Lines when Leino returns

[jBuds]

What do we think we'll see when Ville Lein_ returns to the lineup? I think the only obvious combination (with or without him) is the preservation of our first line (VHP). What do you want the other three lines to look like upon his return?

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[start winnin]

VHP
Ott Ennis Stafford
Leino Grigs Foligno
Scott Hecht Gerbe or McCormick

 

[JOHNBOY]

VHP
Foligno-Ennis-Stafford
Leino-Grigorenko-Ott
Scott-Hecht-Gerbe

 

[start winnin]

VHP
Foligno-Ennis-Stafford
Leino-Grigorenko-Ott
Scott-Hecht-Gerbe

Actually yeah I want this.

I want to try the Foligno Ennis Stafford line, it really looks like Ennis and Foligno are getting back to how they used to play. Foligno needs to be crashing bodies and using his strength to make things happen instead of trying to dangle through the opposition. Ennis has gotten back to making the simple plays, just chip and chase and most importantly SKATE. Foligno and Ennis were flying in Boston's game, that's when Ennis is best, when he's moving his feet and being just a hound on the puck. I thought Stafford was the best of that line for the first couple of games, he needs to start contributing on the forecheck.

 

[ZZamboni]

What about Kaleta and McCormick?

 

[jBuds]

Actually yeah I want this.

I want to try the Foligno Ennis Stafford line, it really looks like Ennis and Foligno are getting back to how they used to play. Foligno needs to be crashing bodies and using his strength to make things happen instead of trying to dangle through the opposition. Ennis has gotten back to making the simple plays, just chip and chase and most importantly SKATE. Foligno and Ennis were flying in Boston's game, that's when Ennis is best, when he's moving his feet and being just a hound on the puck. I thought Stafford was the best of that line for the first couple of games, he needs to start contributing on the forecheck.

And on the scoresheet.

Agreed about Ennis. Foligno doesn't even need to be "crashing bodies" as much as he needs to work the walls and get to the net. He plays with a natural edge when he's on his game, so the physical play will come. He was great at creating space for Ennis last year, and he was beyond tenacious on the forecheck. When Marcus Foligno plays at his peak, he's a very, very effective player. Need that consistently, can't be complacent.

 

[jBuds]

What about Kaleta and McCormick?

All correspondence I've read & everything I've heard indicates it'll be a while for Kaleta (I think Ruff said as much). McCormick would likely flip in for Scott and Gerbe on a circumstantial basis, I'd say.

 

[start winnin]

And on the scoresheet.

Agreed about Ennis. Foligno doesn't even need to be "crashing bodies" as much as he needs to work the walls and get to the net. He plays with a natural edge when he's in his game, so the physical play will come. He was great at creating space for Ennis last year, and he was beyond tenacious on the forecheck. When Marcus Foligno plays at his peak, he's a very, very effective player. Need that consistently, can't be complacent.

Oops I meant scoresheet

And agreed by Foligno, by crashing bodies I meant just being physical in general.

 

[dma0034]

VHP
Ott-Ennis-Stafford
Leino-Grigorenko-Foligno
Scott-Hecht-Gerbe

Grigs and Foligno are starting to jell and in the scrimmage Leino seemed to have instant chemistry with Grig. Ott could be a faceoff specialist for the poor-preforming Ennis; whom seems to raise Stafford's game. That 4th line looks good as it.

 

[Beerz]

I'm ready to move on from Gerbe.... he's not suited for a 4th line role.

I'd rather roll with Scott-Hecht-McCormick.

When Kaleta comes back Scott and McCormick can alternate.

 

[joshjull]

All correspondence I've read & everything I've heard indicates it'll be a while for Kaleta (I think Ruff said as much). McCormick would likely flip in for Scott and Gerbe on a circumstantial basis, I'd say.

I can't imagine a circumstance where McCormick would dress instead of Scott, other than injury.

 

[studebaker1*]

I can't imagine a circumstance where McCormick would dress instead of Scott, other than injury.

Yeah, so far Scott hasn't been the huge liability that everyone was making him out to be. In the short amount of ice he's seen, I haven't noticed any mistakes - he has even had some offensive opportunities by throwing the puck on net to create rebounds.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

I hope to see what was planned for during the week of training camp...

VHP
FES
LGO
SHG/Mc

Hopefully Foligno gets his game going and Ennis dumbs down his play just a tad to cut down on TOs and deflected passes. I don't have a problem with Stafford, that line just hasn't been getting the puck to the net enough. If Leino can bring something (anything) and Grigorenko gets comfortable and the game slows down for him then that line could bring the scoring balance they need for nightly mis-matches. That line or FES will get open ice on a regular basis and have to cash in on chances. In fact they might NEED that if the defense doesn't get straightened out.

 

[DeadGhost]

My top 3 lines are the norm for Ville's return but after watching Tarnasky play the PP, SH and some big minutes the last month I have an inkling that he could outperform McCormick.

 

[Prospector74]

LGO

The LEGO line. Let's build it! That would be a good 3rd line. Need FES to hold together and produce though for it to be possible.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

I can't claim "LEGO", it was already mentioned in a thread a few weeks back, but I'd like to see how they could do. One line has to step up and back up VHP.

 

[Fire Lindy]

Will he even be back? I thought there were some rumblings about needing surgery, I think it was said it would be after the season but that's not a good sign..sounds like it will be something that will bother him all year.

 

[gallagt01]

I'd like to see Grigorenko and Foligno continue to play together (similar to why I'd like to see Girgensons and Armia play together when they're in Rochester next year). I think Foligno's physical play offsets Grigorenko's general lack thereof. And, as silly as it sounds, Foligno will protect Grigorenko should the need arise.

Also, while I have no proof as I'm not in the room, I like to think that Foligno's demeanor (fun but business-first, or so it seems) can have a calming effect on Grigorenko.

So give me 26-19-29, 9-63-21, 23-25-82.

 

[Sabresfansince1980]

Leino said he had surgery for the left hip for the same reason, and now wishes he had surgery on both at that time.

 

[JonathanWashington]

Vanek Hodgson Pominville
Foligno-Ennis-Ott
Leino-Grigorenko-Stafford
hecht-Mccormick-Kaleta

 

[BloFan4Life]

I would let him get surgery and put him on LTIR. He should be healthy in time to do a compliance buyout then. Time to be done with him.

 

[Rhett4]

I'm ready to move on from Gerbe.... he's not suited for a 4th line role.

I'd rather roll with Scott-Hecht-McCormick.

When Kaleta comes back Scott and McCormick can alternate.

Especially next game with the Bruins. Scott and McCormick should be fun (as long as McCormick's finger is OK, of course).

 

[SabresFanNorthPortFL]

VHP
Foligno-Ennis-Stafford
Leino-Grigorenko-Ott
Scott-Hecht-Gerbe

Instead of this, I'd like to see this:

VHP
Leino - Grigs - Ott
FES
Scott - Hecht - Gerbe

Let FES feed off of lesser comp. Leino is supposed to more of a top 6 guy, Grigs is supposed to be elite and Ott, well he's better than Stafford.

 

[HiddenInLight]

Vanek - Hodgeson - Pominville
Leino - Grigorenko - Ott
Foligno - Ennis - Stafford
Gerbe - Hecht - Kaleta

Scott plays for gerbe if needed, and if kaleta doesn't come back sooner then it is Gerbe - Hecht - Scott/McCormick that last like is dependant on injury. Also, if Foligno starts to slump again put ott on the ennis line and foligno with grigorenko again.

 

[pigpen65]

i would assume the lines would be the same. leino is terrible.