Dustin Brown-Anze Kopitar-Justin Williams
Dwight King-Mike Richards-Jeff Carter
Dustin Penner-Jarret Stoll-Trevor Lewis
Brad Richardson-Colin Fraser-Jordan Nolan
Kyle Clifford
Kevin Westgarth
Above was tonight's lineup. Clifford will surely see more time in the lineup than on the bench. So he most likely takes Richardson's spot unless Penner goes back to his old self. But if Penner continues to play well, like he has the past two or three games, and Gagne returns, who is the odd man out? I really like how King has been playing. His size does not hurt either. Nolan has also been great. I might like him more than Clifford. So where does Gagne fit, and who sits, given his return?
I would hate to be the team that plays us in the playoffs.. were big, skilled w/some speed and great D/Goaltending. Call me crazy But I hope we draw the Red Wings in the first round.
Dustin Brown-Anze Kopitar-Justin Williams
Dwight King-Mike Richards-Jeff Carter
Dustin Penner-Jarret Stoll-Trevor Lewis
Brad Richardson-Colin Fraser-Jordan Nolan
Kyle Clifford
Kevin Westgarth
Above was tonight's lineup. Clifford will surely see more time in the lineup than on the bench. So he most likely takes Richardson's spot unless Penner goes back to his old self. But if Penner continues to play well, like he has the past two or three games, and Gagne returns, who is the odd man out? I really like how King has been playing. His size does not hurt either. Nolan has also been great. I might like him more than Clifford. So where does Gagne fit, and who sits, given his return?
My guess it will be King. Although I'm not sure if he'll be sent back down he might just be rotated in for some games. Kind of a Clifford/Richardson/King rotation for the 4th line LW
My guess it will be King. Although I'm not sure if he'll be sent back down he might just be rotated in for some games. Kind of a Clifford/Richardson/King rotation for the 4th line LW
If King continues to find chemistry with richards and carter then he should stay. What about moving Brown to RW and sitting Fraser.
I like richardsons speed and he could work between the two giant rookies. Fraser could rotate. Clifford could rotate with King, but he needs to stop with the stupid penalties. That could kill a playoff series.
Why on gods good earth would you take Brown off the first line right now?
9 points in 5 games....
Brown - Kopitar - Williams
Gagne - Richards - Carter
King - Stoll - Lewis
Penner - Fraser - Nolan
Richardson
Clifford
Westgarth
I love Brown, and he has been great over the last three games, but can you honestly say he has been 1st line material the previous 60 games? Besides, putting Brown on the 3rd line with a healthy and productive Gagne on the 1st line would significantly balance our scoring. But this is only IF Gagne is both healthy and can be effective.
Dustin Brown-Anze Kopitar-Justin Williams
Simon Gagne-Mike Richards-Jeff Carter
Dwight King-Jarret Stoll-Jordan Nolan
Kyle Clifford-Colin Fraser-Trevor Lewis
Dustin Penner
Brad Richardson
Kevin Westgarth
Reunite LA Flyers line once Gagne is back, reunite King & Nolan, and avoid Penner as he is not someone we should have confidence in come playoff time (aka last season disaster) and if Gagne isn't panning out then put king on 2nd line and richardson/penner back on third.
Dustin Brown-Anze Kopitar-Justin Williams
Simon Gagne-Mike Richards-Jeff Carter
Dwight King-Jarret Stoll-Jordan Nolan
Kyle Clifford-Colin Fraser-Trevor Lewis
Dustin Penner
Brad Richardson
Kevin Westgarth
Reunite LA Flyers line once Gagne is back, reunite King & Nolan, and avoid Penner as he is not someone we should have confidence in come playoff time (aka last season disaster) and if Gagne isn't panning out then put king on 2nd line and richardson/penner back on third.
That looks great. I hope that if we do get in we try out these line combos. I guess it all hinges on how Gagne feels in the next month.
I am anxious to see how it plays out for next year....
Brown-Kopitar-Williams
Gagne(granted he's healthy)-Richards-Carter
King-Loktionov-Lewis(can shift to C)
Clifford/Nolan-Richardson(can shift to LW too)-Westgarth
This is how it would play out if all the UFA's departed and Nolan/King stayed up and everyone played there natural position.
I really hope Nolan and King stick around, the size they bring reminds me of Handzus, Simmonds, Poni, etc....They are perfect for the playoffs and bring back our old identity...
I think King is the odd man out because he obviously needs to be in a top 6 role. Nolan is a bottom 6 forward. But if Gagne isn't healthy, then maybe they stick with King with Richards-Carter like he is now.
I would imagine the Kings might add someone as well too.
I am anxious to see how it plays out for next year....
Brown-Kopitar-Williams
Gagne(granted he's healthy)-Richards-Carter
King-Loktionov-Lewis(can shift to C)
Clifford/Nolan-Richardson(can shift to LW too)-Westgarth
This is how it would play out if all the UFA's departed and Nolan/King stayed up and everyone played there natural position.
I really hope Nolan and King stick around, the size they bring reminds me of Handzus, Simmonds, Poni, etc....They are perfect for the playoffs and bring back our old identity...
I think King is the odd man out because he obviously needs to be in a top 6 role. Nolan is a bottom 6 forward. But if Gagne isn't healthy, then maybe they stick with King with Richards-Carter like he is now.
I would imagine the Kings might add someone as well too.
I agree. Nolan and King are decent skaters too, which is an improvement over where Handzus is at right now at the end of his career.
As far as who the odd man out is after Gagne gets back, I think it is going to be a case of play well and you stay in the lineup. Don't play well and you get a seat in the pressbox with no guarantees of getting back into the lineup right away.
I love Brown, and he has been great over the last three games, but can you honestly say he has been 1st line material the previous 60 games?
Ever heard of riding the hot hand?
Move him when he cools off. Right now, we haven't had a guy this hot since the first two weeks of the season.
As for who to sit, I think at this point you take a pool of Jordan Nolan, Colin Fraser, Trevor Lewis, Dustin Penner, Brad Richardson, Kevin Westgarth and dress three of them and tell them they stay in the line up until they have a bad game, at which time one of the other three who are sitting will dress.
They are all pretty interchangeable, but their success is a big part of us having success. If they have a bad game, sit them the next game and start sending messages.
That said, I'd start by dressing Nolan, Fraser and Penner from those three. Maybe Westgarth over Penner if you really want to send a message about work ethic = ice time.
It's a bummer for Clifford, he was a stud last year in the playoffs, but this year he doesn't look very good at all under either coach. Not throwing the big hits, barely fighting and barely winning, barely scoring, a lot of giveaways that cost us a few games.
I love the kid, but he's trying to do too much I think.
I like a King-Richards-Carter line better than a Gagne-Richards-Carter line as long as King maintains his level of play. His size and willingness to mix it up down low and in front of the net provides valuable space and zone possession for the skill guys. The third line I would try would be Gagne-XXX-Nolan with the center being the one who shows the most synergy at that point in time.
I don't really think it matters who Brown plays with. Brown just gets his goals. I think he also has the ability to stifle peoples creativity around him because he kind of just takes the puck and goes to the goal and is not interested in passing with his linemates. I think you give him his own line and get him away from Kopi.
For the 4th line I would go...
Clifford - Lewis - Nolan
Brown just gets his goals. I think he also has the ability to stifle peoples creativity around him because he kind of just takes the puck and goes to the goal and is not interested in passing with his linemates.
He's not really capable of passing with his linemates. And Williams isn't exactly the god of making slick passes either. Brown to Williams to Kopitar has two major points of failure. Much better for Brown to go to the net.
He's not really capable of passing with his linemates. And Williams isn't exactly the god of making slick passes either. Brown to Williams to Kopitar has two major points of failure. Much better for Brown to go to the net.
I agree. My point is that Brown is kind of a one man show. I dont think his goal totals would be that different playing with Kopitar or Stoll. So you might as well put him with Stoll.
