Where do you see 3 #1 lines?
it is hypothetical and a scenario that can only work if Dean can trade JB for a M Read, add a LW from UFA and one of the kids fills in also.
it is moving away from the traditional 1, 2, 3 and 4 line concept. throw out those 'definitions' for the most part, because this would give opposing teams a *** nightmare with trying to play the line matching game. i won't even number the lines to prove my point.
K -line
Brown - Kopitar - JW
This line stays intact as it has for years now and has a balance of skill and size. There is nothing wrong with these three together, they need to improve consistency. If there is a change then perhaps flip DB with M Read, to give Kopitar someone with better skill to his left.
C - line
Stalberg (UFA - CHI) - Carter - Toffoli
Carts and TT have shown they are seeing the ice the same. Both have great hands. They need a big body down the other side to work the boards. Sign Stalberg which adds elite level speed and has some very good hands. Cost is the concern for Stalberg as he may not fit under the cap.
R - line
Read (trade - PHI) - Richards - Nolan
The long rumored trade for JB happens and LA gets M Read, the do everything LW the team needs to cement its line up. Nolan skates the RW to add size, grit and front of net presence for R & R.
S- line
Clifford - Stoll - Lewis
The Stoll line serves the same it has for 2+ years now in LA. Tight defense and energy. Stoll and Lewis work well together. The Colonel brings the muscle and grit.
Extras
Pearson: does he make the club is the first question? If he does then the team has a young LW it works into games and slowly works him up.
Vey: does he make the club? Another youngster that can play C or RW. Can the team take the chance of two rookies as the extra forwards? IMO, no. Only one of them at this time.
Fraser: inexpensive, vet that can fill in holes on the bottom line. Brings grit and effort every night, but sometimes he is wildly horrible.
Released
Penner: to expensive, to inconsistent and is only delaying the eventual development and use of a kid like Pearson
Richardson: to expensive as a nightly scratch. I like his effort, grit and speed but not at $1.5M
Trade
King: slow, stone hands, no grit, no fire. sees a ridiculous amount of ice time for what he produces on the ice. CHI proved him to be a defensive liability for LA.
It isn't perfect, but I think you see what I'm talking about. It is LA playing essentially three forward lines that will play aggressive up ice, with a good blend of size and skill. By no means are they 'all star' lines, but they create a constant rolling of three lines that will sustain pressure on an opponent.
The difference with LA and what PHI tried is that LA has a D corp and the best goalie in the world backing them up.