March 26 Practice Notes. Bennett returns. New forward lines

[sureLoss]

Derek Wills @Fan960Wills
Bill Peters just told us “There’s a good shot” #Flames will have Sam Bennett back for weekend.

[Vedder]

A lot of perimeter play without sustained zone time for the first line last night. These lines might be aimed at forcing them to simplify and grind it out for a game or two.

[MrMike]

Originally Posted by Bonded

Interesting. Neal and Monahan together will be like Molasses though.

Maybe that will work then, it seems like Monahan is two steps behind Gaudreau.

[jlh2640]

This is why I like Bill Peters, he isnt afraid to rework things but nothing is ever set in stone

[Brick]

My guess is Monahan is playing thru injury again.

[Robbob]

People are reading to much from lines during practice. Peters has been doing this all year when the Flames are off their game. It is one of the tools he uses to send a message.

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by Brick

My guess is Monahan is playing thru injury again.

Fresh take

[Rando]

Have no problem with Gaudreau playing with two guys who are much lesser offensive players than him. Gaudreau is a superstar who can carry a city of third liners. Kane's been doing it in Chicago for a while now.

This also forces other teams to shuffle up their defense assignments. Focusing on Gaudreau and his line allows Monahan and Lindholm to play against other teams B or C pairings, easier opposition.

Goad Peters is getting creative and not letting anyone coast into the post season.

[Classic_Sniper]

Good move by Peters. You can always go back to the tried, tested and true. But why not see what else you have now instead of experimenting in the playoffs when games actually count.

Monahan has looked as pedestrian as it gets and at the moment, Ryan looks like the #2 center on the team. So I like the idea of rewarding him with a boost in minutes. Didn’t even mind Gaudreau and Ryan together vs Columbus. They had a nice rush together that ended up in a Ryan slot pass to Gaudreau with the snipe.

When Monahan gets his hands and feet back under him, then he can return back to the 1st line. But right now, his inability to finish and the plays dying on his stick are frustrating to watch.


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[theslymonkey]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Pat Steinberg @Fan960Steinberg
#Flames at practice today:

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

Giordano-Brodie
Hanifin-Hamonic
Fantenberg-Andersson
Kylington-Stone

If I'm the opposing coach and I want to send our my #1D pairing, I don't know who I'd stack them against. I could make an argument that all three of those lines (minus the Janko line) have serious potential to inflict damage, especially if Bennett is on the third line.

[Joborule]

You know what, those lines actually have some good potential. It's a mix where each player can bring something different, and have complementing players.

With how well Ryan has been playing of late, and the past experience of working well with Gaudreau, it has allowed for this flexibility.

I hope that they would consider tweaking the PP a little also.

[Hockeyguy15]

I guess my biggest question would be the top line not really having a shooter. I guess it could force Gaudreau to be a little more selfish and shoot more since Ryan and Frolik aren't really triggermen.

[Flamboyant 14]

Neal and Monahan may score a ton of goals together.(wishful thinking)

[neo45]

Originally Posted by theslymonkey

If I'm the opposing coach and I want to send our my #1D pairing, I don't know who I'd stack them against. I could make an argument that all three of those lines (minus the Janko line) have serious potential to inflict damage, especially if Bennett is on the third line.

Monahan and Neal will not be damaging any team together besides ours lol

It will be interesting to see who gets to handle the blue line turnovers out of the two of them. That’s about it.

Excited for the other three lines though.

[Nelson]

https://twitter.com/Fan960Steinberg/...17754682298368

It does sound like Peters is serious about changing things up.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

I guess my biggest question would be the top line not really having a shooter. I guess it could force Gaudreau to be a little more selfish and shoot more since Ryan and Frolik aren't really triggermen.

Gaudreau leads the team in goals.

[Rando]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

I guess my biggest question would be the top line not really having a shooter. I guess it could force Gaudreau to be a little more selfish and shoot more since Ryan and Frolik aren't really triggermen.

Gaudreau's on pace to finish just shy of 40 goals. Only fourteen more guys who've scored more than him this season. We think of him as a passers, and that's probably true but he's a top flight scorer too.

[Rando]

Originally Posted by neo45

Monahan and Neal will not be damaging any team together besides ours lol
.

Flames fans sure are something.

Something of course being a placement word to get around the swear filter.

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by Rando

Gaudreau's on pace to finish just shy of 40 goals. Only fourteen more guys who've scored more than him this season. We think of him as a passers, and that's probably true but he's a top flight scorer too.

That's fair but I feel like most of his goals are dekes/in tight. Monahan and Lindholm I think more of that shot from the slot.

[tvp2003]

RIP DAG line.

I'm curious how the powerplay units stack up...

Tkachuk
Gaudreau-Ryan-Lindholm
Gio

Bennett-Monahan-Neal
Brodie-Andersson

EDIT: Maybe sub-in Backlund if Bennett's not ready to go...