Who should Johnny Hockey play with?

[StrykerSteve]

@NHLFlames: "I just try and read them and compliment their games." - Byron on tomorrow's line-mates, Gaudreau & Arnold (VIDEO) http://t.co/W4B4sl2Lzo

[Wastedyouth]

Byron and Gaudreau on the same line. Are we sure Hartley isn't trolling Burke at this point?

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Wastedyouth

Byron and Gaudreau on the same line. Are we sure Hartley isn't trolling Burke at this point?

Burke: "Bob I thought I told you to surround that kid with beef"
Bob: "Yah you did so we put em with like Paulie"
Burke: "But.....oh I see what you did there"

[Miniac]

Originally Posted by Miniac

That's the starting lineup this Sunday.

Got 2 out of 3 right

[stemit14]

I would love to see baertschi-Monahan-hudler reunited next year. Then put gaudreau with backlund and colborne. But I could also see gaudreau being protected on the third line a little for the first part of the year... Maybe on a line with knight/Reinhart/Arnold as his center and David Jones on the other side. If that happens... Expect jones to have a bounce-back year.

[ForeverFlameFan]

I really don't see Jones having a bounce-back year.

I'd still like a Gaudreau-Monahan-Colborne line.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by stemit14

I would love to see baertschi-Monahan-hudler reunited next year. Then put gaudreau with backlund and colborne. But I could also see gaudreau being protected on the third line a little for the first part of the year... Maybe on a line with knight/Reinhart/Arnold as his center and David Jones on the other side. If that happens... Expect jones to have a bounce-back year.

I also like the Gaudreau • Monahan • Colbourne line, but think it would also be good to try a line of Baertschi • Backlund • Hudler.

[Rick M.]

Given what I saw from Arnold last night, I wonder if he wouldn't make a good right winger. Good, crisp passer, defensively responsible, some grit and a decent shot. He's also a right shot and seems to be able to get into the play even with unfamiliar linemates. Perhaps we could give Gaudreau-Monahan-Arnold a shot.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

Burke: "Bob I thought I told you to surround that kid with beef"
Bob: "Yah you did so we put em with like Paulie"
Burke: "But.....oh I see what you did there"

In hindsight, it does kinda look like Byron was the enforcer on that line. Surprises all around!

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

Given what I saw from Arnold last night, I wonder if he wouldn't make a good right winger. Good, crisp passer, defensively responsible, some grit and a decent shot. He's also a right shot and seems to be able to get into the play even with unfamiliar linemates. Perhaps we could give Gaudreau-Monahan-Arnold a shot.

I think it's worth a shot if we take another center this year's draft and not Ritchie.

With Reinhart-Bennett likely headed our way, it'd create a heck of a logjam at the center position.

Bennett/Reinhart
Monahan
Backlund
Arnold/Knight/Granlund/Jankowski etc.

We've already had one big center successfully converted to a RW in Joe Colborne, and Arnold has a great toolset to play as a 3rd line RW.

Granlund - Backs - Arnold could be a great 3rd line.

[AcGold]

We need a Lucic type player to play with Johnny. Someone to take the physical pressure off him for a few years. You put Johnny and Moneyhands together and the goals will come, just need someone to protect the assets. Either that or you bury him on the third line but as it is he's going to be the most talented LW we have in no time

[19Yzerman19]

People really need to stop calling him Johnny Hockey. Puts a hell of a lot of pressure on the kid when he's transitioning to the pros. Once he breaks out, maybe bring the nickname back. For now, he's John Gaudreau and needs to prove himself like everyone else coming in.

EDIT: Re: ACGold, I read your post and the first thing that came to my mind was that I think the phrase "Lucic type of player" or some version thereof must be the most used phrase in hockey at this point. There are no Lucic type of players, there's Milan Lucic. Name three other guys in the league who are a "Milan Lucic type of player".

[AcGold]

Name a power forward over 205 pounds, there you go. Take Lucic's fighting away and still it doesn't matter, need the physical presence of a power forward right winger.

[Niemo]

Gaudreau - Monahan - Iginla (after his Cup win)

[indes]

I would like to start next season with

Glencross - Backlund - Hudler
Gaudreau - Monahan - Colborne
Sven - Bennet - Arnold
Bouma - Stajan -Big Ern

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by 19Yzerman19

People really need to stop calling him Johnny Hockey. Puts a hell of a lot of pressure on the kid when he's transitioning to the pros. Once he breaks out, maybe bring the nickname back. For now, he's John Gaudreau and needs to prove himself like everyone else coming in.

I vote McLovin or Red Mist as a sub-in nickname in the meantime.

[stemit14]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

I think it's worth a shot if we take another center this year's draft and not Ritchie.



With Reinhart-Bennett likely headed our way, it'd create a heck of a logjam at the center position.



Bennett/Reinhart

Monahan

Backlund

Arnold/Knight/Granlund/Jankowski etc.



We've already had one big center successfully converted to a RW in Joe Colborne, and Arnold has a great toolset to play as a 3rd line RW.



Granlund - Backs - Arnold could be a great 3rd line.

I like this thinking but it's probably 2-3 years away. Bennett/Reinhart will likely play another year of junior and, even if they don't, they will likely be sheltered to start the year just like Monahan was.

Very exciting for the flames to get anyone in the top five though.

[saillias]

Originally Posted by 19Yzerman19

People really need to stop calling him Johnny Hockey. Puts a hell of a lot of pressure on the kid when he's transitioning to the pros. Once he breaks out, maybe bring the nickname back. For now, he's John Gaudreau and needs to prove himself like everyone else coming in.

I like the nickname "Ghost." Coined by Griffin Reinhart during the WJs.

[stemit14]

Originally Posted by indes

I would like to start next season with

Glencross - Backlund - Hudler
Gaudreau - Monahan - Colborne
Sven - Bennet - Arnold
Bouma - Stajan -Big Ern

Damn I like the look of that line-up.

[Tbull8]

Originally Posted by stemit14

I like this thinking but it's probably 2-3 years away. Bennett/Reinhart will likely play another year of junior and, even if they don't, they will likely be sheltered to start the year just like Monahan was.

If the Flames land Reinhart I don't see him returning to junior next year. He's more than ready to start in the NHL but maybe as 3rd line centre at the beginning and then earn his promotion.

Still hoping for Bennett tho