Quote:
Originally Posted by Monahammer
Everyone is so caught up in playing Bennett at Centre, meanwhile I'm thinking back on Backlund's wing is the best possible outcome for him- pressure is off to carry the entire load or drive a line, he's had his best NHL season beside Backlund in the past, and hopefully he can soak in some more good habits from Backlund while playing together. Meanwhile Backlund gets to keep a bulldog player like Tkachuk on his line while tkachuk is freed to play more defensively.
I would like to see the same lines we've seen with a slight tweak:
Tkachuk-Lindholm-Leivo (27% - more hard matchups)
Gaudreau-Monahan-Pelletier (27% - trying to take advantage of other matchups)
Bennett-Backlund-Dube (23% - D zone starts)
Lucic-Ryan-Mangiapane (23%- this was used as our 2nd/3rd line previously)
Adjust percentages depending on who's hot but really just roll these lines.
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As much as I like Pelletier's play at World Juniors, he is likely not beating out Simon/Leivo for a top 6 role right away. Now, as people have said, there will be injuries. I like those lines if you just swap in Simon for Pelletier to start.
I prefer Bennett on Backlund's wing with Mangiapane as the other winger. Established play wins Mangiapane the prime role while Dube might have the higher upside, it isn't today.
I think Leivo,Simon, Dube and Mangiapane for top6 roles with new players having the inside track.