Quote:
Originally Posted by Bingo
Isn't it safe to say the team is literally a forward short in the top nine?
Mangiapane can plug in on any of the three lines and they're good. Dube plays well with Lucic ... but has struggled with Lindholm and Tkachuk.
Bennett has looked good with Lucic and Dube, but so too has Backlund.
Bennett and Simon have similar numbers but don't really work with Monahan and Gaudreau.
If I'm Ward I go back to Leivo, and leave him there for 5 games.
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I go back to Bennett, and I leave him there for 5 games. His time there was interrupted by injury, but the production was promising.
Tkachuk - Lindholm - Mangiapane
Gaudreau - Monahan - Bennett
Lucic - Backlund - Dube
It's the clearest choice in my eyes. Give Lindholm, Backlund, Mangiapane, Dube, and Bennett PK time.
I also think it's time to completely re-work the 4th line and try to create a line that may put some youthful enthusiasm into the team, if only for a few games.
Leivo - Gawdin - Phillips