Line Combos: What do you think the line combos will be for the start of the 19/20 season?

[Soundwave]

I think it's more likely Neal starts on the top line with McDavid and Draisaitl.

You want to get his confidence back up by giving him some gimme goals.

Then once he feels comfortable you can then maybe look at moving him down to the RNH line.

Draisaitl McDavid Neal
Nygard RNH Chiasson

To be honest though I still think signing a Brassard or Vanek is not a bad idea.

 

[oilcountry17]

I am Hoping to See
Benson McDavid Nel
Nuge Drai KAssian
Gags Khaira Chia
Nygard Granlund Archi
Cave Haas/Brodz

 

[McGoMcD]

Honest question but why does every one have Kassian pegged on the first line? He is an ok option, but I would give both Neal and Chiasson a look first.

 

[LMFAO]

Honest question but why does every one have Kassian pegged on the first line? He is an ok option, but I would give both Neal and Chiasson a look first.

Because if Neal is on the first line then there's nothing left for Nuge

Who cares if Kassian isn't a first liner ? That line was absolutely destroying everyteam when they were together... and it doesn't hurt to have a crazy pitbull in Kassian that can unleash anytime if somebody takes a run at our 2 top superstars.

 

[ujju2]

I think it's more likely Neal starts on the top line with McDavid and Draisaitl.

You want to get his confidence back up by giving him some gimme goals.

Then once he feels comfortable you can then maybe look at moving him down to the RNH line.

Draisaitl McDavid Neal
Nygard RNH Chiasson

To be honest though I still think signing a Brassard or Vanek is not a bad idea.

If Neal can't keep up with McDrai that won't help his confidence. Much rather start him with Nuge and let them build that chemistry earlier.

 

[TopShelfGloveSide]

Honest question but why does every one have Kassian pegged on the first line? He is an ok option, but I would give both Neal and Chiasson a look first.

Because he did well there

 

[nexttothemoon]

On a relative basis overall at both ends of the ice... Kassian actually has done better in relation to his teammates than Neal over the past 3 seasons.

Neal has been fed far better zone starts with better teammates on better teams and has still been a relative negative player over the past 3 years... whereas Kassian isn't as large a liability defensively and actually has decent speed as well.

On the flip side...

Neal basically has one chance at rebounding... and that's if he's stapled to the McDrai duo and picks up some points that way... hopefully by not being too big a negative defensively to negate any points he does get (which is a strong possibility as well if the past 3 years are any indication).

 

[yegoldboysclub]

Drai 97 Neal
Hoffman Nuge Kassian

top two lines, on opening night

 

[ChaoticOrange]

As weird as it sounds I'm almost more interested in the 2020-21 lineup.

The way things are structured with Holland focusing on one year deals, here's what's under wraps for that season:

Draisaitl-McDavid-XXX
XXX-RNH-Neal
XXX-Khaira-Chiasson
XXX-XXX-XXX
XXX-XXX

Klefbom-Larsson
Russell-XXX
XXX-XXX
XXX

Koskinen
XXX

Assuming a roughly 83 million dollar cap, that's about 25 million for 13 roster spots, or a shade under 2 million per XXX. That drops to about 1.75 million per XXX if Nurse gets a 6 mil AAV.

There are so many variables between rookies and guys on one year deals that it's tough to even speculate, not to mention RNH and Larsson will be in the last year of their deals at that point.

I think many of the XXX's will be filled by young players like Benson, Marody, Yamamoto, Jones, Bouchard, McLeod, Starrett, and the like, but they're far from guarantees. We're going to need a lot of cheap bets and ELC's.

It'll be an interesting year, to say the least.

 

[Oilhawks]

As weird as it sounds I'm almost more interested in the 2020-21 lineup.

The way things are structured with Holland focusing on one year deals, here's what's under wraps for that season:

Draisaitl-McDavid-XXX
XXX-RNH-Chiasson
XXX-Khaira-XXX
XXX-XXX-XXX
XXX-XXX

Klefbom-Larsson
Russell-XXX
XXX-XXX
XXX

Koskinen
XXX

Assuming a roughly 83 million dollar cap, that's about 25 million for 14 roster spots, or a shade under 2 million per XXX. That drops to about 1.5 million per XXX if Nurse gets a 6 mil AAV.

There are so many variables between rookies and guys on one year deals that it's tough to even speculate, not to mention RNH and Larsson will be in the last year of their deals at that point.

I think many of the XXX's will be filled by young players like Benson, Marody, Yamamoto, Jones, Bouchard, McLeod, Starrett, and the like, but they're far from guarantees.

It'll be an interesting year, to say the least.

I agree, next year’s lineup is more interesting. However, what happened to Neal in your lineup / cap availability?

 

[ChaoticOrange]

I agree, next year’s lineup is more interesting. However, what happened to Neal in your lineup / cap availability?

I poofed him, apparently fixed

 

[Oilhawks]

I poofed him, apparently fixed

I wonder if he gets bought out for the cap flexibility. Guess it depends on how much he rebounds. Basically just him, Koskinen and Russell as (potentially) overpaid players. But you need to spend around that for players in their spots so they are decent placeholders in that sense as well.

Holland has clearly structured the one year deals to see who breaks into the team by next year, and to leave room for other signings if needed. Very interested to see how it shakes out.

 

[Dempsey]

Honest question but why does every one have Kassian pegged on the first line? He is an ok option, but I would give both Neal and Chiasson a look first.

Same reason why at this time last year everyone had Rattie starting on the top line....a few good games with McDavid to close out the previous season plus the fact that there aren't many better options.

Really it will be a revolving door most likely, unless Neal has a bounce-back year and sticks on that line.

 

[Jumptheshark]

I have three trains of thoughts right now


Thought process 1

Neal-McDavid-Leon
Granlund-Nuge-Chiasson
Jurco-Haas-Gagner
Khaira-Brodziuk-Kassian
Back aces Archiebald and Nygard

Klefbom--Larsson
Nurse-Russel
Jones-Benning
Persson

Thought Process 2
Neal-McDavid-Chiasson
Granlund-Leon-Gagner
Khaira-Nuge-Kassian
Jurco-Haas-Nygard
Black Aces Archibald-Brodziuk

Nurse-Larsson
Klefbom-Benning/Persson
Bouchard-Russel

Thought Process number 3
Granlund-McDavid-Neal
Nuge-Leon-Nygard
Jurco-Haas-Archibald
Khaira-Broadiuk-Kassian

Klefbom-Persson
Nurse-Larson
Jones-Russel
Benning extra

we have a lot of movability in the bottom 6 FWds this yeaer

For me the wild card is Haas and if he is ready for the NHL--if can stand the transition he could be an interesting player

 

[oilerbear]

For past 12 years I look at units:
PP fwds
Pk fwds
DZ fwds
Then top 2 evg goal production off pairs.

Holland 21 yr in det he prefers his forwards 37+ Gm debut seasons to be age 23 if he has veteran depth.
Unless they are exceptional when they have 20-21 yr old debuts like Zetterberg, Larkin.

PP fwds
With Tippett saying Mcd and Drai getting Almost all 2 min.
That leaves 4 fwds sharing rest of PP
Drai 16 ppg
Mcdavid 9 ppg
RNH 8 ppg
Chaisson 8 ppg
Neal 7 ppg in 16-17 and 17-18
Gagner elite 8.00+ PPGF/60

PK forwards.
Archibald top 20
Khaira top 40
Cave showed top 50 PK potential in Boston
Kassian, Brodziak, Granlund are of similiar performance.

DZ specialists
Kassian, Brodziak, Khaira, Haas, Cave

Our 2 best WOWY off fwd pairs last year.
Draisaitl 31 evg - mcdavid 31 evg; 888 EVTOI; 4.19 evg/60
RNH 6 evg - Kassian 2 evg; 192:45; 2.49 evg/60
You run them together for 800-900 minutes.

With PP, PK, and DZ that is 13 fwds

Other Holland acquisitions:
Jurco (20) - one of Holland’s Under 22 debut fwds.
Gallant said 2 Nd to none skill, drives play with speed.
Nygard scoring and top speed.

Holland stated he wanted double digit goals from forwards.
With PP largely limited to 6 fwds.
The rest will have to generate it with Non Power Play Goals (NPPG= Evg + Shg)

Looking at Evg/60 from Roster forwards.
Mcdavid #2 C 31 evg; 1.27 evg/60
Draisaitl #2 RW 31 evg; 1.25 evg/60
Neal 1.04 to 1.21 evg/60 13-14 to 17-18
Jurco 1.02 evg/60 17-18 he shows elite evg rate.
RNH #31 C 19 evg; .92 evg/60
Archibald #51 RW 12 evg; .89 evg/60
Khaira .80 evg/60 17-18; .66 evg/60 16-17
Kassian #37 RW 14 evg; .79 evg/60
Chaisson #44 RW 13 evg; .78 evg/60
Granlund #60 LW 10 evg; .70 evg/60; .98 evg/60 16-17
Brodziak .69 to .97 evg/60; avg of .80 evg/60 in 3rd line C role. 07-08 to 16-17
That is the kind of Evg production you want to see out of Veteran forwards.

Best NHLE goal scoring forwards in AHL last year.
Gambardella (25) 17 evg NHLE
Currie (26) 14 evg NHLE

Best u23 evg NHLE
Maroody (22) 9 evg NHLE

You use your top 2 evg production off pairs.
Slot wingers with production history with the pair or
Veteran with years of consistent evg rates

Draisaitl - Mcdavid - Chaisson
Neal - RNH - Kassian

You slot as much double digit EVG potential in Bottom 6
while maintaining
Top pk forward depth
Top DZ, Facing first comp 4 th line.

Granlund - Brodziak - Archibald
Jurco/ Cave - Khaira - Haas
Gagner - Nygard

We are 15 forward deep

Any injury call up will depend on what unit lost depth
PK or DZ specialist.

Gambardella
Currie
Maroody are call-ups

The under 23 will have to have a spectacular pre season to have any chance.
Cause their evg NHLE are all below 10.

 

[FlameChampion]

I've read or heard from Tippett that he wants to see Russell on his left side. I agree that he probably fits best as the LD3. I actually think Russell is a decent to good player but has often been slotted above where he should be playing.

That being said I dont see how he can be the LD3 on this team. Whos going to play RD2? Unless Persson or Bouchard, knock it out of the park or they play Jones on his offside, I dont see how playing Russell on the left side, makes any sense. Intested to see how this goes, we really need Larsson to bounce back. Hopefully hes healthy.

 

[ujju2]

I've read or heard from Tippett that he wants to see Russell on his left side. I agree that he probably fits best as the LD3. I actually think Russell is a decent to good player but has often been slotted above where he should be playing.

That being said I dont see how he can be the LD3 on this team. Whos going to play RD2? Unless Persson or Bouchard, knock it out of the park or they play Jones on his offside, I dont see how playing Russell on the left side, makes any sense. Intested to see how this goes, we really need Larsson to bounce back. Hopefully hes healthy.

IIRC Jones has quite a bit of experience on the right side. I also expect Persson to make the team.

 

[FlameChampion]

IIRC Jones has quite a bit of experience on the right side. I also expect Persson to make the team.

Yeah I think he plays quite a bit on the right side. I just think asking him to step into the top 4 is a bit much to expect going into camp.

Jones - Persson could be a decent third pairing.

 

[ujju2]

Yeah I think he plays quite a bit on the right side. I just think asking him to step into the top 4 is a bit much to expect going into camp.

Jones - Persson could be a decent third pairing.

Agreed, but I could see Persson in the top 4.

 

[The Nuge]

Yeah I think he plays quite a bit on the right side. I just think asking him to step into the top 4 is a bit much to expect going into camp.

Jones - Persson could be a decent third pairing.

It all depends on usage. If you put Jones out with Nurse, and try to mostly start them in the offensive zone and neutral zone, I could see it working. Try and utilize their skating, and offensive talent

Klefa-Larsson ~23 min (mostly offensive and defensive starts)

Nurse-Jones ~20 min (mostly offensive and neutral starts)

Russell-Benning ~17 min (mostly neutral and defensive starts)

That’s not really asking him to be a legit top 4 dman yet

 

[ujju2]

I've been watching more clips of Gaetan Haas, and I can see him becoming a third line winger for us. Has a rocket of a shot and great skating. And shoots right. maybe even an option for the first powerplay, has a wicked one-timer.

 

[Soundwave]

Neal starts with McDavid + Drai, but I think eventually if he has confidence he can be eased down to

Draisaitl McDavid Kassian
Chiasson RNH Neal
Nygard Granlund Gagner
Khaira Brodziak Archibald
Haas

Klefbom Larsson
Nurse Russell
Jones Benning

Brodziak and Haas swap in and out.

Neal prefers the RW, so it's probably better to just accomodate that than argue against it. Each line does have a right hand shot.

 

[ujju2]

I could see something like this, for instance:

Draisaitl - McDavid - Kassian
Nygard - RNH - Neal
Haas - Granlund - Chiasson
some combination of Jurco/Khaira/Archibald/Gagner

Klefbom - Larsson
Nurse - Persson
Russell - Jones

 

[Took a pill in Sbisa]

As weird as it sounds I'm almost more interested in the 2020-21 lineup.

The way things are structured with Holland focusing on one year deals, here's what's under wraps for that season:

Draisaitl-McDavid-XXX
XXX-RNH-Neal
XXX-Khaira-Chiasson
XXX-XXX-XXX
XXX-XXX

Klefbom-Larsson
Russell-XXX
XXX-XXX
XXX

Koskinen
XXX

Assuming a roughly 83 million dollar cap, that's about 25 million for 13 roster spots, or a shade under 2 million per XXX. That drops to about 1.75 million per XXX if Nurse gets a 6 mil AAV.

There are so many variables between rookies and guys on one year deals that it's tough to even speculate, not to mention RNH and Larsson will be in the last year of their deals at that point.

I think many of the XXX's will be filled by young players like Benson, Marody, Yamamoto, Jones, Bouchard, McLeod, Starrett, and the like, but they're far from guarantees. We're going to need a lot of cheap bets and ELC's.

It'll be an interesting year, to say the least.

As an aside Id like to have this blueprint going into 20-21

Nurse-XXX
Klefbom-Larsson
Russell-XXX

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Agreed, but I could see Persson in the top 4.

I think the plan at this moment is to have Larsson and either Klefbom or Nurse as the top pairing, and then the other of Klefbom or Nurse, along with Russell, anchoring the other two pairings. This means you won't have a clear 2nd or 3rd pairing, as you'll be splitting the two remaining top 4 guys.

Klefbom/Nurse - Larsson
Klefbom/Nurse - Jones/Benning/Persson/Bear
Russell - Jones/Benning/Persson/Bear

Basically you'll have 4 going for two spots (and this isn't even counting Bouchard or Lagesson, who could make some noise of their own), and you'll always have those two spots "sheltered."