Practice notes Jan 4

[Nelson]

The coaching staff seems to want to get the new lines together, so they can build some chemistry. Now that I say this, watch them completely change up the lines for the second group.

[keenan87]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

But, why?

[/I]
Those lines look okay, except that there is no way in hell that Monahan will be relegated to third-line minutes with tjird-line line-mates.



Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

I want to see Tkachuk without Backlund so we can see what Tkachuk is capable of solely focusing on offense... Defense is important but I want to see Tkachuk being responsible for providing offense instead of being on the shutdown line with Backlund as we have seen over the past few seasons.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

This is just simply false.

Players who possess high-end IQ and puck-handling skills are easy to spot even while playing limited minutes, and with much lesser-skilled players. Dube has played in essentially the same situations as Bennett, and yet one can easily see the things that make offensive players successful; I don't see those things operating at the same level with Bennett.

No, he has not. Jankowski and Reider are not equivalent to Ryan and Lucic. And Bennett had just as much positive influence on the effectiveness of that line when they were together. Dube's speed is gamebreaking, but I don't think speed is equivalent to IQ.

[CliffFletcher]

It seems like we’re going to see the top six forwards spread over three lines, with two skilled guys plus a complementary player on each line.

Which makes a lot of sense. I get the feeling the Flames braintrust has turned the page on Gaudreau-Monahan as the big line, and wants to give them sheltered 5 on 5 icetime plus prime powerplay. I like the approach of pairing Gaudreau/Monahan, Tkachuk/Lindholm, and Backlund/Mangiapane, and giving them roughly equal 5 on 5 time.

[FlamesLitSquad]

I think having our pairs of skilled players like that makes sense. Our top line is not going to consistently outscore Matthews, McAvid, Raisaital, Petterson but if we have our 2a, 2b, 2c lines play against their bottom 6 at even strength it should be a good trade-off. Late in the period or game we can always load up lines if needed too - Lindy, Mony and Johnny aren't just going to forget how to play with each other if they are separate for one season.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I'm not all that worried about labels like top line.

The team seems to be built on pairs, and then it's a matter of finding the guy that plays well with each pair.

They seem stuck on Monahan / Gaudreau so that's one. Seems like we are heading for a Lindholm / Tkachuk ... then maybe a Backlund / Mangiapane or perhaps Bennett / Dube.

It’s nice not to want to think about labels, but we all know that not all lines get the same ice time.

Often you have some guys up around 20 minutes, and some at or below 10.

Seems like a time saver to use a label rather than add a descriptive paragraph prefacing

The third wheel on the Gaudreau line will be getting top 6 minutes

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

It’s nice not to want to think about labels, but we all know that not all lines get the same ice time.

Often you have some guys up around 20 minutes, and some at or below 10.

Seems like a time saver to use a label rather than add a descriptive paragraph prefacing

The third wheel on the Gaudreau line will be getting top 6 minutes

Eliminate the PP time, plus one or two key shifts per game (late in 3rd, after a timeout, or whatever), and they are at 14 minutes. It really isn't an issue.

[ricardodw]

When do the Flames plan to get the NHL team on the ice at the same time and the same unit?

The Canucks and Oilers like the Flames have divided the players into two equal groups like a regular training camp to give the fringe players a chance to be on the ice with some of the top 22 roster players.

The Leafs, Canadiens and the Jets have come out on day one with an AHL group and an NHL group.

I could not find how Ottawa was running their training camps.

What is the best way to get ready?

In a normal season the NHL team gets together for the last 2 exhibition games which is about a week before the regular season starts.

9 days until the puck drops for real for the Flames in Winnipeg. In a regular year they would have sent most of the training camp roster down to Stockton by this Wednesday and the NHL team would be extremely close to regular season lines, pairings and practices.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1346551503541075968

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

It’s nice not to want to think about labels, but we all know that not all lines get the same ice time.

Often you have some guys up around 20 minutes, and some at or below 10.

Seems like a time saver to use a label rather than add a descriptive paragraph prefacing

The third wheel on the Gaudreau line will be getting top 6 minutes

None of them get to 20 minutes five on five which was the point.

If you have three skilled duos they likely get 12 12 and 12, leaving about 10 for the fourth line.

The other 14 minutes give 7 minutes to the powerplay guys and 7 to the PK, which gets some players closer to 20.

[MrMike]

Awesome, might as well make the transition to a new PP quarterback now. He’s going to be around for quite a while with only Valimaki trying to steal that spot.

I’m so excited, hockey can’t come soon enough.

[sureLoss]

Pat Steinberg @Fan960Steinberg
Per head coach Geoff Ward, don’t expect to see D Oliver Kylington until after the second intra-squad game on Monday.

Says he still has to clear all protocols before he’s able to join the group. #Flames

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Pat Steinberg @Fan960Steinberg
Per head coach Geoff Ward, don’t expect to see D Oliver Kylington until after the second intra-squad game on Monday.

Says he still has to clear all protocols before he’s able to join the group. #Flames

That sucks for him. No chance he starts the year as 6th dman. Wouldn’t be surprised if he starts on taxi squad.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

https://twitter.com/user/status/1346551503541075968

what are the vegas odds that he wins norris? is that even a thing?

[EVERLAST]

I think we're going to see some amazing things from Rasmus and Val this year.

Please dear God stay healthy you 2 ....these 2 guys are like having Suter and MacInnis on the roster again . High skill guys with heart and tenacity. I hope they throw Valimaki on that powerplay the minute it starts to.sputter.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I don’t agree with this at all. Simon, Nordstrom etc are not pushing Bennett to the press box. I doubt any of the young players make the team any way. I would be surprised if we ever see Sam Bennett as a healthy scratch

Here's why I think this is good possibility. Sam Bennett is a complimentary piece to the pairs the coaching staff have put together. So far in his career Sam Bennett has been incapable of finding consistent success on any line because he can't play a complimentary style to the players he gets played with. Just like Mangipane surpassed Bennett in the pecking order for ice time I fully expect Dube to do the same this year. Dube is just too skilled and uses his linemates well to be stuck on the lower lines. Conversely, the team has brought in a number of players who can also be good complimentary players, and yes, Leivo, Simon, and even Nordstrom have the potential to push Sam Bennett and his 12 points from last season to the pressbox. Leivo looks to be a player that will be given opportunity to do so as well, seeing as they told him they wanted him to come in and play an offensive role. Simon and Nordstrom have the advantage of being able to play in other roles, something Sam Bennett can't do. Without even considering what a player like Pelletier or Zary could do given opportunity there are enough bodies to make Bennett a spectator. If Bennett comes out and stinks up the joint like he did last season, and is not contributing in any meaningful way, he'll be bounced. Too many good players on the roster to have a negative drag out on the ice. It's up to Bennett to perform otherwise someone will be stealing his position and lunch money on him. It's "Playoff Sam" or its someone else in the lineup.

[ComixZone]

New Era making an anti-Bennett post and keenan87 thanking it.

2021, you sly dog, you're just 2020 in clever disguise.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by New Era

Here's why I think this is good possibility. Sam Bennett is a complimentary piece to the pairs the coaching staff have put together. So far in his career Sam Bennett has been incapable of finding consistent success on any line because he can't play a complimentary style to the players he gets played with. Just like Mangipane surpassed Bennett in the pecking order for ice time I fully expect Dube to do the same this year. Dube is just too skilled and uses his linemates well to be stuck on the lower lines. Conversely, the team has brought in a number of players who can also be good complimentary players, and yes, Leivo, Simon, and even Nordstrom have the potential to push Sam Bennett and his 12 points from last season to the pressbox. Leivo looks to be a player that will be given opportunity to do so as well, seeing as they told him they wanted him to come in and play an offensive role. Simon and Nordstrom have the advantage of being able to play in other roles, something Sam Bennett can't do. Without even considering what a player like Pelletier or Zary could do given opportunity there are enough bodies to make Bennett a spectator. If Bennett comes out and stinks up the joint like he did last season, and is not contributing in any meaningful way, he'll be bounced. Too many good players on the roster to have a negative drag out on the ice. It's up to Bennett to perform otherwise someone will be stealing his position and lunch money on him. It's "Playoff Sam" or its someone else in the lineup.

Well I know what you're hoping for!

It's certainly possible, but given the fact that he's lining up to start the season with Backlund to start camp clearly the Flames and Ward don't agree with you.

He certainly complimented Lucic and Dube in the playoffs last year, and had a solid start to his career with Backlund when he was a rookie.

So lets see right? Clearly the team sees him in the top nine to start the season which speaks volumes in my mind.

If not ... I'll be happy Calgary has more depth options to fill in the top three lines.

[Monahammer]

Simon is still the only player that sticks out like a sore thumb to me- he just doesnt fit there. Here's your chance Pelts.

I also disagree with NE. While I have not historically been a bennett booster, I think he is in the ideal position to succeed on Backlund's wing, and it would take a major back track from him to shake him from the lineup. I personally think Backlund's wing is almost perfect- he can work on the positive elements of his game while someone is still there to clean up if he's making mistakes... that way his confidence can remain high, and I believe that is integral to his game.

[Jeff Lebowski]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1346592314442076161

https://twitter.com/user/status/1346562448275304448
Apparently Gio is speaking highly of Mackey.