Summer '15 Thread (All Proposals/Blog Rumors in here)

[WannabeFinn]

How many NHL teams out there have "true" #1[position]s at every position on the first line - LW, C, and RW?

Chicago - Saad/Sharp + Toews + Hossa/Kane
Colorado - Landeskog + Duchene/MacK + Iginla
Detroit - Tatar + Dats/Z + Nyquist
Edmonton - Hall + RNH/McD + Eberle
Minnesota - Parise + Koivu/Granlund + Pominville (eh.. kinda borderline for this team)
NYR - Nash + Brassard/Stepan + MSL
St Louis - Steen/Schwartz + Backes + Tarasenko
Tampa Bay - Palat + Stamkos/Johnson + Kucherov
Vancouver - Sedin + Sedin + Vrbata
Winnipeg - Ladd + Little + Wheeler

10 teams have true #1 players at each forward position, naturally. Teams like Dallas could have a 1st line full of #1 players but not at their natural positions.

I made this post to satisfy my own curiosity, by the way . Kinda interesting I could only find 10 teams, and even then 1-2 of these I listed are borderline.

 

[EspenK]

Chicago - Saad/Sharp + Toews + Hossa/Kane
Colorado - Landeskog + Duchene/MacK + Iginla
Detroit - Tatar + Dats/Z + Nyquist
Edmonton - Hall + RNH/McD + Eberle
Minnesota - Parise + Koivu/Granlund + Pominville (eh.. kinda borderline for this team)
NYR - Nash + Brassard/Stepan + MSL
St Louis - Steen/Schwartz + Backes + Tarasenko
Tampa Bay - Palat + Stamkos/Johnson + Kucherov
Vancouver - Sedin + Sedin + Vrbata
Winnipeg - Ladd + Little + Wheeler

10 teams have true #1 players at each forward position, naturally. Teams like Dallas could have a 1st line full of #1 players but not at their natural positions.

I made this post to satisfy my own curiosity, by the way . Kinda interesting I could only find 10 teams, and even then 1-2 of these I listed are borderline.

How did you come up with the lines? Those aren't all the as the teams line up. Yesterday for example, I believe Toews, Kane and Sharp were each on a different line. I'm not being critical just curious as to how you defined the lines. A top 30 scorer at each position?

TB's 1st line is interesting- is it the line with Stamkos or is it the Triplets line?

 

[WannabeFinn]

How did you come up with the lines? Those aren't all the as the teams line up. Yesterday for example, I believe Toews, Kane and Sharp were each on a different line. I'm not being critical just curious as to how you defined the lines. A top 30 scorer at each position?

TB's 1st line is interesting- is it the line with Stamkos or is it the Triplets line?

Chicago's top 6 is this, I think

Saad-Toews-Hossa
Sharp-Richard?-Kane

So I still consider Saad+Toews+Hossa a true #1 line. I dunno about regular season but postseason I think Palat-Johnson-Kucherov has been the #1 line.

But yeah I basically defined it by top scorers at each natural position. They might not all exactly play on the 1st line a la MacK, Kane, etc. Perhaps you could say I narrowed it down to "teams who could create a natural, true #1 line if they so desired"

 

[Viqsi]

Chicago - Saad/Sharp + Toews + Hossa/Kane
Colorado - Landeskog + Duchene/MacK + Iginla
Detroit - Tatar + Dats/Z + Nyquist
Edmonton - Hall + RNH/McD + Eberle
Minnesota - Parise + Koivu/Granlund + Pominville (eh.. kinda borderline for this team)
NYR - Nash + Brassard/Stepan + MSL
St Louis - Steen/Schwartz + Backes + Tarasenko
Tampa Bay - Palat + Stamkos/Johnson + Kucherov
Vancouver - Sedin + Sedin + Vrbata
Winnipeg - Ladd + Little + Wheeler

10 teams have true #1 players at each forward position, naturally. Teams like Dallas could have a 1st line full of #1 players but not at their natural positions.

I made this post to satisfy my own curiosity, by the way . Kinda interesting I could only find 10 teams, and even then 1-2 of these I listed are borderline.

More than I would have listed, frankly, but many of those one could have lively discussions about regardless. Specifically, tho, if one goes by the players on those lists, then we already have ourselves a "true #1" line - Hartnell-Johansen-Foligno.

Either way, it's a silly complaint to make.

 

[Forepar]

More than I would have listed, frankly, but many of those one could have lively discussions about regardless. Specifically, tho, if one goes by the players on those lists, then we already have ourselves a "true #1" line - Hartnell-Johansen-Foligno.

Either way, it's a silly complaint to make.

I agree that Hartsy was a great pickup, he exceeded expectations, he will be part of the core for a while! But a "true #1" wing? I love V's enthusiasm and loyalty, but imo he's a solid middle 6, not top liner. He brings his hardhat and a 'tude that we need desparately, but his skill level (esp skating speed) doesn't add up to true #1 winger. I'm in the camp that we need a true first line W, so that Hartsy and guys like him can wreak havoc when slotted on the right line. That doesn't mean Hartys can't or wouldn't sometimes play on line with Joey/Foligno, but most times I see Hartsy with the kids.

The great upside - Joey and Foligno are both true #1's based on season just concluded. Results, raw talent and work ethic are all there. Many would not have said that about either of those two in May 2014. Fliggy with breakout year, Joey showed continued progression and top-end skill, with room for even more improvement.

But please, FO, we need D-men (plural) first, so that ball gets rolling on getting D developed. I'm ok with whomever we put out there with Joey and Fliggy for next year. Hartsy can pull that duty, but oh my I'd keep him with the kids - that line was dynamite. If D-men coming via draft, then it will be 2-3 years for development, which I'm ok with. But getting no top pairning D now in the draft (or trade), and focusing on top-line RW, would put us another year behind in getting D to where it needs to be win SC. I could be wrong, maybe there is a trade or FA signing for a D-man coming, but I don't see a true #1 pairing ready to go in the next 2 years except via Hanifan / Poporov (and/or maybe Werenski).

 

[DarkandStormy]

Many would not have said that about either of those two in May 2014.

Joey had just completed a 33-30-63 regular season. Basically everyone recognized he was a #1 C.

 

[Viqsi]

I agree that Hartsy was a great pickup, he exceeded expectations, he will be part of the core for a while! But a "true #1" wing?

Note the qualifier "if one goes by the players on those lists". If Hartnell doesn't qualify, then neither do any of Saad/Sharp, Iginla, Nyquist, Koivu, Pominville, MSL, Backes, Vrbata, or anyone in Winnipeg. You eliminate every team except Edmonton and Tampa Bay. (The other team I was alluding to in my post on the subject was San Jose, for the record (Marleau-Thornton-Pavelski - and Marleau had a down year so arguably he'd be disqualified too!); I'd honestly forgotten about TBL.)

 

[spintheblackcircle]

I'm tellin ya, he's going to be in Columbus next year.

http://bluejacketsxtra.dispatch.com/content/blogs/puck-rakers/2015/05/notebook-no.-2.html

Here's Richards on Oliver Bjorkstrand, who had 4-1-5 minus-4 in five games for Denmark at the Worlds:"I had a chance to watch him play against men in this tournament, obviously, and I had a chance to talk with him after the game. I was really impressed by his game, where his game is at. You see the goals and the big numbers he put up this season (in the Western Hockey League), but for me it's the way that he plays the game. This is a big summer for him, but I think he's going to push for a spot (on the Blue Jackets in 2015-16), I really do. He did not look out of place in this tournament, at all. He's motivated right now; he wants to make the team, for sure. That's what we talked about. It used to be a question of his size, and he still has a frame on the small side. But if you look around the NHL now, with the speed and the skating that's part of it, I don't think it's an issue. You always want big over small if all things are equal, but he's grown and he's put on some weight. And he's super, super motivated."

 

[Viqsi]

I'm tellin ya, he's going to be in Columbus next year.

http://bluejacketsxtra.dispatch.com/content/blogs/puck-rakers/2015/05/notebook-no.-2.html

Here's Richards on Oliver Bjorkstrand, who had 4-1-5 minus-4 in five games for Denmark at the Worlds:"I had a chance to watch him play against men in this tournament, obviously, and I had a chance to talk with him after the game. I was really impressed by his game, where his game is at. You see the goals and the big numbers he put up this season (in the Western Hockey League), but for me it's the way that he plays the game. This is a big summer for him, but I think he's going to push for a spot (on the Blue Jackets in 2015-16), I really do. He did not look out of place in this tournament, at all. He's motivated right now; he wants to make the team, for sure. That's what we talked about. It used to be a question of his size, and he still has a frame on the small side. But if you look around the NHL now, with the speed and the skating that's part of it, I don't think it's an issue. You always want big over small if all things are equal, but he's grown and he's put on some weight. And he's super, super motivated."

I don't doubt he'll be in town next year, and he might even see NHL ice time.

Making the team full-time, tho? If he pulls it off, that'd be awesome, but I'm prepared to be patient.

 

[EspenK]

While we hear that OB is too small, he is bigger than Gaudreau. Didn't seem to hurt him. If he is ready I think he'd make a great addition. Would go a long way to filling in the missing RW in the top 9.

 

[Viqsi]

While we hear that OB is too small, he is bigger than Gaudreau. Didn't seem to hurt him. If he is ready I think he'd make a great addition. Would go a long way to filling in the missing RW in the top 9.

Frankly, I'd completely forgotten he was considered a small player. My sole concern is adjustment to the pro game.

 

[Tulipunaruusu*]

My sole concern is adjustment to the pro game.

More like readjustment since he is a former Herning Blue Fox. An undisputed Danish league champion. Danish Cup champion, Danish Cup final MVP, Danish league rookie of the year...

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

More like readjustment since he is a former Herning Blue Fox. An undisputed Danish league champion. Danish Cup champion, Danish Cup final MVP, Danish league rookie of the year...

As they say, a doughnut with no hole is a danish.

 

[EspenK]

As they say, a doughnut with no hole is a danish.

Cheesey

 

[SuperGenius]

Having Bjorkstrand in the NHL next year is intriguing, but realistically, it's going be tough to work out a spot. I'm interested to see what kind of progress he's made. He struggled a bit last preseason.

 

[Mayor Bee]

As they say, a doughnut with no hole is a danish.

....who says that?

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

....who says that?

The Zen philosopher, Basho. He was a funny guy.

 

[KJ Dangler]

I'm tellin ya, he's going to be in Columbus next year.

http://bluejacketsxtra.dispatch.com/content/blogs/puck-rakers/2015/05/notebook-no.-2.html

Here's Richards on Oliver Bjorkstrand, who had 4-1-5 minus-4 in five games for Denmark at the Worlds:"I had a chance to watch him play against men in this tournament, obviously, and I had a chance to talk with him after the game. I was really impressed by his game, where his game is at. You see the goals and the big numbers he put up this season (in the Western Hockey League), but for me it's the way that he plays the game. This is a big summer for him, but I think he's going to push for a spot (on the Blue Jackets in 2015-16), I really do. He did not look out of place in this tournament, at all. He's motivated right now; he wants to make the team, for sure. That's what we talked about. It used to be a question of his size, and he still has a frame on the small side. But if you look around the NHL now, with the speed and the skating that's part of it, I don't think it's an issue. You always want big over small if all things are equal, but he's grown and he's put on some weight. And he's super, super motivated."

Dont look now, but it sure looks like the jackets are building a team very similair to what Davidson, and Jarmo built in St Louis, and this is not a bad thing at all. People better jump on the bandwagon quick, we are about to see some serious skill, that jackets fans have been craving since the organization first started. Not to mention the prospects we will add this year in a very deep draft.

 

[spintheblackcircle]

Having Bjorkstrand in the NHL next year is intriguing, but realistically, it's going be tough to work out a spot.

I would agree with you if Bjorkstrand wasn't a RW and RW is not a position of strength.

Atkinson
Boll
Bourque
Clarkson
Skille
Tropp

.....that's not exactly Murderer's Row.

 

[EspenK]

I would agree with you if Bjorkstrand wasn't a RW and RW is not a position of strength.

Atkinson
Boll
Bourque
Clarkson
Skille
Tropp

.....that's not exactly Murderer's Row.

It could kill us though

and I think you forgot Dano but I still agree with your point.

 

[CBJx614]

Dont look now, but it sure looks like the jackets are building a team very similair to what Davidson, and Jarmo built in St Louis, and this is not a bad thing at all. People better jump on the bandwagon quick, we are about to see some serious skill, that jackets fans have been craving since the organization first started. Not to mention the prospects we will add this year in a very deep draft.

Hopefully this team can win some playoff games though

 

[CBJx614]

It could kill us though

and I think you forgot Dano but I still agree with your point.

Foligno-Johansen-Atkinson
Anisimov-Dubinsky-Bjorkstrand
Hartnell-Wennberg-Dano
Calvert-Letestu-Morin

Me likeeeey

 

[DarkandStormy]

Foligno-Johansen-Atkinson
Anisimov-Dubinsky-Bjorkstrand
Hartnell-Wennberg-Dano
Calvert-Letestu-Morin

Me likeeeey

Boone Jenner on IR? David Clarkson in the press box?

 

[Fro]

Boone Jenner on IR? David Clarkson in the press box?

beat me to it...

 

[DarkandStormy]

^There's also two guys who aren't even signed...(Calvert and Letestu)

I think it starts:
Jenner-Johansen-Atkinson
Anisimov-Dubinsky-Foligno
Hartnell-Wennberg-Dano
Calvert-Karlsson-Clarkson
Morin - whoever as extras.

But I think the first guys to get called up are Bjorkstrand, Anderson, and Rychel if he's still with the team.