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mile · 10-24-2020, 01:22 PM

I think people put too much stock into how the lines are numbered.

If we called the Gaudreau - Monahan - Dube the top line and Mangiapane - Bennett - Tkachuk the second line line I don't think people would have as much of an issue.

Bennett will never be thought of as a first line center but if he happens to center the best line on the team and the team is winning, then does it really matter? William Karlsson wasn't thought of anything close to a first line center before Vegas' first season but he was put in that role 8 games into that season. And it helped that they didn't any other proven centers which made it easier to give him the big minutes, but the point is that they didn't let labels or the stat sheet stop them from trying out new things.

He still has a lot to prove and I won't believe it until it see it in the regular season, but I also don't think it's a massive reach to suggest that Bennett could play in Monahan's spot - he produced the same as Monahan in the playoffs with 3 less minutes of average TOI while being harder on the forecheck and backcheck. Even if he produced slightly less while providing that same tenacity that Monahan doesn't for the same amount of minutes, I'd take that.

As for Haynes' ideas, I don't hate it. But I would at least start the season with the line that was working in the playoffs, then make changes as you go. Biggest things for me are keeping the Bennett - Dube combination intact and separating Gaudreau and Monahan if they are not moved. If Bennett does start producing in the regular season, then eventually move him into Backlund or Monahan's spot.

The idea that the core has changed is an interesting one. It'd be amazing if Mangiapane, Dube, Bennett, and our young defensemen take that next step and Gaudreau, Monahan, Giordano become excellent support players.

10-24-2020, 01:22 PM	#20
mile Franchise Player Join Date: Mar 2014 Exp:	I think people put too much stock into how the lines are numbered. If we called the Gaudreau - Monahan - Dube the top line and Mangiapane - Bennett - Tkachuk the second line line I don't think people would have as much of an issue. Bennett will never be thought of as a first line center but if he happens to center the best line on the team and the team is winning, then does it really matter? William Karlsson wasn't thought of anything close to a first line center before Vegas' first season but he was put in that role 8 games into that season. And it helped that they didn't any other proven centers which made it easier to give him the big minutes, but the point is that they didn't let labels or the stat sheet stop them from trying out new things. He still has a lot to prove and I won't believe it until it see it in the regular season, but I also don't think it's a massive reach to suggest that Bennett could play in Monahan's spot - he produced the same as Monahan in the playoffs with 3 less minutes of average TOI while being harder on the forecheck and backcheck. Even if he produced slightly less while providing that same tenacity that Monahan doesn't for the same amount of minutes, I'd take that. As for Haynes' ideas, I don't hate it. But I would at least start the season with the line that was working in the playoffs, then make changes as you go. Biggest things for me are keeping the Bennett - Dube combination intact and separating Gaudreau and Monahan if they are not moved. If Bennett does start producing in the regular season, then eventually move him into Backlund or Monahan's spot. The idea that the core has changed is an interesting one. It'd be amazing if Mangiapane, Dube, Bennett, and our young defensemen take that next step and Gaudreau, Monahan, Giordano become excellent support players. Last edited by mile; 10-24-2020 at 01:26 PM.