It is actually hilarious to look at this lineup and suggest that we blow it up. The answers are in the room. They really are. The forward mix is fine. The defensive mix is fine. The goaltending mix is more than fine. The problem is we have bozos running the show.
How ####ing hard is it to look at the lineup cards of the past and see where successes have been? This isn't rocket science. Go back and put together a lineup based on previous successes and run those lines and pairs. Don't overthink it. Don't try and make guys play roles they are not suited to. This is an automatic thing.
Gaudreau-Monahan-Lindholm was one of the best lines in the NHL and terrorized teams for the better part of a season, before it got tinkered with by someone believing playoff hockey had to be different from the dominating style the team employed. Go back and let these guys play their up tempo high speed attack game and success will follow.
Tkachuk-Backlund-Mangipane was a great second line, bordering on a first line. Again, why mess with success? Because you have to prove you're the smartest guy in the room? Terry Crisp was a great coach because he came in, put together a system that worked for the talent in the room, filled out the lineup card, kicked the guys in the ass when they needed it, and then stay the hell out of the way. Only when things was going sideways did he step in and tinker, and only to counter what was happening in the game. Beyond that he knew his team was the best in the league and he let them play. We need someone that can do just that and let guys that play well toegther, stay together and garner success.
Lucic-Bennett-Dube was dominant in the play-in and post season. As much as I dislike Bennett and what he brings t the table, this was an effective line. If we're going to sit on Bennett, play him with guys where he has had success. Let these guys play together and hopefully they rekindle what they had.
That's the make up of your forward lines. The 4th line is for role players and get spot duty except for special teams and such. Defensively we know what pairings have worked this year. Stick with them. Goaltending is fixed.
Now, just get the hell out of the way and let these guys play to their strengths. No more stupid moving the puck backwards to organize. Move the puck forward and toward the oppositions net at all times. First guy that makes a pass back into their own zone except for a line change get's taken out behind the Saddledome and gets a paddlin'. Up tempo high speed transition game. Entertaining hockey or GTFO!!!
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