Bare with me on this one.
What if we abolished, just for a second, the concept of having a 2nd and a 3rd line, and lined up two 2nd lines, one offensive minded, and the other defensive. Both will have practically the same ice-time, but with different duties. That could give us a way to put Plekanec as that defensive line center without him being branded as a 3rd line player.
This is assuming that Eller proves he can center an offensive 2nd line, or even Gally if he has a great camp.
Pacioretty - Desharnais - Cole
Armstrong - Plekanec - Gionta
Galchenyuk - Eller - Bourque
Prust - White - Moen
For some reason I like the balance of that lineup. The third line excites me. I think Gally and Eller will tear it up together. Bourque adds some crash and bang. We shouldn't put Gally in a pressure situation yet. The third line is enough insulation for him. Armstrong on the second line adds size and tenacity to two of our smaller players.
Pacioretty - Desharnais - Cole
Armstrong - Plekanec - Gionta
Galchenyuk - Eller - Bourque
Prust - White - Moen
For some reason I like the balance of that lineup. The third line excites me. I think Gally and Eller will tear it up together. Bourque adds some crash and bang. We shouldn't put Gally in a pressure situation yet. The third line is enough insulation for him. Armstrong on the second line adds size and tenacity to two of our smaller players.
Amrstrong on the 2nd line is a waste of a winger. Moen would be a much better fit.
Pacioretty - Desharnais - Cole
Armstrong - Plekanec - Gionta
Galchenyuk - Eller - Bourque
Prust - White - Moen
For some reason I like the balance of that lineup. The third line excites me. I think Gally and Eller will tear it up together. Bourque adds some crash and bang. We shouldn't put Gally in a pressure situation yet. The third line is enough insulation for him. Armstrong on the second line adds size and tenacity to two of our smaller players.
I love that lineup. 4th line excites me, that's a real tough line. Should give them lots of ice time.
Ah thanks. Any reason why he is not playing C in juniors?
From my own observations, when he plays center he very much takes his 2 way play seriously. On the wing he's much more of an offense first minded player. At least for now.
He is very good in the faceoff circle from what I've seen though.
I think Therrien will have a great second run as the habs coach.
Every armchair GM knows that ''rushing'' a kid in the NHL ruins his ''development''. Galchenyuk will learn more by playing against pylons in the OHL than he would in the NHL, because this is an axiom and is always true!
The guy hasn't been good in 4 years. I hope I'm wrong here, I really do...
4 years? 2 seasons ago he played fantastic in the 45 games after the skate cut, what are you talking about. He was playing on pace to his 64 point season the year prior. Stop exaggerating. He's played well in the KHL logging 20-22 minutes a night and made the KHL all star team.
