2022 Line Combinations

[Puckstuff]

I suspect it's self-defense. If you took your GM's prize $11M acquisition and played him on the third line, how long would you expect to keep your job?

I think we're stuck with Dubas' Folly at 2C.

I don’t view it as Tavares being on the 3rd line. I view it more like a 2A, 2B scenario for a more balanced top 9 that fits our team chemistry. If they were that focussed about optics it would be very concerning.

It especially looks good if we pick up a good top 9 forward that can work with Tavares. Sad we missed out on Marchment. But if Murray/Muzzin is LTIR’d long term after the deadline there’s going to be some cap for a top 9 forward like a Bertuzzi if one comes available.

Playoffs

Bunting-Matthews-Marner
Bertuzzi-Tavares-Knies/Jarnkrok
Robertson-Kerfoot-Nylander

 

[notDatsyuk]

Exactly but take the babs approach and split matthews and marner up it allows for our best two defensive top six forwards to spread out and maybe have both lines going as opposed to one keep marner with bunting

Are you suggesting

Robertson - Matthews - Nylander
Bunting - Tavares - Marner ?

Bunting might be ok with Tavares, but I think Marner's game would take a hit.

I have no objection to trying it, but I suspect that while the top line would be a bit better, the second line would be worse.

 

[notDatsyuk]

I don’t view it as Tavares being on the 3rd line. I view it more like a 2A, 2B scenario for a more balanced top 9 that fits our team chemistry. If they were that focussed about optics it would be very concerning.

It especially looks good if we pick up a good top 9 forward that can work with Tavares. Sad we missed out on Marchment. But if Murray/Muzzin is LTIR’d long term after the deadline there’s going to be some cap for a top 9 forward like a Bertuzzi if one comes available.

Playoffs

Bunting-Matthews-Marner
Bertuzzi-Tavares-Knies/Jarnkrok
Robertson-Kerfoot-Nylander

I agree, and I have called it 2A and 2B before.

I think if they go with the lines you suggest, which I like, people will quickly see which line is better. I suspect Keefe is worried that would annoy Dubas.

 

[arso40]

Are you suggesting

Robertson - Matthews - Nylander
Bunting - Tavares - Marner ?

Bunting might be ok with Tavares, but I think Marner's game would take a hit.

I have no objection to trying it, but I suspect that while the top line would be a bit better, the second line would be worse.

I mean marner can make that line go but the alternative really is leave the lines the same and give them time to figure it out cause we kno the first line is deadly and the second line can be deadly for spurts so it’s just then finding consistency

 

[Notsince67]

Are you suggesting

Robertson - Matthews - Nylander
Bunting - Tavares - Marner ?

Bunting might be ok with Tavares, but I think Marner's game would take a hit.

I have no objection to trying it, but I suspect that while the top line would be a bit better, the second line would be worse.

Matthews has been getting a ton of chances via Marner but can't pot it. Anyone who has watched the games can see AM isnt playing to his potential yet. His shooting % is in the toilet.

 

[notDatsyuk]

I mean marner can make that line go but the alternative really is leave the lines the same and give them time to figure it out cause we kno the first line is deadly and the second line can be deadly for spurts so it’s just then finding consistency

That's really my point. I'm not sure Marner can make Tavares 'go' any better than Nylander, and I don't think he's as much of a scoring threat by himself. Tavares and Nylander have had three seasons to 'figure it out', and while they are both good, they just don't seem to mesh.

But I'm sure we're stuck with the same pairing (AM/MM and WN/JT) for another year.

 

[notDatsyuk]

Matthews has been getting a ton of chances via Marner but can't pot it. Anyone who has watched the games can see AM isnt playing to his potential yet. His shooting % is in the toilet.

It might be worthwhile for a few games to get Matthews scoring, but especially the last couple of games he's getting the chances and I think they'll start going in.

 

[Niagara Bill]

The back end is more important.
SUDDENLY Keefe and Dubas think toughness is essential. These two idiots made decisions to sign the Hyphen twins and others, risked Simmonds and Clifford and now they have value.
There cannot be a Stanley team without a couple of tough guys who can play the game. Cup teams do NOT do skate bys when scrums happen.
They should have spent time in off season finding 2 guys who can play and be tough....oh yeh...The other MM, Mason Marchment who we traded for another smurf.

 

[arso40]

That's really my point. I'm not sure Marner can make Tavares 'go' any better than Nylander, and I don't think he's as much of a scoring threat by himself. Tavares and Nylander have had three seasons to 'figure it out', and while they are both good, they just don't seem to mesh.

But I'm sure we're stuck with the same pairing (AM/MM and WN/JT) for another year.

I mean anytime matthews is out of the line up that line still pops so I feel like marner can cause he’s more cerebral and not as much of a rush player as willie so Tavares can keep up with him but yeah as you said we’re pretty much keep the lines the same and switching the left wingers at most

 

[Ianturnedbull]

Our 3rd Line is in Crisis Mode Emergency Meeting

I would love to bag skate our entire 3rd line and then healthy scratch them. Including Kerfoot!

I know that my wishes will not likely happen, but what should we do?

On a less emotional point. Kerfoot should play the wing. The others? I have no idea. Trade them?

 

[The Iceman]

As we witnessed against Vegas when Simmonds and Clifford are both dressed and
you are tied in the third period you don't play them
when you need a goal you don't play them
when you are protecting a lead you don't play them
when you are on a PP or PK you don't play them.

I get the reward them with another game view but these 2 guys at their advanced points in their careers should not be dressed in the same game.

It also cuts 2 PKers out of your lineup.
Experiment over...back to business.

 

[All Mod Cons]

Bottom 6 is garbage as usual. No depth whatsoever.

 

[Havoc]

I admire people who put in effort in this thread. I try to stay away from making line combos. The only combo for me is the one that has the core 4 stuck together like glue. The constant reminder of what Dubas did to anything non core 4 related is too much for my heart. You have a lot of strength if you can stomach that every day. Cheers to you.

This is just me being a clown now but even their names correspond to the quality. I get so irritated saying them or speaking them. Jankrok, Kerfoot, Engvall, dudes we have to acronym ZAR NAK, then you have hail hitler in Mein Kampf. Matthew Knies or someone whose name ends in evsky or berg would help

I mean, if the rest of the team is going to suck at least let it roll off the tongue nicely right? Rubbing salt in the wounds with the name choices.

 

[Shooter2x]

I mean, if the rest of the team is going to suck at least let it roll off the tongue nicely right? Rubbing salt in the wounds with the name choices.

LOL another one of those "I'm glad someone besides me finally said it" posts.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Bad skate Matty for 3 or 4 days straight as hard as you can Keefer .. it will be best for both you and him .. forget about da hockey politics and focus on fixing da problem .. he will hate you in real time but love you in a week

 

[Fogelhund]

""

 

[Fogelhund]

Bad skate Matty for 3 or 4 days straight as hard as you can Keefer .. it will be best for both you and him .. forget about da hockey politics and focus on fixing da problem .. he will hate you in real time but love you in a week

I don't doubt that you see what you see, but I haven't read anything else about that anywhere. He worked so hard last off season, and it showed... If it's true, why exactly didn't he prepare the same way, or harder? Things didn't go your way in post season, so you don't work as hard in the summer? That's not a good look.

56% in the dot last year, dominant player... 48% in the dot this year, can't shoot... What exactly is wrong with him right now?

 

[Leaffan1991]

Honestly I would put Kampf as the 3C and get rid of Engvall. He doesn't provide any offense anyway and he's not physical or anything.

Fourth line I think NAK ZAR Simmonds as a just crash and bang line. Just hit everything that moves and exhaust the other team a bit.

Kerfoot Kampf Jarnkrok
NAK ZAR Simmonds

 

[Fogelhund]

Honestly I would put Kampf as the 3C and get rid of Engvall. He doesn't provide any offense anyway and he's not physical or anything.

Fourth line I think NAK ZAR Simmonds as a just crash and bang line. Just hit everything that moves and exhaust the other team a bit.

Kerfoot Kampf Jarnkrok
NAK ZAR Simmonds

That's not a palatable solution at all.

You've (rightfully) criticized Engvall for lacklustre play this year, but then threw two guys in NAK and ZAR doing worse, with an actual physical guy, who outside the odd instance, isn't that good anymore.

We need better.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

I don't doubt that you see what you see, but I haven't read anything else about that anywhere. He worked so hard last off season, and it showed... If it's true, why exactly didn't he prepare the same way, or harder? Things didn't go your way in post season, so you don't work as hard in the summer? That's not a good look.

Totally agreed it was da most completely UN Canadian HOCKEY thing to do .. you score 60 and everyone tells you - you are great .. but you lose in round 1 .. most Canadian players would double down and put their body in an even better condition .. not come to camp 10 pounds overweight .. yes it is a long season in pro hockey I completely understand it personally .. and i know he will work himself back into shape likely inside 10 games .. but until he does da whole team will suffer especially Mitch

 

[mapleleaf979]

Bad skate Matty for 3 or 4 days straight as hard as you can Keefer .. it will be best for both you and him .. forget about da hockey politics and focus on fixing da problem .. he will hate you in real time but love you in a week

Your right, Matthews is out of shape, he is sluggish for sure. On top of that his hands are rusty.

 

[The Management]

I believed our fourth line would look faster and better this year, but NAK and ZAR have not been great, and you ideally don't want to dress Clifford and Simmonds every single night. I assume we'll be swapping guys in and out of the lineup, but at some point you want to see the pieces to fit together with some consistency.

I'd like to see Kampf and Engvall together again, they had some chemistry last season. Maybe put Malgin on the third line with Kerfoot and Jarnkrok? I wish we had a pluckier center on that third line.

 

[TMLAM34]

I believed our fourth line would look faster and better this year, but NAK and ZAR have not been great, and you ideally don't want to dress Clifford and Simmonds every single night. I assume we'll be swapping guys in and out of the lineup, but at some point you want to see the pieces to fit together with some consistency.

I'd like to see Kampf and Engvall together again, they had some chemistry last season. Maybe put Malgin on the third line with Kerfoot and Jarnkrok? I wish we had a pluckier center on that third line.

Been looking around at potential third line center options. I think that’s another area this team will need to improve on by the trade deadline.

In the off-season I was pushing for Rasmussen from the Wings. He’d be my top target but not sure if Yzerman would move him now.

 

[Gaberd2608]

Bottom 6 is garbage as usual. No depth whatsoever.

I feel like it is the 3rd line that is the problem.

The top 6 with Bunting-Matthes-Marner and Roberston-Tavares-Nylander is as good as any top 6 in the league imo.

The defense if Muzzin and Lily are healthy is also the best we have had in ages. At least it is 6 actual NHL defenseman and we have Been and Mete as 7-8. We could and have done a lot worst.

The 4th line could probably be salvageable if they stopped using them on the 3rd line. I have to believe a line of Engvall-Kampf- 1 of Simmonds, Clifford, NAK/ZAR/Malgin is probably ok.

the issue is, the 3rd line is left with Kerfoot - XXXXX- Jankrok. I think we need an actual 3C who is good for 45+ points, a beast on the faceoff and can keep up defensively. No idea who would make a good target but I think that is what is the biggest problem at the moment imo.

 

[Knies iT]

The 4th line is still useless and the 3rd line is soft vanilla with no finishing ability.

Was not a fan of giving Jarnkrok 4 years because he just compounds the pre-existing problems with that line, not to mention his age and playoff resume. I'd gut 2/3 of that line with Kerfoot and Engvall out the door, but that's a lot of tinkering mid-season so we're likely stuck until they walk as UFAs.

Internally, Steeves and Knies can add a nice element late-season, but honestly the whole bottom six still needs a facelift. No identity.

Kerfoot, Jarnkrok, Malgin, Engvall, ZAR, NAK. That is a pathetic group, especially when your core 4 similarly lacks pulse and battle level. Your depth should off-set the weaknesses of your top guys, not magnify them.