I know Smith hasn't earned a 1st line spot, but if Willy and Erat can't get him going, nothing can. It's worth a shot to have our three best forwards together for a change.
I really like that 27-11-57 line, so keep them together
SK and Fish get demoted for sucking. Spals, if he can try winger, can bring some energy to their deadness.
Spare parts line, but Goose and Hali can be great as shutdown guys.
I like these lines, relatively speaking. Wilson to the top line just makes too much sense. SK was the black hole up there. It's do or die time for Wilson. Will he rise to the occasion? Spent a long time in the Trotz doghouse waiting for this moment.
Bourque is worthy of promotion, even though he's not really top 6 material. With him and Horns running around that may open up space for Legwand to do something offensively. That line needs a playmaker though. That's why Hornqvist looks out of place at times. He's sometimes the only one making plays out there when it's not his role.
I guess the strategy behind line 3 is two negatives equal a positive? If Smith continues to struggle, I'd promote Yip. Like it or not he's been decent these past couple games and is always giving 100%. Spaling has his work cut out for him either way. Really hope SK wakes up.
4th line is whatever. No opinion as long as someone can take a faceoff.
I like it for now. I'm not in a hurry to promote Smith. I wanna get Wilson going this year, worry about Smith next year.
I like these lines, relatively speaking. Wilson to the top line just makes too much sense. SK was the black hole up there. It's do or die time for Wilson. Will he rise to the occasion? Spent a long time in the Trotz doghouse waiting for this moment.
Bourque is worthy of promotion, even though he's not really top 6 material. With him and Horns running around that may open up space for Legwand to do something offensively. That line needs a playmaker though. That's why Hornqvist looks out of place at times. He's sometimes the only one making plays out there when it's not his role.
I guess the strategy behind line 3 is two negatives equal a positive? If Smith continues to struggle, I'd promote Yip. Like it or not he's been decent these past couple games and is always giving 100%. Spaling has his work cut out for him either way. Really hope SK wakes up.
4th line is whatever. No opinion as long as someone can take a faceoff.
I like it for now. I'm not in a hurry to promote Smith. I wanna get Wilson going this year, worry about Smith next year.
Wilson is the key. Smith needs to be sent down if nothing else to wake him up. Scratch SK to wake him up. Is somebody at Milw ready to call up?
I don't think putting SK on a 4th line is going to help anything. If it's for the sake of 'sending a message', there's probably better ways to do it. Even if he hasn't looked great, he still has the ability to create goals. I'm fine with switching up his linemates, but at least keep him around players that can put the puck in the net.
I don't think putting SK on a 4th line is going to help anything. If it's for the sake of 'sending a message', there's probably better ways to do it. Even if he hasn't looked great, he still has the ability to create goals. I'm fine with switching up his linemates, but at least keep him around players that can put the puck in the net.
its not about sending a message. just who's producing.. gaustad and yip can hold a cycle. he should get some room to shoot especially with matchups. i think it'd be good for him.
its not about sending a message. just who's producing.. gaustad and yip can hold a cycle. he should get some room to shoot especially with matchups. i think it'd be good for him.
I just view SK as much more of a passer, but if he wants to shoot more, good for him. Of course, those lines removes Clune from the lineup (fine by me) and Trotz is in love with him at the moment. So it's probably not going to happen.
I just view SK as much more of a passer, but if he wants to shoot more, good for him. Of course, those lines removes Clune from the lineup (fine by me) and Trotz is in love with him at the moment. So it's probably not going to happen.
sk is more of a passer. i think thats part of his problem. he has a sneaky wicked shot. he would be forced to use it with his winger being yip lol. he should have room and matchups, home or away.
funny you mention clune. isn't it weird how trotz constantly had toots in the doghouse but all of sudden he likes clune? tootoo excels 3x in the role clune is trying to fill. clune and mcgrattan just need to sit.
sk is more of a passer. i think thats part of his problem. he has a sneaky wicked shot. he would be forced to use it with his winger being yip lol. he should have room and matchups, home or away.
funny you mention clune. isn't it weird how trotz constantly had toots in the doghouse but all of sudden he likes clune? tootoo excels 3x in the role clune is trying to fill. clune and mcgrattan just need to sit.
I wouldn't be shocked if SK tried to make a pass in a shootout at some point haha. I get your theory about having him play with guys that forces him to shoot, and maybe it would work, but I know Trotz was harping on him last year to shoot more often so I don't know if it's his linemates or mindset. But I see what you mean.
When I heard that Clune was going to play opening night I thought to myself "Oh great, this guy is already in the lineup? This is going to be annoying", and it has been. I personally would rather have McGrattan in the lineup. And yeah it's weird that Tootoo was in the doghouse and Clune is on a pedestal. I don't see anything out of him that impresses me so far, other than his willingness to be a punching bag
I wouldn't be shocked if SK tried to make a pass in a shootout at some point haha. I get your theory about having him play with guys that forces him to shoot, and maybe it would work, but I know Trotz was harping on him last year to shoot more often so I don't know if it's his linemates or mindset. But I see what you mean.
When I heard that Clune was going to play opening night I thought to myself "Oh great, this guy is already in the lineup? This is going to be annoying", and it has been. I personally would rather have McGrattan in the lineup. And yeah it's weird that Tootoo was in the doghouse and Clune is on a pedestal. I don't see anything out of him that impresses me so far, other than his willingness to be a punching bag
Mcgrattan had that really good streak going last year where he played 19 of 20 games. I understand why Yip is a little in front of McGrattan on the depth chart, but I don't see it with Clune.
If McGrattan's not a deterrant to Reaves for example, Clune is even less so. McGrattan's no worse a player really, yeah he's slower but he's also the league's best fighter.
You really think Winchester is an answer don't you?
Not THE answer, but...an answer to filling one of our voids. We need an aggressive forechecker with some speed and size that isn't going to go around chasing bad hits and can be trusted to take a regular shift at even-strength. Winchester kills penalties too...
I'm not calling for trading for a star to fix anything, I'm simply saying sign the veteran playing for your minor league affiliate and replace a guy you picked up off waivers that's never stuck in the NHL before...
Mcgrattan had that really good streak going last year where he played 19 of 20 games. I understand why Yip is a little in front of McGrattan on the depth chart, but I don't see it with Clune.
If McGrattan's not a deterrant to Reaves for example, Clune is even less so. McGrattan's no worse a player really, yeah he's slower but he's also the league's best fighter.
I don't get Trotz's immediate infatuation with Clune. I feel like what McGrattan brings to the table outweighs him. McGrattan isn't going to chalk up many points, but neither is Clune. If McGrattan's presence in the lineup helps set a physical tone, I'm for it. Yes he's probably the league's best fighter, or one of them anyway, and that makes up for whatever Clune "brings more of to the table", which can't be much.
Not THE answer, but...an answer to filling one of our voids. We need an aggressive forechecker with some speed and size that isn't going to go around chasing bad hits and can be trusted to take a regular shift at even-strength. Winchester kills penalties too...
I'm not calling for trading for a star to fix anything, I'm simply saying sign the veteran playing for your minor league affiliate and replace a guy you picked up off waivers that's never stuck in the NHL before...
Winchester is probably a better option than McGrattan/Clune right now I would have to agree. He should get called up pretty soon.
Wilson is the key. Smith needs to be sent down if nothing else to wake him up. Scratch SK to wake him up. Is somebody at Milw ready to call up?
Smith would benefit from some time on the Ad's first line, but he is subject to waivers. Smith would get claimed in a heartbeat. All you can do is sit him, stick him on a line with no offensive talent, or give him some linemates that could potentially jump start his offensive game.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SLake
Not THE answer, but...an answer to filling one of our voids. We need an aggressive forechecker with some speed and size that isn't going to go around chasing bad hits and can be trusted to take a regular shift at even-strength. Winchester kills penalties too...
I'm not calling for trading for a star to fix anything, I'm simply saying sign the veteran playing for your minor league affiliate and replace a guy you picked up off waivers that's never stuck in the NHL before...
I agree 100%. Like I said in another thread, Clune is trying but Winchester is an upgrade. It may not seem like much but you get a big body who can kill penalties, throw big hits, and chip in some goals every now and then.
As bad as Smith has been, sticking him on a bottom line is NOT the answer. All that is going to do is hurt him more. Put him with good offensive players and let them feed off of each other.
As bad as Smith has been, sticking him on a bottom line is NOT the answer. All that is going to do is hurt him more. Put him with good offensive players and let them feed off of each other.
Who on this team would qualify as "good offensive players"? I don't mean that in a sarcastic way, I just mean would you suggest finding a way for him to play with Erat or SK? Wilson? Leggy? I agree putting him on the 4th line does no good at all and I think he's too useful for that role.
I hope we keep the practice lines from yesterday intact.
Who on this team would qualify as "good offensive players"? I don't mean that in a sarcastic way, I just mean would you suggest finding a way for him to play with Erat or SK? Wilson? I agree putting him on the 4th line does no good at all.
33-15-10 is my idea. Wilson and Erat have been our best forwards.
