Besides, Martinek will probably be injured by the time Lubo comes back and we can keep Finely around as a number 7 for a bit.
I can't see any team not having 7 defencemen on their roster with this shortened season. Somebody'll go down to injury... and even if they don't, someone's play will falter enough to slot in one of the new waiver guys, should they not start on the team. Personally, I want to see Hickey on opening night. Former 4th overall pick, captain of Team Canada in the world jrs and two world jr golds? I really hope he has something to prove and the ability to do it.
Besides, Martinek will probably be injured by the time Lubo comes back and we can keep Finely around as a number 7 for a bit.
Wow, you called it. I would have like to see you be wrong (not against you but I would have liked to see marty stay healthy for once) but I guess we all saw it coming.
My two cents. I think no matter how you do it, someone is the odd man out in the top 3 lines, and until he picks it up, my two cents its Okposo(not that I believe Cappy will do it, but I can wish). I liked the way Bailey played with Nielsen last year. I know everyone is down on Reasoner, but I think we need him for PK and faceoffs and that he has played better recently, breaking up a few odd man rushes. I think these lines would give us some good balance.
My two cents. I think no matter how you do it, someone is the odd man out in the top 3 lines, and until he picks it up, my two cents its Okposo(not that I believe Cappy will do it, but I can wish). I liked the way Bailey played with Nielsen last year. I know everyone is down on Reasoner, but I think we need him for PK and faceoffs and that he has played better recently, breaking up a few odd man rushes. I think these lines would give us some good balance.
This. Okposo doesn't deserve anything more than the 4th line.
StapeNewsday10:33am via web
#Isles have shuffled top two lines at practice today: Moulson-Tavares-Boyes, Grabner-Nielsen-Okposo. Bailey extra F with top line.
Interesting.
Seems like Bailey is pretty close.
I have a feeling they'll switch KO and Boyes tomorrow and then dress Bailey in one of those two top six spots if nothing clicks for Boyes or KO.
Bailey getting some time with top line, we might as well try him on JT's RW. The biggest problem with that top line is that Tavares is the only one who can carry the puck into the offensive zone and actually make something happen. Moulson just dumps it in all the time and Okposo has not been very sharp or good in that department either. Maybe Bailey can do what the others can't.
Boyes has been ok, but he's another Moulson on that line. JT needs more help than he's received so far.
Bailey getting some time with top line, we might as well try him on JT's RW. The biggest problem with that top line is that Tavares is the only one who can carry the puck into the offensive zone and actually make something happen. Moulson just dumps it in all the time and Okposo has not been very sharp or good in that department either. Maybe Bailey can do what the others can't.
Boyes has been ok, but he's another Moulson on that line. JT needs more help than he's received so far.
I agree. I think Bailey, when playing with confidence, is strong on the puck and has good vision. He could play a similar role to what PAP did last year, only with less turnovers.
I also would like to see how Bailey does when given a shot with offensively gifted players. He has never really gotten that chance, other than a few games with Nielsen last year. He is an RFA this year, and the team needs to determine his long-term role. Give him a shot to prove he belongs in the top-6.
This. Okposo doesn't deserve anything more than the 4th line.
disagree with this a lot. hes not suited for JT and Moulson, but he has played very well with Nielsen and Grabs in the past.
Also, Bailey is not a center anymore. He thrived as a winger, and should be slotted as one. What sucks most is that the Aucoin line has played well, and its kind of mind boggling that this dude has only played a handful of games here and there. Hes smart, plays hard and puts up good points for a 3rd line center.
Bailey getting some time with top line, we might as well try him on JT's RW. The biggest problem with that top line is that Tavares is the only one who can carry the puck into the offensive zone and actually make something happen. Moulson just dumps it in all the time and Okposo has not been very sharp or good in that department either. Maybe Bailey can do what the others can't.
Boyes has been ok, but he's another Moulson on that line. JT needs more help than he's received so far.
I completely agree with this. I have thought that Bailey could be the one guy currently on this roster that could potentially grow into this spot. I pencilled in Boyes there for now, since this was the role we thought he would be in when we got him as a past goal scorer and PAPs replacement. I think we will see a few different guys with JT/MM this year but in the back of my mind I am hoping that Bailey takes a big stride forward this year and earns it after he gets his legs under him.
Bailey getting some time with top line, we might as well try him on JT's RW. The biggest problem with that top line is that Tavares is the only one who can carry the puck into the offensive zone and actually make something happen. Moulson just dumps it in all the time and Okposo has not been very sharp or good in that department either. Maybe Bailey can do what the others can't.
Boyes has been ok, but he's another Moulson on that line. JT needs more help than he's received so far.
I like that analysis, right now JT is doing all of the real work with playmaking and digging for the puck. JT has elite goal scoring ability but that is being wasted because there is no playmaker or guy to get the pucks out of the corner. At least Bailey can replace the PA factor to an extent on this line.
The other benefit is that this move would help Bailey develop to his full potential also.
There should be some concern about JTs long term development if he doesn't get some help on his line. Billy Harris had zero help on his line for the first 2 years and didn't get a legitimate center in Trottier until his 4th year and as a result lost his goal scoring touch. Harris became a good defensive forward, a good playmaker and decent goal scorer but never became the 40 goal scorer he was capable of. John will always be a great player but the 50 goal scorer he is capable of won't appear unless he gets help on his line. Right now he's making the passes and battling for the puck all over while Stamkos becomes a 50-60 goal man.
I don't see a point in separating Moulson and JT. Atleast put him on the second line.
I would love to see a Martin-JT-Bailey/Moulson. Moulson scored 36 goals last year. Okposo should NOT be starting ahead of Moulson. Why would you put a 36 goal scorer on the third line? Keith Aucoin is NOT a second line center. You can argue he's not even a third line center either. If we need that much help at center bring Brock Nelson up. We know we won't trade for one.
Now with all that said. We can't do much with these lines. I'll take a stab at it.
I don't see a point in separating Moulson and JT. Atleast put him on the second line.
I would love to see a Martin-JT-Bailey/Moulson. Moulson scored 36 goals last year. Okposo should NOT be starting ahead of Moulson. Why would you put a 36 goal scorer on the third line? Keith Aucoin is NOT a second line center. You can argue he's not even a third line center either. If we need that much help at center bring Brock Nelson up. We know we won't trade for one.
Now with all that said. We can't do much with these lines. I'll take a stab at it.
I'm not sure of the wingers hands and whatnot. My only fear is Moulson won't produce without JT. The defense I see remaining the same.
1. because moulson scored 23 goals not assisted by tavares his first year in the nhl
2. moulson isn't a good enough skater to keep up with nielsen and grabner who btw you kept together
3. aucoin is an excellent passer despite never getting a good chance at the nhl level, 6 times in his career he was with one point of an assist per game or over 1 assist per game in the ahl
4. give the 3rd and 2nd line about the same amount of ice time
I don't see a point in separating Moulson and JT. Atleast put him on the second line.
I would love to see a Martin-JT-Bailey/Moulson. Moulson scored 36 goals last year. Okposo should NOT be starting ahead of Moulson. Why would you put a 36 goal scorer on the third line? Keith Aucoin is NOT a second line center. You can argue he's not even a third line center either. If we need that much help at center bring Brock Nelson up. We know we won't trade for one.
Now with all that said. We can't do much with these lines. I'll take a stab at it.
I'm not sure of the wingers hands and whatnot. My only fear is Moulson won't produce without JT. The defense I see remaining the same.
I know its difficult with the op's rules, but i still think its a bad idea putting our 3 rh forwards (sans mcdonald who wont play an important role going forward) on the same line. Gotta spread them...
I really really want to see Moulson off JTs wing. But I just can't see it happening.
the way I see it, Moulson is a power play specialist/2nd line player. Granted, we don't have any true 1st line wingers on the club, but I don't think that JT should be spending the majority of his even strength shifts in the D zone. I think Moulson & his lack of defense & ability to carry the puck through the neutral zone is one of the major reasons JT is stuck playing D so much.
I'd love to see Bailey & Ullstrom get a shot. Just for a few games. Keep the PP the same, that is where Moulson scores.
The idea isn't really to make sure Moulson is still scoring anyway. The idea should be to make sure our best player has the opportunity to do what he does. The way I see it, Moulson holds him back just as much as JT props MM up.
Last edited by Isles Junkie: 02-12-2013 at 04:23 PM.
1. because moulson scored 23 goals not assisted by tavares his first year in the nhl
2. moulson isn't a good enough skater to keep up with nielsen and grabner who btw you kept together
3. aucoin is an excellent passer despite never getting a good chance at the nhl level, 6 times in his career he was with one point of an assist per game or over 1 assist per game in the ahl
4. give the 3rd and 2nd line about the same amount of ice time
the bold is your biggest problem
1. Fair Enough
2. I kept them together because I don't see why we shouldn't. They are both producing just fine.
3. But is aucoin a SECOND line center? No he is not. You listed stats in the AHL. Jeff Tambellini was another good AHL player. I beileve Aucoin can be a 3rd line center on THIS team. Nielsen is better than him. No reason why we should take ice time away from Frans.
And to add to the fact Frans should start ahead of Aucoin this does not mean that he should even be a second line center. But if Aucoin was such a great AHL player why was he put on waivers? I hope I'm wrong but this team is in a sad state if he's our #2 center.
I agree. I think Bailey, when playing with confidence, is strong on the puck and has good vision. He could play a similar role to what PAP did last year, only with less turnovers.
I also would like to see how Bailey does when given a shot with offensively gifted players. He has never really gotten that chance, other than a few games with Nielsen last year. He is an RFA this year, and the team needs to determine his long-term role. Give him a shot to prove he belongs in the top-6.
Definitely agree....except I wouldn't call Nielsen an offensively gifted player. Not by a long shot. Don't get me wrong, I love what he brings to this team but he is not a 2nd line center on a successful team IMO.
As for Bailey, get this kid on the top line and let's see what he's made of. I may be in the minority, but Josh is one of the few forwards I get excited to see with the puck in the offensive zone. I thought he looked great in his first 2 games back this season.
