Line Combos: Line Combos: now, next year, future, etc

[bigd]

It's not unreasonable to think Nelson makes the team. Even Strome is possible. It's July 11th, still three months for anything to happen.

On my end, I would actually be surprised if Regin is a regular in the lineup. Think he was signed more for depth than anything.

Maybe so but he's still on the roster even if he's a healthy scratch so most likely guys to go down are rookies with 2 way contracts. I don't think they would have picked him up if then intended on waiving him.

 

[IslesRock4]

Maybe so but he's still on the roster even if he's a healthy scratch so most likely guys to go down are rookies with 2 way contracts. I don't think they would have picked him up if then intended on waiving him.

When did I say that? I think they will carry 14 forwards and waive Finley.

 

[mack809f]

Top 6 wings

I agree with you, at least to start his NHL career. I really think a line of Bailey-Tavares-Nelson could do a lot of damage. However than we have a hole at 2/3 center spot. Nielsen can take one of those spots, but who has the other? Is Cizikas a 3rd line center already? What about Strome? Do you want to have Strome and Nelson in your top 6? 2 rookies could be a recipe for disaster.

Thanks for your feedback, always great to hear from an Isles fan. The most promising future top 6 wingers look like Okposo, Strome, Bailey, and Nelson. Of course 2 have not skated much on NHL ice and they both might end up at center. Moulson and Grabner have have demonstrated the most important top end skill, finding the net. Looks to me like Grabner has a better chance to stick with his speed. Clutterbuck, MAB, and Regin could step in short term. Considering the plethora of dmen and goales in the system, I'm looking for the next Mke Bossy to get us the cup.

 

[Felix Unger]

I've become MUCH more bullish on Strome the last few days. So a revision:

Bailey-JT-Strome/Bouchard
Moulson-Nielsen-Okposo
Grabner-Nelson-Bouchard/Strome
Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck
McDonald
Regin

MacDonald-Hamonic
Hickey-Visnovsky
Donovan-Strait
Carkner

Looks like the kind of team you'd want to roll all 4 lines during even strength. There's MUCH more depth than in years past. Really, a lot more.

 

[Eye of Ra]

Moulson-JT-Bouchard
Bailey-Nielsen-Okposo
Grabner-Strome-Regin
Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

 

[crasherino]

I've become MUCH more bullish on Strome the last few days. So a revision:

Bailey-JT-Strome/Bouchard
Moulson-Nielsen-Okposo
Grabner-Nelson-Bouchard/Strome
Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck
McDonald
Regin

MacDonald-Hamonic
Hickey-Visnovsky
Donovan-Strait
Carkner

Looks like the kind of team you'd want to roll all 4 lines during even strength. There's MUCH more depth than in years past. Really, a lot more.

I like that a lot except for Hickey/Viz makes me nervous about getting pushed around. If they get matched up against physical line, they can really be dominated in their own zone. I guess when bulk is needed, Cark goes in for THick.

And I like CMac, but the reality is is that he may be the odd man out if Nelson/Strome play up to what we can reasonably expect. That's a good thing for the team in general.

 

[Macch]

I've become MUCH more bullish on Strome the last few days. So a revision:

Bailey-JT-Strome/Bouchard
Moulson-Nielsen-Okposo
Grabner-Nelson-Bouchard/Strome
Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck
McDonald
Regin

MacDonald-Hamonic
Hickey-Visnovsky
Donovan-Strait
Carkner

Looks like the kind of team you'd want to roll all 4 lines during even strength. There's MUCH more depth than in years past. Really, a lot more.

Looks good on paper, but I just can't see the Isles sitting CMac. If he sucks something awful then year, but he's too much of what the Islanders want from a bottom 6 guy.

 

[19NYSports91]

All of a sudden McDonald isn't playing, I don't see that happening, he's perfect for the 4th line. Had 17 points last year with a lot of clutch goals playing on the 3rd/4th line.

 

[Felix Unger]

All of a sudden McDonald isn't playing, I don't see that happening, he's perfect for the 4th line. Had 17 points last year with a lot of clutch goals playing on the 3rd/4th line.

Look, there's likely to be injuries so it won't matter much. But if Strome has a big camp, you're going to send him down to play Colin McDonald? Alternatiely, you're going to sit PM Bouchard or Clutterbuck for McDonald?

I don't think so.

I understand the loyalty to McDonald, but IMO any 4th liner who doesn't play a major physical role or the PK is disposable.

 

[seafoam]

Look, there's likely to be injuries so it won't matter much. But if Strome has a big camp, you're going to send him down to play Colin McDonald? Alternatiely, you're going to sit PM Bouchard or Clutterbuck for McDonald?

I don't think so.

I understand the loyalty to McDonald, but IMO any 4th liner who doesn't play a major physical role or the PK is disposable.

I've got to think that it's top six or bust for Strome coming out of camp. The Isles didn't just pay Cal what they did so he can be a fourth liner.

 

[BEB595]

If Snow feels that Strome/Nelson are ready for the big time, doesn't it make sense to trade Moulson now for top value (top 4 dman) as opposed to letting him walk for nothing next offseason or trading him for a pick later on?

Strome-Tavares-Bouchard
Bailey-Nielson-Okposo
Grabner-Nelson-Clutterbuck
Martin-Cizikas-McDonald
Regin

 

[bigd]

When did I say that? I think they will carry 14 forwards and waive Finley.

I'm not positive but I thought I read Snow making a statement that they would probably start the season out with 8 D. We shall see but I don't see them waiving Finely unless another D-man is brought in. I doubt that that D-man will be Reinhart when they have the option to send him back to Juniors and play a ton of hockey in all situations.

 

[eastonhockey22*]

Moulson and Tavares have started and played, just about every game, together every year since Tavares entered the league. Looking at these line up's it seems like most of you think that Bailey will be starting with Tavares.

What makes you guys think Capuano will change it up this year? I know they played together in the playoffs but that was only six games and the playoffs are a whole different beast from the regular season.

 

[BEB595]

I'm not positive but I thought I read Snow making a statement that they would probably start the season out with 8 D. We shall see but I don't see them waiving Finely unless another D-man is brought in. I doubt that that D-man will be Reinhart when they have the option to send him back to Juniors and play a ton of hockey in all situations.

Reinhart definitely plays Junior hockey next year. I really think Snow will trade Moulson for a top 4 dman like Bieksa (or Klesla).


Hamonic-MacDonald
Bieksa-Visnovsky
Strait-Donovan
Hickey-Carkner

DeHaan starts at the bridge, Finley is waived, there are your 8 dmen

 

[seafoam]

If Snow feels that Strome/Nelson are ready for the big time, doesn't it make sense to trade Moulson now for top value (top 4 dman) as opposed to letting him walk for nothing next offseason or trading him for a pick later on?

Strome-Tavares-Bouchard
Bailey-Nielson-Okposo
Grabner-Nelson-Clutterbuck
Martin-Cizikas-McDonald
Regin

First of all, I doubt Moulson would reel in a big fish on defense. Also, you don't trade away a 30 goal scorer and expect to maintain the same success. You keep him for a playoff run and lose him the next offseason like Boston had to do with Horton. Or you can trade away his rights like the Isles did with Streit.

 

[MatthewBarnabysTears]

Moulson-JT-Bouchard
Bailey-Nielsen-Okposo
Grabner-Strome-Regin
Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

I can't see Regin playing over McDonald. But if Strome is as impressive in camp as he was at the prospects scrimmage, I don't see any reason he shouldn't be here -- and playing center.

 

[IslesRock4]

New line ideas with Strome forcing his way in and Nelson going back down instead:

Moulson-Tavares-Bouchard
Bailey-Strome-Okposo
Grabner-Nielsen-Clutterbuck
Martin-Cizikas-McDonald
Regin, Boulton

Defense stays the same with:

MacDonald-Hamonic
Strait-Visnovsky
Donovan-Hickey/Carkner

 

[Felix Unger]

Come on. How much more evidence do y'all need to see that there's been an organizational decision to try Strome out on JT's wing this season? That top-line RW position has been like the defense against the dark arts professor at hogwarts.

I'd love to see Strome make it, pushing Bouchard to a "third" line with Nelson and Grabner. That line could be absolutely dynamic on the counterattack. Speed to burn and big Brock trailing to snipe or bang in the rebound.

As for Moulson - he did much of his first year scoring on Nielsen's wing. He's played there before, there's nothing wrong with it. It's a fluid situation.

 

[seafoam]

Moulson and Tavares have started and played, just about every game, together every year since Tavares entered the league. Looking at these line up's it seems like most of you think that Bailey will be starting with Tavares.

What makes you guys think Capuano will change it up this year? I know they played together in the playoffs but that was only six games and the playoffs are a whole different beast from the regular season.

Yeah and? I would say that now, after JT's third season, Moulson is holding JT back.

 

[seafoam]

Come on. How much more evidence do y'all need to see that there's been an organizational decision to try Strome out on JT's wing this season? That top-line RW position has been like the defense against the dark arts professor at hogwarts.

I'd love to see Strome make it, pushing Bouchard to a "third" line with Nelson and Grabner. That line could be absolutely dynamic on the counterattack. Speed to burn and big Brock trailing to snipe or bang in the rebound.

As for Moulson - he did much of his first year scoring on Nielsen's wing. He's played there before, there's nothing wrong with it. It's a fluid situation.

Did you really just say that?

 

[kasper11]

Come on. How much more evidence do y'all need to see that there's been an organizational decision to try Strome out on JT's wing this season? That top-line RW position has been like the defense against the dark arts professor at hogwarts.

I'd love to see Strome make it, pushing Bouchard to a "third" line with Nelson and Grabner. That line could be absolutely dynamic on the counterattack. Speed to burn and big Brock trailing to snipe or bang in the rebound.

As for Moulson - he did much of his first year scoring on Nielsen's wing. He's played there before, there's nothing wrong with it. It's a fluid situation.

If you have Strome on the top-line, Bouchard on the third, where do you put Okposo/Clutterbuck/Mcdonald?

Hard to see how Strome makes it given that the two biggest additions to the team are both RWs.

 

[PWJunior]

If you have Strome on the top-line, Bouchard on the third, where do you put Okposo/Clutterbuck/Mcdonald?

Hard to see how Strome makes it given that the two biggest additions to the team are both RWs.

With Snow's comments and the way the roster is set up so far, I think the plan has always been for Strome to start in Bridgeport. I'm pretty confident that Strome will be on the Isles by the end of the season though, the kid is already the 2nd most offensively talented player in the organization. The Isles are being overly cautious with him because everyone knows that he's a key to the rebuild. To have another dynamic offensive player in addition to Tavares is huge.

 

[eastonhockey22*]

Yeah and? I would say that now, after JT's third season, Moulson is holding JT back.

I'm sure you would... But would Capuano? That's what really matters. We're talking about the guy that didn't change the lines even once during their 20 game losing streak a few years ago. What makes you guys think that this season will be different? I think from their position they'll see it as the "game plan" finally coming together and working out. I mean they finally made the playoffs by sticking to their guns. Why change now?

 

[PWJunior]

I'm sure you would... But would Capuano? That's what really matters. We're talking about the guy that didn't change the lines even once during their 20 game losing streak a few years ago. What makes you guys think that this season will be different? I think from their position they'll see it as the "game plan" finally coming together and working out. I mean they finally made the playoffs by sticking to their guns. Why change now?

He made the change in the playoffs when it was MOST important. Bailey brings a much better skillset for how Tavares plays now (goal scorer rather than playmaker) and the coaching staff does get it. Cappy mentioned how he had considered switching Moulson and Bailey for a while until finally doing so at the most critical point in the season.

That can't be ignored.

 

[Felix Unger]

If you have Strome on the top-line, Bouchard on the third, where do you put Okposo/Clutterbuck/Mcdonald?

Hard to see how Strome makes it given that the two biggest additions to the team are both RWs.

This all depends on Strome's camp. If he forces his way on to the team, y'all are honestly worried whether Clutterbuck plays on the 4th line?

Of course, it's a big if.