegar-Stone just because the other pairings are effective.

Unless Kylington is out for months more. Which makes what I'm saying nonsense.

[Harry Lime]

Originally Posted by Buff

Your first line probably hasn't happened because Mangiapane hasn't earned it this year.

Earn, has nothing to do with it. Phillips has earned his way onto the team, but I'm not holding my breath. When he does get some games, they will bump Ritchie up to the top six, and make Phillips play with Lucic and Lewis.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by HighLifeMan

I am curious as to why Kadri and Toffoli have not been given a look together. Stylistically they seem like a match, and the 2nd line just isn't working anymore.

Huberdeau - Lindholm - Mangiapane
Ruzicka - Kadri - Toffoli
Dube - Backlund - Coleman

This just makes sense to me - but what the heck do I know.

These are literally the same lines I posted in our game a couple days ago. I think this is the best fit for each player in terms of style. I hope to see it tried at some point.