Top 6 will probably be thrown around with various combinations during the season. But this would imo be the base. Most people seem to like the lehky/natedogg chemistry, I think that nuke has worked best with the dogg and is more top line material than lehky.
Second line I think finns+RyJo is a great combination on paper, lets see if theres chemistry in the real world.
Third line, no controversy. Can't see any other reality until Drouin busts and is waived, Tatar is promoted to top 6, O'connor moved up to third and Polin called up to fourth.
Defensive pairings will as usual be a huge scramble of the lines when games are played. But I see thse pairings as a foundation, 1st allround the best pairing in hockey. 2nd is probably the best offensive 2nd pairing in the league, while still not lacking defensively.
3rd will be limited minutes defensive situations. Hope that Malinski is thrown in there to hopefully replace JJ and/or backup for the always injured Manson.
Special teams (don't know if they are shown?)
PP1 - Just loved the combination of Nate, Mikko, Nuke, Lehky and Cale. The prolonged pressure they can sustain is insane, with 3 great shooter/passers and two great hounds retrieving the puck.
PP2 - Drouin, RyJo, Colton, SammyG and Byram. Seems like a solid PP2. Save Toews icetime for 5v5/PK.
PK - Real headscratcher for me, we have an abundance of proper PK wingers, but lack centers who can take the face offs. Probably Colton will be played in PK1 to take the draws? Any other good suggestions? For wingers, Lehky, Nuke, Cogs, O'Connor are all viable options. Meyers as secondary choice for faceoffs?
D-pairings of Toews-Manson primarily and JJ-Cale secondary.
Depending on how serious Frankies injury is of course, but I think theyre just gonna roll with Annunen to begin with before taking on a replacement for Frankie. We will be fine during the regular season with mediocre goaltending if Justus does not check out, come deadline and the backup-role might be the hole to fill.
U pretty much nailed the top 6 buddy. I'm really high on Malinski rn too, but I think he needs to prove himself to the coaches one more time. If he continues to lead the team at the rookie tourney, he could be a potential JJ replacement/swapper
With respect to your top 6, that's the way (uh huh uh huh) I like it. Nice distribution of skillsets and talent. Bottom six looks good too. So long as Drouin can hang, I think this team is better than last year.
With respect to your top 6, that's the way (uh huh uh huh) I like it. Nice distribution of skillsets and talent. Bottom six looks good too. So long as Drouin can hang, I think this team is better than last year.
And even if Drouin can't hang, we have Tatar as a back-up option who can still skate with that top 6. I think you could see Nichuskin and Lehky switch spots, but other than that I agree this top 6 looks potentially more put together than last year's. And if we have an expectation of a 50-point season from RyJo as opposed to an 80-90, we're gonna be happy with his play.
And even if Drouin can't hang, we have Tatar as a back-up option who can still skate with that top 6. I think you could see Nichuskin and Lehky switch spots, but other than that I agree this top 6 looks potentially more put together than last year's. And if we have an expectation of a 50-point season from RyJo as opposed to an 80-90, we're gonna be happy with his play.
Agreed, if Drouin can't do the top 6 role then Tatar can. But then the bottom 6 looks rather stingless (depending on how good Colton is).
Anyways, think we got a real cup contender again this year!
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Annunen,
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