Normally, I would really like a player like this, but I have seen enough games with Winnik over the years where I kinda question his hockey sense.

I think he tries hard, and i also believe that he cares about playing the right way. But I wonder if he helps us as much as we would like on the fourth line.
- AllInForFlyers

That is an issue with Winnik, but he's still a largely effective guy. Depends on cost, especially if he's being added as a 4th liner.

Does less for charity though, and lacks flow.

Other than that, they're exactly the same
- Giroux_Is_God

Only Mike Commodore can approach Hartnell's flow

That is an issue with Winnik, but he's still a largely effective guy. Depends on cost, especially if he's being added as a 4th liner.
- Jsaquella

Believe me, I definitely want this fourth line improved, and there are a few reasons to believe he could do it...I just have a minor concern, that's all.

Man, getting a functional fourth line could really help in so many ways that didn't happen last year.

Try him with Couturier and Read. That could be interesting.
- Jsaquella

Doing back reading so sorry if this is Leight but I've never thought about that before. Maybe something like this..

Hart-G-Jake
Akeson-Vinny-Simmer
Schenn-Couts-Read

Doing back reading so sorry if this is Leight but I've never thought about that before. Maybe something like this..

Hart-G-Jake
Akeson-Vinny-Simmer
Schenn-Couts-Read
- Roytastic

Subtract Vinny and we're all set.

Subtract Vinny and we're all set.
- Jsaquella

Who would you have as the 2C? Or 3C if that becomes the 2nd line. I'm also expecting us to not be able to move Vinny this year. A gut feeling but if that's the case maybe he will have a better year and increase his trade value playing C again for a full year.

great game Buchanon, Phils only 4 out in the East! Need two of the next three.

great game Buchanon, Phils only 4 out in the East! Need two of the next three.
- jstross

they still suck

Who would you have as the 2C? Or 3C if that becomes the 2nd line. I'm also expecting us to not be able to move Vinny this year. A gut feeling but if that's the case maybe he will have a better year and increase his trade value playing C again for a full year.
- Roytastic

He may not be moveable, and at that point you have to consider where he best fits. I think I'd play him with Giroux on the RW, at least to start. The one thing there's no doubt that Vinny can do is shoot and if there's no takers, you may as well put him in the best possible spot to pile up the gaudiest numbers.

Of course that means Voracek goes to 2nd line, but I'd lean to that even if Vinny is gone. Assuming a Lecavalier trade that doesn't bring back a forward, my top 9 would go:

24-28-17
19-10-93
??-14-??
??-21-??

The ?? can be filled with Bellemare, Akeson, McGinn, Raffl, Rinaldo, Rosehill, Brandon Alderson or free agents to add experience. The bottom lines are the most fluid to me, because that's where I'd look to add in free agency.

He may not be moveable, and at that point you have to consider where he best fits. I think I'd play him with Giroux on the RW, at least to start. The one thing there's no doubt that Vinny can do is shoot and if there's no takers, you may as well put him in the best possible spot to pile up the gaudiest numbers.

Of course that means Voracek goes to 2nd line, but I'd lean to that even if Vinny is gone. Assuming a Lecavalier trade that doesn't bring back a forward, my top 9 would go:

24-28-17
19-10-93
??-14-??
??-21-??

The ?? can be filled with Bellemare, Akeson, McGinn, Raffl, Rinaldo, Rosehill, Brandon Alderson or free agents to add experience. The bottom lines are the most fluid to me, because that's where I'd look to add in free agency.
- Jsaquella

Unfortunately I think Vinny may be center or bust considering what he showed us last year. Who knows though, maybe if he can stay healthy (and I understand that's somewhat of a big if) playing wing with Giroux will work out better than with Schenn.

But working under the assumption that he is moved, I agree that Voracek and Schenn make more sense together than Voracek and Giroux. But how would you feel about a 2nd line of Read-Couts-Voracek? A defensively reliable line that could add serious offence. So maybe something like this..

Akeson-Giroux-Simmer
Read-Couts-Voracek
Hartnell-Schenn- Raffl
??-Laughton-??

I really like Read and Couts together but if Akeson struggles on the top line, slide read or raffl up there. I agree though that focus should be on the bottom 6 in FA if anyone is signed at all.

He may not be moveable, and at that point you have to consider where he best fits. I think I'd play him with Giroux on the RW, at least to start. The one thing there's no doubt that Vinny can do is shoot and if there's no takers, you may as well put him in the best possible spot to pile up the gaudiest numbers.

Of course that means Voracek goes to 2nd line, but I'd lean to that even if Vinny is gone. Assuming a Lecavalier trade that doesn't bring back a forward, my top 9 would go:

24-28-17
19-10-93
??-14-??
??-21-??

The ?? can be filled with Bellemare, Akeson, McGinn, Raffl, Rinaldo, Rosehill, Brandon Alderson or free agents to add experience. The bottom lines are the most fluid to me, because that's where I'd look to add in free agency.
- Jsaquella

Interesting moving Vinnie to the top RW spot. Would you then go with

Read-G-Vinnie
Harts-Schenn-Jake
Raffl-Coots-Simmer
Akeson-Laughton/Hall-Rinaldo

You'd have Raffl,Jake and Read on each top line for Speed. Vinnie, Harts and Simmonds for puck protection and size.

The end trick with keeping Vinnie is going to be finding a way to get him the puck.

trade grossman to the sharks for freddie hamilton and then sign stralman

Unfortunately I think Vinny may be center or bust considering what he showed us last year. Who knows though, maybe if he can stay healthy (and I understand that's somewhat of a big if) playing wing with Giroux will work out better than with Schenn.

But working under the assumption that he is moved, I agree that Voracek and Schenn make more sense together than Voracek and Giroux. But how would you feel about a 2nd line of Read-Couts-Voracek? A defensively reliable line that could add serious offence. So maybe something like this..

Akeson-Giroux-Simmer
Read-Couts-Voracek
Hartnell-Schenn- Raffl
??-Laughton-??

I really like Read and Couts together but if Akeson struggles on the top line, slide read or raffl up there. I agree though that focus should be on the bottom 6 in FA if anyone is signed at all.
- Roytastic

My worry with Lecavalier is that he's just really not a good fit for what Berube tried to run last season and presumably wants to run this year. He did OK on the RW with Giroux early, in fact his hat trick vs the Isles came as Giroux's RW.

What Vinny seems to prefer is to set up in the high slot, on the RW side and shoot. With Giroux he should be able to do that.

If he's gone, I want Read in the top six. I think he'll score 30 goals with Giroux. I'm not ready to hand Akeson top line minutes yet and Read can play all 3 spots.

The one negative is the lines I posted have either all lefty or righty shooters.

Interesting moving Vinnie to the top RW spot. Would you then go with

Read-G-Vinnie
Harts-Schenn-Jake
Raffl-Coots-Simmer
Akeson-Laughton/Hall-Rinaldo

You'd have Raffl,Jake and Read on each top line for Speed. Vinnie, Harts and Simmonds for puck protection and size.

The end trick with keeping Vinnie is going to be finding a way to get him the puck.
- flyler

Yep. That's why I decided to try him with Giroux.

Admittedly it's not ideal, but if he can't be moved, might as well try to maximize his production.

Yep. That's why I decided to try him with Giroux.

Admittedly it's not ideal, but if he can't be moved, might as well try to maximize his production.
- Jsaquella

I can see Vinnie ending up in Dallas playing 2nd line Centre.

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