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Getting A New Read on Lines

January 4, 2012, 7:31 PM ET [ Comments]
Tim Panaccio
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
On Tuesday, Peter Laviolette talked about the virtues of using James van Riemsdyk on the top line in place of Jaromir Jagr.

I didn't really buy it, given that Jakub Voracek looked better there than JVR during the Winter Classic and because JVR hasn't earned it, but I also knew the coaching staff is desperate to get the kid going again.

Today, reasoning stepped in and Matt Read was up there on the top line while JVR was bounced to a third line where he belongs with Brayden Schenn and Wayne Simmonds.

This based off practice from our staff and others as I recover at home from this nagging cold that won't go away.

Read was shocked and humbled to be up there.

“Obviously it’s pretty special to be playing with those guys,” he told reporters. “[Claude] Giroux’s one of the best players in the NHL right now and Hartnell has amazing skill and sees the ice really well. I’ve got some big shoes to fill with Jagr, but I’ll make the most of it.”

I like this move a helluva lot better than JVR playing there.

“I think [versatility is] one of the strengths that he’s brought to our team,” Laviolette said. “It’s good to have players like that, that are really versatile and can fill different roles and different situational play.

"Every time we’ve asked him to do something or needed a void filled, he’s been able to jump in there and contribute. We’re just looking at it. There was practice today. I liked it. We’ll see.”

The only downside is that, for the umpteenth time, Danny Briere's unit gets tossed about the salad bowl. Simmonds and Read had been with Briere. Now it's Briere and Max Talbot.

I see alot of negative comments again about Briere. People need to remember here, that every time a top line player goes out of the lineup with an injury, Lavy takes a piece of Briere's line - cannibalizing parts, if you will _ to replace someone.

Briere has been a victim this season of not having a steady line. For two years, he had Scotty Hartnell and Ville Leino. Then Leino left and the dominoes fell as Jagr came aboard.

I'm eager to see how Read works out. Given this will be a 3-5 game residency, I feel that factored into Lavy's decision to use Read up there rather than Voracek or JVR. If you're going to need a one game player, you take one of those two guys.

For this many games, it's best to go with someone who fight really give you some pop.

Tomorrow, 1st team NHL All-Stars will be announced. Giroux is in like Flint.

But ... even if Jagr is chosen, I wonder, given his age and health this season, will be opt to go at the end of the month or will he rest?

And wouldn't it be better if he rested, anyway?
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