Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperMatt18
Honestly I would love some youthful energy in our forward groups.
Enough of placeholders like F.Hamilton, Chiasson, etc that have no long term spots on this team.
Hamilton and Chiasson get to go to Stockton. Put Ferland on the IR since I don't think he's 100%. Poirier, Jankowski, and Klimchuk are 3 former first rounders, let see if they have what it takes long term.
Gaudreau - Monahan - Versteeg (Versteeg is the closest player to Hudler 2 seasons ago on the roster)
Tkachuk - Backlund - Frolik (What hasn't been said about this line already)
Poirier - Bennett - Brouwer (Poirier is speedy and physical, lets see if he can wake Bennett up)
Klimchuk - Jankowski - Bouma/Stajan (See if Klimchuk & Jankowski can carry over their chemistry to the NHL)
On the backend you need to get Brodie on the right side and try to get him going. Also time to see if Wotherspoon or Kulak can sink or swim at the NHL level.
Giordano - Brodie
Wotherspoon - Hamilton
Kulak - Engelland
Wideman and Jokipakka can spend a day in the press box.
Issue is this team got made the playoffs too early in the re-build and forgot that we were supposed to be giving young guys a shot. Let's get some youth back in the line up, at least if we miss the playoffs then we know it wasn't because we were relying on Freddie Hamilton and Alex Chiasson.
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I'm with you about 90%...
I'd leave Chiasson/Hamilton in the lineup but plonk them on the RW of the 4th line.
I'd leave Janko on the farm for the full season if possible because he's flying in the AHL and doesn't need to stagnate playing minimal minutes in the 4th line. Let him fully adjust to the pros.
Poirier hasn't done much to deserve a call-up. Shinkaruk hasn't done much more, but he's done a job before and plays with speed & hunger.
Gaudreau Monahan Versteeg
Tkachuk Backlund Frolik
Klimchuk/Shinkaruk Bennett Brouwer
Bouma Stajan Chiasson/Hamilton
And if someone can patch up all the holes and gaps in Elliott & Johnson's equipment it would really help team morale (and their GAA). Goalies can't be letting in goals like bouncers let in 19-year-olds in crop tops.