Can Backlund at RW be the Answer?

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Monahan For Mayor

I don't know if Lindholm is capable of being the shut down centre. I do know Janko can't. I don't think we can't trade him unless Janko really steps it up. I don't see Backlund living his contract out as a Flame tho.

Oh good, we get to turn this into a Jankowski thread.

Jankowski put up numbers similar to Jimmy Vesey's first year as a Ranger, and he did it as a centre. He spent four years in college developing his defensive game at centre. He's 6 ft 4 225 lbs, with no physical limitations and smarts. Why Earth would he be unable to develop into a shutdown centre.

[transplant99]

No.

[robbie111]

Originally Posted by DropIt

Based on what? He was extremely average last year and playoff teams don't have 25 point players centering their 2nd line.

Jankowski did pretty well the one game he was given with Gaudreau and Ferland. It's amazing how well he could do if he isn't saddled with Sam Giveaway Bennett and given the chance with talented players.

[cannon7]

Originally Posted by Monahan For Mayor

I don't know if Lindholm is capable of being the shut down centre. I do know Janko can't. I don't think we can't trade him unless Janko really steps it up. I don't see Backlund living his contract out as a Flame tho.

Jankowski definitely can be a shutdown center. But it is Backlund's role to lose.

[cannon7]

With Monahan, Backlund and Jankowski -- I suspect we'll see Lindholm on RW. Will still take faceoffs, though.

[browna]

Ideally Backlund is the third line C. The Flames need a dangerous second line ES and PP to take the opponents best checkers off solely SM and JG. That was not the second line, and the last two months of the season, him and Frolik were very quiet.

It’s got some pieces to fill in to get there on the second line. Hopefully that becomes clearer in the next week or so.

However, is he paid too much to be a 3rd line C now?

[Monahan For Mayor]

Wow, chill out guys. I didn't say Janko can't become a shutdown center I said as of today he isn't one. That's also why I said I don't see Backlund finishing his contract here. As I do see him becoming expendable one day with Jankos development.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

What two pieces? All I see is a need for another scoring RW. I also think Jankowski will be ready to be our number 2 centre though

Backlund and Frolik should be on the 3rd line.

Jankowski is not ready for a 2nd line role, I would think he might be the 4th line center with Nick Shore.

Bennett is a more of 3rd line forward at this point.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by DropIt

Based on what? He was extremely average last year and playoff teams don't have 25 point players centering their 2nd line.

His tool set is superior to Backlund’s. Jankowski has better offensive instincts, is a way better passer, anticipates the play better, and uses his line mates better. All that is missing with Jankowski is some experience and a good finisher. I still contend the best player to put with Jankowski is Tkachuk. I would be really excited for the team moving forward if they could sign another winger in free agency, one that is a proven scorer. I think James Neal is the best option. I would then roll:

Neal-Monahan-Gaudreau
Tkachuk-Jankowski-Lindholm
Bennett-Backlund-Frolik
Lazar-Shore-Brouwer

Profit.

[Dan403]

Terrible idea is terrible.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

No. Leave 3M alone, unless it's to substitute Lindholm for Frolik in the event that Brad gets an actual first line RW.

[keenan87]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

No. Leave 3M alone, unless it's to substitute Lindholm for Frolik in the event that Brad gets an actual first line RW.

The same 3M line that was pretty crappy last season? Get Tkachuk off that line so he can play offensively rather than being anchored by two defensive players.