Curious. Lucic Bennett Dube line was one of our best lines in the bubble & really showed chemistry, played a good heavy game & created scoring chances. Lucic is not going anywhere next year for sure, why would you change that line with a softy like Ryan & push $5.25 mill Lucic to the 4th line to try & find some chemistry with some tweeners. Thats crazy. Leave the line alone, leave Bennett at 3C for the whole year.
Next year we have some better options, especially with what to do with Lucic.
- Kevin R

That line wasn't one of our best lines in the bubble.... it was our BEST line in the bubble so absolutely leave it alone. Lucic, Dube and Bennett can all take faceoffs so I think they will find the formula that works and be fine. Unless we can miraculously find a hockey trade out there 1 of Chucky, JG and Mang will have to play RW.

I agree. His progression in the O and in the A just shows how he improves his game year after year. Look at his time in Barrie, his first year he had 51pts in 68 games and in his 3rd year he had 106 pts in 59 games....same with Stockton 41 in 66 his first year then 46 in 39 his second year....if he continues to translate that to the NHL I think the Flames did a great job with him. GFG!!!

Curious. Lucic Bennett Dube line was one of our best lines in the bubble & really showed chemistry, played a good heavy game & created scoring chances. Lucic is not going anywhere next year for sure, why would you change that line with a softy like Ryan & push $5.25 mill Lucic to the 4th line to try & find some chemistry with some tweeners. Thats crazy. Leave the line alone, leave Bennett at 3C for the whole year.
Next year we have some better options, especially with what to do with Lucic.
- Kevin R

Bennett would still be the C. My idea was more about getting more out of Derek Ryan rather than possibly giving up a draft pick to dump him and replace him with a lesser player.

We could always reunite the looch-Bennett-dube line for specific matchups but we also know that Bennett and looch are going to play that style no matter who they play with. Making a more skilled player like Ryan the 3rd winger could also be beneficial to dube’s development.

Also potentially splitting up looch and Bennett could make the bottom 6 more well rounded and with most likely rookies anchoring the 4th line, adding a bodyguard in looch to that line could be be beneficial. Looch’s cap hit far exceeds his value so much that I don’t think it matters whether we play him on the 3rd or 4th. You should always deploy players to their capabilities rather than their contract.

That line wasn't one of our best lines in the bubble.... it was our BEST line in the bubble so absolutely leave it alone. Lucic, Dube and Bennett can all take faceoffs so I think they will find the formula that works and be fine. Unless we can miraculously find a hockey trade out there 1 of Chucky, JG and Mang will have to play RW.
- DEDDIE

Ideally, I think Lindholm should move to Centre, & decide whether Backlund or Monahan will centre the 2nd line & then trade 1 of them for a decent RW that can play a heavy game. I am torn, Backlund & Tkachuk seem to play very well & with Magpie resigning, they are a very good line, but Backlund is older & regression will be inevitably reducing his effectiveness. Also need Chucky to broaden his game with other Centres. Monahan is younger & has 3 more years of a decent cap & most of all scores goals. But Monahan brings back a way better return. I am very torn on this but I think that will be the next shoe to drop.

Ideally, I think Lindholm should move to Centre, & decide whether Backlund or Monahan will centre the 2nd line & then trade 1 of them for a decent RW that can play a heavy game. I am torn, Backlund & Tkachuk seem to play very well & with Magpie resigning, they are a very good line, but Backlund is older & regression will be inevitably reducing his effectiveness. Also need Chucky to broaden his game with other Centres. Monahan is younger & has 3 more years of a decent cap & most of all scores goals. But Monahan brings back a way better return. I am very torn on this but I think that will be the next shoe to drop.
- Kevin R

I agree with lindholm moving to center. Only tough thing with monahan is that he’s not very effective away from JG. I give him next year to bump his value back up and shop him next off season to see what he’s worth on the market.

Backlund unfortunately will probably be an above-average 3rd line C within the next year or 2, something that we probably shouldn’t be spending 5+ million on. While you could make the excuse no one was playing good, backlund didn’t play well this year until he randomly took off in February. I would be concerned about taking a hot streak into consideration when valuing a player

Ideally, I think Lindholm should move to Centre, & decide whether Backlund or Monahan will centre the 2nd line & then trade 1 of them for a decent RW that can play a heavy game. I am torn, Backlund & Tkachuk seem to play very well & with Magpie resigning, they are a very good line, but Backlund is older & regression will be inevitably reducing his effectiveness. Also need Chucky to broaden his game with other Centres. Monahan is younger & has 3 more years of a decent cap & most of all scores goals. But Monahan brings back a way better return. I am very torn on this but I think that will be the next shoe to drop.
- Kevin R

I'm on the same page as you (JG, Mony or Backs) needs to go in a hockey trade but the number of options available dwindles the longer this off season goes on. I would support trading one of these 3 for premium NHL ready young players that are cheaper and expansion draft exempt. Columbus may be a good partner with some combo of Texier, Foudy, Bemstrom, Peeke plus Savard.

Ideally, I think Lindholm should move to Centre, & decide whether Backlund or Monahan will centre the 2nd line & then trade 1 of them for a decent RW that can play a heavy game. I am torn, Backlund & Tkachuk seem to play very well & with Magpie resigning, they are a very good line, but Backlund is older & regression will be inevitably reducing his effectiveness. Also need Chucky to broaden his game with other Centres. Monahan is younger & has 3 more years of a decent cap & most of all scores goals. But Monahan brings back a way better return. I am very torn on this but I think that will be the next shoe to drop.
- Kevin R

This seems like a lateral move to me. Why would we move a premier rw to center then trade a center for a rw? Didn’t Lindholm play center for part of the year then was moved back to wing? Coincidentally that’s when the Flames started playing better.
I know everyone is hot and bothered to trade Johnny or Monahan, unless it’s an upgrade why bother. And this crap about Sean not producing without Johnny is just that crap. I think he did ok before Johnny signed with the Flames. The only reason they keep the 2 together is because they’re good together. 4 different coaches all believed this.

This seems like a lateral move to me. Why would we move a premier rw to center then trade a center for a rw? Didn’t Lindholm play center for part of the year then was moved back to wing? Coincidentally that’s when the Flames started playing better.
I know everyone is hot and bothered to trade Johnny or Monahan, unless it’s an upgrade why bother. And this crap about Sean not producing without Johnny is just that crap. I think he did ok before Johnny signed with the Flames. The only reason they keep the 2 together is because they’re good together. 4 different coaches all believed this.
- K-man25

Agree the idea of Sean not producing without Johnny is crap.
Also think making a change in net and nothing else is a lateral move considering the last 5 years have produced nothing.

Agree the idea of Sean not producing without Johnny is crap.
Also think making a change in net and nothing else is a lateral move considering the last 5 years have produced nothing.
- DEDDIE

11 goalies in 6 years, nothing lateral about that. I think Tre finally might have got it right.
We need the kids to play in the bottom 6

11 goalies in 6 years, nothing lateral about that. I think Tre finally might have got it right.
We need the kids to play in the bottom 6
- K-man25

100% agree with the kids playing and I support the Markstrom signing but you cant blame the goaltending for the losses to Colorado or Dallas. Do you think we win either of those 2 series had Markstrom been our goalie rather than Smith or Talbot?
We need better balance in our lineup to seriously contend for a cup. This lineup screams mediocrity and I don't support that!

100% agree with the kids playing and I support the Markstrom signing but you cant blame the goaltending for the losses to Colorado or Dallas. Do you think we win either of those 2 series had Markstrom been our goalie rather than Smith or Talbot?
We need better balance in our lineup to seriously contend for a cup. This lineup screams mediocrity and I don't support that!
- DEDDIE

For the most part I agree with you on the goalies. Talbot sh!t the bed in the biggest game of the season. A timely save in game 4 and the Flames would have been up 3-1
Not saying he played bad, but I do feel this is a position the Flames having been trying to solidify since he took over. I don’t know about you but I feel way better about our goaltending now.
Now I’d like to see them go after Virtanin, he’s a guy that could use a change. Played junior in Calgary, so he knows the city, not sure if that’s good or bad. Maybe Kylington and a 2nd? Hate making trade proposals.

100% agree with the kids playing and I support the Markstrom signing but you cant blame the goaltending for the losses to Colorado or Dallas. Do you think we win either of those 2 series had Markstrom been our goalie rather than Smith or Talbot?
We need better balance in our lineup to seriously contend for a cup. This lineup screams mediocrity and I don't support that!
- DEDDIE

They beat Dallas with Markstrom IMO, game 7 at least


In the biggest game of the year every third shot went in the net...7 goals on 7 scoring chances lol

Lets not forget their top forward was injured too. I would try to upgrade the forwards still but the team is improved

Tanev/Vali>Hamonic/Brodie

That line wasn't one of our best lines in the bubble.... it was our BEST line in the bubble so absolutely leave it alone. Lucic, Dube and Bennett can all take faceoffs so I think they will find the formula that works and be fine. Unless we can miraculously find a hockey trade out there 1 of Chucky, JG and Mang will have to play RW.
- DEDDIE

The only real concern around that line is that they can't play that way for 82 games - they are built to go hard for short stretches for sure.

Are the Flames a better team today than they were at the end of 2020 season? No

Are the Flames a better team today than they were at the end of 2020 season? No
- Scooby Doo

I would say yes, goaltending should be less of an issue. Vali coming in should help.


But we need to retool that 1st line and Lindholm at center is not the solution IMO.

I would say yes, goaltending should be less of an issue. Vali coming in should help.


But we need to retool that 1st line and Lindholm at center is not the solution IMO.
- DuranDuran

Lindholm plays a very solid two way game, he reminds me a bit of Bergeron. If you dont think Lindholm at Centre is the answer, then where are we getting a top line C from? Cause teams just arent offering them out there. Monahan is a decent 2nd line centre & Backlund can play 2C but his game is regressing & 3rd line is where he belongs. It's easier to get a top 6 RW than a top 6 centre. Dube took big strides but still needs a full year on 3rd line. Benny has potential but again, like Dube, we need to see a full year of him as the 3C. For a 4th overall pick Benny should have been our top line centre & he has never had the patience of coaches to play centre imo. I hope Ward doesnt fck this up.

Lindholm plays a very solid two way game, he reminds me a bit of Bergeron. If you dont think Lindholm at Centre is the answer, then where are we getting a top line C from? Cause teams just arent offering them out there. Monahan is a decent 2nd line centre & Backlund can play 2C but his game is regressing & 3rd line is where he belongs. It's easier to get a top 6 RW than a top 6 centre. Dube took big strides but still needs a full year on 3rd line. Benny has potential but again, like Dube, we need to see a full year of him as the 3C. For a 4th overall pick Benny should have been our top line centre & he has never had the patience of coaches to play centre imo. I hope Ward doesnt fck this up.
- Kevin R

We do not have a 1C. Putting Lindholm there will not magically turn him into one.
And as they do not grow on trees we need to draft or trade for one.

Part of the reason I keep saying they need to retool. We do not have a 1C and the winger that is supposed to drive play refuses to go into the corners. Not the right mix for winning in the season that matters.

We are now the flames of the late 90's early 2000's. Just good enough to squeak into playoffs and doomed to get mid first round talent.

We do not have a 1C. Putting Lindholm there will not magically turn him into one.
And as they do not grow on trees we need to draft or trade for one.

Part of the reason I keep saying they need to retool. We do not have a 1C and the winger that is supposed to drive play refuses to go into the corners. Not the right mix for winning in the season that matters.

We are now the flames of the late 90's early 2000's. Just good enough to squeak into playoffs and doomed to get mid first round talent.
- DuranDuran

I agree. Lindholm is a great 2-way centre, but not 1C...more like a more productive version of Michael Backlund.

What I would love for the Flames to do would be to package Monahan, a prospect, and a couple firsts and try to pry Eichel away from the Sabres. It's ludicrous, I know, and there'd have to be more tinkering to get under the cap, but could you imagine Eichel and Gaudreau together? That would be amazing to watch.

I agree. Lindholm is a great 2-way centre, but not 1C...more like a more productive version of Michael Backlund.

What I would love for the Flames to do would be to package Monahan, a prospect, and a couple firsts and try to pry Eichel away from the Sabres. It's ludicrous, I know, and there'd have to be more tinkering to get under the cap, but could you imagine Eichel and Gaudreau together? That would be amazing to watch.
- WrySatyr

You'll be waiting awhile. They just signed Hall, Eichel aint going anywhere. Nobody is giving us a 1C. & Duran we should tank to draft one? Even that isnt a guarantee we can draft a #1 C after we need to suck out in the nHL draft lottery. You make the best with what we have. Lindholm is the closest we have to a #1 C, yeah he wont be a top 10 1C in the league but fck sakes, if you can throw 2 good lines at teams, you should be able to get to the playoffs most years as long as you have decent goaltending.

The only team that has 2 #1's is Pitt with Malkin & Crosby & they are getting long in the tooth.

You'll be waiting awhile. They just signed Hall, Eichel aint going anywhere. Nobody is giving us a 1C. & Duran we should tank to draft one? Even that isnt a guarantee we can draft a #1 C after we need to suck out in the nHL draft lottery. You make the best with what we have. Lindholm is the closest we have to a #1 C, yeah he wont be a top 10 1C in the league but fck sakes, if you can throw 2 good lines at teams, you should be able to get to the playoffs most years as long as you have decent goaltending.

The only team that has 2 #1's is Pitt with Malkin & Crosby & they are getting long in the tooth.
- Kevin R

So you think the reigning Hart winner isn't a number one centre? Which Toronto centre isn't a number one? Tampa didn't need them, but they have multiple number one centres.

Monahan is the closest thing to a number one centre the Flames have because he is a number one centre. He's just not a top 15 centre.

You'll be waiting awhile. They just signed Hall, Eichel aint going anywhere. Nobody is giving us a 1C. & Duran we should tank to draft one? Even that isnt a guarantee we can draft a #1 C after we need to suck out in the nHL draft lottery. You make the best with what we have. Lindholm is the closest we have to a #1 C, yeah he wont be a top 10 1C in the league but fck sakes, if you can throw 2 good lines at teams, you should be able to get to the playoffs most years as long as you have decent goaltending.

The only team that has 2 #1's is Pitt with Malkin & Crosby & they are getting long in the tooth.
- Kevin R

IDK man, Tre's drafting is great and I believe he can get the job done some how some way. But we are nothing more than a first round team as constructed.