Carcillo would be the Upshall replacement as the agitator.
Powe and Pyorala could switch up but I think since Pyorala has never played in the NHL, he seems currently 3rd line worthy, and if he's better, he might be able to play with Richards and Gagne. The final line is of course the checking line, but the only problem I see is, is that the 3rd line isn't very physical, except for Giroux, maybe.
Hartnell - Carter - Pyorala
Powe - Giroux - Briere
Gagne - Richards - Laperierre
Carcillo - Kalinski - Asham
Kaspar/Maroon/JVR fight for a spot as well
Rearange a few guys if you wish, but this is what we are going to be seeing.
I think its fine considering that we did not find outselves an established third line defensive player this offseason. The above lines are way, way, way, better than throwing out a third line with question marks and no viable center
I also would not count out JVR making this squad quite yet
This is about what I've been expecting for quite some time now. I think Maroon has an outside shot of making the team and pushing Pyorala off the Carter line, but if he doesn't make it I expect this lineup. I can't see any way Powe is taken away from Giroux and Briere and iLap just seems like the right type to stick with Richie and Gagne, although I'm sure other guys will be rotated into that spot or the Pyorala/Maroon spot occasionally.
If Lapierrere, Carcillo and Pyorala are all expected to bring offense, then the likelihood of Maroon, JVR or Nodl pushing them down the depth chart is pretty high.
I know Pyorala is probably in everyone's line-ups, but has he been at the practices or maybe even at the trial on the isle? Or was this afterwards? I'm just curious if there is any status on him.
Based on the Courior Post Interview that Chuck Gormley had with Stevens yesterday (I'd post a link but I'm too stupid) I think we are pretty safe to say that Giroux will be center and Briere will be wing. The top 3 centers are therefore Richards,Carter and Giroux and we'll fill in from there. I love how he mentioned Powe twice in the interview as being a fixture and playing a bigger role. I love how he plays. Based on that interview I go with 3 number 1 lines:
Gagne Richards Maroon/yet to be signed UFA
Hartnell Carter Laperriere
Powe Giroux Briere
Carcillo Pyorola Asham
Cote and Ward for 13th and first callup
Based on the Courior Post Interview that Chuck Gormley had with Stevens yesterday (I'd post a link but I'm too stupid) I think we are pretty safe to say that Giroux will be center and Briere will be wing. The top 3 centers are therefore Richards,Carter and Giroux and we'll fill in from there. I love how he mentioned Powe twice in the interview as being a fixture and playing a bigger role. I love how he plays. Based on that interview I go with 3 number 1 lines:
Gagne Richards Maroon/yet to be signed UFA
Hartnell Carter Laperriere
Powe Giroux Briere
Carcillo Pyorola Asham
Cote and Ward for 13th and first callup
The problem is, Cote would have to be a healthy scratch, not a call up, considering he has only a one-way contract.
I like that one. I'd be tempted to try Carcillo with Richards and Laperriere. Throw out Richie's chances for a 75 point season but it'd be interesting to see how tough they'd be if that was their focus. Harts is tough but he's a top 6, and having two on the same line would create substantial pressure for that line to produce offense.
Hartnell back with Carter which everyone (including me) seems to be obsessed with. He also had some chemistry with Briere the year before.
Gags Giroux Pyorala sounds pretty exciting. There's the lack of snarl to worry about, but Claude + Gagne together could be dynamic. And the more I see from Pyorala on youtube the more I think he could be a good replacement for Knuble's production. Playing with those guys would certainly give him the chance.
Gagne - Giroux - Briere
Hartnell - Carter - Powe
Lappy - Richards - Pyro/carcillo
Asham - Ross - Carcillo/pyro
Gone with the french connection. I too really want powe to succed. 1a, 1b, Defensive line and energy line ladies and gentlemen
The problem with the Gagne-Giroux-Briere line is that you leave one of Carter or Richards to play with no one. While it would be a great line, it would also compromise our team.
The problem with the Gagne-Giroux-Briere line is that you leave one of Carter or Richards to play with no one. While it would be a great line, it would also compromise our team.
The thing is I think having Lappy, Carcillo, and Pyo all in the top 9 would be a mistake.
Lappy we dont know can still take those minutes.
Carcillo hasnt showed he deserves any time in the top 9.
Pyoralla hasnt showed he can even play in the NHL.
I personally just wished we played with 2 top lines, a checking line and an energy line.
I kinda would as well, but I think in a call-up situation (depending on the length) Homer/Stevens may see Ward as better insurance. Hard to believe he was an assistant captain a few short years ago.
The problem with the Gagne-Giroux-Briere line is that you leave one of Carter or Richards to play with no one. While it would be a great line, it would also compromise our team.
I think it would be a good thing if richards wasn't relied on to be our biggest offensive threat. We all know that when he is used in a defensive line, he is probably one of the best defensive centres in the league. When he was used against crosby on a pure "shutdown" mentality, he makes crosby look like kyle calder on the ice. He would still get his poweplay time, and pk time. So by limiting his minutes on even strength, you greatly increase his effectivness at shutting down the opposition. Just something to think about.
With the two attacking lines of, i would be expecting
The thing is I think having Lappy, Carcillo, and Pyo all in the top 9 would be a mistake.
Lappy we dont know can still take those minutes.
Carcillo hasnt showed he deserves any time in the top 9.
Pyoralla hasnt showed he can even play in the NHL.
I personally just wished we played with 2 top lines, a checking line and an energy line.
I agree with you here, becayse our top 6 would be absurdly talented. My only issue is, as the roster currently stands we do not have the personel to actually have a checking line. We would basically have 2 scoring lines and 2 energy lines. We would probably still need to rely on Richards to shut people down.
I think it would be a good thing if richards wasn't relied on to be our biggest offensive threat. We all know that when he is used in a defensive line, he is probably one of the best defensive centres in the league. When he was used against crosby on a pure "shutdown" mentality, he makes crosby look like kyle calder on the ice. He would still get his poweplay time, and pk time. So by limiting his minutes on even strength, you greatly increase his effectivness at shutting down the opposition. Just something to think about.
With the two attacking lines of, i would be expecting
Ok it isn't impressive, but i expect them to be a pretty damn solid defensivly shutting down top lines every night
He was also paired with Gagne and Knuble. Not Laperriere and Carcillo/Pyorala.
The thing is that Giroux is a better center then winger, and you're not going to move one of Richards or Carter to the wing. This really means you need three scoring lines if you want to use Giroux correctly.
