Ideally, Sheary is a 3rd liner who bumps up. The calls to bench him were overblown. They just don't have a true option, but I guess that's normal in a cap world.
- Tojo.

In this era of the NHL it's rare to have a line-up where all your top-six forwards are "top-six forwards." IMO you hope for two top-sixers on each of the top two lines filling out the other two with a Dupuis. For all intents and purposes Sheary is the Dupuis of that line and I don't mean in style of play.

I really think they (frank)ed up by taking Guentzel and putting him back with Sid. I really wanted to see Zucker-Sid-Sheary and Guentzel-Geno-Rust.
- j.boyd919

I’m not against it.

But I’m not so sure it magically helps the 2nd right now.

Geno needs to step up. If he plays the way he should/can Rust and Zuck are plenty good enough for them to succeed.

I came here to post that Id swap Jake and Jason in the top 6. It seems I'm not the only one that thinks this...
- MattStrat

It’s a better blend of skill sets on each line.

It’s a better blend of skill sets on each line.
- Victoro311

I agree and I think a lot of us on here wanted that to start.

Honestly I think ZAR is the key to that line. When he was injured that line wasn’t the same.
- j.boyd919

There is definitely a chemistry there. I can't argue with you about them falling off without ZAR, but feel the result would have been the same no matter who missed on that line. I don't think it works the same if you take any of them out. I do think Tanev's forecheck keys the line, but ZAR's size along the boards and Blueger's ability to read and cover passing lanes also play an important role.

In this era of the NHL it's rare to have a line-up where all your top-six forwards are "top-six forwards." IMO you hope for two top-sixers on each of the top two lines filling out the other two with a Dupuis. For all intents and purposes Sheary is the Dupuis of that line and I don't mean in style of play.
- Rinosaur

I mean these days even if you have 6 top 6 guys, teams want to put one on the 3rd line and create depth advantages.

It’s a better blend of skill sets on each line.
- Victoro311

I think it also gets more size on that line and zucker crosby looked good together. And sheary is creating g chances so more than fine with him up there

I think it also gets more size on that line and zucker crosby looked good together. And sheary is creating g chances so more than fine with him up there
- abcpens10

Zucker and Guentzel are the same size. Both 5’11” 180lbs per HockeyReference even though that poop is never accurate. Players tell the media to fudge the numbers all the time lol

I'm very curious to see how this all pans out when it comes time to re-up these guys. I'm a fan of McCann, but he obviously didn't end the season well in terms of production. Game 1 was pretty bad for him, but Game 2 I thought he was much improved.

I thought McCann was stellar at filling in as top-six center throughout all the injuries, but I wonder how this next stretch will affect them trying to keep him.

Zucker and Guentzel are the same size. Both 5’11” 180lbs per HockeyReference even though that poop is never accurate. Players tell the media to fudge the numbers all the time lol
- j.boyd919

I always thought Jake looks and sounds like a jockey. lol

I'm very curious to see how this all pans out when it comes time to re-up these guys. I'm a fan of McCann, but he obviously didn't end the season well in terms of production. Game 1 was pretty bad for him, but Game 2 I thought he was much improved.

I thought McCann was stellar at filling in as top-six center throughout all the injuries, but I wonder how this next stretch will affect them trying to keep him.
- Rinosaur

McCann has played himself into affordability for us. I think we’re looking at a three year deal at a fair rate. Not a bad thing for us in the long term, but would be great if he could go off over the next two or so months.

I came here to post that Id swap Jake and Jason in the top 6. It seems I'm not the only one that thinks this...
- MattStrat

For sure I would. Sheary and Zuck may even have a little chemistry going, I know it was one play but they were on the same page.

Getting the first goal really made a difference last night. Much different vibes today.

The most noticeable thing I saw was Carey Price needs some help. Montreal's offence is weak. They really need a breakdown or a bounce to generate something. Not much creativity at all. If not for Jack Johnson, I don't think they would have gotten a shot all night.

McCann has played himself into affordability for us. I think we’re looking at a three year deal at a fair rate. Not a bad thing for us in the long term, but would be great if he could go off over the next two or so months.
- Victoro311

I'd definitely do a two or three year deal with a modest raise.

McCann has played himself into affordability for us. I think we’re looking at a three year deal at a fair rate. Not a bad thing for us in the long term, but would be great if he could go off over the next two or so months.
- Victoro311

Yea Canner needs to get going here. Someone was saying something about Marleau, but I think Marleau is doing fine. He's 40 he's not gonna run a line but he can sure as hell help a line out tremendously. McCann is the key to the third line.

Yea Canner needs to get going here. Someone was saying something about Marleau, but I think Marleau is doing fine. He's 40 he's not gonna run a line but he can sure as hell help a line out tremendously. McCann is the key to the third line.
- 668710

One of the reasons I wish the pens had picked up Joe Thornton as well as Marleau

I get that we were running out of spots in the lineup, and it would be a slight to make him a healthy scratch, but I'd bet he'd be a huge asset on the PP, and I'd love to try him slotted with Hornie and Marleau given McCann's mediocre play so far

One of the reasons I wish the pens had picked up Joe Thornton as well as Marleau

I get that we were running out of spots in the lineup, and it would be a slight to make him a healthy scratch, but I'd bet he'd be a huge asset on the PP, and I'd love to try him slotted with Hornie and Marleau given McCann's mediocre play so far
- TheGame316

McCann has had one bad game and one good game.

That said, I was hoping Jumbo Joe was coming here along with Marleau.

I’m not against it.

But I’m not so sure it magically helps the 2nd right now.

Geno needs to step up. If he plays the way he should/can Rust and Zuck are plenty good enough for them to succeed.
- Thorny87

Lines aren’t set in stone. Especially with pre-rona Sullivan. Start jake on Genoa wing for a period. See if he gets going. He’s getting plenty of rubber on net, might just need a small spark. Marino is the best Dman atm so he does get him. Prob good to keep ‘pass the puck to the other team’ geno and tanger away from each other anyways haha

McCann has played himself into affordability for us. I think we’re looking at a three year deal at a fair rate. Not a bad thing for us in the long term, but would be great if he could go off over the next two or so months.
- Victoro311

Agree, about half way through the year I thought McCann was going to get seriously paid, but now it will be an affordable bridge. Still want to keep him for the center depth when Crosby or Malkin miss.

If Sully doesn't want to take Murray out because of his playoff history, I can't see him splitting Crosby and Guentzel. Malkin has plenty to work with, I think he breaks through as is.

Honestly I think ZAR is the key to that line. When he was injured that line wasn’t the same.
- j.boyd919

I think it is a sum of the whole>>the sum of the individual parts situation. I think if you take any one of them out, the line does much worse. If you made me choose, i'd say Tanev is most important...but i think ZAR has the lowest GA/60, so maybe he is the most important.