I gotta say, I thought Pearson had lost a couple of steps since that leg injury, and would end up being Spaling or Spaling+ with us, but I'm pretty darn happy with the player at this point. If he can grow a bit more into the system, he really rounds out the top six nicely.
I'd rather not have given up Hagelin, but having both would have been a luxury. Now Rust just needs the puck to go in and we need a solid L3 LW and I'll feel pretty good about the forwards.
I gotta say, I thought Pearson had lost a couple of steps since that leg injury, and would end up being Spaling or Spaling+ with us, but I'm pretty darn happy with the player at this point. If he can grow a bit more into the system, he really rounds out the top six nicely.
I'd rather not have given up Hagelin, but having both would have been a luxury. Now Rust just needs the puck to go in and we need a solid L3 LW and I'll feel pretty good about the forwards.
I'm not sure how much I like a Pearson-Malkin-Kessel line, but as long as it continues to work, you stick with that. I think Pearson can be a good goal scoring triggerman for Malkin, plus he adds a lot of strong play outside of his goal scoring. I'm just not sure I like Kessel as the RWer for that line, but I don't know if there is anyone else in the organization that I like more for that spot.
If Rust was playing to where he should be playing, I'd be saying him, but he's not even close to where he was in the past. I don't like Sprong in that spot at all, and Hornqvist doesn't bring anything for that line that Pearson doesn't bring.
Pearson and Phil seem to have some pretty good chemistry right now too. Also seen a bunch of times they are there for each other’s rebounds.
Someone with a scoring touch to go with Brassard and Hornqvist would make a really good 3rd line too. To keep that scoring depth.
This is where the left wing issue comes from..
Ideally, maybe a
Simon - Crosby - Hornqvist
Guentzel - Malkin - Rust
Pearson - Brassard - Kessel
And you flip Jake and Pearson if it doesn’t work. I just don’t understand Sullivan’s insistence on Kessel and Malkin.
I’d leave Jake with Sid and Simon for now. Their numbers are crazy good as a line. Obviously Sid is in great form but check out Sid without either of them, not good.
Line Stats - Natural Stat Trick
For now, yes, but long term I'm not sure that having Sid hog the creative wingers is a goer. One is a necessity, two is a luxury that places strain on having three good lines.
My issue is that Brassard is left on an Island. I want him off that Island. He needs one of Jake, Phil or Horny.For now, yes, but long term I'm not sure that having Sid hog the creative wingers is a goer. One is a necessity, two is a luxury that places strain on having three good lines.
Oh I'm doing it wrong. Sully is a bottom 5 coach and this team needs blown up.
I’d leave Jake with Sid and Simon for now. Their numbers are crazy good as a line. Obviously Sid is in great form but check out Sid without either of them, not good.
Line Stats - Natural Stat Trick
or for Rust to regain some form from previous years.My issue is that Brassard is left on an Island. I want him off that Island. He needs one of Jake, Phil or Horny.
We should be looking for another winger anyway. Seems like Sid really likes playing with Simon too.
Simon probably won’t match well with Hornqvist but should with Kessel or Pearson. He’s obviously looked best with Sid but has had some good games with Brassard and yet to play with Malkin for a game.
I’m sure the lines will switch a bit more once we are fully healthy and in a better spot in the standings.
My issue is that Brassard is left on an Island. I want him off that Island. He needs one of Jake, Phil or Horny.
or for Rust to regain some form from previous years.
pretty much, yeah. Otherwise we only have 8 top 9 guys. And that includes Simon.Pretty much all long term good options for the top 9 presumes that Rust figures it out or is traded for someone who has tbh.
I mean, here’s the issue.
Everyone wants to complain about depth here, but also wants our stars to get a rest.
Jake - Sid - Simon / Hornqvist has obviously been really good, but can we afford to be the Avs / Bruins.
I mean, here’s the issue.
Everyone wants to complain about depth here, but also wants our stars to get a rest.
Jake - Sid - Simon / Hornqvist has obviously been really good, but can we afford to be the Avs / Bruins.
this blows my mind. there is one single thing that works in our offense and thats Jake Sid and Simon/Horny, and people would f... that upSimon away from Sid isn’t as effective though and our current roster isn’t good enough to really have a strong attacking 3rd line at the moment.
It’s such a strong line it think it’s a mistake to break it up. Good possession, strong defence and the scoring chances 41 for 21 against (high danger chances 22 for 6 against). They’ve played 67 minutes together.