Demidov's linemates

[Marioesque]

At even strength Laine is below average. He's a fourth line player who can score goals on the PP.

Funny how that's been true for anyone who has played in that 2nd line, not just Laine.

He'll be much more useful 5 on 5 when there's another really good player out with him. Has been an obvious trend all his career. If there's another player who can create with the puck and draw defense to them, that gets much more out of Laine who doesn't have to be creating the offense by himself (which can lead to turnovers when trying to solo run the neutral zone and defensive line for breakaways).

Just yesterday Laine set Newhook with one of the best chances in the game, 5 on 5.

 

[Kojo]

Demidov is not a finisher though he wont have the same problem with Newhook than Laine has, Demidov will create his own chances and will create space on the ice. He'll basically play the role of the center offensively but from the wing. He'll cary the puck, create space, slow the pace if needed and pass to Laine and Newhook who both can score goals.

Demidov's shot is underrated. Wouldn't be surprised if he score 50 goals in a season at his peak.

 

[LaP]

Demidov's shot is underrated. Wouldn't be surprised if he score 50 goals in a season at his peak.

Yes but he can pass too unlike Laine, Newhook and whoever plays with them. Main problem with this line right now outside of a lack of skills for a 2nd line is that everyone is unable to pass the puck.

 

[Naslundforever]

Demidov's shot is underrated. Wouldn't be surprised if he score 50 goals in a season at his peak.

25g/gp game this season not out of reach

 

[JianYang]

I was thinking Laine and some center not named Suzuki was what they will do.

But I think lapierre made a great point. Evans would be a good fit who can be responsible defensively and he has enough pace to keep up.

You don't want to break up the dvorak line, and you don't want to break up the Suzuki line. Evans is a better candidate than newhook for the heavy lifting from a defensive standpoint.

So I think we are looking at demidov with Evans and armia.

 

[Marioesque]

it's pretty much guaranteed to be Newhook/Laine, every other line works so they won't play around with chemistry

It makes the most sense right now. Demidov has been playing lower minutes, and this line needs to become better and play more minutes.

Evans line is needed for PK so much that their 5 on 5 isn't that relevant. They aren't offensively good but they don't need to be, their minutes come from doing the very valuable PK work.

The Dvorak line is working fine for what it needs to be. I wouldn't mess with that.

Laine- x - Demidov should create competition for the 1st line. I think Newhook might do ok with those two, as he would only need to really win foot races to the puck and be able to play it to one of the wingers, who can then make things happen in the offensive zone.

Evans might be the most optimal center for those two out of the current lineup, he wins faceoffs and his offense is very simple, which is all one really needs to do with so much skill around them.

Demidov might need some extra defense help too, considering Bedard and Celebrini minuses (but they are on worse teams)

 

[ahmedou]

Big dogs with the big dogs.

Demidov needs to be with thr captain.

Demidov won't play with Kotkaniemi

 

[Dagistitsyn]

Caufield - Suzuki - Slaf
Laine- Evan's- Demidov
Gallagher - Dvo - Anderson
Kapanen - Newhook - Armia/Heineman/Pez

This is the best option outside of just straight up putting him with Suzuki right away.
Newhook sucks. Wildly overrated and a player where scoring chances usually goes to die, whether it’s ripping it high and wide, or right into the goalies chest, or f***ing up nearly every slot pass. He’s better suited on that fourth line using his speed to forecheck and hope his wingers eat minutes in the o-zone.

 

[Bombshell11]

Sorry McDavid, you gotta learn how to play hockey with Evans

 

[Dagistitsyn]

Evans can’t pass lol. That would be insane pairing them.

and Newhook can? Lmao. Took that guy literally half of the season to register a single assist, even while spending time playing with our best goal scorers (Caufield / Suzuki / Laine).
Evan’s has over double the assists that Newhook has, and Newhook has been playing with f***ing Laine, and on the 2nd PP.

 

[Bombshell11]

and Newhook can? Lmao. Took that guy literally half of the season to register a single assist, even while spending time playing with our best goal scorers (Caufield / Suzuki / Laine).
Evan’s has over double the assists that Newhook has, and Newhook has been playing with f***ing Laine and on the 2nd PP.
Insane take.

Newhook is Hughe's make a wish project

 

[LaP]

Caufield - Suzuki - Slaf
Laine - Kapanen/Newhook - Demidov
Anderson - Dvorak - Gallagher
Newhook/Kapanen - Evans - Armia
Pezzetta <---- goulag

Armia and Savard should sit at least 2 of the last 4 games imo. NYR and Detroit wont win their last 5 games it wont happen.

 

[Marioesque]

Sorry McDavid, you gotta learn how to play hockey with Evans

Jets did the same to Laine in his rookie season when Little came back from long injury. No matter what NHL records he was chasing at that point playing in 1st line and leading the calder race , off to the 2nd/3rd line you go and practice backchecking with the vets on very limited ice time.

I didn't agree with it then, I don't agree with it now for Demi either. But Demidov will get a great look at 2nd line with at least one world class player. That's more than many 1st overalls get to play with in their first season(s). So I'd say he's walking into a very good situation.

 

[Skip Bayless]

You people are overthinking, as always.

To start his NHL career, Demigod will pay with Newhook and Laine at 5 on 5, and then lead the second wave PP and make all of them better.

And we will rejoice, and laugh, and drink beer and trash other teams in the main board and justice will be restored in this communist league that makes Utah and Vegas fans think they deserve to win just as much.

Mods, close this thread.

 

[habdynasty]

and Newhook can? Lmao. Took that guy literally half of the season to register a single assist, even while spending time playing with our best goal scorers (Caufield / Suzuki / Laine).
Evan’s has over double the assists that Newhook has, and Newhook has been playing with f***ing Laine, and on the 2nd PP.

I’d rather he plays with Laine than Armia. But whatever. We ain’t the coach.

 

[LaP]

and Newhook can? Lmao.

No but he's a better goal scorer. Evans had a hot start but here's the stats since january 1st. Evans is back to being a 4th liner which is fine but it needs to be acknowledged.

Suzuki 41 GP 17G 50 P +18 (3 empty net points)
Hutson 41 GP 4G 38 P +8
Caufield 41 GP 18 G 33 P +13
Slafkovski 41 GP 13 G 27 P +13
Laine 35 GP 12 G 23 P -8
Gallagher 41 GP 11 G 21 P -1 (3 empty net points)
Dvorak 41 GP 8G 20 P +1 (4 empty net points)
Newhook 41 GP 7G 16 P -9
Carrier 41 GP 2G 13 P +2 (2 empty net points)
Anderson 40 GP 9G 12 P +3 (2 empty net points)
Matheson 41 GP 4G 12 P +3 (1 empty net points)
Evans 41 GP 2G 12P -5 (4 empty net points)
Dach 20 GP 5G 10P -7
Armia 40GP 4G 8P -7 (2 empty net points)
Guhle 20GP 2G 8P +10

 

[Marioesque]

No but he's a better goal scorer. Evans had a hot start but here's the stats since january 1st. Evans is back to being a 4th liner which is fine but it needs to be acknowledged.

Suzuki 41 GP 17G 50 P +18 (3 empty net points)
Hutson 41 GP 4G 38 P +8
Caufield 41 GP 18 G 33 P +13
Slafkovski 41 GP 13 G 27 P +13
Laine 35 GP 12 G 23 P -8
Gallagher 41 GP 11 G 21 P -1 (3 empty net points)
Dvorak 41 GP 8G 20 P +1 (4 empty net points)
Newhook 41 GP 7G 16 P -9
Carrier 41 GP 2G 13 P +2 (2 empty net points)
Anderson 40 GP 9G 12 P +3 (2 empty net points)
Matheson 41 GP 4G 12 P +3 (1 empty net points)
Evans 41 GP 2G 12P -5 (4 empty net points)
Dach 20 GP 5G 10P -7
Armia 40GP 4G 8P -7 (2 empty net points)
Guhle 20GP 2G 8P +10

This had some good context in it, and highlights what you mentioned there too about Evans and Armia

 

[26Mats]

Sorry McDavid, you gotta learn how to play hockey with Evans

McDavid would have been fine his rookie year, amd Demidov will be fone with Evan's this year.

It will be really interesting to see what HuGo come up with inbthe summer for a 2c.

 

[Vachon23]

No but he's a better goal scorer. Evans had a hot start but here's the stats since january 1st. Evans is back to being a 4th liner which is fine but it needs to be acknowledged.

Suzuki 41 GP 17G 50 P +18 (3 empty net points)
Hutson 41 GP 4G 38 P +8
Caufield 41 GP 18 G 33 P +13
Slafkovski 41 GP 13 G 27 P +13
Laine 35 GP 12 G 23 P -8
Gallagher 41 GP 11 G 21 P -1 (3 empty net points)
Dvorak 41 GP 8G 20 P +1 (4 empty net points)
Newhook 41 GP 7G 16 P -9
Carrier 41 GP 2G 13 P +2 (2 empty net points)
Anderson 40 GP 9G 12 P +3 (2 empty net points)
Matheson 41 GP 4G 12 P +3 (1 empty net points)
Evans 41 GP 2G 12P -5 (4 empty net points)
Dach 20 GP 5G 10P -7
Armia 40GP 4G 8P -7 (2 empty net points)
Guhle 20GP 2G 8P +10

One is getting PP time the other is playing with an injured Armia and Pezzetta

 

[LaP]

One is getting PP time the other is playing with an injured Armia and Pezzetta

One is getting empty net points the other is not. Since january 1st Newhook is playing 1:30 on the PP which means he's playing about 30 seconds at the end of every PP with guys who are not very good on the PP. He got 3 PPP since january 1st and Evans got 4 empty net points.

People need to realise than MSL is not trusting any kids with the empty nets. The vets are all getting the reward. It's fine but it needs to be taken into account. Usually coaches will use their offensive players with the empty net. Most of the top EN points producers in the league are top 6 players.

 

[bud12]

No choice to put him a the 2nd line, even if Laine and Newhook suck

 

[ChesterNimitz]

You want to remove Laine from the first power play unit and replace him with a 19-year old who's never played a game?

Sounds reasonable to me.

 

[calder candidate]

Voted Newhook because that’s the 2nd line and it probably the line that having the most issues… Newhook has been playing better but I feel like most of that is individual plays and there is no synergy so he could be anywhere… but I would definitely play him with Laine and maybe use Kapanen at C, if Newhook isn’t the solution. the second option is Evan and Armia they are very reliable making all the small plays and we could eases him in but they also get some tough matchups…

No point in breaking up a line that are working

Evans and Armia are a good duo and can be effective with pretty much anyone
Newhook, Heineman, kapanen are the player to fill the holes

CC Suzuki Slaf
Laine Kapanen Demidov
Newhook Evans Armia
Anderson Dvorak Gallagher
Heineman

 

[Habs Icing]

I'm still under the shock of Demidov's playing with the Habs this season but it's the reality.
Now where did you place him to start his NHL career ?

It's a tougher question that many might think.

Not sure he can play the minutes that Suzuki's line play, as they mostly face top opponent and it's one of the best lines in the NHL
Newhook ? Production wise 5-0n-5 they are mostly the 4th line these days
Dvorak ? That line has been money on both side of the ice lately
Evans ? They also face top opponent and more of a shutdown role.

No perfect situation....even on the PP it's not going that easy

You don't fix what's not broken, so:

Caufield - Suzuki- Slaf
Gallagher - Dvorak - Anderson
Heineman/Kapanen - Evans - Armia

Kapanen can spell Armia the rest of the season to have him heal his hand (?). So you try and fix what's not working at a 100%:

Laine - Newhook - Demidov

 

[Redux91]

Evans can’t pass lol. That would be insane pairing them.

Evans has 4 assists the last 4 games lol..
Including that sweet feed to launch Suzuki for his goal last night..

The man absolutely can pass, maybe just not have Pezzetta receiving them..?

(BTW its clearly going to be Evans as you can't break the Suzuki or Dvorak lines so what are we really doing here lol)
I think they keep Kap with Laine Newhook, they're on the cusp of either breaking out or crashing out, but at least we're gathering Data lol