Tavares has become much more bullish below the hash marks the last week, making a strong play with the puck around and behind the net on just about every shift. Okposo and Moulson have been reading Tavares' moves and helping create space for their playmaker.
"I think I've had a little more room to work with," Tavares said after his three-assist game Tuesday, giving him two goals and five assists during the three-game win streak. "I feel like I've been pretty good down low all season long, but with Kyle out there, there's some more space and we've taken advantage."
While I'd be willing to give the 2nd line a go because it gives the line a bit more cohesiveness, I'd hate to see the bottom order the order. I also would like to see Grabner-Bailey-Martin tried out a bit longer and given more important minutes. Our 4th line was fine with Rolston, he should stay there.
Every line now has one strong skater and one bigger body. For the 4th line, Wallace is really the best skater, but that line is going to be more about banging around and getting off the ice.
With your above 2nd line in place, I'd do the following below:
Matt Martin is a superior offensive player to Rolston at this point and it's idiotic that the coaches haven't used him as such. Martin's ability to dislodge players from pucks and his release on his wrist shot are much better than Rolston's erratic booming slapshot and slowing legs. I'd just be concerned at the complete lack of size of our 2nd line if they get bogged down in our own end. Also, Nielsen hasn't been as good with his pass selection this year and Parenteau is definitely prone to forcing plays. I think the line has enough speed to be disruptive, but they'll lack any kind of presence in front of the net and Parenteau is going to have to try and be more of a shooter for that kind of line. (I'm fine with that last part; I feel PAP is much more effective when he holds the puck less once the play is in the offensive zone, unless he's literally being left alone.)
I'd still rather see keep the first set of lines I suggest. Of course, I look at those lines and think the team is desperate to make a trade for a better mix at forward. One of PAP or Nielsen should really be traded, if not both.
We should try to bring in a sizable checking center that can skate. We should bring in a proven top-6 power forward who can skate.
That's a legitimate NHL lineup at forward. If we expect to live and breathe in the current and new divisions, then we need more size upfront that includes a checking center that can deal with the more dominant centers we're going to face.
Just doing the above also gives our prospects time to grow; let them be ripe and push the players above them on the depth chart. Rolston's slot is temporary and possibly so is Nino's slot. Nino could end up in the AHL next year getting top minutes and Ullstrom might take his place here. Rolston could easily be replaced with a legitimate 4th line big body that can skate and hopefully drop the gloves a little bit. Haley can be a short-term solution if nothing else becomes available. I'd like Haley to be a better overall player, but he can skate, hit and fight if nothing better comes along.
Call me old-fashioned, but I think the formula of having a playmaking stud, a banger and a shooter is still the best formula for a line. JT has been playing with 2 guys who play small, so putting him with a guy who plays bigger makes perfect sense.
Tavares should have been with Okposo the ENTIRE TIME. I said this last season and I definitely expected him to start on the 1st line this season. I was severely disappointed in Capuano for not doing this.
The reason? Teams know how to play against Tavares and Moulson. Parenteau does absolutely nothing for that line. Parenteau is not a good player and it is so obvious when he is not with Tavares and Moulson. Okposo being in the mix can generate space and more importantly...time.
The line has chemistry because Okposo brings the element that Tavares needs to enter the zone and Moulson needs to set up himself by the net/slot.
As far as other lines, Nino needs to be taken off that 4th line. Capuano is killing this kid.
Would like Ullstrom over Rolston, but we all know why that wont happen (injury aside)
To the bolded: Dave Bolland? Sounds like a perfect fit.
I would absolutely love Dave Bolland on this squad. A perfect checking center that can contribute offensively (about 25-30pts.) and would not be a detriment to the team.
The line is more capable of getting to loose pucks and winning 1-on-1 battles with KO. KO is much quicker over a shorter distance than PAP and is powerful on his skates in comparison. KO is far more trustworthy when it comes to pass selection. The line will not only have less giveaways, but it will have more takeaways and be much better at cycling. The line will be able to compete against opposing rosters that have more size and mobility than it could with PAP. KO is an absolute beast along the boards, whereas PAP is only good as the 3rd guy into a scrum to poke the puck out or stand off to the side as an outlet.
Our top line hasn't really had too much of a problem with entry into the offensive zone, and that's really what PAP brought to the table more than anything else. While PAP finishes more checks, KO is still a more dominant physical player and gets the puck back with stick and board work. If PAP had a much, much better stride, he could probably hang around as a top line player, but he needs 6-8 strides to hit top speed (and that doesn't really fit well with Moulson and JT once they're in the offensive zone.) Our former first line's inability to contest pucks against larger and mobile teams should have been obvious to notice. Their production against teams that they could physically compete against confused fans and our coach alike into thinking they were a true top line.
A true top line can compete against any team on any night while playing against the best checkers the other team has. I have some faith that our top line with KO can do that, along with Moulson now having some extra jump to his game. Of course, it helps that playing against KO and JT can be tiring; this allows Moulson just enough time to contest pucks as opposing players slow down. Moulson's seemingly added urgency to his game also is helping. So many times in the last few games have I seen Moulson just barely get his stick on a puck to keep possession contested or keep it. It's hard for me to explain how important that is, except I've been beating up PAP being on the first line because of how often he's a few steps away from getting to loose pucks.
The idea of "taking away time and space" not only applies to stopping forwards from streaking into your own zone, but it also applies to defenders trying to exit it. The psychological game in hockey is sometimes just as important as what is physically accomplished. Even if on a certain play you're a step behind getting to a puck before a defender, if you get to that puck most of the time, they might make the "safe play" or potentially rush a play. Both of those occurrences increase your chances at regaining possession. Safe clears often end up with the other team still getting the puck back. Rushed plays in the defensive end tend to lead directly to good offensive opportunities for the other team.
Shift-to-shift offense is important for scoring. Call it sustained offense, or whatever you want, but sometimes it takes two good shifts in a row to score when facing the best defensive players on the opposing team. You need players that can skate and keep or contest possession in order to do that. We're still a couple of players short, but KO on the first line improves our chances of extended offensive zone time. Far too often in the past I would see our top line have a good shift in the offensive zone and then not even be able to get off the ice and later get bogged down in their own end. In recent games, I've actually seen our top line sustain pressure and keep the puck in the offensive zone even while changing forwards player by player. It's a huge difference.
...if we would understand that Grabner-Bailey-Martin has a much better shot at contesting pucks than Rolston-Nielsen-PAP, then we'll finally be on to something. Who has a better shot at getting into the play quickly than Grabner changing up for Moulson? Who on our team is scarier bearing down on you from the bench than Martin coming in for KO? Bailey is just better along the boards and isn't afraid of carrying the puck to the net moreso than Nielsen. He also has move overall offensive potential. Bailey belongs in the 2nd line center slot. Nielsen is better as a playmaking wing or a scoring 2nd line center between two bigger bodies which we're lacking. In today's NHL, Nielsen might get by as a checker, but he still needs bigger wingers and our defense is generally too small to support a tiny checking center as it is.
Sorry, I had to get all of that out of my system. Amazing how I managed to springboard all of that off of one quoted line...
Would like Ullstrom over Rolston, but we all know why that wont happen (injury aside)
To the bolded: Dave Bolland? Sounds like a perfect fit.
I would love Rolston off of the team, but yeah... He has been a bit more active along the boards recently, but he's randomly lazy at times and fatigue might be at least part of it. Ullstrom has always been above Rolston on any of my lineups that include him, so we're definitely together on this one.
I wish Bolland was slightly bigger, only because of the makeup of our forward group and the top centers in our division. That said, there really aren't a ton of centers who fit that mold anymore. Most of the bigger players tend to be top-6 forwards these days. All of that said, I'd definitely take Bolland. (May as well add, not sure he's for sale.) I would have taken Glencross this past offseason and played him purely as a center. I'd take Jarret Stoll, though I haven't seen much of LA this year to know how he's playing.
As odd as it sounds, swapping Stoll and Nielsen might make sense for both teams. Not sure what else would have to go back and forth. I think Nielsen has to have more value at this exact point in time, but Stoll might be important for the King's locker room. The Kings might actually be a team we could make a bigger trade with. Maybe they want Rolston?
Tavares should have been with Okposo the ENTIRE TIME. I said this last season and I definitely expected him to start on the 1st line this season. I was severely disappointed in Capuano for not doing this.
The reason? Teams know how to play against Tavares and Moulson. Parenteau does absolutely nothing for that line. Parenteau is not a good player and it is so obvious when he is not with Tavares and Moulson. Okposo being in the mix can generate space and more importantly...time.
The line has chemistry because Okposo brings the element that Tavares needs to enter the zone and Moulson needs to set up himself by the net/slot.
As far as other lines, Nino needs to be taken off that 4th line. Capuano is killing this kid.
To be honest I thought the opposite. Even after PA was moved to the 2nd line I was still pretty impressed with his play. He instantly became the play maker on that line (which may not be saying much)... but I think to say he was "feeding" off of Moulson and JT is silly.
If anything, what I have noticed is how lazy Moulson is WITH the puck ever since Okposo got on the 1st line. I dont think Moulson has stopped working as hard on the puck since KO got there, I just think that it became even more apparent now that you can see how hard both KO and JT work WITH the puck.
Matt Martin is a superior offensive player to Rolston at this point and it's idiotic that the coaches haven't used him as such. Martin's ability to dislodge players from pucks and his release on his wrist shot are much better than Rolston's erratic booming slapshot and slowing legs. I'd just be concerned at the complete lack of size of our 2nd line if they get bogged down in our own end. Also, Nielsen hasn't been as good with his pass selection this year and Parenteau is definitely prone to forcing plays. I think the line has enough speed to be disruptive, but they'll lack any kind of presence in front of the net and Parenteau is going to have to try and be more of a shooter for that kind of line. (I'm fine with that last part; I feel PAP is much more effective when he holds the puck less once the play is in the offensive zone, unless he's literally being left alone.)
This is what I would like to see at this point in time as well. Granted, Bailey and Grabner haven't been playing together for very long, but Grabs looks lost on that line (this may have to do with him playing injured as well). Bailey and Martin seem to work well and I'd rather Nino play with someone that will help get his offense going. Having Reasoner as his center doesn't do much for him.
If/when Ullstrom comes back, he can always replace Nino on the Bailey line. Rolston should definitely not be any higher than the fourth line, salary be damned. Wallace should be returned to the Bridge if the Isles insist on keeping Pandolfo, but he should truly be waived at this point in time. This team isn't doing any worse without him than they were with him. Plus, Wallace doesn't skate like his in a puddle of mud.
To be honest I thought the opposite. Even after PA was moved to the 2nd line I was still pretty impressed with his play. He instantly became the play maker on that line (which may not be saying much)... but I think to say he was "feeding" off of Moulson and JT is silly.If anything, what I have noticed is how lazy Moulson is WITH the puck ever since Okposo got on the 1st line. I dont think Moulson has stopped working as hard on the puck since KO got there, I just think that it became even more apparent now that you can see how hard both KO and JT work WITH the puck.
Tavares should have been with Okposo the ENTIRE TIME. I said this last season and I definitely expected him to start on the 1st line this season. I was severely disappointed in Capuano for not doing this.
The reason? Teams know how to play against Tavares and Moulson. Parenteau does absolutely nothing for that line. Parenteau is not a good player and it is so obvious when he is not with Tavares and Moulson. Okposo being in the mix can generate space and more importantly...time.
The line has chemistry because Okposo brings the element that Tavares needs to enter the zone and Moulson needs to set up himself by the net/slot.
As far as other lines, Nino needs to be taken off that 4th line. Capuano is killing this kid.
Bingo. I absolutely hate the fact that Nino is on the 4th.
Eklund has gone out on a limb,reporting that the Oilers would love to land KO.Shocker.He's young,dirt cheap and the Oilers are an even softer team then the NYI.
E5 or E4?
Eklund's 2nd NYI rumor is sillier:Isles have interest in Niittymaki(sp).
E4?
Last edited by CREW99AW: 01-09-2012 at 10:05 AM.
Reason: forgot the K in Eklund.
What are your thoughts on JT moving to RW and Josh Bailey centering??? Everyone complains how JT has no wingers and I dont want to give up on Bailey without trying something new. We have Ryan Strome in the minors and it wont hurt to give it a shot. Its not like were exactly lighting up the lamp and competing for the Presidents Trophy with the lines we have.
What are your thoughts on JT moving to RW and Josh Bailey centering??? Everyone complains how JT has no wingers and I dont want to give up on Bailey without trying something new. We have Ryan Strome in the minors and it wont hurt to give it a shot. Its not like were exactly lighting up the lamp and competing for the Presidents Trophy with the lines we have.
Thoughts??
Leave Bailey with Martin and Grabner and give them time. That line is better as a checking and puck possession line than the current Nielsen line (which we've mistakenly used in a checking fashion for some ridiculous reason.)
The Tavares line has a decent mix of players. It can definitely be improved, but it's a better mix than what we've had.
Rolston-Nielsen-Parenteau is only going to be improved via trade or free agency. If this team is going to get better, then we need a better mix of players at forward.
Adding some mobile size on defense in the near future is only going to occur via trade or free agency.
Nino to the top line in the AHL next season. Strome should get 2 years before he sniffs the NHL squad. Bridgeport should finally have a significant team to watch if we can improve the NHL squad without rushing our better forward prospects. Not to mention, the kids get to learn the system while playing together and continuing their physical development. If we manage to get Strome, Nino, Kabanov and Petrov (and others) all in the AHL at the same time while improving the NHL club, then we'll finally be close to finishing with the rebuild.
I think one of Nielsen or Parenteau has to be moved, if not both. Nielsen is a very useful player, but this team needs more size. Parenteau has skill and is a great stickhandler, but he misses too many opportunities, is a poor skater, and isn't big or strong enough to have his efforts in checking (which he gives consistently) dislodge enough players from pucks or make players rush plays.
Improvements to the 4th line are welcome, but the other acquisitions are more meaningful for now.
Some of these improvements to the roster need to be looked at right now. We're so ripe for a trade, it's ridiculous. The question is whether we truly want to improve the team for this season, which ideally would have happened before this season, or not. If winning this season is important, then we can no longer wait. If we've already thrown in the towel and the slowest of all rebuilds (prospects only) is how we're going to do this, then we really need to clean house at the deadline if worthwhile assets can be obtained. With that said, the prospect only rebuild will be putting a lot of stress on our young players and running the risk of ending up with a good team, instead of a great team, for all of our losing.
Losing too much and trading away guys every deadline also doesn't send the best message to your best young players. At some point, they're going to want to see improvements to the team, as well. I'm not even mentioning the fans.
Eklund has gone out on a limb,reporting that the Oilers would love to land KO.Shocker.He's young,dirt cheap and the Oilers are an even softer team then the NYI.
E5 or E4?
Eklund's 2nd NYI rumor is sillier:Isles have interest in Niittymaki(sp).
E4?
good I would Love to land Eberle ME5......
Nittymaki really??? I cant see snow doing that...Although it does make zero sense so the Isles might actually do it....
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