HNIC: Neal and Bennett Ice time issues

[timbit]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Imagine what you can get for a Frolik whos on pace for 41 goals and 0 assists! And Im guessing just a bit over half of those goals will be EN'ers.

Won’t be long before his nickname is Cy Young..

[GullFoss]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

I think we’re on the brink of seeing an “explosion” from Bennett and Neal. Once Ryan gets dumped from PP2, and (hopefully) Frolik gets added - things are going to start popping.

Frolik
Bennett-Neal
Backlund - Andersson

That should be PP2.

Also, yeah - count me in on those thinking this is a bad take. Neal signed to give the team depth. Bennett is back on track.

Things are good.

I'm not sure if this would work. The PP2 would still lack a creative quarterback of the side wall, which is the driver of the pp these days. I believe the one player that would make the PP2 successful more than any other is tkachuk, the second best playmaker on the team. But that leaves a garbage man hole in PP1.

The best players with tight hands are Neal, Monahan and tkachuk.

PP1 - still amazing talent wise w/o tkachuk.

Johnny - right side wall - quarterback
Lindholm - left side wall
Monahan - centre
Neal - garbage/tip man
Giordano - up top

PP2 - tkachuk is a better garbage man than Neal, but the PP2 needs tkachuk real bad

Tkachuk - right side wall - quarterback
Andersson - left side wall
Backlund - centre
Bennett - garbage/tip man
Brodie - up top

[Brick]

Bill Peters said that he couldn't put Bennett in much after the lengthy penalties because the team was on a roll and Sam had been sitting for awhile.

He said it takes a bit to get up to speed after sitting so long.

He also felt that Bennett standing up for his teammate was the turning point in the game.

It was all good regarding Sam Bennett.

[FranksandBean]

Originally Posted by GullFoss

Bennett-Ryan-Frolik looked like a really good fit, which could then give neal more ice-time. That said I also wouldn't mind seeing Tkachuk-Backlund-Bennett or Tkachuk-Bennett-Neal as well. Hopefully next game

I agree but think there is one more option that should be looked at, Czarnik-Bennett-Frolik, as it would give us a speedy line with good defence and at least some promis of offence. This would also solve a problem you mention in a later post below.

Gaudreau-Monahan-Lindholm
Tkachuck-Backlund-Neal
Czarnik-Bennett-Frolik
Three of the remaining four who are playing the best.

Originally Posted by GullFoss

I'm not sure if this would work. The PP2 would still lack a creative quarterback of the side wall, which is the driver of the pp these days. I believe the one player that would make the PP2 successful more than any other is tkachuk, the second best playmaker on the team. But that leaves a garbage man hole in PP1.

The best players with tight hands are Neal, Monahan and tkachuk.

PP1 - still amazing talent wise w/o tkachuk.

Johnny - right side wall - quarterback
Lindholm - left side wall
Monahan - centre
Neal - garbage/tip man
Giordano - up top

PP2 - tkachuk is a better garbage man than Neal, but the PP2 needs tkachuk real bad

Tkachuk - right side wall - quarterback
Andersson - left side wall
Backlund - centre
Bennett - garbage/tip man
Brodie - up top

PP1 - doing fine but could use a shake up, maybe we could put Neal or Bennett on it and as you say move Tkachuk to the PP2.

Johnny - right side wall - quarterback
Lindholm - left side wall
Monahan - high slot
Neal - garbage/tip man
Giordano - up top

PP2 - I really think that PP2 could use a right shot who is not on the point.

Backlund - right side wall (has a great one timer which is never used)
Czarnik - left side wall - quarterback
Tkachuck - high slot
Bennett - garbage/tip man
Andersson/Brodie/Hanifin/Stone - up top

[GioforPM]

I thought PP1 generated quite well last game, without a lot of results, other than the one goal. I thought the three shots was a little miscounted on the 5 minute PP, and it also didn't count Gio's hard post.

They had a lot more behind the net play, which I kind of like.

[Stay Golden]

Neal still has to earn his ice time. I would say 90% of the team is gelling he still looks out of place on most shifts.
JMO he looks out of shape still.
I wouldn't want to see Peter's bump Neal up to 1st -2nd line those 2 lines are playing great.
As for Sam I have been fine with his play he clearly has become more a character player and less of the sniper he was drafted as. Solid third line player.

Peter's is looking great as the bench boss.
The team looks rejuvenated with Peters in charge.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by dammage79

How did Bennett get 17 minutes? now I am confused, I thought Cole got 5, 10 and a game and charging while Bennett only got 5 for fighting and an instigator? i'm confused now.

I think an instigator automatically calls for a 10 minute misconduct too.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

Neal still has to earn his ice time. I would say 90% of the team is gelling he still looks out of place on most shifts.
JMO he looks out of shape still.
I wouldn't want to see Peter's bump Neal up to 1st -2nd line those 2 lines are playing great.
As for Sam I have been fine with his play he clearly has become more a character player and less of the sniper he was drafted as. Solid third line player.

Imo, Neal looks out of place because his line mates don't have the hockey sense to feed him despite how well he excels at getting open at the right moments.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by jayswin

Imo, Neal looks out of place because his line mates don't have the hockey sense to feed him despite how well he excels at wisely getting open at the right moments.

Yup. Look what he did with a pretty good (though not the best) Gaudreau pass two games ago.

[jlh2640]

Neal should get more time with 11 and 19

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by jayswin

Imo, Neal looks out of place because his line mates don't have the hockey sense to feed him despite how well he excels at getting open at the right moments.

This excuse is trotted out far too often for players on the team who do not produce to expectations. Neal needs to do more, but I actually thought he looked dangerous on Saturday in several shifts with Ryan and Bennett.

[Heavy Jack]

Sounded to me too like Peters liked Neal with Backlund and Tkachuk and said that Frolik was comfortable jumping in and out of the top 6 so I do see the forward lines adjusting to something like:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Lindholm
Tkachuk - Backlund - Neal
Bennett - Jankowski - Frolik
Dube - Ryan - Czarnik/Hathaway

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

Sounded to me too like Peters liked Neal with Backlund and Tkachuk and said that Frolik was comfortable jumping in and out of the top 6 so I do see the forward lines adjusting to something like:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Lindholm
Tkachuk - Backlund - Neal
Bennett - Jankowski - Frolik
Dube - Ryan - Czarnik/Hathaway

I like this except that Jankowski hasn't performed well. Then again, Ryan hasn't put up numbers either. It may be time to try Bennett at C between Frolik and either Czarnik or Dube. Dube-Bennett-Frolik would be a heck of a forechecking line - they all get in there pretty well (and Bennett can fight whoever hits Dube from behind )

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

This excuse is trotted out far too often for players on the team who do not produce to expectations. Neal needs to do more, but I actually thought he looked dangerous on Saturday in several shifts with Ryan and Bennett.

That's a confusing way to put it as I wasn't basing it on anything other than watching him intently (because he's a big new purchase) and noticing that he's often made excellent little moves to get in great scoring position with his line mates not really noticing the way stronger offensive set up guys would have.


I wasn't looking to excuse someone I want to excuse as I don't feel a desire to defend him or not, it was simply my observation. The idea being that Neal was as advertised - A slower, non defensive forward who can do two things well: Agitate and get open and then finish opportunities.


It doesn't appear his second attribute, the one we paid big money for is well utilized on the third line. That's all.

[Heavy Jack]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I like this except that Jankowski hasn't performed well. Then again, Ryan hasn't put up numbers either. It may be time to try Bennett at C between Frolik and either Czarnik or Dube. Dube-Bennett-Frolik would be a heck of a forechecking line - they all get in there pretty well (and Bennett can fight whoever hits Dube from behind )

Not such a bad idea and you could have Janko/Ryan splitting faceoffs on their strong sides much like Monahan\Lindholm currently are with Janks taking the role of the center after the faceoffs like Monahan.

Gaudreau - Monahan - Lindholm
Tkachuk - Backlund - Neal
Dube - Bennett - Frolik
Ryan - Jankowski - Hathaway/Czarnik

[GullFoss]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

Not such a bad idea and you could have Janko/Ryan splitting faceoffs on their strong sides much like Monahan\Lindholm currently are with Janks taking the role of the center after the faceoffs like Monahan.

Gaudreau - Monahan - Lindholm
Tkachuk - Backlund - Neal
Dube - Bennett - Frolik
Ryan - Jankowski - Hathaway/Czarnik

Looks pretty good, except Dube may be concussed...so

Gaudreau - Monahan - Lindholm
Tkachuk - Backlund - Neal
Mangiapane- Bennett - Frolik
Ryan - Jankowski - Hathaway/Czarnik

[Flash Walken]

Agree with jayswin, there isn't a ton of soft hands on that line.

I'm not going to let this monahan as a winger thing go.

Gaudreau - Lindholm - Neal
Tkachuk - Backlund - Monahan
Czarnik - Ryan - frolik
Hathaway - janko- Bennett

Mix and match wingers depending on who is going, or injury. Go back to old lines mid game periodically to show new look and perhaps generate quick offense.

[AC]

Great clip from Tim and Sid:

https://youtu.be/8f19yAJjmok?t=617

During the Colorado game, the Flames are up 6-4 at this point and Neal comes over to talk to Smith during a timeout late. Smith thinks its a buddy-buddy conversation, but it's clear that Neal is pretty fired up and challenging Smith on a bad play. Of course Rittich shares a smile with Smith after as well.

Really interesting, and speaks to the leadership involved.

[BigErnSalute_16]

Monahan as a rw? Bennett on the 4th line and on rw, even though he has been the Flames best bottom six player?

Monahan is never gunna play wing, I think you should drop it because it makes no sense. What does Gaudreau – Lindholm – Neal accomplish that the current top line doesnt? same question but for Monahan on 2nd line right wing instead of Neal?

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by AC

Great clip from Tim and Sid:

https://youtu.be/8f19yAJjmok?t=617

During the Colorado game, the Flames are up 6-4 at this point and Neal comes over to talk to Smith during a timeout late. Smith thinks its a buddy-buddy conversation, but it's clear that Neal is pretty fired up and challenging Smith on a bad play. Of course Rittich shares a smile with Smith after as well.

Really interesting, and speaks to the leadership involved.

Kind of awesome actually. Because Neal and Smith are good friends off the ice. Smith was apart of the sell job to get him here. So I love the fact that as hot as Smith can get and passionate as he is, there's a matching personality there to hammer back at him too. I think Neal's trying to help Smith get his head right overall as he wants to win with his pal. And knows full well Smith needs a kick in the pants. Love it.