Post-lockout Lineup

[NoNachoNoParty]

Bare with me on this one.
What if we abolished, just for a second, the concept of having a 2nd and a 3rd line, and lined up two 2nd lines, one offensive minded, and the other defensive. Both will have practically the same ice-time, but with different duties. That could give us a way to put Plekanec as that defensive line center without him being branded as a 3rd line player.
This is assuming that Eller proves he can center an offensive 2nd line, or even Gally if he has a great camp.

Cole-DD-Pac
Eller-Gally-Bourque
Moen-Plekanec-Gionta
Prust-White-Armstrong

 

[Ginu]

Pacioretty - Desharnais - Cole
Armstrong - Plekanec - Gionta
Galchenyuk - Eller - Bourque
Prust - White - Moen

For some reason I like the balance of that lineup. The third line excites me. I think Gally and Eller will tear it up together. Bourque adds some crash and bang. We shouldn't put Gally in a pressure situation yet. The third line is enough insulation for him. Armstrong on the second line adds size and tenacity to two of our smaller players.

 

[SeriousHabs]

Pacioretty - Desharnais - Cole
Armstrong - Plekanec - Gionta
Galchenyuk - Eller - Bourque
Prust - White - Moen

For some reason I like the balance of that lineup. The third line excites me. I think Gally and Eller will tear it up together. Bourque adds some crash and bang. We shouldn't put Gally in a pressure situation yet. The third line is enough insulation for him. Armstrong on the second line adds size and tenacity to two of our smaller players.

Amrstrong on the 2nd line is a waste of a winger. Moen would be a much better fit.

 

[Monctonscout]

Amrstrong on the 2nd line is a waste of a winger. Moen would be a much better fit.

Armstrong has more offensive aptitude than Moen. I wouldn't mind trying him on an offensive line.

 

[AllanMTL46]

Pacioretty - Desharnais - Cole
Armstrong - Plekanec - Gionta
Galchenyuk - Eller - Bourque
Prust - White - Moen

For some reason I like the balance of that lineup. The third line excites me. I think Gally and Eller will tear it up together. Bourque adds some crash and bang. We shouldn't put Gally in a pressure situation yet. The third line is enough insulation for him. Armstrong on the second line adds size and tenacity to two of our smaller players.

I love that lineup. 4th line excites me, that's a real tough line. Should give them lots of ice time.

 

[GoHabsGo2013]

I just feel like Eller has earned more ice time. He's got potential and he played pretty well last year.

 

[hogtownhabsfan*]

Ah thanks. Any reason why he is not playing C in juniors?

From my own observations, when he plays center he very much takes his 2 way play seriously. On the wing he's much more of an offense first minded player. At least for now.

He is very good in the faceoff circle from what I've seen though.

 

[hogtownhabsfan*]

Bob McKenzie‏@TSNBobMcKenzie

Just a low rumble for now, but there are whispers KHL teams may be offering "inducements" to get RUS stars to stay and not return to NHL.


I assume that refers to guys like Malkin Ovechkin Kovalchuk Datsyuk. Pretty sure markov will be on the next plane home.

Honestly I wouldn't be too upset if Markov stays in the K.

 

[Jabba11]

I don't like Therrien and he's gonna ruin Galchenyuk's rookie season.

 

[Monctonscout]

Honestly I wouldn't be too upset if Markov stays in the K.

Why??

think Diaz will turn into Karlsson and put up 80 points?

 

[Seb]

I don't like Therrien and he's gonna ruin Galchenyuk's rookie season.

Yeah, I hate how he ruined Crosby and Malkin.

 

[hogtownhabsfan*]

Why??

think Diaz will turn into Karlsson and put up 80 points?

Because he's pretty much done and we'd be out from under his contract.

And he's not a great fit here anymore, we have too many puck moving guys on the backend, and not enough muscle.

I hope he could come back and be great, but at this point I think it's best to just move on...

 

[SeriousHabs]

Yeah, I hate how he ruined Crosby and Malkin.

Therrien has great influence over the Sarnia Sting. He will destroy Galchenyuk.

 

[PunkinDrublic*]

Honestly I wouldn't be too upset if Markov stays in the K.

Yes, we will replace his offensive points with Weber and Diaz. That gave the Habs a solid playoff birth last year.

 

[hogtownhabsfan*]

Yes, we will replace his offensive points with Weber and Diaz. That gave the Habs a solid playoff birth last year.

The guy hasn't been good in 4 years. I hope I'm wrong here, I really do...

 

[PunkinDrublic*]

The guy hasn't been good in 4 years. I hope I'm wrong here, I really do...

The guy had unlucky knee injuries. Please be logical.

 

[SeriousHabs]

The guy had unlucky knee injuries. Please be logical.

At this point it is safer to assume that Markov won't be 100%.

 

[TheCanasianfrasian]

Whats this talk about Therrien destroying Gally.

I think Therrien will have a great second run as the habs coach.

 

[Andy]

Pacioretty Plekanec Gionta
Bourque Desharnais Cole
Galchenyuk Eller Armstrong
Moen White Prust

Yes I'm splitting the first line. Sue me.

Subban Gorges
Markov Diaz
Kaberle Emelin

 

[SeriousHabs]

Whats this talk about Therrien destroying Gally.

I think Therrien will have a great second run as the habs coach.

Every armchair GM knows that ''rushing'' a kid in the NHL ruins his ''development''. Galchenyuk will learn more by playing against pylons in the OHL than he would in the NHL, because this is an axiom and is always true!

 

[SeriousHabs]

What has Armstrong done to warrant playing on a higher line than Moen? What am I missing?

 

[Andy]

The guy hasn't been good in 4 years. I hope I'm wrong here, I really do...

4 years? 2 seasons ago he played fantastic in the 45 games after the skate cut, what are you talking about. He was playing on pace to his 64 point season the year prior. Stop exaggerating. He's played well in the KHL logging 20-22 minutes a night and made the KHL all star team.

 

[Monctonscout]

What has Armstrong done to warrant playing on a higher line than Moen? What am I missing?

He has more offensive aptitude.

I think Moen will get more ice time(Pk plus defensive situations) but armstrong might play with more offensive players.

 

[TheCanasianfrasian]

Its the perfect year to "rush" him. Pressure is at an all time low on the habs to perform. Most are expecting them to miss the playoffs again.

He can get a good taste of NHL life with a half season instead of the grueling 82 season.

Unless he's burnt out for his half season in the O and the WJC, but i doubt it.

I have full confidence in bergevin and the current staff put in place.

 

[Andy]

Max Pac - DD - Bourque
Cole - Pleks - Gionta
Prust - Eller - Armstrong
Moen - Gomez- White
Noke

Subban - Gorges
Markov - Diaz
Kaberle - Emelin
Bouillon/Weber

Price
Budaj


2nd/3rd line get all tough match ups/defensive zone start...
1st line used heavy in PP & of zone starts
4th line used 10-12min/game

1st pairing plays 22-25min game
2nd/3rd pairings split remainder


Maybe a playoff team, if price stands on his head & therrien gets strong/quick buy-in

More likely, we miss the playoffs, & with 1-2 injuries to key players, were right back in lottery-land

I agree with this. Only difference is that I'd give Galchenyuk the 9 game stint if allowed and I'd play in Prust's place with Eller.