Looking at the Vet vs youth spread on the lines, what if Mcleod really impressed at camp and we saw something like this coming out of the gate:
Hall - Zajac - Mcleod
Mojo - Nico - Palms
Rico - Zacha - Q
Wood - Boyle - Noesen
This would better balance the rookie/vets on the lines and the top line may transist into Hall-Nico-Palms - or - Hall-Nico-Mcleod over the year depending on how it went.
Mcleod has some high level speed and good hands. He added 10 lbs of muscle and could very well be NHL ready. I know 1st line is a tough place to be put into but with those two linemates it could propel him also.
Nico would get a great supporting set of players, Palms would benefit that line for his finishing ability and some grit to ride with Nico wouldn't hurt either, not that Palms is tough but he's not Beau Bennet either.
Its all speculation at this point but as fast as Mcleod and Hall are, those two charging down either side with Zajac's abaility to anchor the middle and backcheck against elite players could really be a threat.
- TRDevil
Further speculation... totally outside of whatever happens on RW, I have always lined Hall up as #1 as he is basically the crown jewel of our offense and is LW. However in terms of team development, what if he was paired with Nico on the second line to start the year with and Mojo was slotted in on the "1st" line with Zajac:
Mojo - Zajac - Palms/Mcleod
Hall - Nico - Mcleod/Palms
Rico - Zacha - Q
Wood - Boyle - Noesen
This in no way would be a demotion for Hall but a stage in development for the team as a whole. Would that be crazy? Take some pressure off of Hall to be the saviour and let him and Nico have some fun.
I almost wish we had one more year of one additional good vet like Mike Fisher or Jagr or someone to teach these kids the whole game this year. Hynes is a rookie leader in the NHL too don't forget. The more vets the better if you ask me. Chock full of rookies all around in this camp.
