Heard the lines in practice today are as follows and will be the way the season starts.

Sedin Sedin Vrbata
Higgins Bonino Burrows
Kassian Richardson Vey
Hansen Matthias Dorsett

Edler Tanev
Hamhuis Sbisa
Stanton Weber

Interesting 3rd line and the 4th is the best one we have had in years. Not sure about the 2nd but can't say I'm surprised.
- belcherbd

Not to start poop, but all eyes on Kassian. It's time for him to get going.

Yeah, really only line 2 sticks out as the weak spot to me. But it's a biggie, IMO a guy like Bonino needs at least one winger that's a legit goal-scorer with skill, not two hustle guys like Burrows/Higgins.

Also interesting that they have the lefty Burrows playing RW while both Kassian/Hansen as natural RW's get moved to LW.
- Nucker101

I don't know who will play RW/LW when it comes down to Vey/Kassian/Hansen/Dorsett. Strange I feel like it was just last year when we were complaining about not having enough natural RW. I think Willie will use the "2nd line" in all the tough situations and hope the 3rd and 4th can bring some offense.

Adrian Peterson used his charity's credit card to pay for an orgy.
- Scooby_Doo

Class.

Not to start poop, but all eyes on Kassian. It's time for him to get going.
- bloatedmosquito

I can agree with that, I am glad that he gets to play with a skill guy like Vey though. I wasn't buying that Vey was ready for the NHL prior to camp but have liked what I've seen so far.

Not to start poop, but all eyes on Kassian. It's time for him to get going.
- bloatedmosquito

Would much rather see him on the 2nd line, hopefully he's at least getting PP time. I agree if he doesn't look like a top 6 forward this year I'd say we'll have to start tempering our expectations. That line would be interesting with Horvat in over Richardson who IMO is not good enough as a full time 3rd liner.

Would much rather see him on the 2nd line, hopefully he's at least getting PP time. I agree if he doesn't look like a top 6 forward this year I'd say we'll have to start tempering our expectations. That line would be interesting with Horvat in over Richardson who IMO is not good enough as a full time 3rd liner.
- Nucker101

I think Horvat is a guy you can move up and down the line up. I think he can win faceoffs against the best in the league.

I think Horvat is a guy you can move up and down the line up. I think he can win faceoffs against the best in the league.
- thundachunk

I don't know if he can be a top faceoff guy right now, but he's certainly well above average for a rookie.

Heard the lines in practice today are as follows and will be the way the season starts.

Sedin Sedin Vrbata
Higgins Bonino Burrows
Kassian Richardson Vey
Hansen Matthias Dorsett

Edler Tanev
Hamhuis Sbisa
Stanton Weber

Interesting 3rd line and the 4th is the best one we have had in years. Not sure about the 2nd but can't say I'm surprised.
- belcherbd

All of the players in bold are not 2nd liners. Its not ugly but you can't say we have a solid 2nd line either. Lots of question marks. All are 3rd\ 4th liners.

I don't know if he can be a top faceoff guy right now, but he's certainly well above average for a rookie.
- Nucker101

To find out we need to put him against top faceoff guys. You only get that experience in the NHL. Dominate the circle in the ahl and juniors but the NHL is a whole different ball game. Crosby said that was one of the biggest things he had to work on when he came into the league.

All of the players in bold are not 2nd liners. Its not ugly but you can't say we have a solid 2nd line either. Lots of question marks. All are 3rd\ 4th liners.
- thundachunk

If Willie is insistent on playing Vrbata with the Twins, I'm really disappointed that Jensen was sent down, because Bonino's playmaking ability will be underutilized playing with Higgins and Burrows, Bonino needs a better shooter to work with, IMO he needed a Vrbata or Jensen on his line. With the current roster I would've liked to see:

Sedin - Sedin - Burrows
Kassian - Bonino - Vrbata
Higgins - Matthias/Horvat - Vey
Hansen - Richardson - Dorsett

Hamhuis - Bieksa
Edler - Tanev
Stanton - Weber/Sbisa/Corrado

Miller
Lack


If Burrows struggles I'd call up Jensen and give him another shot with the Sedins or call up Shinkaruk if he forces the issue with strong AHL play and move Kassian with the Twins.

To find out we need to put him against top faceoff guys. You only get that experience in the NHL. Dominate the circle in the ahl and juniors but the NHL is a whole different ball game. Crosby said that was one of the biggest things he had to work on when he came into the league.
- thundachunk

Yeah, but I'd say even the average NHL faceoff guys that are around 50% will be good competition for Bo.

Speaking of predictions:

Lack says he is going to score a goal this year and Sestito get 15 by parking his big ass in front of the net.

Eddie is so damn awesome....

Ryan Kesler used his charity's credit card to pay for an orgy.
- Scooby_Doo

Fixed

Heard the lines in practice today are as follows and will be the way the season starts.

Sedin Sedin Vrbata
Higgins Bonino Burrows
Kassian Richardson Vey
Hansen Matthias Dorsett

Edler Tanev
Hamhuis Sbisa
Stanton Weber

Interesting 3rd line and the 4th is the best one we have had in years. Not sure about the 2nd but can't say I'm surprised.
- belcherbd

I would love to see the lines switched up a bit.

Sedins Burrows. I want to see burr get his mojo back to increase his trade value
Kassian Bonino Vbrata (Bonino is an upgrade from the level of C Vbrata played with through his career and still produced over 20 goals per season) Doing this will give us 2 solid scoring threats.
Higgins Richardson Vey (Higgins and Richardson are reliable and can play shutdown and Vey will be the speed on that line to score
I like the 4th line the way it is.

and a hammer
- A_SteamingLombardi

Roger that.

If Willie is insistent on playing Vrbata with the Twins, I'm really disappointed that Jensen was sent down, because Bonino's playmaking ability will be underutilized playing with Higgins and Burrows, Bonino needs a better shooter to work with, IMO he needed a Vrbata or Jensen on his line. With the current roster I would've liked to see:

Sedin - Sedin - Burrows
Kassian - Bonino - Vrbata
Higgins - Matthias/Horvat - Vey
Hansen - Richardson - Dorsett

Play Vrbata with the Twins on PP1.
- Nucker101

Yup, hope to see this happen. With any luck Kassian forces the issue.

Yup, hope to see this happen. With any luck Kassian forces the issue.
- belcherbd

This.

If Willie is insistent on playing Vrbata with the Twins, I'm really disappointed that Jensen was sent down, because Bonino's playmaking ability will be underutilized playing with Higgins and Burrows, Bonino needs a better shooter to work with, IMO he needed a Vrbata or Jensen on his line. With the current roster I would've liked to see:

Sedin - Sedin - Burrows
Kassian - Bonino - Vrbata
Higgins - Matthias/Horvat - Vey
Hansen - Richardson - Dorsett

Hamhuis - Bieksa
Edler - Tanev
Stanton - Weber/Sbisa/Corrado

Miller
Lack


If Burrows struggles I'd call up Jensen and give him another shot with the Sedins or call up Shinkaruk if he forces the issue with strong AHL play and move Kassian with the Twins.
- Nucker101

I thought you wanted to see both Twins have bounce back years?

I like that 4th line though. hard working. And dorsett gives it enough bite as well.

Yeah, but I'd say even the average NHL faceoff guys that are around 50% will be good competition for Bo.
- Nucker101

Winning against the 50%ers at his age will only build confidence. and make him better.

I thought you wanted to see both Twins have bounce back years?

I like that 4th line though. hard working. And dorsett gives it enough bite as well.
- numbear

Hence my last paragraph.


Also, Henrik was just fine last year before the ribs injury.

Winning against the 50%ers at his age will only build confidence. and make him better.
- thundachunk

No doubt.

I thought you wanted to see both Twins have bounce back years?

I like that 4th line though. hard working. And dorsett gives it enough bite as well.
- numbear

It potentially could be one of the best in the league. Its not the 4th line I am worried about.

It potentially could be one of the best in the league. Its not the 4th line I am worried about.
- thundachunk

Yeah, I'm quite satisfied with the bottom 6 for the first time in a long time. Line 2 is of course the issue.

Yeah, I'm quite satisfied with the bottom 6 for the first time in a long time. Line 2 is of course the issue.
- Nucker101

Have Kassian play with Richardson to start off if he isn't playing second line minutes. Those two work well together and it could instill some of that confidence back into his game.

OH WOW for a minute I forgot that I ate beets for dinner last night.