Michael Stuart: Tampa Bay Lightning: Building a First Line

Michael Stuart: Tampa Bay Lightning: Building a First Line
- Michael_Stuart

That's very possible, but the Chemistry that Callahan and Filppula played with will be a factor too.

Michael Stuart: Tampa Bay Lightning: Building a First Line
- Michael_Stuart

Drouin Stamkos Callahan
Palat Filppula Kucherov
Killorn Johnson Connolly
Morrow Boyle Panik
Brown

I know I'm stealing your thunder, but I'm an bumhole and can't help myself.

Drouin Stamkos Callahan
Palat Filppula Kucherov
Killorn Johnson Connolly
Morrow Boyle Panik
Brown

I know I'm stealing your thunder, but I'm an bumhole and can't help myself.
- Artyukhin76

I like this a lot and very similar to mine if Drouin plays LW. But I still say Killorn will see minutes with Stamkos in the beginning as they bring Drouin along so maybe the two rotate between 1st and 3rd lines getting Drouin both sheltered and hard minutes. Hopefully by 1/4 way thru the season Drouin is planted 20min a night along side Stamkos.

Until I see training camp and see where they practice Drouin at LW or C which will finally give us an idea of where they expect to play him we will have a better gauge of the lines at that time.

Drouin Stamkos Callahan
Palat Filppula Kucherov
Killorn Johnson Connolly
Morrow Boyle Panik
Brown

I know I'm stealing your thunder, but I'm an bumhole and can't help myself.
- Artyukhin76

I'd be fine with that. I especially like putting Connolly with TJ and Killer: two guys that word their tails off and play a 200 ft. game. Hopefully, that will rub off on Brett and help him realize his potential.

Also, Kucherov with Palat and Filppula? That could be disgusting; more talent than some teams' top lines.

I'd be fine with that. I especially like putting Connolly with TJ and Killer: two guys that word their tails off and play a 200 ft. game. Hopefully, that will rub off on Brett and help him realize his potential.

Also, Kucherov with Palat and Filppula? That could be disgusting; more talent than some teams' top lines.
- OzBolts

Kucherov is a shooter, Palat and Filppula are passers.

"All we have to work with is ‘feel’ for potential to be a generational player."

Fixed it for you.

I hate you guys so much right now lol. Its just not fair how good your team will be in 1-2 years. Soooo much untapped potential, and a core that plays the game the right way. You don't need a strict defensive system because almost all of your fwds (Stammer, Callahan, Filpula, Johnson, Killorn, Palat, probably more) are committed to playing well in all three zones. Everyone likes to toss up Crosby/Towes for the who would you build your team around question, I think people are gonna find out real quick Stamkos might be the best option. Has the skills of Ovechkin but plays like he feels like he has to earn his ice. He'll block a Johnny rocket with his schnoz, and return almost immediately (no small feat). He'll push his body to the limit to return from injury. If anyones ever gonna do 50 in 50 again it'll be stammer with Drouin feeding him the puck. Once TB has a few deep runs everyone will be wise to this. Idk if I'm super excited or terrified to see what this team will become.

Kucherov is a shooter, Palat and Filppula are passers.
- Artyukhin76

....yes?


That's why I was giving your props for the line-up selection.

Arty, buddy, you know I got your back!

"All we have to work with is ‘feel’ for potential to be a generational player."

Fixed it for you.
- angryminority

Yes. This.

Who does everyone think could be the surprise to make the big squad out of training camp?

Of the options to me it would be Vladislav Namestnikov in my opinion, I think he is good enough and could potentially push for starting for the big club.

Behind him Cedric would be pick number 2, I still say Kucherov will be on the big team and have a good year though he is really the only player who is projected to start with the Bolts who has waiver rights if I am not mistaken.

Who does everyone think could be the surprise to make the big squad out of training camp?

Of the options to me it would be Vladislav Namestnikov in my opinion, I think he is good enough and could potentially push for starting for the big club.

Behind him Cedric would be pick number 2, I still say Kucherov will be on the big team and have a good year though he is really the only player who is projected to start with the Bolts who has waiver rights if I am not mistaken.
- stammerman

Can't see Namestnikov making it. I just don't think there's room.

My thoughts on Paquette are as follows --- If they planned on him making the team, or even having a shot at making the team, they wouldn't have gone out and signed both Boyle and Morrow.

Who does everyone think could be the surprise to make the big squad out of training camp?

Of the options to me it would be Vladislav Namestnikov in my opinion, I think he is good enough and could potentially push for starting for the big club.

Behind him Cedric would be pick number 2, I still say Kucherov will be on the big team and have a good year though he is really the only player who is projected to start with the Bolts who has waiver rights if I am not mistaken.
- stammerman

I don't think there's going to be a long-shot making this squad, it's too solid from top to bottom throughout the line-up.

Stanley cup solid? Probably not. Elite? Quite possibly.

I think it'd be interesting to see Erne in the electric blue next year. He has a great work ethic, decent skill, decent speed for his playing style and grit to spare. He kind of reminds me of Ryan Malone, Penguins-era.

That said, I doubt it'll happen.

Cally will fit in nicely on that line. He's a lot better offensively than people give him credit. Good IQ, decent passer, solid goal scorer. And every once and a while he busts out some all-word hands and amazes you.

Cally will fit in nicely on that line. He's a lot better offensively than people give him credit. Good IQ, decent passer, solid goal scorer. And every once and a while he busts out some all-word hands and amazes you.

- rangerdanger94

I forgot all about that!

While I can't see into the future (....yet...) I feel like Cally being in the Bolts lineup for a full season will bring a better player in Ryan, who now knows the ins-and-outs of the franchise after a late-season addition, and it'll be interesting to see how his gung-ho attitude rubs off on the kids. Also, considering his in-your-face attitude on and off the ice, this could take some pressure of Stammer in his first full season as the Cap'n.

I forgot all about that!

While I can't see into the future (....yet...) I feel like Cally being in the Bolts lineup for a full season will bring a better player in Ryan, who now knows the ins-and-outs of the franchise after a late-season addition, and it'll be interesting to see how his gung-ho attitude rubs off on the kids. Also, considering his in-your-face attitude on and off the ice, this could take some pressure of Stammer in his first full season as the Cap'n.
- OzBolts

Cally was money for at least 25 goals if he's healthy (which he usually is; he's only missed extended time once in his career) with us so playing with Stammer and Drouin, I'd expect over 30 goals and at least 65 points. Great player.

Can't see Namestnikov making it. I just don't think there's room.

My thoughts on Paquette are as follows --- If they planned on him making the team, or even having a shot at making the team, they wouldn't have gone out and signed both Boyle and Morrow.
- Michael_Stuart

I agree there will be no surprises I was just surmising if there was a big surprise it would come down to Namestnikov or Paquette making it.

Truthfully the bigger question is do they go 13 forwards and 8 defensemen to start the season, I think that will be he case as I can't see Sustr or Barberio making it through waivers to be sent down but I read that Sustr is waiver eligible up to the 15th game of the year so they could get him through one time is that is correct. I have no confirmation on the Sustr waiver thing.

Funny thing about this is that Drouin will get traded to the Leafs for Clarkson at deadline, and in 2016, Stamkos will sign with the Leafs 7x7. #leaffanslogic

Michael Stuart: Tampa Bay Lightning: Building a First Line
- Michael_Stuart

Here's my question : if Killorn and stamkos work so well together , and Killorn and Callahan are similar players maybe Killorn arguably has more finesse , and Callahan filppula and palat were amazing last year , then why break up such a fantastic 2nd line to put a similar player on the first line when you know for a fact that 2nd line is extremely well off

drouin stamkos palat
killorn filppula callahan
connolly johnson kucherov
morrow boyle brown

that first line is nasty
2nd is power
3rd is young guns
4th is the grinders.

perfect mix. i dont want to break up that 2nd line from last year. stamkos could hit 70 with those two guys on his wings. that 4th line would be a total pain to play against and the 3rd line would be way too fast for teams to contain.

Drouin Stamkos Callahan
Palat Filppula Kucherov
Killorn Johnson Connolly
Morrow Boyle Panik
Brown

I know I'm stealing your thunder, but I'm an bumhole and can't help myself.
- Artyukhin76

well well well arty guess who forgot that Coops mostly dresses 11 forwards

drouin stamkos kucherov two snipers for drouin to feed

well well well arty guess who forgot that Coops mostly dresses 11 forwards
- Cloud

Someone took extra strength ass clown pills this morning didn't they? I am where oh where that Cooper likes to play 11/these are the boards and I believe will be on the roster at the beginning of the season and essentially their positional rankings from line 1 to odd man out. However feel free to take a few more of those pills if you would like.

drouin stamkos palat
killorn filppula callahan
connolly johnson kucherov
morrow boyle brown

that first line is nasty
2nd is power
3rd is young guns
4th is the grinders.

perfect mix. i dont want to break up that 2nd line from last year. stamkos could hit 70 with those two guys on his wings. that 4th line would be a total pain to play against and the 3rd line would be way too fast for teams to contain.
- boltsfan48

If I'm not mistaken last seasons top two lines were more like this:
Killorn Stamkos Johnson
Palat Filppula Callahan

drouin stamkos palat
killorn filppula callahan
connolly johnson kucherov
morrow boyle brown

that first line is nasty
2nd is power
3rd is young guns
4th is the grinders.

perfect mix. i dont want to break up that 2nd line from last year. stamkos could hit 70 with those two guys on his wings. that 4th line would be a total pain to play against and the 3rd line would be way too fast for teams to contain.
- boltsfan48

But you did. Last season 2nd line was Palat - Filpulla - Callahan