I love this kid but I struggle on figuring out where to put him in this lineup.

-4th line is out, for a multitude of reasons
-3rd line feels too defensively minded for him
-2nd line feels like a weird fit with Brock/Beau
-1st line is a big ask for both him, and for Barzal to carry two developing players.

I guess I'd go 2nd line if I had to pick - bump Lee up to Barzal's wing, keep the PPP line intact, give Brock another playmaker to feed him the puck.

But this kid is exciting for sure!

Iskhakov is more of a two way player, one of his biggest strengths is anticipating passes in the defensive zone. He'd fit on the 2nd or 3rd line. Why do you think he'd be a weird fit with brock and beau?

I wouldn't put him with Barzal and Wahlstrom for other reasons, but I don't think Barzal is carrying Wahlstorm . Barzal and wahlstrom duo have produced more goals than any other duo on the team.

I'll be honest, nothing in terms of hard stats making me feel off about him on the 2nd line, just more the idea that if I'm bringing a guy up I want to put him in a position to succeed as quickly as possible, and I don't know which spot in the lineup does that for him. I like keeping the 3rd line as PPP because they mesh well together, so that's out.

As far as what I said about Barzal, I worded it poorly - I think that sticking Iskhakov and Wahlstrom on his wings is going to be tough, because we've all seen Barzal play with wingers over the years that he just doesn't mesh with. Wahlstrom last year was a little bit of an example of that - Barzal is always thinking two steps ahead and needs guys that can get there with him. Ollie seems to have figured that out this year, but I wouldn't want to potentially derail that *and* knock down a rookie's confidence if Iskhakov doesn't mesh on Barzal's wing.

I would be fine with either of these two middle 6


Lee-Nelson-Iskhakov
Beau-Pageau-Palmieri

Lee-Nelson-Beau
Iskhakov-Pageau-Palmieri

The PPP line is done , for now I think. Parise will be with Barzal for the foreseeable future. Iskhakov's IQ is so ridiculously high that he can mesh on any line in the top 9 IMO. The hockey news just had a podcast on top AHL rookies, and one of the prospect analysts said he's a 1st rd talent and that his IQ is so high it looks like hes playing a different game than the other team. They can't keep up with him.

LET’S GO!!!

As for what line he should be on, I’d have it something like this:

Parise-Barzal-Wahlstrom
Lee-Nelson-Beauvillier
Iskhakov-Pageau-Palmieri
Martin/Ross-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

Iskhakov is a hybrid between a 2 way player and a playmaker. This whole line can defend well and Iskhakov could dish the puck to Palmieri for offensive production. And Ruslan would bring something that line lacks: Speed. I think giving him some sheltered minutes at first would put him in a position where he’s not expected to put up crazy offensive numbers, but he has the opportunity to score.

I don’t really see him on the 2nd line. It always seems to me like that line’s strategy is to get the puck to the crease and collect on rebounds or just generally overwhelm the goalie. And it’s been working. But Iskhakov doesn’t have the body to play that kind of game, especially at the NHL level. He’s a speed/skill kind of guy

Longer term, Iskhakov has both the speed and IQ to keep up with Barzal. There’s a chance he’s that coveted LW1 we’ve been so desperate for. And if this call up goes well enough, I think it’d be worth it to see what Iskhakov-Barzal-Wahlstrom would look like for a game or two much later in the season. But I think 3rd line is the right place for now.

Those are the same lines I would do.

Is it confirmed it’s iskhakov? When I saw soshnikov was on waivers I thought it would be holmstrom

no it wasn't comfirmed, just what I prefer. Wouldn't mind holmstrom either, he looks like he has a future as a good bottom 6 winger.

Prob gonna be holmstrom. Lane praised him a lot preseason. Guessing it’s gonna be
11-13-26
27-29-holmstrom
18-44-21
4th line