Line Combos: Lines 15/16

[Blanick]

I've seen a lot of arguments for putting Fabs on wing instead of C - although I'm in favor of him being a C at some point (moreso because we need a offensive 1C). What's your reasoning for putting him at C? Doesn't his playstyle (Schwartz jr.) fit more for wing play? I suppose putting him at C might lessen the physical onslaught that he would experience on the boards?

Mook pretty much nailed it. Less physicality by letting two meaty wingers, Brouwer and Jaskin handle the heavy lifting on the forecheck allowing Fabbs more room to use the creativity we saw in the training camps.

 

[RR10*]

I don't know if it is a good thing or a bad thing, but it seems like our Top 9 is pretty interchangeable. I was just thinking:

Schwartz-Stastny-Tarasenko
Jaskin-Lehtera-Fabbri
Steen-Backes-Brouwer

It seemed like Lehtera had some good chemistry with Fabbri in the opener, and we know from the last couple of years that Backes-Steen and Stastny-Schwartz work well together.

The first line is really good. But we get less deeper with Schwartz and Tank on the same line. And I'd definitely choose Steen over Jaskin on the second.

Imagine a line with Steen - Schwartz - Tarasenko. Man!

 

[taylord22]

I just want two lines that are competent at pressuring the middle. We have to get better there. We're very predictable, and far too reliant on the boards to consistently force good teams into making coverage mistakes.

Outside of Schwartz, Tarasenko and Lehtera (particularly the latter two), we're very vanilla. Which is why losing Fabbri hurts -- in a limited sample size, even with hesitancy, he was creating space in the middle of the ice.

We have plenty of guys who are capable of making the kinds of quick/small plays necessary to be effective, but their mindset is singularly focused on time of possession. Great default schema, but it's easy to contain when a team doesn't have to guess.

 

[RR10*]

I just want two lines that are competent at pressuring the middle. We have to get better there. We're very predictable, and far too reliant on the boards to consistently force good teams into making coverage mistakes.

Outside of Schwartz, Tarasenko and Lehtera (particularly the latter two), we're very vanilla. Which is why losing Fabbri hurts -- in a limited sample size, even with hesitancy, he was creating space in the middle of the ice.

We have plenty of guys who are capable of making the kinds of quick/small plays necessary to be effective, but their mindset is singularly focused on time of possession. Great default schema, but it's easy to contain when a team doesn't have to guess.

Totally agree. I think we play too much along the boards instead of creating more through the middle. If you look at a team like the Wild, they create a lot in the middle of the ice and that usually hurts us a lot.

 

[CaliforniaBlues310]

I posted this in another thread, but I think we should roll with this Thursday against Edmonton

Steen-Stastny-Tarasenko
Schwartz-Lehtera-Backes
Jaskin-Gomez-Brouwer
Ott-Brodziak-Upshall

Bouwmeester-Pietrangelo
Parayko-Shattenkirk
Edmundson-Bortuzzo

Or if Shatty doesn't play, Gunnarsson-Parayko would be the second pairing.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

There is some really nice chemistry growing on the Schwartz-Lehtera-Brouwer line, if they keep playing like this....

Steen-Stastny-Tarasenko
Schwartz-Lehtera-Brouwer
Fabbri-Backes-Jaskin
Ott-Brodziak-Reaves

Bou-Pie
???-Shatty
Ed-Colt

 

[STLBloosiers]

I'd be fine with that. I'm not opposed to going back to the STL line. I think we need more balance than what we get when we stack a line with Steen, Stas, and Tarasenko.

As for the discussion of PP pairings, I do not agree with putting Parayko and Shattenkirk together. Shattenkirk has proven to be good at setting up shots and producing goals that way, and he works well with Steen. I still like Parayko with Pietrangelo. They just need to do it the opposite of what they did most of last night and have Parayko on his off side so he can rip one-timers.

we go back to the STL line like i said tonight and Steen-Stastny-Brouwer in the 3rd and we look great. Hope those lines stick!

 

[RR10*]

What about next year? I honestly think Backes is replaceable. He's been a ghost so far and a -2 on a 5-0-1 team. He will be 32 next year and I don't he is worth more than $4,5 mill, especially on the third line. Sobotka would be the perfect third line center next year.

 

[Ranksu]

What about next year? I honestly think Backes is replaceable. He's been a ghost so far and a -2 on a 5-0-1 team. He will be 32 next year and I don't he is worth more than $4,5 mill, especially on the third line. Sobotka would be the perfect third line center next year.

Backes started last also year quietly (here)
I do see your point, Sobotka would be just fine 3rd c, knowing how good he is FO circle, PK specialist, well knowed as a both end center.

Its really annioying to get feeling he might come back, but there is so many if's. Hard to know what Army thinks about guys Gunnar, Brouwer and Ott. Do they get resigned... I'm afraid so one or two of those will get new contract on Blues.

 

[Megalodan]

Schwartz - Stastny - Brouwer
Jaskin - Lehtera - Tarasenko
Steen - Backes - Fabbri

flame on

 

[Vincenzo Arelliti]

Schwartz - Stastny - Brouwer
Jaskin - Lehtera - Tarasenko
Steen - Backes - Fabbri

flame on

Why?

Steen - Stastny - Tarasenko
Schwartz - Lehtera - Jaskin
Fabbri - Backes - Brouwer

Wouldn't this be better for combining PWF/TWF - PLY - SNP?

I mean, obviously my third line needs another SNP/PLY, but we just don't have enough to spread around if we keep people on their handed wings. The third line should focus on defense and have the ability to score occasionally. I think Fabbri - Brouwer gives that.

Maybe we target Loui Eriksson to make things more interesting, since he is a RW that can shoot, pass, and defend.

 

[CaliforniaBlues310]

I've been using these as my lines on NHL 16(I know it's not the same), and they've worked VERY well. How do you guys feel about 'em?

Schwartz-Stastny-Backes
Jaskin-Lehtera-Tarasenko
Steen-Fabbri-Brouwer
Ott-Brodziak-Upshall

Once Berglund gets back, you can put him in Ott's spot and run 4 lines.

 

[Robb_K]

I've been using these as my lines on NHL 16(I know it's not the same), and they've worked VERY well. How do you guys feel about 'em?

Schwartz-Stastny-Backes
Jaskin-Lehtera-Tarasenko
Steen-Fabbri-Brouwer
Ott-Brodziak-Upshall

Once Berglund gets back, you can put him in Ott's spot and run 4 lines.

And giving a 4th Line decent minutes could keep all the forwards fresh for the playoffs. Same would work for upping The 3rd defesive pairing's minutes, after the rookies start playing with perfect confidence, and then Pietrangelo and Boumeester, with reduced minutes, would be fresher at playoff time.

 

[Vladys Gumption]

I agree about Upshall staying in when we're healthy. Based on what we've seen if he can stay healthy he's a viable third line option and clearly a more effective hockey player overall than Reaves. I want him in the lineup pretty regularly.

 

[CaliforniaBlues310]

And giving a 4th Line decent minutes could keep all the forwards fresh for the playoffs. Same would work for upping The 3rd defesive pairing's minutes, after the rookies start playing with perfect confidence, and then Pietrangelo and Boumeester, with reduced minutes, would be fresher at playoff time.

Agreed, and honestly, when healthy, a Berglund-Brodziak-Upshall 4th line might be the best one in the league.

 

[Ranksu]

What I'm reading here, someone else also agree Berglund could play 4th line spot.

 

[BlueDream]

Agreed, and honestly, when healthy, a Berglund-Brodziak-Upshall 4th line might be the best one in the league.

Highly unlikely that's what we will see.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Seeing how Fabbri and Shattenkirk might come back soon, but Stastny is injured for the next few weeks how would everyone feel about these lines.

Schwartz-Lehtera-Tarasenko (Let's admit it, it works, and if it can rekindle Schwartz, then I'm all for it)
Steen-Backes-Fabbri (Fabbri would drive the play on this line due to his speed and entrance into the zone.)
Jaskin-Gomez-Brouwer (If Brouwer can play C I'd rather a Upshall-Brouwer-Jaskin tho)
Ott-Brodziak-Reaves(BRO)

Bou-Pie
Gun-Shat
Ed-Par

Then once Stastny returns....

Steen-Stastny-Tarasenko (So far this year this line looks amazing)
Schwartz-Lehtera-Jaskin (Jaskin needs a playmaker or someone who is speedy on his line)
Fabbri-Backes-Brouwer (Backes and Brouwer CAN'T make their own scoring chances, Fabbri would drive this line offensively as well as having Backes and Brouwer being about to protect him)
Ott-Brodziak-Reaves (BRO)

 

[Ranksu]

I would give a try these lines

Jaskin - Steen - Tarasenko
Schwartz - Lehterä - Rattie
Fabbri - Backes - Brouwer
Ott - Brodziak - Reaves

If Reaves isn't 100% yet and honestly he isn't how he has played, bring Upshall there.