Line Combos: 2016-17 Team Part II

[BaseballCoach]

You work your PP with your best elements. Not on who's hot or not. Your best offensive horses will take you to the promise land anyway you look at it. Not a 3rd liner, even if he gets hot once in a blue moon.

You win and die with your best men.

DD shouldn't even take a sniff on the PP, as I see a minimum of seven players more apt to be on PP than him. First two lines + Shaw, for his physical presence. You ride your PP with two lines, two centers. It's enough. One minute each.

I generally agree, but every team occasionally uses a third wave for a small percentage of the time. All I said was that IF:

A. Desharnais did well in the occasional audition, and
B. Current Top 6ers like Plekanec and Lehkonen were struggling and not putting up points,

....then I would be ok with giving DD and Shaw some time on the second wave.

It's all about going with sustained results.

This is no different than on the back end. If Weber and Markov are the first PP pairing, and Petry and Sergachev are the second, but let's say Markov or Petry struggle while Beaulieu does well in spot duty, why not give Beaulieu some more chances?

I agree with you that right now, I see 7 guys ahead of DD, but my preference for a meritocracy does not allow me to rule out other possibilities down the road. Injuries could also be a factor, no?

 

[417]

5th was too high, considering his production.

But he was 5th, ahead of players like Eller, Weise, Fleischmann, Mitchell

Too high? ok...but what were the alternatives???

 

[jaffy27]

No, I meant Plekanec. I see Michel using DD as the pivot of the second unit. Maybe not at first, but after a while. That's his pattern over the last three seasons, why wouldit change now?

The pattern was also DD on the top 6......that is no longer.

Radulov, Lehkonen, Shaw are talents who have been injected into our line up that were not there the last few years.

DD, will see minimal PP time baring injury or mega PP slumps

 

[Deebs]

 

[LePoche69]

Habs should start thinking about acquiring another potential top 6 C. I like Plekanec's work ethic, but he didn't showed much in world cup and in training camp.

I'm not overly worried since such a veteran knows how to pace himself through training camps, but still, he certainly wouldn't be the first 34 years old player to hit a wall, and Habs have no prospect coming up for second line C duty anytime soon. And with the contracts to be sign in the next seasons, I doubt they will be able to sign any C of importance...

 

[BaseballCoach]

Habs should start thinking about acquiring another potential top 6 C. I like Plekanec's work ethic, but he didn't showed much in world cup and in training camp.

I'm not overly worried since such a veteran knows how to pace himself through training camps, but still, he certainly wouldn't be the first 34 years old player to hit a wall, and Habs have no prospect coming up for second line C duty anytime soon. And with the contracts to be sign in the next seasons, I doubt they will be able to sign any C of importance...

Try to get Shipachyov in for Xmas!

 

[Deebs]

 

[Le Barron de HF]

Radulov will pass Patches on the first unit very soon. Hate Therrien's obsession to keep lines intact for the PP. BE CREATIVE DAMN IT

 

[Lebowski]

Radulov will pass Patches on the first unit very soon. Hate Therrien's obsession to keep lines intact for the PP. BE CREATIVE DAMN IT

Aren't those lines made by Muller?

Plus, we haven't seen much of the new PP in action. I'd assume coaches will start moving players around if they fail to get results on the ice. Until then, I don't see why they should break up the regular lines. Let them build some chemistry and see where it leads first.

 

[lo striver]

Radulov will pass Patches on the first unit very soon. Hate Therrien's obsession to keep lines intact for the PP. BE CREATIVE DAMN IT

'Therrien' actually means 'unimaginative' in French

 

[Leon Lucius Black]

Radulov will pass Patches on the first unit very soon. Hate Therrien's obsession to keep lines intact for the PP. BE CREATIVE DAMN IT

Galchenyuk was successful playing the half boards on the PP at the end of last year, Radulov looks good on them as well. Chucky/Radulov will probably be playing the same spot, hence why they're probably on separate units. Meanwhile guys like Gally/Shaw will be in front of the net.

 

[BaseballCoach]

Petry was placed on injured reserve which is minimum one week?

With Petry skating again, it is likely not a long-term thing that could last nine games, so who do we think will should waive or send down from among the likely candidates (so please no DD or Emelin attempts, ok)? Listing all the five forwards not on the top 9, plus the one forward who is waiver-exempt, plus the 8th D.

A. Redmond
B. Flynn
C. Andrighetto
D. Danault
E. Byron
F. Mitchell

I vote for Flynn.

 

[Lebowski]

I think Andrighetto is the odd man out, unfortunately. Not sure he'd be put on waivers, but perhaps traded for a pick or waiver-exempt depth.

With Lehkonen sticking around, he's just too much of what we already have, with Carr and Hudon on top of it.

I'd personally prefer simply putting Flynn on waivers as I like Andrighetto's game and potential, but I'm trying to look at it from the management's perspective.

 

[1909]

My main concern when I look at this line up - especially forwards - is the size of the players... Way too many smaller (shorter and lighter) guys. Speed is not everything.

Andrighetto is not a solution to a cast of small players like that.

 

[Lebowski]

My main concern when I look at this line up - especially forwards - is the size of the players... Way too many smaller (shorter and lighter) guys. Speed is not everything.

Andrighetto is not a solution to a cast of small players like that.

There's an easy fix to that.

And it starts with our 5'7" center and our 150 pounds winger.

Although, I do like Byron's skillset, but you'd think of all the teams that needed a speedy 4th liner with the frame of a 14 year old teenage boy, Montréal would've been way down the list. Apparently not.

Swap DD for McCarron or *cough* Eller *cough*, swap Byron for Ghetto or Lessio (whom I wish we would've kept around), and the bottom 6 size issue goes away.

But it's true that at some point, there's only so much room for smallish wingers on the same team. Had we kept Eller and not traded for Shaw, I would've been happy with him on the 3rd line RW. As it is, he's not bad depth to have around.

 

[Team_Spirit]

My main concern when I look at this line up - especially forwards - is the size of the players... Way too many smaller (shorter and lighter) guys. Speed is not everything.

Andrighetto is not a solution to a cast of small players like that.

I wish DD had speed. He's small and slow...the most unusual combo in the NHL.

 

[Kraken Jokes]

With Petry skating again, it is likely not a long-term thing that could last nine games, so who do we think will should waive or send down from among the likely candidates (so please no DD or Emelin attempts, ok)? Listing all the five forwards not on the top 9, plus the one forward who is waiver-exempt, plus the 8th D.

A. Redmond
B. Flynn
C. Andrighetto
D. Danault
E. Byron
F. Mitchell

I vote for Flynn.

You realize we don't have to keep Sergachev for the whole 9 games. If Petry comes back early and there are no other injuries Sergachev goes down early. I wouldn't risk Andrighetto or Flynn on waivers just to have Sergachev play 12min or less for a few more games. That would be poor management in my opinion.

 

[jaffy27]

Radulov will pass Patches on the first unit very soon. Hate Therrien's obsession to keep lines intact for the PP. BE CREATIVE DAMN IT

Well the second unit, Lehkonen is not there and the D pairs are different, soooooo.....

 

[Habs Halifax]

Habs should start thinking about acquiring another potential top 6 C. I like Plekanec's work ethic, but he didn't showed much in world cup and in training camp.

I'm not overly worried since such a veteran knows how to pace himself through training camps, but still, he certainly wouldn't be the first 34 years old player to hit a wall, and Habs have no prospect coming up for second line C duty anytime soon. And with the contracts to be sign in the next seasons, I doubt they will be able to sign any C of importance...

Easier said than done!! Finding a top 6 C (2C) and moving Pleky to 3C is ideal but your going to have to pay a big price to get one! Unless we get lucky by getting rid of DD's contract and sign a free agent (someone like Shipachev), then it's best to deal with what you have. There will be options come trade deadline and if the Habs stay away from key long term injuries, they will be right in the mix to contend!

DD as 3C is not the end of the world like most are saying. Our top 6 is very solid now with the addition of Radulov and a top end prospect like Lehkonen. That kid can skate, works hard, and can shoot! Top 6 has improved without any subtractions and that is key! I also like Carr and Shaw playing on DD wings. That 3rd line will be very good as well. Lots of bottom 6 depth to work with in the system so all is good!

McCarron, Hudon, Scherbak are the future options at center. However, the window to win is the next 2 seasons. Filling gaps in the lineup at trade deadline is the right solution for the next 2 seasons! McCarron will be on the playoff roster this season but playing RW

 

[Habs Halifax]

I think Andrighetto is the odd man out, unfortunately. Not sure he'd be put on waivers, but perhaps traded for a pick or waiver-exempt depth.

With Lehkonen sticking around, he's just too much of what we already have, with Carr and Hudon on top of it.

I'd personally prefer simply putting Flynn on waivers as I like Andrighetto's game and potential, but I'm trying to look at it from the management's perspective.

I'd keep Ghetto as a depth player. Injuries will happen. I'm not a big fan of Flynn as well but he is an ideal 4th line player with a bit of size and speed.

 

[Habs Halifax]

With Petry skating again, it is likely not a long-term thing that could last nine games, so who do we think will should waive or send down from among the likely candidates (so please no DD or Emelin attempts, ok)? Listing all the five forwards not on the top 9, plus the one forward who is waiver-exempt, plus the 8th D.

A. Redmond
B. Flynn
C. Andrighetto
D. Danault
E. Byron
F. Mitchell

I vote for Flynn.

I vote Flynn as well. Maybe Byron though! His speed is an asset but the guy can't seem to score on his opportunities. How many break-aways does he get and actually score? He's a bottom 6 player and gets pushed around in his own end. Not a good situation and it's hard to shelter a player like this. No big loss if we lose either Flynn or Byron

 

[BLONG7]

I wish DD had speed. He's small and slow...the most unusual combo in the NHL.

But RDS loves him, so he's good to go...

 

[Chili]

With Petry skating again, it is likely not a long-term thing that could last nine games, so who do we think will should waive or send down from among the likely candidates (so please no DD or Emelin attempts, ok)? Listing all the five forwards not on the top 9, plus the one forward who is waiver-exempt, plus the 8th D.

A. Redmond
B. Flynn
C. Andrighetto
D. Danault
E. Byron
F. Mitchell

I vote for Flynn.

Interesting question.

Most likely scenario to me, is someone else being placed on IR.

I could see Andrighetto being waived but Redmond as well.

 

[BLONG7]

Radulov will pass Patches on the first unit very soon. Hate Therrien's obsession to keep lines intact for the PP. BE CREATIVE DAMN IT

Therrien creative?? Seriously...

This guy's idea of creativity, would be to eat a burger, while smoking a cigarette...that's about as much creativity he has...

 

[AHShadow]

I like the first PP unit, since we have 3 dangerous shots from Patches, Chucky and Weber (mostly Chucky and Weber), but the 2nd PP unit seems pretty weak. Wouldn't Lehkonen be a better fit on the PP than Pleks? He has a heck of a shot and Radulov would be able to set him and/or Sergachev up with his playmaking abilities. Plus he has a good shot on his own so he'll always be a threat.

One thing I'm really happy for is not seeing DD on any of these PP lines.