Line Combos: Wings for Leon - The Drai Rub

[BarDownBobo]

RNH-McDavid-Rattie
Lucic-Draisaitl-Puljujarvi
Khaira-Strome-Aberg/Yamamoto/FA
Caggiula-FA-Kassian

I'm not sure that we'll be seeing big changes up front assuming that the org is confident in Lucic improving and Jesse taking the next step that Caggiula and Slepyshev failed to this past season. I would suspect that we'll add 1 veteran RW in the event that the young RWers struggle again.

IMO defense is where we will be looking to upgrade the most.

This is how I've got things drawn out as well. Bring in a guy like Jannik Hansen to play 3RW, get a veteran right handed C to play 4th line. Aberg and Yamo push Pulju and Rattie on the right side. I wouldn't be opposed to bringing back Cammalleri on a cheap deal to be an extra forward either, seems like a good guy in the room and would be a decent guy to push those guys as well. But I wouldn't want him playing more than say 40ish games.

 

[fireantz]

RNH-McDavid-Rattie
Lucic-Draisaitl-Puljujarvi
Khaira-Strome-Aberg/Yamamoto/FA
Caggiula-FA-Kassian

I'm not sure that we'll be seeing big changes up front assuming that the org is confident in Lucic improving and Jesse taking the next step that Caggiula and Slepyshev failed to this past season. I would suspect that we'll add 1 veteran RW in the event that the young RWers struggle again.

IMO defense is where we will be looking to upgrade the most.

 

[Spawn]

I think banking on Drai carrying Lucic and Pulju to start the season is setting him, and subsequently our 2nd line, up for failure. If things get off badly for that line without a legitimate option to fill in you're basically f***ed.

 

[fireantz]

RNH-McDavid-Rattie
Lucic-Draisaitl-Puljujarvi
Khaira-Strome-Aberg/Yamamoto/FA
Caggiula-FA-Kassian

I'm not sure that we'll be seeing big changes up front assuming that the org is confident in Lucic improving and Jesse taking the next step that Caggiula and Slepyshev failed to this past season. I would suspect that we'll add 1 veteran RW in the event that the young RWers struggle again.

IMO defense is where we will be looking to upgrade the most.

I believe the opposite is true. The only way the D changes is if Nurse goes and I hate that. THE largest need is a veteran winger to play with Drai. A LW that can play RW or vice versa. This gives an option to play either Lucic or Pulj with Strome. Saddling Drai with a boat anchor and a guy who hasn’t learned to play inside is a recipe for no playoffs. You may a well trade Drai for a sniper to play with McD because 27-29-98 equals a one line team

 

[Bryanbryoil]

I think banking on Drai carrying Lucic and Pulju to start the season is setting him, and subsequently our 2nd line, up for failure. If things get off badly for that line without a legitimate option to fill in you're basically ****ed.

I believe the opposite is true. The only way the D changes is if Nurse goes and I hate that. THE largest need is a veteran winger to play with Drai. A LW that can play RW or vice versa. This gives an option to play either Lucic or Pulj with Strome. Saddling Drai with a boat anchor and a guy who hasn’t learned to play inside is a recipe for no playoffs. You may a well trade Drai for a sniper to play with McD because 27-29-98 equals a one line team

IMO he showed good chemistry with Pulju. I can't see us investing heavily in a RH RWer unless one of Jesse or Kailer is moved out in a trade. It will put us in the same position that we are in with Russell as Nurse progresses. Either a 1-2 year stop gap or Jesse is gone IMO.

If Looch comes in and plays like he did after Christmas then our 2nd line will be pooched anyway unless Khaira or Caggiula becomes a legit 2nd line option.

 

[fireantz]

IMO he showed good chemistry with Pulju. I can't see us investing heavily in a RH RWer unless one of Jesse or Kailer is moved out in a trade. It will put us in the same position that we are in with Russell as Nurse progresses. Either a 1-2 year stop gap or Jesse is gone IMO.

If Looch comes in and plays like he did after Christmas then our 2nd line will be pooched anyway unless Khaira or Caggiula becomes a legit 2nd line option.

How much would Perron cost?

 

[Tobias Kahun]

Larkin wont even make it in the AHL let alone the NHL.

 

[guymez]

Gotta give some props for the thread title.

Well played.

 

[Lord Quas]

I have two problems with the theory of Lucic-Drai-Pulju

1. This was a fairly tried combination that did not produce consistently or tilt the ice in our favour
2. It banks on more 'what ifs' and making poor bets on player success.

We gotta start making moves that result in line shuffling out of creativity, not out of desperation to find something that works. One of the most frustrating thing last year was TMac's 82 game training camp.

Pursue a bonafide top 6 winger and you make a player like Lucic work for that spot to prove it can be a better mix, not just a contract driven gift.

Player 1	Player 2	Player 3	GP	TOI	CF	CA	CF%	FF	FA	FF%	SF	SA	SF%	GF	GA	GF%	SCF	SCA	SCF%	HDCF	HDCA	HDCF%	HDGF	HDGA	HDGF%	On-Ice SH%	On-Ice SV%	PDO	Off. Zone Faceoffs	Neu. Zone Faceoffs	Def. Zone Faceoffs	Off. Zone Faceoff %
Leon Draisaitl	Jesse Puljujarvi	Milan Lucic	65	52:25	60	47	56.07	47	35	57.32	35	27	56.45	2	5	28.57	30	14	68.18	11	3	78.57	1	1	50.00	5.71	81.48	0.872	15	20	19	44.12

[TBODY] [/TBODY]
[TBODY] [/TBODY]

I disagree with your first point. Sure, they didn't light it up, but I don't believe it's been tried all that much. I don't know much about advanced stats, but it looks like they "played" well together and were unlucky (I'm really just guessing)

I do agree it banks on "what ifs" though.

Pulju, to me, is still too inconsistent. I'm a big fan, but he needs to start using those tools he has. How is his english coming? I imagine it must be frustrating for Drai or McDavid to come back to the bench and not being able to go over plays with the guy. It's those little things in his game that could make him a superstar, and he has a chance to learn on the job from two of the best in 97 and 29.

Lucic is a bit of an enigma. I love the guy, and want him to have a monster season, but I don't know if that will happen on Drai or Conner's wing. I just don't think he is suited to controlled entries. Chip the puck past the defenders so Lucic can get after it. Gets him hitting, causing havoc and playing simple. In my mind, Lucic is moving up and down between McDavid, Drai, and Strome as play dictates.

I could see a Lucic-Drai-Yamamoto line working dump and chase well. But that is full of just as many "what ifs."

 

[Lord Quas]

I think his wingers are going to come from inhouse. I'm guessing Khaira and someone, with the expectation of getting a rental at some point.

Khaira-Draisaitl-Puljujarvi/Aberg/Yamamoto/FA

 

[Bryanbryoil]

How much would Perron cost?

Too much. I don't see him replicating his success here. I'd sooner go after Neal.

 

[Captain Controversy]

If there is no free agent signing of wingers by the oilers (WHICH WOULD SUCK)
I would start with this top 6 and hope. Having Vanek would be great. Having grabner would be good too if cheap.
Hemksy would be ok if he is able to play.

Nuge-Mcdavid-Aberg/Yamamoto
Lucic/Khaira -Draisaitl -Aberg/Yamamoto

 

[SaltNPeca]

To refine what a few have already mentioned:
RNH - McDavid - <insert grinder or scorer>
Lucic - Draisaitl - <insert smallish playmaker/skill-guy>

Anyone willing to skate and forecheck should be considered on the top line. They can run thru some options as the season progresses and to match opposition.
More worrisome is who Todd plays with Lucic-Drai. I don't really like Poolparty, Strome, Khaira there. In my Dreams Yamamoto breaks out in that spot.

 

[Mav3rick07]

Resigning Maroon is a big no-no.

We need speed , plain and simple . He's a solid player but we have enough plotters .

Plus , whoever signs him will end up over paying . Can't afford to be dishing out more money to more slow players.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

I wouldn't mind would mind taking a look at the two Danes from SJ.

Boedker's likely going to come cheap due to Kane's new deal, and he brings a lot of the same elements as someone like Grabner. If he's costing you Caggiula/Aberg (or both) that's perfect.

Hansen's gives you a lot of the same qualities, but also a lot more grit and 2 way play.

RNH-McDavid-Hansen
Boedker-Draisaitl-Puljujarvi
Lucic-Strome-Slepyshev
______-Khaira-Kassian

Suddenly the top 6 is a lot faster, with Lucic getting moved to a slower line. Plus he has historically worked well with Slepyshev, and Strome's a nice fit between them.

That just leaves you needing a 4th line LW. Personally I still like Komarov for here. He fits the role itself well, and he can also act as a translator for a number of guys.

 

[ConnorMcMullet]

RNH - McDavid - Puljujarvi
Niederreiter - Draisaitl - Yamamoto
Lucic - Strome - Spooner
Cagguila - Khaira - Kassian

That's one of the deepest forward groups in the league. Nino worked really well with Drai at the world Cup, and I think Spooner could work really well with Strome and Lucic. Spooner could probably be had with a 2nd. I would then be willing to trade the 2019 1st and Aberg for Nino, and then draft a defenseman this year.

 

[Cypress]

I think his wingers are going to come from inhouse. I'm guessing Khaira and someone, with the expectation of getting a rental at some point.

Khaira-Draisaitl-Puljujarvi/Aberg/Yamamoto/FA

I'm worried you'll be right. Seems like a plan that's more likely to fail than succeed.

Personally I view the 2nd line right now as:
xxxxx - Draisatl - xxxxx
I think it would be prudent to bring in someone we can rely on to be effective in this role. In house options can compete for the other spot, but to rely on two guys to fill those roles is a big gamble in my eyes.

 

[EDMOILERS9729]

RNH - McDavid - Puljujarvi
Niederreiter - Draisaitl - Yamamoto
Lucic - Strome - Spooner
Cagguila - Khaira - Kassian

That's one of the deepest forward groups in the league. Nino worked really well with Drai at the world Cup, and I think Spooner could work really well with Strome and Lucic. Spooner could probably be had with a 2nd. I would then be willing to trade the 2019 1st and Aberg for Nino, and then draft a defenseman this year.

I like trading the 2019 1st with Caggiulla for Nino. But then Aberg would have to play 3rw because we would up against the cap. Or trade a 3rd for Armias rights and put him at 3rw and Aberg 4lw.

 

[Little Fury]

I think his wingers are going to come from inhouse. I'm guessing Khaira and someone, with the expectation of getting a rental at some point.

Khaira-Draisaitl-Puljujarvi/Aberg/Yamamoto/FA

Woof. Poor Drai. If he can lug that kinda of baggage around and somehow break even, he'll be worth his money.

 

[EDMOILERS9729]

Woof. Poor Drai. If he can lug that kinda of baggage around and somehow break even, he'll be worth his money.

He has chemistry with and plays well with Khaira and I think Yamamoto is perfect for his right side. Better than having Lucic and Caggiulla stapled next to him.

 

[Jet Walters]

Zuccarello would be a perfect placeholder with Lucic and Drai for a year until Yamamoto is ready. He might not be available until the deadline as a rental though. I think we should target Josh Anderson to play with RNH and McDavid.

RNH McDavid Anderson
Lucic Drai Zuccarello
Khaira Strome Puljujarvi
Caggiula ?? Kassian

 

[Roof Daddy]

Recently there was a proposal for Hoffman done by (I think) an Ottawa fan that was 10+40 for Hoffman+22. Not sure if that’s realistic, but I’d pull the trigger. Hoffman would be an excellent fit with Drai.

Then we package 22nd with Bear/Benning for an upgrade on RHD (not sure if it would be enough to pry Faulk loose).

Nuge-McD-Rattie
Hoffman-Drai-Yamamoto
Looch-Strome-Pulju (but he gets 1st unit PP)
Khaira-UFA (Ryan maybe?)-Kassian

 

[Little Fury]

He has chemistry with and plays well with Khaira and I think Yamamoto is perfect for his right side. Better than having Lucic and Caggiulla stapled next to him.

Kharia has no business in the top 6 and all the other options are completely unproven. Not exactly setting Drai up for success there.

 

[ToeMcDrag83]

Is a player like Atkinson available via trade?
I seem to recall a few healthy scratches by Torts?

 

[EakinsMVP]

Gotta give some props for the thread title.

Well played.

Originally, I had read it as Wings of Leon, hoping for a parody of Use Somebody