Calgary Flames Vs Florida Panthers, Line Ramblings
By Len Nunes
Calgary Flames head coach Bob Hartley and I disagree on his forward line combinations. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
For every game the Calgary Flames website lists “projected lines” for the upcoming game. For today’s game, HERE is what the Calgary Flames posted.
Coach Hartley’s 1st line – -> Curtis Glencross–Sean Monahan–David Jones
Theoretically being Sean Monahan’s wingers doesn’t automatically make the trio the “first line” but Monahan is our best player. The best player needs to be surrounded by the best players to excel.
David Jones may have a 1st line contract to his name but feel free to use the comment section below to convince me that he deserves to be Monahan’s right winger.
Curtis Glencross has the potential to be Monahan’s left winger but hasn’t hit his stride yet this season. Glencross has been the worst culprit this young season for passes that end up going nowhere. I think Glencross knows it because their have been periods in games in which he simply does not pass the puck.
According to the stat sheet, Monahan’s wingers should be Johnny Gaudreau and Jiri Hudler. Remember during the preseason, Coach Hartley experimented with Hudler on the right wing when playing with Sam Bennett.
Coach Hartley’s 2nd line – – > Johnny Gaudreau–Markus Granlund–Jiri Hudler
This trio has shown some flair and some potential. Josh Jooris has shown much flair and potential too. If you are going to put youngsters like Jooris and Granlund together, you need a vet. This is where Curtis Glencross fits.
Coach Hartley’s 3rd line – – > Sven Baertschi– Paul Byron–Devin Setoguchi
This will be Baertschi’s 4th game this season. Thursday’s 1st period in Tampa has been the consensus “best period” so far in Baertschi’s attempt to keep a job when Michael Ferland comes back.
Paul Byron is on 6 game pointless streak and 14 game goalless streak.
The options for right wing are Devin Setoguchi or David Jones. This is when you point at David Jones’ contract and put him on the 3rd line.
Coach Hartley’s 4th line – – > Brandon Bollig–Josh Jooris–Lance Bouma
Lance Bouma can play center and has enough offensive upside to work with Devin Setoguchi and create a positive impact. Brandon Bollig is Brandon Bollig.
To recap, if I was coach of the Calgary Flames, here’s the lines I would use:
"My 1st line – -> Johnny Gaudreau-Sean Monahan-Jiri HudlerMy 2nd line – – > Curtis Glencross-Markus Granlund-Josh JoorisMy 3rd line – – > Sven Baertschi- Paul Byron-David JonesMy 4th line – – > Brandon Bollig- Lance Bouma – Devin Setoguchi"