Quote:
Originally Posted by Flames1217
I don't really like Simon in the top 6(like most posters).
The media keep on bringing up the Crosby linemate connection but are forgetting something very important, Crosby plays well with grinders. Players like Kunitz, Dupuis, Rust, Simon, Sheary etc have all been elevated by a significant margin. Crosby just plays well with this type of player.
The comparison also being brought up with Simon and Ferland but then again I don't think this is a good comparison. One of the reasons why Ferland was so effective with Johnny and Monny was that he was very skilled. Ferland had a wicked wrister and had good hands in tight. Simon is more comparable to Curtis Lazar or Blake Comeau. Simon has very good north south speed and has stone hands. Gaudreau cannot hang onto the puck like Crosby and Simon will not have enough time to plant himself in front of the net. Johnny and Monny are off the rush scorers, they score in transition. Simon will not nearly be as effective with them than he was in the past. I understand that he could help in retrieving pucks in the corners but once again this didn't stop Lindholm from being very effective will the duo in the past.
Obviously Lindholm is very effective with them but I also believe that Dube, Leivo or Mangiapane would be far better options than Simon.
If it were up to me I would run with this:
Tkachuk-Lindholm-Bennett
Gaudreau-Monahan-Leivo
Mangiapane-Backlund-Dube
Simon-Ryan-Lucic
I went back and forth alot of which of Bennett, Dube and Mangiapane would be better for the first line. I think having Bennett simply protects the others a bit better.
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While Simon definitely doesn't have the greatest shot and won't be counted on much to put the puck in the back of the net, he is one of the better passers in the NHL, ranking in the 93rd percentile last season and the 86th percentile over the last 3 seasons since he's been in the league when it comes to shot-assists.
He's also proven to be very effective at controlled entries and exits, while not being a liability defensively.
I definitely wouldn't mind seeing other players (Mangiapane, Dube, or Bennett) with Gaudreau and Monahan, but Simon is someone that can be trusted with the puck on his stick and find his teammates for great looks.