How are all the teams' lines shaking out?

[gopack26]

Canes are currently looking at these lines...

Tlusty Staal Semin
Skinner Rask Lindholm
LaRose McClement Gerbe
Boychuk Nash Malone

[doulos]

Does anyone know what's going on in St Louis? They have an intriguing collection of young guys battling for spots.

[27Blue]

Does anyone know what's going on in St Louis? They have an intriguing collection of young guys battling for spots.

Patrik Berglund-David Backes-T.J. Oshie

Alexander Steen-Paul Stastny-Joakim Lindstrom

Jaden Schwartz-Jori Lehtera-Vladimir Tarasenko

Ott/Reaves/Jaskin/MPS/Lapierre



Gunnarsson-Alex Pietrangelo

Jay Bouwmeester-Kevin Shattenkirk

Jackman-Cole-Leopold

[Dikoi]

Because I couldn't sleep last night... I watched a bit of WPG vs. CGY and EDM vs. VAN.

Random thoughts, that only reinforce some things already discussed on these forums:
i) Mark Scheifele is totally ready to make a big jump in production this year and be C2. The way he finds free space and releases a shot is upper-echelon NHL level. He could hit 60pts if E.Kane and Wheeler (DNP last night) can hit his stick and vice-versa.

ii) CGY's kids looked real good last night. Gaudreau is honest-to-god another MSL. Those quick tight moves are hard to read. Him and Monahan both looked real good, though the WPG defense was lackluster in marking up. Hudler looked solid too. CGY started with a Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler line and Gaudreau joined up with that Djoojoos guy later who scored two. Gaudreau might, honestly, lead this team in points. (btw... Whatever happened to our own Dobber Forum member djoos?)

iii) Can't really say I'm all that impressed with anything offensively in the VAN-EDM game. I will say this, games between VAN-CGY-EDM will be MEAN & NASTY... all year... you want a jump in PIM... roster guys when those teams meet. *Hopefully my RHRS leaguemates won't read this... but if I can free up a roster spot I'm adding LW-Sestito for opening night vs. CGY. 15min of PIM for him... Dorsett... McGrattan (CGY)... and Bollig (CGY)... plus some Hits lumped in. Get a jump on your grit with those guys!

Good stuff P7, I especially commend you for staying up and watching a pre-season game between WPG and CGY.

A couple of comments:

i) 60 points for Scheifele is still too much of a stretch for me, especially as a C2. Remember Bryan Little got 64 points last year and should still be the main dog for the Jets this year, he'll get the bulk of the best offensive opportunities I think. Scheifele should be in the 45-50 points range at best.

ii) Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler looks like a solid top line to me. I think Hudler could have another pretty sneaky good season this year, he's definitely someone I'm keeping my on.

[Pengwin7]

i) 60 points for Scheifele is still too much of a stretch for me, especially as a C2. Remember Bryan Little got 64 points last year and should still be the main dog for the Jets this year, he'll get the bulk of the best offensive opportunities I think. Scheifele should be in the 45-50 points range at best.

Oh, Little is still their top center... but do you think Winnipeg will really play Ladd-Little-Frolik/Buff more than E.Kane-Scheifele-Wheeler?
I think the Wheeler line is their best offensive line... easily.

Though... Ladd-Little-Wheeler always seems to ends up together at some point.

But if you told me two guarantees:
i) E.Kane-Scheif-Wheeler all season
ii) Scheif plays 82games.

I would take the over on 59.5pts.
I think he can do 60 if those hold true, I really do.
(and the commentator last night said something like Scheif closed with 29 in his last 39... that's a 61pt pace for an end-of-rookie season)

[doulos]

Patrik Berglund-David Backes-T.J. Oshie

Alexander Steen-Paul Stastny-Joakim Lindstrom

Jaden Schwartz-Jori Lehtera-Vladimir Tarasenko

Ott/Reaves/Jaskin/MPS/Lapierre



Gunnarsson-Alex Pietrangelo

Jay Bouwmeester-Kevin Shattenkirk

Jackman-Cole-Leopold

Awesome, thanks. Lindstrom is who I was wondering about actually, so he's in a great spot right now!

[VincentVega]

Awesome, thanks. Lindstrom is who I was wondering about actually, so he's in a great spot right now!

Just scooped him up. Wait and see where he ends up. He's been around before, not sure what to expect of him this time.

[Pengwin7]

I can tell you where I've seen that Lindstrom before.
Norris. Trophy. Winner.
I kid you not.
Here, I've got proof.
(makes me laugh EVERY. TIME.)

[Daydream Nation]

Patrik Berglund-David Backes-T.J. Oshie

Alexander Steen-Paul Stastny-Joakim Lindstrom

Jaden Schwartz-Jori Lehtera-Vladimir Tarasenko

Ott/Reaves/Jaskin/MPS/Lapierre



Gunnarsson-Alex Pietrangelo

Jay Bouwmeester-Kevin Shattenkirk

Jackman-Cole-Leopold

As a Hawks fan, this concerns me.

[doulos]

Yeah, the Blues may have the best depth in the league.

[rufio.85]

Yeah, the Blues may have the best depth in the league.

Agree but I can't help but feel that no one on that squad will really step up offensively. If the top 3 lines are so balanced, Hitchcock will rely on who's hot on a nightly basis and that'll spread the available points imo. Just a hunch, but I'm not sure we see another season like Steen had last season for example.
All speculation right now, I must admit.

[Daydream Nation]

Yeah, the Blues may have the best depth in the league.

Is there a better 3rd line in hockey? I think the Jaden Schwartz-Jori Lehtera-Vladimir Tarasenko line could explode. IMO Tarasenko was the best player the Blues had in the playoffs last year.

[Big Ev]

it won't explode since they're a third line, though. And the jury is out on this Lehtera guy.

[Daydream Nation]

it won't explode since they're a third line, though. And the jury is out on this Lehtera guy.

That's why I said "could" and everyone knows the jury is out on Lehtera.

[Loch]

As a Hawks fan, this concerns me.

Man... imagine the hole that the Blues would tear in the eastern conference if they were moved over... the central and pacific divs are going to be brutal fights this year.