Dan Wallace: Lines Juggled But Has The Compete Level Been Adjusted?

Well I hate to say it's been a good run, but looks like this season is going nowhere. After watching this squad look like scared pee wees in the 3rd period of that Kings game I don't see how they rebound from that trauma. I think Boudreau has all but lost this club.

Although they have had some very impressive offensive performances this season, I wonder if we're seeing the effects of missing Parise in this line up. Starting to wonder if he really is the missing link on a roster lacking stick-to-it-iveness and leadership.

Yes, I think this season has proven how important Parise is to this team. I think if Parise was playing with Staal and Nino, you could keep the Zucker/Koivu/Granlund line together. Leaving Coyle to play wing for JEE.

What I question is why Kunin was removed from playing with Staal and Nino. He appeared to be forming a connect with Staal while Nino was hurt, and his game can be similar to Parise's. If it worked, Parise can then play with Coyle and JEE when he comes back. The pieces are mostly there, it just seems like BB and CF don't want to play that hand.

Yes, I think this season has proven how important Parise is to this team. I think if Parise was playing with Staal and Nino, you could keep the Zucker/Koivu/Granlund line together. Leaving Coyle to play wing for JEE.

What I question is why Kunin was removed from playing with Staal and Nino. He appeared to be forming a connect with Staal while Nino was hurt, and his game can be similar to Parise's. If it worked, Parise can then play with Coyle and JEE when he comes back. The pieces are mostly there, it just seems like BB and CF don't want to play that hand.
- Gusrichards

I don't disagree. It's kind of funny in a way... I recall we used to pine for Yeo to mix up the top 6 a little bit or at least move Koivu off the top line. But it was ALWAYS status quo with the top 6 for Yeo... Enter BB who seems to use a Ninja blender every other game only to revert back to the only combo that has worked.

I do agree though that Kunin did look good on the Staal line the short time he was there.