The Fourth Line

[Twine Tickler]

as for the fourth line right now which is what I failed to remember this thread being about in my last post. I like:

Engvall - Spezz - Boyd

 

[Clark4Ever]

Healthy L4 should be Vesey/Spezza/Simmonds

That would be the best fourth line in the NHL.

 

[Wafflewhipper]

I'm not talking about 1 game, I'm talking about all season, Kerfoot was bad last night, and even then he still assisted on the game winner.

Barabanov has contributed nothing all season and I'm not just talking about offense, I mean NOTHING

Neither am i, he gets 5 minutes a game. Jumping in to a high paced environment cold when everyone is rolling is arduous no matter what it is. He is defensively responsible every shift. Thats more than nothing
He has 5 blocks and 4 hits in 29 minutes of ice time over 5 games. You get a responsible defensive forward and don’t know how to recognize it. Thats not Barabanov’s issue.

 

[Menzinger]

I'd agree that Barabanov has been uneven in quality so far. But am willing to give him an extended look, especially with their being a lack of preseason games for him to adjust.

Boyd has looked really good in his brief showing so far. I hope he stays and id like to get Anderson some games at some point too

 

[Buds17]

What’s with the engvall obsession here...the guy skates like the wind but he’s soft as baby doo doo, if he had the skill to be on the second line I’d be inclined to go with you on this but it isn’t a stretch to expect your 4th liners to be willing to bump and grind...I’m not asking for goon style take yourself out of position bangs but at least give the guy a bump to knock him off stride...we have enough wand wavers on this team we don’t need our 4th line winger doing it too...it’s one of the reasons I like Barabanov...at least he’ll give the bump and his positioning isn’t bad considering he’s played what 5 games in the NHL

I think his defensive ability and positional versatility are useful to the team. He's also signed through next season while some others are on expiring contracts. Of course, he would be a better player with a 2nd line skillset and physicality to his game. He would also be a more expensive player. It is what it is and I view him as a good option for the situation. I don't disagree with your assessment of Barabanov though.

 

[LeafalCrusader]

When Joe gets back

Thornton Matthews Marner
Hyman Tavares Nylander
Mikheyev Kerfoot Vesey
Engvall Spezza Simmonds

Boyd comes in for Spezza some nights. Maybe swap Vesey and Simmonds depending on who is going.

 

[tmlfan98]

When Jumbo gets back I'd go with

Thornton-Matthews-Marner
Nylander-Tavares-Mikheyev
Hyman-Kerfoot-Simmonds
Vesey-Boyd-Spezza

 

[JayfromNB1219]

I think his defensive ability and positional versatility are useful to the team. He's also signed through next season while some others are on expiring contracts. Of course, he would be a better player with a 2nd line skillset and physicality to his game. He would also be a more expensive player. It is what it is and I view him as a good option for the situation. I don't disagree with your assessment of Barabanov though.

He’d be damn near perfect with the additions you mentioned lol you don’t find them very often

 

[sittler rules!!!]

There's about 6 players who should rotate through the 4th line on a game by game basis, depending who's hot and who we're playing.

Boyd
Spez
Anderson
Robertson
Barabanov
Engvall

Vesey?

I like the Vesey-Kerfoot- Simmonds line. Kerfoot playing a grittier game and it might be because of his wingers. They like to bang, can skate and both have hands. My opinion only. Think I might like to see a forth line of Engvail-Jumbo and Spaz. You can flip around that bottom 6 into different configurations to meet in game demand, plus all can spot in the top 6,again my opinion only. Not a fan of Dubey but I have to give credit when due, he put together some nice depth. I also like seeing Simmonds ride shotgun on the odd shift with 34.

 

[Ciao]

When Joe gets back

Thornton Matthews Marner
Hyman Tavares Nylander
Mikheyev Kerfoot Vesey
Engvall Spezza Simmonds

Boyd comes in for Spezza some nights. Maybe swap Vesey and Simmonds depending on who is going.

Robertson?

 

[Ciao]

Barabanov is a long way from a permanent roster spot.

 

[glue]

Robertson?

I’ve been trying to answer that question but realistically where would he fit ?


Thornton-Matthews-Marner
Vesey-Tavares-Nylander
Mikheyev -Kerfoot-Hyman
Engvall-Spezza-Simmonds

I suppose you could rotate him with Vesey, but I like the size and grit Vesey brings

 

[Damisoph]

as long as they keep playing Engvall. Giraffe was real good for his first 20 games or whatever it was and looks good again this year.

 

[Ryan52]

unfortunately there just isnt room for barbanov right now. no room in the top 9 and he does not fit on the 4th line.
boyd-engval-spezza is what i would roll with now