zeke
The Dube Abides
- Mar 14, 2005
- 66,937
- 36,957
After a season of lots of roster flux, it seems like we've finally settled on a lineup going forward and are likely to stick with it.
There are a couple of variables that we should keep on an eye on down the stretch, however.
1) Which pair emerges as the 2nd pair?
Gardiner-Franson has been our 2nd pair for most of the season. Playing 20+mpg and in all situations. Unfortunately, after a great playoffs last year, they've been pretty damn bad this year. Just far too many mistakes by both players on a consistent basis, with not enough reward on the offensive end to make up for it.
Meanwhile, not only has Gleason been a rock solid add to the team, but he's also been a nice steadying presence for young Rielly. Rielly is now starting to eliminate the glaring defensive mistakes from his game, and becoming much more consistent in moving the puck effectively out of danger.
Last night we finally went back to a 6 man defense (with Ranger dropped), and we ended up seeing the Gleason-Rielly pairing used at least as much, and actually a little bit more than, the Gardiner-Franson pairing.
Last night:
Gleason 19:34 - Rielly 17:00
Gardiner 15:56 - Franson 19:36
And really, it makes sense - Gleason-Rielly is looking to be better defensively than Gardiner-Franson, and every bit as good in terms of puckmoving ability.
It'll be interesting to see if this was a one-off, or if at least subconsciously Randy is starting to feel the Gleason-Rielly pair is more reliable than the Gardiner-Franson pair.
2) Who's our 2nd line RW?
They signed Clarkson to be the 2nd line RW, they want him to be the 2nd line RW, but the problem is that he's godawful at the game of hockey. Kadri and Lupul were red hot with Kuly on their line, and went ice cold as soon as Clarkson was back on their line.
By the end of the game last night, Randy flipped them back and Kadri-Lupul instantly looked more dangerous with Kuly back on their line.
And to be honest, Clarkson hasn't even earned a spot on our 3rd line this year. When Bolland gets healthy, in all fairness Holland would have a 3rd line spot ahead of Clarkson, all things being equal.
Unless Clarkson steps up in a huge way, I'll be annoyed if Randy doesn't keep Kuly on that 2nd line.
And I might even start complaining about Clarkson even being on the 3rd line if Bolland comes back playing well.
3) Who are our 4th line wingers?
of course we've got the 2 goons McLaren (L) and Orr (R).
we've also got the 2 older borderline NHLers Smith (L) and Bodie (R).
And we've also got the kids Ashton (L), D'Amigo (L), Holland (L).
For the life of me I can't see how Randy can live with playing Orr over Bodie anymore. Bodie has proven to be simply much more effective and is a legit quality 4th liner with speed, size, toughness, and energy. I'd be surprised if Bodie comes out of the lineup anymore even when we're healthy....and I'll complain if he does.
But of course, Randy needs a goon in there, so that means that McLaren is the frontruner for the LW spot - even though he sucks at hockey.
Smith or Holland seem to be natural fits there, though Ashton brings more of the physical/energy game that randy might want from his 4th line. D'Amigo might be the best choice of all, since he brings legit PK and defensive ability to his speed/grit package.
Basically, IMO, the goons have to be gone. We just have too many better options to have either of these stiffs in the lineup when the games are important.
So this will be something to keep an eye on going forward - exactly how stubborn will Randy be in keeping a goon in the lineup when there's clearly a whole whack of much better options?
There are a couple of variables that we should keep on an eye on down the stretch, however.
1) Which pair emerges as the 2nd pair?
Gardiner-Franson has been our 2nd pair for most of the season. Playing 20+mpg and in all situations. Unfortunately, after a great playoffs last year, they've been pretty damn bad this year. Just far too many mistakes by both players on a consistent basis, with not enough reward on the offensive end to make up for it.
Meanwhile, not only has Gleason been a rock solid add to the team, but he's also been a nice steadying presence for young Rielly. Rielly is now starting to eliminate the glaring defensive mistakes from his game, and becoming much more consistent in moving the puck effectively out of danger.
Last night we finally went back to a 6 man defense (with Ranger dropped), and we ended up seeing the Gleason-Rielly pairing used at least as much, and actually a little bit more than, the Gardiner-Franson pairing.
Last night:
Gleason 19:34 - Rielly 17:00
Gardiner 15:56 - Franson 19:36
And really, it makes sense - Gleason-Rielly is looking to be better defensively than Gardiner-Franson, and every bit as good in terms of puckmoving ability.
It'll be interesting to see if this was a one-off, or if at least subconsciously Randy is starting to feel the Gleason-Rielly pair is more reliable than the Gardiner-Franson pair.
2) Who's our 2nd line RW?
They signed Clarkson to be the 2nd line RW, they want him to be the 2nd line RW, but the problem is that he's godawful at the game of hockey. Kadri and Lupul were red hot with Kuly on their line, and went ice cold as soon as Clarkson was back on their line.
By the end of the game last night, Randy flipped them back and Kadri-Lupul instantly looked more dangerous with Kuly back on their line.
And to be honest, Clarkson hasn't even earned a spot on our 3rd line this year. When Bolland gets healthy, in all fairness Holland would have a 3rd line spot ahead of Clarkson, all things being equal.
Unless Clarkson steps up in a huge way, I'll be annoyed if Randy doesn't keep Kuly on that 2nd line.
And I might even start complaining about Clarkson even being on the 3rd line if Bolland comes back playing well.
3) Who are our 4th line wingers?
of course we've got the 2 goons McLaren (L) and Orr (R).
we've also got the 2 older borderline NHLers Smith (L) and Bodie (R).
And we've also got the kids Ashton (L), D'Amigo (L), Holland (L).
For the life of me I can't see how Randy can live with playing Orr over Bodie anymore. Bodie has proven to be simply much more effective and is a legit quality 4th liner with speed, size, toughness, and energy. I'd be surprised if Bodie comes out of the lineup anymore even when we're healthy....and I'll complain if he does.
But of course, Randy needs a goon in there, so that means that McLaren is the frontruner for the LW spot - even though he sucks at hockey.
Smith or Holland seem to be natural fits there, though Ashton brings more of the physical/energy game that randy might want from his 4th line. D'Amigo might be the best choice of all, since he brings legit PK and defensive ability to his speed/grit package.
Basically, IMO, the goons have to be gone. We just have too many better options to have either of these stiffs in the lineup when the games are important.
So this will be something to keep an eye on going forward - exactly how stubborn will Randy be in keeping a goon in the lineup when there's clearly a whole whack of much better options?
