Who plays on that top line with Sean and John?

[spuzzum]

Hudler might be available for super cheap - 1 year @ 1.5 - 2 mil. Keep the other lines mentioned as effective and sheltered units.

[EldrickOnIce]

New coach. It's possible they are split up?

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

New coach. It's possible they are split up?

That's something I didn't concider. It's not crazy to think this is possible. It may happen at some point in the season. That said, I don't see any reason to split em up. It's been working well.

[Jacks]

Brouwer seems most likely for the top line, a capable physical scorer.
I'd like to see Chaisson tried out on Backlund's wing, physical and defensively responsible.
Frolik would be good on Bennett's wing and give some veteran guidance.
I can see Hathaway making a good case for 4th line RW.

1) Gaudreau - Monahan - Brouwer
2) Tkachuk/Shinkaruk - Bennett - Frolik
2b) Ferland/Shinkaruk/Bouma - Backlund - Chaisson
4) Bollig/Ferland - Stajan/Bouma - Hathaway

We'll have to see who gels in training camp.

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by polak

This is very optimistic thinking. He only had 13 goals and 38 points when he play 79 points with the Stars in his best season. Considering the price we paid for him, that type of production is exactly what I expect. Barring a miraculous turn around, I'll just pencil us in for another lottery pick if he's on our top line. If we have another revolving door of bottom 9 players in that spot again then that's exactly where we'll be.

Yeah, while it'd be great if either Pribyl or Chiasson surprised and one of them could find a permanent home on the top line the odds are against them considering one guy hasn't played in the NHL before and another guy's history shows a short 10 game run of producing with a more significant run of not being able to produce.

Hoping for either of them to pan out in the top 6 is only going to turn the same people off against them when they don't produce.

[Yanda]

Frolik then Brouwer

[codynw]

Originally Posted by EVERLAST

Sam Bennett please.

This guy is turning into the most underated, underappreciated player ive ever seen.

Im so impressed with this guy. He hits everyone, strips pucks away, goes hard to the net, battles in the corners, never takes a shift off ....he shys away from nothing.

The puck never seems to die on his stick he has great vision and combined with Johnny and Sean WOW.

The only thing is I dont want to see them stack one line with all our best as I want to see these guys all play well together and so if Glen throws lines into the blender it doesnt matter.

If these guys are intimate with all different linemates with or without injuries which are bound to happen.

3 Zone 5 man unit possesion style system sounds great I just want to see it.

if they can have success without other teams catching on to quickly itll be great.

Gone are the days of dump and chase and riverboat gambler hockey .

Bennett is a center and should play center.

[cannon7]

Would like to see a Tkachuk-Bennett-Brouwer line.

Flames still don't have enough right handed shots with a realistic shot at taking over top-line RW duties. Gotta wonder what Treliving's plan is since letting Colborne and Jorris effectively walk.

[dissentowner]

I think when Tkachuk makes the team he will be used as a RW. He almost always crosses over to that side and seems to like shooting more from that side.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Red Menace

I think it's very possible that the RW on the top line will actually be our 7th or 8th best Fwd.... I think they are going to spread out the talent.

I agree and I think they will go in this direction.

While Brouwer would fit on the top line, I think it makes more sense for him to be with Bennett. It also allows them to put another young player on that line, whether it's Tkachuk or Shinkaruk.

Chiasson brings the same size and physicality to the top line that Brouwer would. And he goes to the net. If that worked out, and he took a step forward, it would be a massive win for the Flames.

And while they are trying him out, they will also be evaluating Poirier and Pribyl. If one of them step up, that would also solve the problem. And if Chiasson doesn't, it gives them 20 games or so to see which one of these guys is ready for a shot.

If they all fail, you slide Brouwer up there and deal with the 3rd line accordingly.

(I am working on the premise that Frolik is with Backlund and they are too good and useful together to split up)

[Enoch Root]

Oh, and then there is also the Tkachuk angle.

If none of Chiasson, Poirier or Pribyl step up, but Tkachuk has made the team and is playing well, they could move him up, as he brings the same physicality and net presence to the equation.

Then slide Shinkaruk in with Bennett and Brouwer.

Lots of options this year - one of them will work.

[gunnner]

9 different guys. Ferland, Brouwer, Frolik, Poirier, Hunter, Bouma, Chaisson, Vey, and Stajan. Ferland and Brouwer spend the most time there.

[Fire]

Gaudreau - Monahan - Shinkaruk/Pribyl
Tkachuk - Bennett - Brouwer
Bouma - Backlund - Frolik
Ferland - Stajan - Chiasson
Bollig

Shinkaruk/Pribyl - First call-up if a Top-6 winger gets hurt
Hathaway - The first call-up if a Bottom 6 winger gets hurt
Vey - The first call-up if a center is hurt and if Jankowski is not ready yet.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Lots of options (and I do not think Stajan is an option - I see him and Vey offering little to that top line).

Pribyl - size and puck skills to add to that line. Apparently a good skater too, which will help.
Ferland - yeah, yeah, people are down on Ferland, but the guy is good at possession hockey, and is great along the boards and can dig out pucks, and yes, he can stick up for Johnny, especially if Gulutzan lets him. He also makes solid plays.
Shinkaruk - not sold on him playing up on that line, but worth a longer look.
Jankowski - Think he would be a good complimentary winger for that line.
Brouwer - seems like the most natural of fits with his size, board work and skills.
Chiasson - has a bit to prove, but I think if he can be closer to the player he was in Dallas, he could be a very good fit on that line. If he is closer to the player he was in Ottawa, he won't be anywhere close to that line.
Tkachuk - is a good fit obviously (if not this season, upcoming seasons), but why put all your eggs in one basket? Line one and Line 2 can be equally effective and be tough to match-up against. Would rather Tkachuk be glued to Bennett - Bennett deserves talent to play with too.

Probably some other guys deserve a look. Vey is too soft and too.. meh.. for my liking on that line. Ditto for Stajan, and Stajan I don't think can keep up.

This is what I see as qualities that make a good fit:

Size - A guy that is difficult to handle, especially in front of the net and going to dig out rebounds from the net, dig out pucks from the corner, and stick up for Johnny sometimes.
Skill - has to have the hands to at least not have plays die on his stick, but hopefully more than that.
Speed - has to keep up with that line, if not be a faster skater than Monahan. Why? It will give that line a different look in zone entries. Either Gaudreau carries it in, or if the Defence tries to swarm, that puck is sent in deep with the 'x' big guy going in and getting to that puck first.

That is just what I think anyways. Jankowski fits everything except for the 'sticking up for Gaudreau' portion. Ferland just needs to stop being so snakebitten - he is perfect for that line, but so is Brouwer now, and perhaps even more so (as long as he skates as well as Ferland - Ferland is a very good skater and forechecker).

[1qqaaz]

I would hope either Brouwer or Frolik can slot on the top line. They are consistent offensively, responsible defensively. They have shown that the can produce at the NHL level. They're not AHL tweeners, or 4th line grinders.

It would be irresponsible to put Tkachuk on the top line in his rookie season. I would rather shelter him on the third line with powerplay time. For Tkachuk, development is more important than anything else. While I do think he should be in the NHL, I don't think a top line role is good for him.

Ferland has no offence. I get that he might be able to create space and even drive some possession. But I don't think his play justifies a top line role. In terms of forwards, I think only Bolig and Bouma produced less last year. They were not given the same opportunities as Ferland. Same goes for Chiasson, I'm guessing. I doubt he has the offensive touch required. I get that his role would be to create space, but you can't have the puck dying on his play.

I doubt Shinkaruk/Jankowski even make the team (barring preseason injuries). It's borderline silly to put them on the top line. I guarantee they lacks the consistency required in this role. Plus, I would rather put someone more defensively responsible there.

I think the optimal player would have size, consistency, offensive awareness, experience, and be defensively responsible. Gaudreau and Monahan are still young, so I don't think it would hurt to have a vet on their line.

[Stupid]

I think the partner on that line will heavily depend on how the season goes. I can see the choices ending up quite differently for a playoff-bound season as compared to a non-p.o.b. season.

Playing style is also a bit of a question mark at this point as the coach may opt for having the best first line possible or - as others have alluded to - the talent may be more spread out over other lines. Then there's injuries to add to this complex matter.

If we're just discussing the best fit I think the order for me would be:
Brouwer
Frolik

All other options come with a lot of question marks but here goes:
Ferland ("truculence", he could refind his scoring touch with them, and regain his swagger)
Chiasson (kinda like Ferland)
Prybil (highly doubtful imo)

I don't think Bennett/Jankowski should play wing unless it's unavoidable.
I'd prefer Tkachuk to play in a more sheltered role if staying up at all.
Shinkaruk I'd prefer sheltered first as well.

[Flames_F.T.W]

I'm thinking they keep Frolik and Backlund together to do much of the heavy lifting and provide support for the scoring lines.

[gunnner]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

I would hope either Brouwer or Frolik can slot on the top line. They are consistent offensively, responsible defensively. They have shown that the can produce at the NHL level. They're not AHL tweeners, or 4th line grinders.

It would be irresponsible to put Tkachuk on the top line in his rookie season. I would rather shelter him on the third line with powerplay time. For Tkachuk, development is more important than anything else. While I do think he should be in the NHL, I don't think a top line role is good for him.

Ferland has no offence. I get that he might be able to create space and even drive some possession. But I don't think his play justifies a top line role. In terms of forwards, I think only Bolig and Bouma produced less last year. They were not given the same opportunities as Ferland. Same goes for Chiasson, I'm guessing. I doubt he has the offensive touch required. I get that his role would be to create space, but you can't have the puck dying on his play.

I doubt Shinkaruk/Jankowski even make the team (barring preseason injuries). It's borderline silly to put them on the top line. I guarantee they lacks the consistency required in this role. Plus, I would rather put someone more defensively responsible there.

I think the optimal player would have size, consistency, offensive awareness, experience, and be defensively responsible. Gaudreau and Monahan are still young, so I don't think it would hurt to have a vet on their line.

Im not sure if such a chart exists, but it would be interesting to see who Johnny and Sean had the most success with on a ppg basis last year of the all wingers that rotated through. My eyeballs felt like they played their best with Ferland riding shotgun, even though Ferland didnt produce well enough himself.

[Parallex]

Brouwer or Shinkaruk would be my guess (at even strength, without a doubt it'd be Brouwer on the PP).

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by gunnner

Im not sure if such a chart exists, but it would be interesting to see who Johnny and Sean had the most success with on a ppg basis last year of the all wingers that rotated through. My eyeballs felt like they played their best with Ferland riding shotgun, even though Ferland didnt produce well enough himself.

The problem with points, is sample size. That applies to Ferland too. Even if he didn't produce, there wasn't enough sample size to conclude he wouldn't produce. Sometimes the goalie on the other side is the more relevant factor, sometimes you get a whole bunch of bounces without contributing anything. Shot Attempt based metrics have a better sample size to allude to what was going on, though they won't measure individual player skill they will identify defensive play and you can generally assume you're getting chances with Gaudreau and Monahan on the ice in the correct zone.

With that critical caveat that makes the following almost entirely moot, 2015-16 On-Ice Goals-For Per 60 Minutes 5v5, source Puckalytics:

Gaudreau-Monahan-Jones 5.69 in 116:02
Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler 3.07 in 410:59
Gaudreau-Monahan-Jooris 3.02 in 59:39
Gaudreau-Monahan-Hathaway 2.92 in 20:31
Gaudreau-Monahan-Raymond 2.37 in 25:20
Gaudreau-Monahan-Frolik 2.10 in 57:12
Gaudreau-Monahan-Ferland 2.07 in 144:47
Gaudreau-Monahan-Shinkaruk 1.95 in 30:50
Gaudreau-Monahan-Colborne 1.24 in 48:23

The shot attempt (CF%) metrics tell more of the story of whether the Flames were carrying the play with the player on-ice, which is more projectable although many of the samples are still pretty wildly insufficient:

Gaudreau-Monahan-Raymond 58.1% in 25:20
Gaudreau-Monahan-Jooris 55.1% in 59:39
Gaudreau-Monahan-Ferland 53.8 % in 144:47
Gaudreau-Monahan-Colborne 53.7% in 48:23
Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler 51.5% in 410:59
Gaudreau-Monahan-Hathaway 46.9% in 20:31
Gaudreau-Monahan-Shinkaruk 43.3% in 30:50
Gaudreau-Monahan-Jones 42.3% in 116:02
Gaudreau-Monahan-Frolik 42.5% in 57:12


If these statistics are any indication whatsoever though, the Jooris-Monahan-Gaudreau line was the all-around most successful overall in terms of balancing possession with goal scoring. Hudler is probably the second most successful on that line, and with his immense sample size you could probably bump him to first. Frolik, surprisingly, the most fruitless fit along with Shinkaruk, but Shinkaruk was a rookie and stands to improve.