Line Combos: Your Ideal Line-Combos
- Thread starter sweHockeypunk21
- Start date
Timo Time
73-9
With or without current injuries? I.e. Hertl.
Marleau-Thornton-Burns
Havlat-Couture-Wingels
Torres-Pavelski-Nieto
Sheppard-Desi-Kennedy
Vlasic-Demers
Braun-Irwin
Boyle-Hannan
Marleau-Thornton-Burns
Havlat-Couture-Wingels
Torres-Pavelski-Nieto
Sheppard-Desi-Kennedy
Vlasic-Demers
Braun-Irwin
Boyle-Hannan
Gilligans Island
Registered User
I agree with this one for the most part. Depending on who's hot swap Nieto / Sheppard.
I like forward pairing and think Burns/Jumbo, Couture/Marleau and Torres/PAvelski work best. Fill in who fits in best for the 3rd spot. Good problem to have this season... We basically can ice 5 lines (once Hertl's healthy). We've never had that going into the playoffs.
If Havlat plays to half his potential:
Hertl - Thornton - Burns
Marelau - Couture - Havlat
Torres - Pavelski - Sheppard
Wingels - Desjardins - Kennedy
Top line has F1/F2/F3 covered with Hertl being the garbage goal scorer that Thornton/Burns need. That line should never have the puck in their own end. Second line will probably spend a lot of time against top competition, and won't be on the attack as much, but has the tools to score on the rush. Couture/Marleau will probably rack up their points on the PP. Third line is an upgraded version of Wellwood/Pavs/Taco. They crumbled a few years back against size and physical play. Torres and Shep shouldn't have that issue. Wingels and Desi provide the blue collar, lunch pale type play. Kennedy gives the line some skill and is good on puck retrieval.
The D pairings are less universal. Top heavy teams should get a shutdown pair of Braun/Vlasic, while Boyle/Irwin can be sheltered. For more balanced teams, Braun and Vlasic should be split up.
Stalock should get the starts against the heavy forecheck teams for his puck moving abilities. I like him against the ducks, as they love cross-ice/back door type plays which Stalock has the tools to handle. Niemi should get the start otherwise.
Hertl - Thornton - Burns
Marelau - Couture - Havlat
Torres - Pavelski - Sheppard
Wingels - Desjardins - Kennedy
Top line has F1/F2/F3 covered with Hertl being the garbage goal scorer that Thornton/Burns need. That line should never have the puck in their own end. Second line will probably spend a lot of time against top competition, and won't be on the attack as much, but has the tools to score on the rush. Couture/Marleau will probably rack up their points on the PP. Third line is an upgraded version of Wellwood/Pavs/Taco. They crumbled a few years back against size and physical play. Torres and Shep shouldn't have that issue. Wingels and Desi provide the blue collar, lunch pale type play. Kennedy gives the line some skill and is good on puck retrieval.
The D pairings are less universal. Top heavy teams should get a shutdown pair of Braun/Vlasic, while Boyle/Irwin can be sheltered. For more balanced teams, Braun and Vlasic should be split up.
Stalock should get the starts against the heavy forecheck teams for his puck moving abilities. I like him against the ducks, as they love cross-ice/back door type plays which Stalock has the tools to handle. Niemi should get the start otherwise.
Led Zappa
Tomorrow Today
I like this. Substitute Stuart for Irwin however the pairs need to be adjusted to make that happen. I also think Burish Havlat and Shep can be moved in and out to keep all of them fresh and depending on opponent.
Could also run depending.
Hertl-Jumbo-Burns
Patty-Couture-Havlat
Torres-Pavs-Wingo
Nieto-Desi-Kennedy/Burish
hockeyball
Registered User
- Nov 10, 2007
- 21,552
- 886
Hertl - Thornton - Burns
Marleau - Couture - Havlat
Torres - Pavleski - Wingels
Sheppard - Desjardins - Kennedy
Best top-9 in the league if everyones healthy and playing the way they should. Every player is playing in a position to succeed. Best scoring 4th line in the league too.
D wise I'd do:
Vlasic - Demers
Stuart - Boyle
Irwin/Hannan - Braun
But I'd feel really bad for Braun :\ I just can't find a way I like our D.
Marleau - Couture - Havlat
Torres - Pavleski - Wingels
Sheppard - Desjardins - Kennedy
Best top-9 in the league if everyones healthy and playing the way they should. Every player is playing in a position to succeed. Best scoring 4th line in the league too.
D wise I'd do:
Vlasic - Demers
Stuart - Boyle
Irwin/Hannan - Braun
But I'd feel really bad for Braun :\ I just can't find a way I like our D.
sr228
Registered User
- Sep 16, 2007
- 7,113
- 0
Right now:
Nieto-Thornton-Burns
Marleau-Couture-Havlat
Torres-Pavelski-Wingels
Sheppard-Desi-Kennedy
Vlasic-Braun
Hannan-Demers
Irwin-Boyle
Defense when Stuart is back:
Vlasic-Demers
Stuart-Braun
Hannan/Irwin-Boyle
Forwards if Hertl is back:
Hertl-Thornton-Burns
Marleau-Couture-Havlat
Torres-Pavelski-Wingels
Nieto-Sheppard-Kennedy
This is all assuming Havlat can stay healthy and continue to play well on that line.
Nieto-Thornton-Burns
Marleau-Couture-Havlat
Torres-Pavelski-Wingels
Sheppard-Desi-Kennedy
Vlasic-Braun
Hannan-Demers
Irwin-Boyle
Defense when Stuart is back:
Vlasic-Demers
Stuart-Braun
Hannan/Irwin-Boyle
Forwards if Hertl is back:
Hertl-Thornton-Burns
Marleau-Couture-Havlat
Torres-Pavelski-Wingels
Nieto-Sheppard-Kennedy
This is all assuming Havlat can stay healthy and continue to play well on that line.
Juxtaposer
Outro: Divina Comedia
glasgow26
Registered User
The bolded is EXACTLY what I'd go with when everyone is healthy. Maybe put Desjardins in over Kennedy depending on the opponent but yeah, I'd rather see Sheppard getting ice time. I can definitely see TMac rolling Sheppard - Desjardins - Burish against teams like LA though.
Our offense is SICK when healthy. I have no idea why DW thought acquiring Callahan would be worthwhile.
19sharks19
Registered User
I am totally with this. Only item on the set up without Hertl; I would platoon Shep and Desi, depending on when they have one of their 'off games'. Would pressure each to perform. And please, no Burish. He is just simply dreadful.
If Havlat were to get injured again, which is highly likely, then spot Nieto in his place and thus Shep and Desi and Kennedy making up the fourth.
19sharks19
Registered User
I have to agree as, I think this was something D.W. really needed to look into yesterday. We have a very solid top 3 core followed then by Boyle and then, the rest.
hockeyball
Registered User
- Nov 10, 2007
- 21,552
- 886
19sharks19
Registered User
If we had vintage boyle and stuart from a few years ago we would be ok. Both have dropped dramatically we are fortunate of the emergence of braun demers this year otherwise this **** stain for defense would look even worse
I know where we sit dan. Numbers get inflated a bit. We are very fortunate to have some of the best two way forqards in the game. Couture marleau pavs are a lot of the reason that helps that gaa. As well as having the one of the best possession players in the game with joe thornton. We are on the otherside of the ice alot. We are also near the tops in blocked shots and fewest shots against which are attributes of d and forward group is well. Obviously im exaggerating **** stain was a little harsh. But i would say our d is far from elite and not necessarily as good as the numbers show. Team game outside of Vlasic Braun and demers occasional brain fart your not going to convince me that those numbers are because of Boyle Irwin Stuart Hannan
Last edited:
do0glas
Registered User
- Jan 26, 2012
- 13,271
- 683
Nieto-jumbo-burns
Marleau-couture-Kennedy
Torres-pavs-wingels
Havlat-desi-shep
Vlasic-Demers
Hannan-Braun
Irwin-Boyle
Stalock
I'm torn on the d pairings. Should Braun be with Irwin to cover the defense or Hannan to make a better second pairing?
As for the forwards, I put Kennedy with couture simply because I believe he gives patty and Logan the best chance to play at their highest. His speed and general annoyance to defenders will boost those two more than havlat.
Putting Marty on a fourth line with a resurgent Sheppard could work in a 7 game series where you need to roll four lines.
Obvious line juggles: shep for nieto or Torres for nieto
Havlat for Kennedy
Shep to 3c pavs to jumbo nieto to third Torres to fourth.
Marleau-couture-Kennedy
Torres-pavs-wingels
Havlat-desi-shep
Vlasic-Demers
Hannan-Braun
Irwin-Boyle
Stalock
I'm torn on the d pairings. Should Braun be with Irwin to cover the defense or Hannan to make a better second pairing?
As for the forwards, I put Kennedy with couture simply because I believe he gives patty and Logan the best chance to play at their highest. His speed and general annoyance to defenders will boost those two more than havlat.
Putting Marty on a fourth line with a resurgent Sheppard could work in a 7 game series where you need to roll four lines.
Obvious line juggles: shep for nieto or Torres for nieto
Havlat for Kennedy
Shep to 3c pavs to jumbo nieto to third Torres to fourth.
I really want to see what the third line looks like with Hertl. I really doubt Hertl comes back and goes straight back to the top line so he likely end up somewhere on the third line.
Assuming he isn't ready to centre and that unless you find lightning in a bottle you are going to move him back up to Jumbo's wing...
Can Torres play the off wing?
Hertl - Sheppard - Torres/Havlat
Assuming he isn't ready to centre and that unless you find lightning in a bottle you are going to move him back up to Jumbo's wing...
Can Torres play the off wing?
Hertl - Sheppard - Torres/Havlat
spintops
Registered User
- Sep 13, 2013
- 1,636
- 812
Not sure how the sides would work, but I really like Shep as third line center. Can't mess with the Thorton line because they are rolling right now, but would like to see Hertl with some playmakers that can give him chances to score. Not sure how the 4th line would work out.
Pavs-Thornton-Burns
Marleau-Couture-Hertl
Torres-Sheppard-Wingels
Kennedy-Desi- Nieto
Pavs-Thornton-Burns
Marleau-Couture-Hertl
Torres-Sheppard-Wingels
Kennedy-Desi- Nieto
Last edited:
Leidi J
Registered User
^ you absolutely CANNOT put Hertl on the Couture/Marleau line for the playoffs. That line always takes the toughest opposing matchups and starts in the defensive zone. As excellent as Hertl has been, TMac sheltered him when he was healthy espceially with most offensive zone starts. I have no doubt he will develop his defensive game, but he is not ready for that in the playoffs this year. Especially coming off his injury 
You might say the same about Nieto... but he's holding his own right now. We'll see how that goes.
Hertl-Thornton-Burns
Marleau-Couture-Nieto
Torres-Pavelski-Wingels
Havlat-Desjardins-Sheppard
Looks nice.
Might swap Wingels and Nieto though for the playoffs... Wingels has shown he can handle his own and helps create offensive space and chaos for Marleau/Couture. Same as Torres would on the third line... You know I do like that better actually. I also like Shep a little better at center than Desi... but who knows if Desi can play wing...
Hertl-Thornton-Burns
Marleau-Couture-Wingels
Torres-Pavelski-Nieto
Havlat-Sheppard-Kennedy/Desi/Burish/Brown...
???
You might say the same about Nieto... but he's holding his own right now. We'll see how that goes.
Hertl-Thornton-Burns
Marleau-Couture-Nieto
Torres-Pavelski-Wingels
Havlat-Desjardins-Sheppard
Looks nice.
Might swap Wingels and Nieto though for the playoffs... Wingels has shown he can handle his own and helps create offensive space and chaos for Marleau/Couture. Same as Torres would on the third line... You know I do like that better actually. I also like Shep a little better at center than Desi... but who knows if Desi can play wing...
Hertl-Thornton-Burns
Marleau-Couture-Wingels
Torres-Pavelski-Nieto
Havlat-Sheppard-Kennedy/Desi/Burish/Brown...
???
Last edited:
sr228
Registered User
- Sep 16, 2007
- 7,113
- 0
I know it was Toronto and they were awful but some of the moves Nieto pulled off last night were unreal, specifically that curl / toe drag around Gardiner followed by a brilliant back hand saucer pass to Couture.
Lots of people think his skating and shot are his best assets but I think his vision, hands and playmaking abilities are way up there too - he showed all of them last night.
It's also not too surprising to see him starting to gain confidence and his overall game improving. On top of getting comfortable on the team and with the pace and physicality of the NHL, every level he's played he ups his game in the 2nd half of the season.
Ad
Latest posts
-
Series Talk: WCSF - Vancouver Canucks vs Edmonton Oilers- Latest: Sergei Shirokov
-
