That's true , Tanev was part of that awesome 4th line... Perhaps mostly rolling 3 lines for now is way to go... Try and make 4th line better through trade as season goes on...
- MattStrat

When Kapanen returns that will move ERod to the LW with Blueger and Sceviour, barring injuries of course. I wouldn't mind seeing them together for a game or two. That takes some pressure off Rodrigues, he is in way over his head on the top line. I thought Lafferty looked better in the third period, I am rooting for him because I think he can be a decent player. So far he hasn't played with enough consistency to warrant a roster spot.

If your gonna be a 3 line team it’s better to be your top 3 lines hahaha. Zar being back with blueger hopefully helps add stability but he will be coming off a big surgery so who know, but maybe tanev is the key piece to either line he’s on.

Def got to switch up something whether kap is back or not, and who knows how many games, if any, he will need to get up to speed playing for a new team.

Erod is leading all pens forwards in 5v5 ice time lol

Erod is leading all pens forwards in 5v5 ice time lol
- j.boyd919

Hahahah that's F'd.

When Kapanen returns that will move ERod to the LW with Blueger and Sceviour, barring injuries of course. I wouldn't mind seeing them together for a game or two. That takes some pressure off Rodrigues, he is in way over his head on the top line. I thought Lafferty looked better in the third period, I am rooting for him because I think he can be a decent player. So far he hasn't played with enough consistency to warrant a roster spot.
- Thunderbolt

I actually think Lafferty-Bluey-ERod has the potential be a decent 4th line.

Let’s talk about that 2nd line. Something needs to happen to jolt that nonsense. Swap Zucher and Jake?

Well, I've got two mea culpas here. I was pretty high on Jarry and yeah, just two games, but I figured his chances of being better than average were about 80%. It's looking like I may have way overestimated his chances of success based on a small sample. I know you cautioned all of us. However, I did want us to get a good, cheap vet backup.

I think I was too harsh on Petts, too. He has definitely been their best LHD (not even close so far) and he has stood out in a good way. He's still just 24 and might be putting things together.

I don't want to jump to conclusions this early, but if POJ develops into a 2LD, I would probably be more inclined to trade Dumo than Petts. Stay ahead of the curve. Petts is 5 years younger, no injury history, and is more productive. I don't know how Dumo isn't more productive given his partner and his usual forward lines.
- Hockey66

At some point in the not too distant future, it will be time to move on from Dumoulin. Not today, but maybe after this year if it's disappointing. If not maybe in two years. And Matheson is far from a guarantee to rebound.

So while I understand how trading Pettersson seems to solve a logjam, and I would prefer that Riikola and POJ were fighting for that last spot, Pettersson is one of the few guys that helps now and is young enough to be part of a rebuild.

Nobody had Tanev on the third line. Jankowski fits in well with Tanev and McCann. Tanev and McCann played well together last year. Jank has been a pleasant surprise, I hope he continues his good play.

The fourth line is going to need some time to sort out. The only constant there is going to be Blueger. Sceviour is the right wing unless he plays his way out of the lineup. He isn't going to unseat Kapanen, Rust or Tanev. Hopefully Sceviour and Blueger can develope some chemistry, because if they don't it's going to be a three line team.
- Thunderbolt

IMO, ERod, Lafferty, and Sceviour are fighting for that 4RW spot in the unlikely event everyone is healthy at the same time. I lean towards Lafferty ATM, though perhaps in that role ERod is fine.

At some point in the not too distant future, it will be time to move on from Dumoulin. Not today, but maybe after this year if it's disappointing. If not maybe in two years. And Matheson is far from a guarantee to rebound.

So while I understand how trading Pettersson seems to solve a logjam, and I would prefer that Riikola and POJ were fighting for that last spot, Pettersson is one of the few guys that helps now and is young enough to be part of a rebuild.
- Tojo.

I agree I like having the options of POJ, Riik and Pettersson. Dumo looks like he’s toast (including last season). Move on from Letang if this season ends badly. Get a new HC and GM and see what you can get for Zucker.

Let’s talk about that 2nd line. Something needs to happen to jolt that nonsense. Swap Zucher and Jake?
- chimpira

Not against that at all.

Not against that at all.
- 668710

Some just seem like they’ve mailed it in. There is no system, there is no cycle. One rush and puck comes out. No sustained pressure for most part. Just guys skating around ... like in a pickup game.

At some point in the not too distant future, it will be time to move on from Dumoulin. Not today, but maybe after this year if it's disappointing. If not maybe in two years. And Matheson is far from a guarantee to rebound.

So while I understand how trading Pettersson seems to solve a logjam, and I would prefer that Riikola and POJ were fighting for that last spot, Pettersson is one of the few guys that helps now and is young enough to be part of a rebuild.
- Tojo.

At this point I'd rather move Dumo and keep Petts

Some just seem like they’ve mailed it in. There is no system, there is no cycle. One rush and puck comes out. No sustained pressure for most part. Just guys skating around ... like in a pickup game.
- chimpira

Yea it looks bad

Some just seem like they’ve mailed it in. There is no system, there is no cycle. One rush and puck comes out. No sustained pressure for most part. Just guys skating around ... like in a pickup game.
- chimpira

This is what concerned me the most when they traded Hornqvist and Rutherford started talking about replicating what got them the cup in '16. You can tell they "believe" they're capable of doing it, but in reality they're not even close.

I give Sullivan 3 more games before I look for someone else. Unless they find a system more befitting of a team with an aging core, this is how it's going to look.

It's unfortunate, but it's clear some of our players need a couple more weeks of camp. Geno looks like he aged 5 years over the summer.

Let’s talk about that 2nd line. Something needs to happen to jolt that nonsense. Swap Zucher and Jake?
- chimpira

Yes... Zucker has shown life. Jake and Rust look like they took the summer off. They'll fit right in with Geno. Zucker, Sid, anyone but that stiff Erod. Maybe they'd have two lines working instead of one.