Possible Line Combinations
by ALECDK on Aug 3, 2011 11:24 PM EDT
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PrintHow do you think Peter Deboer is going to shape his lines for the opening night roster? I know this topic has been discussed numerous times but after the recent trade of Brian Rolston and the buyout of Trent Hunter and Colin White the line combinations are much different now. Here are my line combos:
Offense
Ilya Kovalchuk- Patrik Elias- Nick Palmieri
Zach Parise - Travis Zajac- Danius Zubrus
Mattias Tedenby - Jacob Josefson- David Clarkson
kovy/ parise double shift- David Steckel- Vladamir Zharkov
Defense:
Anton Volenchkov- Matt Taormina
Henrik Tallinder- Adam Larsson
Mark Fayne- Andy Greene
mark fraser
What do you guys think of the lines?
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CamJansen- David Steckel- Eric Boulton
This would be perhaps the most useless 4th line in the entire League. Cam Janssen is not an NHL player, and Eric Boulton doesn’t offer a whole heck of a lot, either. Opposing teams would salivate when Peter DeBoer put those guys out on the ice, because any halfway competent line would devour them. Steckel is a solid Bottom 6 center, but Boulton is a 4th-liner for good reason and Janssen is a marginal 4th-liner. You’d only want this line dressed and available to throw out against a team who makes it clear they’re coming into the game to fight and injure people as opposed to a team that wishes to play hockey.
adding zharkov would be worse for his development
You haven’t been paying attention to all the evaluations of Vladimir Zharkov based on the advanced metrics from this site, then. When Zharkov is on the ice, the puck is continually moving in the “right direction”, which is to say play spends more time in the other team’s zone than it does in New Jersey’s end. Zharkov is also an asset on the penalty kill, and has shown some offensive flair even if finishing plays (i.e. scoring goals) has been an issue throughout his young career.
Cam Janssen is already at his “ceiling”. While many fans love Janssen, he isn’t going to provide a team anything much beyond dropping the gloves. Zharkov can contribute to a winner in many ways…. and playing him for another season at Albany isn’t likely to be of great benefit. If Vladimir is going to “swim” at the NHL level, he needs the opportunities and the playing time to demonstrate it, as sending him back to Albany would put him in a position where he’s superior to a lot of the guys he’d be playing against.
When Zharkov’s playing, the Devils are winning, that’s easy ! :P
"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"
by Elektrostal_Kid on Aug 4, 2011 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions
You want to double-shift your elite offensive players who can handle the extra minutes with other good offensive players as to maximize what you get. Double-shifting someone with Steckel and Zharkov gets them extra ice time, often against weaker competition…. but it doesn’t lead to very many goals.
I’d be more comfortable double-shifting Kovalchuk with Tedenby and Josefsen when you can spot the trio against weaker matchups…. and then slotting Clarkson with Steckel and Zharkov (in place of Boulton) on the 4th line at the same time. I’m not a particularly big fan of double-shifting Zach Parise at all, because you want him out there on the PK (during which Ilya won’t play unless it’s late in the game and the Devils need a goal) or because you want to match him against particular opponents. Nor am I convinced that Zach Parise can routinely handle 22 minutes per night the way Ilya Kovalchuk has demonstrated he can.
I like these combinations, but..
I think the logical thing to do is switch Palms with Zubs. Zubrus and Elias worked very well together, and are both very “defensively responsible” whereas you can argue Kovalchuk, although improving, lacks in that department. Zach and Zajac or also very “defensively responsible” whereas Palms isn’t, so they can carry him in that department. Tedenby and Josefson really brought out the best in Clarkson for a time, so maybe that spark will be back. The fourth line is, well, very.. tough.. for lack of a better word. Limited minutes please for them please! As for Zharky, maybe he is best suited for Albany this year. That team was abysmal last season (not their fault when half of their roster was jumping back and forth) but they could really use some help and I think Zharkov could use some devolpment as well.
Your defensive combos seem pretty safe as well, but is there any particular reasoning behind them except to split up vet with rookie each time?
Ye there is a reason and I’ll explain each 1. Anton is a stay at home defenseman while Tao is more offensive and can join the rush while attain stays at d. If tallinder can help larsson how he helped a Calder trophy winning defenseman named tyler myers then that would be gr8. Andy Greene and fatness r both 2 way d and may work well off each other
Lol, fatness.
Kill Jansenn and Boulton, put Pelley and Sharky on there. Now that’s a solid 4th line. I am excited about the Tallinder – Larsson pairing because of what he supposedly did with Myers.
Bleed Black & Red
If Peter deboer doesn’t have that pairing im dumping something on his head during a game just like I did to John tortorelo
Mate
it’s Tortorella, If you want to be taken seriously here you’ve to spell the players/coaches/GM/BlahBlah correctly. Guys there are giving you hard time, but that’s good for you in my opinion.
"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"
by Elektrostal_Kid on Aug 4, 2011 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Of course !
"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"
by Elektrostal_Kid on Aug 4, 2011 6:20 PM EDT up reply actions
If Janssen plays more than 20 games I will eat an eraser
I don’t like having Tedenby on the same line as Josefson.
I am pretty excited for this year in terms of line combinations. Unlike past years, we have a good amount of versatility throughout the top 9. It is easy to imagine chemistry developing on basically any line you can throw together with this roster. Also, the absence of Rolston frees up Elias who no longer has to babysit mr. winky anymore and can slot into any number of roles (scoring LW, playmaking C, playmaking RW [!]). Here’s my shot at the lines:
Line 1: Parise-Zajac-Tedenby/Zubrus
I like having Parise and Zajac together, and they have worked well with Zubrus in the past. I figure Tedenby can rotate in and out with this line, especially if we’re desperate for a goal late in a game.
Line 2: Kovalchuk-Josefson-Palmieri
I love the way Kovalchuk and Palmieri worked last year, and hopefully Josefson can take a nice big step in his development dishing off to Ilya. If Josefson falters a bit, Elias can certainly fill in at C here from time to time. This line should see some of the easiest quality of competition, and should match up with a D pairing with at least 1 puck mover (Tallinder/Tao/Larsson/Greene).
Line 3: Zubrus/Tedenby-Elias-Clarkson
Depending on whether or not Deboer is going to match the top line vs. other teams top lines, this will either be the #1 or #2 checking line. Clarkson’s role will be to crash the net and make room for Elias and Tedenby. When I can see Zubrus slotting in here more often late in a game when up a goal or two.
Line 4: Zharkov-Steckel-Boulton
I like Zharkov. As long as this line isn’t a liability I’m fine. If Janssen ever plays on this line I guarantee dumb penalties and goals against.
Extra: Pelley – good PKer, terrible at everything else. Should be fine as an occasional fill in.
Call up: Henrique
I like Henrique, but unless he’s getting a full time spot for at least 12 minutes a game, he should just play in the AHL.
I think the main topic post got it pretty nicely with the D pairings.
One last thing of note is special teams. Here are my PP followed by PK:
PP:
Parise-Zajac-Elias
Kovalchuk-Greene/Taormina/Larsson
PP:
Tedenby-Josefson-Zubrus/Clarkson/Palmieri
Kovalchuk-Greene/Taormina/Larsson
PK:
Zajac-Parise
Volchenkov-Greene
PK:
Zubrus-Elias
Tallinder-Fayne
extras for PK: Steckel, Zharkov, Pelley
without the cap constraints of last year, there are so many options. i like what you’ve got but also offer a this possibility:
parise-zajac-tedenby
kovy-josefson-elias
zubrus-henrique-palmieri
boulton-steckel-clarkson
scratches: pelley & zharkov
tallinder-larsson
greene-corrente
volchenkov-salvador
scratch: urbom
1st line – i like zach and zajac together and think teddy could flourish on the top unit
2nd line – jj is here to stay and could be the great set up man kovy needs. jj and elias will make up for kovy’s defensive lapses. although i’m hopeful his desire to be a more complete player continues this year.
3rd line – i saw henrique play in Albany last year and thought he looked too good to be there. our top 3 centers are going to be zajac, jj and henrique, just not sure if it’s this year.
4th line – has size, grit and ability to grab a goal occasionally
pelley’s on the roster since he’s on a one way contract and zharkov because he’d need to clear waivers to go down and i think we’d lose him before we’d lose janssen.
i am taking a guess on D. beyond tallinder, greene and volchenkov it’s anybody’s guess who’ll make the cut. salvador may not be ready, corrente has to clear waivers, fraser is on a one way and there is a real need for some offensive spark which could come from a bunch of players. we all know about larsson’s potential, urbom is huge and can skate relatively well, taormina showed flashes last year and sova or burlon are relative unknowns at the professional level but did well in the NCAA.
exciting times ahead with all the prospects coming into the lineup.
LOVE IT!!!! LOVE IT!!!!
A guy with one game of NHL experience centering our 3rd line, Zubrus on the left, Elias on the right and Zharkov scratched! Fayne and Taormina in Albany, and I assume Fraser is there too with his cap hit on NJ’s books. This is a fearsome line-up, what’s not 2 love?
jrenz for coach/GM/captain!!!
by Zelepukin on Aug 4, 2011 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
henrique is an NHL player, he just needs some experience. they can put him on the wing and switch elias to center if needed. playing with 2 vets will only help his development. zharkov played 38 games and had 4 points, it’s time to look at someone else.
who would you suggest on the blueline?
i’ve really got no idea, just put this line up together because i’d like to see what larsson can do and like urbom’s size. there are so many guys that ‘could’ make the lineup.
i don’t see fraser being a devil much longer, there are too many guys that play his role in the system with 2 ways. he’s shown he can cut it in the NHL, lou could get a pick or prospect for him.
We don’t have any evidence that Adam Henrique “is an NHL player”. He’s had one reasonably nice season at the AHL level and all of one game at the NHL level. There’s a long list of players who have the same credentials who turned into flops in the NHL.
If training camp demonstrates Adam Henrique deserves a spot in the Top 9, I’m all for keeping him around. Don’t force him into the role just because you think he deserves it, or that he’s “too good for the AHL”.
On the blue line, there’s no reason to have Urbom as the 7th defenseman — it will retard his development if he sits in the press box instead of playing gonzo minutes at Albany. Mark Fraser is a better candidate for the 7th defenseman, between his one-way contract and the need for him to clear waivers to go to Albany and his lower ceiling. All you really want in a 7th defenseman is someone who can step in as needed but who won’t be hurt by practicing and not playing.
As for trading Fraser, don’t you think Lou might have swapped him for a pick or prospect if there was a reasonable offer on the table already?
just yeah !
"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"
by Elektrostal_Kid on Aug 4, 2011 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions
parise-zajac-tedenby
kovy-elias-palmieri
zubs-jj-clarkson
zharky-steckel-boulton
Greene-Android
Tali-Fayne
Salvs-Tao
fraser
Not so sure those are the D pairings, but they are likely to be the top 6. I’m kinda partial to Tao, but that 6th spot could be Larrson or Urbom as well. We’ll see all three of them at some point as Injuries to Volchenkov and possible concussion problems with Salvs pop up.
The question is not how far. The question is, do you possess the constitution, the depth of faith, to go as far as is needed? - Il Duce
Your Forwards are exactly what I would do, although I am afraid teams will do their best to physically punish our Top Line. We may have to swap out Zubrus up there every once in a while if Tedenby gets tagged.
As for the Defensemen, Im confident Larsson is making the team and Salvador, sadly, will not be a Devil.
Teddy got knocked around a bit, but the little bugger never stopped fighting for his patch of ice. Maybe that’s why Boulton was brought on board; don’t F with my lil Swede.
I would fully expect Zubrus to swap up every now and again, especially on unfavorable zone starts on the road. Not a big deal, he can handle more than the dozen or so minutes the third will get.
I do like Salvadore, maybe that’s why I have him in there now. Just given the nature of coclera concussions, I can’t expect him to be available all season, but he’ll start there. I think Larrson will get in the line-up after starting on first pair in Albany sometime around game 20 when Android or Salvs is hurt for the first time. But hey, if he has a hell of a camp and earns himself a spot, I’m all for that too. Gotta have your best 6 guys out there on D.
The question is not how far. The question is, do you possess the constitution, the depth of faith, to go as far as is needed? - Il Duce
Agreed that’s why Boulton was brought in. I think Janssen was brought back just for ticket sales in Albany and every once in a while, New Jersey, hehe
Do you really think someone on another team is going to think twice about running someone like Mattias Tedenby just because Eric Boulton happens to be sitting on the bench? Goons and cheap-shot artists are who they are, and most of them won’t care what manner of tough guy is sitting on the bench. They probably wouldn’t even care if Boulton was out there during the shift …. and the other team would be just as happy if an offensively talented player like Tedenby was matched with a black hole like Boulton in the first place because it hurts the Devils when that’s the case.
A tough guy like Boulton may give the fans a psychological boost, but he isn’t going to keep the younger and smaller Devils any safer on the ice.
i think this is relly good lines this is what i think of those line up there
1Line Thoughts I Think We Should Do These Lines Elias Good Playmaker With Kovalchuk Would Be Good An Palmeri Is Good Deffensaley player To Play With A Player Like Kovalchuk
Line 2 Thoughts Parise Zajac An Zubrus All Has Good chemistry
Line 3 Thoughts two Good young players With a Tough Guy
Line 4 Thoughts Grit An Good Faceoff Guy An Young Guy
Line 1 DEF Thoughts 1 Of The Best Shot Blockers In The NHL An A Ofenes of DEF Guy
Line 2 DEF Thoughts BOTH Are SWEDS An Tallinder helped T.Miyers So I Think hell help out A.Larsson
LINE 3 DEF Thoughts 1 VET An A Young Player
4th line
Wont boulton and jansenn be on the 4th line?
Forget about line combinations...
…they will change over time anyway.
Assuming 14 forwards and no injuries or trades, I’ll predict:
1) Henrique will be in, Zharkov out. Granted, Zharkov has experience but it’s all bad experience so I don’t give it much weight.
2) Cam ‘Barney Rubble’ Janssen will be the 14th forward and will suffer numerous mysterious ‘lower body injuries’ whenever Lou needs to make a roster move.
3) The other guys should be pretty obvious.
i think we sould do this
line 1 (LW)Kovalchuk ©Elias (RW)Palmeri
line 2 (LW)Parise ©Zajac (RW)Zubrus
line 3 (LW)Tedenby © Josefson (RW)Clarkson
line 4 (LW)Boulton ©Steckel (RW)Zharkov
may play Janssen Pelley
line 1 Volchenkov Greene
line 2 Tallinder Larsson
line 3 Faye Salvador
7 def Urbom
Brodeur
Hedberg
1 Line Thoughts I Think We Should Do These Lines Elias Good Playmaker With Kovalchuk Would Be Good An Palmeri Is Good Deffensaley player To Play With A Player Like Kovalchuk
Line 2 Thoughts Parise Zajac An Zubrus All Has Good chemistry
Line 3 Thoughts two Good young players With a Tough Guy
Line 4 Thoughts Grit An Good Faceoff Guy An Young Guy
Line 1 DEF Thoughts 1 Of The Best Shot Blockers In The NHL An A Ofenes of DEF Guy
Line 2 DEF Thoughts BOTH Are SWEDS An Tallinder helped T.Miyers So I Think hell help out A.Larsson
LINE 3 DEF Thoughts 1 VET An A Young Player
Goalies VET THATS STILL GOOD AN 1 OF THE BEST BACK UP GOALIES In The NHL
Roster & Line Combinations for Opening the 2011-2012 Season
If everyone is healthy, including Salvador, I believe the Devils will have the following 23 men roster and line combinations:
Kovalchuk – Elias – Zubrus (good chemistry and size, Zubrus takes faceoffs
Parise – Zajac – Palmieri (good chemistry and history)
Tedenby – Josefson – Clarkson (good speed, Kovi double-shifts with this line, weak defensively?)
Pelley/Boulton – Steckel – Sharkov (w/ Henrique on LW, this line could do some damage)
Volchenkov – Greene (most experienced d line)
Tallinder – Fayne (good chemistry)
Salvador – Taormina (let’s hope Salvador is back to his old self, love to see what Tao can do in an entire season)
Fraser – Corrente (Devils many times have carried 2 extra d-men on their 23 men roster)
Brodeur/Hedberg (ride the hot hand, we’ll see if Marty plays for a contract extension)
Wishes: Having Henrique, Larsson, Urbom prove that they are ready for the NHL. And, I rather have Janssen stay with the Devils rather than Boulton. He is a lot more entertaining and I saw him score a goal once.
I like candy, my top like is the PEZ line:
Parise Elias Zubrus
Kovy Zajac ??
Teddy Joe Clarkson
No one cares about the 4th line
pleas no more Zajac/Kovy !
(just my opinion)
"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"
by Elektrostal_Kid on Aug 4, 2011 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions
You won’t say it anymore when he’ll be centered by Josefson.
"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"
by Elektrostal_Kid on Aug 4, 2011 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions
No one cares about the 4th line
haha !
"It's magic, it's tragic, it's a loss, it's a win"
by Elektrostal_Kid on Aug 4, 2011 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m not quite sure why I’m participating in this, but this is what I would like to see…
Parise – Zajac – Zubrus
Kovy – Josefson – Palmieri
Tedenby – Elias – Zharkov
Boulton – Steckel – Clarkson
Pelley
Greene – Volchenkov
Tallinder – Fayne
Salvador – Tao/Larsson
Fraser
by undersuspicion426 on Aug 4, 2011 9:21 PM EDT reply actions
I like these lines. Just thought I would chime in.
Z-Z-Z I liked in the past. I think Josefson can handle the the pace of Kovalchuk and I liked the chemistry Palmieri and Kovy had, the third line is a nice line to look at. Scary to think Elias could be centering a third line, and the fourth line is a nice energy line.
Defensively I disagree.
Tao – Volchenkov (seems like they could help each other)
Tallinder – Larsson (only because of what Tally did with Myers)
Salvador – Fayne
Joshd12
Brock University
BA. Sports Management, 2014
BA. Recreation and Leisure Studies, 2011
Parise – Zajac – Palmeri
Kovalchuk – Elias – Tedenby
Zubrus – Jofeson – Clarkson
Kovalchuk/Parise – Steckel – Zharkov
Volchenkov – Fayne
Tallinder – Larson
Taormina – Salvador
again...
the Devs are paying Greene $3M to be a scratch?
The question is not how far. The question is, do you possess the constitution, the depth of faith, to go as far as is needed? - Il Duce
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