Green made an important comment about this idea in reference to Pinto the other day on one of the podcasts. He said that he works to get this idea of 1,2,3 lines out of the guys’ heads. He basically said that we don’t really have a top 6, and that 3C isn’t less than 2c. He referenced ice time as an important indicator of value, and he talked a little about roles. He said that he thinks Pinto still has room to grow with his offence as well.
The point is that Pinto is playing with Greig and Amadio, shutting down the leagues best players while putting up points and playing special teams. He doesn’t have to move to another line to demonstrate value. Each line has to bring its own value, and Pintos line has already started to solidify what they can bring to the team. Cozens/Bath, and whomever, or however that line shakes out, will have to provide its own value.
It’s doubtful that they will move Cozens to the wing and break up Pinto’s line that’s is working in order to try and make something new just to make Pinto feel like he’s a 2c not a 3C, because as Green was explaining, that differentiation doesn’t exist on this team.
I think the focus will be on making an identity for Cozens’ line, and figuring out who will play wing on Brady and Stu’s line. Those are the areas that need attention right now in my opinion.
