robrob74 Posted February 3, 2021 Report Share Posted February 3, 2021 31 minutes ago, travel_dude said: Bennett obviously didn't impress Ward, because he got 3 shifts in the 3rd. We have three top 6 C's now, but we've lost a top 6 RW. Dube isn't there yet. I've got no problem letting them develop the chemistry they need, but I will point out that already has that with Tkachuk. It may sound like I am harping, but I like to build on previous success. Mangiapane-Lindholm-Tkachuk Gaudreau-Monahan-Dube Mangiapane bring exactly what he did last yea to Tkachuk's line. Dube builds on good start to the season by being paired with another speedy winger. Maybe it's me, but I could see 2 on 1's and breakaways resulting. Monahan as the trailer to pound in the rebound. I Know, I am projecting... Leave the 3rd and 4th alone. Maybe sub in Simon for Nordstrom. I could agree with your lineup too, as I did with JTech... I am also with Cross, they need to keep things together for a bit and run with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_People1 Posted February 3, 2021 Report Share Posted February 3, 2021 I'm not liking Nordstrom so far. What do u guys think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robrob74 Posted February 3, 2021 Report Share Posted February 3, 2021 6 minutes ago, The_People1 said: I'm not liking Nordstrom so far. What do u guys think? Aside from maybe a handful of shifts, he's been disappointing. Although I can see some signs that his legs are getting going. I do wonder whether Simon is the better choice. He seems to be a bit more of a mover than Nords. I suppose they like Nord's size over Simon's? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cross16 Posted February 3, 2021 Report Share Posted February 3, 2021 20 minutes ago, The_People1 said: I'm not liking Nordstrom so far. What do u guys think? Thought he was awful to start but I've liked his last 2 games. He created some really nice rush opportunities last night. Over the last 2 games Nordstrom leads the team in many categories at 5 on 5. I wouldn't complain if Simon came in for him but at the same time i'm with Jtech that the Lucic-Ryan-Norstrom line has been real good so I think you need to stick with that. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travel_dude Posted February 3, 2021 Report Share Posted February 3, 2021 51 minutes ago, cross16 said: Thought he was awful to start but I've liked his last 2 games. He created some really nice rush opportunities last night. Over the last 2 games Nordstrom leads the team in many categories at 5 on 5. I wouldn't complain if Simon came in for him but at the same time i'm with Jtech that the Lucic-Ryan-Norstrom line has been real good so I think you need to stick with that. They have been good 5v5. I'm not so sure about Nordstrom's PK ability. I don't know what to think of Leivo. He's been able to score ata a decent clip, but that might have been playing with more offensive players. If he could dial in his shot, he would be better. May be a work in progress, since he missed a lot of time. Bennett certainly had a rough game Tuesday. It wouldn't be out of the question to sit him, but that really just leaves us Simon right now. I would be more inclined to give an opportunity to a player like Ruzicka, but that won't happen. Sure, he's a rookie, but I think you may need to give Backlund some more weapons. That line looks frustrated at times. No finish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTech780 Posted February 3, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2021 Nordstrom was one of the better players on the PK with Boston. He has been on for two goals against on the PK. The weak link in the PK this year appears to be Backlund who has been on for 6 goals against on the PK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cross16 Posted February 3, 2021 Report Share Posted February 3, 2021 I'm having a hard time critiquing any individual player on the PK because the unit, as a whole ,just has not been very good. I wouldn't point to Nordstrom as a problem, although he had a brutal clearing attempt on the 2nd PP goal against on Monday. But they've struggled as a group which mirrors their struggles as a team. Breakdown in communication and inconsistent efforts have been the main problems I see, rather than individual players not getting it done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robrob74 Posted February 3, 2021 Report Share Posted February 3, 2021 2 hours ago, travel_dude said: They have been good 5v5. I'm not so sure about Nordstrom's PK ability. I don't know what to think of Leivo. He's been able to score ata a decent clip, but that might have been playing with more offensive players. If he could dial in his shot, he would be better. May be a work in progress, since he missed a lot of time. Bennett certainly had a rough game Tuesday. It wouldn't be out of the question to sit him, but that really just leaves us Simon right now. I would be more inclined to give an opportunity to a player like Ruzicka, but that won't happen. Sure, he's a rookie, but I think you may need to give Backlund some more weapons. That line looks frustrated at times. No finish. The Backlund's line really looks like they get in their own way. They're kind of bumping each other or passing at each other's feet or for whatever reason can't play as a unit. Backlund has always hit the net about 25% of the time, even when the net is wide open, so that part doesn't surprise me. But right now, I think I trade Bennett for a bag of pucks. It looks like he's just dragging the team down a lot. Or like you said, maybe it's time to sit him. Personally, I think he needs to be told what his role is, play him in it and turn him into a robot. He's too sporadic right now, so I think he needs some structure. It just looks like he doesn't know what he's doing. It's kind of like that with the whole team. They look like they could be the best team in the league one period and then look like they have no sense of structure the next, or play a half decent to a good effort but not do enough to win. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robrob74 Posted February 3, 2021 Report Share Posted February 3, 2021 1 hour ago, JTech780 said: Nordstrom was one of the better players on the PK with Boston. He has been on for two goals against on the PK. The weak link in the PK this year appears to be Backlund who has been on for 6 goals against on the PK. I also wonder if the PK system that the Flames play is different than Boston? I dont know, but the Flames tend to clog the blueline and then after that they're really passive. Could it be that Boston plays a different PK system and if you're already moving your feet it is easier to clog lanes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travel_dude Posted February 3, 2021 Report Share Posted February 3, 2021 7 minutes ago, robrob74 said: The Backlund's line really looks like they get in their own way. They're kind of bumping each other or passing at each other's feet or for whatever reason can't play as a unit. Backlund has always hit the net about 25% of the time, even when the net is wide open, so that part doesn't surprise me. But right now, I think I trade Bennett for a bag of pucks. It looks like he's just dragging the team down a lot. Or like you said, maybe it's time to sit him. Personally, I think he needs to be told what his role is, play him in it and turn him into a robot. He's too sporadic right now, so I think he needs some structure. It just looks like he doesn't know what he's doing. It's kind of like that with the whole team. They look like they could be the best team in the league one period and then look like they have no sense of structure the next, or play a half decent to a good effort but not do enough to win. I can imagine there is some resentment by Backlund to his fellow Swede. He went from being the shutdown specialist who was gifted O-zone starts with Tkachuk and Mangiapane to being a 3rd line shutdown only player with anyone from Bennett to Simon to Leivo to Simon to Lucic to Mangiapane. But, I do see Backlund doing what Backlund does most nights. Taking the puck in, getting chances, getting the puck to others. Just little finish with them as a whole. When you see Backlund a -4 and Bennett -5, then something isn't working. I know it's a useless stat, but when Backlund is on for so many PP goals against, plus is negative.... It sounds like I am picking on Bennett. I watched a bunch of shifts with him last night. Bumped into Backlund. Shot attempt, while his stick has a defender's one preventing a shot. Deflect the puck away from the net. Goal mouth pass, it went by him and I still don't know what he was looking at. Not in that order. Just frustrating to watch him struggle out there. He can be so good at shadowing a player, or knocking them off the puck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MP5029 Posted February 3, 2021 Report Share Posted February 3, 2021 5 hours ago, robrob74 said: For the bolded, that's how I feel too. He could be a 2nd liner, but those spots are held for Tkachuk and Gaudreau on this team. I am not trying to take away from Dube and his play and success at all. Depth on the FLames puts him at 1RW... The thing withBacklund, I wonder if he's pouting having put on a line with Bennett and away from Tkachuk. Maybe Tkachuk has been such a constant with him the last 3 years that he's gotten so used to playing with him. I don't know if it makes them a deeper team or easier team to play against if they went back to what used to be. Johnny looks like a man possessed, like him of old. When he is going, that Monahan line is going... Gaudreau, Monahan, Lindholm/Mangiapane Mangiapane/Tkachuk, Backlund, Tkachuk/Lindholm Dube, Bennett, Leivo/Simon Lucic, Ryan, Nordstrom/Leivo TO me, Bennett sucks because I think he's a Center and he is too jailed in on the wing; I mean, he's too close to the wall. He plays like a C as a winger and it ruins his game. Not to give him any excuses, I just feel like he's not had a good year at all! But something like this is what I expected after last season. But they might be deeper up the middle with Lindholm as a C... The Problem with the roster as is today is that they aren't getting depth scoring unless someone is elevated to a top line. Even then, are the depth players scoring enough? And we are borrowing depth from other places to fill holes in others... Sometimes it clicks and sometimes it doesn't. Last night was a night where it didn't, and the night before was a night where it did... Let's face it, that game against the Jets that we did win, we were lucky to get a victory there, if it weren't for Tanev's blue-line goal. They did play great in that third though, so we could say the deserved a few more goals, but that doesn't account for their playing from behind early... WHich isn't a recipe for success. I believe the Flames are going to keep Lindholm at C. They see him as a Bergeron. Unfortunately I agree with you, particularly with the lindholm at Ctr part though I I have also wonder what if... Gaudreau/Monahan/Lindholm Tachuck/Bennet/Dube or Manji or Simon manji or Dube/Backlund/Simon or Levino luchich/Ryan/Simon or Levino Just seems like those lines may make more of an impact...but with that being said, lines 1 and two would need to be treated as two line ones and be provided equal time...on the bottom kinda the same idea, but basically roll out 4 lines almost equally...clearly the PP and PK are doing well so those are not the issue this year it’s 5v5 and more of an issue on the forward depts being kinda streaking Im also not in agreement with the D pairs, I know the Flames are saying they like the chemistry but, can’t help but feel this would be better: Valimaki/Anderson Hanifin/Tanev Gio/Nesterov Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cross16 Posted February 3, 2021 Report Share Posted February 3, 2021 Funny enough since that trade request story came out Bennett's been one of their better forwards at 5 on 5. 4th in Cf% 4th in FF% 3rd in XGA 5th in XGf% All that with being sub 50% offensive zone start rate as well. I get the production isn't there, and his offensive impact is average on the team, but he's doing a lot of things right now. I've liked his game personally especially the physical element. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travel_dude Posted February 4, 2021 Report Share Posted February 4, 2021 Lot of discussion on the Fan (I don't really like a lot of what they say) has been moving Bennett to Monahan's line. For an extended period of time. Some of the points made: Leivo and Simon have not looked good there Mangiapane hasn't really been much better It's not going to hurt that line playing Bennett It either ends the trade discussion or pumps up his value All well and good, but is it just another experiment that will have a negative result to the "top scoring" line? Monahan hasn't been lighting it up, but does Bennett create more or less opportunty for him. Does it take away from Gaudreau's game? Does the things he does well add anything to that line. Interesting problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CheersMan Posted February 4, 2021 Report Share Posted February 4, 2021 4 hours ago, travel_dude said: Lot of discussion on the Fan (I don't really like a lot of what they say) has been moving Bennett to Monahan's line. For an extended period of time. Some of the points made: Leivo and Simon have not looked good there Mangiapane hasn't really been much better It's not going to hurt that line playing Bennett It either ends the trade discussion or pumps up his value All well and good, but is it just another experiment that will have a negative result to the "top scoring" line? Monahan hasn't been lighting it up, but does Bennett create more or less opportunty for him. Does it take away from Gaudreau's game? Does the things he does well add anything to that line. Interesting problem. Sure, why not, let’s put him there for an extended period of time and see what happens. Sam’s camp hasn’t really given the team much choice. Looks to be an all in or nothing approach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABC923 Posted February 4, 2021 Report Share Posted February 4, 2021 4 hours ago, travel_dude said: Lot of discussion on the Fan (I don't really like a lot of what they say) has been moving Bennett to Monahan's line. For an extended period of time. Some of the points made: Leivo and Simon have not looked good there Mangiapane hasn't really been much better It's not going to hurt that line playing Bennett It either ends the trade discussion or pumps up his value All well and good, but is it just another experiment that will have a negative result to the "top scoring" line? Monahan hasn't been lighting it up, but does Bennett create more or less opportunty for him. Does it take away from Gaudreau's game? Does the things he does well add anything to that line. Interesting problem. I guess the thinking is, why not? So far this season, whoever has lined up at RW with those two has been a non factor for the most part. I’ve always been frustrated with the few times they’ve tried Bennett with them that it usually doesn’t even last a period. Of course, the same could be said this season of almost everyone tried at RW on that line. Given the short training camp, the coach should have put the blender away to start at least. Anyway, I think Benny is a center, so he’s lost a bit on wing. And if he’s gonna be a center with us, then he’s gonna be on the 4th line. It’s a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CheersMan Posted February 4, 2021 Report Share Posted February 4, 2021 22 minutes ago, ABC923 said: I guess the thinking is, why not? So far this season, whoever has lined up at RW with those two has been a non factor for the most part. I’ve always been frustrated with the few times they’ve tried Bennett with them that it usually doesn’t even last a period. Of course, the same could be said this season of almost everyone tried at RW on that line. Given the short training camp, the coach should have put the blender away to start at least. Anyway, I think Benny is a center, so he’s lost a bit on wing. And if he’s gonna be a center with us, then he’s gonna be on the 4th line. It’s a problem. I see his strengths as a mucker, grinder type, his goals aren’t usually pretty, most seem to come from crashing the crease area, which can be done from the wing. Top centres should have a lethal shot, aka Monahan, Lindholm types, which bumps Benny down the lineup if he wishes to be centre here. On wing I could see him playing top two lines for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MP5029 Posted February 4, 2021 Report Share Posted February 4, 2021 5 hours ago, CheersMan said: I see his strengths as a mucker, grinder type, his goals aren’t usually pretty, most seem to come from crashing the crease area, which can be done from the wing. Top centres should have a lethal shot, aka Monahan, Lindholm types, which bumps Benny down the lineup if he wishes to be centre here. On wing I could see him playing top two lines for sure. Which would be great if he could play RW he could make an office in front of the opposition net. id rather they move Lindholm back to RW where he was much more effective with Gaudreau and Monahan and put Bennet at Ctr with Tachuck and either Simon, Dube, Levino or Manji 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travel_dude Posted February 4, 2021 Report Share Posted February 4, 2021 9 hours ago, ABC923 said: I guess the thinking is, why not? So far this season, whoever has lined up at RW with those two has been a non factor for the most part. I’ve always been frustrated with the few times they’ve tried Bennett with them that it usually doesn’t even last a period. Of course, the same could be said this season of almost everyone tried at RW on that line. Given the short training camp, the coach should have put the blender away to start at least. Anyway, I think Benny is a center, so he’s lost a bit on wing. And if he’s gonna be a center with us, then he’s gonna be on the 4th line. It’s a problem. Dube hasn't played there and he was one of the few converted LW that has had success on RW. Beyond some positive numbers, I haven't seen a lot form Bennett where he's shown capable of being a top 6 TW. We had a top RW but converted him to C. We never targeted a top 6 RW in trade or signing, though we had little cap space left. I would prefer we focus on Dube or Mangiapane; one of them fits best on the 2nd line. They have looked more dangerous. Find Backlund and Bennett a consistent RW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thebrewcrew Posted February 5, 2021 Report Share Posted February 5, 2021 If Ryan is unavailable for Saturday, that makes things interesting. Is Bennett still a Flame by then? I would hope Gawdin gets called up if Ryan can't play. I don't really need to see Rinaldo or Robinson in the lineup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cross16 Posted February 5, 2021 Report Share Posted February 5, 2021 He is right. Need to load up the top 6 and stop trying to run all lines evenly. i would move Lindholm to the wing but the Ryan injury may impact that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmac70 Posted February 5, 2021 Report Share Posted February 5, 2021 16 minutes ago, cross16 said: He is right. Need to load up the top 6 and stop trying to run all lines evenly. i would move Lindholm to the wing but the Ryan injury may impact that But is this not the problem, will consider? What the hell has he been watching!!! The guy is fing clueless in his role clueless. Your players are a reflection of the coach, he is not a in your face guy, hes about oh you tried heres a metal. The facts are this clubs core has not been pushed and when they have they fold, or coach loses the room. The GM is to blame as well this club has regressedc into a country club attitude with no accountability.... Inside of 14 days around this club i could tell you what and who the problens are. Pretty sure the GM does as well but does nothng about it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travel_dude Posted February 5, 2021 Report Share Posted February 5, 2021 1 hour ago, cross16 said: He is right. Need to load up the top 6 and stop trying to run all lines evenly. i would move Lindholm to the wing but the Ryan injury may impact that Is he even talking about doing that? Did he say that in his presser? Just curious, because I read it as making changes, not having a dominant top 6. I'm wondering whether Dube has had any success at C in the pros. I ask that becuase I think Bennett is done for here. Could be wrong but I just get that feeling. Almost like they are holding him out while they make the best deal available. If not Dube, then we need to raid the farm. Ruzicka for 3rd line C and Dube on the wing. Leivo for the other wing perhaps. 4th line of Lucic-Ryan (Gawdin). Whatever game you need to play determines the other winger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MP5029 Posted February 5, 2021 Report Share Posted February 5, 2021 I wonder if letting Bennett sit was to show him he is extremely valuable to the team and sitting him one game shows how important he really is to the team even if he’s not playing in the top 9? Or Maybe sitting him woke the coach up and showers him how valuable Bennett is to the team? in either case I’m not saying Cgy would have won last night in WPG but 4-1 loss is generally considered a very poor showing. Or maybe this wakes up the GM and he sees the team needs RW’s not just Ctrs and D? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sak22 Posted February 5, 2021 Report Share Posted February 5, 2021 Well who gets the "performance related" HS vs. Edmonton? With Ryan out I guess probably nobody. Bennett gets told to go out and boost his trade value as the 4th line center between Lucic and Nordstrom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTech780 Posted February 5, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2021 12 hours ago, cross16 said: He is right. Need to load up the top 6 and stop trying to run all lines evenly. i would move Lindholm to the wing but the Ryan injury may impact that When I hear him say that, swapping Nordstrom and Simon for Robinson and Rinaldo is what comes to mind. I think this team needs an injection of youth. Gawdin, Phillips, Ruzicka should all be in consideration here. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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