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Mike F · 08-30-2014, 05:35 PM

To refresh memories (I needed mine refreshed) last year's starting lineup (based on the October 24 game vs Dallas for forwards (first game with healthy forwards) and the opening night vs Washington for defense) was:

Glenncross - Stajan - Stempniak
Cammalleri - Monahan - Hudler
Galiardi - Backlund - D. Jones
Bouma - Colborne - Jackman/McGrattan

Giordano - Brodie
Russell - Wideman
O'Brien - Butler

Ramo
MacDonald

My Line up this year:

Glencross - Backlund - Hudler
Gaudreau - Monahan - Colborne
Raymond - Stajan - Setoguchi
Bollig - Bouma - Wolf

Giordano - Brodie
Smid - Wideman
Russell - Engelland

Ramo
Hiller

Analysis:

Up front, there is an obvious loss of proven scoring and veteran leadership in Cammalleri and, to a lesser extent, Stempniak. However, this year's group has a chance to be notably better, if: Monahan and Colborne grow the way two young players with a successful year under their belts can; Gaudreau (or one of the other young kids in that slot) prove to be truly NHL ready; Backlund shows that the 2nd half of last year wasn't a mirage; the Bollig - Bouma - Wolf line can handle a true 3rd line energy & checking role, rather than 4th line spot duty as the Raymond - Stajan - Setoguchi line is way too small IMO to play that role.

Once again, the most glaring need, IMO, is a dependable checking & face-off specialist centre. For all of Stajan's heart and dressing room leadership, he's too weak in the face-off circle to be of true value as a 3rd line centre.

On defense, this year's group in a clear step up.

Gio and Brodie return as the top duo, with Gio having shown he can play at an elite level, and Brodie having had a season that gave me hope he can get there soon.

Smid's addition as a solid #4 pushed Russell down the depth chart to play with Engelland who, while vastly overpaid, could do for the third pairing what Smid did for the second. In any case, IMO, Russell - Engelland is a clear improvement over O'Brien - Butler.

The big wild card is Wideman - can he play a role as an offensive catalyst and be not-too-terrible defensively for the entire season? I don't see him as a true #3 d-man, but if he and Smid can both be legitimate #4s, it could be a very solid second pairing.

08-30-2014, 05:35 PM	#10
Mike F Franchise Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Djibouti Exp:	To refresh memories (I needed mine refreshed) last year's starting lineup (based on the October 24 game vs Dallas for forwards (first game with healthy forwards) and the opening night vs Washington for defense) was: Glenncross - Stajan - Stempniak Cammalleri - Monahan - Hudler Galiardi - Backlund - D. Jones Bouma - Colborne - Jackman/McGrattan Giordano - Brodie Russell - Wideman O'Brien - Butler Ramo MacDonald My Line up this year: Glencross - Backlund - Hudler Gaudreau - Monahan - Colborne Raymond - Stajan - Setoguchi Bollig - Bouma - Wolf Giordano - Brodie Smid - Wideman Russell - Engelland Ramo Hiller Analysis: Up front, there is an obvious loss of proven scoring and veteran leadership in Cammalleri and, to a lesser extent, Stempniak. However, this year's group has a chance to be notably better, if: Monahan and Colborne grow the way two young players with a successful year under their belts can; Gaudreau (or one of the other young kids in that slot) prove to be truly NHL ready; Backlund shows that the 2nd half of last year wasn't a mirage; the Bollig - Bouma - Wolf line can handle a true 3rd line energy & checking role, rather than 4th line spot duty as the Raymond - Stajan - Setoguchi line is way too small IMO to play that role. Once again, the most glaring need, IMO, is a dependable checking & face-off specialist centre. For all of Stajan's heart and dressing room leadership, he's too weak in the face-off circle to be of true value as a 3rd line centre. On defense, this year's group in a clear step up. Gio and Brodie return as the top duo, with Gio having shown he can play at an elite level, and Brodie having had a season that gave me hope he can get there soon. Smid's addition as a solid #4 pushed Russell down the depth chart to play with Engelland who, while vastly overpaid, could do for the third pairing what Smid did for the second. In any case, IMO, Russell - Engelland is a clear improvement over O'Brien - Butler. The big wild card is Wideman - can he play a role as an offensive catalyst and be not-too-terrible defensively for the entire season? I don't see him as a true #3 d-man, but if he and Smid can both be legitimate #4s, it could be a very solid second pairing. Last edited by Mike F; 08-30-2014 at 06:23 PM.