Line Combos: Ideal Lines Vs. Projected Lines 2024/2025

[SirPaste]

I love Sunny, but with a healthy team, I’d rather him, Kap and Walker be sitting in the press box each night. I think we have better options this year.

I feel the same way, I also worry about him coming back from another knee injury. He had already lost a step and wasn't as quick as he used to be, I wonder how his mobility will be this season, especially early on.

 

[BlueMed]

I am in favor of letting Dvorsky, Bolduc, and Dean bake in the AHL next season while Snuggerud can further mature at the collegiate level. For this season, the coaching staff will most certainly be evaluating if Holloway can play that 2C position because Buchnevich plays better on the wing, especially next to Thomas. Texier does have the skill to be a top 9 forward, and maybe he can do more than what he demonstrated on a team like Columbus. If he can hold down that 3C position, the Blues can run a center-spine of Thomas-Holloway-Texier-Faksa next season and potentially sneak in as a wild-card team.

 

[tfriede2]

Bolduc looked ready near the end of last season. And I don’t think having all of Snuggerud, Dvorsky, Bolduc, and Dean play their rookie seasons in the same year is feasible.

 

[BlueMed]

Bolduc looked ready near the end of last season. And I don’t think having all of Snuggerud, Dvorsky, Bolduc, and Dean play their rookie seasons in the same year is feasible.

While I agree that Bolduc is a strong contender to make this team's roster out of training camp, I'm not sold that the front office necessarily looks at rookie status that way. For example, they were expecting Snuggerud to earn a spot before he committed to another season in college, and Dean will likely get more call-ups this season. If the players are ready, they will play and I don't see Army burying a guy in the minors just because 2-3 other rookies happened to make the roster at the same time.

 

[Reality Czech]

While I agree that Bolduc is a strong contender to make this team's roster out of training camp, I'm not sold that the front office necessarily looks at rookie status that way. For example, they were expecting Snuggerud to earn a spot before he committed to another season in college, and Dean will likely get more call-ups this season. If the players are ready, they will play and I don't see Army burying a guy in the minors just because 2-3 other rookies happened to make the roster at the same time.

If he starts the season in the A it's likely because he's not waiver eligible and everyone is healthy coming out of camp. But I expect him to play more games in the NHL than AHL this session if he doesn't break camp with the Blues. Based on my very limited knowledge of him I was expecting more of a one dimensional scoring winger but he seems to be a much more complete player than that. I'm excited to see how he looks this year for sure.

 

[shpongle falls]

This is what I’ thinking right now but this could change…

Neighbors-Thomas-Bolduc

Buch-Halloway-Kyrou

Saad-Schenn-Texier

Joshep-Faksa-Toropchenko

Leddy/Parayko
Broberg-Faulk
Perunovich/POJ/Suter-Kessel

What I like is there’s a shooter on every line.

Put Holloway with playmakers like Buch and Kyrou and see what happens why the hell not? Maybe Halloway’s sped and forecheck could mesh well with Kyrou.

On defense the top 4 is seemingly set but the third pair is up in the air. I personally would like to see Perunovich given pp1 minutes to see if he’s improved and what he can do and go from there. If he sucks theres other viable options. A Peru-Faulk pairing would make a potentially good first pp unit if Peru would shoot the damn puck more often.

 

[Reality Czech]

This is what I’ thinking right now but this could change…

Neighbors-Thomas-Bolduc

Buch-Halloway-Kyrou

Saad-Schenn-Texier

Joshep-Faksa-Toropchenko

Leddy/Parayko
Broberg-Faulk
Perunovich/POJ/Suter-Kessel

What I like is there’s a shooter on every line.

Put Holloway with playmakers like Buch and Kyrou and see what happens why the hell not? Maybe Halloway’s sped and forecheck could mesh well with Kyrou.

On defense the top 4 is seemingly set but the third pair is up in the air. I personally would like to see Perunovich given pp1 minutes to see if he’s improved and what he can do and go from there. If he sucks theres other viable options. A Peru-Faulk pairing would make a potentially good first pp unit if Peru would shoot the damn puck more often.

What makes you think Holloway is ready to be 2C or do you really just dislike Schenn?

 

[shpongle falls]

What makes you think Holloway is ready to be 2C or do you really just dislike Schenn?

Halloway most likely isn’t ready to be 2c but I would want to see how he looks there for a game or two just to try it, this isn’t the permanent lineup I’d want all year its just the first thing I would want to try. Although I realize this isn’t a realistic scenario lol.

I’m a big Schenn fan actually and think he’s going to rebound this year and wouldn’t mind trying him or Buch at 2c as well, there’s a lot of ways to tinker with the forward lineup I can’t wait to see what coaching squad comes up with. Also would be curious to see Neighbors and Halloway on a line I bet they could create some havoc out there.

 

[stl76]

Here's my stab at the forwards right now...could change in 15 minutes:

Buchnevich - Thomas - Bolduc
Neighbours - Schenn - Kyrou
Saad - Holloway - Texier
Toropchenko - Faksa - Joseph

 

[Mike Liut]

Here's my stab at the forwards right now...could change in 15 minutes:

Buchnevich - Thomas - Bolduc
Neighbours - Schenn - Kyrou
Saad - Holloway - Texier
Toropchenko - Faksa - Joseph

Love it

 

[Spektre]

Neighbors Thomas Halloway
Schenn Buchnevich Kyrou
Saad Faksa Texier
Joseph Sundqvist Toropchenko

Leddy Parayko
Broberg Faulk
Suter Kessel


That’s my best guess at what the lines will be.

I’d love to see Dvorsky and Bolduc make it but they have time

 

[joe galiba]

Here's my stab at the forwards right now...could change in 15 minutes:

Buchnevich - Thomas - Bolduc
Neighbours - Schenn - Kyrou
Saad - Holloway - Texier
Toropchenko - Faksa - Joseph

Kyrou doing the heavy lifting defensively on that 2nd line

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Here's my stab at the forwards right now...could change in 15 minutes:

Buchnevich - Thomas - Bolduc
Neighbours - Schenn - Kyrou
Saad - Holloway - Texier
Toropchenko - Faksa - Joseph

Putting the 3 worst forwards defensively on the same line is just asking to shit on them in February when their +/- is hot garbage, especially when all of their playstyles combined wouldn't match well.

 

[BlueDream]

Let’s be real here, the Blues are gonna change up the lines 30 times this season. We’re kind of wasting our time arguing about all these little details. With so many new faces there is going to be a lot of mixing and matching.

 

[stl76]

Kyrou doing the heavy lifting defensively on that 2nd line

2nd line would be getting relatively sheltered offensive minutes in this scenario. Every other line there is fully capable of going up against any opponent line IMO, which allows the flexibility to shelter this one.

Putting the 3 worst forwards defensively on the same line is just asking to shit on them in February when their +/- is hot garbage, especially when all of their playstyles combined wouldn't match well.

Disagree with the bolded. Kyrou and Schenn played a decent amount together last year and generally work fairly well together IMO, especially if they are starting in the o-zone. Schenn and Neighbours may not be able to keep up with Kyrou on the rush, but once in the zone I think all 3 could work quite well together.

 

[taylord22]

Lines/Combos I'd like to see during pre-season, especially as its winding down and we start to get an NHL-lite roster:

Buch - Thomas - Bolduc

Buch/Thomas is the best chemistry on the team. Whoever is on the other wing is in the garden seat in regards to insulation. If Bolduc sticks, it finally gives Thomas a true one-time threat to work with.

Saad - Dvorsky - Kyrou

I'd like to see Kyrou in a spot where he feels/knows he's 'the guy', and I think Dvorsky and Kyrou's games might compliment each other fairly well. Adding Saad here because 1.) He can play anywhere and 2.) with Kyrou, it's a lot of speed on the wings. Both on the rush, and for getting back through the NZ quickly on the backcheck.

And one more, for fun:

Schenn/Holloway - Neighbors

Clear cut identity. Chaos and emptying the tank every shift.

 

[Reality Czech]

2nd line would be getting relatively sheltered offensive minutes in this scenario. Every other line there is fully capable of going up against any opponent line IMO, which allows the flexibility to shelter this one.


Disagree with the bolded. Kyrou and Schenn played a decent amount together last year and generally work fairly well together IMO, especially if they are starting in the o-zone. Schenn and Neighbours may not be able to keep up with Kyrou on the rush, but once in the zone I think all 3 could work quite well together.

Schenn and Kyrou have clicked offensively at times, but I'm not sure Jake is the best third guy for that line. It could work at home when we have the ability to match lines. Maybe Buch would be a good third guy to do the defensive heavy lifting.

I could see Thomas similar to Crosby in that he doesn't need to play with elite linemates. He can help others elevate their game and a Neighbours Thomas Bolduc line could be interesting although not sure if that line could match up well defensively against other top lines. Lots of interesting possible combinations, that's for sure.

 

[CurrentCS]

I've followed Texier for a while now, since before his draft and I'm a firm believer he is a solid middle 6 forward with 50pt upside, not just a bottom 6. I feel like he could be a perfect complimentary piece on either the top line or the 2nd line, which would allow even more offensive distribution amongst the lines.

He's kind of my darkhorse coming out of camp and I'd really like to see him given a shot with Thomas and Kyrou. He's fast, very responsible defensively and a good forechecker which all compliments that line. So what about:

Texier-Thomas-Kyrou
Neighbours-Buchnevich-Bolduc
Saad-Schenn-Holloway (with Holloway working in on faceoffs a good amount of the time)
Toropchenko-Faksa-Joseph
(Kapanen, Sundqvist)

Leddy-Parayko
Broberg-Faulk
Joseph-Kessel
(Perunovich/Suter)

Alternatively I'd go with:

Neighbours-Thomas-Bolduc
Holloway-Buchnevich-Kyrou (same with Holloway above)
Saad-Schenn-Texier
Toropchenko-Faksa-Joseph

 

[CurrentCS]

Lines/Combos I'd like to see during pre-season, especially as its winding down and we start to get an NHL-lite roster:

Buch - Thomas - Bolduc

Buch/Thomas is the best chemistry on the team. Whoever is on the other wing is in the garden seat in regards to insulation. If Bolduc sticks, it finally gives Thomas a true one-time threat to work with.

Saad - Dvorsky - Kyrou

I'd like to see Kyrou in a spot where he feels/knows he's 'the guy', and I think Dvorsky and Kyrou's games might compliment each other fairly well. Adding Saad here because 1.) He can play anywhere and 2.) with Kyrou, it's a lot of speed on the wings. Both on the rush, and for getting back through the NZ quickly on the backcheck.

And one more, for fun:

Schenn/Holloway - Neighbors

Clear cut identity. Chaos and emptying the tank every shift.

I like it, I just don't think Dvorsky is quite ready yet. I do agree that he and Kyrou should mesh well though when the time comes. And if we had a 2nd line C ready in-house I do love the Buch-Thomas-Bolduc line, otherwise I have Buch 2C to start and would like Holloway on that line as well splitting the faceoffs to see which one steps up.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

I'm expecting Suter to play 60 games and Kessel to play around 50-60 this upcoming season. Then Perunovich and POJ rotating in. Tho, I am also expecting one of the 2 to play every night (so for example if Suter isn't playing Kessel is playing and if Kessel isn't Suter is, if that makes any sense?)

 

[Cowumbus]

Here's my stab at the forwards right now...could change in 15 minutes:

Buchnevich - Thomas - Bolduc
Neighbours - Schenn - Kyrou
Saad - Holloway - Texier
Toropchenko - Faksa - Joseph

That’s a great 3rd line IMO

 

[STLegend]

I'm expecting Suter to play 60 games and Kessel to play around 50-60 this upcoming season. Then Perunovich and POJ rotating in. Tho, I am also expecting one of the 2 to play every night (so for example if Suter isn't playing Kessel is playing and if Kessel isn't Suter is, if that makes any sense?)

I've got the feeling that they will continue to dress 7 D occasionally to give Perunovich sheltered o-zone starts and PP time.

 

[BlueDream]

I've got the feeling that they will continue to dress 7 D occasionally to give Perunovich sheltered o-zone starts and PP time.

Would be a mistake. In looking at our starting 12 forwards, I don’t see a single guy that we should take out of the lineup for Perunovich. They all provide value and we should be able to roll 4 solid lines.

I don’t want to interrupt that for Perunovich, who is 26 and still can’t crack the top 6 group of d-men. That’s his problem and we don’t need to hold his hand any longer.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

I've got the feeling that they will continue to dress 7 D occasionally to give Perunovich sheltered o-zone starts and PP time.

I'd rather not. If Perunovich can't force himself into the team as a top 6 defenseman we shouldn't be forcing forwards to sit to accommodate for him.

 

[SirPaste]

Agree with the two posters above, Perunovich still has a lot to prove to even make the team IMO let alone have the team planning to sit a forward just to squeeze him into the lineup.