Flame for Thought
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Calgary Flames Monday Roundtable: Forwards Edition

By Ramina Shlah

Dec 6, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Calgary Flames right wing Kris Versteeg (10) and defenseman TJ Brodie (7) and right wing Troy Brouwer (36) and center Sean Monahan (23) and left wing Johnny Gaudreau (13) celebrate Monahan's game winning goal against the Dallas Stars during the third period at the American Airlines Center. The Flames defeat the Stars 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Calgary Flames right wing Kris Versteeg (10) and defenseman TJ Brodie (7) and right wing Troy Brouwer (36) and center Sean Monahan (23) and left wing Johnny Gaudreau (13) celebrate Monahan's game winning goal against the Dallas Stars during the third period at the American Airlines Center. The Flames defeat the Stars 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 19, 2017; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) during the warmup period against the Anaheim Ducks in game four of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2017; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) during the warmup period against the Anaheim Ducks in game four of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /

Question 4: Speaking of 3M, should they maybe try playing Tkachuk with Bennett and seeing some sparks there, or keep 3M in tact?

Jonathan Boulanger

Like I said, I think that the 3M line won’t stay great forever and will need to be separated at some point, so stirring the pot and trying different combinations would be ideal for the Flames. A young guns line could work but I could also see a line of veterans with Bennett benefitting the team. I don’t think the 3M line will work out long term so different combos will have to be concocted.

Alex Hoegler

Not exactly. Tkachuk has a lot of maturity to work on and needs more grooming in the NHL. Putting a sophomore with Bennett is too big of a risk to take right now.

Dan Raicevich

Keep the 3M line in tact for all the reasons that I said above.

Ramina Shlah

Again, the answers are a little torn here. Alex definitely has a point here, but I also agree with Jonathan. No perfect line will stay perfect forever. Just look at the Jiri Hudler-Monahan-Gaudreau line from the 2014-2015 season to the 2015-2016 season. They were easily the Calgary Flames fan favourite and even a favourite all over the league in the 2014-2015 season. Then something happened last season, and they were nowhere near what they once were. Now, I’m not sure if putting Tkachuk with Bennett would help Bennett a whole lot, like Alex said, but again. It can be something to try out.

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