Player Discussion Nick Cousins (C)

[Sens of Anarchy]

 

[stempniaksen]

11-7 sucks but so does having Gaudette and Highmore in the lineup. I doubt they start the playoffs with this lineup but it might be an option worth turning to if they find themselves down in the series.

Tkachuk - Stutzle - Giroux
Perron - Cozens - Batherson
Greig - Pinto - Amadio
Cousins - X - Zetterlund

Sanderson - Zub
Chabot - Jensen
Kleven - Mantipalo
Hamonic

Ullmark
Forsberg

2nd and 3rd lines would be kind of locked in in this scenario. Let Stu, Pinto and maybe even Giroux get some extra minutes centering the "4th" line, give Zetterlund some shifts on the top line with Tkachuk and Stutzle. It would mean someone playing the PK who hasn't done much of it (Amadio or Cousins?). Gives the team another body on the back end if Mantipalo looks like he's in over his head.

 

[SensFactor]

If Cousins goes in, which he should if he's healthy, I would take out Gaudette. Highmore is one of the only pure PK'ers we have.

 

[SensFactor]

11-7 sucks but so does having Gaudette and Highmore in the lineup. I doubt they start the playoffs with this lineup but it might be an option worth turning to if they find themselves down in the series.

Tkachuk - Stutzle - Giroux
Perron - Cozens - Batherson
Greig - Pinto - Amadio
Cousins - X - Zetterlund

Sanderson - Zub
Chabot - Jensen
Kleven - Mantipalo
Hamonic

Ullmark
Forsberg

2nd and 3rd lines would be kind of locked in in this scenario. Let Stu, Pinto and maybe even Giroux get some extra minutes centering the "4th" line, give Zetterlund some shifts on the top line with Tkachuk and Stutzle. It would mean someone playing the PK who hasn't done much of it (Amadio or Cousins?). Gives the team another body on the back end if Mantipalo looks like he's in over his head.

You forgot Gilbert. So we have 8 d-men ready to play.

 

[BigRig4]

Assuming his knee isn’t completely cooked, I would definitely offer Cousins another 1-year deal. He was solid this year - especially in that middle portion of the season.

 

[OD99]

I think Amadio is too slow on the PK; he gets beat by the D at the points. He seems to have developed some chemistry with Pinto and Greig on the 3rd line so I would keep him there.

I haven't been able to watch all of the last few games, but this isn't a thing, is it?

The only reason Zet wasn't in the top 9 right away is because the Greig/Pinto/Amadio line was our most consistent line.

Match-ups are magnified in the post season and having them as our 3rd line is one of our major strengths. Highmore doesn't offer anything to that line and then you would compound the problem by putting Amadio with players that can't take advantage of his turnovers and cycling.

If Cousins comes back, I would like to see the following:

Brady/Stu/G
Perron / Cozens / Bath
Greig/Pinto/Amadio
Zet/Cousins/Mac

I know Mac hasn't played, but he is an NHL player that can be plugged in. He offers size and speed on the forecheck, Cousins has some speed (depending on how well the knee feels) and then Zet is quick and could offer up some additional offence.

I also don't see why Stu can't go back to the PK. He adds a dangerous element that would compliment the Greig/Pinto pairing up front.

 

[jbeck5]

No, he is still in a non-contact jersey. The good news is that he is hitting the ice now for training. So, it won't be far away for his return. Finger crossed.

Sounds like a weird training method, but ok! I'm onboard!