Lindholm and Huberdeau could drive different lines for the Flames in 2022–23
August 11, 2022
Lindholm and Huberdeau could drive different lines for the Flames in 2022–23
13 comments
Interesting take. I think it’s the same question when we were trying to decide if #23 and #13 should be split up. I guess training camp is when we will get our answers.
I get it, it’s not a bad idea especially considering what Huberdau did for Bennet and Duclair.
I feel like this type of scheme would mean that we’d Want To see if Huberdau can bring Monahan back to his former self, which might not be a bad idea tbh. If Monahan can get even 60 points alongside Hubby, it bodes well for Lindy because I’m assuming he would have one of Mang of Toffoli (maybe even both) on his line. There’s a lot of different things you could try if Lindholm truly is good enough to carry a line by himself, or at least with another top 6 f like Mang/Toff
I don’t think it’s silly to think that a 1st and 2nd line with these 2 players on each of them, would be capable of putting up 70 and 55+ points on average per line respectively. That’s also around the mark you’d relatively want your offense to be putting up if you have a monstrous defense and goaltending situation like we do.
Seems like a really weird idea. I dunno. I feel like teams try things like this sometimes and then end up looking stupid. I.e. Boston putting pasta on the 2nd line. The top line’s production goes down. Good production goes down. It’s just dumb imo.
I always thought teams with players like Gaudreau and Huberdeau should do the Jonathan Cheechoo and put mid-talent guys with them (like Bennett) and then sell them high at the deadline.
DO NOT SPLIT THE TWO HANDSOMEST MEN UP
I like the idea, but it only works with some some internal growth from either Monahan or Dube. I actually think Dube would be a better fit between Huberdeau and Toffoli because neither of those two like to carry the puck as much, while Dube has a Bennett-like ability to carry the puck with speed, and then do nothing with it once he enters the zone. Having Huberdeau there to give the puck to and make a high danger play helps mitigate that weakness, and Toffoli is a natural finisher. Of course adding a solid 2C to this line would be ideal, but I think Dube and Monny deserve a chance to break out with top 6 linemates before we go that route.
Backlund is an elite shut down centre and is also great at elevating rookies. Unfortunately, he can only do one or the other – you don’t want rookies out defending against top lines. By having a top line of Coleman-Lindholm-Mangiapane, we have an elite defensive top line that can also score, freeing up Backlund for the secondary defensive role and helping Pelletier into the league – Pelletier has good two way ability so can handle a secondary defensive role while learning from Backlund, but no rookie can shut down top lines. Monahan has also improved his defensive game the last couple years so would be a nice fit to a secondary defensive third line, and he can help finish plays when the other two feisty forecheckers get puck possession. The other option would be Phillips as RW – it would be 2 rookies on a line which I doubt Sutter would do, but Backlund is the best centre to help cover for them both, allowing them to shine offensively.
This would give us 3 solid lines at 5v5, but no single elite offensive line. However, stacking the top powerplay would allow for some Huberdeau-Lindholm magic, and as the article says, we can always switch Dube and Lindy when we need a tying goal.
Then we’d have a 4th line of Lucic/Rooney-Rucizka-Lewis. Not great, but it’s a heavy line with some skill in the middle…. just very slow wingers. Imo adding Phillips to that line (or Monahan if Phillips is on the 3rd) would be preferable, as Id rather only dress one of Rooney/Lucic/Lewis on a nightly basis, but I highly doubt Sutter would do that.
Sutter played his top line/ top 3 forwards together last year for 82 straight games. I don’t see him changing that strategy, unless it’s changing out potential #3 TBD guy to see who fits best with Lindy and Huby.
It’s not a bad idea though. Also, Tre did say after the FLA trade that he wasn’t done yet. Let’s see what happens next.
I don’t hate it.
Makes no sense to me. Lindholm is great at getting to soft spots in dangerous areas and pulling the trigger, not so great at creating his own opportunities for himself. Huberdeau has some defensive limitations that Lindholm would help mitigate. Separating your best playmaker from your best scorer makes little sense to me, this team is already limited offensively to an extent. Saddling Huberdeau with Monahan or Toffoli would hamper him more than it would help the others. Here’s how I think they should look up front:
Huby – Lindholm – Mang
Pelletier – Backlund – Coleman
Dube – Ruzicka – Toffoli
Looch – Monahan – Lewis
All I know is we need another top 6
Don’t sleep on Ruzicka…progression has been outstanding. 15-15-30 scoring pace last year with no ice time and garbage line mates.
He’s my dark horse pick to come out of nowhere and seize a legit top 9 role this year.
My goodness what a headline.
Must be August
Lindholm isn’t an offensive driver though, so there’s the problem
13 comments
Interesting take. I think it’s the same question when we were trying to decide if #23 and #13 should be split up. I guess training camp is when we will get our answers.
I get it, it’s not a bad idea especially considering what Huberdau did for Bennet and Duclair.
I feel like this type of scheme would mean that we’d Want To see if Huberdau can bring Monahan back to his former self, which might not be a bad idea tbh. If Monahan can get even 60 points alongside Hubby, it bodes well for Lindy because I’m assuming he would have one of Mang of Toffoli (maybe even both) on his line. There’s a lot of different things you could try if Lindholm truly is good enough to carry a line by himself, or at least with another top 6 f like Mang/Toff
I don’t think it’s silly to think that a 1st and 2nd line with these 2 players on each of them, would be capable of putting up 70 and 55+ points on average per line respectively. That’s also around the mark you’d relatively want your offense to be putting up if you have a monstrous defense and goaltending situation like we do.
Seems like a really weird idea. I dunno. I feel like teams try things like this sometimes and then end up looking stupid. I.e. Boston putting pasta on the 2nd line. The top line’s production goes down. Good production goes down. It’s just dumb imo.
I always thought teams with players like Gaudreau and Huberdeau should do the Jonathan Cheechoo and put mid-talent guys with them (like Bennett) and then sell them high at the deadline.
DO NOT SPLIT THE TWO HANDSOMEST MEN UP
I like the idea, but it only works with some some internal growth from either Monahan or Dube. I actually think Dube would be a better fit between Huberdeau and Toffoli because neither of those two like to carry the puck as much, while Dube has a Bennett-like ability to carry the puck with speed, and then do nothing with it once he enters the zone. Having Huberdeau there to give the puck to and make a high danger play helps mitigate that weakness, and Toffoli is a natural finisher. Of course adding a solid 2C to this line would be ideal, but I think Dube and Monny deserve a chance to break out with top 6 linemates before we go that route.
Backlund is an elite shut down centre and is also great at elevating rookies. Unfortunately, he can only do one or the other – you don’t want rookies out defending against top lines. By having a top line of Coleman-Lindholm-Mangiapane, we have an elite defensive top line that can also score, freeing up Backlund for the secondary defensive role and helping Pelletier into the league – Pelletier has good two way ability so can handle a secondary defensive role while learning from Backlund, but no rookie can shut down top lines. Monahan has also improved his defensive game the last couple years so would be a nice fit to a secondary defensive third line, and he can help finish plays when the other two feisty forecheckers get puck possession. The other option would be Phillips as RW – it would be 2 rookies on a line which I doubt Sutter would do, but Backlund is the best centre to help cover for them both, allowing them to shine offensively.
This would give us 3 solid lines at 5v5, but no single elite offensive line. However, stacking the top powerplay would allow for some Huberdeau-Lindholm magic, and as the article says, we can always switch Dube and Lindy when we need a tying goal.
Then we’d have a 4th line of Lucic/Rooney-Rucizka-Lewis. Not great, but it’s a heavy line with some skill in the middle…. just very slow wingers. Imo adding Phillips to that line (or Monahan if Phillips is on the 3rd) would be preferable, as Id rather only dress one of Rooney/Lucic/Lewis on a nightly basis, but I highly doubt Sutter would do that.
Sutter played his top line/ top 3 forwards together last year for 82 straight games. I don’t see him changing that strategy, unless it’s changing out potential #3 TBD guy to see who fits best with Lindy and Huby.
It’s not a bad idea though. Also, Tre did say after the FLA trade that he wasn’t done yet. Let’s see what happens next.
I don’t hate it.
Makes no sense to me. Lindholm is great at getting to soft spots in dangerous areas and pulling the trigger, not so great at creating his own opportunities for himself. Huberdeau has some defensive limitations that Lindholm would help mitigate. Separating your best playmaker from your best scorer makes little sense to me, this team is already limited offensively to an extent. Saddling Huberdeau with Monahan or Toffoli would hamper him more than it would help the others. Here’s how I think they should look up front:
Huby – Lindholm – Mang
Pelletier – Backlund – Coleman
Dube – Ruzicka – Toffoli
Looch – Monahan – Lewis
All I know is we need another top 6
Don’t sleep on Ruzicka…progression has been outstanding. 15-15-30 scoring pace last year with no ice time and garbage line mates.
He’s my dark horse pick to come out of nowhere and seize a legit top 9 role this year.
My goodness what a headline.
Must be August
Lindholm isn’t an offensive driver though, so there’s the problem