Lafreniere-Hayton-Thomas was my preferred top line since the summer, and I agree with you about Foote being a questionable pick for that spot.
Thomas makes more sense than Foote on the top line for so many reasons. He’s more skilled, he’s a better passer and finisher, he’s right handed, he’s a better skater (important on big ice) and has much more experience playing on the right wing (also he succeeded there at the summer showcase). All of Foote’s best showings have come on the left wing. Hopefully he can adjust quickly or Canada is going to have a slow start in a brutal group.
Yeah. I'm not really the biggest fan of Thomas. Just hasn't ever really impressed me watching him and i think his production is pretty inflated. But I do think he probably makes more sense on that top line wing than Foote. But Foote brings an element that Hunter seems to like on a skilled top line. That "big body presence" - TM Pierre McGuire probably. There is something to be said for that element, if the chemistry works though. And realistically...Thomas is a bit of a "puck on his stick" player...on a line where you're probably gonna want Lafreniere and Hayton doing most of the puckhandling. Sometimes a good "fit" on a line, is in what a guy
doesn't do...as much as what they do.
Bahl is here because he is the best defensive D man on the team and he plays both sides. Not hard to figure out if you watch him, which apparently no one has on HF.
I mean, Bahl is fine. But he just doesn't really stand out to me the way he apparently does to you. Lots of defencemen they brought to camp (and some they didn't) are good defenders and can play both sides.
Like i said, it's really more the Addison thing that's a bit strange to me. Just kinda comes in conjunction with taking Bahl as well. It's a kinda odd duo to me.
Foudy-Dellandrea-Dudas will give other teams absolute fits. In terms of choppiness I'm guessing they'll be reminiscent of Della Rovere-Cormier-Kane from 2009
Yeah. I could see that being a real, honest to goodness "energy" line like that. But faster than those guys, if a bit less beefy.
Addison is a better player than Drysdale and Smith plays his off side pretty often in Spokane so that's not a big deal. Top 4 should be Byram-JBD and McIsaac-Smith with Bahl-Addison a good mix for the 3rd pair. Still have no clue how they could bring Drysdale over Harley
Yeah. Not at all worried about Smith on his off side. He'll be fine.
Taking Drysdale is still a good call imo. It's just bizarre that they're apparently using him on the PK, and not the PP. Especially as a 17 year old, that's a lot of apparent trust that isn't typical of these teams. He'll probably be fine, because he's so talented and smart...but it's weird. It's why i don't really get bringing Addison. Drysdale is basically just a better version of the roles that i'd expect Addison to play.