Line Combos: HFPens Decides - 20/21 Version

[Randy Butternubs]

In past offseasons I've run some polls to see how HFPens would assemble the lineup. It helps pass the time and keep some conversations moving along. I plan on doing those polls again sometime soon.

Some assumptions and rules:

1. You are to vote for what you want to see -- not what you expect the coaches to do.
2. Crosby and Malkin are the top two centers.
3. Jarry is the starter and DeSmith is the backup.
4. ZAR will be on the IR to start the season. This means he will not be listed as an option in any of the polls.
5. In the top 4, defenseman will not play on their "off" side.
6. I will not be listing players for positions they have not played at the NHL level. For example, I will not be listing Tanev as an option for the third line center.
7. Due to the amount of one-way contracts, I will not be including Poulin and POJ (or other prospects) as voting options. Feel free to write them in as a vote, though.
8. A majority vote is not needed to win. But we may have runoff polls if I deem the numbers to be too close.
9. I will be working my way "down" the lineup.

Let me know of questions or concerns. And let me know your thoughts on bullet point #5 above. Is it fair? Should it be followed for the bottom pairing as well?

Last offseason, HFPens selected this as the top 6:

Guentzel-Crosby-Kahun
McCann-Malkin-Galchenyuk



And here was the starting lineup in Game 1:

Click to read more...

 

[Andy99]

Zucker -Sid-Kapanen
Jake-Geno-Rust
McCann-Blueger-Tanev
Poulin-ERod-Sceviour

Dumo-Letang
Matheson-Marino
Petts-Ruh

Jarry

 

[EightyOne]

Sounds good dude, start the votes

 

[ColePens]

This is tough. Projections for the Pens are unique because we can go different routes. Could we stack the top 6? Sure. Could we try to make the best 4 lines? Sure.

But... I will sure as hell share a laugh once its all over.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

My preference;

Jake-Sid-Kapanen
Zucker-Geno-Rust
McCann-TB-Poulin
Tanev-Jankowski-Sceviour
E-Rod/Lafferty

Dumo-Letang
Matheson-Marino
Petts-Riikola
Ceci/Ruhwedel

 

[JRS91]

Zucker - Crosby - Kapanen
Guentzel - Malkin - Rust
McCann - Blueger - Tanev
Rodrigues - Jankowski - Sceviour

Dumoulin - Letang
Matheson - Marino
Pettersson - Ceci

Jarry
DeSmith

 

[Ugene Magic]

I'd try to get some scoring out of line 3. Jankowski can score as well as defend and I think this gives them best of both worlds. I won't get into hot takes/debates over the 3rd line. You like TB there and I don't. If you want more out of TB he shouldn't be a C at all. Opens a ton of freedom for him and he can still be a great defensive forward who can be the the guy to take faceoffs after whomever is chased out.

Guentzel,Crosby,Poulin
Zucker,Malkin,Rust
McCann,Jankowski,Kapanen
Blueger,Sceviour,Tanev
Rodrigues/Lafferty

Dumoulin,Letang
Matheson,Marino
Patterson,Ceci
Rikola,Rivoli,

Jarry,DeSmith

 

[Gurglesons]

Zucker - Crosby - Kapanen
Guentzel - Malkin - Rust
McCann - Blueger - Tanev
Rodrigues - Jankowski - Sceviour

Dumoulin - Letang
Matheson - Marino
Pettersson - Ceci

Jarry
DeSmith

Samesy.

 

[Tom Hanks]

Zucker-Crosby-Rust
Guentzel-Malkin-Kapanen
McCann-Blueger-Sceviour
Rodrigues-Jankowski-Tanev
Lafferty

Dumoulin-Letang
Pettersson-Marino
Matheson-Ruhwedel
Riikola

Jarry
DeSmith

I put Rust with Sid because I don’t think Kappy is going to mesh (not yet anyway). He’s on L2 so I put Jake with him for his playmaking to support Geno.

I bumped up Sceviour as I just have a good feeling about him and think he’s better at making plays than Tanev which is important for that line. L4 is real solid.

I put our best 4 D men in the top 4 because we get 2 rock solid pairs. Not interested in the middle pair being potentially worse just because we need to have baby sitter. Play with that once we get a bunch of wins on the board.

Until Matheson proves something here I’ve got him on the bottom pair. I had to put Ruhwedel in then because I think he’s a better match than Riikola for Matheson (though Riikola is better).

Ceci can **** right off.

 

[SEALBound]

Jake-Sid-Rust
Zucker-Geno-Kapanen
McCann-Jankowski-Poulin
Sceviour-Bleuger-Tanev

Dumo-Letang
Matheson-Marino
Pettersson-Ceci

TJ/CDS

 

[Tom Hanks]

Rule No. 7 says don’t include Poulin..........4 out the first 7 lineups have Poulin

Edit: Randy did say feel free to write him in

 

[Empoleon8771]

Assuming no Poulin, because his QMJHL start is shaky enough where I may pick to just let him play a full year in the Q:

Guentzel-Crosby-Kapanen
Zucker-Malkin-Rust
McCann-Blueger-Tanev
Rodrigues-Jankowski-Sceviour

Dumoulin-Letang
Matheson-Marino
Pettersson-Riikola

Jarry
DeSmith

 

[Gurglesons]

Assuming no Poulin, because his QMJHL start is shaky enough where I may pick to just let him play a full year in the Q:

Guentzel-Crosby-Kapanen
Zucker-Malkin-Rust
McCann-Blueger-Tanev
Rodrigues-Jankowski-Sceviour

Dumoulin-Letang
Matheson-Marino
Pettersson-Riikola

Jarry
DeSmith

Why is it shaky?

 

[Empoleon8771]

Why is it shaky?

6 points in 5 games while being a -5 isn't exactly encouraging for being NHL ready.

 

[Gurglesons]

6 points in 5 games while being a -5 isn't exactly encouraging for being NHL ready.

I didn’t realize you were joining the @Soggy Biscuit school of hot takes.

 

[Tom Hanks]

I didn’t realize you were joining the @Soggy Biscuit school of hot takes.

I’m happy I wasn’t drinking coffee when I read this

 

[Gurglesons]

I forgot the QMJHL is renowned for its defensive play too.

 

[SEALBound]

I didn’t realize you were joining the @Soggy Biscuit school of hot takes.

It's a valid question. My other question is, some have played 11 games, he's played 5. I can ONLY assume it's that he's hurt...or...?

ETA:

Dang, Cédric Desruisseaux has 21pts in 11 games. 14 goals. Last year he had 14 goals in 56 games. 45 less games to hit the same goal total ain't half bad. 20yo though. That said...hell, invite him to camp!

 

[Gurglesons]

It's a valid question. My other question is, some have played 11 games, he's played 5. I can ONLY assume it's that he's hurt...or...?

ETA:

Dang, Cédric Desruisseaux has 21pts in 11 games. 14 goals. Last year he had 14 goals in 56 games. 45 less games to hit the same goal total ain't half bad. 20yo though. That said...hell, invite him to camp!

I imagine Poulin’s career is pretty much over at this point.

 

[SEALBound]

Poulin's team apparently has only played 5 games. NVM

They are 0-5 and looks like they've been slaughtered each game. 12 GF, 27GA. So there is a bit of context to the 6pt in 5GP and being a -5.

 

[Gurglesons]

Poulin's team apparently has only played 5 games. NVM

They are 0-5 and looks like they've been slaughtered each game. 12 GF, 27GA. So there is a bit of context to the 6pt in 5GP and being a -5.

They were a COVID effected team I think.

 

[Flying Dego]

Zucker - Crosby - Kapanen
Guentzel - Malkin - Rust
McCann - Blueger - Tanev
Rodrigues - Jankowski - Sceviour

Dumoulin - Letang
Matheson - Marino
Pettersson - Ceci

Jarry
DeSmith

Same lineup for me.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

Same lineup for me.

So then give the dude a like.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

Zucker, Crosby, Kapanen
Guentzel, Malkin, Rust
McCann, Blueger, Tanev
Rodrigues, Jankowski, Lafferty/Sceviour

Dumoulin, Letang
Matheson, Marino
Pettersson, Ceci/Riikola

Jarry
Not DeSmith.

 

[Giskard]

Zucker - Crosby - Kapanen
Guentzel - Malkin - Rust
McCann - Blueger - Tanev
Rodrigues - Jankowski - Sceviour

Dumoulin - Letang
Matheson - Marino
Pettersson - Ceci

Jarry
DeSmith

Pretty confident in the top-3 lines, but the 4th line sucks by a lot, it looks like we're back to a bunch of worthless 13th filler players ala Glass and Adams ... the good years you know.