Quote:
Originally Posted by phlocky
Hmm, I guess I saw things a little differently from last nights game.
First, Schenn looks damned good. I mean, WOW, this kid can play. He did NOT look like a rookie, he looked like a 5-6 year vet out there. He definitley took control of the 3rd line from the 1st shift he took with them. I REALLY liked what I saw from him.
Second, with Schenn centering Voracek and Hartnell (Read was up with Briere) we were running with 3 very good offensive lines, even better than we had last year. I didn't think it was possible to have MORE depth than we've had in the past 3 seasons but I certainly think we do this season.
Third, with a "4th" line of Talbot-Couturier-Nodl, I saw then as essentially our "shut-down" line. Talbot IS essentially just a shut-down guy and Nodl certainly has that ability too and we all know just how good Couturier is so why NOT run them out there as a shut-down line???
Forth, Briere just can't and shouldn't be moved from center right now. If anything we should move Hartnell back up to his wing. It's been just 6 games now and we made a whole lot of changes this off season. It's going to take a little time for everything to gel together and for things to settle down. I've been on the "trade Hartnell" bandwagon (leading it some may say, lol) but after seeing us being able ot role 4 complete lines out there I'd rather keep him at this point. Also, in addition to Briere needing to say at center, I think that both Schenn and Couturier need to stay at center too.
Last, I kind of like the idea of having Couturier on the 4th line. I think it was GKJ who said that playing him on the 4th line and on the PK would help to keep his minutes down and hopefuly help to either prevent or lessen the "wall" that rookies hit somewhere around February. Remember, we are a VERY young team now and if we can spread the minutes around and not burn guys out then I believe we will be better in the long run for it. If we over-burden and burn out Schenn, Couturier and Read then we will be nothing more than a 2 line team come playoff time and we'd be easily shut down IMO.
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Explain to me the following:
Last night, Schenn went 0-0-0 and -3 on a 3rd offensive line playing 13 minutes.
Couturier went 1-0-1 with a +/- of 0 on the 4th "shutdown" line against one of the best teams in the NHL and you point out that Scehnn should center 3rd line and Couturier 4th line?
Sorry but that is bull and makes no sense.