I don’t like Drouin and KK together. Don’t really want Jo on a defensive line either (with Evans). So, either with NS or the 4th line …I hope this is not the final lineup, because if it is, trouble from the middle.
Where's Lehkonen? He scored the biggest goal for the Habs in the last 28 years and signed for 2+M, I highly doubt he'll be left out.
I'd like to put Drouin with Caufield to make it an easy to shelter line.
That also allows us to pair Toffoli and Hoffman, which should be a good scoring threat.
I know Gallagher would be on another line but I think he should play on a two-way line at this point in his career. He'll help balance that top9 and spread the offence.
Drouin-Suzuki-Caufield
Toffoli-Kotkaniemi-Hoffman
Anderson-Poehling/Evans-Gallagher
Lehkonen-Paquette-Armia
Oh I forgot about him hahaThese are my lines but I have Perrault over Lehkonen.
Strikes me as a moderate improvement, especially if Romanov keeps improving. If Evans and Poehling gel on the third line, that could mitigate somewhat the loss of Danault. It would be cool for Norlinder to steal a spot, but let's see what Wideman brings. The NHL learning curve is still substantial.My guesses:
-Gally will play with Kotkienemi and take the right side draws.
-Paquette will earn the 4th line C job
-Evans and Poehling will end the year on the same line
-Perrault is going to be used the way Gally has been... to kick start lines and help on draws
-Romanov and Savard will be the 2nd pair by year end
-Wdeman will beat out Kulak and play 15+ minutes
My guesses:
-Gally will play with Kotkienemi and take the right side draws.
-Paquette will earn the 4th line C job
-Evans and Poehling will end the year on the same line
-Perrault is going to be used the way Gally has been... to kick start lines and help on draws
-Romanov and Savard will be the 2nd pair by year end
-Wdeman will beat out Kulak and play 15+ minutes
I'd like to put Drouin with Caufield to make it an easy to shelter line.
That also allows us to pair Toffoli and Hoffman, which should be a good scoring threat.
I know Gallagher would be on another line but I think he should play on a two-way line at this point in his career. He'll help balance that top9 and spread the offence.
Drouin-Suzuki-Caufield
Toffoli-Kotkaniemi-Hoffman
Anderson-Poehling/Evans-Gallagher
Lehkonen-Paquette-Armia
I'd like to put Drouin with Caufield to make it an easy to shelter line.
That also allows us to pair Toffoli and Hoffman, which should be a good scoring threat.
I know Gallagher would be on another line but I think he should play on a two-way line at this point in his career. He'll help balance that top9 and spread the offence.
Drouin-Suzuki-Caufield
Toffoli-Kotkaniemi-Hoffman
Anderson-Poehling/Evans-Gallagher
Lehkonen-Paquette-Armia
I think Gallagher would be better playing with someone who can make plays. Perhaps Armia plays with Anderson. Armia creates turnovers and Anderson goes the other way with a quick strike.
But if Gally has in fact lost "it" maybe he'll be the right linemate to get stuck with Anderson.
Personally, I don't consider Gallagher a play making winger or someone that has vision and can play with a skilled center or other winger. The guy is a bull dog with his head down, plays north/south and shoots at almost every angle. For a center with skill, that's not necessarily a good fit. I have him with Lehkonen and Evans... they new shutdown line
That m as y be a good shutdown line.
But Gallagher can make plays with the puck, in addition to shooting from everywhere. Anderson is a bull, a powerhorse. Straight ahead when he gets the puck or put in rebounds or shots off passes. But Ander a.c on can't make plays with linemates. Gally can.
This is the plus side of Perry and Staal leaving. They did amazing things in the playoffs but good god did it make for a slow line Seeing Perry try to carry the puck in the neutral zone was truly something to behold. I do prefer a faster lineup .4th line was either too passive or too slow last season. I’m looking forward to seeing something like Lehkonen-Paquette-Armia. You have a guy who loves smashing other players and two wingers that are always in your face forechecking. That’s going to be a pain in the ass to play against.
I don’t like Drouin and KK together. Don’t really want Jo on a defensive line either (with Evans). So, either with NS or the 4th line …
Toffoli - NS - Caufield
Hoffman - KK - Anderson
Lehkonen - Evans - Gallagher
Drouin - Poehling/Paquette - Armia
I think the lines will change alot since we have so many possibilities this year.
I would like that Ducharme stacks a first PP unit made of Caufield, Suzuki, Hofffman and Toffoli.
Then KK, Drouin, Poehling, Gallagher on the 2nd.
Cant see the Habs running 2 defensemen on the 1st PP unit and cant see Chairot on the PP at all. Drouin will have to make his way on the 1st unit, will have to earn it, he plays too much on the outside and doesnt generate much.Hoffman is there to replace Weber on the PP, maybe on the 2nd unit.
Could see Drouin being with Suzuki as much as possible as they have great chemistry.
Drouin - Suzuki - Caufield
Romanov - Petry
Toffoli - KK - Gallagher
Hoffman - Chariot
Cant see the Habs running 2 defensemen on the 1st PP unit and cant see Chairot on the PP at all. Drouin will have to make his way on the 1st unit, will have to earn it, he plays too much on the outside and doesnt generate much.
Toffoli Suzuki Caufield
Hoffman Petry/Norlinder
Armia KK Gallagher
Drouin Petry/Norlinder/Romanov
AgreedI hope this is not the final lineup, because if it is, trouble from the middle.