With the Flames home-opener against Dallas tonight, and considering their sub-par performance thus far, Sutter looks to make some changes that may shake up and awaken what seems to be a slumbering squad. The first of which came mid-week when it was announced that Bryan Marchment had been signed. The talk is that the Flames will dress 7 d-men tonight, since Marchment may need some time to get into "game shape". I expect that he will see action if Ference and Montador show signs of the ill-play that has so far plagued them both. Further changes include a not-too-surprising line rearrangement:
Amonte - Nilson - Iginla
Reinprecht - Lombardi - Kobasew
Simon - Lankgow - Donovan
McCarty - Yelle
Hamrlik - Phaneuf
Leopold - Warrener
Montador - Ference
Marchment
Scratches - Ritchie, Weimer
According to Peter Mahr and the Calgary Herald, Nilson will be centering the top line with Iginla and Amonte, while Langkow will drop down to center Donovan and Simon. Other combinations include Lombardi with Kobasew and Reinprecht, with Yelle and Maccarty the remaining spare parts. Weimer and Ritchie are expected to be healthy scratches. I would anticipate some different combinations to occur during the game itself, considering the lack of a solid 4th line (due to the 7 defensemen thing).
In terms of the first-line shake-up, I personally think Yelle would be a better candidate to "move up" - if defensive zone responsibility is what Sutter is trying to accomplish - especially considering his penchant for winning face-offs and his relatively strong play so far. However, Sutter may be loathe to break-up Yelle and McCarty since they've seemed to developed some chemistry. Chances are a winger or two will be double-shifted tonight along side the Yelle-McCarty duo, depending on who's capable and playing well (yes...probably Iginla or Amonte). Further, I suspect this is more a motivational tool Sutter's using to get Langkow to pick-up his play - I therefore fully expect Daymond to be back on thr first line sooner rather than later.
Anyways, that's it for now. Here's hoping the roster moves and/or playing in front of a home crowd can lift Calgary to a much needed victory tonight!
