The top line gives us a different dimension in having Jacques crash and bang as well as screen the goalie while Penner and Hemsky make the skilled plays.
The 2nd line puts Brule and Gagner with skilled players and hopefully gets them clicking offensively while utilizing Brule's scoring touch from the left side.
The 3rd line SHOULD be a good 2-way line and might get Cogliano on the board offensively. Reddox is replaced with Stone when Ryan returns.
The 4th line, is the 4th line, as long as Moreau keeps passing the puck and starts to not take any dumb penalties he could be useful again.
Moreau should be like Wesley Snipes character in the movie Major League, except instead of every time Snipes character "Willy Mays Hayes" hit a pop up he'd do push ups, Moreau should start doing so in the PB every time he takes an offensive zone or late game penalty.
I think you've got to split up Hemsky/Penner to get some secondary scoring.
Put Penner w/O'Sullivan - which is what Quinn did for part of the third period last night. A guy who shoots the puck and is a good creative playmaker in O'Sullivan with a guy like Penner who drives to the net and then hangs out there. It's a good combination.
I'd put Brule with Horcoff & Hemsky. He can skate and he's got a decent shot, too.
I think you've got to split up Hemsky/Penner to get some secondary scoring.
Put Penner w/O'Sullivan - which is what Quinn did for part of the third period last night. A guy who shoots the puck and is a good creative playmaker in O'Sullivan with a guy like Penner who drives to the net and then hangs out there. It's a good combination.
I'd put Brule with Horcoff & Hemsky. He can skate and he's got a decent shot, too.
Splitting up Penner and Hemsky might be a good idea since both like to lug the puck up ice and make plays. If that were the case.....
Penner and Hemsky have chemistry almost every night I think adding one of the better shots on the oilers to the line would improve it.
Brule and Cogs can both cary the puck up the ice with speed add Jacques steaming around creating space should create some ugly goals and the oilers need some secondary scoring.
Put Gagner with some defensive vets and let him dangle and develop.
4th line should be an energy line get stortini hitting again add Stone when he is good to go.
Has Jacques not already proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that he has no business on the top line already? Why in God's name would you ever want him back there?
Penner stays on the wing. He should be driving the net, not playing center where he has more defensive responsibilities. Penner taking draws is just a smart way of taking some burden off Horcoff until his shoulder is 100%. The team can't afford to have him out fully recupping with so many bodies in the medical training room.
It doesn't make sense to move Penner to center when he's playing the best hockey of his life. He's taking the draws, not playing center. Big difference.
It's probably the most balanced lineup we've iced all year. There''s an even number of players who can win puck battles and play gritty (Horcoff, Pisani, Moreau, Brule, Stone, Penner), and guys who can play the skill game (Cogliano, Hemsky, Gagner, O'Sullivan, Comrie, Nilsson).
It also seperates Penner and Hemsky, making us more than a one-line threat. I'm clearly not in favour of playing guys like Reddox, Potulny, Stortini and Jacques in favour of Comrie, Pisani, Stone and Nilsson.
Well aren't you just a ray of sunshine? I like the idea of Penner and Jacques on a line because they would give you 2 forwards that take at least 2 players to contain.
It doesn't make sense to move Penner to center when he's playing the best hockey of his life. He's taking the draws, not playing center. Big difference.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eytinge
Taking draws is not the only things Centers do Bryan. Penner is doing fantastic on the wing, just leave him there.
Penner is a LW that can take a draw but there's much more to the centre position than draws. He's finally effective so lets not **** it up
Penner-Cogliano-Hemsky - Has Cogs had a chance with decent linemates since 04/08?
O'Sullivan-Brule-Gagner - some semi sheltered minutes, and all 3 have loads of skill
Moreau-Horcoff-Reddox - lets face it...this is where Horcoff belongs
Jacques-Potulny-Stortini -CRUST!
