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.
- Sharks_12

I do agree Marleau carried couture as he developed but the roles have reversed. They also had to play against the tough competition shutting down top lines which killed their possession numbers to a degree

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.
- Sharks_12

As long as he is consistent with his lines and not a juggler i would not mind seeing some creativity.

I do agree Marleau carried couture as he developed but the roles have reversed. They also had to play against the tough competition shutting down top lines which killed their possession numbers to a degree
- Sharkssince1995

If they do stay together they need to face much easier competition, that's for sure.

If they do stay together they need to face much easier competition, that's for sure.
- Sharks_12

I think couture is stuck in a shut down role against top competition. Don't think jumbo will be chasing down guys in their prime anymore.

As long as he is consistent with his lines and not a juggler i would not mind seeing some creativity.
- Sharkssince1995

Thinking outside the box a little

Karlsson - Thornton - Pavelski
Hertl - Couture - Wingels
Nieto - Marleau - Ward
Brown/whoever - Tierney - Smith

Thinking outside the box a little

Karlsson - Thornton - Pavelski
Hertl - Couture - Wingels
Nieto - Marleau - Ward
Brown/whoever - Tierney - Smith
- Sharks_12

Couture Smith Burns
Vlasic Jones Pavelski
Couture Marleau Thornton
Dillon Couture Couture

This is our best option

Thinking outside the box a little

Karlsson - Thornton - Pavelski
Hertl - Couture - Wingels
Nieto - Marleau - Ward
Brown/whoever - Tierney - Smith
- Sharks_12

Does not look too bad. No matter what lineup we go with it will bring questions. This one in particular would be wingles as 2 RW. Hope some young guys have a great camp and can push for some big roles.

Does not look too bad. No matter what lineup we go with it will bring questions. This one in particular would be wingles as 2 RW. Hope some young guys have a great camp and can push for some big roles.
- Sharkssince1995

I think Marleau's beter suited playing LW on the 1st line. It's the only way to get the most out of him which is what we all want. I hear your arguments for wanting him on the 3rd line. But i gotta believe he'll start inthe top 6 & if he struggles then i could see him being moved to the 3rd line.

Thinking outside the box a little

Karlsson - Thornton - Pavelski
Hertl - Couture - Wingels
Nieto - Marleau - Ward
Brown/whoever - Tierney - Smith
- Sharks_12

No way Marleau centers a line............. he's a declining player you don't move a declining player to center a line.

I think Marleau's beter suited playing LW on the 1st line. It's the only way to get the most out of him which is what we all want. I hear your arguments for wanting him on the 3rd line. But i gotta believe he'll start inthe top 6 & if he struggles then i could see him being moved to the 3rd line.
- SJSharks39

Well said, 39. It's difficult to guess what Pete is going to do at this point since none of us are that familiar with his lineup style. But if we look back to when the Devils went to the Finals, he wasn't afraid to stack a few lines with his best players. I wouldn't be surprised if he started off with:

Marleau-Thornton-Pavs
Hertl-Couture-?
?-Tierney-?
?-?-?

You can most likely fill 5 of those 6 question marks with: Ward, Wingles, Nieto, Karlsson and Smith. At this point, barring any trades or other signings, the 6th question mark will go to one of: Torres, Brown, Goldobin, Goodrow or Donskoi.

No way Marleau centers a line............. he's a declining player you don't move a declining player to center a line.
- SJSharks39

How about Hertl and Tierney as 3rd and 4th line centers? Can you see DeBoer doing that?

How about Hertl and Tierney as 3rd and 4th line centers? Can you see DeBoer doing that?
- Sharks_12

That isn't a completely unrealistic option IMO. Just depends on whether or not they want to give Hertl more top-6 time or develop him at center.

I think Marleau's beter suited playing LW on the 1st line. It's the only way to get the most out of him which is what we all want. I hear your arguments for wanting him on the 3rd line. But i gotta believe he'll start inthe top 6 & if he struggles then i could see him being moved to the 3rd line.
- SJSharks39

I believe he will end up on the top 6 to start the season. Just do not think him with both jumbo and pavs is a good idea. Maybe this would be better:

Hertl-Couture-Pavs
Marleau-Thornton-Karlsson
Nieto-Tierney-Ward
Goodrow-Smith-Wingles

I wouldn't be opposed to this either:

Hertl-Thornton-Karlsson
Marleau-Couture-Ward
Nieto-Pavelski-Wingels
Smith-Tierney-Goodrow

Top forward plays 17.5 minutes and bottom forward plays 10 minutes. That way it spreads out the minutes and balances out the lines. Karlsson could be Burns-lite, Ward could add a good defensive/physical element to the 2nd line, Pavs could dominate 3rd d-pairings and Tierney would destroy 4th line centers.

I think he's one of the best GMs in the NHL. Only one other team in hockey has made the playoffs as consistently as the Sharks in his tenure. That's the red wings of course. It's so easy to be short sighted though, and I feel that's what is happening when everyone bashes Wilson these days.

However, like all the other Wilson bashers on here and abroad. We'll agree to disagree.
- IDtheJC

How's this: Can we agree someone can be a good GM and still be a first class As*hole for his behavior?!

I wouldn't be opposed to this either:

Hertl-Thornton-Karlsson
Marleau-Couture-Ward
Nieto-Pavelski-Wingels
Smith-Tierney-Goodrow

Top forward plays 17.5 minutes and bottom forward plays 10 minutes. That way it spreads out the minutes and balances out the lines. Karlsson could be Burns-lite, Ward could add a good defensive/physical element to the 2nd line, Pavs could dominate 3rd d-pairings and Tierney would destroy 4th line centers.
- filosofy71

The only thing is pavs is first line quality and probably are best all around forward. Thornton and couture have near similar GA stats but couture did not have the luxury of a linemate the same quality as pavs.

How's this: Can we agree someone can be a good GM and still be a first class As*hole for his behavior?!
- hit 'em

Not sure how Wilson has been an "As*hole". Aside from the Thornton incident, where in my opinion he said nothing wrong, he hasn't been involved with any distractions.

Wilson has done a fantastic job as Sharks GM. While I do wish he would've made some different choices with his FA signings (as Tim stated) I think we're obviously a better team now than we were one month ago.

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

Hey guys good luck with Paul Martin. Great person, very good defensively and slicky with the puck. He's the perfect guy to have on your top 4.

I'll miss him

How about Hertl and Tierney as 3rd and 4th line centers? Can you see DeBoer doing that?
- Sharks_12

It's possible, but having Hertl center the 3rd line weakens our top 6 wingers though. Unless Goldy can make the team out of training camp i don't see that as a possibility.

I wouldn't be opposed to this either:

Hertl-Thornton-Karlsson
Marleau-Couture-Ward
Nieto-Pavelski-Wingels
Smith-Tierney-Goodrow

Top forward plays 17.5 minutes and bottom forward plays 10 minutes. That way it spreads out the minutes and balances out the lines. Karlsson could be Burns-lite, Ward could add a good defensive/physical element to the 2nd line, Pavs could dominate 3rd d-pairings and Tierney would destroy 4th line centers.
- filosofy71

No............Pavs is a 40 goal scorer you don't move 40 goal scorer to center the 3rd line. He's an elite top 3 player not a 3rd line center.

Tim Chiasson: Joel Ward Is A Good Depth Signing, But He's No Savior
- Tim Chiasson

Unless it's a playoff series against the Broons.

I believe he will end up on the top 6 to start the season. Just do not think him with both jumbo and pavs is a good idea. Maybe this would be better:

Hertl-Couture-Pavs
Marleau-Thornton-Karlsson
Nieto-Tierney-Ward
Goodrow-Smith-Wingles
- Sharkssince1995

I don't think we want to spilt the Joe's up though. They're just to good together. Marleau being with the Joe's isn't as bad as you're making it out to be.

Hertl/Pavelski/Marleau
Goldobin/Couture/Nieto
Karlsson/Thornton/Ward
Wingels/Tierney/Smith
- j0e Th0rnton

Jumbo, Jumbo will never center the 3rd line.

Well said, 39. It's difficult to guess what Pete is going to do at this point since none of us are that familiar with his lineup style. But if we look back to when the Devils went to the Finals, he wasn't afraid to stack a few lines with his best players. I wouldn't be surprised if he started off with:

Marleau-Thornton-Pavs
Hertl-Couture-?
?-Tierney-?
?-?-?

You can most likely fill 5 of those 6 question marks with: Ward, Wingles, Nieto, Karlsson and Smith. At this point, barring any trades or other signings, the 6th question mark will go to one of: Torres, Brown, Goldobin, Goodrow or Donskoi.
- Papa Joe19

100% Bubba. All those question marks spots will be battled out in training camp & preseason. I think you have to slot Smith as the 4C b/c he's the only one that's capable though.