Line Combos: Which line is the first line?
- Thread starter RememberTheRoar
- Start date
coolhand
Registered User
RememberTheRoar
“I’m not as worried about the 5-on-5 scoring.”
coolhand
Registered User
No, he is our best faceoff guy, no? Not saying much but he has had a pretty good record in the past.
RememberTheRoar
“I’m not as worried about the 5-on-5 scoring.”
I've never seen anybody use faceoffs alone as the measure for a first line center.
coolhand
Registered User
Well we don't have a Savard or Roenick on the roster, so what would you call him?
ClydeLee
Registered User
- Mar 23, 2012
- 11,799
- 5,336
But kane isnt a line. Toews isnt a line. Is kanes line more a #1 line because he plays a couple full shifts with bottom 6 guys?
Sports terms debated are some of the silliest things because they have dozens of meanings.
RememberTheRoar
“I’m not as worried about the 5-on-5 scoring.”
What would I call what? You used faceoffs as your sole justification for a 1C, I’m questioning that.
You think Cat - Toews - Kahun will be our shut down line against the best line? That's scary.
RememberTheRoar
“I’m not as worried about the 5-on-5 scoring.”
Yep, good point. But last year Schmaltz’ 5v5 ice time was just 30 seconds short of Toews’. Saad played three fewer 5v5 minutes than Kane did.
RememberTheRoar
“I’m not as worried about the 5-on-5 scoring.”
That’s one of my biggest concerns, can the Toews line even be used as a shutdown line at this point with the way it’s constructed?
It’s now built to be a scoring line, and I think the scoring line with Kane is more dangerous.
Allegedly, Kahun is a two way forward. Good hands / fast / willing to mix it up. He better be because Cat, while willing to back check, is an offensive forward. Toews needs a forward to help defensively.
RememberTheRoar
“I’m not as worried about the 5-on-5 scoring.”
Love how Toews is expected to lead a shutdown line that also scores at a first line rate, but he gets a small 21 year old sniper and a guy who has never played on American ice as linemates.
Seems pretty clear Q has pumped the best forward resources into the Kane line.
The Toews line looks more like a secondary scoring line to me than the elite Toews lines of the past.
Hawkaholic
Registered User
I can't see Schmaltz "easily" over taking him this year. Maybe offensively, as he plays with Kane which will really help that aspect of his game.
I am more willing to bank on his this year, but he still needs a better winger than Kahun playing with him, IMO. Debrincat is definitely a great option, but not sure he really fits Toews style of play.
icekoob
4th Liner
Toews line for foreseeable future. May not be most productive line but Toew’s shut down abilities are still elite don’t care what the HFexperts have to say. Top line doesn’t always mean top scoring line...especially here in Chicago recently. Pair that with the top scorer in Cat and it should be a decent top line. Kane’s line is more like 1B.
RememberTheRoar
“I’m not as worried about the 5-on-5 scoring.”
Toews’ shutdown ability may be elite, but what about his linemates’ shutdown ability?
If that line isn’t shutting down then the team is in trouble.
RememberTheRoar
“I’m not as worried about the 5-on-5 scoring.”
Right on with Kahun. DeBrincat is a fine option if a Hossa-caliber defensive winger is on the other side, but that’s not what’s there.
I predict this current form of the Toews line will be worse at shutting down than Toews and Saad were.
Q has turned it into a second scoring line, not a shutdown line. Unless you believe Toews can singlehandedly shutdown other teams’ top offensive lines.
Do you try Hayden with Toews and DeBrincat if Kahun doesn't work? Hayden will work on both ends of the ice.
RememberTheRoar
“I’m not as worried about the 5-on-5 scoring.”
It should be Saad. They dominated possession last year when they played together, but Saad couldn’t finish. That pairing wasn’t broken, and adding DeBrincat to it could’ve made it a very effective first line.
ChiHawks10
Registered User
As long as they are dominant in possession then they don't have to be "elite" defenders. That shuts down a line just as well as smothering defense.
RememberTheRoar
“I’m not as worried about the 5-on-5 scoring.”
Very true, and that's what Saad provided very well last season. Do we think Kahun can bring the same thing?
ClydeLee
Registered User
- Mar 23, 2012
- 11,799
- 5,336
If he doesnt, or doesn't produce consistent points he wont stay there. We know that's gonna happen with Q.
RememberTheRoar
“I’m not as worried about the 5-on-5 scoring.”
True, but why start him there to begin with? What has he done to earn that spot?
If that's supposed to be your first line, why f*** with it that way?
LordKOTL
Abuse of Officials
ChiHawks10
Registered User
Possession stats on the Toews/Saad line were fine. Saad just couldn't f***ing finish. His shot is on par with Kruger's these days.
