Line Combos: Roster/lines discussion

[Boom Boom Apathy]

If they don't work, I'd move jokinen and tlusty up and let the kids have a shot at the third line. Dalpe or welsh could center. Larose probably stays with them.

I agree. Since Muller wants it the 3rd to contribute more offense, it will give them easier competition to go against and let them grow into a role.

 

[PaulProteus]

Per Chip and Michael Smith, top 3 lines for tomorrow set:

Boychuk - Staal - Semin
Skinner - Staal - Dalpe
Tlusty - Jokinen - Larose

4th line still being sorted out.

Scott Gomez on 4th line for Caroline.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

One other thought. Any chance the Canes called Welsh back up to be able to add size to the 4th line? Muller wants some size on the 4th line and both Brent (185lbs) and Dwyer (175lbs) don't fit that mold.

Bowman is listed as 195 and Welsh as 210 though. Just a thought.

 

[Gr8Dan]

One other thought. Any chance the Canes called Welsh back up to be able to add size to the 4th line? Muller wants some size on the 4th line and both Brent (185lbs) and Dwyer (175lbs) don't fit that mold.

Bowman is listed as 195 and Welsh as 210 though. Just a thought.

They got Westgarth for that

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

They got Westgarth for that

I meant a guy with size AND can play hockey. I expect the Canes to use Westgarth like they used Brookbank, Bodie and others...In and out of the lineup and play against teams where the Canes might feel they need an enforcer type. I don't see him as an everyday 4th line player.

 

[urho]

Now that we're supposedly after Gomez...

Tlusty - E.Staal - Semin
Skinner - J.Staal - Jokinen
Boychuk/Dalpe - Gomez - LaRose
Nodl - Brent - Dwyer

I do think that looks quite good that way.

 

[garnetpalmetto]

I meant a guy with size AND can play hockey. I expect the Canes to use Westgarth like they used Brookbank, Bodie and others...In and out of the lineup and play against teams where the Canes might feel they need an enforcer type. I don't see him as an everyday 4th line player.

Ah the role of Carolina Hurricanes enforcer - let's not forget Jesse Boulerice and Tim Conboy who also formerly held that mantle.

 

[DaveG]

Ah the role of Carolina Hurricanes enforcer - let's not forget Jesse Boulerice and Tim Conboy who also formerly held that mantle.

He of a completely absurd winning percentage until statistical probability caught up with him.

 

[Mr America]

What fight did Tim Conboy ever win? Never mind the just the NHL.

 

[Brock Anton]

So McKenzie and LeBrun said we're interested in Gomez. Chip's only got *************** on his side.

Hockey(y)Insider(r) is starred out? LOL.

 

[Oan]

Seems like a waste of Jokinen's talents to have him in 3rd line...so far he has been a bit more productive points-wise too than J.Staal in their respective careers.

 

[Mr America]

Seems like a waste of Jokinen's talents to have him in 3rd line...so far he has been a bit more productive points-wise too than J.Staal in their respective careers.

Depends on the role I would think. As long as they aren't going to be used as much of a checking/shutdown line, it could be good. Larose and Tlusty know how to get to the net at least. If JJ can get some PP time as well, I actually like that line the most at the moment.

Boychuk will be fine till he get's hit one decent time. Then it's game over for him.

 

[DaveG]

Would be interesting to see what happens if it's legit. Would suck for Dalpe but he doesn't have to clear waivers to go back down to Charlotte IIRC.

Boychuk - E Staal - Semin
Skinner - J Staal - Jokinen
Slutty - Gomez - LaRose
possible kid line, possible Westgarth/Brent/Compete Level line, who knows what the heck would happen.

I would trust Chip, but I honestly think Bob's about as connected to JR as any national level reporter possibly could be. And the fact that the InsiDURRRRRRR is taking a contrarian stance to the reputable national media that's saying we're interested probably means that we're interested but slowplaying it.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

This was discussed earlier (maybe in another thread) so thought I'd post it. Canes tied for the 2nd youngest team in the league on average at 27.3 average age (based on projected starting roster).

http://mirtle.blogspot.ca/2013/01/2013-nhl-teams-by-weight-height-and-age.html

Scary thought....the Kings are also tied for 2nd youngest.

 

[Unsustainable]

HNIC was saying Gomez was skating with the Sharks and was wearing 23 jersey.

Something about a 700k deal.

 

[Oan]

Seems like a waste of Jokinen's talents to have him in 3rd line...so far he has been a bit more productive points-wise too than J.Staal in their respective careers.

Is he still centering the 3rd? 0 points so far, he really should be playing in top 6.

 

[Novacane]

Is he still centering the 3rd? 0 points so far, he really should be playing in top 6.

Yes he is. The problem is that we have noone other than him to fill 3C. We could experiment, but it might cost us some games (something Muller doesn't want to risk). The Ruutu surgery is really screwing us over.

 

[Oan]

Ok then. Of course I'm a bit biased (me being a Finn) and I was rather annoyed to see J.Staal automatically take his place from top 6, since as I pointed out, their point production prior to this season was almost identical, with IMO Jokinen having bit more points (didn't bother to count exact amounts :p)

 

[nobuddy]

Ok then. Of course I'm a bit biased (me being a Finn) and I was rather annoyed to see J.Staal automatically take his place from top 6, since as I pointed out, their point production prior to this season was almost identical, with IMO Jokinen having bit more points (didn't bother to count exact amounts :p)

Problem with this is Staal was getting his production before this year as a third liner, which is exactly what Jokinen isn't doing.

 

[DaveG]

Call me crazy on this one, but I honestly think that if we want to upgrade our roster to make a push this year the best move may be shipping out Murphy. Kid has all the potential one can ask for as an offensive dman, but he's still very much a project. If this team is going into a win-now mode he is by far our most valuable trade asset. Murphy alone should be able to get us a nice #3 centerman not just for now but for the long term IMO.

Of course, if we're still looking another season or two out, hold on to him by all means. Play him in the AHL to start next season unless he proves in camp that he deserves the #5/6 spot and use as callup as necessary. Basically the McBain approach.

 

[geehaad]

Is Riley Nash never going to be that #3 centerman? Can Victor Rask not play there? If they are potentials for that spot, then I'm not sure losing Murphy is necessary. I still see him being able to be super effective as bottom-pairing defenseman who is a PP specialist. If you deal that for a #3 centerman who will effectively preclude Nash and Rask from wearing the Hurricanes jersey, you're losing 3 prospects, not just 1. Instead, why not just get a stop-gap? I don't have a guy in mind, just the idea.

 

[the halleJOKEL]

How many bottom pairing PP specialists does this team need? How many bottom pairing defensemen does this team need?

 

[tomdundo]

I'm not sure that even Murphy could be a PP specialist on this team with how notoriously godawful this team is at gaining the zone on the PP.

 

[DaveG]

Is Riley Nash never going to be that #3 centerman? Can Victor Rask not play there? If they are potentials for that spot, then I'm not sure losing Murphy is necessary. I still see him being able to be super effective as bottom-pairing defenseman who is a PP specialist. If you deal that for a #3 centerman who will effectively preclude Nash and Rask from wearing the Hurricanes jersey, you're losing 3 prospects, not just 1. Instead, why not just get a stop-gap? I don't have a guy in mind, just the idea.

Nash, no I don't think he can. I think he can be an extremely good #4 centerman. Rask on the other hand just might be able to be a #3 but that's at least 2 seasons off. Maybe I'm just getting ahead of myself here, I'd just like the team to make a move to make us a legit threat while we still have the resources in place to make a run with this core. Not sure how long Semin will be around since he could leave as a UFA after this season, but he just seems to be the element this team was missing the past few years.

I know Cardiac said Moore is probably taking the season off unfortunately, I'm just not seeing that much else out there on the UFA market that could help right now.

 

[geehaad]

How many bottom pairing PP specialists does this team need? How many bottom pairing defensemen does this team need?

Joe Corvo can be yearly until they have a kid who can fulfill that role. Sanguinetti has the inside track, obviously, but if Murphy gets there, he'll make Bobby look like chopped liver. Neither Bobby nor Murphy will be a regular top-4 guy, but I think what you want out of a guy like that is someone who can play sheltered minutes, and make your offense more potent in those minutes.

To me, it's not about how many the Canes have, but how good each of them can be in that role. Clearly Murphy is the most tantalizing of the potential suitors.