But, they do play a checking role. They play against the other team's top centers.
- grand-magus

So by your logic, every top 6 center in the league are checking role centers.

So by your logic, every top 6 center in the league are checking role centers.


- awildmudkip

No, and that's not what he meant

Hell yes. I think we could have one of the deepest teams in the league in 2-3 years if we are just patient
- sbroads24

We will know a TON about Murray's patience after the summer, I'm thinking.

The types of moves, or non-moves, will tell us alot.

3rd liner is just a label.

Remember when Vanek was a 3rd liner? It's a luxury when you have a deep team. I'd rather see these guys through and find out what we have
- sbroads24

Vanek also did not stay there for long. WIll be nice when we have that deep of a team. Grigorenko would be a nice luxery IF he does pan out. But IMO he is not a core player that we absolutly need, he will be a nice complimentary player.

So by your logic, every top 6 center in the league are checking role centers.


- awildmudkip

You are getting way too hung up on labels.

Whether you're Datsyuk or whether you're Crosby, you'd better be defensively aware because you're going up against the Getzlaf's, the Malkin's, the Backstrom's, etc.

We will know a TON about Murray's patience after the summer, I'm thinking.

The types of moves, or non-moves, will tell us alot.
- grand-magus

He seems to be moving things along quicker than most expected. The worst part of our rebuild is over. We can afford to move quicker now.

You are getting way too hung up on labels.

Whether you're Datsyuk or whether you're Crosby, you'd better be defensively aware because you're going up against the Getzlaf's, the Malkin's, the Backstrom's, etc.
- grand-magus

My mistake. I find differences between "checking" and "two-way" type centers. Checking role players in my mind are the physical dump in, play hard on the boards, plug up the neutral zone, camp in front of the net and throw some hits in to make the presence felt. Two way players do similar things, but make things happen more offensively than in the neutral zone. Carrying the puck and making more plays, taking more shots.

It's obvious you need to have defensive awareness as a top line center.

My mistake. I find differences between "checking" and "two-way" type centers. Checking role players in my mind are the physical dump in, play hard on the boards, plug up the neutral zone, camp in front of the net and throw some hits in to make the presence felt. Two way players do similar things, but make things happen more offensively than in the neutral zone. Carrying the puck and making more plays, taking more shots.

It's obvious you need to have defensive awareness as a top line center.
- awildmudkip

I cam see Girgensons being very valuable in that respect on the top line.

Kane/Eichel/Girgensons could be a feisty, skilled two way 1st line

My mistake. I find differences between "checking" and "two-way" type centers. Checking role players in my mind are the physical dump in, play hard on the boards, plug up the neutral zone, camp in front of the net and throw some hits in to make the presence felt. Two way players do similar things, but make things happen more offensively than in the neutral zone. Carrying the puck and making more plays, taking more shots.

It's obvious you need to have defensive awareness as a top line center.
- awildmudkip

No, I get what you mean.

I think those days are gone, for the most part.

The days of guys like a Peca or a Draper shadowing the other team's top player has fallen by the wayside. That was fun stuff, though. I still remember the series against Ottawa where, by the end, Peca had Yashin so frustrated, he looked like he was ready to slit his own wrists

I cam see Girgensons being very valuable in that respect on the top line.

Kane/Eichel/Girgensons could be a feisty, skilled two way 1st line
- sbroads24

I hate when people peg Girgensons as a third liner. That would be a beastly line HOLY CRAP

I cam see Girgensons being very valuable in that respect on the top line.

Kane/Eichel/Girgensons could be a feisty, skilled two way 1st line
- sbroads24

That line just gave me a woody.

Yikes.

I hate when people peg Girgensons as a third liner. That would be a beastly line HOLY CRAP
- Cheeseballin

I'm excited for next year, but man in 2016-2017 it's going to start being really, really fun.

It's gonna be good!!
- Herzeleid

Great season opener!!!!

I'm excited for next year, but man in 2016-2017 it's going to start being really, really fun.
- sbroads24

They will at least be watchable next year and exciting. 2016-17 watch out!

I cam see Girgensons being very valuable in that respect on the top line.

Kane/Eichel/Girgensons could be a feisty, skilled two way 1st line
- sbroads24

This is where line shuffling and coaching comes into play. If Girgensons is used as a physical tool to knock a waterbug player off the puck and log-jam the other team's possession, then by all means. But Kane can do that too and then some. Having Girgensons on the 3rd line still obviously gives you that rest for your top two lines with stability in knowing "Yeah, Girgensons is a total beast and is way better than their 3rd line. We could still get scoring opportunities with him there and still have rested top 2 lines."

I see your point and yeah, it does happen. But Girgensons on the 3rd line gives you more versatility. That 3rd line can play the check role, wear down and potentially be a scoring threat.

We still have so many prospects that aren't even close. I expect improvement next year, but still miss the playoffs. The year after and the one after that we should finally see the rest of the fruits of Darcy's and Tim's labor. The players who are going to augment Eichel, Kane, Girgensons, Reinhart, etc.

Baptiste, Fasching, Bailey, Compher, Hurley, the goalies...

Our D, as it stands now and, God willing, with a healthy Pysyk, should be among the league's best just as these players start to crack the lineup.

I hate when people peg Girgensons as a third liner. That would be a beastly line HOLY CRAP
- Cheeseballin

I prefer girgensons on the second line. If some rumblings of oreilly is true imagine this as our second line. This would be the premier shutdown line in the league top lines would suffocate against it

Oreilly/Reinhart/girgensons

Then have your elite scoring line which happens to also be decent on defense

Kane/eichel/ennis

That is a nasty nasty top 6. Anyone that thinks zemgus should be our 3rd line center is an idiot. We want Reinhart and eichel on the ice as much as Possible. Zemgus fits good on line 2. Let Larson play on the third line with foligno and baptiste/Bailey

This is where line shuffling and coaching comes into play. If Girgensons is used as a physical tool to knock a waterbug player off the puck and log-jam the other team's possession, then by all means. But Kane can do that too and then some. Having Girgensons on the 3rd line still obviously gives you that rest for your top two lines with stability in knowing "Yeah, Girgensons is a total beast and is way better than their 3rd line. We could still get scoring opportunities with him there and still have rested top 2 lines."

I see your point and yeah, it does happen. But Girgensons on the 3rd line gives you more versatility. That 3rd line can play the check role, wear down and potentially be a scoring threat.
- awildmudkip

Kane/Eichel/Girgensons
Moulson/Grigorenko/Ennis
Foligno/Reinhart/Larsson
Delauriers/Schaller/Whoever

Eventually replace Moulson, and maybe Foligno with better options

You guys realize McDavid is going to the Yotes? Just plan on Eichel.

(Unless you have someone that can get to Bettman...)

Just watched the presser.

GMTM: King Bullpoopter extraordinaire.

You guys realize McDavid is going to the Yotes? Just plan on Eichel.

(Unless you have someone that can get to Bettman...)
- whipper334

e3 you heard it here first

Kane/Eichel/Girgensons
Moulson/Grigorenko/Ennis
Foligno/Reinhart/Larsson
Delauriers/Schaller/Whoever

Eventually replace Moulson, and maybe Foligno with better options
- sbroads24

Man, in three years we went from having zero centers to having a glut.

Man, in three years we went from having zero centers to having a glut.
- grand-magus

IMO, you can never have too many centers.

Just watched the presser.

GMTM: King Bullpoopter extraordinaire.
- DynamicThreads

He's a wordsmith, for sure.

IMO, you can never have too many centers.
- DynamicThreads

Agreed