Pahlsson, Ryan > Kunitz?

I think I'd rather see Sammy or Bobby Ryan on the first line next year.

I think I'd rather see Sammy or Bobby Ryan on the first line next year.

No way is Sammy going on the first line.

I don't get why we'd put Sami on the first line or where he'd play since he's a center with little offensive skill. As long as we have Niedermayer, Pahlsson, and Moen, I'd like to see them play together. If it ain't broke, why fix it.

As for Ryan, possibly but he may be another year from NHL play. Kunitz needs to find more consistancy if he wants to stay a #1 winger.

I like Pahlsson defensive/checking and puck control capabilties as a forward more than I like Kunitz' net crashing, because thats about all he can do and anybody can fill that role in the new NHL it seems like as long as you have the players to creat rebounds... I think if we need someone to just crash the net we can do a little better. The only reason I would like Kunitz there better is because I really like Pahlsson, Moen and Niedermayers puck control skill and their current line.

I think Ryan would be good even if he isn't ready he would probably be better. We all know we can't break up the second line.

Hmm.. I like to see Pahlsson getting more of an offensive chance. But there´s no room for it too happen. Selanne will probably resign, that means our 1st line will remain intact. And there´s no reason to split him, Rob and Moen up really... I don´t see where Bobby should fit in tough. As long as Selanne plays, he doesn´t seem to have any spot in the top 2 lines..

Kunitz - McDonald - Selanne
Penner - Getzlaf - Perry
Marcus Nilson - Marchant - Ryan
Moen - Pahlsson - R. Niedermayer

I think this thread is useless......Why bring up next year's line combinations when we are still in the playoffs? :shakehead

Hmm.. I like to see Pahlsson getting more of an offensive chance. But there´s no room for it too happen. Selanne will probably resign, that means our 1st line will remain intact. And there´s no reason to split him, Rob and Moen up really... I don´t see where Bobby should fit in tough. As long as Selanne plays, he doesn´t seem to have any spot in the top 2 lines..

Kunitz - McDonald - Selanne
Penner - Getzlaf - Perry
Marcus Nilson - Marchant - Ryan
Moen - Pahlsson - R. Niedermayer

This line doesnt fit Brian Burke's gameplan. He likes to dress an enforcer.

This thread is ridiculous. Pahlsson is doing a great job where he is playing right now, why are you going to try to change something that is not broken?

Even though Kunitz is not a true goal scorer, he does a good job on the first line. He has good chemistry with Andy Mc and Selanne, take last night as an example: 3 assists when he was on the ice with Teemu and Andy. A lot of people underrate Kunitz ability to create plays and even sometimes chip in with a goal or two. He doesn't only know how to crash the net.

Already putting Bobby Ryan in the first line is also a vague idea, we are yet to see how he plays in the NHL. Until we see him play in the NHL we can't really put him anywhere on the team yet.

I'd be more worried about who our #1 goaltender is going to be next year.

I don't understand the timing of this thread considering Kunitz was intregal in atleast 2 of our goals last night, and why on earth would you move our best defensive forward from center to wing?

Well you could move Andy Mac to wing and keep Pahlsson the center. That way you have a defensively responsible center between two speedster wingers. Kind of reminds me of the Ducks of the late 90s. But why would we do that?

I always thought that Kunitz was the "grit" on that line. Not to say that Pahlsson doesn't have "grit", but he is doing amazing things on his current line. And, considering how the Kunitz-McDonald-Selanne line did last night, I don't see any point in breaking it up.

If you want to see Bobby Ryan next year you'll have to come to Portland, Maine because that is where he will be playing next season.

This should be locked and closed

Kunitz hands > Pahlsson hands

That's why he's on the first line before Sammi... and the whole winger/center thing.

Bobby Ryan? First line?

Maybe for giggles during an AHL exhibition game...

Lemme know when Pahlsson or Ryan score 60 pts in the NHL.

kkthx.

Bobby Ryan is not fast enough to skate on that line

What this was basically was just a boring post and way to say I don't particularly like Kooon and I have a man crush on Sammy Pahlsson for his goddamned awesomeness that goes so unapreciated, but I really don't think its all that bad or an idea really, at least what some of you are making it out to be. I think Carlisle just really is a sucker for a little guy like Kunitz who can't make it on talent alone.

I would assume Andy would move though, not Pahlsson. I don't believe the school of thinking of "If its not broke don't fix it," because I see so much more potential in that line that to just stick some 5'10" forward with decent speed and good hands to just shovel in Pronger's monster slap shot rebouds. He doesn't particularly stay away from penalties enough to warrant it and he doesn't hit hard enough or create enough opportunities. I'm really glad for now that we have someone that fits, and maybe I should just be happy everything is going so well at the moment :), but I just want something to change next year.

My biggest problem with the Pahlsson thing is it would mix up the lines and I like the lines how they are (with the Kunitz exception, and I still overall do love the first line) so maybe thats the best reason not to do it, but I refuse to think Kunitz is the best fit long term, its the easiest fit for the moment is what it is.

I just see so much potential in this line and if we can't get a legitimately good 3rd forward on this line then I think we should at least get a talented gritty checker who can help hold down the other team even better. What I'm saying is if we can't get another legitimately skilled 3rd forward who can create offense for himself besides being a mop up guy then we should get someone who can at least add another dimension like a Pahlsson.

What don't you like about Kunitz? He is fast, has decent hands and knocks people on their ass.

I used to not have much respect for his game but I've done a complete 180 on him.

Kunitz has plenty of heart to go along with his skill. I really don't see any reason to move him as long as he tries hard and produces.

I'm sure bobby if i he makes the big club will be worked in slowly.

Putting him on the 4th line w/ marchant and parros/thornton i think would be a good way to get him acclimated to nhl.

buts way too early to tell, especially since the status of selanne & giguere are a very big factor.

What don't you like about Kunitz? He is fast, has decent hands and knocks people on their ass.

I used to not have much respect for his game but I've done a complete 180 on him.

He is what he is. A 20-25 goal guy with great speed, decent hands, and more grit than he should for his size.

The original poster would maybe have an argument if he was a detriment to the line but he's not. Selanne with back to back 90 point seasons and McDonald with 85 and 78 points. That line is just fine with Kunitz on it.

I can guarnatee it would be worse with Pahlsson or Ryan in his place.

it's good to know that it's not only Kings fans that start completely ridiculous threads :)

The great thing about SP is that he is a perfect third line guy who takes faceoffs as if he was a first line guy. I don't think there's a team in the league that wouldn't kill to have him, but they would always want him for the role he already has... and if he gets a Selke nod (this year or any year in the forseeable future,) he'll be more than compensated for his value to the team.

I think I'd rather see Sammy or Bobby Ryan on the first line next year.

Sami can play 1st but it would be a waste. He is simply to good as a checking line player.

He is what he is. A 20-25 goal guy with great speed, decent hands, and more grit than he should for his size.

The original poster would maybe have an argument if he was a detriment to the line but he's not. Selanne with back to back 90 point seasons and McDonald with 85 and 78 points. That line is just fine with Kunitz on it.

I can guarnatee it would be worse with Pahlsson or Ryan in his place.
Yeah plus odds are Kunitz may not be as productive on another line, MAYBE if he plays with Getzlaf, but why breakup the PPG? If Bobby makes the team it'll be because of a top 6 injury or on the 4th line. It'll probably be better for him to get alot of ice time in the AHL so he can keep improving his two way game. He'll need a camp like Getzlaf/Perry had last year.