Calgary Flames Monday Roundtable: Forwards Edition

Welcome to another edition of Monday Roundtable! Today, we’ll be talking about the Calgary Flames forwards and seeing how next season will look.

This is going out a little later than we normally do these, but it’s Victoria Day! Can you blame me? I mean, it is a Canadian holiday (sorry to one of our writers, Dan, who’s American). Today, the writers here at Flame for Thought had a virtual roundtable discussion on everything to do with the Calgary Flames forwards. They’ve been somewhat of a conversation topic all season with all the changes made to the lineup.

First, we had star forwards Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan struggle for a bit to start off their season. And with new hefty contracts for each of them to start the season off, people were questioning if they even deserved that much. Then we have the much appreciated 3M line who were there to save the day when that first line struggled.

We also had Troy Brouwer who came to Calgary and signed quite the contract (avg. salary of $4.5 million, 4-year contract), but was nowhere near what the Calgary Flames needed from him. There were also conversations practically all season about who should be the full-time RW on that top line alongside Johnny and Monny. When finally Micheal Ferland joined that line late in the season and started this momentum. Of course, Sam Bennett continues to be a story with his continuous struggling during the regular season as well.

All in all, the forwards have been a topic of conversation and the Calgary Flames never had solid lines this season. The only for sure thing was the 3M line. They were basically the best and most consistent line for the Flames all season long. So I asked the other writers at Flame for Thought some questions regarding the forwards. Let’s see what they said.

Question 1: Should Micheal Ferland stay on the top line with Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan or should the Flames find a different top line right wing?

Jonathan Boulanger

As I mentioned in my article last week, I believe Ferland has the skill and ability to be a mainstay on the top line, as long he stays healthy and consistent. I’ve been a big fan of him since I first saw him light it up with the [Brandon] Wheat Kings back in 2012. I think he can turn into a physical 25-goal scoring power forward. He has a hell of a shot, sweet hands, and is very strong which helps him in the puck protection department. Also, he is deceptively fast (like that time he burned Sidney Crosby to get himself a breakaway).

Alex Hoegler

Keep Ferland there for now. Top line forwards cost a lot of money and scoring is the least of Calgary’s concerns. Ferland deserves more time with Monahan and Gaudreau.

Related Story: Five Reasons the Flames Season Turned Around

Dan Raicevich

I think Ferland on the right side is a good option. But, at the end of the day, I do feel though that someone with a little more offensive upside should reside on that line with the dynamite duo. If that means the team tries to land a star sniper like Ilya Kovalchuk, then make a play for the Russian. The Flames need really three things this year. They need a top four defenseman, a pure sniper and a quality starting goaltender. Ferland got the job done for now, but is there someone better than him? Certainly.

Ramina Shlah

I definitely agree with all three here. I remember when Ferland was paired with Monny and Johnny for a few games last season and he killed it. So in that game against the Nashville Predators when head coach Glen Gulutzan decided to pair Ferland with Monny and Johnny to start the game and he scored, what, 45 seconds into the game? And got another goal later that game, I instantly knew it would be beneficial and he deserves to be on that top line.

Even Gaudreau praises Ferland and says how he’s extremely underrated and has a hard shot. And what Jonathan said, that steal from Sidney Crosby is one of the top five best things to happen this season. Let’s show that video, just for good measures.

Question 2: We saw struggles with Sam Bennett – should the Flames leave him exposed or protect him?

Jonathan Boulanger

Absolutely protect him. If he is exposed that is a major mistake by the Flames. The kid is still only 20! He has a great amount of potential but his confidence is severely bruised. If he can start piling up some points and get into a rhythm, I still think he can turn into a superstar. Also if he can find a player/ pair of players to have chemistry with, that will give him a major boost as well. Confidence is key.

Alex Hoegler

Protect Bennett for crying out loud. The guy is only 20 years of age. This is a 20-goal scorer who has only played two seasons in the pros. Do not let him go.

Related Story: Sam Bennett Rollercoaster - Should he be Traded?

Dan Raicevich

Protect him, and it’s a no-brainer. The kid is going to be a standout in the National Hockey League. He plays a heavy game. He had a tough season, and it seems to be growing pains for the youngster. Give him time, he has a high upside.

Ramina Shlah

Well, it seems like the general consensus here is to protect Bennett. But again, I agree. He’s still extremely young with a lot of potential. He wasn’t projected as the best North American skater at the draft for nothing. He’s never played with good linemates and that definitely makes a difference. Like Jonathan said, his confidence has been shot. But in the playoffs, he exceeded expectations and played like a playoff performer.

The Calgary Flames should protect him and keep because he’s a versatile player. He’s fast, he’s good on the penalty kill, and he has hard, but clean hits. He said that this off-season, he wants to get stronger and faster and if he can, he may be unstoppable.

Question 3: Struggles with Bennett could also be attributed to not playing alongside good linemates. Should he move up to a line with Mikael Backlund and Michael Frolik and play on the wing with them and hopefully gain some momentum? Or keep 3M as is?

Jonathan Boulanger

This is a tough one. I don’t think the 3M line with stay great forever and may have to be split up sometime next year, which opens the door for Bennett. In a perfect world Bennett would find chemistry with someone like Lazar or Versteeg and the 3M would remain superb.

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Alex Hoegler

Yes he should. Frolik and Backlund are 20-goal scorers and their speed would complement Bennett’s skill well. How can he get better with average linemates?

Dan Raicevich

The most consistent line all year was the 3M line. WE saw great growth through that line this year, and that is, in my opinion, the most underrated line in hockey. Do not touch it.

Ramina Shlah

It seems that the answers here are quite evenly split down the middle. As much as I agree with Alex in him not being able to improve with average linemates, I don’t know how much I want 3M to split up. They were a big reason the Flames even made it to the playoffs with their consistency all season long.

I think maybe trying Curtis Lazar with Sam Bennett would work because we saw them for a couple games together this season and they worked out well. So I’m quite torn on this. But I’d say give Bennett a shot with Backs and Frolik. When Tkachuk got suspended for those two games, Bennett briefly played with them and he was fast and able to keep up with them. He performed well with them. I think it wouldn’t hurt to try it out.

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.

Question 6: Curtis Lazar – should he stay or go?

Jonathan Boulanger

From what I’ve seen of Lazar he is a big ball of energy and is hungry for a stable roster spot. I think he’s someone that will become a fan-favorite who can spark the team with a big shift, a big hit or a greasy goal. I see him as a very solid third-liner who can provide some real punch to the lineup. However, he is only 22 so there’s plenty of time for him to possibly grow into a top 6 forward.

Alex Hoegler

Stay. 22 years of age with so much speed and skill. Lazar just didn’t fit in Ottawa and may just need a new start. For all we know, he finds his game in Calgary.

Dan Raicevich

This is such a tricky call here. He’s a young guy, a former first round pick that you just acquired. He seems like a “project” that could be taking a roster spot from a guy in Stockton. Lazar hasn’t shown me enough to keep him around, but after giving up a second round draft pick, it’s almost evadable he will be protected.

You’re staying put for now, Curtis.

Ramina Shlah

He should definitely stay. He’s young and has a lot of potential that he didnt’ get to showcase in Ottawa. He can definitely be a lot more impactful than some guys currently on the team who get paid a nice amount. From trade deadline day when Lazar was traded to the Flames to the end of the season, Troy Brouwer had four points in 18 games and a -1 rating. Lazar had three points in four games and +2 rating. He also had just one assist in 33 games with the Ottawa Senators  earlier in the season before being traded, so he already beat that in four games with the Flames. I think if given the chance with good veteran linemates, he can blossom.

Next: Monday Roundtable - All about the Coaching

That’s all in this edition of our Monday Roundtable! Is there something you disagree with here? Let us know in the comments below and thanks to the other writers here at Flame for Thought for answering these questions for me!