Practice notes Dec 4

[sureLoss]

Bennett skating before the main group.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1202286956710772737



Looks like the experimenting with forward lines continues:

Danny Austin @DannyAustin_9
I haven't been around the Flames enough to know if it's actually what they're going with tomorrow vs. Sabres.

But Gaudreau is skating on a line with Lucic and Derek Ryan for a second straight day.

Monahan at centre with Backlund and Dube

[FanIn80]

I feel better about Monahan centering Backlund than the other way around.

[GreenLantern2814]

Tkachuk-Monahan-Mangiapane
Gaudreau-Backlund-Lindholm

Try it out. Please.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

Tkachuk-Monahan-Mangiapane
Gaudreau-Backlund-Lindholm

Try it out. Please.

This.

[mile]

Ryan Dittrick @ryandittrick

Geoff Ward says Sam Bennett (upper body) is “getting close.” Targeting Dec. 10 as a possible return date, but obviously that could change.

[bubbsy]

It's nice to see Mangiapane get a shot to continue to prove himself in the top 6, but I personally feel Dube is just as good (or better) in almost every facet of the game already. If mangiapane falls, err I mean fails, really hope Dube gets a chance higher up on the depth chart.

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

It's nice to see Mangiapane get a shot to continue to prove himself in the top 6, but I personally feel Dube is just as good (or better) in almost every facet of the game already. If mangiapane falls, err I mean fails, really hope Dube gets a chance higher up on the depth chart.

I think a couple of differences are that Mangiapane is a little stronger, and more responsible with the puck. Likewise, he is not a liability in his own zone. Dube is not bad in his own zone, but I don't really want him on the ice with top guys unless someone like Backlund is out there to cover some asses.

[JTech780]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

I feel better about Monahan centering Backlund than the other way around.

I see it the other way. Monahan doesn't have the skating ability to play down low at both ends of the ice, and I think that limits what he can do as a center. Moving him to the wing allows him to concentrate more on the offensive side of things as he wouldn't have the same level of defensive responsibility while playing on the wing. Backlund is the better center, Monahan is the better offensive player, so Backlund playing center and Monahan playing wing puts both players in better positions.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by JTech780

I see it the other way. Monahan doesn't have the skating ability to play down low at both ends of the ice, and I think that limits what he can do as a center. Moving him to the wing allows him to concentrate more on the offensive side of things as he wouldn't have the same level of defensive responsibility while playing on the wing. Backlund is the better center, Monahan is the better offensive player, so Backlund playing center and Monahan playing wing puts both players in better positions.

Frankly I think if they communicate well, whoever is in position at either end takes that spot in the given play. They are both high IQ players IMO so it should be possible.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by JTech780

I see it the other way. Monahan doesn't have the skating ability to play down low at both ends of the ice, and I think that limits what he can do as a center. Moving him to the wing allows him to concentrate more on the offensive side of things as he wouldn't have the same level of defensive responsibility while playing on the wing. Backlund is the better center, Monahan is the better offensive player, so Backlund playing center and Monahan playing wing puts both players in better positions.

Monahan isn't Sam Bennett. He's played 500 games, all as a centre.

While we can debate whether or not Monahan's a #1C, but there's no way to argue that he's not a centre period. I don't care how inelegant his stride is.

[jaydub74]

What were the lines today? Same as yesterday?

[JTech780]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

Monahan isn't Sam Bennett. He's played 500 games, all as a centre.

While we can debate whether or not Monahan's a #1C, but there's no way to argue that he's not a centre period. I don't care how inelegant his stride is.

I didn't say he wasn't a center, but when paired with Backlund, it just makes more sense to me that Backlund play down the middle as he is better defensively and a better skater to cover both ends of the ice

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by JTech780

I didn't say he wasn't a center, but when paired with Backlund, it just makes more sense to me that Backlund play down the middle as he is better defensively and a better skater to cover both ends of the ice

We don't have enough centres to not play Monahan there. The only reason to do that in a practice is to send a message, not because anyone thinks it'll work.

[Rando]

Nice to see Ward using this extended break to try a few things, it's a perfect opportunity with what happened to the club last week.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

We don't have enough centres to not play Monahan there. The only reason to do that in a practice is to send a message, not because anyone thinks it'll work.

Gaudreau with Lucic does have a "scared straight" feel to it

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Gaudreau with Lucic does have a "scared straight" feel to it

I'd like it in one shift where someone hacks Johnny and Lucic tunes him up in a big way.

[Kovaz]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

We don't have enough centres to not play Monahan there. The only reason to do that in a practice is to send a message, not because anyone thinks it'll work.

If we don't have enough centres to play Monahan at wing with Lindholm at centre, then we don't have enough centres to play Lindholm at wing either.

[300 MPH Blues]

Monahan said himself he was centering the new line in his interview after practice.

[Flash Walken]

The reason you want backlund on Monahan's wing is the dse reason you want Lindholm there:

Monahan's bread and butter is in the low slot, and he needs a winger capable of identifying when he is too low to be expected to cover his position as the play moves back up the ice.

He needs that winger who is getting the least touches to identify and cover that position and backlund fits that role really well because he has both the speed and the hockey sense to make those reads and get where he needs to be.

[EVERLAST]

GW is bang on getting guys ready for line shuffling.
Getting them acquainted with what each can bring to a new line .

We have a skilled team and Ward already knows it. The expression were painting a barn not a picasso tells them they're off the hook skill wise....put in the work and the rest will take care of itself.

It doesnt have to be perfect until playoffs ....let's learn to be a team now, enjoy the games , work hard ...great messages from Ward and Conny and Gelinas