During the first day of training camp Pete DeBoer told the media not to read too much into his line combinations, but it seems increasingly likely that some of those lines will stick come October.
I recently wrote that because of the Devils upgraded personnel, and added depth, they can create three legitimate scoring lines should they desire to do so.
DeBoer wouldn't fully commit to it just yet, but it seems as if that's the route he plans on taking.
Via FireandIce: Adam Henrique has had success playing both left wing and center for the Devils, so that gives the DeBoer some flexibility in putting together his lineup. Still, DeBoer seems to prefer that Henrique play in the middle because of the depth it gives the team at center along with Zajac and Patrik Elias.“I think he can play anywhere,… DeBoer said. “The best teams in the league are deep down the middle. The L.A. Kings – you’ve got (Anze) Kopitar and (Jeff) Carter and (Jarret) Stoll and (Mike) Richards. (And) Chicago, now with (Jonathan) Toews and (Brad) Richards. I’m a believer that in order to be a contending team, you have to be deep down the middle of the ice. If we can put Henrique in the middle, I like our three centers as much as anybody in the league.…
For my money center is the most important position on the ice, so if you can have an established top-6 guy anchoring each of your top-3 lines it can really cause some matchup problems for opposing defences.
Another thing having three scoring lines does is force you to spread out the minutes. No one line is forced to consistently play 25 minutes a night, which helps preserve the legs and some juice for the stretch run and postseason, if necessary.
Let's say DeBoer continues to roll out these lines:
Cammalleri - Zajac - Jagr Zubrus/Clowe - Elias - Havlat Boucher - Henrique - Ryder
Naturally Zajac's line is going to face top competition. That, of course, means Elias, still one of the best two-way forwards in hockey, or Henrique, a 25-goal scorer last season, will consistently draw the opposition's 3rd pairing. That 3rd pairing better be pretty good, or else it's going to be a big mismatch in New Jersey's favor.
Ultimately what roster moves Lou Lamoriello makes before the season, and injuries, will determine if DeBoer can consistently use this three-headed monster, but I think it will work.
Recent posts
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Email: NHLToddCordell@Gmail.com