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Last Word On Sports covers the upcoming season of the Minnesota Wild. Line projections, players on the rise/decline and more! Give it a read:
http://lastwordonsports.com/2014/09/17/puck-drop-preview-minnesota-wild/
Despite playing 67 and 65 games respectively, Parise (29 goals, 56 points) and Mikko Koivu (11 goals, 43 points) rounded out the top three.
My prediction is that Zucker has a very strong camp and ends up on the 3rd line with Haula and Nino. Maybe that is more hope than anything, but the counter-attack ability on that "checking" line could make them the most valuable out of all of the third lines.Your lineups are definitely off. Granlund and Pominville are connected at the hip. Its up in the air who will play the LW on what line, but Granlund and Pommer will be together.
Zucker will be in the AHL over the 4th line.
My prediction is that Zucker has a very strong camp and ends up on the 3rd line with Haula and Nino. Maybe that is more hope than anything, but the counter-attack ability on that "checking" line could make them the most valuable out of all of the third lines.
I still hold out hope Yeo gets creative and gives the below a chance during practice/preseason. But pairing that, I think Zucker ends up on the 3rd line.
Vanek-Granlund-Pomminville
Parise-Koivu-Zucker
Nino-Haula-Coyle
That would be interesting to at least try, for sure.
While we're playing around with it, I would be curious to see:
Vanek-Granlund-Pomminville
Parise-Haula-Zucker
Nino-Koivu-Coyle
And this is not to have any line a 1, 2, or 3, but to spread out the abilities and match them up to like ability. Any one of those could represent a top line, with a slight nod to the Granlund line.
We also know Yeo likes to maintain a certain amount of defensive responsibility and this would accomplish that.
And that Haula line would be fast as hell!
I still hold out hope Yeo gets creative and gives the below a chance during practice/preseason. But pairing that, I think Zucker ends up on the 3rd line.
Vanek-Granlund-Pomminville
Parise-Koivu-Zucker
Nino-Haula-Coyle
While it makes sense offensively, I can't see Yeo just granting Zucker third line status. Haula had to earn it, and he was an excellent two way player. No way he gives a defensively suspect AHL player third line stats out of the gate. Yeo knows what he has with Cooke, who isn't a bad option at all, as opposed to Zucker.
Zucker has to stay ready in case of injury. THAT'S when he' ll get his chance to play up.