Quote:
Originally Posted by ComixZone
If you look at things with a big picture perspective, who the off cares about Mikael Backlund?
Sorry - we didn't have Lindholm yet, and the moment we drafted Tkachuk it should have been:
Gaudreau - Monahan - Tkachuk
Bennett - Backlund - Frolik
or
Gaudreau - Monahan - Ferland
Tkachuk - Bennett - Frolik
You then deploy Backlund as your checking 3rd line.
Instead they !@#$ing buried Bennett with Jankowski and Brouwer.
The Flames screwed up Bennett's development by slapping him all over there roster and playing him with bad players, and they suppressed Tkachuk's ability by stapling him with Backlund and Frolik.
It's not even debatable. It's why we've had zero success, and it's why our ex-coaches will never be head coaches in this league again.
|
This really hits the nail on the head for me. Backlund is one of the best shut down centres in the league, but there's absolutely no reason for him to be in a top six role. The Flames would have been much better off with two dedicated offensive lines and a third line being deployed in a shut down role.
Your second line needs to contribute more offensively and can't just be a shut down line. Yes, I'm aware that Tkachuk had success playing on the second line with Backlund, but he would have had even more success with a more offensively minded centre.
It's pretty obvious that Bennett and Tkachuk have extreme chemistry together. While it's important for players do develop defensive awareness, you also have to let them play their own game.
I would also like to see a fourth line full of young energy guys, instead of just grinding vets.
The Flames really do have an opportunity to correct, at least the Bennett loss, with players like Pelletier, Coronato, and Zary. Just get these guys out of the AHL and onto the team.
