The S-T-L line

[LetsGoBooze]

Out with the CPR and in with the STL!
Im excited about this Steen Tarasenko Lehtera line, i pray Hitch leaves them together.

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[WiscoBlues]

they've clearly been the best line so far. don't see how hitch could split them up.

 

[jura]

Tarasenko centering

 

[LGB51]

I liked Schwartz - Lehtera - Tarasenko better personally. But don't get me wrong Steen -Lehty-Frank is pretty awesome too.

 

[rumrokh]

I liked Schwartz - Lehtera - Tarasenko better personally. But don't get me wrong Steen -Lehty-Frank is pretty awesome too.

I did, too, until Steen started winning puck battles like a madman for 'em. He's also really good at judging when to be a third guy going to the net instead of hanging back. It seems to add that extra dangerous edge to the line. For now, anyway, especially since Schwartz-Berglund-Jaskin seemed to have some chemistry, too.

 

[The Note]

Steen seems to be the perfect compliment to Jori and Vlad. I wouldn't break this line up even when everyone is healthy honestly.

 

[David Dennison]

Steen seems to be the perfect compliment to Jori and Vlad. I wouldn't break this line up even when everyone is healthy honestly.

Eh, Id probably put Steen back with Stastny when he gets healthy.

 

[Dbrownss]

Eh, Id probably put Steen back with Stastny when he gets healthy.

I agree only to balance the lines back out. But I'd see how Berglund/Schwartz looks on Stastny's wing too.

 

[Celtic Note]

Steen seems like the best compliment to Lethera and Tarasenko. He brings that highly intelligent defensive play the line needs to balance their offensive tendencies. Tarasenko has been cheating in the defensive zone so he can quickly spring loose on breakouts and catch the D off guard. The defensive responsibility of Steen allows that type of play. Schwartz can bring that too but Steen is better at it and more conservative on his release during the breakout.

Steen also brings that shoot first mentality, whereas Schwartz looks to make plays. Since Lethera is almost purely a puck distributor, I would rather have two shooters on that line. Steen brings that element.

Having Schwartz on another line also plays out as a team strength. He is a tremendous catalyst for offense. Whether it's winning board battles, dishing to open players or navigating through traffic, he facilitates offense while also being defensively sound. That is important now that we are a one line offensive team due to illness and injury. However, I think it will be in our best interest moving forward as well. Having Schwartz on another top line with Stastny when he gets back will make defending our team even more challenging. Stastny could benefit from Schwartz's distributing skills. Stastny is known for his distributing but the guy can score and Schwartz can help in that area. Conversely the same is true of Schwartz and the impact Stastny can have on him.

 

[Vladys Gumption]

Where do we put Backes if we put Schwartz with Stastny?

 

[Inglorious Backes]

Where do we put Backes if we put Schwartz with Stastny?

On the right side with those two

 

[KirkOut]

On the right side with those two

Selke-caliber center != a good choice for right winger

 

[Vladys Gumption]

On the right side with those two

Do we really want to move to the wing? Seems like a failure to maximize his defensive abilities to me.

 

[LGB51]

Steen seems to be the perfect compliment to Jori and Vlad. I wouldn't break this line up even when everyone is healthy honestly.

As soon as everyone is healthy, I'd put Schwartz back on the line with Lehtera & Frank.

*side note* I was posting on The Blues Facebook group St. Louis Blues Nation, and someone came up with a new pretty decent nickname for Tarasenko (MiG 91) what do you guys think?

 

[fcpremix88]

With the defensive abilities of Stastny, Lehtera, Berglund, and Lapierre, do we really need Backes to play center? Especially if his goal-scoring ability is enhanced by being moved to wing.

 

[KirkOut]

With the defensive abilities of Stastny, Lehtera, Berglund, and Lapierre, do we really need Backes to play center? Especially if his goal-scoring ability is enhanced by being moved to wing.

Who do you want to toss out there to shut down the likes of Crosby, Toews, Duchene, Kopitar, etc ? I want Backes

 

[Inglorious Backes]

I've always been a strong proponent of loading the top six with our best six guys, and frankly I think Backes is a wasted asset if he's centering Bergy/Lindstrom/Oshie/Jaskin/etc down on the third line. And last I checked you can still play Selke caliber defense on the wing

 

[SneakerPimp82]

With the defensive abilities of Stastny, Lehtera, Berglund, and Lapierre, do we really need Backes to play center? Especially if his goal-scoring ability is enhanced by being moved to wing.

Yes we do. Better to have 3 solid scoring lines with Berglund on the wing rather than 2 good ones and 2 so-so ones. Berglund seems almost completely inept offensively when playing center, i'd rather Lehtera take those minutes with Tarasenko.

besides, what signs have we seen that Backes will score anymore than 25-30 goals and 60 or so points if he moves to the wing?

 

[SneakerPimp82]

I've always been a strong proponent of loading the top six with our best six guys, and frankly I think Backes is a wasted asset if he's centering Bergy/Lindstrom/Oshie/Jaskin/etc down on the third line. And last I checked you can still play Selke caliber defense on the wing

except that his line typically plays against the opposing top line, which tends to make for a lot of minutes played. so no, he isn't wasted because he'll be playing top minutes against the opponents' best line. it means more defensive zone starts for sure, but that allows Stastny and Lehtera to excel offensively and lessens the burden on Backes offensively.

 

[Vladys Gumption]

With the defensive abilities of Stastny, Lehtera, Berglund, and Lapierre, do we really need Backes to play center? Especially if his goal-scoring ability is enhanced by being moved to wing.

Yes Backes should be at center. First and foremost, his defensive abilities are maximized playing there. Moving him to the wing lessens the impact he can have. Centers are responsible for covering more ice at both ends of the ice. Secondly, his best offensive seasons came after he made the move to center. That's where he plays his most effective hockey both offensively and defensively. Despite all of our additions, Backes is still our best center.

I just think it's a big mistake for a team to move a Selke caliber center to the wing. Most teams would kill to get Backes so they could have a great shutdown center capable of scoring 30 goals. Those types are very rare.

 

[Meatball]

We'll be a lot harder to play against if you're looking at a top three of Stastny, Backes and Lehtera. Just need to find a winger or two for Staz.

 

[David Dennison]

Do we really want to move to the wing? Seems like a failure to maximize his defensive abilities to me.

Im not convinced that he is much better offensively on the wing either. I dont really like Bergy outside either, but when everyone is healthy, he is the odd man out.

 

[Multimoodia]

I think everyone's dismissing the possibility that is the offensive juggernaut named Steve Ott showing up on Backes' wing.
Blues may very well set the scoring record.

They may very well set TWO.

 

[Multimoodia]

We'll be a lot harder to play against if you're looking at a top three of Stastny, Backes and Lehtera. Just need to find a winger or two for Staz.

I think I speak for us all when I note that Cody Beach is still waiver exempt and prepared to become the central cog in the machine that will drive the Blues to the Stanley Cup.

 

[Vladys Gumption]

Im not convinced that he is much better offensively on the wing either. I dont really like Bergy outside either, but when everyone is healthy, he is the odd man out.

Backes' biggest years production wise have been in the middle. He didn't really break out until he moved to center.