Speculation: The Perfect 4th line

[MettleMcOiler]

I want to delve into the details of what makes a perfect 4th Line.

Thinking about it, all I really know from the past is that it's suppose to be an energy line.
It supposes to hold it's own against any line, keep the puck out of their own end as much as possible but not required to produce.If it does, it's a bonus.

How has it evolve into today's NHL?

What type of players usually excel in this position?

Is there any team in the NHL that has the quintessential perfect "4th line" now?

Which 3 players in NHL now would make the perfect 4th line?

Is there a such thing as elite 4th line players? If yes, who?

Click to read more...

 

[KeithIsActuallyBad]

I harken back to the days of the fabled Glencross/Brodziak/Stortini line that not only provided the team with a ton of energy but chipped in offensively. Granted, Glencross was probably playing a line below what he really was, but those three were excellent together.

 

[MettleMcOiler]

I harken back to the days of the fabled Glencross/Brodziak/Stortini line that not only provided the team with a ton of energy but chipped in offensively. Granted, Glencross was probably playing a line below what he really was, but those three were excellent together.

Glencross was good for us, it was a shame that we didn't sign him, and Flames took full advantage of signing a very good role player who can produce.
Brodziak in his prime was tenacious and Strotini could actually pot a few and as well as fight.

What do you guys think of Radak Faska? or even bringing back Cogliano in a 4th line role.

 

[Bryanbryoil]

Interesting thread. My perfect 4th line would be:

Deslauriers-Lowry-Reaves

Cap hit of $6 million between the 3 of them. That's a little high for a 4th line, but that line would absolutely manhandle and intimidate most lines and D pairings. They would really take the starch out of opposing d-men so that our top 6 could feast even more on them.

 

[GMofOilers]

There’s no such thing when you have Mcdavid and Drai on 2 different lines, not enough minutes to make a impact.

 

[LTIR]

There’s no such thing when you have Mcdavid and Drai on 2 different lines, not enough minutes to make a impact.

4th would need to not bleed goals and soften up the opponents so McDrai can produce better.

Ideal 4th line would have a faceoffs specialist RHC and atleast 2 good penalty killers. Between the 3 there should be 6 registered hits per game and should be able to cycle in the offensive zone punishing the D every chance the get

Foegele-Lowry-Archibald would be an elite 4th line for me.
McLeod-McLeod-Kassian a more realistic one.

 

[Burnt Biscuits]

Lowry is averaging over 15 mins a night the past 2 seasons, I don't think he qualifies as a 4th liner, he's a 3rd liner IMO.

 

[Bryanbryoil]

Lowry is averaging over 15 mins a night the past 2 seasons, I don't think he qualifies as a 4th liner, he's a 3rd liner IMO.

He'd be a perfect 4th liner because he is good enough to be a 3rd liner

 

[thadd]

A perfect 4th line has 3 guys that can skate, win face-offs and constantly pressure the opposition with good physical and positional play.

 

[Burnt Biscuits]

The standard meta of how teams are assembled since Chicago's dominant years has been 3 outscoring lines and 1 tough mintues checking line. It doesn't make much difference though if your checking line is your 3rd line or your 4th line. I prefer the 3 outscoring lines and 1 checking line model cause I appreciate quality checking lines and I think it's one of the easier successful models to assemble.

The most recent Cup Winner in Tampa I'd say was pretty close to just being 4 outscoring lines, teams that deep in quality are very hard to assemble, you need to get a lot of value contracts on the books simultaneously and generally needs a scouting staff to hit it out of the park consistently over a 3-ish year window or be such a desirable spot that free agents are willing to sign at a significant discount and play lesser roles than they might see elsewhere.

In trying to pick the perfect trio of 4th liners I found myself gravitating to individuals who were getting 4th line minutes, but were burgeoning 3rd line players, so I'll just say a current 4th line that fits the mold of what I'd want our 4th line to be is Carl Hagelin - Nic Dowd - Garnett Hathaway. They eat a shit ton of tough minutes, do quite well in that role, they also bring some skill to the table as well as some sandpaper.

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

The Islanders 4th line has been the perfect 4th line forever now.

Martin - Cizikas - Clutterbuck

 

[MettleMcOiler]

The Islanders 4th line has been the perfect 4th line forever now.

Martin - Cizikas - Clutterbuck

What do these 3 players have that our 4th line doesn't have?

 

[Marty McSurly]

A perfect 4th line scores more goals than they allow. Doesn't matter who the players are.

 

[nabob]

Unfortunately it doesn’t really exist in todays NHL, largely due to the salary cap and constant player turnover.

As soon as a 4th line starts to develop some chemistry, one of the players usually gets bumped up the lineup or else at the end of the year signs a bigger contract with another team where he’s now priced too high to be on the 4th line.

I think McCleod, McLovin and Archi would be a great 4th line. But with our lack of depth due to the cap they’d be more like our 3rd line.

 

[CycloneSweep]

What do these 3 players have that our 4th line doesn't have?

Give a shit, defensive ability, size

 

[Chet Manley]

I've changed my mind on this over the years. In the past it would have been energy, hitting, fighting etc. Now it's spend all of the cap on making the best top 9 with an ultra cheap 4th line. Just tread water and have enough skill to fill in for injuries in the top 9. Example the 06 Oilers had an excellent top 9 and whatevers on the 4th. Todd Harvey.... I can't remember anyone else.

 

[5 Mins 4 Ftg]

What do these 3 players have that our 4th line doesn't have?

Speed, grit, tenacity, they hit hit hit hit and hit, They all drop the gloves. They get involved. Drive pucks to the net. Responsible defensively. And you can count on them for scoring support.

 

[bellagiobob]

What do these 3 players have that our 4th line doesn't have?