I have yet to see an article based on the Jackets lines next year...so I'll give it a shot...
1st: Nash / Umberger/ Huselius
2nd: Modin / Brassard / Voracek
3rd: Chimera / Peca* / Torres
4th: Boll / Malholtra / Murray
Defense:
Commodore / Hejda
Tyutin / Klesla
Backman / OK Tollefson
Analysis:
The first line is fairly obvious but I do think that Brassard could take Umberger out of the first line, as I think R.J. is more a second line guy but it is hard to tell if that change will happen this season or not.
The second line is a "young line" in which Hitch has expressed interest. Putting two rookies on the same line is risky, but helps our other lines gain stability and putting a veteran like Modin with them, we could see the next Toews/Kane coming out of Columbus.
The third line goes back to Edmonton where Peca centered a line with Torres at wing and helped them get to the finals. Putting them together might help Torres fit better to start and Chimera will add speed and an underrated scoring touch.
The fourth line: I am not to wild about it. Boll can certainly agitate and make us tough, and Malholtra can win face-offs and he seemed to kick it into another gear late last season, (remember those Detroit goal(s)? WOW) but Murray is unimpressive and I just can't seem to see this line scoring much at all.
Our third pairing defense with them on the ice is very dicy.
For defense, I put Commodore and Hejda on the first because they can add some stability and sound defense, and log the minutes against opponents first lines.
The second pairing includes Klesla and Tyutin which is a very good second. This pairing could be the first and can help break the puck out and still stay at home and dish out the punishment.
The third is a considerable drop off from the first two with Backman and OK T. These two might not be playing in a month with the likes of Russell or another prospect filling in the hole.
Backman is said to be a puck mover, but Rangers fans HATED him and wanted him gone asap. OK can fight and fits our system well, but hasn't shown true NHL potential and poise yet.
Tell me what you think!
2 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Keith Lundquist about 1 year ago
it would be nice to see the jackets finally make the playoffs, but it seems unlikely lookin at that line-up.
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Michael Kington about 1 year ago
If you have looked into the players in that line up, you might think differently.
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