I see no benefit to splitting up Backlund & Frolik and Bennett & Brouwer.
Backlund & Frolik are a shutdown line so Gaudreau wouldn't get the offensive support he needs.
Ipso facto, Gaudreau with Bennett & Brouwer needs to happen.
Gaudreau - Bennett - Brouwer (lots of skill with good physicallity)
Ferland - Backlund - Frolik (hard forecheck with sound defense = shutdown)
Tkachuk - Monahan - Chaisson (who knows, but could be a fiesty line to jumpstart Mony)
Versteeg - Hamilton - Bouma (They gotta play somewhere)
Brodie - Hamilton (Should be our top pairing)
Gio - Wideman (make too much to be a 3rd pair)
Kulak - Engelland (they gotta play somewhere)
Forgot about Kulak. He needs to get in the game. His skating is a real asset.
I said Gaudreau/Bennett/Chiasson mostly because Chiasson has looked good with G. I agree that we need our centres changed around but that pairings is pretty good.
Brouwer really seems able to play anywhere, and although him and Bennett work well together, I think it's better serve us to try and use him to spark Monahan.
I also like the idea of Frolik with Monahan because of his excellent defense, and he's quite frankly one of our better playmakers. Backlund I think is strong enough to carry a line with lesser players (has before) but I understand the willingness to keep those two together.
I push this is a few threads, but Brodie really needs to be on the right side.
Gio - Brodie
Jokki - Hamilton
Kulak - Engelland/Wideman
Would look best to me. Brodie is way more efficient when he's on the right, and it keeps one of E/W out.
