Line Combos: HFBoards Decides: Opening Lineup - To HBK or Not To HBK

[Randy Butternubs]

Now that Vesey has signed (boo the Rangers, booo-urns), I feel that our final roster is evident.

Basically the same thing as last year. I want a thread series where HFBoards selects what they feel is the best opening day lineup.

Some assumptions, as of 8/19/2016:

• Crosby and Malkin are our top two centers and will not play wing.
• Phil Kessel and Patric Hornqvist are right wingers and will not be on the same line.
• Letang is on the first D pairing on the right side.

I will add more assumptions as the HFBoards lineup is decided. You don't like these assumptions? Too bad.

We shall start with HBK line. Keep them together or split them up?

Voting for this one shall last for four days.

Next poll will depend on this poll's result.

Objections?

Current HFBoards Lineup:

XXX-Crosby-XXX
XXX-Malkin-XXX
XXX-XXX-XXX
XXX-XXX-XXX

XXX-Letang
XXX-XXX
XXX-XXX
XXX

XXX
XXX

Click to read more...

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

Is there a reason that we shouldn't start off with them? They won't stay together for an entire season, but to they should start off together without question IMO.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

Unequivocally, yes.

 

[Ogrezilla]

definitely start with them.

 

[66-30-33]

Easy yes for me. Use Crosby/Malkins line to experiment. Try Wilson with both Crosby and Malkin and see if he can stick, perhaps Sheary can go on the other line and Kunitz can eat natchos. If Sheary/Wilson don't stick we got other options too.

 

[OnMyOwn]

I'm hoping Wilson can nab that top spot next to sid with a strong camp/preseason

 

[Woodrow]

The team is coming back pretty much intact. Why would you change the formula that won the cup?

 

[Empoleon8771]

Same exact lineup as they ended last year with, but with Daley in for Lovejoy. These polls shouldn't be interesting until the poll for starting Fleury or Murray game 1 happens.

 

[TNT87]

Without a doubt.

 

[WayneSid9987]

HBK all day.
It's a matchup nightmare and Sid/Geno aren't killing themselves during the RS.
Sully also gets Hags and Phil time with the big boys throughout games a lil more.
Just need the plug and play wingers to do their jobs well.

 

[BHD]

Yes, the HBK line gives them a huge edge in matchups. Maybe put Kessel with Sid or Geno when down a goal (or just switch things up), but otherwise leave that line intact.

 

[Allie Kitsune]

Kessel seems to need his own line, so I don't think I'm ready to put him with Geno yet.

 

[Darth Vitale]

Of course it should stay together... until the league proves they can find a way to beat those matchup problems consistently, keep plaiying them on a regular basis or at least a semi-regular basis so the chemistry is maintained. No reason not to keep going with it for now. It's effective.

 

[Allie Kitsune]

Of course it should stay together... until the league proves they can find a way to beat those matchup problems consistently, keep plaiying them on a regular basis or at least a semi-regular basis so the chemistry is maintained. No reason not to keep going with it for now. It's effective.

It really does seem like the NHL has adopted the Boxing/MMA axiom of "Styles Make Fights".

 

[Fordy]

stay together is a weird way to say it. crosby and malkin need to get some shifts with them of it's gonna look ugly

 

[CertifiedLurker]

stay together is a weird way to say it. crosby and malkin need to get some shifts with them of it's gonna look ugly

I agree with you in a way. I wouldn't break them up to start, why mess with a good thing. However, there will come a time when either HBK doesn't keep up with the expectations from last season for whatever reason, or Crosby and Malkin are getting the most out of their wingers but it's not enough because they simply aren't wingers who should be playing that high in the depth chart. You're going to need to let them play with the best wingers on the team at some point even-strength.

 

[wgknestrick]

Why wouldn't you run the same cup winning lineup until results force you to change? I don't get people wanting to fix incredibly-unbroken things.

 

[ColePens]

Gotta start with that line and depth. It worked in the playoffs, you have to do it. Not only that - you can preserve a **** load of ice time for Sid/Geno/Kessel/Hornqvist/etc. by running 4 lines non stop. It makes too much sense.

Just like I screamed and whined day after day with DB - at least start with what won you the Cup. Don't go overthinking this one.

 

[ColePens]

Why wouldn't you run the same cup winning lineup until results force you to change? I don't get people wanting to fix incredibly-unbroken things.

Is there a reason that we shouldn't start off with them? They won't stay together for an entire season, but to they should start off together without question IMO.

RB is putting together basically an HF Pens makes the Penguins Line thread. This is a starter. We did it last year, I believe, and in years before. It's the easiest way to start the eventual HF Pens Lineup.

 

[SEALBound]

Just gonna depend on how well, presumably, Kunitz and Rust do with Malkin.

 

[PensPlz]

I would really shock me if Hagelin - Crosby - Kessel wouldn't be one of the best lines in the NHL.

It would shock me even more if they don't even try it.

 

[orby]

No reason not to start off the season with HBK intact. Switch kessel to malkin's line if one or both of the 2nd/3rd lines falter.

 

[pistolpete11]

Now that Cullen has signed and Vesey is gone, this should be very boring until Game 1. Keep the same lineup that won the Cup (Daley in for Lovejoy, obviously) until it doesn't work or there are injuries.

About the only tinkering Sullivan should try is inserting Wilson for Sheary, but even then, Sheary should get the first crack at it.

 

[DegenX]

We should definitely start with them. It gives us a solid scoring line while we try out different options in the top six.

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

Just gonna depend on how well, presumably, Kunitz and Rust do with Malkin.

Which is hard to determine before opening night. Hence why we should keep it together.