Elevate Klapka to 3rd line?

[FBI]

Klapka has only had one game ever with decent icetime (14 mins) and he played amazing. Usually only gets 5 or 6 minutes.

I don’t see much use playing him 5 mins. He’s 1 for 1 with more icetime, why not give him another shot?

[Badgers Nose]

I'd prefer we set up a 4th line with a responsible centre and some young fast skilled wingers. I see Klapka as being part of that for now.

A sheltered line, but with enough minutes to take some pressure off the other lines. When Zary comes back, I hope Backlund centres that 4th line. His minutes can be bumped up by playing PK minutes.

I'm tired of Lombo and Rooney. They get dominated every shift. Other than Lombo's fights, they have no bite and can't seem to clear the zone while keeping possession.

[Karl]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

I'd prefer we set up a 4th line with a responsible centre and some young fast skilled wingers. I see Klapka as being part of that for now.

A sheltered line, but with enough minutes to take some pressure off the other lines. When Zary comes back, I hope Backlund centres that 4th line. His minutes can be bumped up by playing PK minutes.

I'm tired of Lombo and Rooney. They get dominated every shift. Other than Lombo's fights, they have no bite and can't seem to clear the zone while keeping possession.

So sad, but sadly so true.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by FBI

Klapka has only had one game ever with decent icetime (14 mins) and he played amazing. Usually only gets 5 or 6 minutes.

I don’t see much use playing him 5 mins. He’s 1 for 1 with more icetime, why not give him another shot?

Oof...because he's way behind the play and ineffective for his 5 minutes of ice time. He had that one nice game because he was aggressive and anticipated plays well. Now he's back to his old ways, which are just too slow for the NHL level. He has the physical ability, but his brain doesn't process the game fast enough.

[devo22]

yeah, I don't see an effective NHLer there either.

The 4th line will need work in the offseason, maybe even sooner. I think you can pencil in Lomberg, but that's about it. Maybe someone like Morton can step up?

[Bingo]

I think it's time to shake up the fourth line ... who am I kidding it's past time.

If you look at relative xGF% for forwards across the NHL (expected splits, five on five, vs teammates) Rooney is 5th worst, and Lomberg is 22nd.

That normalizes for system, goaltenders etc within each team.

They need to fix the fourth line.

I'd start with Rooney, but it may need two new faces.

[Toonage]

Doesn't need to be a "grind" line or a typical "energy" line. Huska rolls 4, give it some competency.

If they did get Cozens, I'd absolutely go with Backlund as 4C.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Doesn't need to be a "grind" line or a typical "energy" line. Huska rolls 4, give it some competency.

If they did get Cozens, I'd absolutely go with Backlund as 4C.

Your shut down center is going to play 7 minutes?

Or you're going to take your top six down 2 minutes each?

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Your shut down center is going to play 7 minutes?

Or you're going to take your top six down 2 minutes each?

I think the minutes would even out more with a competent 4L. Of course right now they play 7 minutes.

But they're also out there with a minute left in periods, he'll throw them out there after opposition icings with face offs in the O zone, generally he likes to use his 4L. Why not stretch that out a bit more.

And given Backlund's injury and maybe as he ages next year, its not the worst idea to have him in that role?

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Toonage

I think the minutes would even out more with a competent 4L. Of course right now they play 7 minutes.

But they're also out there with a minute left in periods, he'll throw them out there after opposition icings with face offs in the O zone, generally he likes to use his 4L. Why not stretch that out a bit more.

And given Backlund's injury and maybe as he ages next year, its not the worst idea to have him in that role?

That was option 2 ... take minutes away from the top six.

15
14
12
7

48 minutes

If Backlund is on the fourth line and gets 12 you need to take 5 minutes from the first three groups.

I'm good with Backlund winding down, but he's not there yet. He's centering a top ten line in the league for play driving and plays a huge role on this team.

I do think he settles in on the fourth line some day.

Not today.

[Samonadreau]

Didn't even realize Klapka was playing until he hit the ice with 25 seconds left in the game.

[FBI]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Oof...because he's way behind the play and ineffective for his 5 minutes of ice time. He had that one nice game because he was aggressive and anticipated plays well. Now he's back to his old ways, which are just too slow for the NHL level. He has the physical ability, but his brain doesn't process the game fast enough.

How much of this is that he can’t get into a rhythm or get his legs yet though? We only have a sample size of 1 game where he got a good opportunity. (And not playing with scrubs)

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by FBI

How much of this is that he can’t get into a rhythm or get his legs yet though? We only have a sample size of 1 game where he got a good opportunity. (And not playing with scrubs)

I don't like those kinds of theories for poor play. You want to get your legs going? That's what warm up is for. If you know you're only going to get 5 minutes you better be full of energy for those 5 minutes. He often is not.

[Badgers Nose]

We have a log jam of wingers. If Klapka wants to have a long NHL career he has to take whatever job he wants. The goal he scored a few days ago is the blueprint. It won't work all the time, but using your size intelligently and taking puck to the net hard is probably the right idea. Just don't take stupid penalties.

[kyuss275]

3rd line? Not sure if he is good enough for full time 4th line duty.

[Harry Lime]

Swap out Rooney for Hunt, and see if Lomberg and Klapka can maintain a bit more pace on the fourth line. The whole line would get more minutes, and honestly a successful fourth line should hover around 10.

[Icon]

Originally Posted by Harry Lime

Swap out Rooney for Hunt, and see if Lomberg and Klapka can maintain a bit more pace on the fourth line. The whole line would get more minutes, and honestly a successful fourth line should hover around 10.

Agreed.

Rooney's the issue with the 4th line, at least try some other options there to prove it.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Icon

Agreed.

Rooney's the issue with the 4th line, at least try some other options there to prove it.

I'd say there are two issues, but the other issue provides intangibles.

[SuperMatt18]

Lomberg could easily be 13th forward IMO.

The team needs to re-think the 4th line and it can't have the Rooney, Bishop's, etc of the world on it anymore.

Huberdeau - Kadri - Zary
Coleman - Backlund - Coronato
Sharangovich - Frost - Farabee
Pospisil - Kerins - Klapka/Lomberg

Bahl - Andersson
Bean - Weegar
Poirier - Pachal
Hanley - Miromanov

4th line needs to have energy and skill and Pospisil / Klapka provide that size/grit/skill combo and Kerins earned more of a look in his 5 games IMO.

Also need to get more of the young guys (Poirier, Solovoyov, Kuznetsov) in on the defense a bit and rotate them through that third pair with Pachal. Barrie can be moved, Miromanov can stay as RH depth.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Love Klapka, but he's a 'tweener.