I can't read any more posts about line combinations, it's just the most futile of exercises to me.
Put gaudreau or monahan on any line and they are going to suck hard until they decide not to suck anymore. I'd rather keep them together to prevent screwing up the other lines that are even sort of working, but game in game out they are going to be your top line because on the off chance they have a good game, it's probably going to win you the game.
Mangiapane can't handle 20 minutes a night, I think that's just a crazy suggestion. He's not in a position to be the one babysitting 13 or 23. Lindholm eats his lunch every day trying to do it, I can't imagine what a line with two guys under 5'8 plus Monahan would look like out there for 20 minutes a night. Two guys under 5'8 with all the defensive weight on Lindholm at C isn't much better.
I like Tkachuk and Lindholm as a pair and I like Tkachuk and Monahan as a pair because Tkachuk actually plays hard. That's basically the entire argument for either combo. Put one of the only two centres that can score with the only skilled winger on the team who works hard.
They will either will their way out of the funk or we're headed for major trades in by July 1.
Right now this is an exercise in re-arranging the deck chairs.
|