What is your way too early opening night lineup?
I'll start.
1st line: Kaprizov-Eriksson Ek-Zuccarello
Kaprizov and Zuccarello have a ton of chemistry and have been really productive together. I'd like to start with them together and see if that continues. Eriksson Ek is the best center on the team and a significantly better player than Ryan Hartman. He can cover for any defensive deficiencies from Kap and Zucc.
2nd line: Boldy-Rossi-Johansson
Boldy and Johansson is Kap-Zucc lite. They showed chemistry playing together. Boldy seems to work well with a winger that is faster than him. It's put up or shut up time for Rossi. I don't think there's any chance he plays with Kap and Zucc until he shows he can produce on the 2nd or 3rd line.
3rd line: Foligno-Gaudreau-Hartman
I am hoping for a bounce back year from Foligno. Last year he was terrible and even worse in the playoffs. Hartman and Gaudreau bring speed, grit, and some offensive skill to the line.
4th line: Duhaime-Dewar-Maroon
Grinders that play a solid two way game.
1st pair: Middleton-Spurgeon
I don't see a way they split these two currently. They are pretty consistent and each player complements the other's flaw.
2nd pair: Brodin-Faber
Faber showed he has the defensive capabilities to be a top 4 dman. The question remains if any offense will translate over. Brodin will carrying the pairing regardless.
3rd pair: Hunt-Addison
Hunt is the first LD up in my books. I see Merrill as trade bait and Goligoski as a pressbox guy. Addison as the right d because there isn't anyone better than him to take his spot.
Goaltenders:
1. Gus
2. MAF
Pretty self explanatory. Gus is a better goaltender and the team plays better with him in net.
I'll start.
1st line: Kaprizov-Eriksson Ek-Zuccarello
Kaprizov and Zuccarello have a ton of chemistry and have been really productive together. I'd like to start with them together and see if that continues. Eriksson Ek is the best center on the team and a significantly better player than Ryan Hartman. He can cover for any defensive deficiencies from Kap and Zucc.
2nd line: Boldy-Rossi-Johansson
Boldy and Johansson is Kap-Zucc lite. They showed chemistry playing together. Boldy seems to work well with a winger that is faster than him. It's put up or shut up time for Rossi. I don't think there's any chance he plays with Kap and Zucc until he shows he can produce on the 2nd or 3rd line.
3rd line: Foligno-Gaudreau-Hartman
I am hoping for a bounce back year from Foligno. Last year he was terrible and even worse in the playoffs. Hartman and Gaudreau bring speed, grit, and some offensive skill to the line.
4th line: Duhaime-Dewar-Maroon
Grinders that play a solid two way game.
1st pair: Middleton-Spurgeon
I don't see a way they split these two currently. They are pretty consistent and each player complements the other's flaw.
2nd pair: Brodin-Faber
Faber showed he has the defensive capabilities to be a top 4 dman. The question remains if any offense will translate over. Brodin will carrying the pairing regardless.
3rd pair: Hunt-Addison
Hunt is the first LD up in my books. I see Merrill as trade bait and Goligoski as a pressbox guy. Addison as the right d because there isn't anyone better than him to take his spot.
Goaltenders:
1. Gus
2. MAF
Pretty self explanatory. Gus is a better goaltender and the team plays better with him in net.