Palmieri/Etem - Getzlaf - Perry
Ryan - Holland - Selanne
Winnik - Koivu - DSP
Beleskey - Bonino - Cogliano
Staubitz
Any chance Ryan shifts sides with Selanne?
Selanne's handling is getting worse and worse. Yet his speed and shot have preserved pretty well. Let him roam and get in position to score, just like he can do on the PP. Let Ryan play on his strong side, which allows him to cut into the middle on his forehand. Also allows him forehand passes to a sneaked in Selanne.
And ugh on our highest paid defenseman on the third pairing. But that's what's going to happen.
The other problem with giving Ryan a line with Bonino and Palmieri is that both the Getzlaf line and Koivu line each have weak links. I don't think DSP is close to being ready to playing with Getzlaf and Perry against other teams top defensive units and Cogliano and his stone hands (not to mention Koivu's declining offense) drag down the Selanne line.
Ryan plays best when he is the primary puck carrier on his line, which he would definitely be on a line with Holland and Selanne. It would also mean Selanne wouldn't have to handle the puck as much which is never a bad thing.
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Ryan plays his best with lesser players. I still think one of the best stretches of Ryan's career was the Ryan-Koivu-Sexton line. Obviously Sexton blows, but that line was great, because Ryan put K/S on his back and made that line good.
Makes me think of a line with Ryan and Etem. The latter one should be comparable to Sexton at this stage of his career, at least speed wise.
Ryan plays his best with lesser players. I still think one of the best stretches of Ryan's career was the Ryan-Koivu-Sexton line. Obviously Sexton blows, but that line was great, because Ryan put K/S on his back and made that line good. Similar to how Ryan made Parros and Carter score in a the ~10 games he played with them in his rookie season.
IMO Ryan is a player who makes those around him better, but struggles when hes not the man facilitating the offense. Thats why he clicked with Koivu and Sexton, and made Sexton look like he could possibly hack it. And made Koivu look like a good 2C. Which is why it probably makes the most sense to use 3 scoring lines with Ryan on his own line, versus 2 and a shutdown unit, although I prefer that style of play. Id like Ryan-Holland-Selanne to work, but I dont know if thatd bring out the best in Teemu or Bobby, because we could have a shutdown line of DSP-Koivu-Winnik. But if Ryan-Bonino-DSP/KP allows Ryan to thrive then we should try it.
Koivu was much better offensively in his first year with the Ducks than he is currently. Ryan didn't make him look like a 2nd line center, he was a pretty good 2nd line center back then nonetheless. If Bonino or Holland can be the player Koivu was in 09/10 we're in luck.
I'm not against spreading scoring out, but having Ryan with a couple of 20-30 point players over a full year is waste (unless Holland/Bonino/Palmieri takes another step). Also, we finally have the material to put up a decent shutdown line with Winnik, Koivu, and DSP. I hope to see that combination next season.
Any chance we see Teemu up with Getz and Perry? Obviously not the ideal situation of having him on the 1st line.
Selanne - Getzlaf - Perry
Ryan - Bones/Holland - Palmieri
DSP - Koivu - Winnik
Cogliano - Bones/Holland - Beleskey
Gives us a dangerous top line, a 2nd line that revolves around Bobby (something he has said he's wanted quite a bit) and that has shown chemistry, a shutdown 3rd line. On the 4th line Cogliano can take advantage of playing against 3rd pairing Dmen, and Beleskey has become a better player with BB in charge.
Any chance we see Teemu up with Getz and Perry? Obviously not the ideal situation of having him on the 1st line.
Selanne - Getzlaf - Perry
Ryan - Bones/Holland - Palmieri
DSP - Koivu - Winnik
Cogliano - Bones/Holland - Beleskey
Gives us a dangerous top line, a 2nd line that revolves around Bobby (something he has said he's wanted quite a bit) and that has shown chemistry, a shutdown 3rd line. On the 4th line Cogliano can take advantage of playing against 3rd pairing Dmen, and Beleskey has become a better player with BB in charge.
I don't mind that as a different look occasionally. I don't think we'll see Teemu on the top line regularly, but contrary to popular belief he does play a pretty decent cycle game, and is better than almost anyone at jumping into soft spots in the D-coverage. With Koivu slowing down considerably, I think you'll see Selanne slid around the lines a little bit to provide a spark, instead of carrying his own.
Unless BM pulls something out of his oversized hat and makes a trade for a top-6 or signs Doan, regardless of how you shuffle the lines, the bottom line is we'll need a breakout season or two from the DSP, Palmieri, Bonino, Holland group.
I don`t think Teemu will see time on top line at all.
Bruce had opportunity to try that out for half of the season, and he didn`t. Just because now we will start new season, doesnt mean Teemu will be tryed out on top line. He plays RW only on PP, and that is a bit different. To try to addapt on opposite wing at age 42 would be silly.
I don't think that Selänne and Koivu will be on different lines. They are like Perry and Getzlaf, inseparable. Unless it's PK or PP time, Finns are going to be together. I would also like to think that Bonino and Palmieri are used together.
I didn't put anyone with the Twins yet 'cos some people seem to be against putting DSP there and they might try some rookie (Maroon, Etem etc. dunno). I'm not against using Bobby with Bonino and Palmieri. Boner and Kyle have chemistry and Boner is good enough 3rd line center while Ryan adds a lot of skill to that line. I agree that he plays better when he's not with Getzlaf and Perry, atleast now.
I get the feeling that Boudreau and the rest of his new coaching staff aren't going to let any "inseparables" hold them back from creating the best lineup possible. That being said, I expect to see Ryan, Perry, and Getzlaf together.
I don`t think Teemu will see time on top line at all.
Bruce had opportunity to try that out for half of the season, and he didn`t. Just because now we will start new season, doesnt mean Teemu will be tryed out on top line. He plays RW only on PP, and that is a bit different. To try to addapt on opposite wing at age 42 would be silly.
You could well be right, but I think don't think that just because BB didn't do it at the end of last season, negates any possibility that it happens this season. Coaches try different looks out all the time, especially when they have as many interchangeable parts as BB seemingly has right now. As I said, I don't think it'd be a regular thing, but I wouldn't write it off as a different look now and then to spark things...switching from the right to left side occasionally wouldn't be a huge issue for Teemu, but if it is slide Perry over. I don't think it's that out of the question.
I don't think that Selänne and Koivu will be on different lines.
I`d be ok to seperate them (Bruce decision could be different though). Mostly it`s because i`d like to see Winnik-Koivu-Devo line.
And also because a lot of Ducks staff (Bruce, Bob) are stating that Koivu will need to earn 2nd line job and wery well could be put in 3d line, could be a sign that Bruce won`t be afraid of seperating them (since i don`t believe that Teemu on 3d line would be a great idea).
But now i wonder if we weren`t signing 2nd line C because if Teemu returns, he could be put with Koivu on 2nd line? We`ll see!
Quote:
Originally Posted by kenabnrmal
You could well be right, but I think don't think that just because BB didn't do it at the end of last season, negates any possibility that it happens this season. Coaches try different looks out all the time, especially when they have as many interchangeable parts as BB seemingly has right now. As I said, I don't think it'd be a regular thing, but I wouldn't write it off as a different look now and then to spark things...switching from the right to left side occasionally wouldn't be a huge issue for Teemu, but if it is slide Perry over. I don't think it's that out of the question.
Yeah, agreed!
And he definatly wont see regular time on top line LW.
Our top line is also our shut-down line, so Teemu isn`t the guy to put there.
If we have that shutdown line W-K-D, then Teemu MAYBE could see some time, but even then i doubt it, because G-P are great two way players who`ll be asked to spend some time defending to.
You could well be right, but I think don't think that just because BB didn't do it at the end of last season, negates any possibility that it happens this season. Coaches try different looks out all the time, especially when they have as many interchangeable parts as BB seemingly has right now. As I said, I don't think it'd be a regular thing, but I wouldn't write it off as a different look now and then to spark things...switching from the right to left side occasionally wouldn't be a huge issue for Teemu, but if it is slide Perry over. I don't think it's that out of the question.
If it's was an issue for Teemu, what makes you think it won't be an issue for Perry? I think the fact that Perry won a Hart Trophy gives him a level of seniority where he can play on his stronger side. Why force a square peg into a round hole? If Bobby Ryan isn't a perfect fit with Getzlaf and Perry, why do we think Selanne would be any better at all?
I don't think that Selänne and Koivu will be on different lines. They are like Perry and Getzlaf, inseparable. Unless it's PK or PP time, Finns are going to be together. I would also like to think that Bonino and Palmieri are used together.
I didn't put anyone with the Twins yet 'cos some people seem to be against putting DSP there and they might try some rookie (Maroon, Etem etc. dunno). I'm not against using Bobby with Bonino and Palmieri. Boner and Kyle have chemistry and Boner is good enough 3rd line center while Ryan adds a lot of skill to that line. I agree that he plays better when he's not with Getzlaf and Perry, atleast now.
In the Ducks A-Z article about Koivu in the OC register Stephens said that both Selanne and Koivu acknowledged that his role may change for the upcoming year. So they're probably not as inseparable as many think.
At the end of the day if we can't acquire a 2C through trade then we need Holland (or Bonino) to step into that hole ideally this year. IMO It will be a hell of a lot easier to let them do it when we've got vets like Ryan and Selanne to put them with.
In the Ducks A-Z article about Koivu in the OC register Stephens said that both Selanne and Koivu acknowledged that his role may change for the upcoming year. So they're probably not as inseparable as many think.
At the end of the day if we can't acquire a 2C through trade then we need Holland (or Bonino) to step into that hole ideally this year. IMO It will be a hell of a lot easier to let them do it when we've got vets like Ryan and Selanne to put them with.
Agreed. It gives the team options. I don't think it makes a whole lot of sense to keep them together anymore. It just limits the line combinations, and for what reason? For all the talk of their chemistry together, what has it resulted in? A second line that hasn't consistently been good for a while. At least with Getzlaf and Perry together the team gets tangible results.
Some people have put too much emphasis on Teemu and Saku staying together. If BB finds 3 guys not named Perry or Getzlaf who can light the lamp consistently they will play together a lot...whether we call them a third line or second line.
There is too much debating over who is third line caliber and who is second line caliber. It doesn't matter. The results on the ice will dictate the TOI any line gets.
Agreed. It gives the team options. I don't think it makes a whole lot of sense to keep them together anymore. It just limits the line combinations, and for what reason? For all the talk of their chemistry together, what has it resulted in? A second line that hasn't consistently been good for a while. At least with Getzlaf and Perry together the team gets tangible results.
Because this team doesn't have a true 2nd line center, Koivu is the best of what we have. I don't believe that Holland suddenly becomes the 2nd line center this team needs, atleast not during the beginning of the season. Bonino has a chance to step up over Koivu (not a sure thing) but I see the Finns playing together a better option than Bonino-Selänne (I doubt it would be any more consistently good). Chemistry shouldn't be overlooked.
It's good that they are making everyone work for their spots and not just give them away. Competition brings the best out of people.
Because this team doesn't have a true 2nd line center, Koivu is the best of what we have. I don't believe that Holland suddenly becomes the 2nd line center this team needs, atleast not during the beginning of the season. Bonino has a chance to step up over Koivu (not a sure thing) but I see the Finns playing together a better option than Bonino-Selänne (I doubt it would be any more consistently good). Chemistry shouldn't be overlooked.
It's good that they are making everyone work for their spots and not just give them away. Competition brings the best out of people.
That's not really an argument for Koivu. It's just an example of how weak Anaheim is down the middle. If Bonino out-plays Koivu, do you really want to see Selanne stay with Koivu just because of chemistry? I don't. Koivu just isn't that dangerous offensively. All that chemistry they are reported to have hasn't meant all that much for the Ducks.
YMMV
