hockeykicker
Moderator
- Dec 3, 2014
- 35,228
- 12,848
I don't see where Trotz had much of a choice, unless you are again lobbying for Kuznetsov to skate with Ovechkin. With 8-19-90 they have one offensive line that is reliable.
Burt and Kuzy are not doing anything. It might be Vrana supplies a spark to get them going.
Will be interesting to see the toi breakdown after this one. I could believe that 14-20-10 is actually the 4th line. Winnik, Beagle and Wilson have been delivering something on a consistant basis.
Our top 9 forwards are all first round picks; top 6 are all Caps first rounders. Other than the goalies, 26, 83, 88 and 9 are the only non-first rounders on the roster.
I like the idea of putting Vrana on a line with two guys who need a kick in the pants and could match up very well style-wise. Worth a shot. If it becomes a nightmare then down to the 4th he'll go.
Top Line
Bottom Nine
I like the top line right now. 8-19-90 played well at the end of the Leafs game and they haven't played together this season aside from that so it's worth a shot. Not lobbying for Kuznetsov playing alongside Ovechkin right now at all (maybe when Oshie gets back).
The more I think about it the more I'm okay with him on the second line as is. The only other options I could come up with were:
10-20/83-13 or 13-20/83-14
as third line options but stylistically they don't really seem like a match. I agree with g00n, based on what I saw in the preseason he seems like he might mesh better with Kuznetsov and Burakovsky but that will almost surely be a weak defensive line. I guess that means Alzner and Niskanen might see a lot of time with the second line to provide defensive balance since they shouldn't need to see a lot of ice time with a more defensively responsible top line with Backstrom and Johansson on it.
If it's a nightmare, I don't think it's Vrana who should be going down to the 4th line. Kuz and Burt have been contributing zilch.
If Eller or Connolly pot one, 65 92 13 could become the 4th line in a flash.
I like the idea of putting Vrana on a line with two guys who need a kick in the pants and could match up very well style-wise. Worth a shot. If it becomes a nightmare then down to the 4th he'll go.