Buch Zib Kravtsov
Panarin Andersson Kreider
Kakko Strome Chytil
Lemieux Howden X
- nyrangers9479

Lemieux back on the fourth line...

I don't hate this lineup, but still think Zib/Panarin is a lock to start

Please let me know what else you would like me to cover. I am open to ideas. Clearly possible buyouts and contracts for the RFAs will dominate the next few weeks. But beyond that, anything else?

Also, thanks for all the page views on June. I think this blog had its best month ever, aided by the mock draft etc. but wanted to make sure I say thank you to all of you.

Going off the current roster, I can see something like the below. I think this has every player in their natural position/preferred side.

Panarin - Zib - Kravstov
Kreider - Strome - Kakko
Chytil - Howden - Buchnevich
Nam - Andersson - Fast
- rangerdanger94

Replace Nam with Lemieux and Buch/Kakko

Please let me know what else you would like me to cover. I am open to ideas. Clearly possible buyouts and contracts for the RFAs will dominate the next few weeks. But beyond that, anything else?

Also, thanks for all the page views on June. I think this blog had its best month ever, aided by the mock draft etc. but wanted to make sure I say thank you to all of you.
- airjan23

I was thinking it would be cool to do projections/expectations for players. Not just the stars, but also guys like Staal or Fast, etc.

what happened to Mr. Doom and Gloom Tom Burton haven't seen hide nor hair of him in quite some time?

Going off the current roster, I can see something like the below. I think this has every player in their natural position/preferred side.

Panarin - Zib - Kravstov
Kreider - Strome - Kakko
Chytil - Howden - Buchnevich
Nam - Andersson - Fast
- rangerdanger94

Nam is most likely gone and I think putting our former 7th overall pick on a line with 2 career 30 point players is going to be the end of him. We need to jump start him to give him some confidence.

Kreider Zib Buch
Panarin Lias Kakko/Kravtsov
Chytil Strome Kakko/Kravtsov
Lemieux Howden Fast
- aecliptic

To much heavy lifting giving Panarin a rookie and guy that has a career 49 games. I’d put Panarin with an experienced guy and a rookie.

Replace Nam with Lemieux and Buch/Kakko
- Bean_Dip

Totally forgot about Lemieux. Agreed.

To much heavy lifting giving Panarin a rookie and guy that has a career 49 games. I’d put Panarin with an experienced guy and a rookie.
- nyrangers9479

I put Kravtov with him because of that Russian connection. It could help krav having someone else who speaks Russian on his line.

I have him with Zibanejad though so not sure where the inexperience 49 game thing is coming from

Edit: never mind didn’t see the post you quoted

Lemieux back on the fourth line...

I don't hate this lineup, but still think Zib/Panarin is a lock to start
- Bean_Dip

Lemieux is one of my favorite guys, I’d love him in the top 9, just don’t see a fit with the addition of Panarin and Kakko unless u put him on a line with Kakko to give him some protection. He has the skill to be in the top 9, just needs to work on his conditioning.

Nam is most likely gone and I think putting our former 7th overall pick on a line with 2 career 30 point players is going to be the end of him. We need to jump start him to give him some confidence.
- nyrangers9479

The problem is that if you move him up the depth chart then someone else gets buried on the fourth line. The only person I can see a switch with is Howden but then you’re burying Howden

I put Kravtov with him because of that Russian connection. It could help krav having someone else who speaks Russian on his line.

I have him with Zibanejad though so not sure where the inexperience 49 game thing is coming from
- rangerdanger94

Buch Kreider Panarin all speak Russian. Was someone else’s mock lineup I said 49 games to. They have Panarin with Andersson and Kakko/Kravtsov

Please let me know what else you would like me to cover. I am open to ideas. Clearly possible buyouts and contracts for the RFAs will dominate the next few weeks. But beyond that, anything else?

Also, thanks for all the page views on June. I think this blog had its best month ever, aided by the mock draft etc. but wanted to make sure I say thank you to all of you.
- airjan23

Literally our pleasure, Jan!
Thank you for all the work of putting the mock draft on. It was certainly interesting!
I try to visit from my work computer, laptop, iPad and phone every day just to do the most I can for your efforts!

Nam is most likely gone and I think putting our former 7th overall pick on a line with 2 career 30 point players is going to be the end of him. We need to jump start him to give him some confidence.
- nyrangers9479

It's too bad that Brass is pretty cooked. Dun....I mean Nashty brought him up. It wouldn't have been the worst idea in the world to have someone like that to shepherd the 2nd line for a season or two until guys like Lias or Howden are ready to assume larger roles. Especially someone who has experience within the organization. I'm sure someone like that wouldn't cost a ton and would take a light term. I just don't think Brass has anything left in the tank.

Lemieux is one of my favorite guys, I’d love him in the top 9, just don’t see a fit with the addition of Panarin and Kakko unless u put him on a line with Kakko to give him some protection. He has the skill to be in the top 9, just needs to work on his conditioning.
- nyrangers9479

Isn't Kakko bigger than Lemieux???

Buch Kreider Panarin all speak Russian. Was someone else’s mock lineup I said 49 games to. They have Panarin with Andersson and Kakko/Kravtsov
- nyrangers9479

I think you mean Kravtsov 😂😂

It's too bad that Brass is pretty cooked. Dun....I mean Nashty brought him up. It wouldn't have been the worst idea in the world to have someone like that to shepherd the 2nd line for a season or two until guys like Lias or Howden are ready to assume larger roles. Especially someone who has experience within the organization. I'm sure someone like that wouldn't cost a ton and would take a light term. I just don't think Brass has anything left in the tank.
- 2sticks1puck

Ya I don’t think Brassard is any better than Strome at this point. Lias has a rough year, let’s see if he can bounce back.

It's too bad that Brass is pretty cooked. Dun....I mean Nashty brought him up. It wouldn't have been the worst idea in the world to have someone like that to shepherd the 2nd line for a season or two until guys like Lias or Howden are ready to assume larger roles. Especially someone who has experience within the organization. I'm sure someone like that wouldn't cost a ton and would take a light term. I just don't think Brass has anything left in the tank.
- 2sticks1puck

Brassard is only 31. But his play has definitely fallen off since he was here. He’d be a great stop gap but i would imagine he’s looking for a contract with more term given his age.

The problem is that if you move him up the depth chart then someone else gets buried on the fourth line. The only person I can see a switch with is Howden but then you’re burying Howden
- rangerdanger94

I want Kravstov on a third line with Chytil. You could absolutely create matchup nightmares with that. Successful NHL teams have 3 scoring lines anyway and the best ones have the 3rd line play a fair amount of minutes anyway. Howden probably needs the demotion for awhile and it might not be the worst thing in the world if he started in Hartford.

Isn't Kakko bigger than Lemieux???
- Tonybere

No lol, and he definitely can’t fight like Lemeuix nor would we want him to.

Lemieux back on the fourth line...

I don't hate this lineup, but still think Zib/Panarin is a lock to start
- Bean_Dip

I think we will see everyone of these line combinations in the opening month.
But, personally I don't see them having either Zib or Panarin on the 2nd line. At least not regularly. Panarin didn't come here for 2nd line duty. And if most of you see a hole in the 2C slot, who is going to be #1 if you move Zib down????? That's not less of a hole.

I think you mean Kravtsov 😂😂
- aecliptic

No, Buch Kreider and Panarin all speak Russian so u could put Kravtsov with any of the 3.

I think we will see everyone of these line combinations in the opening month.
But, personally I don't see them having either Zib or Panarin on the 2nd line. At least not regularly. Panarin didn't come here for 2nd line duty. And if most of you see a hole in the 2C slot, who is going to be #1 if you move Zib down????? That's not less of a hole.
- Tonybere

It would be much easier matchup wise for other teams if our 2 best players were on the same line and every other line had 2 rookies on it.

I want Kravstov on a third line with Chytil. You could absolutely create matchup nightmares with that. Successful NHL teams have 3 scoring lines anyway and the best ones have the 3rd line play a fair amount of minutes anyway. Howden probably needs the demotion for awhile and it might not be the worst thing in the world if he started in Hartford.
- 2sticks1puck

Thing is, those successful third lines usually have a couple of veterans on them.

One way or another, were going to end up with a couple of lines have very inexperienced guys on them.

Going off the current roster, I can see something like the below. I think this has every player in their natural position/preferred side.

Panarin - Zib - Kravstov
Kreider - Strome - Kakko
Chytil - Howden - Buchnevich
Nam - Andersson - Fast
- rangerdanger94

As far as lines go, it’s important I think to have a veteran with each of Kakko and Krav. Preferably Zib and Strome, and then one plays with Panarin.