Weeks was the last I heard.
Best guess would be...

Benson - Tage - Tuch
JJP - Cozens - Quinn
Zucker - McLeod - Kulich
Beck/Lafferty - Krebs - Greenway

JJP should be back Wed. Last I heard was Saturday was his last day in Concussion Protocol.
Krebs on 1LW until Benson is back, Lafferty at 4C
- IonSabres

We'll see, that just doesn't work as a defensive 3rd line and their current line has been one of their best lines.

Love it or hate it, if Kulich can't play in the top 6, he probably just goes down.

We'll see, that just doesn't work as a defensive 3rd line and their current line has been one of their best lines.

Love it or hate it, if Kulich can't play in the top 6, he probably just goes down.
- Lunaion

Seems like a lock that the top 2 scoring lines are Benson - Tage - Tuch and Peterka - Cozens - Quinn, when healthy.

Question is how often the when healthy will be.

Beyond this season, with none of the 6 above likely going anywhere, where is the opening for Kulich?

I don't think they have enough top 2 line scoring to have an all defensive 3rd line.

Seems like a lock that the top 2 scoring lines are Benson - Tage - Tuch and Peterka - Cozens - Quinn, when healthy.

Question is how often the when healthy will be.

Beyond this season, with none of the 6 above likely going anywhere, where is the opening for Kulich?

I don't think they have enough top 2 line scoring to have an all defensive 3rd line.
- kingcong39

Why I wouldn't mind seeing Kulich on the 3rd line, or even Quinn. Got to many Forwards especially if Kulich keeps playing well.
Edit: To many middle-Bottom 6 players

Why I wouldn't mind seeing Kulich on the 3rd line, or even Quinn. Got to many Forwards especially if Kulich keeps playing well.
Edit: To many middle-Bottom 6 players
- Buff36

The glaring needs seem to be consistent, true top line talent and a better mix on defense.

Detroit putting a Whooping on Dallas

The glaring needs seem to be consistent, true top line talent and a better mix on defense.
- kingcong39

How long has that conversation been happening here ?

We'll see, that just doesn't work as a defensive 3rd line and their current line has been one of their best lines.

Love it or hate it, if Kulich can't play in the top 6, he probably just goes down.
- Lunaion

I heard Kulich played well on both sides of the puck, and he adds the threat of scoring.
Personally, I'd like to see it.

Seems like a lock that the top 2 scoring lines are Benson - Tage - Tuch and Peterka - Cozens - Quinn, when healthy.

Question is how often the when healthy will be.

Beyond this season, with none of the 6 above likely going anywhere, where is the opening for Kulich?

I don't think they have enough top 2 line scoring to have an all defensive 3rd line.
- kingcong39

Feels like that's what they are building. Traditional checking line + defensive 3rd line.

I don't know. The pieces have never fit. Not just Kulich. Ostlund, Rosen, and now Helenius too. Group has been screaming for a package trade for years, not Savoie for a bottom 6 C.

I heard Kulich played well on both sides of the puck, and he adds the threat of scoring.
Personally, I'd like to see it.
- IonSabres

IMO, that's graded on a curve. Better than Olofsson, but not someone you want to matchup against a top line either.

IMO, that's graded on a curve. Better than Olofsson, but not someone you want to matchup against a top line either.
- Lunaion

There is zero curve necessary to grade defensive play like this.

>>> Jiri Kulich can stay

https://x.com/TheCharging...d_bi875CcZiEcDBm1yew&s=19

Feels like that's what they are building. Traditional checking line + defensive 3rd line.

I don't know. The pieces have never fit. Not just Kulich. Ostlund, Rosen, and now Helenius too. Group has been screaming for a package trade for years, not Savoie for a bottom 6 C.
- Lunaion

They've drafted and built like they know they don't have a true top level 1st line, so they're looking for scoring from at least their entire top 9, and maybe their 4th line as well.

Then the past offseason happened and their lineup construction approach completely changed to an over reliance on their 2 top lines with their forward prospects not seemingly fitting with the new approach.

They've drafted and built like they know they don't have a true top level 1st line, so they're looking for scoring from at least their entire top 9, and maybe their 4th line as well.

Then the past offseason happened and their lineup construction approach completely changed to an over reliance on their 2 top lines with their forward prospects not seemingly fitting with the new approach.
- kingcong39

Could turn into a bunch of wasted draft years if Adams doesn't watch out.

Could turn into a bunch of wasted draft years if Adams doesn't watch out.
- Buff36

I don't see a problem with a 3rd line of Greenway, McLeod and Kulich.

I also have no idea if Zucker is any good defensively.

I don't see a problem with a 3rd line of Greenway, McLeod and Kulich.

I also have no idea if Zucker is any good defensively.
- kingcong39

Agreed! And I think Zucker was a waste of 5 mill

There is zero curve necessary to grade defensive play like this.

>>> Jiri Kulich can stay

https://x.com/TheCharging...d_bi875CcZiEcDBm1yew&s=19
- kingcong39

If he does, I expect an attempt to keep the 3rd line strong defensively. That likely means Greenway.

May never matter. 12 healthy forwards hasn't happened yet.

If he does, I expect an attempt to keep the 3rd line strong defensively. That likely means Greenway.

May never matter. 12 healthy forwards hasn't happened yet.
- Lunaion

No problem with Greenway if he continues to play this way.

Have no tie or much care about Zucker.

No problem with Greenway if he continues to play this way.

Have no tie or much care about Zucker.
- kingcong39

He's a strange fit. Not really seeing it with him, but it's 4 games in. The line has been solid and I'd be a bit surprised to Lindy touch it.

Benson Tage Tuch
JJ Cozens Quinn/Kulich
Greenway McLeod Kulich/Quinn
Zucker Krebs Lafferty/Beck

No problem with Greenway if he continues to play this way.

Have no tie or much care about Zucker.
- kingcong39

Consistency of playing impactful games has not been his trademark.

If he helps L3 play well here, fabulous...I'll take it...just bring it every game. At 6'6"" and 230#, he should be a GD beast every night.

He's a strange fit. Not really seeing it with him, but it's 4 games in. The line has been solid and I'd be a bit surprised to Lindy touch it.
- Lunaion

I thought Zuckers been one of the most reliable players so far. Production hasn't been there but he's getting chances and playing well.

I heard Kulich played well on both sides of the puck, and he adds the threat of scoring.
Personally, I'd like to see it.
- IonSabres

Lindy talking about him after the game sounded like he's sticking around.

Consistency of playing impactful games has not been his trademark.

If he helps L3 play well here, fabulous...I'll take it...just bring it every game. At 6'6"" and 230#, he should be a GD beast every night.
- IonSabres

Lindy got the team averaging the most hits per game through 4 I believe. I think he's bringing out what we've been asking for

Lindy got the team averaging the most hits per game through 4 I believe. I think he's bringing out what we've been asking for
- DirtyDan

I still fear their ultimate downfall will be due to not enough scoring.

I still fear their ultimate downfall will be due to not enough scoring.
- kingcong39

Doesn't feel like they are built to win low scoring games either.

Consistency of playing impactful games has not been his trademark.

If he helps L3 play well here, fabulous...I'll take it...just bring it every game. At 6'6"" and 230#, he should be a GD beast every night.
- IonSabres