Quote:
Originally Posted by hockeyboy14
Ponikarovsky-Antropov-Hagman
Blake-Stajan-Steen
Tlusty-Moore-Bell
Mayers-Tlusty-Devereaux
Grabovski
Kubina-Kaberle
McCabe-Coliacovo
White-Finger
Stralman
Toskala
Cujo
It doesnt look like a bad roster at the moment. The center position is rather weak, but I really like the depth of the team and the grinders. The defensemen looks like last years, except Finger for Gill which I'm not to sure is an improvement. Cujo>Raycroft.
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Is this a joke? This is not in anyway what the lineup will look like, you might as well have Cujo ahead of Toskala!
What a mess! Firstly, Grabovski is getting 2nd line minutes this year, we didn't trade for him to have him sit as the 13th forward. Fletch also said he will get his ice time. Secondly, you didn't factor in Kulemin who is clearly on the team this year and most likely will also receive second line minutes. Tlusty is not a 3rd (or 4th - don't know why you have him twice) line player. He was last year but this year he is expected to do a little more. The guy played all last season - and played very composed I might add - with the big club and some of you are saying he may go down to the Marlies this year? What kind of backwards thinking is that for a rebuilding team? He put in 10 goals as a rookie, he's staying with the big club and he's going to get a chance to shine this year. You can safely assume one line that may have a chance to stick together all year and possibly longer is Tlusty-Grabo-Kulemin (Kulemin is a lefty who likes to play RW). These players all compliment each other with Tlusty being the grinder on the line, Grabo the playmaker and Kulemin the snipe. Lets hope we can see some production out of these guys.
Next up, Hagman is not a first line player, typical reaction to a new signing in leaf land... Blake/Steen has a better chance at playing in his spot on the first line. Hagman will be a 3rd line winger, most likely playing with Stajan and whomever doesn't squeeze into that first line (Blake/Steen).
The 4th line will definitely include Hollweg, as Fletcher has mentioned publicly that he expects to see a lot of him this year. He will be joined by Mayers (again, who thinks this was a bad trade and this guy will be a scratch?? Just wait until you see him play Leaf fans will love this guy, heart and soul type player, also a leader) and one of Bell/Devereaux/Moore.
On D Stralman is EASILY in the top 6, maybe top 4. White will be on the outside looking in and I wouldn't expect to have both McCabe and Kubina in that lineup. Maybe in training camp but not throughout the season.
You also forgot about the new Swede Jonas Frogren coming over. Fletcher and Wilson will be giving him a shot at the top 6 as well.
Given that we're still in July, these lineups are really pointless since we can expect some more movement out of Fletch. Also, I wouldn't be surprised to see Mats resigning with us. Still fun to discuss though...
Here's my starting night lineup:
Poni-Antro-Blake
Tlusty-Grabo-Kulemin
Hagman-Stajan-Steen
Mayers-Moore-Hollweg
Devereaux/Bell
Kubina-Kaberle
Coliacovo-Finger
Stralman - Frogen
McCabe(?)/White/Kronvall
Not saying that lineup sticks but I think that's what we'll be seeing for Game #1 (assuming there is no Mats). With Sundin back it creates even more of a logjam on forward... expect movement if thats the case!