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Thanks, Howson, for cleaning up MacLean's toxic waste. Welcome, Kekalainen; let's get good things built!
I was one of the few pulling for Pic to be drafted in '04, so I am really pulling for him. He has a lot of work ahead of him though, as there are a glut of wingers ahead of him on the depth chart. I think he has a good chance of being a regular if Howson can find a way of dealing Chimera.
We know what the top six will look like (for now) so here's an idea for the bottom six:
We know the team is going to try Dorsett at centre, so that would leave Murray and Boll as the 13th and 14th forwards. Camp will definitely be interesting this season, it will be fun to see how the bottom two lines shake out.
I've been pulling for Picard some time now as well, and I hope he can get it going the next time he gets the call up. Bad luck has really pushed his career back. I think he's hit some posts and had a couple of goals disallowed, and that's not to mention his injury. I know he's talented, but with his bad luck, I feel like I could have scored a couple of more points than him if I got a chance to play in 58 games just by dumb luck. I'd like to see him for some extended time on the fourth line.
I was one of the few pulling for Pic to be drafted in '04, so I am really pulling for him. He has a lot of work ahead of him though, as there are a glut of wingers ahead of him on the depth chart. I think he has a good chance of being a regular if Howson can find a way of dealing Chimera.
We know what the top six will look like (for now) so here's an idea for the bottom six:
We know the team is going to try Dorsett at centre, so that would leave Murray and Boll as the 13th and 14th forwards. Camp will definitely be interesting this season, it will be fun to see how the bottom two lines shake out.
I couldn't agree more. I've also been long on the Picard bandwagon - with little to show for it - but this scenario could be very interesting if it shakes out this way.
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We know the team is going to try Dorsett at centre, so that would leave Murray and Boll as the 13th and 14th forwards. Camp will definitely be interesting this season, it will be fun to see how the bottom two lines shake out.
Mac, I wonder if Murray won't get that first look at center before Dorsett? I like the look of the third line - Modin and Pahlsson have a history of success together, internationally, and are the best possible escorts for our young Nikita! With Pic, Torres, Boll, Dorsett, and Murray (plus some of the lesser-known invitees and Crunchies), the fourth line should come together much more effectively than in past seasons. That's my hope, anyway! Now let's see some progress on the blueline!
Mac, I wonder if Murray won't get that first look at center before Dorsett? I like the look of the third line - Modin and Pahlsson have a history of success together, internationally, and are the best possible escorts for our young Nikita! With Pic, Torres, Boll, Dorsett, and Murray (plus some of the lesser-known invitees and Crunchies), the fourth line should come together much more effectively than in past seasons. That's my hope, anyway! Now let's see some progress on the blueline!
I am pretty sure they have seen enough of Murray to know whether or not he will play center. From what I have heard, Dorsett is getting the serious consideration.
I am pretty sure they have seen enough of Murray to know whether or not he will play center. From what I have heard, Dorsett is getting the serious consideration.
I was one of the few pulling for Pic to be drafted in '04, so I am really pulling for him. He has a lot of work ahead of him though, as there are a glut of wingers ahead of him on the depth chart. I think he has a good chance of being a regular if Howson can find a way of dealing Chimera.
We know what the top six will look like (for now) so here's an idea for the bottom six:
We know the team is going to try Dorsett at centre, so that would leave Murray and Boll as the 13th and 14th forwards. Camp will definitely be interesting this season, it will be fun to see how the bottom two lines shake out.
Also a Picard fan but I don't see any way he plays ahead of a cheaper, more experienced (NHL level) player like Murray or Boll. I think Boll simply had a rough Sophmore season and could be a 3rd line guy in Columbus but not before Torres and Modin.
As said in 1,264 threads...we seem to have an overload of wingers. That's not a bad thing if we can turn the lemons into lemonade.
Here's hoping Pic joins the big club. That means we opened some space for he and Filatov....
Tough for me to see Filatov playing on the checking line in Hitch's system. With the first line being Nasher-Brass-Juice, the second line looks to me like Umberger-Vermette-Filatov. If third line is Modin-Pahlsson - Chimera it leaves Dorsett and Murray to battle for the fourth line center and Torres, Boll and Picard to fill in the fourth. Picard still looks like call up material from my perspective. We sure are ripe for a trade...I hope we don't spoil on the vine!
See Sept 4 Puck Rackers for info on third line.
Last edited by orthosrgn2: 09-04-2009 at 07:06 PM.
Reason: more info
Tough for me to see Filatov playing on the checking line in Hitch's system. With the first line being Nasher-Brass-Juice, the second line looks to me like Umberger-Vermette-Filatov. If third line is Modin-Pahlsson - Chimera it leaves Dorsett and Murray to battle for the fourth line center and Torres, Boll and Picard to fill in the fourth. Picard still looks like call up material from my perspective. We sure are ripe for a trade...I hope we don't spoil on the vine!
I've been pulling for Picard over the summer as well, for now the fourth line is his future (or injury callup).
As for Voracek and RJ their future depends on Filatov's future. RJ and Vermette have chemistry, Voracek has two-way skill. One of the two will end up on the third line if Filatov earns his way to a scoring line-which I'm confident he will.
Mac is assuming he remains on the second line. I tend to think if Filatov has a good camp, HE will be on the second line and the more defensively responsible Voracek will be the guy who scores on the third.
Mac is assuming he remains on the second line. I tend to think if Filatov has a good camp, HE will be on the second line and the more defensively responsible Voracek will be the guy who scores on the third.
I agree, if this happens it means Filatov is not only scoring goals but protecting the puck and making it hard for the other team in the neutral zone.. I think he'll do all three.
Mac is assuming he remains on the second line. I tend to think if Filatov has a good camp, HE will be on the second line and the more defensively responsible Voracek will be the guy who scores on the third.
I agree. I have always thought Filatov would be on the 2nd and Voracek on the 3rd if Filatov is ready. Voracek fits on the 3rd line better. Not that I woudn't mind either way.
I believe Voracek would be the best to fill out the third line with Modin and Pahlsson. I simply used the line with Chimera as that is what Hitch said in Puck Rackers. I would put Jason on line four but with Torres that is a EXPENSIVE fourth line. A trade would seem to be most helpful..... Thanks for pointing out my oversight.
Filatov will be given every opportunity to succeed, just as Jake was last year.
He won't be on a 'checking' line...at this point, Filatov hasn't proven that he can check his coat in the NHL. He will be helped along nicely and allowed to do what he does best.
Filatov will be given every opportunity to succeed, just as Jake was last year.
He won't be on a 'checking' line...at this point, Filatov hasn't proven that he can check his coat in the NHL. He will be helped along nicely and allowed to do what he does best.
Agreed. So are you thinking he (Filatov) starts on the second or fourth line
Mannnnn I really don't want Voracek stuck on the third line playing defensive first hockey. He is a top end talent and needs to play in a scoring role so Voracek and Filatov both should not be on the third fricken line if anything that should be a spot taken by Umberger. If Voracek and Filatov don't play on the same line together I'd like to see Voracek moved up with Nash and Brass given Filatov makes it on the 2nd line (or I'd want Voracek on the 2nd line) and Filatov to play with Vermette and Huselieus or on the 4th line with PP time.
Agreed. So are you thinking he (Filatov) starts on the second or fourth line
Hashmarks is off line at the moment so I'll give it a try, fourth line with spot duty on the second line and possibly even the first if Juice is not getting it done. Spot duty on the PP as well...
All of this during the first six-eight weeks of rigorous NHL hockey night in and night out... If he passes the test he will move into the second line on a regular basis by late November or early December.
It makes no sense at all to put him on the third line when we are trying to win hockey games against some of the best forwards in the league. Just my opinion.
Forgive me if this has already been mentioned, but isn't the NHL portion a tad high for AP -- by as much as $300K perhaps -- even if it is a two way contract? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I can recall him being on waivers last season, available to any team willing to stake claim, no? Appreciate any feedback.
Forgive me if this has already been mentioned, but isn't the NHL portion a tad high for AP -- by as much as $300K perhaps -- even if it is a two way contract? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I can recall him being on waivers last season, available to any team willing to stake claim, no? Appreciate any feedback.
I agree, 865K (NHL) for a two way guy (AHL) is very high. But one must be a Jacket fan to understand, Picard was a first rounder and after the Brule debacle we want to give every first rounder a carrot to succeed. Not to mention Picard showed some signs of NHL spunk last season.. In my opinion of course.
Hashmarks is off line at the moment so I'll give it a try, fourth line with spot duty on the second line and possibly even the first if Juice is not getting it done. Spot duty on the PP as well...
All of this during the first six-eight weeks of rigorous NHL hockey night in and night out... If he passes the test he will move into the second line on a regular basis by late November or early December.
It makes no sense at all to put him on the third line when we are trying to win hockey games against some of the best forwards in the league. Just my opinion.
I agree that he will be no where near the checking line, but I think he fits better on the second line with Vermette and Umberger plus he is less likely to be beaten up then on the fourth line where his skill doesn't match the grinding nature of that line. He must however, perform at a very high level in the preseason before he would be given second line minutes.
I agree that he will be no where near the checking line, but I think he fits better on the second line with Vermette and Umberger plus he is less likely to be beaten up then on the fourth line where his skill doesn't match the grinding nature of that line. He must however, perform at a very high level in the preseason before he would be given second line minutes.
Agreed, but remember the fouth line tends to get spot duty as a line. Most fouth lines are considered energy or fighting lines designed to pick up a game gone sour... Filatov will be fine on the fourth line until he's ready to advace. He may even force the other teams 3rd line to take the ice against our fourth if he excels... (a stretch I know but one never knows)
Mannnnn I really don't want Voracek stuck on the third line playing defensive first hockey. He is a top end talent and needs to play in a scoring role so Voracek and Filatov both should not be on the third fricken line if anything that should be a spot taken by Umberger. If Voracek and Filatov don't play on the same line together I'd like to see Voracek moved up with Nash and Brass given Filatov makes it on the 2nd line (or I'd want Voracek on the 2nd line) and Filatov to play with Vermette and Huselieus or on the 4th line with PP time.
So you move Voracek up with Nash and Brass and you have a 2nd line of Huselius, Filatov and Vermette? That line would get killed.
Agreed. So are you thinking he (Filatov) starts on the second or fourth line
I don't really know what line number he will start on, it will be more about who he is playing against and the matchups. He will get 5 on 5 time and 2nd unit pp time for sure. If we knew exactly how well he was going to do vs. other teams better players, then it would be easier to define our lines, but we don't.
We have more skill on our team than ever before, but we are very young and there are a lot of question marks to be worked out.
It is a good thing Hitch is one of the best at in game adjustments because we will need him to react if/when guys are getting overwhelmed.
