If the insistence on keeping the top 2 lines together holds, I like the look of this.
Gaborik - Richards - Nash
Hagelin - Stepan - Pyatt
Kreider - Miller - Callahan
some combination of Boyle, Powe, Halpern, Masher, and Asham
I REALLY want Miller to develop as a center. I've been adamant about that since we drafted him. I believe his future is there. From everything I've read that's where Clark and Gorton envisioned him.
With that in mind, I don't want him to get too much on his plate, yet at that position. 3rd line minutes, I'm afraid he will find himself overwhelmed at this stage in his development.
On the 4th line, with some protected minutes and responsibilities, if Torts can match well in game and have that line face other teams' bottom 6, that could help develop him at that position for the long term.
Ideally, Miller would face other teams' 3rd-4th lines, as would the Richards line.
While our 2nd and 3rd lines would face other teams' top lines.
Look how Kesler came into the league and where he started to develop.
I don't think Miller sticks past 5 games (or when Cally comes back). Even if he looks good he could use more AHL seasoning and it would benefit the Rangers if his ELC slid.
Kreider is the real x-factor here. If he can elevate his game like he did in the playoffs this can be a formidable set of lines and take much needed pressure off the top line to produce.
This is exactly what I would do until Cally/Kreider come back. I know Torts wants Halpern with Boyle, but this allows us to roll 4 lines and I don't want too much pressure on Miller. Give him 3rd line minutes and see how he does, 4th line minutes won't do jack for his growth.
I doubt Miller even plays. Torts is prob gonna let Mash play. Idk but thats what I think..
These are my lines I would try..
Ryan Callahan - Brad Richards - Marian Gaborik
Carl Hagelin - Derek Stepan - Rick Nash
Chris Kreider - JT Miller - Taylor Pyatt
Darroll Powe - Brian Boyle - Nick Palmieri
Aaron Asham
Brandon Mashinter
Stu Bickel
Ryan McDonagh - Daniel Girardi
Marc Staal - Michael Del Zotto
Anton Stralman - Matt Gilroy
I doubt Miller even plays. Torts is prob gonna let Mash play. Idk but thats what I think..
These are my lines I would try..
Ryan Callahan - Brad Richards - Marian Gaborik
Carl Hagelin - Derek Stepan - Rick Nash
Chris Kreider - JT Miller - Taylor Pyatt
Darroll Powe - Brian Boyle - Nick Palmieri
I don't understand everyone putting Gilroy on the third pair. Do you lot sincerely not remember how bad he was?
Did you seriously not watch the last two games? He was fine. More than adequate actually. Obviously the people with him on the 3rd pair in their lineups are counting on it continuing.
Did you seriously not watch the last two games? He was fine. More than adequate actually. Obviously the people with him on the 3rd pair in their lineups are counting on it continuing.
Yes, I seriously did. Do you seriously expect that to continue?
I'm not getting my hope's up but it'd be a pretty big deal for this team if Miller can stick playing a 3rd line role and Kreider came back playing well.
Yes, I seriously did. Do you seriously expect that to continue?
I seriously do expect it to continue. My seriousness on this topic should not be underestimated.
No, honestly, I think the 6th spot is going to be a platoon situation until the deadline. Gilroy will get a few good games in, have a mediocre-to-bad game or two, and Eminger will come in. He'll have a few good games, have a mediocre-to-bad game or two and it will either rotate back to Gilroy or to Bickel. Repeat.
I seriously do expect it to continue. My seriousness on this topic should not be underestimated.
No, honestly, I think the 6th spot is going to be a platoon situation until the deadline. Gilroy will get a few good games in, have a mediocre-to-bad game or two, and Eminger will come in. He'll have a few good games, have a mediocre-to-bad game or two and it will either rotate back to Gilroy or to Bickel. Repeat.
Agreed. Until Don Sather goes through the JEH style file with the murky folder containing all the GMs in the league caught in very compromising positions on film (old school) at an unnamed hotel in Vegas (envision the Governor scene in "The Godfather 2").
Then we will get that bottom pairing, VET defender (UFA) we all been asking for, for cheaper than we could begin to imagine...
Its a Corelone family secret...
break up the big line.
Kreider-BRich-Miller (as long as this works)
Pyatt/Hagelin-Stepan-Nash (size plus creativity)
Hagelin/Pyatt-Boyle-Callahan (defense plus speed)
Asham-Halpern-Boyle
break up the big line.
Kreider-BRich-Miller (as long as this works)
Pyatt/Hagelin-Stepan-Nash (size plus creativity)
Hagelin/Pyatt-Boyle-Callahan (defense plus speed)
Asham-Halpern-Boyle
Might not be happy that Nash is playing 3rd line, but 3 deep lines can be deadly. It's hard to distinguish which line is the top line and teams can't always have their top D-pairs out there. Boyle-Powe-Asham is a big line that can hit and chip in on offense. THAT is what you want on your 4th line
i would really consider putting nash with kreider and miller. kreider and miller played well and nash is nash. nash has been making things happen on his own while gabby and richards haven't been doing much. the rookies could do will if the main focus is on nash. torts probably doesnt want to put 2 rookies on the first line but if they keep playing well after a few games i would try it.
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