2023 line combinations

[Stumbledore]

That's my summer 2 cents...enjoy the offseason.

I'm tired of the offseason and impatient for hockey to resume next month. And to find out what all our silent members have been up to over the summer.

 

[Mud Turtle]

A lot of this hinges on whether this organization will finally have the nerve to play Lowry on the 4th line.
With PK time, he should get up to the minutes he deserves. That would be one heck of a 4th line center.
We need to give Perfetti and Valardi meaningful reps at center this year.

 

[Bob E]

Some ideas I've had:

Connor - Vilardi - Iafallo
Perfetti - Scheifele - Nino
----------------------------------
Names - Kupari - Ehlers
Baron - Lowry - Apples
AJF/Gus Bus

Note to Bones: Top 6 gets around 18 mins each, bottom 6 gets around 12 mins each. Run 4 lines pretty consistently.

Morrissey - DeMelo
Samberg - Dillon
Schmidt - Pionk
Stanley/Heinola

Note to Bones: Stop playing Pionk in the top 4 if his play just does not warrant it.


If Scheifele gets traded:

Connor - Vilardi - Iafallo
Nino - Perfetti - Ehlers
----------------------------------
Names - Lowry - Apples
Baron - Kupari - AJF
Gus Bus

Trading Scheifele does put a strain on the depth.

The hope would be, in the near future, McGroarty and Barlow would replace Iafallo and Nino in the top 6, providing some grit, but scoring at a higher rate.

Edit:

If you can't resign Connor and Ehlers in a few years, I guess the hope would be that Lucius and Lambert can become productive top 6 players, in the NHL and go with...

McGroarty (Perfetti) - Perfetti (Lucius) - Lucius (McGroarty)
Barlow - Vilardi (Lambert) - Lambert (Vilardi)

 

[WolfHouse]

Some ideas I've had:

Connor - Vilardi - Iafallo
Perfetti - Scheifele - Nino
----------------------------------
Names - Kupari - Ehlers
Baron - Lowry - Apples
AJF/Gus Bus

Note to Bones: Top 6 gets around 18 mins each, bottom 6 gets around 12 mins each. Run 4 lines pretty consistently.

Morrissey - DeMelo
Samberg - Dillon
Schmidt - Pionk
Stanley/Heinola

Note to Bones: Stop playing Pionk in the top 4 if his play just does not warrant it.


If Scheifele gets traded:

Connor - Vilardi - Iafallo
Nino - Perfetti - Ehlers
----------------------------------
Names - Lowry - Apples
Baron - Kupari - AJF
Gus Bus

Trading Scheifele does put a strain on the depth.

The hope would be, in the near future, McGroarty and Barlow would replace Iafallo and Nino in the top 6, providing some grit, but scoring at a higher rate.

Edit:

If you can't resign Connor and Ehlers in a few years, I guess the hope would be that Lucius and Lambert can become productive top 6 players, in the NHL and go with...

McGroarty (Perfetti) - Perfetti (Lucius) - Lucius (McGroarty)
Barlow - Vilardi (Lambert) - Lambert (Vilardi)

Nice lines but I think you're still disrespecting Ehlers a bit...

The strain of trading Scheif is one where we take a step back like we did after the Anaheim series and become a young team for a couple years - not a rebuild... I would have pulled the trigger by now - he is the last of the old core.

Best case scenario I see for 2024-25 is (assuming we can't dump any salary)

Connor-Vilardi-Perfetti (Perfetti and Vilardi sharing C duties)
Ehlers-Names-Nino (resigned)
Iafallo-Lambert-Chib/Lucius
Barron-Lowry-Kupari
Apples

Jomo-Samberg (can't see a scenario where we don't need to convert some prospect to their off-side)
Heinola-DeMelo (re-signed)
Schmidt-Pionk
(problem is this is a small NHL D... I don't think TNSE will trade a pick and Schmidt/Pionk to someone for salary relief)

Bross-DD/Milic

Jets could have a real hole on D if they lose more guys on waivers - need to hope Salomondsson is ready for 2025-26 and that Chisholm or Lundmark are still here to fill the gap

 

[Whileee]

As last season progressed, I remember thinking that Appleton was really coming on as he recovered from his injury.

If he picks up where he left off at the end of last season, he could be a very effective middle-6 winger.

His overall metrics are have been very solid, and late last season he was generating a lot of offensive pressure and opportunities, though his point totals didn't reflect that as everyone was in a scoring slump.

Here is an interesting statistical summary for Appleton from @HockeyViz. Note the overall positive "synthetic goals" metric, and how his offensive contribution started to take off late last season.

 

[Gabe Kupari]

Salomonster could be ready for this season

 

[WolfHouse]

As last season progressed, I remember thinking that Appleton was really coming on as he recovered from his injury.

If he picks up where he left off at the end of last season, he could be a very effective middle-6 winger.

His overall metrics are have been very solid, and late last season he was generating a lot of offensive pressure and opportunities, though his point totals didn't reflect that as everyone was in a scoring slump.

Here is an interesting statistical summary for Appleton from @HockeyViz. Note the overall positive "synthetic goals" metric, and how his offensive contribution started to take off late last season.

View attachment 739437

View attachment 739438

This looks great...!!

 

[LowLefty]

Some interesting chatter here on line combo's - most of it already covered here but helps illustrate the options - lots of them.
Looking forward to see how this all fleshes out - Bones will have a lot to look at.

Jets have numerous options at forward heading into training camp | Winnipeg Jets

Writers Mitchell Clinton and Jamie Thomas preview this season's forward group

www.nhl.com

 

[DRW204]

Some interesting chatter here on line combo's - most of it already covered here but helps illustrate the options - lots of them.
Looking forward to see how this all fleshes out - Bones will have a lot to look at.

Jets have numerous options at forward heading into training camp | Winnipeg Jets

Writers Mitchell Clinton and Jamie Thomas preview this season's forward group

www.nhl.com

namestnikov has been brought up a few times now it seems from WPG media as possible centering the 2nd line. imo you have to see what you have in both Vilardi and Perfetti down the middle/top-6ers. no mention of the D-Group it seems... really hope they try something other than Pionk at 2RD.

 

[LowLefty]

namestnikov has been brought up a few times now it seems from WPG media as possible centering the 2nd line. imo you have to see what you have in both Vilardi and Perfetti down the middle/top-6ers. no mention of the D-Group it seems... really hope they try something other than Pionk at 2RD.

There are a bunch of options - I don't think anyone has any inside info on what they plan and especially what they end of with -
I like the fact that there are a lot of combo's they can play with - which is a luxury we haven't had lately, if ever.
I think they all get a look in TC and preseason - we should have a solid top 9 when it's all said and done - 2nd line center might be a revolving door until the dust settles.
Our D is another story - not nearly as many options and I expect it to look similar to LY - we don't have many options on the right side and that's where they need help IMO.

 

[surixon]

namestnikov has been brought up a few times now it seems from WPG media as possible centering the 2nd line. imo you have to see what you have in both Vilardi and Perfetti down the middle/top-6ers. no mention of the D-Group it seems... really hope they try something other than Pionk at 2RD.

I have no issue if they want someone on the line that can mentor them and he'd be good for that. But he can't be the full-time center.

 

[bumblebeeman]

I have no issue if they want someone on the line that can mentor them and he'd be good for that. But he can't be the full-time center.

I'd prefer Nino or Iafallo on the 2nd line over Namestnikov personally. Or one of them with Scheif and Ehlers on the first line then Connor with Vilardi and Perfetti,

 

[Jack7222]

Ehlers - Perfetti - Scheifele
Connor - Vilardi - Iafallo
Nino - Lowry - Appleton
Barron - Namestnikov - Kupari

Feed Perfetti to the wolves edition? Wouldn't mind it.

We really have a lot of 'looks' going into this year lineup-wise.

 

[Whileee]

One way to structure lines is by creating pairs, and building around them.

I like...

Ehlers-Scheifele
Connor-Vilardi
Niederreiter -Perfetti
Lowry-Appleton

Building around that...

Namestnikov-Scheifele-Ehlers
Connor-Vilardi-Iafallo
Barron-Perfetti-Niederreiter
AFB/Kupari-Lowry-Appleton

PP1

Ehlers
Scheifele
Connor
Perfetti
Morrissey

PP1

Barron
Vilardi
Niederreiter
Barron
Pionk

 

[surixon]

One way to structure lines is by creating pairs, and building around them.

I like...

Ehlers-Scheifele
Connor-Vilardi
Niederreiter -Perfetti
Lowry-Appleton

Building around that...

Namestnikov-Scheifele-Ehlers
Connor-Vilardi-Iafallo
Barron-Perfetti-Niederreiter
AFB/Kupari-Lowry-Appleton

PP1

Ehlers
Scheifele
Connor
Perfetti
Morrissey

PP1

Barron
Vilardi
Niederreiter
Barron
Pionk

I like the idea but don't see any situation where this org plays Lowry on the fourth line.

My guess is they load the top 6 and create a real strong two-way third and the rest on the fourth line.

 

[10Ducky10]

One way to structure lines is by creating pairs, and building around them.

I like...

Ehlers-Scheifele
Connor-Vilardi
Niederreiter -Perfetti
Lowry-Appleton

Building around that...

Namestnikov-Scheifele-Ehlers
Connor-Vilardi-Iafallo
Barron-Perfetti-Niederreiter
AFB/Kupari-Lowry-Appleton

PP1

Ehlers
Scheifele
Connor
Perfetti
Morrissey

PP1

Barron
Vilardi
Niederreiter
Barron
Pionk

I'd switch one of the Barrons for Iafallo or Names on PP2...

 

[10Ducky10]

I still think we should spread the wealth and have Lowry centering the 4th line.

Perfetti-Scheifele-Niederreiter
Connor-Vilardi-Kup
Iafallo-Namestnikov-Ehlers
Barron-Lowry-Appleton
Gus
You could switch Kup/Iafallo.

JMo DD
Sammy Schmidt
Dillon Pionk
Stanley/Chiz

 

[bumblebeeman]

I'm kind of surprised nobody is suggesting Lambert for the 2nd line haha. It seemed like last year there was lots of talk about him making the Jets. I guess they have much better depth this year for sure.

 

[Bob E]

I'm kind of surprised nobody is suggesting Lambert for the 2nd line haha. It seemed like last year there was lots of talk about him making the Jets. I guess they have much better depth this year for sure.

It will be interesting to see where Lambert and Lucius fit in a years time. If they flirt with a ppg season in the A this year I think they both get some NHL games when injuries hit.

I hope both play C but seem to have more chance of playing in the NHL on the wing.

 

[Gabe Kupari]

I'd spread it around

Iafallo Scheifele Vilardi
Connor Perfetti Kupari
Nino Names Ehlers
Barron Lowry Apples

I guess you can switch Ehlers with Iafallo also here

 

[GaryPoppins]

I'm kind of surprised nobody is suggesting Lambert for the 2nd line haha. It seemed like last year there was lots of talk about him making the Jets. I guess they have much better depth this year for sure.

Would love him to surprise and get there! Good problem to have if he’s logging top line minutes/power play on the moose.

 

[Whileee]

I like the idea but don't see any situation where this org plays Lowry on the fourth line.

My guess is they load the top 6 and create a real strong two-way third and the rest on the fourth line.

I agree. I'm pretty sure Bowness will try to load up two offensive lines, have a shutdown line, and a 4th line that is used sparingly. Chevy's created a deep forward group that could provide scoring depth, but Bowness might not structure lines that way.

One approach that might be considered is to give Lowry a couple of wingers that can add secondary offense, like Niederreiter and Iafallo (maybe Appleton, considering how strongly he finished the season).

 

[10Ducky10]

Bones' starting lineup...

Connor Scheifele Ehlers
Nino Perfetti Vilardi
Names Lowry Iafallo
Barron Kupari Apples

JMo DD
Dillon Pionk
Sammy Schmidt

 

[surixon]

I agree. I'm pretty sure Bowness will try to load up two offensive lines, have a shutdown line, and a 4th line that is used sparingly. Chevy's created a deep forward group that could provide scoring depth, but Bowness might not structure lines that way.

One approach that might be considered is to give Lowry a couple of wingers that can add secondary offense, like Niederreiter and Iafallo (maybe Appleton, considering how strongly he finished the season).

Yeah, I liked Nino with Lowry last year. He drove offense for that line and it scored pretty well. So him Lowry and maybe Iafallo could be a good two-way line.

 

[lakai17]

With the way Barron was playing the last few months he could slot in on the 2nd or 3rd line if needed