Line Combos: 2013 Line Combos Thread II
- Thread starter Fel 96
- Start date
DeuceMN
Really?
I thought the lines looked pretty good as well. They just can't get that little biscuit into the opposing net...
How many times was someone alone in front of the net with just the goalie, 4 times? And we didn't score on any of them...
What are your thoughts about the PP so far? Personally I'd love to see Granlund getting a shot in the first unit - even if he's playing crappy minutes in the 4th line.
As for the PP I think it needs more creativity, quicker passing, keeping the puck in the zone, patience. Less crashing the net and trying to force it in. Good PP does both.
As for Granlund I see his biggest problem is not having the time he's used to, especially with the puck. The PP in NHL doesn't differ that much from what's he's used to in Europe so I think it would work well both for the team when having arguably the best PP playmaker they have in the 1st PP unit as well as boosting Granlund's confidence if he clicks with the top guys and ease the transition to the NA game that way.
That being said there are many reasons Wild's not winning as much as they could but since getting goals is one of them - I think they should make use of Granlund's offensive upside to it's potential while on the man advantage. But he sure does need certain type of linemates and PP strategy to get into his wizard mode.
Just my 2 cents
As for the PP I think it needs more creativity, quicker passing, keeping the puck in the zone, patience. Less crashing the net and trying to force it in. Good PP does both.
As for Granlund I see his biggest problem is not having the time he's used to, especially with the puck. The PP in NHL doesn't differ that much from what's he's used to in Europe so I think it would work well both for the team when having arguably the best PP playmaker they have in the 1st PP unit as well as boosting Granlund's confidence if he clicks with the top guys and ease the transition to the NA game that way.
That being said there are many reasons Wild's not winning as much as they could but since getting goals is one of them - I think they should make use of Granlund's offensive upside to it's potential while on the man advantage. But he sure does need certain type of linemates and PP strategy to get into his wizard mode.
Just my 2 cents
Granlund 64
Registered User
Parise - Koivu - Coyle
I thought the first line had some good immediate chemistry last night with a few tape-to-tape, behind the back, passes that resulted in some great scoring chances (Parise both times I believe). Coyle looked pretty good in front of the net and along the wall and just missed on a few good chances
Bouchard - Cullen - Heatley
Didn't see much from this line
Mitchell - Brodziak - Clutterbuck
See 2nd line
Rupp - Konopka - Setoguchi
Probably our 2nd best line last night and the one I credit with turning the momentum in the 2nd period.
I thought the first line had some good immediate chemistry last night with a few tape-to-tape, behind the back, passes that resulted in some great scoring chances (Parise both times I believe). Coyle looked pretty good in front of the net and along the wall and just missed on a few good chances
Bouchard - Cullen - Heatley
Didn't see much from this line
Mitchell - Brodziak - Clutterbuck
See 2nd line
Rupp - Konopka - Setoguchi
Probably our 2nd best line last night and the one I credit with turning the momentum in the 2nd period.
nickschultzfan
Registered User
- Jan 7, 2009
- 11,558
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Heatley
Cullen
Bouchard
Brodziak
Clutterbuck
Setoguchi
These guys have been mostly worthless all year. I don't see how rearranging them is going create the winning combination. Heatley, Bouchard, Cullen and Setoguchi have had their moments but they haven't been on the score sheet much during this losing skid. Clutterbuck and Brodziak have been complete offensive zone non-factors. No shots. No chances. No possession.
Somebody has got to get moved.
Cullen
Bouchard
Brodziak
Clutterbuck
Setoguchi
These guys have been mostly worthless all year. I don't see how rearranging them is going create the winning combination. Heatley, Bouchard, Cullen and Setoguchi have had their moments but they haven't been on the score sheet much during this losing skid. Clutterbuck and Brodziak have been complete offensive zone non-factors. No shots. No chances. No possession.
Somebody has got to get moved.
Granlund 64
Registered User
If we continue to falter - move Setoguchi, sell Clutterbuck as a rental and go with a boom/bust lineup?
Parise - Koivu - Coyle
Granlund - Larsson - Heatley
Mitchell - Cullen - Zucker
Rupp - Konopka - Brodziak
Parise - Koivu - Coyle
Granlund - Larsson - Heatley
Mitchell - Cullen - Zucker
Rupp - Konopka - Brodziak
I agree to a certain extent, but making extensive changes into the lineup in the middle of the season will only make things worse IMO. There would just be more guys looking at least as lost in the system as Suter has looked and that wouldn't help us make the playoffs. A trade or two at most may take place, but any more than that would be overkill.
However, if we're still doing this badly close to the trade deadline, then making another trade and focusing on getting the prospects acquainted to the team and the league would be justified.
DeuceMN
Really?
Our problem is systemwide. It is not on the shoulders of any individual player. When you have a list of players that have been having the problems that they they have, who have the talent that they have, it shows to me that it is a system problem.
All teams go through this, the good ones just work through it. Our guys need to find a way, or Yeo, will probably be the odd man out. Right or wrong.
All teams go through this, the good ones just work through it. Our guys need to find a way, or Yeo, will probably be the odd man out. Right or wrong.
Jarick
Doing Nothing
Heatley, Setoguchi, and Brodziak are making pretty good cases for a buyout or trade. Sorry, you can't have a checking line center with 1 point and -7.
Clutterbuck to the fourth line, getting perimeter shots and looking okay, but not really getting it done offensively. Classic fourth liner. Same with Setoguchi.
Just without even thinking about roster limits, I would like to see when healthy:
Parise - Koivu - Granlund
Bouchard - Larsson - Coyle
Mitchell - Cullen - Setoguchi
Heatley - Brodziak - Clutterbuck
Suter - Brodin
Gilbert - Stoner
Spurgeon - Scandella
Bored with Cullen/Brodziak at #2C, not sure Granlund is ready or not, keep him at wing. I like Coyle on that top line, but Granlund scored quite a few goals around the net in Finland and Coyle would add size to that second line. Bring up Larsson, we just don't have any good centers here.
We need an upgrade on D so that we can get one of Stoner/Scandella off the every day roster. Maybe put Spurgeon in the top four and split up Suter and Brodin, then you have two LD and RD.
Curious to see how Hackett would do up with the Wild, but of course there's two goalies up already. I just think he'd be the only goalie who played competitive hockey for three months prior to the season starting, he might be a lot sharper.
Clutterbuck to the fourth line, getting perimeter shots and looking okay, but not really getting it done offensively. Classic fourth liner. Same with Setoguchi.
Just without even thinking about roster limits, I would like to see when healthy:
Parise - Koivu - Granlund
Bouchard - Larsson - Coyle
Mitchell - Cullen - Setoguchi
Heatley - Brodziak - Clutterbuck
Suter - Brodin
Gilbert - Stoner
Spurgeon - Scandella
Bored with Cullen/Brodziak at #2C, not sure Granlund is ready or not, keep him at wing. I like Coyle on that top line, but Granlund scored quite a few goals around the net in Finland and Coyle would add size to that second line. Bring up Larsson, we just don't have any good centers here.
We need an upgrade on D so that we can get one of Stoner/Scandella off the every day roster. Maybe put Spurgeon in the top four and split up Suter and Brodin, then you have two LD and RD.
Curious to see how Hackett would do up with the Wild, but of course there's two goalies up already. I just think he'd be the only goalie who played competitive hockey for three months prior to the season starting, he might be a lot sharper.
Granlund 64
Registered User
Can't break-up Suter/Brodin. I would pair Spurgeon with Stoner, and Gilbert with Marco. Balances many things (size, shots, speed, etc.)
Somehow Hackett of other goalie of the future needs to be up here. Backstrom gone after this year. Harding gone anytime from today-on. Backstrom tradeable, Harding zero trade value. Out goalie(s) of the future needs to be getting NHL experience now!
I would actually put Brodziak on the second line for a game. I don't think it has happened, might jolt him. Just a game.
I bet Cullen would waive his NTC if: he were traded to a Cup contender (not a team just trying to make the playoffs); and he had the potential to sign with that team next year. Not going to happen here, so Fletch should give it a try. I am tired of feeble attempts at fancy passes and stickhandling.
Clutter is really a 3rd or 4th liner. He has perceived value around the league, so his value will never be higher. Let some other team over-pay for him before his limitations are found out. Others see the hits number, not whether the hits actually mean anything. Can't pass, can't shoot. Might be good at sticking in front of the net on a power play, but that is not likely to happen.
Instead of Fletch getting rid of lower line deadwood, I think he needs to try to get rid of some of the currrent "core" that won't be around next year, so the young'ns can get the experience.
DeuceMN
Really?
Jarick
Doing Nothing
Problem with our lines is that we need more than two consistently good players in our top nine. When seven of your top nine forwards all go cold at once...that can't happen. That's why guys like Coyle are brought up, they have urgency.
Heatley can play like crap for three weeks...he'll still be in the top six. Coyle can't play like crap for two games in a row otherwise he might go to the minors.
Granlund needs to feel that threat too...he got scratched and on the fourth line, now let him play 2-3 games with decent linemates and see if his fire comes out.
If not, there's guys like Zucker and Larsson waiting in the wings...
Wild really need to move Kassian and/or Setoguchi to bring up another kid and bump an older player off into the press box.
Heatley can play like crap for three weeks...he'll still be in the top six. Coyle can't play like crap for two games in a row otherwise he might go to the minors.
Granlund needs to feel that threat too...he got scratched and on the fourth line, now let him play 2-3 games with decent linemates and see if his fire comes out.
If not, there's guys like Zucker and Larsson waiting in the wings...
Wild really need to move Kassian and/or Setoguchi to bring up another kid and bump an older player off into the press box.
Russo tweeted re: Zucker that they're creating a spot for him as we speak. Unless Seto gets traded, I think they're sending Granlund down.
nickschultzfan
Registered User
- Jan 7, 2009
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I like these lines assuming Larsson could actually make the big jump.
One change would be moving Stoner down and Scandella up. Stoner has been bad the last few games. Last game he was beyond terrible. He gets exposed the more minutes he plays.
DeuceMN
Really?
I agree with these points.
While Clutter does have his uses, I feel like his perceived value is higher than his actual value.
Cullen would probably net us a 2nd or mid-tier prospect. Maybe we could package him and get something better. I bet he would wave his NTC for a few teams, especially if it would help the Wild in the process. He's not a bad guy, just not what we need.
Granlund 64
Registered User
nickschultzfan
Registered User
- Jan 7, 2009
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I honestly don't think Granlund is the problem this year. Yeah, he's sucked at points, but that's expected.
It's not expected that Cullen, Setoguchi, Brodziak, Clutterbuck, etc. never score ever.
Granlund 64
Registered User
Can you link to the tweet? There is no such tweet as far as I can tell from Russo's timeline.
E1: Found it - thanks Gaps
E1: Found it - thanks Gaps
Would post the link but I'm on my iPhone. It was posted about an hour ago as a reply to @reichy24 (who asked why Zucker's still down) and it says: creating a spot right now.
I dont think sending Granlund down is the answer.Waive Kassian or Prosser before you do that.
Granlund 64
Registered User
Jarick
Doing Nothing
Agreed...don't think they send down Granlund. Could be wrong. But I'd say waiving a player who never plays and has almost no scoring upside like Kassian or Prosser (sorry Matt) makes a lot more sense. And then you can sit a player like Heatley, or Seto, or Cullen, or Brodz while bringing up a kid (or two).
Also worth remembering that Scandy is on his ELC and can get sent down.
But Prosser and Kassian are extra bodies that are here in case of injury, and we have no injuries, just underperforming players.
Also worth remembering that Scandy is on his ELC and can get sent down.
But Prosser and Kassian are extra bodies that are here in case of injury, and we have no injuries, just underperforming players.
Jarick
Doing Nothing
Good question. He ought to be top six, but who knows? And Zucker + Granlund means you'd want a bigger guy on that line...preferably not Heatley...
Parise - Koivu - Setoguchi
Zucker - Granlund - Coyle
Bouchard - Cullen - Heatley
Mitchell - Brodziak - Clutterbuck
I kind of like that, if Granlund's at C.
If we did split up Parise and Koivu...
Zucker - Koivu - Coyle
Parise - Cullen - Granlund
Bouchard - Brodziak - Heatley
Setoguchi - Konopka - Clutterbuck/Mitchell
That's not bad.
Man, we need a #2 center.
I don't think they should send Granlund down either, but do they want to have all those rookies there at the same time at this point? I guess we'll see soon enough.
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