Neil Hamburger
Five Bagger!
There's been a lot of speculation and discussion over how our ES liines and pairings will shake out, but not so much in regards to special teams. What would your PP and PK units look like if you were Babcock?
Here's mine:
PP1:
Nylander-Matthews-JVR
Zaitsev-Rielly
Nylander would take up Kessel's old role on the left half-wall. JVR in front of the net and down low, while Matthews would mostly set up in the slot. Zaitsev would be the one-time option, with Rielly splitting QB duties with Nylander.
PP2:
Komarov-Bozak-Kadri
Marner-Gardiner
Kadri would be playing the half-board role, but on the right side. Komarov's the net presence, and Bozak's the face-off man who wanders around the slot. Marner played the point in London and the WJC, and could be a solid QB along Gardiner.
Other players who could get a little PP time: Carrick, Soshnikov, Lupul, Hyman, Brown, Leivo
PK1:
Laich-Komarov
Rielly-Polak
Laich the face-off man, Komarov brings all-out hustle, Rielly our all-around workhorse, and Polak clearing the crease.
PK2:
Bozak-Hyman
Hunwick-Marincin
Bozak's a good face-off man, and Hyman is sound positionally and strong in puck battles. Hunwick and Marincin are both not ideal options, but shouldn't be too bad.
Other players likely to see PK time: Gardiner, Martin, Soshnikov, Greening, Kadri, and potentially Matthews
Here's mine:
PP1:
Nylander-Matthews-JVR
Zaitsev-Rielly
Nylander would take up Kessel's old role on the left half-wall. JVR in front of the net and down low, while Matthews would mostly set up in the slot. Zaitsev would be the one-time option, with Rielly splitting QB duties with Nylander.
PP2:
Komarov-Bozak-Kadri
Marner-Gardiner
Kadri would be playing the half-board role, but on the right side. Komarov's the net presence, and Bozak's the face-off man who wanders around the slot. Marner played the point in London and the WJC, and could be a solid QB along Gardiner.
Other players who could get a little PP time: Carrick, Soshnikov, Lupul, Hyman, Brown, Leivo
PK1:
Laich-Komarov
Rielly-Polak
Laich the face-off man, Komarov brings all-out hustle, Rielly our all-around workhorse, and Polak clearing the crease.
PK2:
Bozak-Hyman
Hunwick-Marincin
Bozak's a good face-off man, and Hyman is sound positionally and strong in puck battles. Hunwick and Marincin are both not ideal options, but shouldn't be too bad.
Other players likely to see PK time: Gardiner, Martin, Soshnikov, Greening, Kadri, and potentially Matthews
