Honestly. I would probably go with Sven to have a safer bet of making the team. I am not saying he is better(he's no slouch), but more physically ready for an 82 game grind. But we'll see.
Glencross - Backlund - Setoguchi
Hudler - Monahan - Colborne
Raymond - Stajan - Jones
Bollig/Bouma - Bollig/Bouma - McGrattan
Nice balance, size wise. Hudler with the kids and the 3rd line could surprise some guys. Of course that's until the injuries start.
I like this, although I'd probably keep Hudler with GlenX and Backlund, move Colborne back over to LW and bump Seto down to 2nd line RW to spread out the physicality and playmaking a little more among our top-6. Otherwise, I'd keep the bottom-6 exactly the same, with Byron as the extra and Baertschi/Rejnhart as first call-ups
That's how I originally had it but why have the 2 best play makers on the same line. I like having a semi physical player on either side of Backlund, banging and making space. Hudler could really help the kids get over the 2nd year jitters/increased expectations. No clear 1st line but let's face it, the kids are the future and should be given the best chance to succeed. Colborne seems to be excelling at RW, Seto might only be around for a year, so why mess with it.
Yeah, fair enough.. I just thought Seto with the kids since neither Money or Colborne are particularly physical, whereas GlenX and even Backlund to an extent aren't afraid to bang bodies around.. Plus, I'm somewhat partial to a 1st line of Glencross-Backlund-Hudler and a middle-6 of
Colborne-Monahan-Setogutchi
Raymond-Stajan-Jones
which I've actually changed my mind from having either Baertschi or Johnny G slot into the 2nd line LW spot.. not saying one or the other won't end up there eventually, but the acquisition of Seto gives us a useful at worst/effective at best option we never had before on RW, and allows Colborne to move back to his natural side while continuing to build upon his chemistry with Money from last year. Any way you slice it, it's looking more and more feasible that Sven and Johnny start with the Heat, unless they blow minds at camp.. by which case, Colborne would ideally be back on RW with one of Sven/Johnny/MayRay on the left, and Seto bumped down to split bottom-6 RW duties with Jones and McGrattan.. Byron should be the extra, although I can understand if they want his leadership down on the farm; I don't see why Reinhart shouldn't get a long look to crack the team right away, but I fully expect him to be the first one called up if he doesn't
Yeah, fair enough.. I just thought Seto with the kids since neither Money or Colborne are particularly physical, whereas GlenX and even Backlund to an extent aren't afraid to bang bodies around.. Plus, I'm somewhat partial to a 1st line of Glencross-Backlund-Hudler and a middle-6 of
Colborne-Monahan-Setogutchi
Raymond-Stajan-Jones
which I've actually changed my mind from having either Baertschi or Johnny G slot into the 2nd line LW spot.. not saying one or the other won't end up there eventually, but the acquisition of Seto gives us a useful at worst/effective at best option we never had before on RW, and allows Colborne to move back to his natural side while continuing to build upon his chemistry with Money from last year. Any way you slice it, it's looking more and more feasible that Sven and Johnny start with the Heat, unless they blow minds at camp.. by which case, Colborne would ideally be back on RW with one of Sven/Johnny/MayRay on the left, and Seto bumped down to split bottom-6 RW duties with Jones and McGrattan.. Byron should be the extra, although I can understand if they want his leadership down on the farm; I don't see why Reinhart shouldn't get a long look to crack the team right away, but I fully expect him to be the first one called up if he doesn't
Here are my realistic lines:
Glencross - Backlund - Jones
Raymond - Stajan - Setoguchi
Hudler - Monahan - Colborne
Bollig - Bouma - McGrattan
Switch Raymond and Hudler and that's how I would like to see it.
Hudler has to help Stajan get to that 50 point season form again. Without Raymond on Monahan's line, there isn't really any speed.
My lines would be:
1st line
Glencross - Backlund - Hudler
2nd/3rd (interchangeable)
Raymond - Stajan - Setoguchi
Gaudreau - Monahan - Colborne
4th
Bollig - Bouma - McGrattan
13/14th - Byron, Jones
I still think Johnny makes it
And on a side note, just think of it this way
Galiardi
for
Setoguchi
So imo, we win the deal.
Glencross-Backlund-Hudler
Gaudreau-Monahan-Raymond
Colborne-Stajan-Setoguchi
Bolling-McGrattan-Jones
Giordano-Smid
Brodie-Wideman
Russell-Engelland
Hiller
Ramo
I'm gonna go with the lines I'd like to see:
Glencross-Stajan-Raymond
Baertschi-Backlund-Hudler
Gaudreau-Monahan-Colborne
Bouma-Reinhart-Mcgrattan
Byron-Setoguchi
Giordano-Brodie
Wideman-Russell
Smid-Wotherspoon
Engelland
Ramo/Hiller
I think Baertschi and Gaudreau will make Jones completely expendable, and really, what is the purpose of keeping him?