Line Combos: 2013/14 Roster

[Kel Varnsen]

Right now my lines for day one would be

Letestu-Anisimov-Gaborik
Foligno-Johansen-Horton
Calvert-Dubinsky-Atkinson
Umberger-Dmac-Boll

Breaking up our best line of Calvert-Dubi-Atkinson doesn't make much sense. Its also a real pity that Anisimov can't play wing as I would love to see what an Anisimov-Johansen-Horton line could do.
It will also be interesting to see where Boone slots in. I feel like he could take a spot easily playing on the Fourth line, however I feel like he'll start the season in Springfield as the #1 center until a deal is made that clears some roster space.

And I do expect some of these players will be moved (Gaborik is a goner unless we are in the playoffs (and possibly even then), Umberger and or Foligno if we can find a taker for the bad contract, and probably at least one Defender (particularly if anymore defenseman can take steps forward (i.e. Murray, Goloubef, or Weber) and challenge for an NHL spot.

Overall Depth is a nice problem to have and other than a few players I personally don't like (Umberger/Foligno) the forward lines are better balanced than they were last year. The biggest question is going to be who of the young guys can take another step forward. At the very least I have high hopes for Johansen who should have the opportunity to develop his offensive game playing with someone who can put the puck in the net rather than Umberger and Foligno.

Hey, Ranger fan here who really likes what you guys have done with your team (bringing in all these ex-Rangers ). I thought I could add that Anisimov did play some wing with us. He played LW on a line with Stepan in the middle and Gabby on the RW. They tore it up for a while like that. From what I remember that was like the first time he ever played wing professionally though so it's not like it's a natural position for him, but again he was really effective there for a period of time for us for what it's worth.

 

[stevo61]

I dont mind seeing Comeau on the 4th for most of the games but we definetly want Boll and Mackenzie in for some of those games. While the east isnt as tight checking it does has a lot of fighters and some dummies that like to take shots. Id love to see Boll get a hold of Rinaldo, Cooke and Ott this year. Our team has a lot of team toughness but its not like it used to be when we'd see Dorsett and Boll fighting every other game. Toronto with Mclaren and Orr and Buffalo with Scott try to almost bully other teams at times(even though Scott sucks and is just big) so we are gonna need someone in there to stop guys from taking liberties like that

 

[FANonymous]

I dont mind seeing Comeau on the 4th for most of the games but we definetly want Boll and Mackenzie in for some of those games. While the east isnt as tight checking it does has a lot of fighters and some dummies that like to take shots. Id love to see Boll get a hold of Rinaldo, Cooke and Ott this year. Our team has a lot of team toughness but its not like it used to be when we'd see Dorsett and Boll fighting every other game. Toronto with Mclaren and Orr and Buffalo with Scott try to almost bully other teams at times(even though Scott sucks and is just big) so we are gonna need someone in there to stop guys from taking liberties like that

Don't forget that Prout has shown he is willing to drop the gloves as well. Time will tell if he is any good at it at the NHL level.

 

[stevo61]

Don't forget that Prout has shown he is willing to drop the gloves as well. Time will tell if he is any good at it at the NHL level.

Yeah i know but do you really want to see Prout fighting Mclaren? He can fight but hes not with the best and you dont really want defenseman in that situation anyway. Its just like Mcquaid in Boston, yeah he can fight but hes not the best and all you do is lose a good defenseman for 5 while they sit someone who plays 4 minutes a night

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

I dont mind seeing Comeau on the 4th for most of the games but we definetly want Boll and Mackenzie in for some of those games. While the east isnt as tight checking it does has a lot of fighters and some dummies that like to take shots. Id love to see Boll get a hold of Rinaldo, Cooke and Ott this year. Our team has a lot of team toughness but its not like it used to be when we'd see Dorsett and Boll fighting every other game. Toronto with Mclaren and Orr and Buffalo with Scott try to almost bully other teams at times(even though Scott sucks and is just big) so we are gonna need someone in there to stop guys from taking liberties like that

Cooke is in Minny.

 

[stevo61]

Cooke is in Minny.

You get my point but good call. We still play them at some point

 

[m8n8]

This worked well toward the end of last year.

Gaborik-Anisimov-Letestu
Umberger-Johansen-Foligno
Calvert-Dubinsky-Atkinson
Comeau-MacKenzie-Boll

Skille/Jenner

 

[major major]

This worked well toward the end of last year.

Gaborik-Anisimov-Letestu
Umberger-Johansen-Foligno
Calvert-Dubinsky-Atkinson
Comeau-MacKenzie-Boll

Skille/Jenner

IIRC it was Prospal who got most of the shifts on Arty and Gaborik's left wing. But I do think Letestu might be the best player for that role.

Foligno-Johansen-Umberger hardly scored for the last five weeks or so of the season. They were an effective two-way line but I think we'd be better off if they were split up. Those guys can get a cycle going, but none of them have much finishing ability, and I think they'd be more effective if they were complementing better snipers.

Calvert-Dubinsky-Atkinson were awesome down the stretch. Scoring and shutting-down. The harriers. And when Calvert got injured Comeau filled in perfectly there. They might be our best scoring line this year, despite not having Horton or Gaborik on it.

Calvert-Dubinsky-Atkinson
Foligno-Arty-Gaborik
Comeau-Johansen-Letestu
Umberger-Mackenzie-Boll

then:

Calvert-Dubinsky-Atkinson
Foligno-Arty-Gaborik
Letestu-Johansen-Horton
Comeau-Mackenzie-Umberger

Disregard the number order of the lines. For our team it's more useful to think of roles. I think if we ran lines like these, Duby's line would get a lot of shutdown duty, Arty's line would draw the other team's best checkers, and Johansen's line would be able to score against easier opposition. The only line here that has a number is the 4th line, centered by Mackenzie, and that would be the deepest 4th line we have ever iced, and could handle much higher minutes if need be.

 

[Bruise Bros 2426]

Wings fan coming in peace.

Where does Jared Boll stand with you guys? Is he still set to be a regular on the 4th line?

 

[EspenK]

Wings fan coming in peace.

Where does Jared Boll stand with you guys? Is he still set to be a regular on the 4th line?

I would think so. He is the only real physical presence (fighter) we have.

 

[ucanthanzalthetruth]

Who is projected to be the backup behind Bob?

 

[FlaggerX]

Wings fan coming in peace.

Where does Jared Boll stand with you guys? Is he still set to be a regular on the 4th line?

I think he's a spot starter at best, particularly after Horton recovers. His physicality and willingness to stick up for his team make him valuable, but only now and then. That said I thought he played very well last year. He was healthy, and both his fighting and play rose.

What I want to see at the END of the season is Boll and DMac on the bench most nights with Comeau-Jenner-Calvert carrying most of the weight. But that assumes Boone develops further and loses his tendency to overpursue at center, leading to breakdowns. That sort of mistake can't be tolerated for an NHL center, one reason it may more likely be Comeau-DMac-Jenner when Boone finally makes the NHL.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Who is projected to be the backup behind Bob?

The org. rewarded Curtis McElhinney for his yeoman work in Springfield last year with a one-way contract, so it's him unless something happens.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Who is projected to be the backup behind Bob?

Curtid McElhinney

 

[squarelaces]

I think he's a spot starter at best, particularly after Horton recovers. His physicality and willingness to stick up for his team make him valuable, but only now and then. That said I thought he played very well last year. He was healthy, and both his fighting and play rose.

What I want to see at the END of the season is Boll and DMac on the bench most nights with Comeau-Jenner-Calvert carrying most of the weight.

Jared will be a healthy scratch less than 5 times this year.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Jared will be a healthy scratch less than 5 times this year.

That's an interesting over/under type number. Injuries will help, and I certainly see Boll as an important piece to the roster, but I don't know that his HS number is that low.

To what do you attribute your guess? Injuries? Style of play in the new division/conference? Who will he bump to remain in the lineup?

 

[squarelaces]

That's an interesting over/under type number. Injuries will help, and I certainly see Boll as an important piece to the roster, but I don't know that his HS number is that low.

To what do you attribute your guess? Injuries? Style of play in the new division/conference? Who will he bump to remain in the lineup?

Actually I think the 5 number is on the high side. I forecast Boll to have his best season this year statistically. The team needs his tough play in the east. As much as many would dismiss him as an enforcer, Jared's skill as a fore checker, cycler and passer are more valuable to the team than his fists. He doesn't need to bump anyone. His position in the lineup is well established.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Actually I think the 5 number is on the high side. I forecast Boll to have his best season this year statistically. The team needs his tough play in the east. As much as many would dismiss him as an enforcer, Jared's skill as a fore checker, cycler and passer are more valuable to the team than his fists. He doesn't need to bump anyone. His position in the lineup is well established.

You make a good case, one I have no problem with. But the numbers, especially once Horton returns...

(in no particular order)
Anisimov
Gaborik
Horton
Atkinson
Umberger
Dubinsky
Foligno
Johansen
Calvert
Letestu
Mackenzie
Comeau

That's 12. If you object to looking at it from a "Boll needing to bump someone" perspective, then where will the HS be among those 12?

 

[squarelaces]

There's no way all 12 of those guys stay healthy (especially Cal & Cam), but even with full health I'd take him over Comeau, think we need to make a statement to Umberger and there are 5 centers in the 12 so DMac.

 

[ucanthanzalthetruth]

The org. rewarded Curtis McElhinney for his yeoman work in Springfield last year with a one-way contract, so it's him unless something happens.

Curtid McElhinney

Thanks, I remember him with the Flames, surprised to see him back in the league, but good for him.

 

[pete goegan]

There's no way all 12 of those guys stay healthy (especially Cal & Cam), but even with full health I'd take him over Comeau, think we need to make a statement to Umberger and there are 5 centers in the 12 so DMac.

It's all a matter of opinion, of course, and the only one that matters belongs to HCTR. For me, DMac is being vastly underrated here. His unending effort, speed, and aggressiveness are a big part of the effectiveness of the fourth line and he is perhaps our most consistent forechecker. He is also one of the teams most dependable forwards on the PK. He's certainly not irreplaceable, but I think his spot on the fourth line is well-deserved and I see it as very unlikely that he will be scratched to get Boller into the lineup.

 

[Viqsi]

There's no way all 12 of those guys stay healthy (especially Cal & Cam), but even with full health I'd take him over Comeau, think we need to make a statement to Umberger and there are 5 centers in the 12 so DMac.

I object to all three proposed names. Comeau contributes more tertiary scoring and meshes well with our other fourth-liners. pete did a great job of explaining why DMac shouldn't be dismissed. Sitting Umberger does little as even when he's slumping he contributes more than Boll routinely does.

Frankly, I think Boll's future with this team is "competent depth" and "voted most likely to be a playoff hero by scoring an improbable goal at an opportune time" (because those are the only goals he scores ).

 

[EspenK]

When Umbie is willing to fight the goons of the East he will have an extra advantage over Boll.

I think Boll plays against a lot of teams strictly to bring his fight game.

 

[squarelaces]

When Umbie is willing to fight the goons of the East he will have an extra advantage over Boll.

I think Boll plays against a lot of teams strictly to bring his fight game.

What's RJ gonna do in a fight, hit with his purse? He's never even checked anybody.

I think Boll plays against a lot of teams because his coaches know what kind of game he brings. Many of his strengths don't make the stat sheet.

 

[Viqsi]

What's RJ gonna do in a fight, hit with his purse? He's never even checked anybody.

I love these moments when I get confirmation that the RJ Umberger I'm seeing truly is not the same as the RJ Umberger that his detractors are seeing.