Quoting: DevilsFanZack13
Fair enough. What if our lines look something like:
Kuokkenen-Hughes-Sharangovich
Tatar-Hischier-Bratt
Boqvist-Zacha-Johnsson
Wood-Mcleod-Thompson
Are we ok with this?
I'm just a fan, so my opinion is unprofessional & limited, but Id hope and suggest something a bit different:
Keep this line together, due to past (limited) success;
Zacha - Hischier - Bratt
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Replace a more limited, but valuable, linemate with a proven pro acquisition who can produce at a higher level next to Hughes:
Tatar - Hughes - Sharangovich
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Call it your fourth line, or whatever you wish ... its your dump, chase, hit, drive the net, take the body, wear down & soften up the opposition GK & defense line of:
Wood - McLeod - Zetterlund (Foote/Studenic?)
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Wild Card line: Mix of older guys buying time to allow the younger proposects to season themselves in the AHL, older proposects on last chance, proven keepers who are more suited to bottom 6 if they were on a better (playoff) team or surprise prospects they just couldn't send down because they just played their way on to the roster:
Kuokkanen - Boqvist (Mercer) - Johnsson (Clarke, Foote)
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Random comments:
I dont see Thompson as anything more than fringe AHL / NHL at best. More likely he's a career Minor league guy. He doesn't belong here.
Kuokkanen is a solid player, but certainly not a top 6 guy on a playoff team. Putting him on top 6 wastes Hughes' next level talent.
Zacha has failed the eye test & (advanced) statistics at center. Understanding he's a high end physical talent, why not take away center ice responsibilities from PZ, (where he's failed) & free him up to showcase those physical skills as a wing?
Just my 2 cents, but Im just a fan.
Thanks for your post