Matt Karash: If I were making lines...

You fix the 3rd line center spot very easily.

Sign Jason Arnott.

Healthy line-up

Jokinen-Staal-Semin
Skinner-Staal-Ruutu
Tlusty-Arnott-Larose
Dalpe/Nodl/Whoever-Brent-Dwyer

You fix the 3rd line center spot very easily.

Sign Jason Arnott.

Healthy line-up

Jokinen-Staal-Semin
Skinner-Staal-Ruutu
Tlusty-Arnott-Larose
Dalpe/Nodl/Whoever-Brent-Dwyer
- mochoson

First off, Ruutu is out until playoffs at least after hip surgery. So that is what is creating some of the depth issues that seemed addressed last summer.

Arnott's name has been bandied around by fans here. But thinking is that we already overspent the estimated $4-5Mish that was left by a few million when we signed Semin.

I like Dominic Moore for cheaper. He could fill a PK spot and is good enough defensively. Poor guy just lost his wife to a long battle with cancer just a week or so ago, so I have no idea if he takes some time off to heal or if hockey helps him through it. But personal situation aside, he could provide decent center depth on the cheap.

I'd be curious if Skinner and Jordan Staal could find some chemistry together

It's pretty clear looking at this that with the Ruutu injury, this team is short a Top 9 Center...and I just don't see the answer on the roster right now.

This season is going to be a grind. Injuries, fatigue, etc. We're going to need more bodies as it is. So I think starting with a hole may only get exacerbated as the year goes on.

My solution: play out January and lets see what the young kids have. But JR needs to be prepared to strike quick if the lines don't settle in,

Arnott, Moore, a trade. Got to think either of the UFA guys could be had for a cheap 1-2 year deal if they aren't signed by the time the shortened season starts.

I'd be curious if Skinner and Jordan Staal could find some chemistry together
- david22

I'm a little anxious about where Skinner goes now. J. Staal is going to be expected to match up against the other teams top scoring line, and Skinner's defensive game is iffy. Yet, on the other hand, his chemistry with Eric wasn't great year. Thus, where do you put him?

I think when everyone is healthy Skinner plays with Ruutu and Jokinen and the Staal brothers play together with whoever is the other top 6 forward next year (Tlusty or Semin or a UFA)

the leafs have a handful of crappy 3rd and 4th line centres you can dig your teeth into.....howzabout connolly, lombardi, steckel?

Boychuk was the most consistent scoring threat the Checkers had while the lockout was going on. I would be surprised if he does not find a roster spot. Dalpe is hot right now but was inconsistent. Boychuk has more playmaker ability than Bowman. If you are a goalie with a Bowman and Boychuk skating at you 2 on 1 and Bowman has the puck you play for Bowman to shoot. If the puck is on Boychuk's stick you guess because he is just as likely to pass as he is to shoot. I see Boychuk as a better fit with Skinner.

Boychuk was the most consistent scoring threat the Checkers had while the lockout was going on. I would be surprised if he does not find a roster spot. Dalpe is hot right now but was inconsistent. Boychuk has more playmaker ability than Bowman. If you are a goalie with a Bowman and Boychuk skating at you 2 on 1 and Bowman has the puck you play for Bowman to shoot. If the puck is on Boychuk's stick you guess because he is just as likely to pass as he is to shoot. I see Boychuk as a better fit with Skinner.
- Barbecued Hockey

I think your assessment of Boychuk relative to Boychuk is about right in terms of potential.

I think with Bowman you get a safer bet defensively who won't kill you and does have some offensive ability but not the upside of Boychuk.

But 2 things on that...First, thus far (in limited on not always ideal) circumstances, Boychuk has been unable to translate his offensive ability to the NHL level. Despite the hope for better, Boychuk's NHL production is about dead even with Bowman's. Second, he has been a wild card in terms of defense and sorting out assignments whereas Bowman looked very comfortable even on a defense-first checking line with Sutter.

My pre-season hunch is that the Canes will not be short on offensive fire power and that the known quantity that Bowman is will win out over upside. Part of it could depend on role.

LaRose has a better shot of ending up on the 1st line than the 4th. I don't disagree with your slotting of him on the 4th, but he will pull out that fuzzy Polaroid of JR and the farm animal, and then...