Just edited my post – I'm not sure if Letestu is right for a top six role, however, to further balance out the lines and add depth I could see him being the go-to guy to fill out a "top 7" if you will. Johansen could be the same though, the whole roster is a mystery.
Personally, I think that of our ragtag bunch of forwards, Johansen is the one that is most primed for a huge season. I think he'll fit in perfectly with the hard working guys that we have, and having seen his game in the WHL, I know that those are exactly the kind of guys that make him effective.
I agree. The only roster change I would make is having Erixon in Springfield and have Holden be the #7
I would hope that there is never a need to call Holden up to the big squad. If that happens the injury bug is once again severe and really don't want to see that again. Figure there are at least four in line before Holden.
Wiz JMFJ
Tin-Tin
Aucoin Murray
Moore/Erixon/Savard/Prout
Edit: I don't see the #7 slot as a press box slot. Whoever makes it will be playing in a regular rotation into the lineup. Aucoin will not play 82 games, as well as people moving up to relieve the normal wear and tear problem s of D in the NHL.
Holden and Amidio are there to provide the veteran leadership at the SPR level.
Personally, I think that of our ragtag bunch of forwards, Johansen is the one that is most primed for a huge season. I think he'll fit in perfectly with the hard working guys that we have, and having seen his game in the WHL, I know that those are exactly the kind of guys that make him effective.
I was thinking more Atkinson, but this intrigues me.
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Personally, I think that of our ragtag bunch of forwards, Johansen is the one that is most primed for a huge season. I think he'll fit in perfectly with the hard working guys that we have, and having seen his game in the WHL, I know that those are exactly the kind of guys that make him effective.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Viqsi
I was thinking more Atkinson, but this intrigues me.
Why not both?
Edit: Would you take 100 pts between the two 50-50 ?
Because if HF has taught me anything, it's that there's always one winner and one loser, and any time it looks like there's going to be two guys who might be comparable, one inevitably must pick one and hail that one as the greatest and best and proceed to hate, mock, and otherwise tear down the other. It's SCIENCE.
Do not care for the Brass/Atkinson pairing. If you look at the top nine (rather than 6 & 3) the weakest 3 defensively are Brass, Atkinson, and Johansen. Why pair two of them together? It is easy enough to split them and balance the defensive and offensive capabilities. Again, the goal is to create a top nine and roll three lines with evenly distributed ice time.
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Before seeing anyone on the ice, yet, mine would be fairly close, only subbing Boll for Johan on the fourth. I think we all pretty much agree that the defense will start with Wiz/JJ, Tyuts/Niknik, and Aucoin. Of course, so much can change if things don't go as anticipated in the short camp, as well as with any possible additions to the roster or unexpected injuries/conditioning issues. I'm just really anxious to see them back on the ice and, hopefully, to see them begin to build a new (winning!) identity!
Interchangable first two lines. Made the choice not to include Johan, as it seems to be the overwhelming opinion here that he stays down. My personal opinion is, or at least wouldn't be surprised if, his morale/work ethic is hurt by him staying down.
For whatever reason in the Falcons thread there is a discussion going on about the first line.
Blah made the following comment:
"We got a bunch of top six players, just none of them are either ready for or capable of top line duty. That top line will be pretty patch work. At least they should compete."
What I take from this is that he doesn't see a for sure set in stone these guys are our 1st line. I tend to agree.
What I wonder about is if we don't have solid first liners, how will they be able to compete? Chances are good one of the top two lines will be matched with the ops #1 a fair amount of time.
It will be like we are throwing two #2 (with some hint of 3rd line characteristics) lines out there.
While I'm sure the usual positive thinkers will refute automatically and proclaim we are only good goal tending away from the Cup, I think this point warrants discussion.
I don't think this should be breaking news to anyone. Our forward lines are definitely deep right now, but they lack that one or two superb talent that most teams need. Hopefully Johansen can become one, although the failures of last year certainly aren't a good omen for the future.
Thank goodness we have 3 1st rounders in the next draft. With a little luck, we can find that top line, PPG player that we need. With more luck, we can find two of them.
I do think we are a goaltender away from being a playoff contender, 6-10 type team. Big bodies, young defense that should theoretically get better and better...
