Given the Calgary Flames' lack of depth on the right side, and Micheal Ferland's style of play, it always seemed like he'd be a natural fit alongside Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan on the top line.
He can skate, he can shoot, he's smart, and he's not afraid to do the dirty work. It just made sense.
Unsurprisingly, that trio looked really good after they were put together late last season. When Ferland re-upped with the Flames, management made it known he'd have the opportunity to stay on that line and try to keep the ball rolling this year.
Have they ever.
We're just over halfway through the season and the Gaudreau - Monahan - Ferland line has unquestionably been one of the league's best.
Out-shooting and out-chancing the opponent, which this trio does, is important, but the main objective in hockey, obviously, is to score more goals than the other team. Few lines have been better – check that, only one line has been better – at doing so this season.
As you can see, they're tied for 2nd in both goals for and differential. They've been efficient in their scoring, too, as Monahan (8th), Gaudreau (10th), and Ferland (21st) all rank inside the top-25 in points per 60 minutes played at 5v5.
For perspective, only one other line has all three of its members – John Tavares (16th), Josh Bailey (24th) and Anders Lee (25th) – featured in the top-25.
The scoreboard isn't the only place they've gotten results, though. They've also been excellent at drawing penalties as, led by Gaudreau, the trio has combined to draw 17 more penalties than they've taken.
The Flames' power play hasn't been great this season by any stretch of the imagination, but it's fair to assume they've gotten at least a couple extra goals out of it.
By all accounts, this line has been nothing short of spectacular this season. I don't think the Flames should mess with it if and when they go out and add another forward.