Vladdy, looks like you have some positions off. Nyquist plays RW pretty much exclusively, 2RDs on the second pair and forcing E back to his off side is probably going to put him in a position to fail again. Can't possibly imagine why Nyquist gets demoted to the fourth, even if you distribute minutes more evenly he deserves better skill players to play with.
Good catch. You're right about Ericsson, I should've been more careful and shifted the burden to Smith/Kronwall. Keep in mind this is a limited time lineup until AA gets back. (also between 53 and 48 I should have 48 on the left side)
I want to see our two most aggressive young D get the keys to try and drive some offense and get some o-zone keeps. Marchy and E have an interesting dynamic, but it also puts Marchenko in harms way, as his biggest weakness will be on static plays in the defensive zone. His lack of foot speed and size limit him once the other team gets set up, which is bound to happen a few times with Ericssons below average breakout abilities.
Slotting guys for handedness can really be the final step towards streamlining your lineup, but we're far from that stage. Sproul and Marchenko are both good passers, don't mind filling lanes on the rush and are aggressive on the pinch, but generally patient in most other aspects of the game. I'd like to see if some time together could help tow Marchenko out of his current plateau, and help subsidize how thin we are up front.
As for Nyquist, he's in dangerous territory imo. Generally a LW is going to travel a bit more and be more involved defensively, and he needs to regain those aspects of his game. So many holes have developed in his game since his rookie years.
He absolutely has to do more to turn pucks over and be more involved in the play in general. Offensively he can be a lightning strike, but his offense is more of a solo venture than most isn't it? Pouncing on loose pucks or getting sprung by the D for a break. He's played enough with Sheahan that I don't feel I'm hanging him out to dry completely, and really 15 needs a renaissance of his own. I'd rather see those guys sink or swim on their own terms, than continue to bumble along on the periphery.
