[PGT] The Czar Takes Over. 5-2 W over Vancouver. - Page 4 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

btimbit · 09-23-2018, 09:17 AM

Even when Monny had excuses available he didn't use them and still he put up 30+ goals. Why would we put him on the third line

Shazam · 09-23-2018, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huntsy

Gaudrea - Lindholm - Neal (18-20 minutes)
Tkachuk - Backlund - Czarnik (15-17 minutes)
Bennett - Monahan - Ryan (12-14 minutes)
Frolik - Jankowski - Dube (10-12 minutes)

This is what should happen but it will take half a year for them to realize. No excuses for Monny now, injuries are healed..

Eric Francis-like typing detected.

David Struch · 09-23-2018, 09:22 AM

The top 9 should definitely be something along these lines as these really are our top guys now... the young hopefuls can battle it out on the 4th line. (including Bennett & Jankowski, who were our 6th & 7th scorers at forward last season)

Gaudreau - Monahan - Neal
Tkachuk - Backlund - Czarnik
Frolik - Lindholm - Ryan

Bingo · 09-23-2018, 09:30 AM

I don't think Neal is strong enough in his own zone to play with Monahan and Gaudreau, putting them together makes two guys that struggle on the defensive half wall.

We need that line up the ice.

I think Lindholm is the better fit because of his two way play.

ST20 · 09-23-2018, 09:33 AM

I actually like Lindholm better on the first line than Neal from what we have seen so far but it kind of makes a mess out of the where you put Neal since everyone (including me) is on the Czarnik with Tkachuk bandwagon.

These are good problems to have compared to last year.

btimbit · 09-23-2018, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bingo

I don't think Neal is strong enough in his own zone to play with Monahan and Gaudreau, putting them together makes two guys that struggle on the defensive half wall.

We need that line up the ice.

I think Lindholm is the better fit because of his two way play.

I agree. I see Neal as a middle sixer 5v5 and a very good PP specialist

TheIronMaiden · 09-23-2018, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bingo

I don't think Neal is strong enough in his own zone to play with Monahan and Gaudreau, putting them together makes two guys that struggle on the defensive half wall.

We need that line up the ice.

I think Lindholm is the better fit because of his two way play.

I understand your point of view. Still it's not like Ferland was a defensive wizard and last season that line was fine.

Monahan For Mayor · 09-23-2018, 09:35 AM

Did I just see someone slot Monahan in the 3rd line. Bahahahaha

Imported_Aussie · 09-23-2018, 09:36 AM

Czarnik played well, but it's a little early to push him into the top 6. Spot duty while keeping depth scoring in lineup. I think we will see a few different looks mid game, so we shouldn't fixate on who starts in which line

GranteedEV · 09-23-2018, 09:40 AM

Am I the only one who doesn't like either Neal or Lindholm on the Gaudreau-Monahan line? Lindholm is a Frolik type ITO finish and Neal is a bit too one-dimensional causing a vacuum on the ice with those three. I wonder if our top line will be able to produce like they did with Ferland at all next year at ES. I suspect they might be very PP-dependant unless someone like Czarnik or Jankowski is given a shot there. Gaudreau-Monahan-Jankowski though... I'd like to see it.

Bingo · 09-23-2018, 09:40 AM

Biggest thing for me last night was Rasmus Andersson.

He looked great playing catch with Gaudreau on the powerplay.
He moved the puck simply when required, but was able to skate it out of trouble and into positive offence on numerous occasions.
I think his transition game will give the Flames a lot more offence when the third pairing is on the ice.

Don't see how he doesn't make the team at this point, but I'd like to see him with Stone on his off side and see if he fits.

Kulak struggled again, so Andersson taking his spot is the path of least resistance.

DomeFoam · 09-23-2018, 09:44 AM

One of the big things I noticed in this game was Tkachuk's skating - he looked so much faster and stronger in his strides. Significantly improved. Really good to see because I think this was the only real knock on his game.

TheIronMaiden · 09-23-2018, 09:46 AM

I loved Froliks effort during that 5 on 3 PK. He was laying it all on the line in the middle of the preseason. That man is a warrior.

Jiri Hrdina · 09-23-2018, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bingo

Biggest thing for me last night was Rasmus Andersson.

He looked great playing catch with Gaudreau on the powerplay.
He moved the puck simply when required, but was able to skate it out of trouble and into positive offence on numerous occasions.
I think his transition game will give the Flames a lot more offence when the third pairing is on the ice.

Don't see how he doesn't make the team at this point, but I'd like to see him with Stone on his off side and see if he fits.

Kulak struggled again, so Andersson taking his spot is the path of least resistance.

I liked Andersson's game a lot last night too. He certainly seems ready. Meanwhile Kulak is at risk of being passed. Assuming Stone is around, Kulak may be competing with Prout for that 7th spot. And Prout has surprised me with his steady game. And if the game is going to be a little more rough n' tumble he slides in.

Not sure where Kulak fits.

Enoch Root · 09-23-2018, 09:48 AM

Way too early to suggest there is no chemistry with Neal on the top line. Long time vets just don't play hard in the pre-season. Neal and Johnny both looked pretty jet-lagged and disinterested last night. And it's one game. I am pretty sure Czarnik and Tkachuk aren't going to put up 240 points each this year.

Having said that, I agree about Neal on the half wall. Johnny is atrocious on the half wall. The breakout for that line should use any and every other option available before going up the boards on Johnny's side. And that means the other winger needs to be solid in that regard. Is Neal that guy? Is Lindholm better? I don't know, but I think it's an important qualification for the job.

devo22 · 09-23-2018, 09:52 AM

it's also too early to take the Tkachuk/Czarnik chemistry for granted and expect it to seemlessly carry over into meaningful games. Remember when Bennett/Brouwer looked like a force in preseason?

That being said, I feel Tkachuk just gels with everyone lol.

btimbit · 09-23-2018, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bingo

Biggest thing for me last night was Rasmus Andersson.

He looked great playing catch with Gaudreau on the powerplay.
He moved the puck simply when required, but was able to skate it out of trouble and into positive offence on numerous occasions.
I think his transition game will give the Flames a lot more offence when the third pairing is on the ice.

Don't see how he doesn't make the team at this point, but I'd like to see him with Stone on his off side and see if he fits.

Kulak struggled again, so Andersson taking his spot is the path of least resistance.

Loved Andersson on this goal. Saw the Canucks were covering the pass so just takes the middle of the ice and carries it all the way in the zone.

https://streamable.com/p9zdt

Bingo · 09-23-2018, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

I liked Andersson's game a lot last night too. He certainly seems ready. Meanwhile Kulak is at risk of being passed. Assuming Stone is around, Kulak may be competing with Prout for that 7th spot. And Prout has surprised me with his steady game. And if the game is going to be a little more rough n' tumble he slides in.

Not sure where Kulak fits.

At risk of sounding a little new wave ... I just don't get the Prout toughness thing (nor Peluso), and I'm not suggesting you disagree. Why make your lineup inferior in every way to have a guy on the bench that can fight say Lucic? Why not just beat the Oilers 5-1 and call it a night?

Now Prout on the roster because he's a good guy and we don't care about him eating popcorn is different. But if there's an injury get Valimaki or Kylington up.

Enoch Root · 09-23-2018, 09:54 AM

Put me in the group that thinks Andersson has passed Kulak.

But I would think that Stone is a given, so that means Andersson would have to play on the left side. If I'm the coaching staff, I am putting him there now to see what he looks like.

Jiri Hrdina · 09-23-2018, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bingo

At risk of sounding a little new wave ... I just don't get the Prout toughness thing (nor Peluso), and I'm not suggesting you disagree. Why make your lineup inferior in every way to have a guy on the bench that can fight say Lucic? Why not just beat the Oilers 5-1 and call it a night?

Now Prout on the roster because he's a good guy and we don't care about him eating popcorn is different. But if there's an injury get Valimaki or Kylington up.

Hmmm yeah I don't disagree with that. I would far rather have skill in all spots and I'm not a fan of having guys like Peluso on the team at all.

My comments were more thinking through how I'm guessing the team is thinking through that 7th spot, and historically their desire to have some toughness. And in that sense, that's where I see Kulak in tough.