Backlund possibly out for "a while" -Shannon

[Duffalufagus]

I’m more worried Gio is in trouble. That knee on knee looks
Bad and he has a rep.

We might see some league action. Hope not.

[Matata]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Your understanding of strawmen is as poor as your understanding of context and cause and effect

lol, I'll keep that in mind for next time.

[Duffalufagus]

Originally Posted by David Struch

I hope the line-up remains the same, just sub in Ryan or Czarnik for Backlund...

(don't mess with what's working)

Gaudreau - Monahan - Lindholm
Tkachuk - Ryan - Bennett
Mangiapane - Jankowski - Neal
Lomberg - Czarnik - Hathaway

This is likely what will happen. No way they mess with the chemistry of the first line.

My money is on Ryan.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Duffalufagus

I’m more worried Gio is in trouble. That knee on knee looks
Bad and he has a rep.

We might see some league action. Hope not.

I'm guessing that the League was busy watching the Toronto game and are going to pretend that this entire game just never happened.

Flames get the points, hopefully Koivu and Backlund are fine and oh look! A shiny quarter!

[RyZ]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1071070403102167045

https://twitter.com/user/status/1071071655022223361

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Duffalufagus

I’m more worried Gio is in trouble. That knee on knee looks
Bad and he has a rep.

We might see some league action. Hope not.

Gio doesn't have a rep as far as being suspended. At most it was reactionary and badly timed. A little quicker and its his hip and not his at the boards.

Per Article 18.2 in the CBA between the NHL and the NHLPA:
"... In deciding on Supplementary Discipline for On-Ice Conduct, the following factors will be taken into account:
(a) The type of conduct involved: conduct in violation of League Playing Rules, and whether the conduct is intentional or reckless, and involves the use of excessive and unnecessary force. Players are responsible for the consequences of their actions.
(b) Injury to the opposing Player(s) involved in the incident.
(c) The status of the offender and, specifically, whether the Player has a history of being subject to Supplementary Discipline for On-Ice Conduct. Players who repeatedly violate League Playing Rules will be more severely punished for each new violation.
(d) The situation of the game in which the incident occurred, for example: late in the game, lopsided score, prior events in the game.
(e) Such other factors as may be appropriate in the circumstances."

No not intentional, maybe a little reckless. I don't know if you'd say excessive or unnecessary force. Injury is a factor, and any supplementary disciple history (not just a rep). The situation isn't a factor here.

If I'm Gio I argue that I tried to get in the way with my hip and only my leg got there in time. So no intent, just a normal play that wasn't made.

If Gio tripped him with his stick and the same injury is caused, no suspension.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I think Bennett's game has progressed and he is doing more cnetre-like things. Also, who did he centre before? This time it would be Tkachuk and someone like Neal or maybe Czarnik/Mangiapane. I think his chances of success are a little higher.

I agree you never know with concussions. But Backlund missed about a week before skating again last time he had a concussion. Granted, it was world cup and training camp time.

For me, he is playing great and providing much jam to the top 6, but it still comes down the little things and of course, points. Backlund does a lot of things people don't see on the score sheet or highlight reel to create time and space that I don't think Bennett is capable of. You might find out a guy like Lindholm is just as effective with Tkachuk on the second unit as he is on the top line and create a prolific second offensive duo....it's at least worth a try.

Slot the top 6 like this for a game or two and leave the top PP unit as it has been. With any luck Backlund can make a return by next weekend and it's only a matter of a few games anyway. The other plus is that Neal would finally get a shot with the big guys and you might actually get him going at the same time.

Gaudreau - Monahan - Neal
Tkachuk - Lindholm - Bennett

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

For me, he is playing much better and providing much jam to the top 6, but it still comes down the little things and of course, points. Backlund does a lot of things people don't see on the score sheet or highlight reel to create time and space that I don't think Bennett is capable of. You might find out a guy like Lindholm is just as effective with Tkachuk on the second unit as he is on the top line and create a prolific second offensive duo....it's at least worth a try.

Slot the top 6 like this for a game or two and leave the top PP unit as it has been. With any luck Backlund can make a return by next weekend and it's only a matter of a few games.

Gaudreau - Monahan - Neal
Tkachuk - Lindholm - Bennett

I do t know how you break that top line up they are just too good

Gaudreau-Monahan-Lindholm
Tkachuk-Bennett-Neal

I can hear the fans in Edmonton whining already facing that second line.

[Resolute 14]

Bennett at centre is like Brodie on his 'proper' side. It doesn't work. I'd rather put Jankowski up at second line centre than Bennett. Especially since Jankowski is better on the defensive side.

[EldrickOnIce]

No question Ryan gets the shutdown role.
No chance this falls to Bennett. Greater chance of Jankowski getting that role than Bennett.
Unlikely Peters breaks up the top line.
Only my opinions

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I do t know how you break that top line up they are just too good

Gaudreau-Monahan-Lindholm
Tkachuk-Bennett-Neal

I can hear the fans in Edmonton whining already facing that second line.

I think that could work, and if not, throw Ryan up to the second to be a defensive C for a period or two.

Bottom six ends up Czarnik-Jankowski-Mangiapane; Lomberg/Peluso-Ryan-Hathaway

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Bennett at centre is like Brodie on his 'proper' side. It doesn't work. I'd rather put Jankowski up at second line centre than Bennett. Especially since Jankowski is better on the defensive side.

Bennett at center was really only tried by Gulutzan who is a horrendous head coach. Jankowski has been pretty mediocre here and this injury allows Neal to get into the top 6

[direwolf]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I do t know how you break that top line up they are just too good

Yup, I doubt Peters is gonna mess with the 1st line right now, as they're currently one of the best lines in hockey and they've got amazing chemistry. I think we'll see either Janko or Ryan step in on that 2nd line to replace Backs if he's out for any period of time.

I also expect either Dube or possibly Lazar to get called up.

[Harry Lime]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I do t know how you break that top line up they are just too good

Gaudreau-Monahan-Lindholm
Tkachuk-Bennett-Neal

I can hear the fans in Edmonton whining already facing that second line.

Bennett was actually a lot better at centre than people like to remember. I wouldn't mind this.

In a way, I'm kind of hoping that Backlund misses two or three games. On one hand, I'd rather they be careful with concussions and make sure that the player is ok. On the other, I would like to see some success on the second line with another centre, and end up with a Mangiapane - Backlund - Neal line, when the team is healthy.

I would really like a look at Tkachuk - Jankowski - Bennett. Bennett especially throws a lot of passes out to the places where Jankowski lives, in front of the net.

[neo45]

Tkachuk - Ryan - Bennet second line please. Ryan is defensively responsible and we would win most of the draws


Putting Bennett at center with a slumping Neal on his wing against really good competition is just a recipe to kill his confidence just when he is starting to carve out his role. Don’t do it!

[EldrickOnIce]

^ No. Bennett was lost at center.
Maybe that was all Gulutzan, Idk, but Bennett at center definitely did not work then

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I do t know how you break that top line up they are just too good

Gaudreau-Monahan-Lindholm
Tkachuk-Bennett-Neal

I can hear the fans in Edmonton whining already facing that second line.

I think you can break that line up for a few games because we all know Johnny and Monahan will still produce with someone else on that wing. Neal could easily be the guy that falls somewhere in between Ferland and Lindholm as a short term injury fix in that role and if he gets going this team might be in the presidents trophy conversation.

We also know that Bennett isn't exactly piling up points despite playing with very good players over the last few weeks. Attaching him to Tkachuk and Lindholm would make for a much more prolific second line than we've seen (maybe ever) and might actually get his scoring on track as well.

Just my thoughts....I don't think leaving the top line as is would be a bad move either, but if you go that route, Jankowski is the clear choice to center the second line.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

^ No. Bennett was lost at center.
Maybe that was all Gulutzan, Idk, but Bennett at center definitely did not work then

Who were Bennett's wingers then? Usually Brouwer and Chiasson or Versteeg. No they aren't necessarily horrible, but not at the level of Tkachuk (or even Neal). And not as much of a fit IMO.

I bet Ryan slides up though.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by RyZ

https://twitter.com/user/status/1071070403102167045

https://twitter.com/user/status/1071071655022223361

Hey, that Dumba hit was clean? No problem. Next time we play the Wild and Granlund is admiring his pass like he does multiple times a game we will just have Bennett nail him in the noggin. I mean if you are going to set that precedent...

[CedarMeter]

Lomberg gets a game.