I was going to post something similar, except I think it's Bennett who should be moved to the wing. Monahan's shown he is capable of putting up 30 goals as a centre and his defensive game is improving quite a bit (could be a good reason for his decline in production this year--plus the back injury at the start).

Bennett seems to have better showings when he plays on the wing. I think it allows him to settle down and play his game. Also, Monahan is our best regular centreman on faceoffs, Bennett is our worst.

If I had 100% control of the lineup I'd try running with something like this for a few games:

Gaudreau Monahan Bennett
Tkachuk Backlund Frolik
Ferland Janko Versteeg
Hamilton Stajan Hathaway
Chiasson

Gio Hamilton
Brodie Wideman/Kulak
Kulak Engellund

Once Brouwer comes back we could throw him on that 3rd line and Ferland could bump either Hamilton or Hathaway out. I want to see if Janko's a legit 3C before the season is over. We've been fairly patient with Bennett, but at this point I'm still not sold on him as our 2C which isn't ideal when we will have to make a decision on what to do with Backlund in the next year or so.
- Saskabush

first off backlund has to be signed and signed long term!! Priority #1. Second I agree with your lineup. Except gio and Brody need to get back together for Brody's sake. And thirdly janko is building confidence and playing well in th A I think that should stay its course bar injury or the big team is playing like crap. Bring him up then. This year is a big year for Bennett but next year is the one for him if he continues to have mediocre play then we'll see what happens. Cuz janko and a few others Emile p are really knocking at the door. Which is a good thing.

Bennett will be the next Gilmour!! (Minus the sleeping with babysitters)
- Clyde334

Haha the goodbye ol days

Any thoughts on Ecklund saying the Flames are going hard for Evander Kane? Personally I think the price would be too high and I'm not convinced he isn't a head case. Fun to talk about a rumour just the same. Would love to find a winger to play with Monahan and Johnny.

Any thoughts on Ecklund saying the Flames are going hard for Evander Kane? Personally I think the price would be too high and I'm not convinced he isn't a head case. Fun to talk about a rumour just the same. Would love to find a winger to play with Monahan and Johnny.
- Flames in 6 04

I like the idea of trading for JVR. He's having a great season though. Would be expensive.

Too bad, Clyde. It's gonna happen at the deadline.
- fry

Clyde is right. No! Landeskog is a LW, we already have Gaudreau & Tkachuk, we don't need a left wing. Keep this sort of talk up & it will be "right turn Clyde" for you mister.

Do me a solid and lose tonight please. Its my birthday so you pretty much have to.
- Wildschwein

Happy Birthday dude! Mine is next week hah

I was going to post something similar, except I think it's Bennett who should be moved to the wing. Monahan's shown he is capable of putting up 30 goals as a centre and his defensive game is improving quite a bit (could be a good reason for his decline in production this year--plus the back injury at the start).

Bennett seems to have better showings when he plays on the wing. I think it allows him to settle down and play his game. Also, Monahan is our best regular centreman on faceoffs, Bennett is our worst.

If I had 100% control of the lineup I'd try running with something like this for a few games:

Gaudreau Monahan Bennett
Tkachuk Backlund Frolik
Ferland Janko Versteeg
Hamilton Stajan Hathaway
Chiasson

Gio Hamilton
Brodie Wideman/Kulak
Kulak Engellund

Once Brouwer comes back we could throw him on that 3rd line and Ferland could bump either Hamilton or Hathaway out. I want to see if Janko's a legit 3C before the season is over. We've been fairly patient with Bennett, but at this point I'm still not sold on him as our 2C which isn't ideal when we will have to make a decision on what to do with Backlund in the next year or so.
- Saskabush

Yeah I would be down with Bennett on wing & leave Money at centre. I don't think we need to bring Janko up too soon. Stajan has been playing great, we can always elevate him to 3rd line C with Ferland & Versteeg. Freddie Hamilton can play C on the 4th line with Hathaway & Chaisson/Bouma.

first off backlund has to be signed and signed long term!! Priority #1. Second I agree with your lineup. Except gio and Brody need to get back together for Brody's sake. And thirdly janko is building confidence and playing well in th A I think that should stay its course bar injury or the big team is playing like crap. Bring him up then. This year is a big year for Bennett but next year is the one for him if he continues to have mediocre play then we'll see what happens. Cuz janko and a few others Emile p are really knocking at the door. Which is a good thing.
- pzoxic

I hear you on Backlund...but I am also thinking maybe now is the time to trade him? We could fleece someone at the deadline for him.

Edit: or maybe the old fleece n' sign.

Happy Birthday dude! Mine is next week hah
- The-O-G

I shall purchase you a Bouma jersey to commemorate the occasion!

I hear you on Backlund...but I am also thinking maybe now is the time to trade him? We could fleece someone at the deadline for him.

Edit: or maybe the old fleece n' sign.
- The-O-G

Minny maybe? Ottawa?

I hear you on Backlund...but I am also thinking maybe now is the time to trade him? We could fleece someone at the deadline for him.

Edit: or maybe the old fleece n' sign.
- The-O-G

We could likely get a king's ransom for him.. The team would be taking a huge step backwards though.

3.75 for another season after this one is rediculous value. Fun to think about what we could bring in for an asset like that.

Clyde is right. No! Landeskog is a LW, we already have Gaudreau & Tkachuk, we don't need a left wing. Keep this sort of talk up & it will be "right turn Clyde" for you mister.
- Kevin R

I hear you on Backlund...but I am also thinking maybe now is the time to trade him? We could fleece someone at the deadline for him.

Edit: or maybe the old fleece n' sign.
- The-O-G

You don't trade your best centre, no, never,
Until Monahan gets back to the 60-70 pt expectations, and Bennett starts playing like a 2nd line centre, Backlund stays. Not saying next year just not now.

Bennett for JVR?

Honestly hate to say it but I would take a page out of The Oilers book on this one. Although it could be argued that Bennett has a greater upside, the organization has a need to add size.

We are more in need of an RW for sure, but I can't think of a young RW who could potentially be available.

Tyler Toffoli for Bennett but that will never happen.

Yeah I would be down with Bennett on wing & leave Money at centre. I don't think we need to bring Janko up too soon. Stajan has been playing great, we can always elevate him to 3rd line C with Ferland & Versteeg. Freddie Hamilton can play C on the 4th line with Hathaway & Chaisson/Bouma.
- Kevin R

That's a good point, I'm just getting horny for more Janitor

To respond to a few other posts:

I'm a solid NO on trading Bennett. I think he's the kind of player that wins teams championships (along with Tkachuk). He just might not be cut out to be a Centre in the NHL (hell, even Stamkos got flipped to the wing).

I'm good with signing Backlund but if we do then it might be time to think about what we want to do with Bennett long term. Odds are he will be signing a bridge deal this year. If, coming out of his bridge deal, he turns into the player many of us think he can be then we run the risk of having 3 highly paid forwards playing on different lines/stealing valuable minutes from each other.

If Bennett is moved to the wing then this is not an issue. If they keep him at centre then I think it becomes a bit of an issue. That was what I meant by having a decision to make with Backlund more or less.

It's kind of gross how quickly people are willing to give up on Bennett or suggesting they trade Backlund. The Flames are a team ready to compete now and shouldn't be trading away key players and young studs unless they want to be one of those teams that's perpetually rebuilding.

This is the time of year when everyone greatly overrates first round picks and they they should use theirs aggressively to get someone to play with Bennett.

We could likely get a king's ransom for him.. The team would be taking a huge step backwards though.

3.75 for another season after this one is rediculous value. Fun to think about what we could bring in for an asset like that.
- fry

If I'm Tre I use Backlunds salary when negotiating Bennett new deal. They took the hard stance with 11 when he was looking for a deal and I think this will be the case for Bennetts.
Too lazy but what's the rw look like for the upcoming draft? Cole Lind is a nice looking player, I've watched him for the last 2 years with the Rockets. He's not 1st Rd material but either was Parsons, Dube.

It's kind of gross how quickly people are willing to give up on Bennett or suggesting they trade Backlund. The Flames are a team ready to compete now and shouldn't be trading away key players and young studs unless they want to be one of those teams that's perpetually rebuilding.

This is the time of year when everyone greatly overrates first round picks and they they should use theirs aggressively to get someone to play with Bennett.
- Hunkulese

These are just hypothetical! This is a trade rumor website! Everyone has a price. The question is what would you be willing to trade Bennett for?

Yeah I would be down with Bennett on wing & leave Money at centre. I don't think we need to bring Janko up too soon. Stajan has been playing great, we can always elevate him to 3rd line C with Ferland & Versteeg. Freddie Hamilton can play C on the 4th line with Hathaway & Chaisson/Bouma.
- Kevin R

Disagree although Stagan has been playing better lately. He's not the answer for permanent 3rd line duty. Great team guy but let's leave him where he's effective.

So as far as the draft this year Flames will probably take the bpa. I'd like to see them take a defense with the 1st, then pick to fill some holes in our lineup. It's getting harder to make an impactful trade nowadays. Focusing on needs might be a better route with where we're sitting now in the rebuild.
Not saying pass over talent but if it's close let's take what we need!

It's kind of gross how quickly people are willing to give up on Bennett or suggesting they trade Backlund. The Flames are a team ready to compete now and shouldn't be trading away key players and young studs unless they want to be one of those teams that's perpetually rebuilding.

This is the time of year when everyone greatly overrates first round picks and they they should use theirs aggressively to get someone to play with Bennett.
- Hunkulese

I actually agree with this!!!

I actually agree with this!!!
- Clyde334

- Wildschwein

If I'm Tre I use Backlunds salary when negotiating Bennett new deal. They took the hard stance with 11 when he was looking for a deal and I think this will be the case for Bennetts.
Too lazy but what's the rw look like for the upcoming draft? Cole Lind is a nice looking player, I've watched him for the last 2 years with the Rockets. He's not 1st Rd material but either was Parsons, Dube.
- K-man25

Owen Tippett playing in Mississauga looks like a good fit if we're picking 4-8.

One other RW in the 15-20 range named Martin Necas playing in the Czech league. He's pretty high on some lists.

Owen Tippett playing in Mississauga looks like a good fit if we're picking 4-8.

One other RW in the 15-20 range named Martin Necas playing in the Czech league. He's pretty high on some lists.
- fry

Overall the draft class is pretty weak from what all the "people in the know" say.

Owen Tippett playing in Mississauga looks like a good fit if we're picking 4-8.

One other RW in the 15-20 range named Martin Necas playing in the Czech league. He's pretty high on some lists.
- fry

If we're picking 15-20, which we should be, I would rather they take Cal Foote! I know stupid, homer Rockets fan, but I've watched him for 2 years now and he's better than Bowry or Morrissey or Severson, most recent graduated Rockets. Id go as far as to say his upside would be like Myers.