Quote:
Originally Posted by Enoch Root
This idea that fans have, that the 4th line should be talented players, and not '4th liner-types' just doesn't add up to me.
Are there ANY teams in the league that try to employ this strategy? Are there any good ones?
Even if you could ice 4 talented lines, you wouldn't be able to keep them, in a cap system. In order to pay the top players, teams have no choice but to have some guys that cost the minimum. And with that, the best you can do is have guys that perform a role - i.e. forecheck and wear down the opposing D. That may seem on the surface to not add value, but it does - it makes the offensive guys more effective.
The problem isn't 4th line types, the problem is having bad ones. Which is why trying to upgrade the position seems like a good idea to me.
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Winnipeg Jets 4th line:
Tanner Pearson (former 1st rounder, 20g scorer); Morgan Barron (PPG+ player in college and AHL, role player with 20 pt 10 goal averages in NHL) ; Gustav Nyquist (former top line player on several clubs, 20g scorer)
Canadiens 4th line:
Gallagher (30g scorer) - Veleno (dominant AHL and Junior Stats) -Anderson (20g scorer.)
Maybe you argue that Josh Anderson is a role player but he definitely wasn't always that. Veleno is the weak link but he's definitely not a role player, he's a player they hope has offensive upside.
Dallas 4th line:
Sam Steel -Radek Faska- Colin Blackwell
This is probably the closest that i list, but these guys are all offensive dynamos at lower levels, and all three average over 10 goals a season.
Tampa Bay 4th line:
Bjorkstrand (5 20g seasons)-James (23, not a role player, over ppg in AHL) -Goncalves (24, over a ppg in ahl, not a role player).
LA kings 4th line:
Armia- Turcotte- Perry
Canes:
Hall-Jankowski-Eric Robinson (averages between 20-30 points in a full season.)
Red Wings:
Rasmussen-Copp-Van Riemsdyk
Is this enough for you or should I continue? No one, other than the leafs and oilers, and the very injury depleted panthers, are really running role players consistently on their 4th line these days.