The only thing making me hesitant with marleau on the top line is who is doing the dirty work? There is a reason why guys like getzlaf and perry play with a belesky or maroon. I would rather keep melker with pavs and jumbo and bring patty down to the third line.

Melker-Jumbo-Pavs
Hertl-Couture-Nieto
Marleau-Tierney-Ward
Goodrow/jevs/joonas/goldy?-Smith-Wingles

Each line has a guy who can go to the dirty areas and beat a defender to the puck in the corner battles. Melker is another guy like marleau who is either with jumbo or on the bottom 6 to me.
- Sharkssince1995

I understand your thinking but Marleau-Thornton-Heater put up some big numbers playing together and didn't have someone doing the dirty work. Plus Pavs goes to some of the dirty areas. And by that same logic, who is going to do the dirty work out of Hertl-Logan-Nieto? I know you're a Nieto fan but I don't think he makes sense on that line right now. I like his speed on the 3rd line. And one last thing regarding Marleau, he had a bad year last season but I think he'll bounce back and the best chance of that happening is with the Joes. I don't want to pay $6.66 for a 3rd liner. That's just my take on it.

It seems that something we all agree on is that the forward group should look like this

Marleau Thornton Pavelski
Hertl Couture
______ Tierney Ward
______ Smith Wingels

With varying opinions on who should be slotted in the remaining 3 spots, between Nieto, Karlsson, and Donskoi. I was sold on Donskoi after watching this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Wcb1r9jbLI
looks like this line had pretty good chemistry
- sjsharksss

This looks pretty good but I'm not a fan of Smith as the 4th line center. I'm hopeful that DW brings in a vet on a 1 year deal to handle that role.

Joonas more than likely starts with the Cuda just like the milk man did with the baby sharks last year.
- SJSharks39

Who takes his place in the top 12 then? Goodrow? Most likely.. hopefully Joonas earns it straight out of camp

I understand your thinking but Marleau-Thornton-Heater put up some big numbers playing together and didn't have someone doing the dirty work. Plus Pavs goes to some of the dirty areas. And by that same logic, who is going to do the dirty work out of Hertl-Logan-Nieto? I know you're a Nieto fan but I don't think he makes sense on that line right now. I like his speed on the 3rd line. And one last thing regarding Marleau, he had a bad year last season but I think he'll bounce back and the best chance of that happening is with the Joes. I don't want to pay $6.66 for a 3rd liner. That's just my take on it.
- Papa Joe19

Jumbo Joe has spent his whole career in the dirty areas as well... thornton plays very well along the boards and Pavs and Marleau are more than capable of sniping and crashing the net.. I dont think going to the dirty areas would be a problem on this line

I understand your thinking but Marleau-Thornton-Heater put up some big numbers playing together and didn't have someone doing the dirty work. Plus Pavs goes to some of the dirty areas. And by that same logic, who is going to do the dirty work out of Hertl-Logan-Nieto? I know you're a Nieto fan but I don't think he makes sense on that line right now. I like his speed on the 3rd line. And one last thing regarding Marleau, he had a bad year last season but I think he'll bounce back and the best chance of that happening is with the Joes. I don't want to pay $6.66 for a 3rd liner. That's just my take on it.
- Papa Joe19

I think your forgetting heater scored a lot of goals cleaning up the garbage in front of the net. Sure he had a great snipe but he camped quite a bit too outside the crease, Also the nhl is tighter defensively than it was 4-5 years ago.

Watch halfway through how most of his goals turned out to be around the net.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jJ7BpxbXek

Hertl showed a willingness to go to the corner as the year progressed and nieto's speed allows him to get to pucks first. Also i think all three have no problem going to the net.

Also Marleau on the third line with ward would give us great depth scoring which we lacked. I think he complements this line better than jumbos.

This looks pretty good but I'm not a fan of Smith as the 4th line center. I'm hopeful that DW brings in a vet on a 1 year deal to handle that role.
- Papa Joe19

Seems like we're the only ones on here that feel that way so I gave up trying to convince people haha If smith is a problem half-way through the season then we can bring it up again and tell everyone we told them so

Jumbo Joe has spent his whole career in the dirty areas as well... thornton plays very well along the boards and Pavs and Marleau are more than capable of sniping and crashing the net.. I dont think going to the dirty areas would be a problem on this line
- sjsharksss

Do we want old guys or young guys taking 82 games of abuse in the corner? What happens at playoff time when they are worn down from taking unnecessary hits that could be absorbed by a younger guy who has less tread? They slow down. You need your best players as healthy as can be going into the playoffs.

Seems like we're the only ones on here that feel that way so I gave up trying to convince people haha If smith is a problem half-way through the season then we can bring it up again and tell everyone we told them so
- sjsharksss

Smith is adequate and probably a step above desi. He just is not as physical as people would want him to be in my opinion. He can win face offs and push the puck in the right direction. Are there better options? Yes, but i think RD 3rd pair is a bigger issue.

Do we want old guys or young guys taking 82 games of abuse in the corner? What happens at playoff time when they are worn down from taking unnecessary hits that could be absorbed by a younger guy who has less tread? They slow down. You need your best players as healthy as can be going into the playoffs.
- Sharkssince1995

good point.. I would still rather see Marleau return to his old self than play the whole year on the third line barely able to crack 15 goals and 40 points. If anything I would switch it up come playoff time when we play LA and put marleau on the third line to add depth. But if LA rolls a line of Lucic, Carter, Brown I dont know who I want going up against them

Smith is adequate and probably a step above desi. He just is not as physical as people would want him to be in my opinion. He can win face offs and push the puck in the right direction. Are there better options? Yes, but i think RD 3rd pair is a bigger issue.
- Sharkssince1995

agreed

BTW my name isn't Thomas.
- SJSharks39

You are forever known as "Thomas"

good point.. I would still rather see Marleau return to his old self than play the whole year on the third line barely able to crack 15 goals and 40 points. If anything I would switch it up come playoff time when we play LA and put marleau on the third line to add depth. But if LA rolls a line of Lucic, Carter, Brown I dont know who I want going up against them
- sjsharksss

He would play against easier competition and could gain confidence that way. If anything his points totals should go up.

LA has been self imploding of late. I think their team has gotten worse since last year. Other than the addition of lucic they lost a top 4 d man in sekera, lost williams thank god, and stoll who did a lot for them. Their dominant defense does not look as intimidating. I am not too worried about lucic and brown. If anything i think carter's production would go down with those two knuckleheads. Also more penalties would be bad due to their defense only having 3 true top 4 guys, aging greene, and insert young guy.

He would play against easier competition and could gain confidence that way. If anything his points totals should go up.

LA has been self imploding of late. I think their team has gotten worse since last year. Other than the addition of lucic they lost a top 4 d man in sekera, lost williams thank god, and stoll who did a lot for them. Their dominant defense does not look as intimidating. I am not too worried about lucic and brown. If anything i think carter's production would go down with those two knuckleheads. Also more penalties would be bad due to their defense only having 3 true top 4 guys, aging greene, and insert young guy.
- Sharkssince1995

Reduced minutes in a reduced roll with no Thornton and Pavs = no way his point totals or confidence increase

To say LA is imploding is definitely an exaggeration.. LA did loose important pieces in Williams, Stoll, Voynov, and Sekera but if anything Lucic improves the top 6 (in the regular season at least) and stolls numbers are easily replaceable. Only their defense got worse this offseason by not being able to resign Sekera but they have cap space and time to improve it before the season starts

Reduced minutes in a reduced roll with no Thornton and Pavs = no way his point totals or confidence increase

To say LA is imploding is definitely an exaggeration.. LA did loose important pieces in Williams, Stoll, Voynov, and Sekera but if anything Lucic improves the top 6 (in the regular season at least) and stolls numbers are easily replaceable. Only their defense got worse this offseason by not being able to resign Sekera but they have cap space and time to improve it before the season starts
- sjsharksss

He would play easier competition therefore an easier time scoring. No matter who you put with jumbo and pavs they are scoring. He can put up points with out them and against easier competition he should score more than last year instead of shutting down other teams top lines.

Lucic is one player. He makes their top 6 better. But that is it. They have not replaced anything else. They had internal issues with players getting in trouble with the law and also some vets had issues with sutter. That locker room is different than years past. They had the same team they did in their cup year last year yet something held them back.

He would play easier competition therefore an easier time scoring. No matter who you put with jumbo and pavs they are scoring. He can put up points with out them and against easier competition he should score more than last year instead of shutting down other teams top lines.

Lucic is one player. He makes their top 6 better. But that is it. They have not replaced anything else. They had internal issues with players getting in trouble with the law and also some vets had issues with sutter. That locker room is different than years past. They had the same team they did in their cup year last year yet something held them back.
- Sharkssince1995

We'll just agree to disagree I do think that Marleau should be moved to the 3rd line a couple years from now but I still think he has top line talent left in him. Also hoping Couture is able to take over the #1 center spot. With good linemates i'm hoping he can become a point per game producer.. This might be the last year Thornton can be our top center

We'll just agree to disagree I do think that Marleau should be moved to the 3rd line a couple years from now but I still think he has top line talent left in him. Also hoping Couture is able to take over the #1 center spot. With good linemates i'm hoping he can become a point per game producer.. This might be the last year Thornton can be our top center
- sjsharksss

I guess so. Just think he's a better fit for tierney and ward due to his speed and ability to teach tierney along with ward. Also rather have melker take the dirty areas for jumbo and pavs. Again tierney would look good in between these two in my opinion.

BTW my name isn't Thomas.
- SJSharks39

Brian Rodriguez

I understand your thinking but Marleau-Thornton-Heater put up some big numbers playing together and didn't have someone doing the dirty work. Plus Pavs goes to some of the dirty areas. And by that same logic, who is going to do the dirty work out of Hertl-Logan-Nieto? I know you're a Nieto fan but I don't think he makes sense on that line right now. I like his speed on the 3rd line. And one last thing regarding Marleau, he had a bad year last season but I think he'll bounce back and the best chance of that happening is with the Joes. I don't want to pay $6.66 for a 3rd liner. That's just my take on it.
- Papa Joe19

Bud, back then, instead of dump and chase, zone entries were predicated more by Marleau and Boyle's speed rather than dump and chase and fight in the corner we now endlessly see.

Different ballgame. Hopefully, Deboer gives the team some new looks.

He would play easier competition therefore an easier time scoring. No matter who you put with jumbo and pavs they are scoring. He can put up points with out them and against easier competition he should score more than last year instead of shutting down other teams top lines.

Lucic is one player. He makes their top 6 better. But that is it. They have not replaced anything else. They had internal issues with players getting in trouble with the law and also some vets had issues with sutter. That locker room is different than years past. They had the same team they did in their cup year last year yet something held them back.
- Sharkssince1995

Lucic IMO, is a downgrade from Williams. Lucic's style has caught up to him in the same way it did with Richards. He looked HORRID this season.

Quite frankly, it would be fun to see Jumbo get put on the 3rd line. Just to see what opposing coaches would do.

Run with:
Hertl/Pavelski/Marleau
Goldobin/Couture/Nieto
Karlsson/Thornton/Ward
Wingels/Tierney/Smith

And see if opposing coaches have sudden questionmarks pop up over their heads on how to line match lol. I can see Boudreau now.....
"Well, I HAVE to cover Thornton's line" so send Kesler out.....But then Getzlaf's line faces....Couture? Seems prudent....... ACK!@!!!, that means Horcoff will be out against Pavelski's line??? Who the hell is Tierney and why is he so good? he is making Rakell look like Sh&@"

Bud, back then, instead of dump and chase, zone entries were predicated more by Marleau and Boyle's speed rather than dump and chase and fight in the corner we now endlessly see.

Different ballgame. Hopefully, Deboer gives the team some new looks.
- j0e Th0rnton

Also there was 8 players with at least a point per game playing 60 games or more this year. Highest point total was 87 points by benn. Heatley's first year 22 players were point per game players with at least 60 games played. 9 people outscored benn's total this year of 87. 4 people had over 100 points and Henrik Sedin had the most at 112.

To me marleau should hide with jumbo or in the bottom 6. Couture has carried him enough this past year.
- Sharkssince1995

I do think Marleau should be sheltered with Thornton & Pavs but the 2nd thing you said isn't really fair. In their time together Marleau has carried Couture more than the other way around. And last season Couture "carried" his line all the way to still putting up terrible numbers, at least possession and defense wise.

Lucic IMO, is a downgrade from Williams. Lucic's style has caught up to him in the same way it did with Richards. He looked HORRID this season.

Quite frankly, it would be fun to see Jumbo get put on the 3rd line. Just to see what opposing coaches would do.

Run with:
Hertl/Pavelski/Marleau
Goldobin/Couture/Nieto
Karlsson/Thornton/Ward
Wingels/Tierney/Smith

And see if opposing coaches have sudden questionmarks pop up over their heads on how to line match lol. I can see Boudreau now.....
"Well, I HAVE to cover Thornton's line" so send Kesler out.....But then Getzlaf's line faces....Couture? Seems prudent....... ACK!@!!!, that means Horcoff will be out against Pavelski's line??? Who the hell is Tierney and why is he so good? he is making Rakell look like Sh&@"
- j0e Th0rnton

The scary thing is, after reading that.....I would run those lines because I think they could work. I have no doubt Jumbo could get scoring and possession with Karlsson and Ward.

If we rather Pavelski on wing, then Let him take the faceoff and move to wing while Hertl moves center like Pavs did in his brief stint on Couture's line this season just so we could win a faceoff once in awhile lol.

This looks pretty good but I'm not a fan of Smith as the 4th line center. I'm hopeful that DW brings in a vet on a 1 year deal to handle that role.
- Papa Joe19

When DW traded for Ben Smith he called him "versatile", so he likely wouldn't have any objections if DeBoer decided to play him as a winger. My personal reading between the lines opinion though is that Ben Smith was brought in to replace Desjardin's role as our 4th line C so I don't see him acquiring another.

Lucic IMO, is a downgrade from Williams. Lucic's style has caught up to him in the same way it did with Richards. He looked HORRID this season.

Quite frankly, it would be fun to see Jumbo get put on the 3rd line. Just to see what opposing coaches would do.

Run with:
Hertl/Pavelski/Marleau
Goldobin/Couture/Nieto
Karlsson/Thornton/Ward
Wingels/Tierney/Smith

And see if opposing coaches have sudden questionmarks pop up over their heads on how to line match lol. I can see Boudreau now.....
"Well, I HAVE to cover Thornton's line" so send Kesler out.....But then Getzlaf's line faces....Couture? Seems prudent....... ACK!@!!!, that means Horcoff will be out against Pavelski's line??? Who the hell is Tierney and why is he so good? he is making Rakell look like Sh&@"
- j0e Th0rnton

I think its debatable.

I also think they lose a clutch player and bring on a guy going down the richards, clowe, and ryan malone path. I think sweeney was smart to get return on him before he regressed significantly.

I also do not mind splitting up pavs and jumbo because i think it would be like you said a coaches nightmare with 4 quality centers. Remember tierney was in that role the year before his draft year and won a championship.

Maybe DeBoer does something outside the box we're not gonna see coming, like putting Marleau or Hertl as 3rd line centre. Then you'd have Thornton, Couture, Marleau/Hertl and Tierney down the middle.