Can we afford to have two lines being no threat to score?

Last year it seemed we could live with it, we had a great first line, and a second line capable of playing great on any given night, our checking line chipped in it's fair share of offense.

This year we have a good first line, a mediocre or worse second line, a third line that is NOT chipping in offense, and a 4th line that still doesn't give us any goals.

With us not having that top heavy offense and enough from the third line we got more than enough goals..now that our top six isn't as good the so called checking line is hurting us with it's inability to produce any offense at all, despite the minutes they get. If this continues I would suggest that maybe you shake up that checking line and throw a guy like Kunitz on there if Selanne comes back.

As for the 4th line, well Carter is earning a spot on the roster I don't see how you can take him out in favor of May, as for Parros he's improved but I think he should only play when we are against teams that either have alot of agitators/light heavies or a true heavyweight. It's easier to carry guys like May and Parros when your top six scores so many goals, but when they don't? you have to experiment with more skill on the lower lines.

The checking line needs to start scoring...their production was a huge reason why Anaheim had success in the playoffs.

I would argue we have 3 lines that are no threat to score.

In my mind, we don't have enough scoring for the 2nd line, much less trying to get scoring out of the 3rd or 4th lines. Unless you're talking about acquiring some bottom 6 scoring, trying to get offense out of a bottom 6 line is just going to weaken top 6 scoring.

I do agree that the checking line should be scoring more, I'm just not sure anything can be done about it. It's like they scored double in the playoffs, but it used up all their scoring ability for this season.

Edit: Oh, and while I do think Kunitz could do well defensively in the checking line, I would be worried about a) weakening the defense on the top 2 lines and b) he won't produce with Rob "Stone Hands" Niedermayer and Sami "I don't even try to Score" Pahlsson. It's funny because Pahlsson actually has quite a bit of skill, but he doesn't even try to use it. Moen also has a little more offensive skill but also doesn't try.

Pahlsson's line has to improve, they can't just play good defensive game while not scoring at all. I've said this before, I'll say it again.

Look at the Lightning and your answer is there... :cry:

should Selanne return i think they should try Ryan with Marchant and see if it works out at all like it did kind of with Penner last year.

Sutherby-Marchant-Ryan should at least come up with a few offensive threats a game (in theory).

If you guys have five out of six defensemen who are threats to score, I'd say yes you can afford it.

Just one man's opinion.

If you guys have five out of six defensemen who are threats to score, I'd say yes you can afford it.

Just one man's opinion.

On paper that makes sense. However, in practice it hasn't worked out that way/

The team was so successful last season because the primary scorers were reliable (Selanne, Andy Mac), the secondary scorers came up big when needed (Getz, Perry, Penner, Kunitz), and the remaining forwards made contributions occasionally. This season the primary scorers (Getz, Perry) are reliable, but the secondary scorers are far from it (Bert, Kunitz, etc.), and the remaining forwards have contributed ****-all. Hopefully Selanne returns and helps create a consistent secondary threat. That one or two goals a game from secondary scorers is what's missing right now.

Last year it seemed we could live with it, we had a great first line, and a second line capable of playing great on any given night, our checking line chipped in it's fair share of offense.



It all depends on if Selanne comes back and plays the way he did last season.

Then two legit scoring lines is fine as long as the third line gets back to doing their job and the fourth line continues to bring energy.

Thinking about it a little more, I wouldn't mind shaking up the checking line a bit. Not permanently (don't trade anyone away). But toss Kunitz on that line for like 5 games or so. Maybe a little more. Move Moen or Niedermayer to another line for a bit.

I think that checking line is underachieving offensively. They all scored much more last year. And I think it's just because they don't try anymore. They've become so used to thinking defense that they don't know what to do for offense anymore. Give it a little shakeup, force the checking guys to think offense on a different line, then send them back. Then hopefully the reformed line can start producing a little more.

The only negative is the team will probably be weaker for that stretch. So they'll have to choose wisely when to do it.

I wouldn't mind seeing the checking line disabled for a while... at least maybe Moen/Pahlsson/Kunitz as a line, or even Moen/Pahlsson/Weight checking with Ryan/Carter/Kunitz as a 2nd line... or something like that.

It all depends on if Selanne comes back and plays the way he did last season.

Then two legit scoring lines is fine as long as the third line gets back to doing their job and the fourth line continues to bring energy.
Sammy makes our checking line he's been hurt and as a result it hasn't been as good. Last year they would spend alot of time in the other teams end creating chances or drawing penalties, it's not happening this year. I would be happy with just drawing the penalties because atleast it gives our scorers a chance.

I've said it before, i'll say it again, if Selanne comes back and I think he will I would like to see Kunitz on that checking line and if he fails you can always go to Carter or Marchant, so I don't see much risk in trading or demoting Moen who I like but has regressed.

Sammy makes our checking line he's been hurt and as a result it hasn't been as good. Last year they would spend alot of time in the other teams end creating chances or drawing penalties, it's not happening this year. I would be happy with just drawing the penalties because atleast it gives our scorers a chance.

I've said it before, i'll say it again, if Selanne comes back and I think he will I would like to see Kunitz on that checking line and if he fails you can always go to Carter or Marchant, so I don't see much risk in trading or demoting Moen who I like but has regressed.
Moen has regressed, but I'm not sure I'd totally give up on him yet. As is, he's still one of the more physical forwards on the team. Also, this is his 3rd full year in the NHL (ignoring the half year he played in 05-06), and his 2nd year both on the Ducks and in a big role. In a sense, this could almost be like a sophomore slump.

I think that worst comes to worst, he could be a long term replacement for Brad May on the 4th line. Of course he'd have to take a pay cut if that's all he ends up being, but he could fill that role for much longer than May would. But he could still fill in capably on the 3rd line. If we got rid of Marchant, Moen could be Marchant's spiritual successor, as a 4th liner who is excellent defensively and can fill in on the 3rd as needed.

But that's just worst case, he could also regain form next season, like many inexperienced players who take a step back after initial success.