Ben Smith.

I think he can be a great replacement for Frolik
- Bambino68

Nobody can replace Frolik....wash your mouth out with soap for saying that.

Smith will do a fine job filling Frolik's role, but that's it.

Nobody can replace Frolik....wash your mouth out with soap for saying that.

Smith will do a fine job filling Frolik's role, but that's it.


- DarthKane

Working on nominating Frolik for sainthood, are we?

Working on nominating Frolik for sainthood, are we?
- EKolb13

Damn straight....

Damn straight....



- DarthKane

I had a feeling this was coming.

Good work, as always.

You almost need a couple of guys with some skating speed to play with Morin to cover for his skating speed deficiencies. Morin would fit better on a line with Saad & Shaw. Not so much on a line with Handzus.
- EKolb13

I'd be mildly surprised if the plan is to keep Shaw at the 3C, as admirable a job as he did last season. It seems, from all the rumblings (Saad at center included) point to the team looking to take another direction with the center position this year.

And to be honest, a 11-65-20 third line would scare me, at least right now. We're talking three guys, who combined have fewer than 150 games of regular season experience. With the situation this team is currently in (i.e. forced into handing multiple roster spots to guys with minimal NHL experience), I think that the smarter, and more likely approach is to try and keep some of the youngsters with some vets.


For that reason, here's what I think to be a likely line-up to start the season:

29-19-88
10-37-81
20-16-65
52-26-28


That third line is still a tad light on experience, but in my mind, Kruger's three-zone responsibility is sizable upgrade from the 11-65-20 line discussed above. I think this lineup mitigates the inexperience factor a bit, and keeps a good veteran presence across most of the lineup


I terms of a break-out baby, I've always - rightly or wrongly - clamored for Morin since the Byfuglien trade, and seeing his junior stat lines and reading all the scouting reports. It's kind of funny, as a lot of the reports at the time really had him pegged as a pure scorer and a top-six shoe-in. Now he's seen as a more physical, crash-the-net with sneaky scoring touch type guy. Funny how things change. Either way, I'd really like to see him stick and contribute this year. But I think - at least from the Rockford contingent, that Smith is a more likely candidate to be a stand-out because of the potential PK abilities.

I'd be mildly surprised if the plan is to keep Shaw at the 3C, as admirable a job as he did last season. It seems, from all the rumblings (Saad at center included) point to the team looking to take another direction with the center position this year.

And to be honest, a 11-65-20 third line would scare me, at least right now. We're talking three guys, who combined have fewer than 150 games of regular season experience. With the situation this team is currently in (i.e. forced into handing multiple roster spots to guys with minimal NHL experience), I think that the smarter, and more likely approach is to try and keep some of the youngsters with some vets.


For that reason, here's what I think to be a likely line-up to start the season:

29-19-88
10-37-81
20-16-65
52-26-28


That third line is still a tad light on experience, but in my mind, Kruger's three-zone responsibility is sizable upgrade from the 11-65-20 line discussed above. I think this lineup mitigates the inexperience factor a bit, and keeps a good veteran presence across most of the lineup


I terms of a break-out baby, I've always - rightly or wrongly - clamored for Morin since the Byfuglien trade, and seeing his junior stat lines and reading all the scouting reports. It's kind of funny, as a lot of the reports at the time really had him pegged as a pure scorer and a top-six shoe-in. Now he's seen as a more physical, crash-the-net with sneaky scoring touch type guy. Funny how things change. Either way, I'd really like to see him stick and contribute this year. But I think - at least from the Rockford contingent, that Smith is a more likely candidate to be a stand-out because of the potential PK abilities.
- FredoXV

I know a lot of people prefer Shaw on the wing, but I like him playing centre. Plus, I think Kruger will take the second line centre role and that leave Shaw as the only remaining viable option to centre the third line

29-19-88
10-16-88
20-65-11
52-26-28

(when healthy)

I know a lot of people prefer Shaw on the wing, but I like him playing centre. Plus, I think Kruger will take the second line centre role and that leave Shaw as the only remaining viable option to centre the third line

29-19-88
10-16-88
20-65-11
52-26-28

(when healthy)
- DarthKane

For an unexplainable reason, I'd rather see Morin get regular ice time than Pirri. But, I do think that he warrants at least a look in the top six to start the year. He did lead the AHL in scoring last year. With no proven second-line center on the roster and 1 year left on his current contract, now is as good a time as ever to see if he has what it takes. If he can't make it playing between Hossa and Sharp, he won't make it.

I think the mere mention of trying Saad at center dictates that Shaw will likely move back to the wing. But I've certainly been wrong before, and will be again.

I know a lot of people prefer Shaw on the wing, but I like him playing centre. Plus, I think Kruger will take the second line centre role and that leave Shaw as the only remaining viable option to centre the third line

29-19-88
10-16-88
20-65-11
52-26-28

(when healthy)
- DarthKane

This might be the opening night line-up.

For an unexplainable reason, I'd rather see Morin get regular ice time than Pirri. But, I do think that he warrants at least a look in the top six to start the year. He did lead the AHL in scoring last year. With no proven second-line center on the roster and 1 year left on his current contract, now is as good a time as ever to see if he has what it takes. If he can't make it playing between Hossa and Sharp, he won't make it.

I think the mere mention of trying Saad at center dictates that Shaw will likely move back to the wing. But I've certainly been wrong before, and will be again.
- FredoXV

So have I. I'm sure I'll be wrong about things again as well.

So have I. I'm sure I'll be wrong about things again as well.
- EKolb13

I've been wrong plenty of times....at least that's what my wife tells me.

I've been wrong plenty of times....at least that's what my wife tells me.
- DarthKane

She's right.

She's right.
- EKolb13

That's something else she tells me plenty of times.

That's something else she tells me plenty of times.
- DarthKane

I guess you should be glad she doesn't read this thread.

So have I. I'm sure I'll be wrong about things again as well.
- EKolb13

I'm never wrong, just ask my wife.

Now that that's out of the way, I will say why no Leddy love? The strength of this team this past Stanley Cup winning year was our D -- and although Nick sat at some critical crunch times during the playoffs, he still played quite a bit for a young guy.

I think he's going to take his game to the next level -- using that one-in-a-million skating ability to QB the #1 PP unit, Q will also unleash him even-strength and by the Olympic break, we'll be back here and you guys will be asking what Stanley can get for Oduya in a deadline deal.

Breakthrough players will be Centreman Brandon Saad, PP man Brian Bickell, and Spring goalie Raanta

I'm never wrong, just ask my wife.
- savvyone-1

Now that that's out of the way, I will say why no Leddy love? The strength of this team this past Stanley Cup winning year was our D -- and although Nick sat at some critical crunch times during the playoffs, he still played quite a bit for a young guy.

I think he's going to take his game to the next level -- using that one-in-a-million skating ability to QB the #1 PP unit, Q will also unleash him even-strength and by the Olympic break, we'll be back here and you guys will be asking what Stanley can get for Oduya in a deadline deal.

I know Leddy has show lots of potential and he can skate like the wind, but I'm still not sold on him. Offensively Leddy is great, no doubt about it. But defensively I am terrified every time he touches the puck. I hope it's just a matter of his professional development and he improves this season.

I know that Oduya seems like the easy trade target, but personally I don't want to see him go. Oduya was solid during the play offs and was one of the better defensive defensemen (yes he had some gaffs).

I'm never wrong, just ask my wife.
- savvyone-1

Now that that's out of the way, I will say why no Leddy love? The strength of this team this past Stanley Cup winning year was our D -- and although Nick sat at some critical crunch times during the playoffs, he still played quite a bit for a young guy.

I think he's going to take his game to the next level -- using that one-in-a-million skating ability to QB the #1 PP unit, Q will also unleash him even-strength and by the Olympic break, we'll be back here and you guys will be asking what Stanley can get for Oduya in a deadline deal.

Still stalking Leddy?

I'm not worried about Leddy. His skills are going to continue to grow.

My pick is Danault. I think he is going to make it hard to not keep him in the NHL. If not, the Hawks will throw Wiz out there on the 4th line. Wiz will dazzle the opponents with his tales of the old days and tell them about all their negatives as a player. That will create a lot of open ice for his wingers.
- Elbows15

All I know is Nester was always afraid to drop em...


I almost broke my rule of contradicting myself....I also wanted to say Danault on my post above, but I tossed the Koolaid out before I drank.
To answer that earlier question,
I think Pirri ends up on that checking line if he can fit higher up, when Handzus rests....

Ben Smith also stays and plays here or is sent elsewhere.

and Morin and his choppy steps HAVE TO GET AN EXTENDED LOOK, or the boot.
I agree on his boots...to some extent.
If he keeps shifts short and continues to work away from the choppy steps, I think he wouldn't look slower in the third period.
It has much to do with skating style, and less about being able to get there, if he gets the hitch out, and it is something I hope he has been working to change...

I think Danault would have to be two cups sizes better than the Icehogs vets in training camp to get promoted that quickly....

All I know is Nester was always afraid to drop em...


I almost broke my rule of contradicting myself....I also wanted to say Danault on my post above, but I tossed the Koolaid out before I drank.

I think Pirri ends up on that checking line if he can fit higher up, when Handzus rests....
- wiz1901

If Danault is 100% NHL ready then I'm ok giving him a shot, otherwise I'd like to see him spend at least a year in Rockford.

If Danault is 100% NHL ready then I'm ok giving him a shot, otherwise I'd like to see him spend at least a year in Rockford.
- DarthKane

Or a half season like Saad did.

Or a half season like Saad did.
- EKolb13

And Shaw.

The Ducks signed Fistric to a one year $900,000 deal. Sorry Ogi....

Fistric signed in Anaheim. Ogie is somewhere currently putting together a trade offer.



http://ducks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=680486&navid=DL|ANA|home

The Ducks signed Fistric to a one year $900,000 deal. Sorry Ogi....
- DarthKane

You beat me to it.

My pick is Danault. I think he is going to make it hard to not keep him in the NHL. If not, the Hawks will throw Wiz out there on the 4th line. Wiz will dazzle the opponents with his tales of the old days and tell them about all their negatives as a player. That will create a lot of open ice for his wingers.
- Elbows15

LMAO