Inferno
Registered User
Rangers have had a lot of good bottom pairing lines in my lifetime.
The HMO line was terrific at giving the team energy and hitting. The Playstation line (which may have been a 2nd line?) was a pretty decent mix of size and skill...but I really can't remember a better bottom 6 than the team has this year.
Oh, and aside from a technicality with Moore, they are all free agents or trades.
Pouliot - Brassard - MZA
Let's talk about these guys first.
i call them a 3rd line only because, salary wise, they would slot in 3rd. Nash, MSL, Stepan, Brassard, Hagelin, and Kreider/Fasth in any combination will make more than these 3, but as a line they have some of the most unreal chemistry for such completely different players.
It's really pretty to watch. The guys just have the insane ability to be able to find each other ANYWHERE, and make some pretty touch passes and blind passes that work WAY more often than luck could dictate.
In fact you'd have to say that, as a line, they are at times almost TOO pretty...which is really saying something for a 3rd line.
For example, Brassard passing on a clear cut breakaway, or trying to get that cross-crease pass, or even the pass the Zucc made to Pouliot tonight for his goal was almost unnecessary (he had a good shooting chance) but still they found the pretty play. and really, its happening game in and game out.
When these guys are separated, the team is significantly worse off.
Dorsett - Moore - Boyle
Puck possession bonanza with these guys. I have no clue what the advanced stats say, but considering they seem to start most of their shifts on their own side of the blueline, its really incredible how often all you can remember of their shift is how much they owned the puck.
Boyle has done a TREMENDOUS job transitioning to a winger. Holds the puck, uses his size to shield against the other teams, and they cycle better than any line we have BY FAR.
Moore is the engine that makes this line go though. He's gotten his game back in a big way and he's making his linemates better. Everytime theres a 50/50 puck, it seems like he outworks the opposing player to win the battle.
Just a fantastic line.
And I know ppl have hated on Dorsett for a while now, but I stand by what i've said. Hes a MUCH better player than Carcillo. Very good skater, excellent on the boards, a damn good forechecker and he hustles like crazy.
Will he take a dumb penalty every now and then? Yes. You have to live with the bad when you have as much good as you do.
Win a lot of little battles and it adds up to big wins.
If the Rangers could figure out their top 6 as well as they've figured out their bottom 6, they'd be not only a damn good team (which they are), they'd be a Stanley Cup favorite.
The HMO line was terrific at giving the team energy and hitting. The Playstation line (which may have been a 2nd line?) was a pretty decent mix of size and skill...but I really can't remember a better bottom 6 than the team has this year.
Oh, and aside from a technicality with Moore, they are all free agents or trades.
Pouliot - Brassard - MZA
Let's talk about these guys first.
i call them a 3rd line only because, salary wise, they would slot in 3rd. Nash, MSL, Stepan, Brassard, Hagelin, and Kreider/Fasth in any combination will make more than these 3, but as a line they have some of the most unreal chemistry for such completely different players.
It's really pretty to watch. The guys just have the insane ability to be able to find each other ANYWHERE, and make some pretty touch passes and blind passes that work WAY more often than luck could dictate.
In fact you'd have to say that, as a line, they are at times almost TOO pretty...which is really saying something for a 3rd line.
For example, Brassard passing on a clear cut breakaway, or trying to get that cross-crease pass, or even the pass the Zucc made to Pouliot tonight for his goal was almost unnecessary (he had a good shooting chance) but still they found the pretty play. and really, its happening game in and game out.
When these guys are separated, the team is significantly worse off.
Dorsett - Moore - Boyle
Puck possession bonanza with these guys. I have no clue what the advanced stats say, but considering they seem to start most of their shifts on their own side of the blueline, its really incredible how often all you can remember of their shift is how much they owned the puck.
Boyle has done a TREMENDOUS job transitioning to a winger. Holds the puck, uses his size to shield against the other teams, and they cycle better than any line we have BY FAR.
Moore is the engine that makes this line go though. He's gotten his game back in a big way and he's making his linemates better. Everytime theres a 50/50 puck, it seems like he outworks the opposing player to win the battle.
Just a fantastic line.
And I know ppl have hated on Dorsett for a while now, but I stand by what i've said. Hes a MUCH better player than Carcillo. Very good skater, excellent on the boards, a damn good forechecker and he hustles like crazy.
Will he take a dumb penalty every now and then? Yes. You have to live with the bad when you have as much good as you do.
Win a lot of little battles and it adds up to big wins.
If the Rangers could figure out their top 6 as well as they've figured out their bottom 6, they'd be not only a damn good team (which they are), they'd be a Stanley Cup favorite.
