Line Combos: Guess the 22-23 Opening Night Lineup

[Captain3rdLine]

If he has a signed lease with Hughes it's hard to see him going anywhere. They demoted Cory with Hughes living there, hard to see them do that to him again.

Didn’t they say they were living in their own or moving or something. I remember seeing that they weren’t gonna live together next season.

 

[My3Sons]

Didn’t they say they were living in their own or moving or something. I remember seeing that they weren’t gonna live together next season.

That might change things.

 

[FinnishDevil]

Shara - Jack - Palat
Bratt - Nico - Zetterlund
Tatar - Mercer - Haula
Wood - McLeod - Bastian
Johnsson/Geertsen

This would be interesting. I think Zetterlund has a good chance to end up on Nico's wing to start.

 

[Goptor]

Shara - Jack - Palat
Bratt - Nico - Zetterlund
Tatar - Mercer - Haula
Wood - McLeod - Bastian
Johnsson/Geertsen

This would be interesting. I think Zetterlund has a good chance to end up on Nico's wing to start.

That would be really disappointing for Holtz to have 2 LW players taking up spots on the right.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Shara - Jack - Palat
Bratt - Nico - Zetterlund
Tatar - Mercer - Haula
Wood - McLeod - Bastian
Johnsson/Geertsen

This would be interesting. I think Zetterlund has a good chance to end up on Nico's wing to start.

Highly unlikely. They literally said bringing in Haula frees up Mercer to be a top 6 W. Mercer will almost certainly be on the wing in the top 6 and Haula will almost certainly be the 3C.

And with that I highly doubt Zetterlund cracks the top 6 unless there’s injuries. I think the 3RW spot comes down to Zetterlund, Holtz, Thompson and maybe Johnsson if he’s still kicking around. But I hope and imagine they’ll leave a spot open for one of the young forwards

 

[FinnishDevil]

That would be really disappointing for Holtz to have 2 LW players taking up spots on the right.

We have many, many wingers. Palat can play both wings and Haula can play all 3 positions. Tatar might be dualwing aswell? I have more trust in Zetterlund taking a spot cause he can play anywhere and brings a different skillset. If it makes any sense, to me Holtz rookie season will require some sheltering but Z could be "just a guy" from day 1 who can hold his own. Obviously Holtz is a superior prospect of the two.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

I would personally start any lineup with this:


Bratt/Palat Hughes Mercer/Sharangovich
Bratt/Palat Hischier Mercer/Sharangovich

I think the top 6 is pretty set apart from injuries. Just about which wingers will play with which centers.
The only possibility I could see is Sharangovich falling to the 3rd line for someone like Holtz if he performs well or a longer shot like Tatar or Zetterlund. But even that I doubt will happen.


And then I’d think Haula and McLeod are pretty locked in as our 3C and 4C.

On defense the top 4 is locked in and Brendan Smith is probably locked in for now too.

 

[FinnishDevil]

Highly unlikely. They literally said bringing in Haula frees up Mercer to be a top 6 W. Mercer will almost certainly be on the wing in the top 6 and Haula will almost certainly be the 3C.

And with that I highly doubt Zetterlund cracks the top 6 unless there’s injuries. I think the 3RW spot comes down to Zetterlund, Holtz, Thompson and maybe Johnsson if he’s still kicking around. But I hope and imagine they’ll leave a spot open for one of the young forwards

Thats fair and realistic. I just think Zetterlund is like made for Nico. They looked pretty good together for a brief time. And spreading the talent around the lineup never hurt anyone.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Thats fair and realistic. I just think Zetterlund is like made for Nico. They looked pretty good together for a brief time. And spreading the talent around the lineup never hurt anyone.

I’m not that high on Zetterlund and don’t think he’s a lock to make it. He has some middle-6 potential but I wouldn’t pencil him in over Holtz or Thompson.

 

[devsfan8]

Sharongovich-Hughes-Palat
Bratt-Hischier-Mercer
Tatar-Huala/Boqvist-Johnnson
Wood-McLeod/Boqvist-Bastian


I think they hold onto Johnnson in his free agent season hoping he has a good year and play for a higher contract this summer. He was actually a +4 last season (led the team) and is a smart player. Im not as down on him as others. He also produces with other forwards who produce as indicated last year when he played with Mercer at center and Bratt on LW.

Holtz will see his time in the lineup but start in Utica.

Graves-Hamilton
Siegenthaler-Severson
T. Smith-B.Smith
UFA depth 7th

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Sharongovich-Hughes-Palat
Bratt-Hischier-Mercer
Tatar-Huala/Boqvist-Johnnson
Wood-McLeod/Boqvist-Bastian


I think they hold onto Johnnson in his free agent season hoping he has a good year and play for a higher contract this summer. He was actually a +4 last season (led the team) and is a smart player. Im not as down on him as others. He also produces with other forwards who produce as indicated last year when he played with Mercer at center and Bratt on LW.

Holtz will see his time in the lineup but start in Utica.

Graves-Hamilton
Siegenthaler-Severson
T. Smith-B.Smith
UFA depth 7th

Not a fan of the bottom of the D group. First I’m not sure Ty Smith makes it. Or at least I’m not sure he should unless he has a great camp.

And if he does or regardless I don’t see the point I’m bringing in a depth 7th D when we have Okhotiuk and Bahl who should be more than capable in that role, had great stints to finish the season and looked NHL ready.
It wouldn’t be that surprising if we did that but I personally don’t think we should

 

[FinnishDevil]

I’m not that high on Zetterlund and don’t think he’s a lock to make it. He has some middle-6 potential but I wouldn’t pencil him in over Holtz or Thompson.

Like I said above, I see Z as someone who could step in right away due to what he brings, but who will obviously never reach Holtz like potential. And I'm a big fan of our 3C captain and it was like day and night seeing Zetterlund on his wing compared to dragging veseys and zachas of the world. They looked like a match, but he obviously needs to have a good camp and even then its gonna take someone probably underperforming.

 

[devsfan8]

Not a fan of the bottom of the D group. First I’m not sure Ty Smith makes it. Or at least I’m not sure he should unless he has a great camp.

And if he does or regardless I don’t see the point I’m bringing in a depth 7th D when we have Okhotiuk and Bahl who should be more than capable in that role, had great stints to finish the season and looked NHL ready.
It wouldn’t be that surprising if we did that but I personally don’t think we should

I dont disagree for the most part but theu should get more playing time in the A unless they are ready to step in and play in the top 6 everynight.

I know we are deep with LHD prospects but not ready to give up on Ty yet after a bad sophomore year. He had a solid rookie season and gonna see if he returns to form.

Also edit...remove B Smith and put Nemac there. Out of the gate on the 3rd pair. Brendan Smith can be the 7th.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

I dont disagree for the most part but theu should get more playing time in the A unless they are ready to step in and play in the top 6 everynight.

I know we are deep with LHD prospects but not ready to give up on Ty yet after a bad sophomore year. He had a solid rookie season and gonna see if he returns to form.

Also edit...remove B Smith and put Nemac there. Out of the gate on the 3rd pair. Brendan Smith can be the 7th.

I think they are ready. Don’t think they need more time in the A and they certainly looked ready end of last season.

I think Nemec might actually. Just don’t think it would be alongside Ty nor would that be a good partner to start him with.

But yeah Ty could bounce back but I’m not sure he’s a good fit here anyways and even in his good rookie season he wasn’t good defensively. We will see.

 

[czechmate88]

Palat - Hischier - Bratt
Sharangovich - Hughes - Mercer
Haula - Boqvist - Zetterlund/Tatar
Wood - McLeod - Bastian


Siegenthaler - Hamilton
Graves - Severson
Smith - Smith

 

[Nubmer6]

I think they are ready. Don’t think they need more time in the A and they certainly looked ready end of last season.
.

Small sample size. Their seasons in the A weren't that great. I'd give them more time there to learn consistency.

 

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

Palat-Hughes-Mercer
Sharangovich-Nico-Bratt
Haula-Boqvist-Tatar
Zetterlund/Wood-McLeod-Bastian

Siegs-Hamliton
Graves-Severson
Smith-Smith

Vanecek/Blackwood

 

[Peter Sidorkiewicz]

Palat Hughes Sharangovich
Bratt Hischier Mercer
Boqvist Huala Tatar
Johnsson McLeod Bastian

Siegenthaler Hamilton
Graves Severson
B.Smith Marino

Vanecek Blackwood

S: Zetterlund Bahl Geertsen
IR: Wood
LTIR: Bernier

PP1: Bratt Hischier Bastian Hughes Hamilton
PP2: Palat Mercer Sharangovich Graves Severson

PK1: Palat Hischier Sigenthaler Marino
PK2: Huala McLeod Graves Severson

 

[Whaddagoal]

Yet again, we'll have to throw out the earlier pages and start again...

 

[Emperoreddy]

Lol it's going to be a fool's errand to guess until August at this rate

 

[hidek91]

Zetterlund - Hughes - Tatar
Palat - Garland - Mercer
Johnsson - Haula - Bastian
Wood - McLeod - Foote

Graves - Hamilton
Siegenthaler - Marino
Okhotyuk - B. Smith

Blackwood
Daws


Assumptions:
1) Hischier, Sharangovich out with an injury.
2) Bratt, Vanecek still not signed.
3) Severson traded away for Garland.
4) Boqvist out with COVID.

 

[Captain3rdLine]

Here goes:

Palat-Hughes-Sharangovich
Bratt-Hischier-Mercer
Tatar-Haula-Zetterlund*
Boqvist-McLeod-Bastian
Thompson Geersten
IR: Wood

*= up for grabs. Could be Holtz, Thompson, Boqvist, Johnsson (if he’s still here) or Foote

Siegenthaler-Severson
Graves-Hamilton
Bahl*-Marino
Smith

*=up for grabs, could be Okhotiuk(I’d prefer him)

Blackwood
Vanacek

Zetterlund - Hughes - Tatar
Palat - Garland - Mercer
Johnsson - Haula - Bastian
Wood - McLeod - Foote

Graves - Hamilton
Siegenthaler - Marino
Okhotyuk - B. Smith

Blackwood
Daws


Assumptions:
1) Hischier, Sharangovich out with an injury.
2) Bratt, Vanecek still not signed.
3) Severson traded away for Garland.
4) Boqvist out with COVID.

lol what in the world

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

i knew i should’ve waited a couple more days to bump this

 

[TF1970]

as of right now:

Sharangovich-Hughes-Mercer
Palat-Hischier-Bratt
Tatar-Haula-Zetterlund
Johnsson-Boqvist-Bastian
(McLeod, Geertsen)

Siegenthaler-Severson
Graves-Marino
Bahl-Hamilton
(Smith)

Blackwood
Vanacek

Wood IR/Bernier LTIR

 

[britdevil]

Another week goes by...

Bratt, Wood, Thompson yet to sign. Assume all three are signed to start the season (Bratt 4 years @ 7,950,000).

Bratt - Hischier - Mercer
Sharangovich - Hughes - Palat
Tatar - Haula - Holtz
Wood - Boqvist - Bastian
Zetterlund, McLeod (???)

Siegenthaler - Hamilton
Graves - Severson
Smith - Marino
Bahl

Blackwood
Vanecek

I assume Johnsson is a cap casualty (lots of teams trying to shed salary, this might come at a price...)
McLeod is an obvious question mark. I hope he wasn't involved, but if he was I think his career is rightly over.
Holtz could still find himself in Utica to start. Slot Zetterlund into 3RW if he does.
Thompson, who gives a shit. I think he needs to "prove it" in the AHL.
Wood still isn't skating and Bernier looks to be done.