Quoting: CM_Insane
I don't agree with that thought process Lindholm is a better face-off taker then Petey. Lotto line shouldn't be permanent as becomes easier to check against us. Bringing Petey back and having him-Lindholm- Mikheyev would be better than Kuzmenko imo. This would also give us cap space to make another deal (ie. Bring a speed forechecker to play on Miller's LW)
Though I do think we'd have to give a prospect (like Raty) to get the deal done as horvat deal as a comparable is fair. If we deal a 1st should only be this year's and not next years cause team could get riddled with injuries again and then we are giving a good pick away.
I disagree, I think having the Lotto line rolling makes the Canucks that much more of a threat, they'd have four lines that are scoring threats.
Pettersson-Miller-Boeser
Mikheyev-
Lindholm-
Kuzmenko
Joshua-
Blueger-
Garland
Hoglander-
Suter-Lafferty
All the players in bold are on pace for 20 goals or more and those in italics are on pace for 40 points or more. That's this entire lineup with a hypothetical Lindholm.
Once the Canucks get a 2nd line center who can get Mikheyev and Kuzmenko rolling again, I don't see another team in the league that has the scoring potential that Vancouver has. Who cares if the opposing team is sending their top pairing out against the Lotto line? There are three other lines with 20 goal-scorers on them, three other lines with 40+ point producers. That's not even including the scoring threat the defense is right now. Besides, the Lotto line made the Devils and Rangers defenses (two of the best defensive corps in the league right now) look silly in the two games they played.
I trust Tocchet as a coach, he's capable of switching up the styles and getting these guys to produce. Kuzmenko is still a scoring threat despite his struggles (20g-pace despite 6 healthy scratches and reduced minutes), I think replacing him with a guy like PDG or Karlsson or Bains wouldn't be the play if they're looking for a deep run this season. Getting him and Mikheyev a center who isn't Petey takes some of the pressure off of them and allows them to open up their games more.
I think it's also worth mentioning that if the Canucks can roll four lines (like they've been doing already), it gives the Lotto line more rest and allows them to produce more. If they're only playing 17 mins/night and the opposing team doesn't have that same level of depth, it gives them that much more of an edge.