Pre-Game Talk: 2014 Training Camp (Starts 9/18)

[cwede]

i dont sweat the line combos but I am keenly interested in what is decided at Center
i really dont see Miller earning 3rd line C, i see Lombardi and Lindberg as more experienced and offensively skilled.
IF JT earns a top 4 center spot, I wont be surprised if Dom Moore centers Hags and Stempniak,with JT centering the 4th line.
Moore would probably pair with either Hags ro Stemp on PK as well

 

[Charlie Conway]

i dont sweat the line combos but I am keenly interested in what is decided at Center
i really dont see Miller earning 3rd line C, i see Lombardi and Lindberg as more experienced and offensively skilled.
IF JT earns a top 4 center spot, I wont be surprised if Dom Moore centers Hags and Stempniak,with JT centering the 4th line.
Moore would probably pair with either Hags ro Stemp on PK as well

4th line minutes for Miller wouldn't do much for his development. His AHL stats were impressive last year, and, for many, that's an indication that he needs to be put into a place to succeed with the big club. The best way to do that would be to give him a spot with 2 veteran wingers, and that's what will likely happen assuming he makes the team.

 

[haveandare]

i dont sweat the line combos but I am keenly interested in what is decided at Center
i really dont see Miller earning 3rd line C, i see Lombardi and Lindberg as more experienced and offensively skilled.
IF JT earns a top 4 center spot, I wont be surprised if Dom Moore centers Hags and Stempniak,with JT centering the 4th line.
Moore would probably pair with either Hags ro Stemp on PK as well

What makes Lindberg more offensively skilled when Miller just outproduced him in the Ahl by quite a bit?

 

[SupersonicMonkey*]

Why? Hagelin-Miller-Stempniak is still a solid line. The 4th line will most likely be Malone/Glass-Moore-Lombardi which is more than a solid 4th line.

You're assuming Malone can play.

And having both Malone and Glass in the lineup would be awful. Why carry two guys who are mediocre at best?

It also guarantees that no other young guys make the roster.

Hopefully this nonsense gets squashed and Vigneault comes to his senses.

Kreider - Stepan - St. Louis
Hagelin - Miller - Nash
Haggerty/Hayes - Brassard - Zuccarello
Lombardi - Moore - Stempniak

Malone or Glass as the 13th

A lineup of guys who can play, skate, and contribute both offensively and defensively.

Carrying Malone and Glass is just folks panicking about our size. We didn't lose the Cup because of size. We lost because we didn't have the offensive depth the Kings had.

Overloading the top two lines is a Tortorella kind of decision.

 

[SupersonicMonkey*]

What makes Lindberg more offensively skilled when Miller just outproduced him in the Ahl by quite a bit?

Agree, Lindberg is nowhere near as offensively skilled as Miller. Not even close. Not nearly as big, not nearly as physical.

 

[Vitto79]

Agree, Lindberg is nowhere near as offensively skilled as Miller. Not even close. Not nearly as big, not nearly as physical.

Lindberg will eventually make it IMO but I always thought if him as the d.moore replacement . 4th line pker

 

[Infinitum Vitae*]

You're assuming Malone can play.

And having both Malone and Glass in the lineup would be awful. Why carry two guys who are mediocre at best?

It also guarantees that no other young guys make the roster.

Hopefully this nonsense gets squashed and Vigneault comes to his senses.

Kreider - Stepan - St. Louis
Hagelin - Miller - Nash
Haggerty/Hayes - Brassard - Zuccarello
Lombardi - Moore - Stempniak

Malone or Glass as the 13th

A lineup of guys who can play, skate, and contribute both offensively and defensively.

Carrying Malone and Glass is just folks panicking about our size. We didn't lose the Cup because of size. We lost because we didn't have the offensive depth the Kings had.

Overloading the top two lines is a Tortorella kind of decision.

I agree with your lineup 100% and I don't think we should stack up the top two lines either.

 

[Vitto79]

i dont sweat the line combos but I am keenly interested in what is decided at Center
i really dont see Miller earning 3rd line C, i see Lombardi and Lindberg as more experienced and offensively skilled.
IF JT earns a top 4 center spot, I wont be surprised if Dom Moore centers Hags and Stempniak,with JT centering the 4th line.
Moore would probably pair with either Hags ro Stemp on PK as well

Miller crushed the ahl at C. In ny he was all over , up and down . He will be just fine given the 3rd line C duties

 

[SKS]

Hopefully this nonsense gets squashed and Vigneault comes to his senses.

You talk too much.

I wanna go to the zoo.

 

[Wolfy*]

I agree with your lineup 100% and I don't think we should stack up the top two lines either.

Miller on the 2nd line? You're asking too much from him.

 

[Vitto79]

The underrating of J.T. Miller continues.

Yea apparently having 2 good ahl seasons means nothing . He was the first call up over and over for a reason . I'd be shocked if he's not the 3rd line C. Hayes is the shinny new toy. Let him learn in CT and earn a call up

 

[Infinitum Vitae*]

Miller on the 2nd line? You're asking too much from him.

No he won't be on the second line or the third line since AV spreads out the ice time so well you won't tell the difference.

 

[member 116805]

They must have missed the Brooks article that extensively talked about how Rick Nash has stated he is more comfortable on the right, but yeah the LW is what will save his game. (That doesn't need saving.)

Ive missed this also. Link?

 

[member 116805]

Agreed on both. Who are they giving up for Thornton? And how can they afford it? As far as Glass I can definitely see a Mike Rupp Winter Classic moment with him then do nothing the rest of his career

Glass straight up for Thornton after having a great first half of the season and getting loved by fans. Riots

 

[Bucsboy30]

to me the only real competition for 3rd line center for Miller would be if Lombardi just played lights out but I think JT is going to go in and earn the 3rd line center spot.

the team needs a kid with his size/speed/energy playing in a top 9 role imo and thats why if he is beaten out for 3rd line center I'd slide him next to Brassard-Zucc and I really think he'd thrive.

with how AV rolls the lines I really can't see him stacking the top 2 lines

Kreider-Stepan-Nash
Haggerty/Hayes/Malone-Brassard-Zucc
Hagelin-Miller-St Louis
Glass/Lombardi-Moore-Stepniak


I think that brings the best balance and the strength down RW would have 2 if not 3 of them taking advantage of favorable matchups against 2nd and 3rd D pairings

I also think having St Louis and his playmaking to a line with 2 guys who bring great speed and forechecking as well as cycle ability would play to all 3 guys strengths and make for a really solid line.

the ability to plug LW will be interesting with Brass-Zucc but those guys were guys who made that line go and have great chemistry so its a great opportunity for a guy like Miller or Haggerty to come in and maybe thrive by keeping it simple like Pouliot did last season.

if not I think Malone was brought in as the insurance policy for that exact spot if one of the kids can't
grab hold of it. Hopefully a refocused Malone fighting for his career and maybe a little self redemption can contribute if he brings what Benny brought with the net presence and board work, minus the speed of course.

 

[Stasis]

Ive missed this also. Link?

He actually mentions it on BSU in the interview video.

http://blueshirtsunited.com/videos/6609/rick-nash-we-know-what-it-takes#.VBzqI1XF9HQ

He says he can do either side, and would adapt to LW in a matter of time (I think he says a month or so) but clearly indicates he's more comfortable on the right.

 

[NYR Viper]

I love how the 30 year old Lombardi is handed a spot after a ppg season in Switzerland but Lindberg who was the playoff MVP and had 42 points in ~55 games in the SEL, a superior league, at the age of 21, is not good enough.

Odd

 

[haveandare]

I love how the 30 year old Lombardi is handed a spot after a ppg season in Switzerland but Lindberg who was the playoff MVP and had 42 points in ~55 games in the SEL, a superior league, at the age of 21, is not good enough.

Odd

If we're talking fourth line, it may be an issue of him having the potential to be too good more than him not being good enough. The same reason Miller won't be on the team if he can't lock down a top 9 spot.

 

[Bucsboy30]

I love how the 30 year old Lombardi is handed a spot after a ppg season in Switzerland but Lindberg who was the playoff MVP and had 42 points in ~55 games in the SEL, a superior league, at the age of 21, is not good enough.

Odd

why would it be odd.

Lindberg if he made the team would likely only do so as the 3rd line center but its likely AV wants more offense than he would likely provide this season so sending him to the AHL to center one of the top 2 lines is not only highly probable but also the best situation for Oscar's development.

he can get all sorts of key offensive minutes and PP time to round out his offensive game and if he plays well enough maybe he's up at some point and maybe to stay.

 

[theFiGS]

i dont sweat the line combos but I am keenly interested in what is decided at Center
i really dont see Miller earning 3rd line C, i see Lombardi and Lindberg as more experienced and offensively skilled.
IF JT earns a top 4 center spot, I wont be surprised if Dom Moore centers Hags and Stempniak,with JT centering the 4th line.
Moore would probably pair with either Hags ro Stemp on PK as well

Really curious what makes you think miller won't earn 3C? One of glass and Lombardi will be 13th forward and I see Malone making it on the 4th line if he has a strong camp.
Kreider Stepan MSL
Nash brassard Zuccarello
Hagelin miller Hayes/Stempniak
Lombardi Moore Malone
Glass

Lindberg will fight for a spot as well as fast but this team has veteran and cup run written all over it. Next year will be a different story where we see young guys through out the line up.

 

[Ail]

Ive missed this also. Link?

Looking back he only mentioned his own speculation that Nash seems more comfortable on the right based on his tenure in NY. Nash in his own interview claims he can play one or the other, given the proper adjustment period. It seems he is used to the right, but the left is an option.

Either way I don't think Nash needs a redemption from last season, and even if he did I don't see the left wing being a spark to add more offense.

 

[Ail]

I love how the 30 year old Lombardi is handed a spot after a ppg season in Switzerland but Lindberg who was the playoff MVP and had 42 points in ~55 games in the SEL, a superior league, at the age of 21, is not good enough.

Odd

How is he getting handed a spot?

 

[Championship*]

Anybody think both Miller & Hayes could both make it?

 

[theFiGS]

Anybody think both Miller & Hayes could both make it?

If they both have a great camp absolutely since they're competing with Malone/Lombardi/glass/stemp. Play well and you make the team

 

[Beer League Sniper]

What makes Lindberg more offensively skilled when Miller just outproduced him in the Ahl by quite a bit?

Lindberg is Swedish.