Lines?

by Nothinggoespast on Jul 10, 2009 4:46 PM EDT Comment 15 comments

Hello all,

I have been a Devil's fan for years, yet only recently found this site. This is my first post.

After seeing this post by NJMetal15, I decided to post a possible line combination of my own, based on what's been said by Lou, previous lines that have worked, etc.

Offense:

1. Parise - Zajac - Langenbrunner (Did anyone guess that?)

2. Elias - Rolston - Clarkson (I know that many of you are questioning if Clarkson should be on the second line, but Lou did say that he has to get more ice time, and what would work better than moving him up a line? I'm sure that his numbers would improve, and that he would blossom if he played with Rolston and Elias.)

3. Pandolfo - Pelley - prospect? (This assumes that Pelley plays as well as Lou expects him to. The question is which prospect will make it to this slot)

4. Shanahan/prospect? - Zubrus - Pikkarainen (Pikkarainen looks like he would be a good fit on a hard hitting fourth line, and Shanahan [if resigned] would bring needed leadership to the team. If not, a prospect would work here as well.)

Possibles:

Leblond, Bergfors, Vasyunov, Halischuck

Defense:

1. Martin - Oduya (Who else?)

2. Mottau - White (It would be nice to trade for or sign a true second line d-man (or even better if Corrente fills the role), but White works for now)

3. Greene - Salvador (Corrente?)

Possibles:

Corrente

Goal:

1. Brodeur (duh.)

~~2. We need to sign someone (I don't want Frazee to be rushed into the NHL, and think it would be best if he spent at least one more year in the AHL)~~

2. Yann Danis (His signing came after I posted this)(What I said about Frazee still stands)

Possibles:

Frazee

Please feel free to comment with your suggested changes, or what you think I got completely wrong.

All FanPosts and FanShots are the respective work of the author and not representative of the writers or other users of In Lou We Trust.

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Comments

This is a good attempt at lines. I do have one major misgiving, but I’ll save it for a larger post later this offseason. It’s understandable, though.

One possible on defense has to be Jay Leach as he actually has NHL experience as a third pairing defender, which gives him an edge like Pelley does. Corrente and Salmela was the competition in last fall’s training camp and should Corrente show that he’s improved though, I can see him making the leap.

I do agree with the setting up of Pikkarainen and Shanahan on the fourth line, it could work well.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The Devils SBN Blog

by John Fischer on Jul 8, 2009 8:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

As much as I'd love to see Clarkie get second line minutes,

it’s not going to happen. I think the guy could play that kind of role on a lot of teams. Anyone that frequents this site could tell you I’m a huge Clarkson fan. I think he has TONS of skills. But I also think we have too many top end forwards for him to make that jump. Not to mention the fact that he brings a lot of energy for the third line. I think best case for us is that the new coaching staff favors 3 lines and gives them more minutes that way. Sutter rolled 4 lines out pretty liberally, and I would guess that the next coach we have will not follow such a tactic. Wishful thinking, I suppose.

by Mandmeisterx on Jul 8, 2009 8:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think it might.

Oh, yes, Leach. I forgot about him. He would work well also.

About Clarkson, I could definitely see him making the second line. I consider him better than Shanahan, Zubrus, Pando, Pikkatainen, Pelley, Bergfors, Halischuck, or whoever else might want that position. Lou’s comments on him (linked to above) imply that Lou thinks the same way. Of course, it comes down to whoever our coach is, but if Lou thinks he might be ready for the second line…….

One person that I left out (on purpose) was Leblond. He might work on the third line to bring some of energy that Clarkson used to bring. The problem is, he might not have the scoring potential of Clarkson. One thing that would do is limit the third line to (almost) only defense.

Then again, Pando can score when given the chance, and Pelley got 38 points last year for Lowell, so they could pull together. It would be nice if Leblond could become a scoring threat as well as a physical presence.

by Nothinggoespast on Jul 8, 2009 11:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

if pelley is touted to be such a ‘mini madden’, maybe there could be chemistry between pando and him?

just a thought, but they should definitely be on the same line.

by skly27 on Jul 10, 2009 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pikkarainen

i got a feeling hes gonna be a better playerthen every one expects.

by Imperator_Celtic on Jul 9, 2009 4:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Clarkson isn't ready for the second line.

Plus, Rolston shouldnt be at center. We need to sign a center and a defenseman. Dont rush Corrente or Frazee. I say sign someone at center who puts up points and sign Bergeron. For goalie get Manny Fernandez. Or cheaper sign Weekes. If Lou is desperate for a winger sign Afinogenov.

Parise- Zajac- Langenbrunner
Elias- TBD- Rolston
Pandolfo- Zubrus- Clarkson
Leblond- Pelley- Afinogenov

by LetsGoDevils on Jul 9, 2009 8:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

There aren’t many scoring centers left, better go for a checking center and put Zubrus back on the second line.

And why is Afinogenov on the fourth line? Why would he be on NJ? I didn’t see that at first and now it’s like a question mark has visibly formed above my head. Afinogenov, why?

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The Devils SBN Blog

by John Fischer on Jul 9, 2009 10:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thats if Lou is desperate. Maybe a new team can change him.

by LetsGoDevils on Jul 10, 2009 11:38 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Rolston should play center

He put up the highest numbers in his career while playing center for Minnesota. Why can’t he play center for us? A lot of people are doubting that he can play center, but he’s obviously qualified.

You can argue that he was centering Gaborik, but that was only for half of the games.

He put up 79 points in 05-06, and 74 in 06-07. When moved to right wing in 07-08, he only put up 59.

Gaborik played 55 games, 48 games, and 77 in the respective years.

I don’t see why people are thinking that Rolston can’t play center.

by Nothinggoespast on Jul 10, 2009 4:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If he was a center...

…he didn’t take all that many faceoffs.

In 05-06, Rolston took 403 faceoffs, 5th most on the team. In 06-07, Rolston took even less with 295 faceoffs. And in 07-08, Rolston’s FO totals dropped further to 165.

If you’re a center on a scoring line, you’re taking way more faceoffs than that. For comparison, Zubrus took 923 faceoffs centering Elias and Gionta for much of the season.

Therefore, I have to conclude that Rolston was not a center for those years in Minnesota. Playing center means taking a large amount of faceoffs.

Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The Devils SBN Blog

by John Fischer on Jul 10, 2009 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs