Moore has been meh and it's because he's a 4th liner playing out of position but def a slow start on both sides of the puck.
This to me is the best balance and resembles the most familiarity to last year's group.
I'm not convinced though that AV will go this route. I think we will be more top heavy this season with MSL and Nash playing together or with nash playing with Zucc and brass
Id be very happy with these lines though
Not so much top heavy, but I do agree with you. I think he's adding a bit more an "identity" to the top 6, which I also feel is necessary considering you have guys that have been asked to step up, and have done so admirably. Those guys need playing time, they need ice presence. Though depth is super appealing, and roster versatility is absolutely necessary (works out great that a guy like Stempniak and Moore can slot up whenever called upon), top players need the right linemates.
I was an advocate for Hagelin-Miller/Hayes-MSL, but the reality is we need to let secondary scoring be just that, secondary scoring... The plus side, is that if we ever do decide that Miller needs MSL to get going, we can afford to do it by putting Stempniak up in the top 6
But back to my point, Brassard for example... He was our 3C last year, now he's playing as a 1C in Stepan's absence, and he's absolutely killing it. The right way to treat that is to reward him with more ice time, and tougher matchups. Sounds backwards, but some players absolutely thrive off that, especially when the coach is investing his trust and confidence in them (and Brassard strikes me as one that does).
This being said, the reality is we cannot play Hayes, Miller, Moore, or even Lindberg in situations where we used to play Brad Richards. Point-wise, yes they can be suffice, but the only actual replaceable thing between a Vet and a Rookie is, yep you guess it, points.
Beyond points, there is probably much more missing between the ears of the rooks, and that is to be expected. Growing pains are part of the game.
Now my personal feelings is that AV needs to let these rookies work through their mistakes, and that includes Miller (Pretty sure he has a much higher ceiling than Hayes), but I'm not an NHL coach so I won't make that call right now.