Monahan+Gaudreau - Gio+Brodie or Bennett+Gaudreau - Gio+Hamilton

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

The top line was pretty weak in the playoffs outside of a couple games. 7 combined points in the first 5 games of round 1 then blew up with 10pts in game 6. I agree start that way (up front) but let's not talk like this line was invincible

I think injuries played a large role in the performance of the top line in the playoffs, that plus inexperience.

[Huntingwhale]

Never split up Brodano unless it's on the PP. You don't break up one of the best duo's in the league.

[calgarybean]

The headline for the thread is brutal. Thought for a second I would have had to bust out the ole TI-83.

See how things play out in training camp and if you are unsure stick to the lines you know.

[Bingo]

I think the key long term is develop 5 clear cut pairs on the team and hope they get entrenched

I think Haynes wrote that Monahan and Gaudreau may not be suitable long term when Monahan moves into a productive shut down role, though we don't know that will be the case.

But for guesses ....

Monahan Hudler
Bennett Gaudreau
Backlund Frolik
Giordano Wideman
Brodie Hamilton

That's not easy to combat as the opposition. The defense pairs will be on the ice 75% of the time, the trio of forward pairs probably 85% of the time.

[Phaneufenstein]

I don't think Brodie plays with Giordano, at least to start the year.
As much as Brodie has excelled play the right side, it's better for lefties to play their natural side.
We got a top pairing right shooting defenceman in Hamilton

Our depth chart:

LD RD
Giordano Hamilton
Brodie Wideman
Russell Engelland

Second and third pairing RD may alternate, but top pairing of Gio - Hamilton I think is pretty much set; to start with anyway.

[Enoch Root]

Giordano/Brodie were the top defensive pair in the NHL last year.

You don't break them up because L/R

It may, and probably will, evolve going forward. But you don't break up a pairing like that for no reason

[Vinny01]

Since when is having a 22 year old 6'5 potential Franchise right hand shot Dman no reason?

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Since when is having a 22 year old 6'5 potential Franchise right hand shot Dman no reason?

Instead of breaking up the best pairing in the league, use him to build ANOTHER good pairing.

Fix what wasn't good, not what was great

[Rick M.]

I'm sure that Hartley will try all sorts of combinations in pre-season both at defence and at forward. Some may even last into the season but he's also prepared to shake up the lines and D-combinations during the regular season if things aren't working. Injuries will also necessitate shake ups.

[Caged Great]

If I was running the practices, I would try everyone with everyone. You know that Gaudreau, Monahan, and Hudler have chemistry, why not try Gaudreau with Bennett and Hudler with Monahan playing alongside Frolik and Jones at least for the first couple games of the preseason. Wouldn't hurt. It might end up being Bennett with Jones and Frolik once the season starts. You just don't know.

On the D-pairings, you know Russell/Wideman have chemistry, and Gio with Brodie. You know that Smid/Engelland/whomever could slot in with Hamilton if you want to keep the other 2 pairings the same. Try everyone with everyone. Hamilton and Brodie might just be perfect foils for one another and work awesomely together, or they might have zero chemistry together.

With how things are set up you at least know that some people work well together. It's time to experiment to see if any other combinations work because in times of slumping if you have players that can work with multiple players they can hopefully break out of it sooner.

[N-E-B]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who hates the term Brodano...

Also put me in the "ain't broke don't fix it" camp. I'm not opposed to switching it up but I would like to see them start the year with familiar lines.

[Phaneufenstein]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Instead of breaking up the best pairing in the league, use him to build ANOTHER good pairing.

Fix what wasn't good, not what was great

We'll just have to disagree on that one.

How would you see the d-pairings then? Right now If you have two lefties together (Brodie+Gio), you'll end up with two right-handed guys on another pairing. It just doesn't make sense.

[getbak]

I bet we don't see much of Brodie and Gio together during the preseason (possibly the same for Johnny and Monahan). Hartley will try the various combinations and see if he can make two combos with the same chemistry that they've had together.

I'm sure we'll see Gio-Wideman & Brodie-Hamilton or Gio-Hamilton & Brodie-Wideman a lot during the preseason.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Since when is having a 22 year old 6'5 potential Franchise right hand shot Dman no reason?

There's the key reason it's no reason.

Hamilton is still 22, and prone to having his inexperience exposed by top players. He will perform better against easier competition and shouldn't have to be a top pairing D at such a young age. There's just no need for it.

Brodie has three extra years of experience on him and is a monster defenseman. He makes Giordano's job easier and while Hamilton "can" play with Giordano, he will probably have growing pains that Gio doesn't need taking on the toughest minutes in the NHL.

How would you see the d-pairings then? Right now If you have two lefties together (Brodie+Gio), you'll end up with two right-handed guys on another pairing. It just doesn't make sense.

Having Hamilton learn the left side could be very good for his development, you never know. More likely is for Russell or Smid to be his partner at #4 though and Wideman to be down at #5 where he is most sheltered. Wideman is our worst defensive defenseman so he is best used purely offensively.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Phaneufenstein

We'll just have to disagree on that one.

How would you see the d-pairings then? Right now If you have two lefties together (Brodie+Gio), you'll end up with two right-handed guys on another pairing. It just doesn't make sense.

You're assuming Engelland will round out the 6.

I don't think that's a given. Smid and Wotherspoon will both have something to say about that IMO.

Also, people make too much of the left/right thing IMO. Teams rarely have 3 lefties and 3 righties

[Crumpy-Gunt]

Good post^ GranteedEV

I agree I just think the first pairing will be decided by the 2 players Bob is most confident and comfortable having on the ice in the toughest situations. I think it will be Gio and Brodie. For a few reasons, but mostly because dougie is new to our system, giodie were arguably the best if not one of the best pairings in the league for about a season. They are comfortable with each other and they compliment one another very well. I don't think Brodie and Hamilton will or should play together. 2 very similar young skating offensive defensemen who both like to play the right side. But who knows. I'm sure they could at some point.

I'd like to see
Gio Brodie
Wideman Hamilton
Russell Engelland

Awesome in a lot of ways because it eases Hamilton in with wides staying behind. A guy who knows the system. I think he biggest win is Engelland playing with Russell. I think the biggest weakness in Engellands game is his breakout passing skating out agility and all round quickness and offensive zone entry. He basically ends up causing a lot of icings, although I do like the toughness he brings. Russell would be a perfect match for him on the back end in my opinion. Someone who can make up for his lack of footspeed, passing and breakout pass / ozone entry.

I think the lh rh thing is nice to have but doesn't mean we need every pair to be one lhd and one rhd. It's awesome on the PP. but with brodies wicked backhand passing ability and gio is no slouch with those either I think they will be fine just like last season.

Our 2 pp lines will have nasty d pairings behind them.

Gio Wideman
Hamilton Brodie
Russell as well is awesome on the pp

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Also, people make too much of the left/right thing IMO. Teams rarely have 3 lefties and 3 righties

It's something both Hartley and Treliving have commented on, so I think it's worth paying attention to.

Will it make or break the final decision on the pairings? No, but I'm sure it will be something Hartley factors in.

[MacFlame]

I see Ferland's and Bennett's game being complimentary (in your face, drive the net game) that will drive opponents crazy.

I also see Monahan providing the perfect all around game to allow Gaudreau to take offensive risks.

Monahan-Gaudreau
Bennett-Ferland

I liked the chemistry that Backlund and Colborne had last year, with both players having the ability to play the puck along the boards quite well (Ferland can too, but I just think he fits better with Bennett)

Backlund-Colborrne

Defensively, I'd like to the see the pairings stay consistent with likely PP lines...

Giordano-Hamilton
Brodie-Wideman

[Phaneufenstein]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

You're assuming Engelland will round out the 6.

I don't think that's a given. Smid and Wotherspoon will both have something to say about that IMO.

Also, people make too much of the left/right thing IMO. Teams rarely have 3 lefties and 3 righties

It's a bigger deal than you think.
Also, entering camp, I take Engelland over Smid and Wotherspoon every time.
Obviously things can change during pre-season, but this is where I see them stand at the moment.

[ScorchyScorch]

Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
Bouma - Backlund - Frolik
Ferland - Bennett - Jones

If Hartley is set on playing Bennett at center from the get go. He'll have to earn top 6 duties like any other kid coming in.

Giordano - Brodie
Wideman - Hamilton
Russell - Engelland

Wideman amassed 53 points last season. You have to play him enough (second piring minutes) to benefit from the production he does bring. There's defensive strength spread across the lines to balance things. Engelland proved fairly capable in his own end in the playoffs. Hamilton can play keep away with Wideman and have fun filling up opponents nets with laser beams from the line. You can't make an argument to split 'Brodano', whom were the undisputed top pairing in the league the first half of the season in just about every category. Their collective +/- before Gio went down was miles beyond all other d-men. The team scores far more than they're scored on when those guys are out there. Just a dynamic, responsible duo.