[united]

Yeah, I don't mind those lines compared to last seasons.

With Monahan settling in as a one-dimensional shoot-first centre you have two options with him:
- Accept him for what he is and play him to his strengths.
- Bump him to wing in the Stamkos/Giroux/Draisaitl centre-at-wing role.


Gaudreau-Monahan-Simon
The classic Sedin deployment of heavy offensive starts with little responsibility elsewhere. Recognizing you have a defensively-weak winger and a centre who isn't interested in fulfilling a centreman's defensive zone responsibilities, the less time this line spends in their own end, the better. Simon in the Zach Hyman puck retrieval role as he is really good at that and is tenacious in pursuit, a weakness of both 13 and 23.

Tkachuk-Lindholm-Leivo
Dominant two-way line who can hang with most lines in the league head-to-head. This gives Coach Ward wonderful flexibility in line deployment and matching tactics, and a nightmare for opponents.

Mangiapane-Backlund-Bennett
Offensively lacking in finishing but watertight defensively and excellent in transition and on the forecheck. Shutdown the opposition line and get the puck to the offensive zone for 13/23/18 to take over. Love Backlund centering Bennett and have been pushing for that for some time - Bennett's infectious aggressiveness causes him to be pulled out of position in over-pursuit at times and Backlund can read and react accordingly. The other way, Bennett's aggression will help with the stretches where Backlund suffers lapses in focus.


Obviously subject to regular change and review, but I'm glad they are seemingly accepting 13 and 23 are both total liabilities in their own end as opposed to hoping Monahan finally develops an interest in committing to the defensive work ethic required of a two-way centre. I imagine Dube moves up and down the roster as needed, too.