Daily Buzz Wednesday

Many will know by now that Hitch fancies putting Big Rick at center on the top line.  Interesting play. I’m curious to see what happens. And to be honest, it’s not that far out of a move. 

What I do find intriguing is how he plans to shape the rest of his lines with this move. 

According to the Dispatch, Hitch will promote Jason Chimera to the top line and put RJ Umberger on the left side of the kid line. I think this shuffle is a mistake.

The Goat Line has been the most consistently productive line the Jackets have ever seen (if that tells you anything).  aking Chimera’s speed away from that line will greatly decrease their production. So, my first recommendation is KEEP THE GOAT LINE IN TACT.

So what does that mean for the rest?  Well, Huselius has played left wing for the past few years - feeding to Jarome Iginla on the right. So if you move Nash to the middle, shift Kristian to the left.  Seems like a natural fit. So what does that leave on the right side?  RJ Umberger played right wing all last year and was remarkably productive.  So, move him to the right wing! 

The little chemistry that the guys created will be kept in tact, but it still addresses the issue at hand, which is a lack of a really competitive player in the middle of the first line.

Is there something I’m missing here??