[GDT] / [GT] Flames @ Islanders (Regina) - 7pm

[stemit14]

If Monahan makes the team, galiardi could act as the 4th line centerman.

Maybe something like this:

Baertschi-backlund-cammelleri
Glencross-stajan-jones
Hudler-monahan-stempniak
Horak-galiardi-jackman/mcgrattan

Nice thing about the flames this year for young guys like Monahan is that they have guys who have shown they can score at the pro level on every line from 1st to 4th so it's not like Monahan would be stuck playing with grinders that can't score on the 3rd line. Even if its not hudler and stempniak, Monahan would get to play with guys that have offensive skills... Plus Monahan wouldn't be going up against the top pairings of other teams.

[dustyanddaflames]

Having Galiardi as our 4th line centerman would be a disservice to his abilities. However, I don't see how everyone fits into 12 spots.

[stemit14]

Originally Posted by dustyanddaflames

Having Galiardi as our 4th line centerman would be a disservice to his abilities. However, I don't see how everyone fits into 12 spots.

I agree. The flames don't a have a ton of high-end talent but they do have skill spread out pretty evenly throughout the line up. If galiardi keeps playing the way he has I would imagine he moves up the line up. Thing is, all of the guys playing centre have played well in training camp (backlund, stajan, Monahan, galiardi, and even knight has improved as the camp gas gone on)... So it's likely someone that could/should play top 9 will end up on the 4th line. It's a good problem to have.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Originally Posted by stemit14

If Monahan makes the team, galiardi could act as the 4th line centerman.

Maybe something like this:

Baertschi-backlund-cammelleri
Glencross-stajan-jones
Hudler-monahan-stempniak
Horak-galiardi-jackman/mcgrattan

I really, really like those lines.

[Gary83]

The only way I can see Monahan sticking is by him playing well in his 9 games and Feaster in turn possibly moving Stajan and running Backlund/Monahan/Galiardi as the top 3.

[puckluck2]

Originally Posted by stemit14

If Monahan makes the team, galiardi could act as the 4th line centerman.

Maybe something like this:

Baertschi-backlund-cammelleri
Glencross-stajan-jones
Hudler-monahan-stempniak
Horak-galiardi-jackman/mcgrattan

Nice thing about the flames this year for young guys like Monahan is that they have guys who have shown they can score at the pro level on every line from 1st to 4th so it's not like Monahan would be stuck playing with grinders that can't score on the 3rd line. Even if its not hudler and stempniak, Monahan would get to play with guys that have offensive skills... Plus Monahan wouldn't be going up against the top pairings of other teams.

Not bad lines but I'd switch Stajan to fourth line, Monahan to second and Galliardi to third.

Monahan needs to be playing top 6.

[djsFlames]

Or Stajan can just play on the 4th line. And shift Horak to the wing.

[debil]

least physical 1st line in the history of nhl

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by debil

least physical 1st line in the history of nhl

Hall-RNH-Eberle. Just sayin'

[Husky]

I dont think any center should have guaranteed top 9 time. It should be competition each game. Unless the Flames pull off a miracle and are in the playoffs...Stajan is gone at the deadline which frees up the icetime. Until that point all 4 guys should be fighting for icetime.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by puckluck2

Not bad lines but I'd switch Stajan to fourth line, Monahan to second and Galliardi to third.

Monahan needs to be playing top 6.

I know people keep saying this but really, I think Monahan would do fine as a third line center to start his career. He has the tools to be good at it and it would allow him to play more sheltered minutes against weaker defenders.

Besides, the whole idea that the third line is the "shut down" line only applies if the coach plays that way. We've had coaches that would match up 1st line vs. 1st line, which meant that the 1st line was also the shutdown line.

Monahan playing 3rd C minutes in the NHL this season would likely help him develop more than playing him in the WHL and at least with the Flames we could start exposing him to top 6 situations and special teams.

[stemit14]

I'm expecting Hartley to roll four lines on a consistent basis for most of the year so having Monahan play on the 3rd or 2nd line shouldn't make much difference except that, on the 3rd line, he'll face the lower defensive pairs on other teams. If he earns more minutes by playing better than other guys... We'll all be very happy.

[Anduril]

Originally Posted by Wolven

I know people keep saying this but really, I think Monahan would do fine as a third line center to start his career. He has the tools to be good at it and it would allow him to play more sheltered minutes against weaker defenders.

Besides, the whole idea that the third line is the "shut down" line only applies if the coach plays that way. We've had coaches that would match up 1st line vs. 1st line, which meant that the 1st line was also the shutdown line.

Monahan playing 3rd C minutes in the NHL this season would likely help him develop more than playing him in the WHL and at least with the Flames we could start exposing him to top 6 situations and special teams.

Agreed right there. It's been a while off the top of my head since we actually had a shutdown line on this team. If anything it's been a number of matchups based on top line vs top line or a decent two way group (Glencross/Stajan/Stempniak) but nothing in the traditional sense.

[Enoch Root]

I agree that we will not really have a classic 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th line this year -more of a balanced attack.

I also think we will have a revolving door of call-ups. Plus a ton of line juggling.

So for Monahan, it's really just a question of whether he is ready or not. Slotting him into a 2nd or 3rd line position is pretty much meaningless.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by stemit14

I'm expecting Hartley to roll four lines on a consistent basis for most of the year so having Monahan play on the 3rd or 2nd line shouldn't make much difference except that, on the 3rd line, he'll face the lower defensive pairs on other teams. If he earns more minutes by playing better than other guys... We'll all be very happy.

I agree that there really won't be a traditional 1st, 2nd or 3rd line. The only thing that concerns me is how much playing time Monahan will get?

Hartely is on record for liking to play his veterans. Everything i saw in the pre-season seems like that has not changed. He put out his veterans for PP, PK and end of games. If Monahan does make it past the 9 games, i will be surprised if he gets any more playing time than Sven got last year. Granted after the deadline he will get all the playing time he wants.

[EYE_Overstand]

Backlands and Stajan against other teams tops lines is probably best for Monahan this year. Allot of what coaches always speak of is young players confidence... Look at Svens development ... He had to be sent to Abby to regain it. With monahan taking sheltered minutes is probably best to start the year and let him work his way up.

[foshizzle11]

Sounds like Monahan will stick around for the whole season. When was the last time a flames 1st round pick stuck the season straight after they were drafted?

It would be interesting to know this stat. I think with the line up that we do have, it would be worth a try to keep him around and give him some 2nd and even 1st line minutes when he is playing well. When he needs to be sheltered or is playing against very experienced guys (Thorton, Sedin) keep him on the 3rd line.

[djsFlames]

If Sean sticks for the year I could see him having a similar season to Couturier in his first NHL season (also first after being drafted). 2-3rd line in a depth role and put up 15 goals / 30 points or around there. But I definitely think he has better hockey IQ than Couts, so maybe that lends itself to better point totals, but I'm going to temper my expectations. One thing Monahan is known for, which has also been the case through training camp is consistent production.

Playing a depth role will not hinder his development whatsoever, I don't think. He'll learn a LOT about the league, the systems, the compete level, and just being a pro. I think this is better than him playing with a bunch of kids who are a few steps behind him, and not learning anything about playing at the next level all year. He's already been there 3 years. I think it would feel a bit stale for him to go back again to a league where he's dominated, and especially knowing that he could keep up with pros. It'd just stall him for a season. I'd rather challenge him with a support role at the top level. He seems smart and adaptable enough that I think he could handle it in his first season. He's been studying all summer just on how centers in the league play. Dude's done his homework.

[AC]

Originally Posted by foshizzle11

Sounds like Monahan will stick around for the whole season. When was the last time a flames 1st round pick stuck the season straight after they were drafted?

It would be interesting to know this stat.

Here are all the Flames 1st rounders that played in the season following their draft.

2011: Baertschi - 5 GP
1999: Saprykin - 4 GP
1998: Fata - 20 GP
1983: Dan Quinn - 54 GP
1981: MacInnis - 2 GP
1980: Denis Cyr - 10 GP