Ducks: Possible Combinations for 3 Scoring Lines?
I wanted to pose the following question to Battle of California fans. Assuming that the Ducks are completely healthy (this includes the return of Joffrey Lupul), would it be wise for the Ducks to attempt to have three scoring lines? I know it's been talked about a lot in the early part of the season, and while that experiment failed, the topic has come back up again with the addition of Jason Blake. What would your possible line combinations be for these lines? Don't worry about adding the fourth liners for this unless you want to include it.
I honestly believe that Lupul would have to be playing for us to have 3 bonafide scoring lines. Here's my lousy attempt at coaching with the lines in no particular order:
Jason Blake - Ryan Getzlaf - Corey Perry
Bobby Ryan - Saku Koivu - Dan Sexton
Joffrey Lupul - Petteri Nokelainen - Teemu Selanne
I think Blake can do well on the top line. He seems like he'd be sort of like Chris Kunitz. Hopefully he can agitate, get in on the forecheck, hit, and go to the front of the net. That would work well with the top line.
I really liked what the Ryan - Koivu - Sexton line was doing, so I have a hard time breaking them up here, although RC has done it a lot lately.
And seriously, when Selanne was back from his first injury, he was playing really well with Nokelainen. I think they worked well together.
Some other things to note, on the left side, I think all of these players are pretty much interchangeable because they bring different strengths and playing types to all the lines. Lupul was on an absolute tear when he was on the top line until he decided to stop feeling his legs - so maybe he should be put there. We all know that Ryan can play on the top line. The only question is Blake because we haven't seen him yet; but like I stated previously, I think he'd be like Kunitz on that line and fill in quite nicely.
As far as the right side, I think Selanne and Sexton are interchangeable here although I think Sexton will be hurt the most by being moved away from Koivu.
Personally, I like what I've put together, but what do I really know. I only know that as long as Todd Marchant isn't centering what we're calling a scoring line, then we're in good shape. I think that was the biggest mistake at the beginning of the season with the 3 scoring line experiment.
What do you think?
6 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I think you’re largely on the right track here, though it’s all going to be premature until we’re allowed to watch J-Blake play a few games.
You may be right on Marchant, but I wasn’t upset this summer when the idea was penciled together — I was hopeful he could feed Lupul like the old days of ‘06, but apparently that’s not going to fly.
Health would be an interesting thing for this roster — let’s hope!
http://www.battleofcali.com/
I LIKE IT…but gorilla head will always do the opposite of what we want till hes forced to…me and sleek were calling for belesky on the top line forever…1,000 bannanas later he finally does and whoalla..instant offense…good post
I usually end up doing somthing stupid...count on it
LONG LIVE BOC (and from the rink)!!
GO DUCKS!!!
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Feb 2, 2010 8:31 AM PST reply actions
I think Lupul is great on the first line but anyone could be awesome on the first line of the ducks because of getz and perry. I think they need a checking line that can score often. Have chipchura center it until some of the young bloods come up from the minors. Have a two way center that is big and makes room for the wingers.
With current line up I think this set up would be good.
Lupul-Getz-Perry
Bobby-Koivu-Selanne
Blake-Chipchura-Beleskey
Brown-Marchant-Carter
Lupul and Beleskey can be interchangeable. I just feel Beleskey is a better checker. Also beleskey can create room for chipchura and blake with the forecheck. With blakes speed I think there could be a possibility for a quick strike off of a turnover.
I think Blake is too fast for the top line and quite frankly Getz and Perry are semi-trucks. Bobby and Koivu have something going on and Selanne and Koivu just go together. Until the Ducks sign a large center that plays some D that can shot the puck and can facilitate scoring I think you gotta give this a try. Whats the worse that can happen were already in last place.
It’s definitely getting crowded. I think Lupul had some success with Koivu when Selanne went down, if I remember correctly. But Blake definetly puts a wrinkle in my thinking. Here’s what I think:
Ryan – Getz – Perry (finally have the luxury of keeping these kids together)
Blake – Koivu – Selanne (speed kills line)
Lupul – Marchant – Sexton (checking line that can definitely score!)
Brown – Chipchura – Nokeleinen























