2021 best guess

The Tkachuk-Backlund-Mangiapane line was really good last year, so I reckon if they split it up by moving Lindholm to centre, Lindholm will likely just take Backlund's place on that line as the good 2-way centre with higher offensive upside. I'm fine with Leivo being on Johnny and Mony's wing, I know he's got a good shot, I just hope he's capable of handling those minutes and the more difficult matchups. Simon or Dube could be on that wing as well. I would then anticipate the third line to be Bennett-Backlund-Dube, basically keeping the high energy young guns with a reliable veteran presence, but one that can actually play and isn't just big. Should be a reasonably effective line, hopefully Backlund being defensively responsible can free up Dube and Bennett to grow offensively. And then the fourth line is Ryan between two of Lucic/Nordstrom/Simon/Leivo (likely between the first three for the fourth line wing spots, but if Simon makes Johnny's line, Leivo is a lock for the lineup so he'd be here, if Dube takes the 2RW spot, Leivo likely takes 3RW and then it's back between the first three for the fourth line wing spots).

The problem with this construction is that one of Backlund/Dube/Mangiapane is going to be selected by Seattle in the expansion draft (because you're going to protect Bennett, Gaudreau, Lindholm, Monahan and Tkachuk).

Protection list should be:
Tkachuk
Lindholm
Gaudreau
Monahan
Mangiapane
Dube
Bennett

If Seattle wants Backlund then the Flames C depth turns into Lindholm, Monahan, Bennett, Gawdin with 5.35 million to spend in free agency or a trade. Ideally in my world Giordano is the pick but Backlund is a close second.

Fair enough. I'm just pointing out that the team posted is highly unlikely to exist.