Lemieux also had this thing called cancer which- and I'll go out on a limb here- had a lot more to do with his career.

It was VERY rare for Toews to play with Bickell.

Certainly size has it's purposes and can help, but not at the expense of effectiveness. I'm not gonna push a guy like Eberle down in the line-up unless the player pushing him down makes his line more effective.

See Pouliot, for example. As far I saw, RNH and Eberle were more effective with him than they were with Hall (as short a sample, as it may have been) and as a result have no issue moving Hall to a different line in hopes he can help make that other line more effective.
- MaximumBone

Just checked. In the 2013 cup run, Bickel played a lot with Toews. They needed him up front and he responded. The first 2 series it was Bickel with Toews & Kane.

Ah so you meant faster; not more talented I get ya now!

Yeah, if it's guy like Fehr, I'm right there with ya. Guy consistently puts up good numbers playing 3rd line minutes and has enough talent that he should at least be able to keep up with a simple role on a line featuring Hall and McDavid. He wouldn't cost all too much either, but I think you run into a similar problem with him as some have with Purcell; he's not a big hitter. I'm fine with it, but most people who want a big player also want an aggressive player.
- MaximumBone

Abdelkader for RNH

Just checked. In the 2013 cup run, Bickel played a lot with Toews. They needed him up front and he responded. The first 2 series it was Bickel with Toews & Kane.
- haymac

Playoffs are a different animal. I'm discussing regular season line combos as we have no idea how these same line combos will translate until they actually get to the playoffs.

Ah so you meant faster; not more talented I get ya now!

Yeah, if it's guy like Fehr, I'm right there with ya. Guy consistently puts up good numbers playing 3rd line minutes and has enough talent that he should at least be able to keep up with a simple role on a line featuring Hall and McDavid. He wouldn't cost all too much either, but I think you run into a similar problem with him as some have with Purcell; he's not a big hitter. I'm fine with it, but most people who want a big player also want an aggressive player.
- MaximumBone

That's why my first choice would be Brouwer. He's at least as talented as Pouliot. He's under-rated but a strong checker and a consistent performer.
Anyway, I really want to see some measure of protection for McDavid during his hopefully long career in Edm.

Subban is such a diving little female dog.

Abdelkader, Kronwall, 2 1sts, and Mrazek for RNH
- ShooterMcGavin

He couldn't think of anything that rhymes with Hitler McSatan
- ShooterMcGavin

more like chef runs with lysol.

Flyers have a better one in Sanheim

Subban is such a diving little female dog.
- batjester

Noooooooo. .... he tripped..... over his BBC. ...

Guys the size of a Brouwer or Fehr who are just as fast as Pouliot but heavier. Both are vets who aren't yet 30 and are defensively able as well.
I'm taking the view that McDavid is going to be key to future Oiler success, so set him up with the wingers he needs to thrive, 1 of whom must be a larger, aggressive type. charley has some assets to use to re-balance this team. After taking care of D & G, the next area is some speed with size on the top 6.
- haymac

(frank) that, play mcDavid with other stars. Crosby plays with plugs, imagine if he had a Hall or Eberle to play with. Put mcDavid with hall and yak (assuming he plays well with them) and watch them be the best line in the nhl for the next 15 years. Also, at the end of the day if a guy is trying to hurt another player he will probably do it regardless of who is on the ice

- MaximumBone

Abdelkader, Howard, and 1st this year?

Ok I'll get one from the outside before it goes in

- ShooterMcGavin

Pretty sure I had that comic...

Flyers have a better one in Sanheim
- Just5

Who asked you...... p.s. home movies was (frank)ing awesome....

Flyers have a better one in Sanheim
- Just5

Whatever helps you sleep at night

Abdelkader, Howard, and 1st this year?
- ShooterMcGavin

Not even close. You'd be better off pursuing Draisaitl but even then, the Wings just don't have the right pieces to get it done.

(frank) that, play mcDavid with other stars. Crosby plays with plugs, imagine if he had a Hall or Eberle to play with. Put mcDavid with hall and yak (assuming he plays well with them) and watch them be the best line in the nhl for the next 15 years. Also, at the end of the day if a guy is trying to hurt another player he will probably do it regardless of who is on the ice
- OilerFan16

Crosby plays with plugs because plugs are the types of players who defer to him. He's at his best when he has control of the line. Who's to say McDavid won't be the same? Hell, if he can run an effective line being flanked by two inexpensive plugs, that just leaves all the more cap space for the rest of the team!

Not even close. You'd be better off pursuing Draisaitl but even then, the Wings just don't have the right pieces to get it done.
- MaximumBone

They have the pieces for sure, whether they'd part with them is another issue. We are deep down the center anyways, need more wingers

Crosby plays with plugs because plugs are the types of players who defer to him. He's at his best when he has control of the line. Who's to say McDavid won't be the same? Hell, if he can run an effective line being flanked by two inexpensive plugs, that just leaves all the more cap space for the rest of the team!
- MaximumBone

I like the cut of your jib....

Crosby plays with plugs because plugs are the types of players who defer to him. He's at his best when he has control of the line. Who's to say McDavid won't be the same? Hell, if he can run an effective line being flanked by two inexpensive plugs, that just leaves all the more cap space for the rest of the team!
- MaximumBone

I see what your saying but it would be pretty cool to have a line that dominated regardless of the competition they face

They have the pieces for sure, whether they'd part with them is another issue. We are deep down the center anyways, need more wingers
- ShooterMcGavin

So you guys are hiding a young, top-2 RHD from the league? Cause that's the piece it'd take to move RNH (or Leon+). Mrazek is great, but I'll be damned if I move anything of substantial value for any goalie not named Rask, Price, Lundqvist, Rinne, or Holtby.

I like the cut of your jib....
- McJesus_FTW

Are you coming on to me?

I see what your saying but it would be pretty cool to have a line that dominated regardless of the competition they face
- OilerFan16

I was of the mind that's exactly what Crosby does I get what you mean, but often times, stacking a line with offense isn't what's best for team-wide results. Whatever it takes to win as far as I'm concerned.

Are you coming on to me?
- MaximumBone

No no... just strait cumin on you.... there's no to a out it...

For you... no....



on you.... maybe.....
- McJesus_FTW

... Kinky.

(frank) that, play mcDavid with other stars. Crosby plays with plugs, imagine if he had a Hall or Eberle to play with. Put mcDavid with hall and yak (assuming he plays well with them) and watch them be the best line in the nhl for the next 15 years. Also, at the end of the day if a guy is trying to hurt another player he will probably do it regardless of who is on the ice
- OilerFan16

Hall concerns me because he's a turnover machine and more often than not he is slow to get back to the bench. Will he mess with McD? We'll see as I'm sure he'll get that chance. But to be elite, lines have to be defensively responsible also as is the Toews line.
Regarding Hall, I'm thinking we'd be better off trading him in a package for a top D. I like Hall but he gets hurt a lot and his style of play could lead to a serious injury. Also, trading him might help to change the culture a bit on the Team, for the better.