That Coyle-Granlund-Zucker line was amazing together, but i kind of like to see Larsson and Zucker on the same line.
I think that Coyle really needs Granlund more than Zucker..
Will be interesting to see what Torch does with lines. Simply put Granlund back between Zucker and Coyle, moving Larsson to the third or fourth line (don't see him breaking up the Palmieri-McIntyre-Fontaine line), or break it up as suggested previously to have Larsson with one of the wingers and Granlund with the other.
I may be way off with this but anyone else like to see Phillips on the wing? Perhaps put him on the right wing with Larsson and Zucker, put Foucault with Granlund and Coyle. That leaves Broda-McMillan-Palmer on the fourth line.
If Larsson is moved to the third line, then that bumps Phillips to the fourth. I'd rather Phillips get to use his offensive skills with some other skilled players instead of playing with grinders. He's really good when the Aeros have control of the offensive zone and not too effective on dump and chase.
Will be interesting to see what Torch does with lines. Simply put Granlund back between Zucker and Coyle, moving Larsson to the third or fourth line (don't see him breaking up the Palmieri-McIntyre-Fontaine line), or break it up as suggested previously to have Larsson with one of the wingers and Granlund with the other.
I may be way off with this but anyone else like to see Phillips on the wing? Perhaps put him on the right wing with Larsson and Zucker, put Foucault with Granlund and Coyle. That leaves Broda-McMillan-Palmer on the fourth line.
If Larsson is moved to the third line, then that bumps Phillips to the fourth. I'd rather Phillips get to use his offensive skills with some other skilled players instead of playing with grinders. He's really good when the Aeros have control of the offensive zone and not too effective on dump and chase.
I expected Saint John to put Phillips on the wing, didn't happen.
I expected the Wild to put Phillips on the wing in dev camp, didn't happen.
I expected the Aeros to run Phillips on the wing, didn't happen.
I won't believe they're moving him to the wing until he actually lines up there a few games in a row.
Both the P-M-F and Z-L-C lines have shown they need to be taken as a priority. Any line with Granlund-Phillips on it should be a permanent threat to score.
Both the P-M-F and Z-L-C lines have shown they need to be taken as a priority. Any line with Granlund-Phillips on it should be a permanent threat to score.
I'm down with this, squidz. Gotta find a way to convince Torch now =)
Both the P-M-F and Z-L-C lines have shown they need to be taken as a priority. Any line with Granlund-Phillips on it should be a permanent threat to score.
Switch Coyle and Phillips and I like this. Although I would really like to see Granlund and Zucker on the same line.
Switch Coyle and Phillips and I like this. Although I would really like to see Granlund and Zucker on the same line.
My intent is to not mess up a "working" line. Also, I don't care for Coyle on a line with Granlund. I know it was working early in the year, but I still credit that to Zucker and Granlund making it work despite Coyle, not because of him. But that latter part might just be related to my general lack of faith in Coyle.
Agree with Squidz, in particular his naming the top 3 groups, 1A/1B/1C---any any given night all three lines have potential to be dominant. Also, agree I like the Fontaine/Mac/Palmeri group to stay together.
Coyle appears to need a dominant center to feed him, last year he had Philips and flourished, this year early he had Granny and flourished, for whatever reason(no fault of Larrson who I think has been terrific), Charlie has really struggled without Granny. Having said that, I have alot of faith in Coyle and Im sure will get it going---Torch plays him a ton.
The Houston Aeros are coming off a big two-game sweep over Oklahoma City and this came one game after beating Abbotsford. So that's two of the top teams in the AHL.
Houston is now fifth in the conference and has won five in a row since defeating Rockford in the Nov. 18 game at the X.
Former UMD national champ Justin Fontaine continues to be a stud for the Aeros. He is tied for 16th in the AHL with 19 points in 19 games. Jason Zucker is tied for fifth in the AHL with 11 goals and leads all rookie forwards. Zucker is tied for first in the AHL with six power-play goals. Brian Connelly is tied for 19th in the league with 12 assists. Matt Hackett is tied for fifth with eight wins.
Here is the Aeros' schedule, but they play at Texas on Friday and home against Peoria on Sunday. Mikael Granlund, injured Nov. 2, is expected to return this weekend from a sprained ankle that cost him 12 games. The Aeros are a very impressive 7-3-2 without Granlund and Brodin.
Also, sounds to me like Brett Bulmer will be out a bit with what I think is a sprained knee. Chad Rau is also out for awhile with a foot injury, while Carson McMillan is banged up with an upper body injury.
