He seems like a good dude, but it was clear his days of being a useful player were behind him at that point. I was legitimately afraid that if we re-signed him he'd be playing over Wahlstrom.
- eichiefs9

'Twas my concern as well.

He seems like a good dude, but it was clear his days of being a useful player were behind him at that point. I was legitimately afraid that if we re-signed him he'd be playing over Wahlstrom.
- eichiefs9

As was I.

He seems like a good dude, but it was clear his days of being a useful player were behind him at that point. I was legitimately afraid that if we re-signed him he'd be playing over Wahlstrom.
- eichiefs9

I was afraid he would take ice time from Uncle Leo. All good now

I was afraid he would take ice time from Uncle Leo. All good now
- nyisles7

Yes now Leo will get ample ice time at practice

Yes now Leo will get ample ice time at practice
- eichiefs9

Yes now Leo will get ample ice time at practice
- eichiefs9

First liner.

I was afraid he would take ice time from Uncle Leo. All good now
- nyisles7

lol.. yes, we really dodged a bullet on that one.

Leo for HOF

Leo for HOF
- niteislander

^^^This

^^^This
- JohnScammo

Leo for HOF
- niteislander

Heavily-Ostracized Failure?

Heavily-Ostracized Failure?
- eichiefs9

Nope.

Highly-Offensive-Forward

Nope.

Highly-Offensive-Forward
- nyisles7

Happily Outspoken and Fluent

Happily Outspoken and Fluent
- JohnScammo

- nyisles7

Leo for HOF
- niteislander

- JohnScammo

Leo for HOF
- niteislander

Highly overrated failure.

So here's a suggestion, AND IT"S JUST A SUGGESTION. So don't vote to rocket me into the sun. How about moving Dobson up to 2nd pairing RD to eat up some of Leddy's minutes with Chara and move Mayfield to the third pairing with Greene. Yes, I know, Chara is old and probably can't play 24 minutes a night. But maybe switch Greene & Chara up a bit to where they're each getting ~18-19 minutes a night. Obviously Aho, LaDue or Bolduc can be called up to give those guys a few nights off here & there (or somebody else). Last year he averaged almost 16 minutes a game, but he's done between 18-19 minutes every other year in the league (at least since 07-08 per Capfriendly). I still think he can pull 16-18 minutes a game. Especially if you play him 50-60 games and keep him fresh for the playoffs. Just a thought.

*ducks into foxhole awaiting the soon-to-be incoming bombs*

So here's a suggestion, AND IT"S JUST A SUGGESTION. So don't vote to rocket me into the sun. How about moving Dobson up to 2nd pairing RD to eat up some of Leddy's minutes with Chara and move Mayfield to the third pairing with Greene. Yes, I know, Chara is old and probably can't play 24 minutes a night. But maybe switch Greene & Chara up a bit to where they're each getting ~18-19 minutes a night. Obviously Aho, LaDue or Bolduc can be called up to give those guys a few nights off here & there (or somebody else). Last year he averaged almost 16 minutes a game, but he's done between 18-19 minutes every other year in the league (at least since 07-08 per Capfriendly). I still think he can pull 16-18 minutes a game. Especially if you play him 50-60 games and keep him fresh for the playoffs. Just a thought.

*ducks into foxhole awaiting the soon-to-be incoming bombs*
- Isleshockeyman

I like the idea of pairing Chara with Dobson. Dobson's speed can help compensate for Chara's lack thereof. Chara's experience and physicality can compensate for Dobson's lack thereof.

Greene and Mayfield should be ok together as well. I believe they were sometimes paired in the past.

Trotz can even out the minutes a bit between the 2nd and 3rd lines. And like you said, there are some younger guys who can be called up to spell Chara and Greene from time to time.

I like the idea of pairing Chara with Dobson. Dobson's speed can help compensate for Chara's lack thereof. Chara's experience and physicality can compensate for Dobson's lack thereof.

Greene and Mayfield should be ok together as well. I believe they were sometimes paired in the past.

Trotz can even out the minutes a bit between the 2nd and 3rd lines. And like you said, there are some younger guys who can be called up to spell Chara and Greene from time to time.
- JohnScammo

That's essentially where I was going with the post(both bolds). I also think it's time for Dobson to step up and take on a little more responsibility and TOI.

So here's a suggestion, AND IT"S JUST A SUGGESTION. So don't vote to rocket me into the sun. How about moving Dobson up to 2nd pairing RD to eat up some of Leddy's minutes with Chara and move Mayfield to the third pairing with Greene. Yes, I know, Chara is old and probably can't play 24 minutes a night. But maybe switch Greene & Chara up a bit to where they're each getting ~18-19 minutes a night. Obviously Aho, LaDue or Bolduc can be called up to give those guys a few nights off here & there (or somebody else). Last year he averaged almost 16 minutes a game, but he's done between 18-19 minutes every other year in the league (at least since 07-08 per Capfriendly). I still think he can pull 16-18 minutes a game. Especially if you play him 50-60 games and keep him fresh for the playoffs. Just a thought.

*ducks into foxhole awaiting the soon-to-be incoming bombs*
- Isleshockeyman

No bombs, I just have a different opinion then yours, which is good because I'm always wrong.
I think you will see Greene and Dobson stay together and Mayfield paired with Chara. I think with this pairing you will see Mayfield jump into the rush a bit more as when he was with Leddy he was the stay at home guy and reasonably so. Green and Dobson are comfortable with each other and played well together in my opinion so why break them up? There is a lot of depth to chose from back there and I think the OLDER VETS will get some days/games off if need be throughout the year. I also think at some point in the season Bolduc if playing well in BP will get a look at some point in the year.

No bombs, I just have a different opinion then yours, which is good because I'm always wrong.
I think you will see Greene and Dobson stay together and Mayfield paired with Chara. I think with this pairing you will see Mayfield jump into the rush a bit more as when he was with Leddy he was the stay at home guy and reasonably so. Green and Dobson are comfortable with each other and played well together in my opinion so why break them up? There is a lot of depth to chose from back there and I think the OLDER VETS will get some days/games off if need be throughout the year. I also think at some point in the season Bolduc if playing well in BP will get a look at some point in the year.
- nyisles7

Valid points, but the reason I like IHM's pairings better than yours is simply that I think Chara and Mayfield are somewhat duplicative in terms of physicality. I'd rather see one physical guy on each of the pairings........especially in games where there could be some rough stuff.

Valid points, but the reason I like IHM's pairings better than yours is simply that I think Chara and Mayfield are somewhat duplicative in terms of physicality. I'd rather see one physical guy on each of the pairings........especially in games where there could be some rough stuff.
- JohnScammo

Yeah but I think Mayfield has more to give as far as joining in the rush. But we will see, either way the Isles will have a very good defensive team and an improved offense so I think they can take the next step. Lou has options and time to see what if anything is needed during the season to improve for the PO run and achieving the ultimate goal.

Other than that:

So here's a suggestion, AND IT"S JUST A SUGGESTION. So don't vote to rocket me into the sun. How about moving Dobson up to 2nd pairing RD to eat up some of Leddy's minutes with Chara and move Mayfield to the third pairing with Greene. Yes, I know, Chara is old and probably can't play 24 minutes a night. But maybe switch Greene & Chara up a bit to where they're each getting ~18-19 minutes a night. Obviously Aho, LaDue or Bolduc can be called up to give those guys a few nights off here & there (or somebody else). Last year he averaged almost 16 minutes a game, but he's done between 18-19 minutes every other year in the league (at least since 07-08 per Capfriendly). I still think he can pull 16-18 minutes a game. Especially if you play him 50-60 games and keep him fresh for the playoffs. Just a thought.

*ducks into foxhole awaiting the soon-to-be incoming bombs*
- Isleshockeyman

In a perfect world Dobson will be capable of eating up leddys minutes. Unfortunately we haven’t seen that. In the playoffs his ice time was diminished for good reason. He’s really going to have to step up this season hopefully he can. If he does it’s not outlandish to think he’ll see some time with chara eventually but I suspect he’ll probably start with Greene due to trotz knowing what to expect with that pairing and it, for the most part, working.