2018-2019 Line Combos

[GrandmaSlices51631]

He can clean up the mess, but you can't polish a turd enough to make it shine. We are devoid of real talent. If Barzal, Beauvillier, and Pulock take steps in their development, I consider that a success. The rest is going to be ugly.

You bet.

We can only look forward to individual progress and development in the short term because lord knows the team as a collective is not going to be competitive.

 

[IslesBro715]

What exactly do you expect? We have almost the same defense from last year, and it's a wash at goalie. I do expect improvement as well, but we were last in the league. If we can make it to middle of the league, that will be a massive accomplishment and that's probably best case scenario.

We lost 84 points and 35+ goals, where is that coming from?

We won't be a disgrace, but I don't think we'll be all that good either.

Im not expecting the team to make the playoffs but Im also not expecting them to be a bottom 5 team. Yea, we have to replace the points but with Trotzs system in place as oppposed to Weights, I expect us to not let in 300 goals against.

 

[LeapOnOver]

It’s what makes the Hickey signing so strange. Really thought we’d give Aho/Toews a real shot to make the team.

Aho was better than Pelech, Mayfield and Hickey on most nights last season.

Hickey can play forward

 

[Goombha]

I’m anxious to see the top line. I don’t think you just drop Barzal between Lee and Bailey. That would ruin Barzal’s dynamic - the speed at which he plays the game. The chemistry and success of Beau-Barzal-Eberle is unmatched on the existing team. I was looking forward to seeing them together again on the 2nd line. We need another capable center.

 

[steveat]

Lee - Barzal - Eberle
Nelson-Beauvellier - Bailey
Ladd-Filppula-Komerov
Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

These lines are the ones we are icing from the getogo.

I would prefer to have Barzal/Bailey/Beauvellier/Zeeker down the middle, but I don't think it'll work that way. Badd messes up the lines, but who knows..maybe..just maybe Trotz can replace his gears and he gets going again.

I think the best 4th line in hockey will have a reunion...they have chemistry like Bailey had chemistry with John. This year, i believe the 4th line won't be a liability and used properly..not like Cappy, playing them too much.

It's up to the prospects to find their own way into the lineup. We now have the proper depth with the two-way contracts we have signed and the prospects knocking at the door. I think Ho-Sang and Wahlstrom are going to be making very solid cases for being included in the opening night lineup...lets hope these guys take the game seriously and work their asses off over the summer.

 

[DarkHorse2]

Lee-Barzal-Eberle
Beauvillier-Bailey-Ho-Sang
Ladd-Cizikis-Komarov
Martin-Filppula-Clutterbuck
(Nelson traded for D)

 

[LamorielloAndSon]

You bet.

We can only look forward to individual progress and development in the short term because lord knows the team as a collective is not going to be competitive.

Barry trotz has done more with worse teams

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

You bet.

We can only look forward to individual progress and development in the short term because lord knows the team as a collective is not going to be competitive.

In the wins column? Yes, most likely won't be "competitive."

But, this is the type of team that competes their balls off due to the circumstances: captain leaving, the young & hungry, piss & vinegar guys, vets auditioning for future jobs, etc. That team I will gladly watch with suppressed expectations.

 

[Dipietro39]

I’m anxious to see the top line. I don’t think you just drop Barzal between Lee and Bailey. That would ruin Barzal’s dynamic - the speed at which he plays the game. The chemistry and success of Beau-Barzal-Eberle is unmatched on the existing team. I was looking forward to seeing them together again on the 2nd line. We need another capable center.

Do we really need to see JT's leaf jersey in everyone of your posts?

 

[Macch]

Do we really need to see JT's leaf jersey in everyone of your posts?

Yeah man. Like the thinking here, but seeing a blue 91 F'ing blows!!

 

[crasherino]

If we trade for Tyler Johnson with Nelson as the roster player going the other way, this could be a pretty decent rotation.....

Tito - Barzal - Eberle
Lee - Johnson - Bailey
Ladd - Filipula - Komarov
Martin - CC - CC

The first two lines would be strong and the bottom two would be tough to play against. And the hope would be that Ladd returns - at least somewhat - to his prior form.

Not sure what else would need to go in the deal alongside Nelson but a single first rounder wouldn't be the end of the world. A decent D prospect in the form of MVS, Toews, Wotherspoon, etc. isn't horrible either.

 

[Goombha]

Do we really need to see JT's leaf jersey in everyone of your posts?

How do you know it’s a Leafs jersey? When I have time I’ll change it to the front of the jersey. You may be right.

 

[MattMartin]

How do you know it’s a Leafs jersey? When I have time I’ll change it to the front of the jersey. You may be right.

 

[majormet]

Instead of a C on the front of the jersey it should be an upside down cross

 

[TeamKidd]

He can clean up the mess, but you can't polish a turd enough to make it shine. We are devoid of real talent. If Barzal, Beauvillier, and Pulock take steps in their development, I consider that a success. The rest is going to be ugly.

no...but if you squeeze it enough you might get a diamond...

 

[TeamKidd]

In the wins column? Yes, most likely won't be "competitive."

But, this is the type of team that competes their balls off due to the circumstances: captain leaving, the young & hungry, piss & vinegar guys, vets auditioning for future jobs, etc. That team I will gladly watch with suppressed expectations.

Im reminded of what happened to the Islander team when Pierre Turgeon was almost killed by Dale F'ing Hunter....they played their asses off after that...maybe we'll see something....i believe they call it...inspiration....sorta like what Vegas had last year...

 

[Frankie41987]

He can clean up the mess, but you can't polish a turd enough to make it shine. We are devoid of real talent. If Barzal, Beauvillier, and Pulock take steps in their development, I consider that a success. The rest is going to be ugly.

Did some research... apparently you can.

 

[seafoam]

• If this is the roster we are going into the season with, I could see Trotz preferring Beauvillier at center over Nelson. He’ll slide Tito right in where Tavares was, and match that line up against opponent’s top defensive pairings. Yes, their offensive numbers will dip, but they are our best three top six forwards defensively. Barzal’s line will get good matchups in this case.

• We’ve seen Ladd and Beauvillier both succeed riding shotgun with Barzal and Eberle, why not Nelson?

• Ho-Sang gets to line up with two NHL veterans who are defensively responsible in Ladd and Filppula.

• I can see Trotz using Komarov up and down the lineup, but ultimately see him being most effective with Clutterbuck and Cizikas.

• Yes, I have Toews making the team and playing wih Pulock on the second pairing. I think Trotz can mold this kid into Nate Schmidt 2.0.

Lee (30, 20) - Beauvillier (25, 25) - Bailey (15-35)
Nelson (25, 20) - Barzal (22, 48) - Eberle (25, 35)
Ladd (20, 15) - Filppula (15, 20) - Ho-Sang (12, 28)
Komarov - Cizikas - Clutterbuck (just get 30 goals from this line + Martin & Kuhnhackl
Martin, Kuhnhackl

Leddy - Boychuk
Toews - Pulock
Hickey - Pelech
Mayfield

Greiss/Lehner

That’s a total of 219 goals, 42 less than last season, without even adding in the D projections.

 

[Glorydays22]

Why do you want to change the only line that really clicked and was on fire all last year?? They have great chemistry and enjoy playing with each other so much that they all played together in the off-season. You don't touch the 1st line at all. If you remember about 2 years ago. Nelson and Lee played on the same line and played well together. Bailey will be the passer for that line setting up Nelson's wrist shot and Lee grabbing the rebound and defection goals.

Beauvellier - Barzal - Eberle
Lee- Nelson - Bailey
Ladd-Filppula- Ho Sang /Komerov
Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

Johnston and Kuhnhackl rotate in once in a while.


Leddy - Boychuk
Pelech - Pulock
Mayfield - Hickey/Toews

 

[seafoam]

Why do you want to change the only line that really clicked and was on fire all last year?? They have great chemistry and enjoy playing with each other so much that they all played together in the off-season. You don't touch the 1st line at all. If you remember about 2 years ago. Nelson and Lee played on the same line and played well together. Bailey will be the passer for that line setting up Nelson's wrist shot and Lee grabbing the rebound and defection goals.

Beauvellier - Barzal - Eberle
Lee- Nelson - Bailey
Ladd-Filppula- Ho Sang /Komerov
Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

Johnston and Kuhnhackl rotate in once in a while.


Leddy - Boychuk
Pelech - Pulock
Mayfield - Hickey/Toews

Barry Trotz is going to put together lines that will help the team win.

Doug Weight put lines together as if he was just trying to see what combinations would score the most. That’s not a recipe for winning hockey long term.

 

[LeapOnOver]

Why do you want to change the only line that really clicked and was on fire all last year?? They have great chemistry and enjoy playing with each other so much that they all played together in the off-season. You don't touch the 1st line at all. If you remember about 2 years ago. Nelson and Lee played on the same line and played well together. Bailey will be the passer for that line setting up Nelson's wrist shot and Lee grabbing the rebound and defection goals.

Beauvellier - Barzal - Eberle
Lee- Nelson - Bailey
Ladd-Filppula- Ho Sang /Komerov
Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

Johnston and Kuhnhackl rotate in once in a while.


Leddy - Boychuk
Pelech - Pulock
Mayfield - Hickey/Toews

Disagree, you give both UFA's a chance to shine and if they are going to walk it maximizes their rental value at the trade deadline. Stick both Lee and Eberle with Barzal and hope they rack up the points so if they walk, we bank.

 

[Goombha]

Disagree, you give both UFA's a chance to shine and if they are going to walk it maximizes their rental value at the trade deadline. Stick both Lee and Eberle with Barzal and hope they rack up the points so if they walk, we bank.

Barzal's shift would be over by the time Lee gets into the o-zone to join the play.

 

[Macch]

It’s fun to speculate about line combos but I really don’t think Lou is done dealing.

 

[IslesRock4]

Seeing these line combos with Nelson and Ladd pains me more than not seeing Tavares there. If Lou can get rid of those two, he deserves a shrine in Belmont.

 

[IslesRock4]

Beauvillier - Barzal - Eberle
Lee - Bailey - Ho-Sang

Might be an interesting way of arranging the top 6. But it leaves a whole lot of garbage in the bottom 6, unless Bellows makes the team.