I just can't see Laughton being on the fourth line based on what Hexy says. If he would be on the fourth line in the NHL, I expect him to go to the AHL where he can play much more.
- aflyerpower8

I can see him coming in as 4th line center. If the4th line is put together better he could be getting 10-12 minutes ES and then also some PK time. Maybe that frees Couturier of some of the harder PK minutes.

My favorite part was when he acknowledged that the 2nd-line has no chemistry and probably needs to change.
- Tomahawk

Yeah, I hadn't gotten to that part. It's great that he recognizes that.

So a possible Downie - Carcillo line in the Pitt next season? Hmmmmmm....

Hope Laughton makes the team

That puts 4 good centers down the middle (Giroux,Cout,Lecav,Laughton)
with a very solid winger lineup around them LWs (Schen,RJ,Raffl,Akeson) and RWs (Jake,Read,Simmonds,Bellemare/Rinaldo)
- MrBigglesworth

Not to mention our five main PK forwards would be Couturier, Read, Raffl, Umberger and Laughton. That's a damn good group.

So a possible Downie - Carcillo line in the Pitt next season? Hmmmmmm....
- mayorofangrytown

Can you imagine the Flyers vs Pens if that happens. That would be a great line brawl

I can see him coming in as 4th line center. If the4th line is put together better he could be getting 10-12 minutes ES and then also some PK time. Maybe that frees Couturier of some of the harder PK minutes.
- J35Bacher

Door does seem wide open for him... Bellemare might start out in the A like Raffl did, and with White out probably long term... the only remaining problem is cap space.

If Pronger and White go on LTIR before day 1, they could make room for Laughton on a 22-man roster... then put Kimmo on LTIR whenever they need to recall somebody later.

Haven't seen this linked on here... Timmy's interview of Hexy... some retread stuff, but also some juicy morsels regarding MDZ and Vinny:

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
- Tomahawk

Good stuff from Hexy.

Basically, Vinny has to work to save his career at this point, it sounds like.

So a possible Downie - Carcillo line in the Pitt next season? Hmmmmmm....
- mayorofangrytown

Just a suspension waiting to happen. They desperately need to fill that James Neal quota.

Basically, Vinny has to work to save his career at this point, it sounds like.
- johndewar

So what you're saying is... no more blind pirouette back-hand flips across the NZ?

Door does seem wide open for him... Bellemare might start out in the A like Raffl did, and with White out probably long term... the only remaining problem is cap space.

If Pronger and White go on LTIR before day 1, they could make room for Laughton on a 22-man roster... then put Kimmo on LTIR whenever they need to recall somebody later.
- Tomahawk

Depending how long white is out and what Bellemare can show i could see lines playing out like this:

Schenn - Giroux - Voracek
Read - Couturier - Umberger
Raffl - Vinny - Simmonds
Bellemare - Laughton - White/Rinaldo/Alderson

That 4th line could play 10-12 minutes with white and laughton also getting some PK time. Also that 4th line could be trusted a little more so your not having Read and Couturier taking all the hard defensive minutes and let them try to be a little more offensive depnding on the line matchups on the ice.

So what you're saying is... no more blind pirouette back-hand flips across the NZ?
- Tomahawk

Yeah, Vinny, if you can go ahead and NOT throw blind passes anymore....that'd be GREEEAAATTT.....

Depending how long white is out and what Bellemare can show i could see lines playing out like this:

Schenn - Giroux - Voracek
Read - Couturier - Umberger
Raffl - Vinny - Simmonds
Bellemare - Laughton - White/Rinaldo/Alderson

That 4th line could play 10-12 minutes with white and laughton also getting some PK time. Also that 4th line could be trusted a little more so your not having Read and Couturier taking all the hard defensive minutes and let them try to be a little more offensive depnding on the line matchups on the ice.
- J35Bacher

I'd prefer this:

Simmonds - Giroux - Voracek
Read - Couturier - Schenn
Umberger - Lecavalier - Akeson
Raffl - Laughton - Alderson
Rinaldo

Rosehill in LHV.

Depending how long white is out and what Bellemare can show i could see lines playing out like this:

Schenn - Giroux - Voracek
Read - Couturier - Umberger
Raffl - Vinny - Simmonds
Bellemare - Laughton - White/Rinaldo/Alderson

......
- J35Bacher

Akeson is pretty much a lock for opening roster IMO

Id roll these lines:

Schenn-Giroux-Voracek
Read-Couturier-Simmonds
Umberger-Lecavalier-Raffl
Akeson-Laughton-Rinaldo

Akeson is pretty much a lock for opening roster IMO

Id roll these lines:

Schenn-Giroux-Voracek
Read-Couturier-Simmonds
Umberger-Lecavalier-Raffl
Akeson-Laughton-Rinaldo
- MrBigglesworth

Akeson is a lock? I don't think so. He is going to have a very good camp i think. i know he played ok in playoffs but i just don't see his fit on the 4th line.

I'd prefer this:

Simmonds - Giroux - Voracek
Read - Couturier - Schenn
Umberger - Lecavalier - Akeson
Raffl - Laughton - Alderson
Rinaldo

Rosehill in LHV.
- Tomahawk

I like this. Only change I would make is switch Simmonds, and Read.

There is no way they would extend Rinaldo if he was going to be the 13th forward.
I'm trying to think of one attribute to Rinaldo's game that correlates to playoff hockey, and I'm struggling to think of anything.

I'd prefer this:

Simmonds - Giroux - Voracek
Read - Couturier - Schenn
Umberger - Lecavalier - Akeson
Raffl - Laughton - Alderson
Rinaldo

Rosehill in LHV.
- Tomahawk

I wouldn't mind Schenn with Couturier and Read. But I just don't feel the mix of Simmonds on the top line and I really don't like the Vinny line. I could be wrong about Simmonds but I just don't feel it. Nothing Statistically just eyeballing it just doesn't seem right to me.

I like this. Only change I would make is switch Simmonds, and Read.

There is no way they would extend Rinaldo if he was going to be the 13th forward.
I'm trying to think of one attribute to Rinaldo's game that correlates to playoff hockey, and I'm struggling to think of anything.
- PLindbergh31

Didn't Berube talk about moving Rinaldo up the lineup?

Akeson is a lock? I don't think so. He is going to have a very good camp i think. i know he played ok in playoffs but i just don't see his fit on the 4th line.
- J35Bacher

IMO Akeson was one of our best forwards in the PO's despite his errant stick penalty, he earned a spot on the team.

Many of the wingers can play up and down all of the lines.

I like this. Only change I would make is switch Simmonds, and Read.

There is no way they would extend Rinaldo if he was going to be the 13th forward.
I'm trying to think of one attribute to Rinaldo's game that correlates to playoff hockey, and I'm struggling to think of anything.
- PLindbergh31

His extention really isn't a problem. He is a serviceable 4th line player who has proven he can play in the league. His cap hit is low so if sent down nothing counts. If he would get claimed so be it. Extention really isn't a make or break thing.

I wouldn't mind Schenn with Couturier and Read. But I just don't feel the mix of Simmonds on the top line and I really don't like the Vinny line. I could be wrong about Simmonds but I just don't feel it. Nothing Statistically just eyeballing it just doesn't seem right to me.
- J35Bacher

I don't think anyone is an "on paper" mix with Vinny at this point.

From my perspective, the rationale for a line of RJ-Vinny-Akeson is you pair a pretty good 2 way forward (RJ) with a veteran center and a wing with good puck skills (Akeson). It's as good as any other combo with Vinny in it.

I wouldn't mind Schenn with Couturier and Read. But I just don't feel the mix of Simmonds on the top line and I really don't like the Vinny line. I could be wrong about Simmonds but I just don't feel it. Nothing Statistically just eyeballing it just doesn't seem right to me.
- J35Bacher

I'm banking on them carrying over chemistry from PP1... Simmer's also the closest analog to Hartsy they've got.

I really want them to give Schenn + Coots a go... they were so good in ADK together. Granted that was against minor pro competition, but I feel they have complementary skillsets.

IMO Akeson was one of our best forwards in the PO's despite his errant stick penalty, he earned a spot on the team.

Many of the wingers can play up and down all of the lines.
- MrBigglesworth

I got you. Not saying your wrong at all. Yes he played well. But I don't see him good enough defensivley to be on the 4th line and he doesn't kill penalties are really provide another skill. He can play on PP but i think there are enough guys a head before he would see time on it.

His extention really isn't a problem. He is a serviceable 4th line player who has proven he can play in the league. His cap hit is low so if sent down nothing counts. If he would get claimed so be it. Extention really isn't a make or break thing.
- J35Bacher

I just don't think he adds anything that helps a team win hockey games. I'm also not sure why they would reward him with an extension coming off a year of regression. Wouldn't there be more motivation if he was playing for a job this year?

IMO Akeson was one of our best forwards in the PO's despite his errant stick penalty, he earned a spot on the team.

Many of the wingers can play up and down all of the lines.
- MrBigglesworth

Unless they plan to piss him away on waivers, he's going to at worst be eating popcorn.

I don't think anyone is an "on paper" mix with Vinny at this point.

From my perspective, the rationale for a line of RJ-Vinny-Akeson is you pair a pretty good 2 way forward (RJ) with a veteran center and a wing with good puck skills (Akeson). It's as good as any other combo with Vinny in it.
- johndewar

There's def a good mix this year of 2-way defensive players and solid offensive scorers. Chief just needs to be a bit more flexible about trying different combos to see who has chemistry with who. A good middle ground.. not as much line juggling as Torts, but also needs to be more flexible than before about trying different pairings