BigTed3 Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 I disagree in benching Pacioretty. I am actually not a fun of benching at all. I am not convinced that Eller's 5pts game was the result of benching him a week ago. If you are going to coach with authority and bench the unproductive players, you ought to take no exemptions and bench the vets too. I think refocusing and motivating must be achieved through training and practicing. The solution of Pacioretty's slump is not benching by a coach, but coach convincing in playing harder (motivating) and explaining the players role in the team (refocusing). It's hard to say when a benching does and does not work. In Eller's case, he seems like a guy who works hard most nights and the same can be said for Pacioretty. Mostly, I thin a benching helps to wake up guys whose efforts are less consistent, but sometimes it can serve to just get a guy to clear his mind, watch a game from a different perspective, and get back to doing things the simple way. If you look at Pacman's game, he's going to the net a little less often than he was at the start of the year, but he's still getting scoring chances; it's just that a lot of his shots are going right into the goalie's chest. I think this is purely a matter of him over-thinking things instead of letting his skill come naturally and I agree with previous posters that a game in the press-box might help him. However, I wouldn't resort to that yet. Gionta's coming back next game, Gomez will be back shortly... I'd like to see Pacman have a chance to play with Gio (who he's had success with before) at the very least before sticking him in the stands, which is one reason I suggested Pacman-Pleks-Gio as a line going forward. When Gomez gets back, it would then be possible to play Scotty on the wing (which is where it seems the only place for him is right now) in Pacman's spot for a game if we still feel that's necessary. My other lines, as I stated before, would be Cammy-DD-Cole Moen-Eller-AK46 Darche-Noke-Blunden with White replacing Darche upon his return as well and Gomez taking the Noke or Blunden spot once everything settles down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grecohab Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 It's hard to say when a benching does and does not work. In Eller's case, he seems like a guy who works hard most nights and the same can be said for Pacioretty. Mostly, I thin a benching helps to wake up guys whose efforts are less consistent, but sometimes it can serve to just get a guy to clear his mind, watch a game from a different perspective, and get back to doing things the simple way. If you look at Pacman's game, he's going to the net a little less often than he was at the start of the year, but he's still getting scoring chances; it's just that a lot of his shots are going right into the goalie's chest. I think this is purely a matter of him over-thinking things instead of letting his skill come naturally and I agree with previous posters that a game in the press-box might help him. However, I wouldn't resort to that yet. Gionta's coming back next game, Gomez will be back shortly... I'd like to see Pacman have a chance to play with Gio (who he's had success with before) at the very least before sticking him in the stands, which is one reason I suggested Pacman-Pleks-Gio as a line going forward. When Gomez gets back, it would then be possible to play Scotty on the wing (which is where it seems the only place for him is right now) in Pacman's spot for a game if we still feel that's necessary. My other lines, as I stated before, would be Cammy-DD-Cole Moen-Eller-AK46 Darche-Noke-Blunden with White replacing Darche upon his return as well and Gomez taking the Noke or Blunden spot once everything settles down. My only arguement would be Plekanec centering Cammalleri and Cole in the 1st line, the clicking Moen-Eller-Kostitsyn line would be my 2nd, and Desharnais centering Pacioretty and Gionta would be my 3rd line. I would like the Pacioretty-Desharnais tandem work together, they develop great chemistry. As for Gomez, i trully can't see where he can fit anymore. White in the 4th line, and Darche the extra is definetly an upgrade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColRouleBleu Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 Lines in practice today: Pacioretty-Desharnais-Cole Cammalleri-Plekanec-Gionta Kostitsyn-Eller-Moen Darche-Nokelainen-Blunden Gorges-Subban Emelin-Diaz Kaberle-Weber Gill-Campoli Hmm... the defense pairings are interesting... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grecohab Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 Lines in practice today: Pacioretty-Desharnais-Cole Cammalleri-Plekanec-Gionta Kostitsyn-Eller-Moen Darche-Nokelainen-Blunden Gorges-Subban Emelin-Diaz Kaberle-Weber Gill-Campoli Hmm... the defense pairings are interesting... If this is so, and Weber actually plays, i think it is a case of showing him of, for a potential future trade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigTed3 Posted January 6, 2012 Report Share Posted January 6, 2012 My only arguement would be Plekanec centering Cammalleri and Cole in the 1st line, the clicking Moen-Eller-Kostitsyn line would be my 2nd, and Desharnais centering Pacioretty and Gionta would be my 3rd line. I would like the Pacioretty-Desharnais tandem work together, they develop great chemistry. As for Gomez, i trully can't see where he can fit anymore. White in the 4th line, and Darche the extra is definetly an upgrade. I believe Cole actually has better chemistry with DD than Pacman does. I also find that Cole's game has not been as cohesive with Plek's, so that's why I'd rather keep DD and Cole together... just my two cents though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weepingminotaur Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 Time to get Plekanec away from Cammalleri, it's not working and at this point both players need a fresh set of linemates and an injection of confidence. Pacioretty-Plekanec-Gionta: Pleks and Gionta need a big body that can be effective at the net. Both Pleks and Gionta are defensively responsible enough to cover Pacioretty's shortcomings in our own end. Cammalleri-Desharnais-Cole: I've left Cole on this line, because if it were Pacioretty, the line would be a disaster from a defensive standpoint. All three players like to operate from different areas in the offensive zone: Desharnais prefers to set up behind the net, Cole works in the blue paint, and Cammmalleri's sweet spot for the one-timer seems to be the area just inside the left hashmark. At least they won't be getting in each other's way, LOL. Kostitsyn-Eller-Moen: Let's not mess with the one line that is working. Darche-Nokelainen-Blunden: Double-shifting our centers isn't viable in the long term. We need a complete fourth line to play 6-8 minutes a night and give some of our top-nine guys a breather. I'm not a Blunden fan at all but he's a big forward whose ability to hurt us with turnovers should be limited by his ice time. Gorges-Subban: As has become depressingly common this season, our top pairing out of necessity. It sure would be nice to have Markov back so PK could take on fewer minutes. Kaberle-Emelin: To me, this should be the real second pairing, a good mix of skills. Gill-Diaz: Diaz can play more minutes on a game-by-game basis, but Gill, to me, at this point in his career, is strictly a PK man with a smattering of ES minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColRouleBleu Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 I think that while it will be working, RC will continue to keep 7 D-men dressed, rotating one 4th line forward and rotating Campoli & Weber in and out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigTed3 Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 I think that while it will be working, RC will continue to keep 7 D-men dressed, rotating one 4th line forward and rotating Campoli & Weber in and out. Well now that Scotty looks like he's close to being back, that may change. I don't know that RC will sit two of Blunden, Darche, and Noke... my feeling is that the team is trying hard to trade Campoli and is hoping to boost his value by playing him. Wouldn't be surprised to see a deal in the next week or two involving Campoli or Weber. Insofar as lines go, I'll say what I've been saying for a while and what Weep has more or less said too: Pacman-Pleks-Gio Cammy-DD-Cole Moen-Eller-AK Gomez-Noke-Blunden On D though, I still like Gorges on the right more than Emelin, and I like what Emelin has done with Diaz. I don't see the reasoning behind playing Kaberle like he's Yannick Weber, when he is more than a PP specialist. I'd be comfortable with Kabs-Gorges as my top pairing and distribute the ice time fairly evenly at even strength amongst the others: Kaberle-Gorges Gill-Subban Emelin-Diaz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grecohab Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 Well now that Scotty looks like he's close to being back, that may change. I don't know that RC will sit two of Blunden, Darche, and Noke... my feeling is that the team is trying hard to trade Campoli and is hoping to boost his value by playing him. Wouldn't be surprised to see a deal in the next week or two involving Campoli or Weber. Insofar as lines go, I'll say what I've been saying for a while and what Weep has more or less said too: Pacman-Pleks-Gio Cammy-DD-Cole Moen-Eller-AK Gomez-Noke-Blunden On D though, I still like Gorges on the right more than Emelin, and I like what Emelin has done with Diaz. I don't see the reasoning behind playing Kaberle like he's Yannick Weber, when he is more than a PP specialist. I'd be comfortable with Kabs-Gorges as my top pairing and distribute the ice time fairly evenly at even strength amongst the others: Kaberle-Gorges Gill-Subban Emelin-Diaz What are you talking about?..7,3M dressing up as a fourth liner?...Mr. Scotty must be the 1st line center... ...In Hamilton :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noob616 Posted January 12, 2012 Report Share Posted January 12, 2012 Well I was just going to post the same lines Weep did on Jan 8th, but seeing as Gionta just underwent surgery he'll presumably be out for a while. AK-Pleks-Cole : I think this line works, both Cole and AK are defensively adequate enough to handle the matchups, and to have some physicality for Plekanec is needed. Pacioretty-Desharnais-Cammalleri: I like it for the same reasons Weep said above, Cammalleri needs to stop dragging down Plekanec, and I think Desharnais and Pacioretty's games will help him greatly. Moen-Eller-Leblanc (who I assume will get another callup) Should be a pretty good 3rd line really, Leblanc and Eller are both quite talented, Moen is underrated as a puck distributer, and will keep the line quite responsible defensively. I think when Gomez comes back, send Leblanc back down to Hamilton, put Gomez on the LW here, and Moen on the right, keeping Eller at C where he needs to be. Darche-Nokelainen-Blunden/Dumont - Send em out to crash and bang for 10 minutes every game to give Plekanec, Desharnais and Eller a bit of a rest. *NOTE, I think the 2nd and 3rd lines depend on who's hot, if the 3rd line heats up, they should get minutes over Pacman-DD-Cammy, and vice versa. As for defense pairings, I thing we should go with this: Gorges-Subban: Pretty much the best we have right now, PK is way over worked this year, but Gorges has taken a big step and the two of them is really our best bet as a defensive pairing. Kaberle-Emelin: Kaberle, hands down the best puck moving D-man on the team, a legit top 4 D. and Emelin is really developing into the physical force we need. The only question is how well Emelin can adjust to the right side... Gill-Diaz: Keep this pairing hidden at ES as much as we can, Diaz is fine but Gill's far too slow ES to be effective anymore. However, on the PK he's very valuable and it pays to keep him in the lineup, Diaz also is available as a point shot on the PP. Diaz can be switched with Weber, or we can put Weber on the 4th line in place of Blunden if we need him for the PP. On D, we need to ride our "top 4" (lol) for all they've got, because we simply can not have Gill playing big minutes ES. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weepingminotaur Posted January 12, 2012 Report Share Posted January 12, 2012 I like your lines, Noob, except for the second line, which is so bad defensively that I shudder to think what happens if the puck is bottled up in our end for any stretch of time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weepingminotaur Posted January 12, 2012 Report Share Posted January 12, 2012 I would like a change in thinking behind the bench. If Plekanec is supposed to center our shutdown line that routinely faces other teams' best scorers, it's idiotic to flank him with small, defensively questionable players like Cammalleri, who need to be unleashed in a purely offensive role. So I propose the following (assuming Gomez is healthy): Line 1: Cammalleri-Gomez-Cole This is our scoring line. No messing around. Load up with our three high-priced acquisitions. This line receives as many offensive-zone starts as reasonably possible and the first wave of every power play unless they're just coming off a shift. When we're trailing in the third, this line should be double-shifted into the ice. Gomez, whatever we may think of his contract, gains the zone like nobody else on this team and distributes the puck well. Cammalleri, when on his game, is as lethal shooting from the hash marks as anyone. And Cole is the bull power forward whose drive in the blue paint should keep the line from being squashed into the ice. Line 2: Eller-Plekanec-Kostitsyn This is a checking line primarily, but a very talented group that can do some damage if they catch the other team in an unfavorable matchup. Eller is big and strong, can work a great puck possession game down low, and is the most defensively responsible winger we have who isn't injured (Gionta). Kostitsyn will never be mistaken for Frank Selke, but he can impose his will physically, which makes him better in this role than Cammalleri (and he's really the only viable option). Line 3: Pacioretty-Desharnais-Moen This is the line we send out for offensive-zone faceoffs when the first line is coming off a shift. Moen provides some defensive stability and grit to the unit, and hopefully DD can benefit from weaker matchups to set up his linemates. Line 4: Darche-Nokelainen-Leblanc Eight minutes a night, unless Leblanc is tearing it up, in which case he can replace Moen in-game on the third line. Defense 1: Gorges-Subban Our no. 1 pairing by default. Defense 2: Kaberle-Diaz Let's stop pretending Kaberle isn't a top-four man, please. Defense 3: Emelin-Weber Go for broke. Emelin has played well lately, and Weber should be motivated to show he's not a spare part. First-wave PP Kaberle, Weber (points); Cammalleri and Gomez (boards); Cole (net) Second-wave PP Gorges, Subban (points); Plekanec and Desharnais (boards); Kostitsyn, Pacioretty, or Eller (net) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigTed3 Posted January 12, 2012 Report Share Posted January 12, 2012 If we're really trying to go for a playoff push, then yeah, maybe we recall LL. He's better than Palushaj or Engqvist, and putting him in our line-up gives us better skill than those other guys. But for his own development, he's better off playing in Hamilton and certainly, there is no merit to having him play our 4th line or sit him in the pressbox half the time. So to me, the guy you recall is Palushaj if you want a scoring winger. The team may also want to take a look at guys like Dumont or Avstin. In any case, these would be my lines going forward: Pacioretty-Plekanec-AK46 (take your best center, give him two wingers with size for once) Cammalleri-DD-Cole (this worked before and Cole/DD have had more success together than any other duo, so why split them up) Gomez-Eller-Palushaj (if we're calling up a scoring winger, put him on a line with talent. Eller's shown he can score now too. Gomez has two targets to feed, and of our top 4 centers, he's the guy to move to the wing) Moen-Nokelainen-Blunden (PK specialist, face-off specialist, and a guy who can hit) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roy_133 Posted January 12, 2012 Report Share Posted January 12, 2012 If we're really trying to go for a playoff push, then yeah, maybe we recall LL. He's better than Palushaj or Engqvist, and putting him in our line-up gives us better skill than those other guys. But for his own development, he's better off playing in Hamilton and certainly, there is no merit to having him play our 4th line or sit him in the pressbox half the time. So to me, the guy you recall is Palushaj if you want a scoring winger. The team may also want to take a look at guys like Dumont or Avstin. In any case, these would be my lines going forward: I'm not completely sure Leblanc is better ATM than Palushaj. Leblanc is a bit overrated, Palushaj a bit underrated and Aaron has put up very good numbers since being sent down and further to that I've read great things about his game. I know Leblanc looked better in their short stretches here but I'm still not definitely prepared to say that right now, he's a better player. I really like Palushaj, in fact I think it's well beyond time to call him up and give him a legitimate role on this team to see if he sinks or swims. It certainly beats playing Blunden or Darche at this stage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigTed3 Posted January 12, 2012 Report Share Posted January 12, 2012 I'm not completely sure Leblanc is better ATM than Palushaj. Leblanc is a bit overrated, Palushaj a bit underrated and Aaron has put up very good numbers since being sent down and further to that I've read great things about his game. I know Leblanc looked better in their short stretches here but I'm still not definitely prepared to say that right now, he's a better player. I really like Palushaj, in fact I think it's well beyond time to call him up and give him a legitimate role on this team to see if he sinks or swims. It certainly beats playing Blunden or Darche at this stage. LL played better than Palushaj in their individual call-ups, although you're correct that Palushaj may have gotten a shorter stick in that he was frequently employed on the 4th line. LL got 3rd line duty intermingled with some 4th line appearances, but he also didn't play huge minutes. I don't know how other people rate LL, but I thought he was strong with the puck, particularly down low in the corners. He fore-checked well and his defence was not bad for a rookie. Palushaj showed some nice things the last time he was up, although I found his D a little sloppier. To me, LL has the bigger upside and less experience and we have more to gain by keeping him in the minors and developing him properly. I agree with you about giving Palushaj another look, although to me, he is not directly competing with Darche or Blunden. I know RC now has Blunden on the "first" line but I see him as purely a 4th line player, whereas Palushaj is a guy who needs to be playing the the top 6-9, just like LL. With Gio, out, there's definitely room for somebody to come up who can play those top 3 lines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weepingminotaur Posted January 12, 2012 Report Share Posted January 12, 2012 I'm not completely sure Leblanc is better ATM than Palushaj. Leblanc is a bit overrated, Palushaj a bit underrated and Aaron has put up very good numbers since being sent down and further to that I've read great things about his game. I know Leblanc looked better in their short stretches here but I'm still not definitely prepared to say that right now, he's a better player. I really like Palushaj, in fact I think it's well beyond time to call him up and give him a legitimate role on this team to see if he sinks or swims. It certainly beats playing Blunden or Darche at this stage. While I agree that Leblanc might be a bit overrated, I saw nothing in Palushaj's game the last time around to indicate he has a place here. Not saying he doesn't have a future with us but he certainly didn't show anything last time beyond sloppy turnovers inside our blue line, unacceptable for a fourth-line forward playing on a defensive-minded team and trying to earn an NHL spot. That said, I agree that it's better to play Palushaj than Blunden or Darche. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roy_133 Posted January 13, 2012 Report Share Posted January 13, 2012 While I agree that Leblanc might be a bit overrated, I saw nothing in Palushaj's game the last time around to indicate he has a place here. Not saying he doesn't have a future with us but he certainly didn't show anything last time beyond sloppy turnovers inside our blue line, unacceptable for a fourth-line forward playing on a defensive-minded team and trying to earn an NHL spot. That said, I agree that it's better to play Palushaj than Blunden or Darche. I agree he wasn't good in his last call up, but like I said I do like his tools and I'm not prepared to make a long term decision based on 10-15 games of very limited ice time. He's put up very good numbers since going back down and while I agree that he should have been sent down at the time, with where we are at this point of the season, I'm prepared to live with some on the job learning to see if he can be a player for us. We have enough crap on this roster with no future here and now with Gionta out there's ample room for him to get a fair shot. Next year he has to pass through waivers to be sent down and he's enough of a prospect that he will be claimed. I'd like to give him 30-35 games to see if he can be a player for us going forward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwdemonwolf Posted January 13, 2012 Report Share Posted January 13, 2012 Bourque-Plekanec-Cole Pacioretty-Gomez-DD AK-Eller-Moen I don't even know. But give Plekanec two bull wingers already, Bourque might be a good fit with him and Cole. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nine1One Posted January 13, 2012 Report Share Posted January 13, 2012 Bourque-Plekanec-Cole Pacioretty-Gomez-DD AK-Eller-Moen I don't even know. But give Plekanec two bull wingers already, Bourque might be a good fit with him and Cole. I bet we call up Louis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigTed3 Posted January 13, 2012 Report Share Posted January 13, 2012 Well let's line this up for Sunday, given that Bourque can't play until then and Gomez may or may not be back until then... I'll take Pacioretty-Plekanec-Gomez Bourque-DD-Cole Moen-Eller-AK46 Darche-Noke-Blunden We're still, however, short of right-handed shots. With Gio out and Gomez taking a spot back from Blunden, we have not one single righty in the top 9. It's a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIASUN Posted January 13, 2012 Report Share Posted January 13, 2012 If were hell bent on trying to stay in the race this is the best lineup combo without Gio and with Gomez/Bourque IMO: Bourque Plekanec Kostitsyn Pacioretty Desharnais Cole Gomez Eller Moen Darche Noke Weber Gorges Subban Emelin Diaz Gill Kaberle Price Turn the Eller line into the permanent checking line because you have 2 centers on it and Moen the consummate grinder. Let Plekanec finally have 2 big skilled wingers with similar styles and penchants for floating, hitting and streaky play but let them play against other teams 2nd or 3rd line. Two and a half men. Our true first line, get them away from defensive assignments. Weber should play every game of his career with a picture of Tim Thomas taped to the front of his visor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grecohab Posted January 13, 2012 Report Share Posted January 13, 2012 If were hell bent on trying to stay in the race this is the best lineup combo without Gio and with Gomez/Bourque IMO: Bourque Plekanec Kostitsyn Pacioretty Desharnais Cole Gomez Eller Moen Darche Noke Weber Gorges Subban Emelin Diaz Gill Kaberle Price Turn the Eller line into the permanent checking line because you have 2 centers on it and Moen the consummate grinder. Let Plekanec finally have 2 big skilled wingers with similar styles and penchants for floating, hitting and streaky play but let them play against other teams 2nd or 3rd line. Two and a half men. Our true first line, get them away from defensive assignments. Nice lines, IMHO... Weber should play every game of his career with a picture of Tim Thomas taped to the front of his visor. :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedimaas Posted January 13, 2012 Report Share Posted January 13, 2012 Wth the addition of bourque the return of Gomez, this would be my lineup: Pacioretty Plekanec Cole Bourque Eller Kostitsyn Darche Desharnais Moen Noke Gomez Weber Cunneyworth clearly wants to play Eller and Plekanec big minutes, so forget the idea of the true "checking line" and instead stack your top two lines. Desharnais & Gomez get the bottom 2 lines to work with, but both (DD especially) also is to expect PP time. I might swap around those top 4 wingers but I would keep Eller and Pleks as my big minute centres going forward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeanCountingHab Posted January 13, 2012 Report Share Posted January 13, 2012 Wth the addition of bourque the return of Gomez, this would be my lineup: Pacioretty Plekanec Cole Bourque Eller Kostitsyn Darche Desharnais Moen Noke Gomez Weber Cunneyworth clearly wants to play Eller and Plekanec big minutes, so forget the idea of the true "checking line" and instead stack your top two lines. Desharnais & Gomez get the bottom 2 lines to work with, but both (DD especially) also is to expect PP time. I might swap around those top 4 wingers but I would keep Eller and Pleks as my big minute centres going forward. I like your top 6 guys and giving Eller and Pleks big minutes. Once Gomez is back in game shape though, I wouldn't mind seeing what he can bring on the 3rd line wing with DD and Moen (or even centering DD and Moen) and dropping Darche down to the 4th line which Noke centers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigTed3 Posted January 13, 2012 Report Share Posted January 13, 2012 Wth the addition of bourque the return of Gomez, this would be my lineup: Pacioretty Plekanec Cole Bourque Eller Kostitsyn Darche Desharnais Moen Noke Gomez Weber Cunneyworth clearly wants to play Eller and Plekanec big minutes, so forget the idea of the true "checking line" and instead stack your top two lines. Desharnais & Gomez get the bottom 2 lines to work with, but both (DD especially) also is to expect PP time. I might swap around those top 4 wingers but I would keep Eller and Pleks as my big minute centres going forward. The 1st two lines are great. The problem is that you then have DD and Gomez, both set-up men without any scoring skills themselves, floating around with 4 wingers who themselves can't score. It seems like a waste of those two guys and it puts a lot of burden on the top two lines to be on every game. I'd rather see the scoring spread out over 3 lines personally and give Gomez and DD each at least one guy who can pot goals. To me, Gomez is the guy who moves to the wing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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