59Rosebuds
Registered User
What do you think our lineup looks for this coming season. As we have seen, Peters is not afraid to move people up and down the line up or even bench them when they don't seem motivated. As of right now this is how I could see it playing out.
Forwards:
E. Staal- J. Staal- E. Lindholm
J. Skinner- V. Rask -D. Ryan
N. Gerbe- R. Nash - A. Nestrasil
C. Terry- J. McClement - B. Malone
Injury Replacements/ Other:
Boychuck/Hensick/Brown/Sutter/Woods
Defense:
R. Hainsey- J. Faulk
N. Hanifin- J. Wisniewski
J. Liles - R. Murphy
M. Jordan/ D. Biega
Goal:
C. Ward
E. Lack
Barring any more movements from Francis, I think that each of the lines play out to some version of this. The first line seems to be a given; the two Staal boys play great together and take some pressure off of each other given their big bodies and skill level. The two of the being the focal point gives Lindholm more room to work with much like Tlusty did with Staal and Semin (although Lindholm is better than Tlusty). The second line is a bit more difficult and where we will see more change. Skinner is a good second line player as long as he is healthy and not hesitant. Rask needs to build on his rookie campaign with stronger production numbers. Ryan is probably the biggest question mark here. Yes, he was the SHL player of the year, but like Bellemare will he actually pan out. From there it looks a lot like last year, but maybe Nash and Terry continue developing and Gerbe bounces back. But overall we have a relatively defensively sound bottom six.
On defense, there is hope in the future, but this year may still be rough. The first pairing is one I am not entirely sure of. Faulk and Hainsey are both great steady players, but the chemestry is not there like it was with Sekera. I would have liked to have used Wisniewski with Faulk and Hainsey with Hanifin, but handedness throws that off. Liles is a great bottom pairing defenseman, but I think Jordan would be better than Murphy this coming season. Unless Murphy is given sheltered minutes and power play time, I don't see him being as effective as Jordan.
Goaltending is what it is. Both guys are capable, and Cam had his best numbers ever last season. Lack is the new guy and will be hungry for a starting job. The two of them can battle it out and with the goaltending prospects we have, one of either Ward or Lack can be flipped at the deadline.
Playoff Prediction:
Like any team, the chance is there if everything goes perfectly. I do think a 16 point improvement is within reach given the way the team played over the last few months. We could also be a lottery team again.
Let me know what you think. Should be a fun season
Forwards:
E. Staal- J. Staal- E. Lindholm
J. Skinner- V. Rask -D. Ryan
N. Gerbe- R. Nash - A. Nestrasil
C. Terry- J. McClement - B. Malone
Injury Replacements/ Other:
Boychuck/Hensick/Brown/Sutter/Woods
Defense:
R. Hainsey- J. Faulk
N. Hanifin- J. Wisniewski
J. Liles - R. Murphy
M. Jordan/ D. Biega
Goal:
C. Ward
E. Lack
Barring any more movements from Francis, I think that each of the lines play out to some version of this. The first line seems to be a given; the two Staal boys play great together and take some pressure off of each other given their big bodies and skill level. The two of the being the focal point gives Lindholm more room to work with much like Tlusty did with Staal and Semin (although Lindholm is better than Tlusty). The second line is a bit more difficult and where we will see more change. Skinner is a good second line player as long as he is healthy and not hesitant. Rask needs to build on his rookie campaign with stronger production numbers. Ryan is probably the biggest question mark here. Yes, he was the SHL player of the year, but like Bellemare will he actually pan out. From there it looks a lot like last year, but maybe Nash and Terry continue developing and Gerbe bounces back. But overall we have a relatively defensively sound bottom six.
On defense, there is hope in the future, but this year may still be rough. The first pairing is one I am not entirely sure of. Faulk and Hainsey are both great steady players, but the chemestry is not there like it was with Sekera. I would have liked to have used Wisniewski with Faulk and Hainsey with Hanifin, but handedness throws that off. Liles is a great bottom pairing defenseman, but I think Jordan would be better than Murphy this coming season. Unless Murphy is given sheltered minutes and power play time, I don't see him being as effective as Jordan.
Goaltending is what it is. Both guys are capable, and Cam had his best numbers ever last season. Lack is the new guy and will be hungry for a starting job. The two of them can battle it out and with the goaltending prospects we have, one of either Ward or Lack can be flipped at the deadline.
Playoff Prediction:
Like any team, the chance is there if everything goes perfectly. I do think a 16 point improvement is within reach given the way the team played over the last few months. We could also be a lottery team again.
Let me know what you think. Should be a fun season