Sens are going to ride their show ponies. Despite still being young, these three are obviously the best three offensive forwards in this lineup. They're going to need to step forward, and I think Brady is going to be the one leading the charge.
Line 2: Duclair-Tierney-Ryan
Ottawa's 2nd and 3rd line both look closer to 3rd lines, but they will both be deployed differently. This line is the more offensively minded line, so I put it as the 2nd line.
Tierney and Ryan quietly build some pretty good chemistry together last season, and Duclair was one of our best players down the stretch. If Duclair is able to build on that success and get on Tierney and Ryan's wave, then this could be a competent middle six line.
Line 3: Pearson-Anisimov-Brown
This is without question your shutdown line. Anisimov is a solid PK/defensive centre, and Pearson and Brown are also pretty reliable hands as 200ft players. This line likely sees a lot of defensive starts, likely against other team's top lines. That said, I don't think this line is completely hopeless. If Pearson bounces back, and Brown can find his offensive touch in a larger role, this line could find a groove offensively. If they can combine for 30-45 goals and each be in that 30+ point range, that would be a pretty big win for me.
Line 4: Ennis-Paul-Davidsson
Ennis was a quality depth pickup for Ottawa. He's a solid vet on the 4th line, and he'd be a great mentor for players like Paul and Davidsson. Nick Paul finally gets his chance to play a regular NHL shift, and play more than 6 minutes a night. At 6'4, 230lbs he's a really big guy and he can bring that physicality to the 4th line while still bringing good speed and skill. Davidsson on the right side brings an insane amount of speed to the 4th line, as well as being a good 200ft player.
1st D pair: Chabot-DeMelo
Chabot is obviously the top Dman, and DeMelo is his main squeeze. The two were a great compliment for each other last year, so giving them more time to build on that can only be a good thing.
2nd D Pair: Wolanin-Zaitsev
Two very strong skating blue liners, this is probably the shakiest part of the lineup. Wolanin is a great puck mover, and he's a really strong 1st pass break out guy. If Zaitsev wants to take an expanded offensive role, he needs to remember how to carry the puck up ice. He's not a great breakout pass, but if he can get it over to Wolanin, or even carry the puck himself, I could see this pair working out well. If they can't find a groove they're going spend a LOT of time in the Dzone and it's probably going to be ugly.
3rd D Pair: Hainsey-Jaros
Hainsey is a solid mentor for this lineup, and putting him with Jaros could make for a pretty stingy defensive pair. Jaros will learn a lot from Hainsey, but it will also give him the opportunity to move the puck, which he can do pretty well with his skating ability. If the Wolanin Pair falters, this duo may end up in a bigger role.
Sens give Vancouver some more flexibility, and get yet another pick in the process. They also get a player who is a decent bet to bounce back from a pretty brutal season.
Vancouver saves some cap, and gets a shorter contract, and give up minimal assets to do it. Boedker is going to do a lot of the same things that Pearson would, and he's more easily flipped with only one year left.
Seen a few Nucks fans wanting to dump him, so I thought this could be a solution. Save a million on the cap, and a year of term. Also they could easily flip Boedker to get a pick back at the TDL, probably another 3rd.
If ~ and that's a big If ~ the Flames have room at the TDL for him they might consider. I don't really know where he would fin in the line up though? unless we are upgrading our 2C (and that needs to be a significant upgrade on Backlund) our center depth is great already.
If ~ and that's a big If ~ the Flames have room at the TDL for him they might consider. I don't really know where he would fin in the line up though? unless we are upgrading our 2C (and that needs to be a significant upgrade on Backlund) our center depth is great already.
Could be another team tbh. I just think It could be a fit. I personally would like to see him there because I want to see Calgary make a run, and he helps them do that.
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