Strange indeed. It's one thing to predict the opening line-up, but to state individual pairings before main camp is even open is odd.

Hutton-Stetch and MDZ-Gud does not appear to be ideal at this point lol.
- Whiskey-Tango

Don't worry, Linden will contradict him today.

I've heard JB say it will be up to TG when asked previously about line combos.

He said Vrbata would play with the twins when he was signed.

Even if JB says a line combo, we know it isn't written in stone and we are going to see a few different looks throughout a season.

I'm looking forward to see how it all shakes out.

I didn't like seeing that lineup suggestion with Granlund on the 4th line but I guess that is just an indicator of our depth and what TG will have to decide at training camp.
- hillbillydeluxe

Yeah He said in the interview if someone wins a spot he has no problem sending a one way contract to Utica. We know he is full of crap but it sounds proper.

I think most of his interviews now are stock answers to make everyone happy

I agree hoping for chemistry is fine but ultimately a coach is who is responsible for finding that chemistry. I find it similar to years past when Linden/Benning stated that Virtanen would be on the team prior to camp occuring.

Again I didn't hear the quote, so I'm going off someone else's interpretation, I had hoped Benning had learned their lesson and let the coaches make the lineup decisions.
- belcherbd

I didn't hear the exact quote either. I also agree that it is TG's job to find that chemistry on the ice but the GM has a vision of what the team should be and gives him the players to work with. I hope both TG and JB have a good working relationship and go through and evaluate the players together. Communication makes for a better team.

Don't worry, Linden will contradict him today.
- Marwood

Don't forget this guy


- VANTEL

Forget that guy. I have Pedan being our 7th. He will beat out Weirchoch, Holm and Biega. He is my dark horse to make the team.

Edler Gudbransen
Del Zotto Tanev
Hutton Stecher

Pedan

I don't believe that Hutton or Stecher's jobs are all but assured. A couple D spots could be available.

Forget that guy. I have Pedan being our 7th. He will beat out Weirchoch, Holm and Biega. He is my dark horse to make the team.

Edler Gudbransen
Del Zotto Tanev
Hutton Stecher

Pedan

I don't believe that Hutton or Stecher's jobs are all but assured. A couple D spots could be available.
- thundachunk

I do expect Hutton to have a decent year. I think Chatfield will push Stecher and by next year I expect both to play on Canucks. Because of his contract I think Gudbrandson will be traded at TDL . I like him as a 2.5 M player but can't justify 4

Utica Defence

Weirchoch Subban
Biega Chatfield
Stewart Brisbois

McEneny Cederholm

Benning said Granlund would start on the 4th?

I'm also looking forward to how it all shakes out, been saying this since early summer, this is the most I've been excited about this team in a couple years.
- belcherbd

no, sorry, that was the daily faceoff lineup projection. which had the top 3 lines look pretty good. (vs last season)

it is all about the future, but with some lineup decisions to keep us occupied for the present. just happy to see some action.

I do expect Hutton to have a decent year. I think Chatfield will push Stecher and by next year I expect both to play on Canucks. Because of his contract I think Gudbrandson will be traded at TDL . I like him as a 2.5 M player but can't justify 4
- VANTEL

If Gudbransen has a good year he could get you a 1st from a contending team.

I personally think he is exactly the guy this team needs going forward. I would move Tanev or Elder before him. Hell I would trade them both.

Does Stecher have to clear waivers to go down? I don't think he does.

Does Stecher have to clear waivers to go down? I don't think he does.
- thundachunk

No

If Gudbransen has a good year he could get you a 1st from a contending team.

I personally think he is exactly the guy this team needs going forward. I would move Tanev or Elder before him. Hell I would trade them both.
- thundachunk

He would really need to step up the toughness. We will see.

Edler would be nice to move he would be a great fit for the Ducks and could help them take the next step

No
- VANTEL

Thats why all eyeballs will be on him. He is going to have to really push again this year . There is a few legit guys that could take a spot from him.

Hutton has to have a good showing or he might be moved. He was so inconsistent last season it was disappointing. I am sure he is not happy with his season and will come out strong but if he doesn't, he will find himself in the press box. I hope he does well I like his game when he is consistent.

No
- VANTEL

Is he getting close to the games played threshold?


If OJ has a great camp it could get interesting.

He would really need to step up the toughness. We will see.

Edler would be nice to move he would be a great fit for the Ducks and could help them take the next step
- VANTEL

I would guess they could win the cup if they had Edler. He potentially could be the guy to get them over that hump for sure.

He would really need to step up the toughness. We will see.

Edler would be nice to move he would be a great fit for the Ducks and could help them take the next step
- VANTEL

What? Another slow, soft floater on D? Don't the Ducks have enough of those already? Aren't they paying Bieksa for 4 years to be the Edler in the Ducks D-core? Ooops, I went there didn't I?

Is he getting close to the games played threshold?


If OJ has a great camp it could get interesting.
- hillbillydeluxe

Management and coaches are going to have some tough decisions to make this year.

Thats why all eyeballs will be on him. He is going to have to really push again this year . There is a few legit guys that could take a spot from him.

Hutton has to have a good showing or he might be moved. He was so inconsistent last season it was disappointing. I am sure he is not happy with his season and will come out strong but if he doesn't, he will find himself in the press box. I hope he does well I like his game when he is consistent.
- thundachunk

I think he will eventually be a team leader. His style will be different this year. He basically called Canucks system stupid. He said he will be more free wheeling this year. I loved his fight last year . Nice to see a player step up.

Is he getting close to the games played threshold?


If OJ has a great camp it could get interesting.
- hillbillydeluxe

Stecher is fine to be sent down

Ex Chicago captain Pierre Pilote passes away age 85

Is he getting close to the games played threshold?


If OJ has a great camp it could get interesting.
- hillbillydeluxe

I did hear Benning say that where ever OJ ends up playing, he wants him to be getting lots of minutes.
He will have to blow a few veterans out of the water to make the Canucks line up. Hoping he plays in Finland for a year and then fights for a roster spot at next camp.

Utica Defence

Weirchoch Subban
Biega Chatfield
Stewart Brisbois

McEneny Cederholm
- thundachunk

Sorry dude you are completely out of touch if you think McEnemy is an extra. He was utica's best D by the end of the season and that included Pedan and the AHL journeyman.

Stewart was one of the worst players on the Aces last year in the ECHL.

Sorry dude you are completely out of touch if you think McEnemy is an extra. He was utica's best D by the end of the season and that included Pedan and the AHL journeyman.

Stewart was one of the worst players on the Aces last year in the ECHL.
- belcherbd

Youre right is is almost as bad as Cederholm.

Utica Defence

Weirchoch Subban
Biega Chatfield
Stewart Brisbois

McEneny Cederholm
- thundachunk

McEneny finished off last season as top minute guy, he will be battling for 6/7defenseman spot with Canucks not for the 7/8 defenseman spot in Utica.

Youre right is is almost as bad as Cederholm.
- thundachunk

He did look very good on Friday hope it continues