Bob Mackenzie Flames 16/17 preview

[MarkGio]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

One possibility which no-one has brought up could be a Stajan - Backlund - Frolik line. That'd be some kinda shut-down line.

Honestly, given that the Flames like truculence and want Bollig to play more, I could see this. That would result in a 4th line of:

Ferland - Bouma - Bollig

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

One possibility which no-one has brought up could be a Stajan - Backlund - Frolik line. That'd be some kinda shut-down line.

This is exactly what I would like to see

The challenge, though, is that there may not be anyone ready to be the 4th C. As soon as there, is, I believe this would be a fabulous shut down line, allowing them to create a more bang-em-up, energy type 4th line.

Better structure for the team overall:

Johnny - Monahan - anyone: top offensive line

Stajan - Backlund - Frolik: shut down line against the other team's top line

Tkachuk - Bennett - Brouwer: 2nd scoring line with sheltered minutes

any of Ferland, Hathaway, Bouma. etc: crash-em-up energy line

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

This is exactly what I would like to see

The challenge, though, is that there may not be anyone ready to be the 4th C. As soon as there, is, I believe this would be a fabulous shut down line, allowing them to create a more bang-em-up, energy type 4th line.

Better structure for the team overall:

Johnny - Monahan - anyone: top offensive line

Stajan - Backlund - Frolik: shut down line against the other team's top line

Tkachuk - Bennett - Brouwer: 2nd scoring line with sheltered minutes

any of Ferland, Hathaway, Bouma. etc: crash-em-up energy line

I wish Grant was still here. I think he'd be an ideal 4th line C with two of Ferland, Hathaway, Bouma, Bollig.

[1qqaaz]

Apparently Gulutzan likes to form lines based on pairings. I think we'd have:

Gaudreau - Monahan - (Brouwer, Chiasson, Shinkaruk, etc)
(Stajan, Brouwer, Ferland, Bouma) - Backlund - Frolik
Tkachuk - Bennett - (Brouwer, Chiasson, Ferland, Shinkaruk)
Then other energy guys on the 4th line

I think the Flames center depth will provide some consistency to the lines. Monahan, Backlund, and Bennett will all probably be on different lines throughout the year. Bennett may play the odd game/shift as a winger, but I do think it makes sense to shelter him with Tkachuk.

As for powerplay lines, I'd like to see:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Brouwer
Hamilton - Brodie

Tkachuk - Backlund - Bennett
Wideman - Giordano