Speculation: Line Combinations

[BatherSeason]

The AHL made an announcement 2 weeks ago that it was to start on Feb 5th, announced which teams are competing, and what the division alignments will be. There's also been a few teams showing pictures of their ice getting prepared for AHL camp. just because there's not as much press as there was about the NHL doesn't mean it isn't just around the corner.

I'm not expecting a front page news story. I'm just curious how long guys like Brann and Brown will be sitting for. It's already been over a week. C'mon, even you can admit that a Feb 5 start date is closing in on not happening. It's January 20 tomorrow and there has been no schedule released and no dates for training camps. If the league was dead set on starting on the 5th, these things would be happening in the next day or so.

I would much rather have Peca, Haley and the taxi squad sitting idle than your first round draft pick and your prized Mark Stone trade return.

 

[DaveMatthew]

You don't need a spreadsheet to tell you that our vets are bad.

Nor do you need a spreadsheet to tell you that Chlapik, Balcers and Jaros are not, and will never be, full-time NHLers, so let's stop complaining about them not making the cut and focus on the continued development of Chabot, Tkachuk, Stutzle, Norris and Batherson this year.

Next year, we'll likely get to watch L.Brown, Formenton, Brannstrom and potentially Sanderson or Pinto on the NHL roster, but I'm sure some will ignore that and complain about Abramov and Sokolov being sent down.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

You would think that if the AHL was starting in 2 weeks, there would be some news about camps opening. Do you think that it's good to have Logan Brown, Brann and all of our other prospects sitting and doing nothing right now? Do you think that they would be better served by skating with the taxi squad until there is more news about AHL camps?

Chris Stevenson said on the pregame that there is no approval from Ontario to start up AHL hockey in Belleville and Toronto..

 

[Erik Alfredsson]

I'm not expecting a front page news story. I'm just curious how long guys like Brann and Brown will be sitting for. It's already been over a week. C'mon, even you can admit that a Feb 5 start date is closing in on not happening. It's January 20 tomorrow and there has been no schedule released and no dates for training camps. If the league was dead set on starting on the 5th, these things would be happening in the next day or so.

I would much rather have Peca, Haley and the taxi squad sitting idle than your first round draft pick and your prized Mark Stone trade return.

I'm sure Dorion will know the status of the AHL before the public does. I don't know why you assume no news 2 weeks out means that it's not going to happen.

 

[BatherSeason]

I'm sure Dorion will know the status of the AHL before the public does. I don't know why you assume no news 2 weeks out means that it's not going to happen.

No news two weeks out means that they won't be starting on Feb 5, which also means that Brown and Brann won't be skating with anyone for at least another week.

 

[BondraTime]

Nor do you need a spreadsheet to tell you that Chlapik, Balcers and Jaros are not, and will never be, full-time NHLers, so let's stop complaining about them not making the cut and focus on the continued development of Chabot, Tkachuk, Stutzle, Norris and Batherson this year.

Next year, we'll likely get to watch L.Brown, Formenton, Brannstrom and potentially Sanderson or Pinto on the NHL roster, but I'm sure some will ignore that and complain about Abramov and Sokolov being sent down.

Was Paul never going to be an NHLer?

 

[Erik Alfredsson]

No news two weeks out means that they won't be starting on Feb 5, which also means that Brown and Brann won't be skating with anyone for at least another week.

You have no idea, that's 100% speculation by you.

 

[DaveMatthew]

Was Paul never going to be an NHLer?

Paul made the most of his 56 NHL games last year and showed that he could become one.

Balcers has played 54 NHL games over the last two years. Chlapik has played 36. Jaros has played 74. Lajoie has played 62.

All those players got the same chance. Paul took advantage of his opportunity, the others did not. That's why he's on the roster.

The "they never got a chance" line is 100% untrue, because they've all gotten to play in a good amount of games at the NHL level. Not every player makes it.

From reading these posts, you'd think these guys have never even been to CTC...

 

[BondraTime]

Paul made the most of his 56 NHL games last year and showed that he could become one.

Balcers has played 54 NHL games over the last two years. Chlapik has played 36. Jaros has played 74. Lajoie has played 62.

All those players got the same chance. Paul took advantage of his opportunity, the others did not. That's why he's on the roster.

The "they never got a chance" line is 100% untrue, because they've all gotten to play in a good amount of games at the NHL level. Not every player makes it.

From reading these posts, you'd think these guys have never even been to CTC...

That opportunity came at age 24, after not making the team 4 years in a row, after already playing 56 games where he showed extremely little (same as Chlapik/Balcers etc.). Why not give the same chance to another 23/24 year old, certainly worked out well with Paul. They certainly haven't had the same opportunity, Paul got his after 4 years showing less compared to 3 years showing more

If Paul never got that chance, the same way none of these guys got them, would we still have him? Would he just be another cup of coffee without getting a real chance?

 

[DaveMatthew]

That opportunity came at age 24, after not making the team 4 years in a row, after already playing 56 games where he showed extremely little (same as Chlapik/Balcers etc.). Why not give the same chance to another 23/24 year old, certainly worked out well with Paul. They certainly haven't had the same opportunity, Paul got his after 4 years showing less compared to 3 years showing more

If Paul never got that chance, the same way none of these guys got them, would we still have him? Would he just be another cup of coffee without getting a real chance?

Paul didn't make the opening night roster last year. He was sent down and earned his chance to get back up, and then played well enough to stay in the lineup. He came back this year and earned his spot again. He wasn't handed anything.

Chlapik made the team out of camp last year, and got 31 NHL games, but couldn't stick. And he didn't perform well enough to earn a spot, or be picked up on waivers, this year.

Paul didn't get anymore of a "real chance" than Chlapik. He just capitalized on his. He played his way onto the team, Chlapik played his way off.

 

[BatherSeason]

You have no idea, that's 100% speculation by you.

Either do you, and either does anyone else. There was an announcement, but it's now the 19th and nothing has happened yet. Already been over a week for Brann and Brown without formal practices.

 

[BondraTime]

Paul didn't make the opening night roster last year. He was sent down and earned his chance to get back up, and then played well enough to stay in the lineup. He came back this year and earned his spot again. He wasn't handed anything.

Chlapik made the team out of camp last year, and got 31 NHL games, but couldn't stick. And he didn't perform well enough to earn a spot, or be picked up on waivers, this year.

Paul didn't get anymore of a "real chance" than Chlapik. He just capitalized on his. He played his way onto the team, Chlapik played his way off.

As soon as Paul got his chance, in his 24 year old season, he ran with it.

Chlapik did make the opening night roster, in which he was sent down after 1 game with 5 minutes of icetime. A real chance? I don't see that.

Paul played 3 games in the AHL to earn his callup, not sure he played himself onto the team, he got a chance and ran with it.

Paul had more games played, and never got claimed on waivers, in both his 23 and 24 tear old season than our 2 similar guys this year on waivers.

Paul wasn't good enough to get claimed on waivers either, now he is. Thanks in large part to opportunity.

Paul had 54 games out of 56 with more than 10 minutes of TOI, Chlapik had 8/31 with more than 10. Opportunity isn't equal.

In Paul's 23 year old season he had 5/20 games with more than 10 minutes, not surprising he never ran with that either and established himself, had he gotten the opportunity we likely know we have a 3rd liner in him that year.

 

[DaveMatthew]

As soon as Paul got his chance, in his 24 year old season, he ran with it.

Chlapik did make the opening night roster, in which he was sent down after 1 game with 5 minutes of icetime. A real chance? I don't see that.

Paul played 3 games in the AHL to earn his callup, not sure he played himself onto the team, he got a chance and ran with it.

Paul had more games played, and never got claimed on waivers, in both his 23 and 24 tear old season than our 2 similar guys this year on waivers.

Paul wasn't good enough to get claimed on waivers either, now he is. Thanks in large part to opportunity.

Paul had 54 games out of 56 with more than 10 minutes of TOI, Chlapik had 8/31 with more than 10. Opportunity isn't equal.

Well luckily, Chlapik is on the taxi squad and injuries are bound to happen.

He’ll get another opportunity, and it’ll be up to him to run with it, like Paul did. And Paul did get chances before last season. He just didn’t take advantage of them until last year.

People have written him off because he’s shown little, to this point, at the NHL level. Paul worked at it and proved everyone wrong. Chlapik can do the same.

So far, he hasn’t made the most of the opportunities he’s been given. And he’s been given them.

He’s not a top end prospect. Nobody is giving him 82 games and 15 minutes a night of leash. Nor should they.

 

[Joeyjoejoe]

Most optimal lineup

Tkachuk-Norris-Batherson
Stützle-Stepan-Dadonov
Paul-Tierney-Brown
Galchenyuk-White-Watson

Chabot- Zaitsev
Woalanin-Brown
Reilly-Gubranson

 

[DJB]

Its so nice to have an actual 3rd line right now.

Paul - Tierney - C Brown

I think this line has been our most consistent and they have played great.

Crazy to think that 2 of these 3 were in our top 6 last year

 

[RAFI BOMB]

Forwards
Tkachuk-Norris-Batherson
Stützle-Galchenyuk-Dadanov
Paul-Tierney-C.Brown
Paquette-Stepan-Watson

Defense
Chabot-Gudbranson
Reilly-Zaitsev
Coburn-J.Brown

Maybe switch Wolanin for Reilly.

 

[RAFI BOMB]

Hopefully they try Alex Formenton-Logan Brown-Egor Sokolov in the AHL to start the season. Give them ten games or a month and if they are all clicking call them up and roll that as a 4th line in the NHL.

 

[Sensmileletsgo]

Forwards
Tkachuk-Norris-Dadanov
Stützle-Galchenyuk-Dadanov
Paul-Tierney-C.Brown
Paquette-Stepan-Watson

Defense
Chabot-Gudbranson
Reilly-Zaitsev
Coburn-J.Brown

Maybe switch Wolanin for Reilly.

Nice line up. When was the last time Galchenyuk played center? Anyone know? I like how Dadanov gets double duty.

 

[NB613]

Most optimal lineup
Tkachuk-Norris-Batherson
Stützle-Stepan-Dadonov
Paul-Tierney-Brown
Galchenyuk-White-Watson

Chabot- Zaitsev
Woalanin-Brown
Reilly-Gubranson

Love it.
Hoping by end of season they can try out L. Brown, Formenton, and Brännström in there.

 

[RAFI BOMB]

Nice line up. When was the last time Galchenyuk played center? Anyone know? I like how Dadanov gets double duty.

Fixed it. I meant to write Batherson on the first line. I like the idea of trying Stützle and Galchenyuk. They can share center duty and see if they develop some chemistry. If they can and Galchenyuk can be consistent then he can earn himself a long term contract.

 

[Boud]

Tkachuk - Norris - Batherson
Galchenyuk - Stutzle - Dadonov
Paul - Stepan - C. Brown
Tierney - White - Watson

Chabot - Zaitsev
Reilly - Gudbranson
Coburn/Wolanin - J.Brown

 

[WaitingInVain]

Having professionals in place to establish the culture is essential. Men leading young men.

There are three young players in the top 6 expected to carry the offensive production.

Elite talents: Tkachuk, Stützle
First round picks: Norris, White, Brannstrom
Development success: Batherson, Paul, Wolanin, Högberg
On the cusp: Formenton Abramov
2021 shoe-ins: Pinto, Bernard-Docker
2022 guarantee: Sanderson
Trade bait: Logan Brown

Nine on the team, two on the steps, one needing a new pasture.

 

[bert]

Nor do you need a spreadsheet to tell you that Chlapik, Balcers and Jaros are not, and will never be, full-time NHLers, so let's stop complaining about them not making the cut and focus on the continued development of Chabot, Tkachuk, Stutzle, Norris and Batherson this year.

Next year, we'll likely get to watch L.Brown, Formenton, Brannstrom and potentially Sanderson or Pinto on the NHL roster, but I'm sure some will ignore that and complain about Abramov and Sokolov being sent down.

Brutal take. Chlapik showed he was an NHLer last year and looked way better than a few of the vets have so far. They are what they are he is still developing. Have you not been watching the Ottawa Senators the last 15 years. How many players got better when they got a chance. I mean Nick Paul and Drake Batherson are both playing right in front of your eyes as current examples of players that have continued to improve.

I know this won't happen but I'd go with this lineup next game if Stuetzle is healthy. I really want to see him play with Batherson, I think they both have the high end IQ and skill to make something happen. Thought about putting Stepan there but he is too slow. White will muck, grind and has the pace to keep up with Jimmy.

Tkachuk Norris Dadonov
Paul Tierney C. Brown
Stuetzle White Batherson
Galchenyuk Stepan Watson

I'd keep the d core the same Reilly played well.

PP 1
Tkachuk Stuetzle Dadonov Batherson Chabot

PP 2
White Galchenyuk Norris Stepan Reilly

Tkachuk and White - Net front
Stuetzle and Galchenyuk - Right half wall
Dadonov and Norris - Bumper
Batherson and Stepan- Left half wall
Chabot and Reilly - Up top

This allows the team to put the Paul Tierney C. Brown line out there after the pp to keep momentum and reduce the chance of a let down shift.

PK
Tierney, Paul, Brown, Watson and Stepan.

 

[bert]

Paul made the most of his 56 NHL games last year and showed that he could become one.

Balcers has played 54 NHL games over the last two years. Chlapik has played 36. Jaros has played 74. Lajoie has played 62.

All those players got the same chance. Paul took advantage of his opportunity, the others did not. That's why he's on the roster.

The "they never got a chance" line is 100% untrue, because they've all gotten to play in a good amount of games at the NHL level. Not every player makes it.

From reading these posts, you'd think these guys have never even been to CTC...

Cherry picking game numbers makes your argument illegitimate. Completely false and misconstrued. Paul had previous experience and much more opportunity as you clearly showed by showing how many games he got in last year. Chlapik literally is 2 years younger than Paul perhaps if he got 56 games this year he would be on the same trajectory.

 

[Sweatred]

Stuetzle White Batherson
.

Oh please -

1. Why on earth would we break up our first line 3 games in. They are emerging as a dominant, intimidating, puck possession line.

2. Why on earth would we use Colin White to shelter/carry Stützle.

Talk about bad takes ...