Line Combos: HFPens Decides - 22/23 - 3rd Line RW

[Randy Butternubs]

Poll #10: Given the current HFPens lineup, who do you want to see as the 3rd Line RW? Vote for what you want to see. Write in votes for players that the Penguins already have acquired are welcome but if you vote twice neither vote will count.


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. Options will be based on (August 19, 2022) health. All seem to be healthy.
5. Unless listed as a 'LD/RD' on CapFriendly the defensemen will play on their "correct" side. This means Rutta, Ty Smith, Friedman, and Ouellet can play either side.
6. I will not be listing players for positions they have not played at the NHL/AHL level. For example, I will not be listing Hallander as an option for the third line center. But DOC and Zohorna will be options for 3C.
7. Due to the amount of one-way contracts, I may not be able to include everyone 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. If the cap is exceeded at a 22-man roster that is where the polls will end.
10. Petry is the 2 RD.

Let me know of questions, concerns, or objections.

Current HFPens Line Combo:

Guentzel (63%) - Crosby - Rakell (54%)
Zucker (47%) - Malkin - Rust (83%)
Heinen (56%) - Carter (67%) -
- -

Dumoulin (81%) - Letang
Pettersson (81%) - Petry
Joseph (65%) - Rutta (100%) [3 abstained from voting on a LD]

Jarry - DeSmith

Click to read more...

 

[AuroraBorealis]

Honestly I don't see how Kap can be anywhere else than with Geno. He needs proper playmakers to spring him.
There's no chemistry with Carter and you're wasting him in an extreme defensive role with Blueger.

At least there was chemistry with Malkin in year 1.
You gotta at least try him properly in the top 6 before giving up on him completely.

 

[Andy99]

Honestly I don't see how Kap can be anywhere else than with Geno. He needs proper playmakers to spring him.
There's no chemistry with Carter and you're wasting him in an extreme defensive role with Blueger.

At least there was chemistry with Malkin in year 1.
You gotta at least try him properly in the top 6 before giving up on him completely.

I agree with most of this, and I do prefer Rakell-Malkin-Kap L2 if GCR is going to remain in place, however I thought Kap (outside of the POs) was best last season playing with Carter in a L3 role…perhaps I’m misremembering and the analytics dont bear that out…and when I mean playing his best, I don’t mean finishing because he was atrocious at that last season…lol

 

[Pens x]

Honestly I don't see how Kap can be anywhere else than with Geno. He needs proper playmakers to spring him.
There's no chemistry with Carter and you're wasting him in an extreme defensive role with Blueger.

At least there was chemistry with Malkin in year 1.
You gotta at least try him properly in the top 6 before giving up on him completely.

Kap is a third line player though. If there is no chemistry with Carter, you have to wonder why we signed him for $3.2 million???

 

[Gurglesons]

Honestly I don't see how Kap can be anywhere else than with Geno. He needs proper playmakers to spring him.
There's no chemistry with Carter and you're wasting him in an extreme defensive role with Blueger.

At least there was chemistry with Malkin in year 1.
You gotta at least try him properly in the top 6 before giving up on him completely.

Kapanen had chemistry with Carter for a stretch last year.

 

[AuroraBorealis]

I agree with most of this, and I do prefer Rakell-Malkin-Kap L2 if GCR is going to remain in place, however I thought Kap (outside of the POs) was best last season playing with Carter in a L3 role…perhaps I’m misremembering and the analytics dont bear that out…and when I mean playing his best, I don’t mean finishing because he was atrocious at that last season…lol

Way I remember it is he had 1 or 2 good games with Carter. Since Kap had finally had a positive impact for the first time in forever, Errey was giving the duo mad props.
Then the next game happened...and many more after that...

That narrative died hard.

If we look at playstyles, I don't see how it would work long term. Carter loves playing on the walls and that's not Kap's game. He thrives in north-south play.
Carter can't really pass either.

Heinen's the best fit of the 3 options. He did best with Carter. Carter even mentioned they have an understanding out there, and that he likes having linemates who can work with him on the walls.

I mean no one is gonna make L3 into a stud line. All they can do is damage control.

 

[AuroraBorealis]

Kap is a third line player though. If there is no chemistry with Carter, you have to wonder why we signed him for $3.2 million???

And Zucker and Heinen are not 3rd line caliber players at this point?
Someone has to be Malkin's 2nd winger.
May as well choose the guy who has had an outstanding year as a top 6 with Malkin before.

We signed him because Hex is banking on a bounce back. There's potential to get a bargain there on that wing if he brings it and it works again.
If so, they can allocate cap the next 2 years to other needs.

 

[AuroraBorealis]

For the record I could easily see Z performing best out of available options with JC.

Problem is that that pushes a winger to L4 who is making way too much to be there.

 

[Gurglesons]

For the record I could easily see Z performing best out of available options with JC.

Problem is that that pushes a winger to L4 who is making way too much to be there.

I mean everyone on L4 right now hypothetically is making 2+ ml so who gives a shit.

I think we see Poehling - Blueger - McGiinn by the end of camp.

 

[AuroraBorealis]

I mean everyone on L4 right now hypothetically is making 2+ ml so who gives a shit.

I think we see Poehling - Blueger - McGiinn by the end of camp.

Well in that scenario Zucker would fall to L4, since I'd take Heinen+77 over him all day.
Wouldn't bother me if he's on L4, but it would bother the coaching staff.

I agree that that line looks very likely.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

I might close this poll early depending on Kap's % and number of votes.

 

[SEALBound]

I might close this poll early depending on Kap's % and number of votes.

I was about to suggest that. This is a foregone conclusion. Pretty easy.

 

[HandshakeLine]

In an ideal world, Kap would be limited in his top-6 usage to rewards for spurts of good play or chemistry, but with GCR set in stone, there's really not any other options for Geno, barring a trade.

So, Kap is my (reluctant, very reluctant) vote.