new lines--new you???

[Sentrix]

Please elaborate

Not nearly enough change. Not even close.
We're 6-11-1, lines need a total overhaul. I don't care if the top line of VHP was producing at high levels at the start of the season. They aren't now, and we had success last season rolling three lines that could score.

Also, Nathan Gerbe is a fourth liner. He belongs in the NHL, but not on a scoring line.
He has great speed and energy but cannot receive passes to save his life.

Foligno-Grigorenko-Pominville
Ott-Ennis-Stafford
Vanek-Hodgson-Porter
Gerbe-Hecht-Kaleta

Scott

Ideally, the third line's RW would be a righty because Vanek's already on his off-wing, but unless you want to put Kaleta there we don't really have anyone. (Unless you want Vanek playing on the right side which is rare)

Someone has to play wing because we have too many centers.
Here, it's Porter. But it could be Ennis or Grigorenko as well. Hodgson is the most natural center so I wouldn't put him on wing.

For those F-E-S fans out there, swap Ott with Foligno on lines 1 and 2.

I think these lines spread the talent around as best as possible.
Right now, 2 lines can score. With these lines, 3 can.

 

[McCauleyChirps]

Not nearly enough change. Not even close.

Foligno-Grigorenko-Pominville
Ott-Ennis-Stafford
Vanek-Hodgson-Porter

You've realized that he as *one* game under his belt, let alone a barely 48 hours of head coach time?

If you have all the answers, you'd be in his position and wouldn't be posting on a message board.

That line. No.

 

[Paxon]

Not nearly enough change. Not even close.
We're 6-11-1, lines need a total overhaul. I don't care if the top line of VHP was producing at high levels at the start of the season. They aren't now, and we had success last season rolling three lines that could score.

Also, Nathan Gerbe is a fourth liner. He belongs in the NHL, but not on a scoring line.
He has great speed and energy but cannot receive passes to save his life.

Foligno-Grigorenko-Pominville
Ott-Ennis-Stafford
Vanek-Hodgson-Porter
Gerbe-Hecht-Kaleta

Scott

Ideally, the third line's RW would be a righty because Vanek's already on his off-wing, but unless you want to put Kaleta there we don't really have anyone. (Unless you want Vanek playing on the right side which is rare)

Someone has to play wing because we have too many centers.
Here, it's Porter. But it could be Ennis or Grigorenko as well. Hodgson is the most natural center so I wouldn't put him on wing.

For those F-E-S fans out there, swap Ott with Foligno on lines 1 and 2.

I think these lines spread the talent around as best as possible.
Right now, 2 lines can score. With these lines, 3 can.

Vanek-Hodgson-...Porter

 

[Sentrix]

You've realized that he as *one* game under his belt, let alone a barely 48 hours of head coach time?

If you have all the answers, you'd be in his position and wouldn't be posting on a message board.

So fans who think critically and analyze the game need to be an NHL head coach in order to have any credibility? If that's what you think why are you even registered here? How can you bear to read anyone's posts?

Nowhere did I say I had all the answers. (that was funny)
And yes he needs time, but time is running out and the lack of a wholesale change in lines disappointed me.

And if you don't like mine, you can post your own, otherwise I can't take "That line. No" seriously. That is if you can handle having an opinion and posting it on a message board despite not being an NHL head coach. Given your beliefs, I'd imagine that'll be hard.

 

[1972]

Not nearly enough change. Not even close.
We're 6-11-1, lines need a total overhaul. I don't care if the top line of VHP was producing at high levels at the start of the season. They aren't now, and we had success last season rolling three lines that could score.

Also, Nathan Gerbe is a fourth liner. He belongs in the NHL, but not on a scoring line.
He has great speed and energy but cannot receive passes to save his life.

Foligno-Grigorenko-Pominville
Ott-Ennis-Stafford
Vanek-Hodgson-Porter
Gerbe-Hecht-Kaleta

Scott

Ideally, the third line's RW would be a righty because Vanek's already on his off-wing, but unless you want to put Kaleta there we don't really have anyone. (Unless you want Vanek playing on the right side which is rare)

Someone has to play wing because we have too many centers.
Here, it's Porter. But it could be Ennis or Grigorenko as well. Hodgson is the most natural center so I wouldn't put him on wing.

For those F-E-S fans out there, swap Ott with Foligno on lines 1 and 2.

I think these lines spread the talent around as best as possible.
Right now, 2 lines can score. With these lines, 3 can.

The guy is one game into his NHL career, what happened in the past doesnt matter

 

[Wisent42]

I would be really interested in seing Grigorenko get a shot between Vanek and Pommers for a couple of games, but I can't for the life of me put together lines that makes since.

 

[Sentrix]

I would be really interested in seing Grigorenko get a shot between Vanek and Pommers for a couple of games, but I can't for the life of me put together lines than makes since.

That'd be a step in the right direction, but I still think 26 and 29 need to be split.

 

[McCauleyChirps]

Foligno-Grigorenko-Pominville
Ott-Ennis-Stafford
Vanek-Hodgson-Porter
Gerbe-Hecht-Kaleta

Scott

So fans who think critically and analyze the game need to be an NHL head coach in order to have any credibility? If that's what you think why are you even registered here? How can you bear to read anyone's posts?

Nowhere did I say I had all the answers. (that was funny)
And yes he needs time, but time is running out and the lack of a wholesale change in lines disappointed me.

And if you don't like mine, you can post your own, otherwise I can't take "That line. No" seriously. That is if you can handle having an opinion and posting it on a message board despite not being an NHL head coach. Given your beliefs, I'd imagine that'll be hard.

This any better for you?

Another issue with these lines is the first line is a *true* first line, they would be receiving over 20 minutes of play time. Foligno will not last in to the 3rd period, and Grigs hasn't played over 15 in any one game. 2nd line is ok. Third is a problem with Porter. Another problem is the playing time of the third line. You're willing to give them true third line minutes of 13-15 minutes per game? That went over so well the last time Vanek received anything under 18 minutes. Also, you're letting Hodgson rot on the third line. 4th line is ok..could care less about a 4th line.

 

[McCauleyChirps]

If you want 26 and 29 split, then it would be as simple as:

Vanek - Hodgson - Stafford
Ott - Ennis - Pominville
Foligno - Grigorenko - Porter
Gerbe - Hecht - Kaleta

...but I'm sure I'll get lamb basted for having Grig on the 3rd line. He just doesn't fit anywhere else at this point in time.

 

[kenfury]

Ideally, the third line's RW would be a righty because Vanek's already on his off-wing, but unless you want to put Kaleta there we don't really have anyone. (Unless you want Vanek playing on the right side which is rare)

Someone has to play wing because we have too many centers.
Here, it's Porter. But it could be Ennis or Grigorenko as well. Hodgson is the most natural center so I wouldn't put him on wing.

Dont forget Grigorenko did play spot duty as RW in Jr. I would not mind seeing

Vanek - Hodgson - Grigorenko

 

[Paxon]

So fans who think critically and analyze the game need to be an NHL head coach in order to have any credibility? If that's what you think why are you even registered here? How can you bear to read anyone's posts?

Nowhere did I say I had all the answers. (that was funny)
And yes he needs time, but time is running out and the lack of a wholesale change in lines disappointed me.

And if you don't like mine, you can post your own, otherwise I can't take "That line. No" seriously. That is if you can handle having an opinion and posting it on a message board despite not being an NHL head coach. Given your beliefs, I'd imagine that'll be hard.

I agree with you about the "you're not a coach" comments as they're a bit strong, but I support the main thing he said, which is that the coach has not had time to be in a position to make line-up changes. Think about it, we've seen more Sabres games than he has. I gather that he watched some Sabres film in his spare time during the Amerks season, he participated in training camp last year, and he coached a few of the players. He also has a staff that's familiar with the players and team situation. Still, he needs to watch more film, run more practices, and coach more games before he's going to take what a 16 year coach was doing with the line-up and throw it out of the window, even if it wasn't working. Lindy's lines were very low on the list of the team's problems if you ask me and most observers.

I haven't seen enough of Porter to think he's worthy of playing on Vanek-Hodgson's wing. If Vanek-Hodgson stay together then that is unquestionably our top line as it features our best forward and (arguably to some I'm sure) best center. Yes, Tropp looked good with Vanek last season, but Tropp has a brighter NHL future than Porter and his play around the boards makes him a more feasible candidate to play 'above his head' on a top line than Porter. If Porter plays to the best of his abilities then he very much can help our bottom 6, and I think that's where he should be. I'd frankly rather see Kaleta there even though he's not right for it, either. Foligno-Hodgson-Vanek or Vanek-Hodgson-Ott would be the more realistic choices, imo, if you split up Van-Poms.

 

[Man of Principles]

Spread the talent around.

Vanek-Grigorenko-Foligno
Ennis-Hodgson-Stafford
Ott-Hecht-Pominville
Gerbe-Porter-Kaleta

 

[Sentrix]

Spread the talent around.

Vanek-Grigorenko-Foligno
Ennis-Hodgson-Stafford
Ott-Hecht-Pominville
Gerbe-Porter-Kaleta

I like these too.
Anything that spreads the talent around...

 

[vcv]

Spread the talent around.

Vanek-Grigorenko-Foligno
Ennis-Hodgson-Stafford
Ott-Hecht-Pominville
Gerbe-Porter-Kaleta

Meh, worth a shot. What do they have to lose at this point.

 

[Wisent42]

Funny thing though: Many of us often criticised Lindy for juggling the lines and not getting any consistancy. And that he's gone, we want the new coach to immediately juggle the lines. Fans... Gotta love us.

 

[HockeyH3aven]

Leino is skating with the team now. Possibly look like this when he comes back?

Vanek/Hodgson/Pommer
Ott/Ennis/Stafford
Foligno/Grigs/Leino
Hecht/Porter/Kaleta
Gerbe

It's weird that this team has what appears to be good forward depth, and yet still sucks offensively. I would consider their bottom six above average, that's a pretty solid 4th line.

 

[McCauleyChirps]

Leino is skating with the team now. Possibly look like this when he comes back?

Vanek/Hodgson/Pommer
Ott/Ennis/Stafford
Foligno/Grigs/Leino
Hecht/Porter/Kaleta
Gerbe

It's weird that this team has what appears to be good forward depth, and yet still sucks offensively. I would consider their bottom six above average, that's a pretty solid 4th line.

Wasn't it the Ott - Grigs - Leino line that was going great?

I don't remember.

 

[1TuchAnd1NoTuch]

One game tester:
Vanek-Grigs-Pominville
Ennis-CoHo-Stafford
Gerbe-Hecht-Ott

2 scoring lines + defensive line

 

[Woodhouse]

Mike Harrington ‏@BNHarrington
RR on Grig: "When we put him in there, we want him 2 be playing with some players that he can play with ... & build confidence." Thank you.

Link: https://twitter.com/BNHarrington/status/305355368249319424

 

[rayzor32]

One game tester:
Vanek-Grigs-Pominville
Ennis-CoHo-Stafford
Gerbe-Hecht-Ott

2 scoring lines + defensive line

Spread the talent around.

Vanek-Grigorenko-Foligno
Ennis-Hodgson-Stafford
Ott-Hecht-Pominville
Gerbe-Porter-Kaleta

Love these ideas, also spreads out the size with Foligno and Stafford on separate lines. Top two lines are power play, bottom two lines are penalty kill. Never have to wait a couple shifts to get back into the rotation after coming off the special teams. Plus gets Ennis away from taking Face-offs.

1. Vanek/Foligno - Grigorenko - Pominville/Vanek
2. Ennis - Hodgson - Stafford
3. Foligno/Ott - Hecht/Porter - Ott/Kaleta/Pominville
4. Scott - Porter/Hecht - Kaleta/Ott

 

[McCauleyChirps]

Everyone who is putting Grigorenko on the top line. Stop.

Listen to Rolston's presser last night. Basically, he said the NHL is too fast for him right now.

 

[VaporTrail]

Pominville - Ott - Vanek

......ahhh forget it....not enough talent to do what I wanted