Quote:
Originally Posted by Textcritic
There are some intriguing questions heading into this game. I wonder if Czarnik gets a turn on the top line after a strong performance in Victoria. I am also curious to see if the Dube · Quine · Phillips line that was so effective in that game will remain together tonight.
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See the biggest issue with Czarnik IMO has been his lack of a fit on a line, rather than a lack of skill.
He hasn't been able to work with Ryan as his center, because the line would end up being collectively too undersized. We saw this play out the same way for Dube as well. Mangiapane fit because he's stockier than the other two.
He hasn't been able to work with Backlund as his center, because that line has such heavy defensive responsibility.
Most of his success last year came on a line with Bennett and Jankowski, but Janko was our worst center 5v5 by far last year. I was strongly advocating Bennett at 3C and still am, as I think this would get the most out of Czarnik.
Could Czarnik work with Gaudreau and Monahan? They defintely have less responsibility than thr Backlund line, so possibly. You do end up undersized on the wings which might make breakouts difficult, but it's worth experimenting with. Pittsburgh pulled it off a few years ago with Sheary-Crosby-Guentzel.
But the line I'd most like to see for Czarnik's positives to outweigh his negatives would be Mangiapane - Bennett - Czarnik.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GioforPM
You really need a two way player to fill Lindholm's spot IMO. Lindholm was also an effective forechecker. Neither for those areas are Czarnik's forte IMO.
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I think Czarnik is a strong forechecker.
He's not a pure two way player, but neither were Hudler or Ferland.