You are evaluating line combinations...when our coach is Terry Murray. A bit like individually combing your hair strands just before walking into a wind storm.
On Kings Talk, Nick was talking about a Penner-Kopitar-Ponikarovsky line which would be an absolute nuisance down low.
As one of the few Poni supporters it'd be cool to see Poni get a shot on the 1st line. I don't know what everyone else is watching (or what I'm smoking lol), but he can move bodies around and skate for a big guy. Also it always looks like he's hustling, to the point I'm not even sure he's Russian. Simmonds would be good too. In any case, maybe it's better to put another big body with them for a total nightmare big 1st line.
The thing about Williams on their line....and I could be wrong... but he almost seems too fast for Kopi/Penner. I would hate for a situation where Williams has to slow down on the break out/neutral zone and not be able to utilize his speed and nimbleness. Also I don't think we should break up the Smyth/Stoll/Willy line. That's a really solid 2nd line.
As one of the few Poni supporters it'd be cool to see Poni get a shot on the 1st line. I don't know what everyone else is watching (or what I'm smoking lol), but he can move bodies around and skate for a big guy. Also it always looks like he's hustling, to the point I'm not even sure he's Russian. Simmonds would be good too. In any case, maybe it's better to put another big body with them for a total nightmare big 1st line.
I'm not sure what flipped the switch for Poni, but he's been a beast for a couple of weeks now. Hits hard, breaks up plays, forechecks well, cycles well, the whole shebang. Not much offense to show for it but the effort's been there. He was dominant in his first period shifts last night.
I'd go..
Penner - Kopi - Poni
Smyth - Stoll - Williams
Brown - Zeus - Simmonds
Clifford - Lewis - Richie
You are evaluating line combinations...when our coach is Terry Murray. A bit like individually combing your hair strands just before walking into a wind storm.
Very funny Zad I liked this statement allot.
Sadly it is also too true.
My "prediction" of lines we will see by TM before the playoffs start
Westgarth/Stoll/Penner
A perfect balance of nastiness and skill
Penner/Zues/Smyth
The hurry up and wait line
Simmonds/ A piece of rope/Orange safety cone
The one man wrecking crew
Penner/Lewis/Brown
The bounced cheking line
Clifford/Penner/Greene
The one of these things just doesn't belong here line
Zues/Kopitar/Stoll
The center of attention line
Wow I am not good at these things but there you go.
Parse and Loki are injured (I´m sure that you know that and you´re just trying to show how your opinion differs from everyones´ else).
But since you mentioned Parse, how do you guys see our lineup for next season?
Penner - Kopi - Williams
Parse - Schenn/Loki - Brown
Smyth - Stoll - Simmonds
Clifford - Richardson - Lewis
Westgarth - Zeiller
Next season?
Brad Richards - Kopitar - Simmonds
Penner - Schenn - Williams
Clifford - Stoll - Brown
Richardson - Lewis - Cliche/Westgarth
I'm speculating in the wind that Smyth is dealt to Edmonton for either a pick or somebody like Smid or Jacques, Handzus walks, Lombardi makes a huge push for Richards, and Terry Murray favors Schenn over Loktionov.
I could also see Lombardi looking for a bit more muscle for the 4th line in the UFA market, like Rupp, Winchester or McCormick.
Play to our strength with each line having balance.
Exactly. The impulse is to think "Wow, with Williams on the first line, it would be 1% better than any of our other first line combos! We'll be like the Sharks and Ducks with a great first line!"
These second and third lines are fantastic. This is the only way we have ever gotten Poni to play to near his potential, which really is first line, not that he isn't overpaid for what he actually does.
The only reason that second line was ever broken up is that Murray changes lines the way freebasing ferrets twitch.
So the first line is stuck with Brown at RW. Boo-****ing-hoo.
I've noticed from the interviews Penner has done that he keeps talking about puck possession in reference to the kings. I think one of the problems with him in Edmonton was he played with smaller forwards and they played a more open run and gun type of offense. Saying that I think Penner should fit well and he could even thrive playing in a system(even if it's boring as hell alot of times) thats all about possession down low and board play.
Also every single team we play always talks about how we have big and strong forwards that are tough to play against. I really think our system is perfect for Penner. Another thing is that in LA he isn't the "marquee" guy like he was expected to be in Edmonton after getting that contract. Playing with a guy like Kopi should open things up even more for him.
I just feel if he's motivated that he could thrive in LA.
Exactly. The impulse is to think "Wow, with Williams on the first line, it would be 1% better than any of our other first line combos! We'll be like the Sharks and Ducks with a great first line!"
These second and third lines are fantastic. This is the only way we have ever gotten Poni to play to near his potential, which really is first line, not that he isn't overpaid for what he actually does.
The only reason that second line was ever broken up is that Murray changes lines the way freebasing ferrets twitch.
So the first line is stuck with Brown at RW. Boo-****ing-hoo.
I've noticed from the interviews Penner has done that he keeps talking about puck possession in reference to the kings. I think one of the problems with him in Edmonton was he played with smaller forwards and they played a more open run and gun type of offense. Saying that I think Penner should fit well and he could even thrive playing in a system(even if it's boring as hell alot of times) thats all about possession down low and board play.
Also every single team we play always talks about how we have big and strong forwards that are tough to play against. I really think our system is perfect for Penner. Another thing is that in LA he isn't the "marquee" guy like he was expected to be in Edmonton after getting that contract. Playing with a guy like Kopi should open things up even more for him.
I just feel if he's motivated that he could thrive in LA.
I really liked the Clifford/Loktionov/Brown line.
