Demidov's linemates

[Paradoxe]

True, Russia famously gets along and works together well with their European counterparts. A tale as old as time.

Laine, Kapanen, and Demidov are the spark that we need for this franchise's future. If Kapanen and Demidov click together, is Laine expandable to get a younger sniper? We need to know now because this will impact future decisions.

 

[Bring Bak Damphousse]

Evans.

Agreed, I think I’d revamp the 2nd and 4th lines. Evans is our best center behind Suzuki, let him take some heat of Demidov.

 

[Miller Time]

As a center I tend to agree, as a winger, it would be worth trying at least.

Just watch them play together and Newhook go on a tear... Dynamic offensive player is what Newhook has been at every level, playing regular minutes with a playmaking talent like Demidov might well make the most of his impressive skill set & help him get the monkey off his back

 

[Goalfield13]

True, Russia famously gets along and works together well with their European counterparts. A tale as old as time.

I am talking about style of play, friend.

 

[Marioesque]

Just watch them play together and Newhook go on a tear... Dynamic offensive player is what Newhook has been at every level, playing regular minutes with a playmaking talent like Demidov might well make the most of his impressive skill set & help him get the monkey off his back

He'll get some tap ins with Laine and Demidov, and lots of assists if he can dig the pucks off the boards for them.

 

[Ezpz]

I am talking about style of play, friend.

Take a lesson

 

[Huntingpucks]

Game 1 starting lineup:

Caufield Suzuki Slafkovsky
Laine Evans Demidov
Anderson Dvorak Gallagher
Heineman Newhook Armia

Ghule-Hutson
Matheson-Carrier
Xhekaj-Struble

Monty

 

[Miller Time]

He'll get some tap ins with Laine and Demidov, and lots of assists if he can dig the pucks off the boards for them.

I think that the attention Laine & Demidov are going to draw will open up a lot of space that a speedster like Newhook will be able to exploit. When he gets fed opportunities, he'll have even more time and space to finish than he's been finding playing with Laine & the revolving door... Just needs to pot a few early to start riding a wave of confidence from there.

 

[Sorinth]

Probably not. We call it the 2nd line but that's probably to not hurt Laine and Newhook feelings. Evans and Armia have a lot of defensive responsibilities and same goes for Dvorak's line. The Newhook/Laine line is the one MSL tries to shelter. I don't think you can put Demidov on that line without changing a few things

It's the opposite, Demidov on the Newhook/Laine requires the least amount of changes. The line simply stays as a sheltered line.

But honestly Demidov is going to help the defensive side of things simply because he'll help us keep puck possession for longer and having the puck on your stick in the offensive zone is the best defence.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

You have to at least try him on line 2 to start.

If it's a disaster then you give him Evans.

The problem is Evans in the playoffs will be getting tough dzone draws and matchups something we probably want to keep away from Demidov

 

[Marioesque]

But honestly Demidov is going to help the defensive side of things simply because he'll help us keep puck possession for longer and having the puck on your stick in the offensive zone is the best defence.

Quoted for the truth.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

Quoted for the truth.

He might take some time to acclimate to the system in the dzone but he won't be a net negative being weak on pucks and losing battles , one thing about this guy is that as much as he is uber skilled offensively he's like Hutson in the sense that he does have alot of dog in him , his board work won't be awful , I think he will be quite responsible

 

[Zorro]

His linemates are Lane Hutson and they will be spectacular.

done!

 

[Kosseca]

Seems to me that you have to put him on the 2nd with Laine and Newhook to start. They already have special treatment with no D-zone start.

I would let Heineman and Armia heal and play Kapanen with Evan and Pezz. If Heineman is good to go, take Pezz place. Armia needs a few game offs before the playoff.

 

[Marioesque]

He might take some time to acclimate to the system in the dzone but he won't be a net negative being weak on pucks and losing battles , one thing about this guy is that as much as he is uber skilled offensively he's like Hutson in the sense that he does have alot of dog in him , his board work won't be awful , I think he will be quite responsible

Yeah I look at Jack Hughes as a forward comparison (Demidov himself said it and can't help but agree), Hutson also relies on the same deception and puck control as those guys. Of course there's the risk with Demidov jumping in at 19 years old in his first games but it's not unheard of to have success right away. Laine had 3 NHL hat tricks before his 19th birthday for example.

There is the Celebrini and Bedard examples with their massive minuses, but those guys have to play in a top role in a bad team and I think Demidov will do better in his more sheltered role, also with more talent around him.

 

[26Mats]

Kapanen and Demidov could have instant chemistry seeing as both are coming right from Europe. A simplistic view, I suppose.

Either way, I still think Kapanen and Heineken are better than injured Armia now. Hopefully we clinch by Monday so that all three are in the lineup for the last three games so that we get to see what they can do.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

My plan would be to clinch before we play against Chicago.
Slot him on the wing with Suzuki and either Cole or Slaf and give the fans a treat.
We don't have a center I'd trust more with the Crown Jewel than Nick Suzuki.
One thing is for sure we may be resting players but our ironman won't be one of them.
The one thing I'm not doing is asking the kid to rescue our second line out of the gate.

You're asking out of him more than it is to rescue the 2nd line. Starting the nhl playing on the top line and having to produce while going up against the best players of the world is a more difficult task than to produce on the 2nd line in a sheltered role.

 

[Milhouse40]

Either way, I still think Kapanen and Heineken are better than injured Armia now. Hopefully we clinch by Monday so that all three are in the lineup for the last three games so that we get to see what they can do.

Agreed, This would be awesome if we are able to clinch by Monday.....which would allow to rest some guys but also make some experience with the line-up with the kids before the big dance

 

[SallyBalls]

Some of these takes are so catastrophically bad, they should come with a warning label.

You don’t buy a Ferrari just to let it rot in the garage. You fire it up, hit the gas, and leave the haters choking on dust.

He hits the ice with Laine and turns him into a weapon. It’s not chemistry—it’s alchemy.

If you still can’t grasp that, shut it down. Log out, delete your account, and go watch a different sport. Hockey’s clearly not for you.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

Some of these takes are so catastrophically bad, they should come with a warning label.

You don’t buy a Ferrari just to let it rot in the garage. You fire it up, hit the gas, and leave the haters choking on dust.

He hits the ice with Laine and turns him into a weapon. It’s not chemistry—it’s alchemy.

If you still can’t grasp that, shut it down. Log out, delete your account, and go watch a different sport. Hockey’s clearly not for you.

If I could like I'd give you a thousand

 

[Milhouse40]

Some of these takes are so catastrophically bad, they should come with a warning label.

You don’t buy a Ferrari just to let it rot in the garage. You fire it up, hit the gas, and leave the haters choking on dust.

He hits the ice with Laine and turns him into a weapon. It’s not chemistry—it’s alchemy.

If you still can’t grasp that, shut it down. Log out, delete your account, and go watch a different sport. Hockey’s clearly not for you.

This discussion wouldn't happen if Laine and Newhook were good at 5-on-5 or even considered top 6.
Laine in hist last 25 games, averaged 10:18 of ice-time at ES which the lowest for a Habs forward.

I want Demidov on the ice as much as possible.....not sure that's going to happen in the PO with Laine next to him. Doubt he could turn Laine who's having all the trouble in the world following Newhook's speed into a weapons.

 

[SallyBalls]

This discussion wouldn't happen if Laine and Newhook were good at 5-on-5 or even considered top 6.
Laine in hist last 25 games, averaged 10:18 of ice-time at ES which the lowest for a Habs forward.

I want Demidov on the ice as much as possible.....not sure that's going to happen in the PO with Laine next to him.

He drives the line—not the other way around.

There’s no debate. No argument. No room for discussion.

Delete your account and reflect on your life choices.

 

[Catanddogguitarrr]

You have to at least try him on line 2 to start.

If it's a disaster then you give him Evans.

The problem is Evans in the playoffs will be getting tough dzone draws and matchups something we probably want to keep away from Demidov

Me too I wouldn't give him Evans. Lately he's so and so. Worst case it could be Dvorak. Dvo is hot at this moment, he's not so slow, he sees the plays in advance, he wins faceoffs clearly, he's one reason why his line produce.
But I think Newhook is fine. He's a powerskater and he's very constant in his efforts and skating. Demi and Newhook could be a fast duo and Laine patrol his side waiting for a pass once in a while.

 

[Canadiens Ghost]

Easy answer. There is a gaping hole on the 2nd line. You don't break up the Suzuki or the Dvorak line and you don't play Demidov on the 4th line. You start him with Newhook and adjust from there. And I don't mind starting him on pp2. Could potentially give us 2 good pp lines instead of just one massive one.

 

[Catanddogguitarrr]

If Laine is too slow to play 18 minutes, why not create a new line with Anderson-Demidov-Newhook or Dvorak?