lack of a skilled winger has hindered that third line a little bit . backlund would make a good play to gain the zone but didn't have much support to hold it and Coleman makes a lot of one and done plays and falls down a lot . another guy that can dangle would do that line a lot of good
I remember when Andersson was drafted and skating and conditioning were the knocks on him. He is a good example of how those are things that can be approved upon if the player has the work ethic and proper coaching. I wonder how much Danielle Fujita has helped in this regard.
I think his significant other is a nutritionist/trainer, and she's likely far more impacted on his improvement in those area's.
She may ultimately prove to be a big reason why he retires with 75 million plus in career earnings if his current trajectory continues.
__________________ "Some guys like old balls"
Patriots QB Tom Brady
I do however think that Huberdeau with Kadri would be absolutely incredible. Kadri does everything that Huberdeau can't up the ice, and has amazing vision, likely leading to finishing a lot of Huberdeaus set ups.
I would love to see Kadri and Lindholm swapped for a couple games to see the results.
All the talk about Toffoli not working on that line, I think misses the mark.
The problem seems to be a lack of a neutral zone puck carrier, and a lack of a tenacious forechecker. Kadri is both those things. Leave Toffoli there as a trigger man.
And I think Mangiapane - Lindholm - Dube could work well too.
I am totally fine with leaving things as they are, but if they are going to make a move, I think it should be with the centres.
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I would love to see what the above forward lines could do. We lose some center depth but upgrade the 1st line which hasn't been good at all 5v5. The 2nd line is a repeat of last year's, which was pretty good. 3rd line can be sheltered with offensive starts and should be able to put the puck in the net. 4th can cycle out the wingers to stay fresh and check with pace.
Moving Backlund to 3C is what makes us a contender. We've been missing that for years and expecting him to play above his ability. Lets not take 1 step forward and 2 back please.
This is not a knock on the player, I love backlund, he's best in a 3rd line shutdown role. He makes the team deep by providing some goal scoring capability from the 3rd and also filling in on PK etc.
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I think he is our number one centre. I like Lindholm, he finished so many Gaudreau set ups last year. But when I watch the two play I see Kadri as our true number one centre and a centre that would both elevate the first lines possession time and entries, AND have the vision and tenacity to be open and finish Huberdeaus elite passes.
At this point I almost think it'll be inevitable that we see this at some point, and when it happens I think it will stick. And before any hyperbole, this is NOT a shot at Lindholm, in fact I think that second line with him could easily be one one of the better second lines in the NHL.
Sometimes it's just a matter of fit, not promotion/demotion. Kadri will be a perfect fit on the top line.
It appears we are on the same page
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I remember when Andersson was drafted and skating and conditioning were the knocks on him. He is a good example of how those are things that can be approved upon if the player has the work ethic and proper coaching. I wonder how much Danielle Fujita has helped in this regard.
Who was it that criticized him about not coming to camp with the right mindset and attitude, saying he needs to better and be more focused and come to camp in much better shape? Was it Treliving or Hartley? Andersson has come a long way and really stepped it up when he was given not the nicest feedback to hear.
lindholm has been a 1B center who is an extremely good complementary piece to a line driving playmaker as demonstrated the last few seasons . as of last season Kadri has probably moved closer to a 1A than lindholm just because of his skill set and the fact that he has also turned into a consistent producer now on top of everything else
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Lindholm wont work on the 2nd line the reason the 2nd line is working is because Kadri is driving play an playing with two guys at his pace.
Lindholm has even off but I'm sure he will regain his game at some point he's a top player. They need to open up the offensive zone so Huberdeau can get passes in spots he likes. Huberdeau even said that Sutter has given them free reign in the offensive zone.
Lindholm wont work on the 2nd line the reason the 2nd line is working is because Kadri is driving play an playing with two guys at his pace.
Lindholm has even off but I'm sure he will regain his game at some point he's a top player. They need to open up the offensive zone so Huberdeau can get passes in spots he likes. Huberdeau even said that Sutter has given them free reign in the offensive zone.
Interesting, I didn't realize that Huberdeau said that. Always learning new things about Sutter that makes me realize I don't know his style that well.
Lewis is on the third line because its a checking line and he's a good checker.
Tofolli is on the first line because he's a goal scorer.
So far Lewis has been a good checker and Tofolli is scoring goals so I don't see the same problems others seem to see.
Lots of people here seem to think the job of the third line here is to score. It’s not really although offence is nice as a bonus. Their job is to shut down top opposing lines so anyone who steps in here has to be able to fit in that shutdown role. Ruzicka and Phillips are obviously no. Is someone like Zary or Pelletier really suited for that? I don’t think so either. Not yet anyway. I think Dube could do that but then they’d need someone to take hit spot on the second line. That’s where I think a Zary or Pelletier could work.
Why? 8 out of 10 points. Let him take the practice reps. When he's needed he'll get the call. Making a change for the sake of it with a winning team doesn't seem like a recipe for success.
I think there’s risk to Ruzicka’s game and development if he sits in the press box for too long. I’d be mixing him in for one of Lewis or Rooney here and there so if we have an injury and he gets a spot for a long stretch he isn’t coming in cold cold. Lewis or Rooney could probably skip a game and not miss a beat.
Lewis is on the third line because its a checking line and he's a good checker.
Tofolli is on the first line because he's a goal scorer.
So far Lewis has been a good checker and Tofolli is scoring goals so I don't see the same problems others seem to see.
If Sutter ever read the angst on this this thread about positive Lewis’s honest efforts and the magic of Taffolli’s Hockey IQ and finishing he’d be giving you non believers the middle finger……
