voyageur
Hockey fanatic
- Jul 10, 2011
- 9,467
- 8,157
Without bothering with the Stone hysteria, I think the Jets need to re-organize their line-up.
Here are a few observations:
1) CSW are really struggling to stay above water in actual goal differentials, but also in shot metrics and expected goals. They can be magical in the offensive zone, but they too often get smashed in their own zone, especially against other top competition.
2) Little has done a lot of things well, but he hasn't been able to drag Laine into the offensive zone consistently enough.
3) Perreault hasn't really done much to juice the Lowry line. If anything, he's more of a passenger at this point with Tanev driving the play and generating the offense. Maybe he's in a funk, but it's just not working very well.
4) Copp has been the Jets' 2nd best C this season (feel free to debate). He's outstanding defensively, but has also shown that he can generate offensive zone time and contribute offensively.
Okay, so let's get out the blender:
Perreault-Little-Wheeler (give them some tough assignments, and expect a bit of offense)
Connor-Scheifele-Roslovic (Roslovic gets a chance to show his speed and skill with a dangerous offensive line)
Ehlers-Copp-Laine (Copp stabilizes a line with great offensive talent, but needing some defense and a big, fast body)
Tanev-Lowry-Appleton (Great speed on the wings - Appleton is a very good defensive player)
I'd go with all of that except I wouldn't split Scheif-Wheeler. Put Perreault on there with them and you have a guy that is hard on the puck.
Connor-Little-Roslovic is a line I have wanted to see all year.
The other two lines are solid. Appleton with Lowry seems like a good fit.
But add Stone to Scheif and Wheels and bump down Perreault in a competing spot with Apples and you have more depth. Maybe add a depth centre. In place of Petan.