Prairie Scouting Service Report on
Chicago Shamrocks
Like:
Usual league-leading detail for Assassination Thread Panel
Imaginative original research (e.g.: Zetterberg on Penalty Kill)
OPPF-quality top defensive pairing
Not so sure about:
Zetterberg and Malone being interchangeable
Cohesive vision for defensive assignments
Defensive conscience credentials on the top two lines
Line #1: Zetterberg-J. Malone-Bathgate. None of us have any visuals on Joe Malone- but my impression concerning him is that he's most credible at LW with a high-impact Center. His real-life turn was with Lalonde- I could see him fill that role with a "power Center" (such as Lindros)- but don't think Zetterberg clears that bar. No matter- it's still a good working line, even if (at this level) it seems like a "2a" line. [The price one pays for prioritizing Harvery/Stevens in the draft.]
Line #2: H. Lewis-Cowley-Bi. Cook. As a duet, Cook-Bathgate at RW is a candidate for best pair in the League. [The other serious contender is
@ImporterExporter 's Gordie Howe/Kucherov.] I think taking a pass on the chemistry and avoiding the casting stretch of mating the Cooks on a scoring line in a league of less than 20 is probably the right call. [However, they could be played together situationally, I suppose.] Cowley/Bill Cook both have great scoring credentials- and this trio doesn't yield anything to your First Line- but that Cowley/Cook partnership has an "odd couple" feel to it. I envision Cowley being the last one back for any of your top two lines players. To the extent that Cooper can control it, he'll probably want to make sure Harvey's out there when Cowley's on the ice.
Line #3: Bu. Cook-Bergeron-Broadbent. I can see this line getting more minutes than currently allotted, since (as I said) I see neither of the first two lines really seem to be"200 foot" lines. Also, I could see some spot-starts for Bergeron up the depth-chart, as he's your one known-quantity face-off guy, and your lone RHS in that capacity.
Line #4: N. Metz-Hawerchuk-M. Stone- interesting strategy to deploy Hawerchuk in a defensive capacity. My concerns about whether that soup is thick enough are ameliorated somewhat by the visibly-limited even-strength minutes, and the option that exists to flip Zetterberg or Bergeron here every so often.
Before reviewing the defense, I'd like to flesh out the Art Ross role, and reflect on what options it may provide. Art Ross in his day was a "Point," and has been used as LD
and RD here in ATD. His case seems much like that of Hod Stuart (but to a lesser degree) inasmuch as one can pin some hopes and dreams to him, and there's nothing out there to say it CAN'T happen.
Pairing #1: S. Stevens-Harvey is such a natural, nasty, uncomfortable pairing that it's nearly impossible to say anything against it. However, the advantage of Harvey-T. Johnson is that one strengthens lower pairings and gets Harvey on the side where your Division's scoring Wingers are. I've said before that voters aren't kind to multiple roles for ATD-personnel... but if Larry Robinson can switch sides mid-shift, Doug Harvey can switch sides mid-game. This counts are a benefit, in my eyes.
Pairing #2: there's either S. Stevens-A. Ross or Josi-T. Johnson. Your conference has the skilled duo B. Siebert-Gadsby, and the well-reasoned Leetch-B. White pairing, and your duet will vie with these for top honors in Conference.
Final pairing of A. Ross or Josi-Wentworth is another candidate for best in Conference.
Goaltending: Division average, Conference above-average, League average. Chicago broke my heart by drafting Tiny Thompson and denying Gimli the opportunity to unite the Thompson Brothers.
Leadership: Outstanding. Embarrassment of riches that letters are assigned and a letter can be credibly withheld from Bergeron.
Power Play-Penalty Kill- Cooper will make the most of the talent, that's for sure. Lots of eggs in the PP1 basket, but that's clearly by design.
Depth skaters: injuries and cold-and-flu season players. [If anyone sees situational circumstances whereby they'd come into play when everyone's healthy, I'll listen...]
Coach- fit-to-purpose, with biggest challenge (I think) being keeping the Cowley-Bill Cook interaction from fraying. Like to hear how we'd see that playing out- nd also hear under what circumstances the D-assignments get flexed- but other than that, as complete a team-vision as we have going this year.