What to do?
Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2014 3:39 am
So Hitch has been doing his usual line-juggling so far this season, maybe even more than usual because of injuries and illness throughout the roster. So far, the only really productive line has been the one including Lehterä and Tarasenko. No matter who's played with those guys, they've been productive in creating scoring chances and finishing them off. Now, while I understand that Hitch wants to find his recipe for success during these weeks of a shortened roster, my question is what it will look like when everyone's back. I know this is the most common topic of discussion on most boards (line-combos), but I think the Blues will have a, albeit nice, problem once Oshie and Stastny returns. Plus, it's one of the things that are most fun to discuss.
In my mind, the only thing that is sure so far is that Lehterä and Tarasenko will play together. Everything else is up in the air. The thing is, we have 7 forwards (Backes, Steen, Oshie, Schwartz, Tarasenko, Lehterä and Stastny) that are really top 6 material, so the question is who of these players will play the 3rd line? Or do you move up say Lindström, and try to create three even lines? I'm of the opinion that we have two set lines that have shown definite chemistry and success in this league:
Steen-Backes-Oshie
Schwartz-Lehterä-Tarasenko
Now, I would love to see these two lines play consistently, but what to make of Stastny? Would he play with Lindström and Berglund? While that might increase the production of Bergs and Lindström, it sure seems like a waste of his talent (and contract for that matter). So what to do?
Steen-Stastny-Schwartz
Lindström-Lehterä-Tarasenko
Berglund-Backes-Oshie
Maybe?
In my mind, the only thing that is sure so far is that Lehterä and Tarasenko will play together. Everything else is up in the air. The thing is, we have 7 forwards (Backes, Steen, Oshie, Schwartz, Tarasenko, Lehterä and Stastny) that are really top 6 material, so the question is who of these players will play the 3rd line? Or do you move up say Lindström, and try to create three even lines? I'm of the opinion that we have two set lines that have shown definite chemistry and success in this league:
Steen-Backes-Oshie
Schwartz-Lehterä-Tarasenko
Now, I would love to see these two lines play consistently, but what to make of Stastny? Would he play with Lindström and Berglund? While that might increase the production of Bergs and Lindström, it sure seems like a waste of his talent (and contract for that matter). So what to do?
Steen-Stastny-Schwartz
Lindström-Lehterä-Tarasenko
Berglund-Backes-Oshie
Maybe?