So I’ve been thinking about what our line-ups will look like come October, and I keep coming up with the same conclusion: We have way to much (potential) talent. What a great problem to have right? When I look at the CapGeek page, I see the following lineups
Purcell-Stamkos-St.Louis
Or as I like to call it, ‘the line-up that is so unsurprising that everyone will be surprised when it happens.’
Killorn-Filipula-Malone
Or the ‘Wait until Malone gets injured and then replace him with someone younger and/or better’ line.
Palat-Johnson-Drouin
Or the ‘Scary as hell rookie line.’ I (like many of you) think that Drouin will be in the second line pretty quickly if he plays like he is expected to, but at the same time, I kind of think that Cooper may try something crazy and do an all rookies 3rd line early, just to how it works.
Labrie-Thompson-Crombeen
The ‘We wont be scoring… but you wont be either’ line. I actually feel like this will be a hell of shut down line for us this year, as long as Labrie keeps improving.
And of course, Pyatt for the extra... I just can’t find a place for him. I guess he could go on the third line without any issue, but I'm sticking with my rookie 3rd line idea haha.
That leaves: Tyrell, Connolly, Panik, and Brown for call ups who would be ready to go immediately… and I really have no idea for our center depth who would be ready to go now that Johnson is assumed up here.
What do you guys think?
First knowing as little as I know about cooper it seems to me he likes a physical guy on each line or a very good two way player. Second think Stevie has told him he needs to win and going to leave him alone to get that done. I would say what I am about to say will not be agreed upon by most or some things wont be etc..
This is just what I see happening.
First line is killorn stamkos marty
second line is drouin valtteri purcell
third line is palat johnson panik
fourth line thompson labrie malone-crombeen-pyatt
defense first line salo hedman
second carle gudas
third brewer aulie
7th defender barberio
goaltenders bishop lindback
I think cooper keeps his best line together from ahl for some of season but panik is gonna move up to second line at some point.
Connolly first call up. Think JT Brown might get some time early but see kucherov and namestnikov moving past him by seasons end.
Think tyrell is first cut bury waiver. Can see labrie moving into third line. My problem is am unsure how well malone can play skate be productive besides as power play guy and on limited use. He had 8 points in 22 games I think last year not something to be happy about. I think panik pushes purcell by his all around play and hunger. Palat is a lot better player than people realize right now. He actually hits a lot for his size etc.. Is a good all around player so think he sticks over connolly after camp. If purcell and malone dont get off to very good shots their time on top lines might be very short if they even get that at all. Their time on the team might be short.
I look for panik to continue to develop be on pace for like 35 points I believe and killorn the same on pace for like 45. If he gets first line and power play will be higher. Drouin think could break 50 if gets time on second line and power play. Think valtteri and purcell scorer a little above drouin.
I actually am one of the guys who thinks malone gets back to close to normal meaning not a 30 point season but more like a 35-40 with close to 15-20 goals but that would mean he is getting plenty of power play time. The problem with purcell is that he is basically a 60 point top guy who plays with two guys hitting close to 100. I would give a kid the chance till find one who could get closer to 80 not 60 with that line.
Not sure if that will happen yet. Think when connolly and kucherov are up that top line changes for sure. Think purcell will be gone when both of them are up. They just bring more upside on scoring and right now I would take both as all around players over purcell.
I think you should pencil in Panik where Malone is. It would be more surprising if Malone stays healthy all season. Also I am very weary of running so many rookies. About 6 rookies will be in the starting line up. Then when Salo and Malone get inevitably injured, calling up 2 more. It makes me wonder, we have so much great youth, lot that are ready for the NHL. But having to put some in such a hard situation right away might be bad for their development.
Yeah not exactly ideal situation
I am more worried on defensive guys early though than most guys. I think most of offensive guys have proven they need to be given a true shot. Killorn panik gudas proved to me belong have games for nhl for sure.
Drouin we will see but he is focused way more than any 18 year old I ever recall personally. Very dedicated I just look at certain things his body fat for one. That is not nature itself the guy works his butt off for sure to be in that kind of shape. He came to Tampa 100% solid and ready mentally and physically in camp. I was impressed with him for sure.
I look at palat and he is complete player to me smaller than I would like but tough so think he will work out. I worry on johnson but he has soo much speed will help for his size. Palat plays bigger tougher than he is. The guy I worry on is barberio just not sold on him at all as complete good defender hope he surprises me. Think is more a power play guy in pros if he can get good enough. Friends who know more disagree hope they are right
I really worry on Connolly coming up right off bat. I think they put a lot on him to develop a fuller all around game. I think this effected him and has hurt his scoring potential. I worry that a drop in points in playoffs will affect his confidence when sees other players out play him for now. I hope they leave him in AHL let get super hot than bring him up when is on a roll.
Next guy JT Brown is fast and plays physical for size. I like him and think he will work his way into some type of roll and cause pyatt and/or crombeen to be expendable at one point.
I think Kucherov is next guy after that and do not think anything can stop him from making the team by end of year. He just has top 10 pick skills and is only going to get better. His scoring slap shot is NHL ready he is becoming a better defender in leaps and bounds all around player etc.. He I believe is truly going to be special and wind up with our first line by start of next year. I just think he has that extra and we have a steal and a half in that kid.
I think because of all the talent after kucherov in AHL this year I am gonna be as excited to watch syracuse as I am to watch the lightning lol. Is amazing how many kids we have some picks in last 3 years but some FA's which seem to maybe be special in future. To see which defenders step up
nesterov korobov sustr witkowski seergeev koekkoek blujus not sure if he is ahl yet? Gonna be a fun year no matter what though.
Pyatt, I can definitely see as trade bait.
