Sid and Geno aren't lock down with dedicated linemates either. The 3C is going to be the last one to get locked in linemates.
True, but we are talking 3rd wheels here.
Guentzel, Crosby
Pearson, Malkin
Tech. this should work...
Brassard, Kessel
But we all know it doesn't, and if you add Kessel and Hornqvist to the top two lines they're complete as complete can be.
Guentzel, Crosby, Hornqvist/Kessel
Pearson, Malkin, Hornqvist/Kessel
That leaves a lot to be desired for Brassard, but playing behind those two lines should soften the load and matchups for his line, meaning they should be doing more by design.
Cooke, Staal, Kennedy isn't all that flashy either. That's two 3rd line wingers with a 2/3 line center.
Tech. this should be alright.
Simon, Brassard, Rust
But we all know it isn't.
Brassard isn't in a position to succeed because he's not the top 2 seed center. We all should have known this, his role was never like it is here so his production suffers, but it shouldn't be nonexistent, either.