Quoting: yycofred
I think what I suggested in my head is a bit of a get right line for Lindholm, tough to start slow with Mangiapane and Dube on your line. I do think by season end the Flames top line is Huberdeau, Lindholm, Mangiapane as you suggested. Despite the constant dragging of the guy Toffoli looks dangerous again, 53 shot attempts with only 33 shots, he's shooting right around his career average but not getting a ton of shots through. I think a part of it is that he and Lindholm like to occupy the same space 5 on 5 in the o zone, Lindholm possesses the puck at an elite level on offense and Toffoli doesn't have the quickness to get open when covered. Kadri and Huberdeau are elite at zone entries and opportunities on the rush, tough not to be open when one of those two have the puck at top speed, he should be able to be a good trailer guy on that line that gets a ton of shooting opportunities in dangerous areas.
Quoting: Ledge_And_Dairy
Yeah it's nothing against Toffoli. I think what you are saying is accurate here. Him and Lindholm similar players and just don't mesh well. I think Toffoli would fit very well playing with Kadri though (that or with Backlund/Coleman of we acquire another top 6 winger or promote someone from our pool). The Huberdeau line really needed a puck carrier though
My general recommendation has been putting Toffoli on line 3 at LW with Backlund & Coleman, but to the Lindholm/Toffoli connection, they did well together against the Kraken, even though they were carrying a bit of an anchor in Lucic.
I find Toffoli is best from the left offensive zone dot or right in front of the net = LOW whereas Lindholm likes to be farther out between the dots and/or Centre Right = HIGH.
Toffoli needs a Centre who can win FaceOffs so they can do set plays OR he can get possession and his quick release off. They need a winger who can pass and set them up, which Hubderdeau wasn't successful at from the left side (Gaudreau used to go wrap behind the net and throw it out in front for Lindholm or Tkachuk from either side, which Huby doesn't do). Lucic certainly isn't going to do it and I'm not confident Mang, Coleman (who shouldn't be separated from Backlund) or Dube can do it well enough either, so I say try Adam Ruzicka, Matthew Phillips or Connor Zary at RW with them. Funny how MTL tried Monahan at RW and he had good success there for them
Huberdeau-Kadri-Dube (Similar to FLA with 2 Left Shot Line Mates Bennett & Duclair)
Mangiapane-Backlund-Coleman (Dominant Two Way Line from Last Season)
Toffoli-Lindholm-Ruzicka/Phillips/Zary (Offensive Line 3 with Strong Centre Defender)
Lucic-Rooney/Lewis-Ritchie (Big Heavy Checking Line that Gets Shots On Net)
Weegar-Andersson
Hanifin-Stone
Mackey-Zadorov (since Tanev is injured)
Flames Centre Depth is set, so Ruzicka should be groomed to be a Left Shot RW Power Forward similar to Tarasenko, otherwise acquiring Luke Kunin or Fabian Zetterlund would be good, except our best Trade Piece in Kylington is out, so Trade Proposals for him should be shelved until he's back
I agree finding a decent Trade right now isn't likely, so thoughts on bringing in Alex Chiasson as the 3RW and mentor for Ruzicka? Could be on a PTO basis too