Is it too early to start thinking about lines for next season?
Of course not. Not with all the Canes' possibilities. General manager Jim Rutherford says he's still looking to add a gritty, tough-guy forward, so there probably will be another in the mix.
Question: what are the best line combinations?
Do you like Eric Staal and Jordan Staal together? Both centering lines? Jeff Skinner playing with Eric Staal? Alex Semin with Staal? The "Skins and Finns" line together? A lot of options there for coach Kirk Muller.
The floor is open.
A Raleigh native, Chip has worked at the N&O since 1979 and is the Canes beat writer. He can be reached at
Comments
You simply do not know
Tue, 08/07/2012 - 13:28 — mokimanoYou simply do not know hockey if you advocate playing the Staal's together on a regular basis! Sure Eric and Jordan will see PP time together...but the whole point of acquiring another top shelf center with size and skill like Jordan is to spread out your lines...if Welsh can show he is ready for a regular NHL shift you have three massive centers down the middle that will give teams fits all season long. Skinner will never have the size to be an NHL center...leave him at wing and play him with Jordan and Ruutu. Semin with Eric is a natural fit once they get use to playing together...and Tlusty could be a nice compliment with Semin and Eric on a top line. Welsh alongside Jussi and LaRose is a very solid third line that can play a two way style. The fourth line fodder will need to sort itself out in training camp...but look for 3 or 4 of those spare parts to be traded away or sent packing to Charlotte.
While I agree that the
Tue, 08/07/2012 - 14:42 — Hockeydad92While I agree that the Staal's down the middle along with Welsh and Brent give us a good line up at center, I strongly disagree with putting Tlusty on the 1st line. I think with true NHL level talent now we need to put a third cog there capable of playing at that level and that is not Tlusty. Tlusty would be a better fit on that third line were you have Jussi and LaRose. I question how you have LaRose as a strong two way player because last I checked plus minus was a decent indicator of a two way guy and Chad didn't look so good. Too slow for matching up with top wings, better suited for those energy shifts from the fourth. Where Ruutu and Jussi end up will complete the puzzle.
I believe Jim Rutherford and
Tue, 08/07/2012 - 13:35 — abramsdougI believe Jim Rutherford and Muller are hockey experts. Both have stated many times they intend to play E.Staal and J.Staal on a line to see how the chemistry goes.
Forward Lines
Tue, 08/07/2012 - 07:08 — abramsdougI think the forward lines will be in flux throughout the year depending on the situation. Also, until players such as Dalpe, Welsh, Bowman, Rask, Nash, and Boychuk have a chance to prove themselves in training camp and in the pre-season, it will be very difficult to know what the final lines will be. Muller, MacLean, Brind'Amour, and Stillman are all excellent coaches, and are especially adept at coaching forwards. There is also the question of chemistry; however, as a guess, here are the lines I would like to see used with some regularity. As a caveat, I am convinced the Hurricanes have to get bigger and more physical at forward and have to add toughness. Skinner took far too may cheap shots without having a teammate bringing some hockey justice as retribution. It really was out of hand last season. The end result is that for players such as Nodl, LaRose, and Dwyer it's going to be a challenge. All three are capable NHL forwards; but in this era of huge forwards, the Hurricanes cannot rely too heavily on small forwards in the bottom six. I view all three as essentially equivalent in terms of their impact even though their specific skills are not identical. Any team should be happy to have them.
LW Center RW
1st Line
E.Staal/J.Staal/Semin
2nd Line
Jokinen/Skinner/Ruutu
3rd Line
Dalpe/Welsh/Tlusty
4th Line
LaRose or Nodl or Dwyer/Brent/Bowman or Stewart
Although Dalpe/Welsh/Tlusty would be a very young line, it's a line that has excellent speed, size, two way skill, and excellent hockey I.Q. The added offensive firepower for that third line will offset any youthful errors. Again, during the course of a game, Muller/MacLean/Brind'Amour/Stillman will quickly be able to respond by shifting the forward lines. As one example, by having Skinner/E.Staal/Semin and then Jokinen/J.Staal/Ruutu, the coaches can have a second line that also can serve as a shutdown line. Bowman/Welsh/Tlusty or Tlusty/Welsh/Dwyer would also be a more defensively oriented line.
If the coaches want to give either E.Staal or J.Staal more time on the ice at center, they can double shift either one at center. Bowman/J.Staal or E.Staal/LaRose or Dwyer or Stewart would add offensive skill on the fourth line. If the Hurricanes add a tough, big, skilled fourth line or third line forward, the competition for forward spots becomes even more intense. One thing is clear from the addition of Muller and MacLean, they have a vision in mind for the team and the organization. They reward performance; and add a level of objectivity that was previously not prevalent with the Hurricanes' previous coaches. They don't only talk about personal accountability, they have make it clear nobody is entitled to ice time. They actions speak volumes; and the result is players get to earn time on ice. Roster spots will likely work the same way.
Disagree
Tue, 08/07/2012 - 07:49 — louis12580I am going to disagree with your suggestions. As I stated in my original post, it's all about strength up the middle and that's something this team has not really had since the '05-'06 season. By putting the Staal's together, you weaken the team up the middle. J.Staal is better at center that Jokinen, as is Eric. With Staal/Staal/Welsh you have 3 very big bodies at center and that's something else you won't have by playing Jokinen at center. It's about creating space on the ice as well and, again, keeping the Staal's separate and at center gives their line mates more space. Jussi doesn't do that. The only time U want to see the 3 S's together is on the powerplay, and when if the team needs that last minute goal to ties up the game.
p.s. See you at the Storm Trackers during the season?
E.Staal and J.Staal
Tue, 08/07/2012 - 09:52 — abramsdougI'd be very surprised if during a significant number of shifts, Muller doesn't separate E.Staal and J.Staal. They are both natural centers. I've been adamant for quite some time that the Hurricanes needed to get some jumbo-sized skilled forwards. So I have no issue with the fact that having E.Staal, J.Staal, and Welsh gives the Hurricanes much needed size down the middle.
On the other hand, I also recognize how well E.Staal played at wing with Crosby. I think there will be plenty of times when Muller puts the Staal brothers together at even strength. In an ideal world, a player like Dalpe or Rask would emerge as a first line wing or second line wing. Dalpe or Rask with E.Staal and Semin could be dynamic. Skinner/E.Staal/Semin also might well be an unstoppable line. Skinner/J.Staal/Ruutu is a line very few teams could contain. If Dalpe or Rask could play with J.Staal and Ruutu, the Hurricanes would also have two excellent scoring lines. I happen to believe Jokinen will be a much better player this season. He was needed at center too many shifts and that is not his most efficient position offensively. The only issue with Skins and Finns is the lack of elite speed; but they have had undeniable chemistry and success.
Zac and Zach
Tue, 08/07/2012 - 11:55 — louis12580I think that this could be their last hurrah as to be an integral part of this team. Maybe under Cory's direction they will show what they're supposed to be capable of. If that happens, with either or both of them, then this team gets dramatically better. I feel that (and this all depends on whether or not training camp begins on time) if they have a great camp, then Kirk and Jim can have a discussion as to what player/players can be moved. At least Kirk isn't so quick on the trigger with the younger players like Paul was. He's also not averse to benching starters for poor play, or dumb play.
The logjam on the 3rd and
Tue, 08/07/2012 - 12:48 — ctillThe logjam on the 3rd and 4th lines will definitely clear in June 2013 when contracts for LaRose, Stewart, Brent, Nodl, Wallace, Dwyer, Dalpe, Samson, Sutter, Boychuk, and Nash expire. I expect at least two of these to be traded or waived before then, however.
Here are the starters
Mon, 08/06/2012 - 18:37 — gregcaseL C R
1a Tlusty E Staal Semin
1b Skinner J Staal Ruutu
3 Jokinen Welsh/Brent LaRose
4 Nodl Welsh/Brent Dwyer
It will give us essentialy two #1 lines and a third line as good as some of our second lines of recent years. If neither Welsh nor Brent step up to take the third line center, we could plug Jokinen in, move Nodl up, and still have a good line with Stewart moving onto the fourth line.
Not sure
Mon, 08/06/2012 - 17:59 — Hockeydad92As a die hard fan but not a homer I just don't see what some of you folks see in some of these guys?? Tlusty a 1st line guy? Much as the love affair with LaRose you can't let the home team blinders get in the way. I get Semin with Staal and Jordan with Skinner and maybe Ruutu but after that this is where JR has his work cut out. The 4th line is the easiest IMHO. And with the D keep in mind for all the Corvo / Harrison fans that Murphy is a slightly younger and a touch smaller but even more skilled version of Faulk.
Yes...
Tue, 08/07/2012 - 15:21 — squeaky83Tlusty is a "Top Six" kind of guy based on his play there last year. To put things in perspective here's some numbers from last year:
30 Goal Scorers: 30 (roughly one per team, lower than average of about 1.3 per team)
25 Goal Scorers: 29 (roughly one per team again, also below average for NHL, but again not by a whole lot)
20 Goal Scorers: 42 (roughly 1.5 per team)
So an average NHL team has roughly three or four 20 and above goal scorers in its top six line up--Good offensive teams have more. Eighteen NHL teams last year had three or less 20 Goal scorers. Only one team had six 20 goal scorers last year. So 29 other teams have players like Tlusty in their top six. A guy who can skate, feed the scorers and is either a fairly decent two way player or a big banger. One of the things that set us apart in 05-06 was having 5 forwards score more than 20 goals...
The Canes next year look particularly loaded with EStaal, Semin and Skinner all being potential 30 goal guys, and JStaal, Ruutu OR Jussi being 20 Goal guys. Way better than average.... Mixing that talent, and including complimentary players like Tlusty in the Top Six, is what makes the top lines function in the NHL, and allows multiple lines of scoring depth.
Top six talent perhaps...
Tue, 08/07/2012 - 16:54 — Hockeydad92Top six talent perhaps... based on last years team and that benchmark but not first line with Eric and Alex. Not a good fit for the tools those guys bring, don't get me wrong I like Tlusty and think he brings something to the table but he will not thrive under the spotlight of the opposing teams top D pairings night in and night out. He will thrive when flying a bit under the radar because he can bring a offensive element that he is not especially well know for. That would be expected and go without saying on the top line. I think he would make part of a formidable 3rd line with Welsh and somebody..
MY LINES
Mon, 08/06/2012 - 17:28 — caniac53Jokinen-E. Staal-Semin
Skinner-J. Staal-Ruutu
Tlusty-Welsh-Larose
Dwyer-Brent-New tough guy
Gleason-Corvo
Pitkanen-Faulk
Harrison-Mcbain
Murphy
PP Unit one
Staal-Staal-Semin-Faulk-Corvo
PP Unit two
Skinner-Jokinen-Ruutu-Pitkanen-Mcbain
Pk 1-J.Staal-Semin-Gleason-Pitkanen
Pk 2-E.Staal-Jokien-Faulk-Corvo
Pk 3-Brent-Dwyer-Harrison-Mcbain
Lines
Mon, 08/06/2012 - 12:56 — hockeyhickI agree with splitting the Staals up for even strength play for the same reasons as everyone else has pointed out. The bottom six is where the real battles in camp will be, and Muller has said this is where the spots are available for the young guys. I feel the opening night lineup will be:
Tlusty-E Staal-Semin Bona fide top line with size, skill, and creativity. Tlusty adds some defensive responsibility as well.
Skinner-J Staal-Ruutu Could be a fist line on many teams in the NHL. Great size, skill, and physicality. Skinner and Ruutu will flourish with Jordan's tenacity and physical presence.
Bowman-Jokinen-Dwyer Decent third line with a good mix of skill and defensive ability.
LaRose-Welsh-Tough guy to be named It seems Welsh is gonna have to really have a bad camp to NOT make the team. That being said, I think he makes the team as a 4th line center. This line would provide size, agitation, energy, and a little scoring as well.
That leaves Nodl, Brent, and Stewart on one-way deals and Dalpe, Wallace, Brett Sutter, Samson, and possibly Terry on two-way deals fighting for bottom 6 spots. Should make for a very exciting and competitive camp, and also provide good depth in Charlotte.
On defense I see the following combos:
Gleason-Corvo
Pitkanen-McBain
Harrison-Faulk
Murphy makes the team as a 7th.
Lines
Mon, 08/06/2012 - 12:23 — squeaky83Although I think the Staals could and would play well together, I think it would provide higher threat lines and harder defensive pairings for opponents to match up against if the two played on different lines.
Tlusty, E Staal, Semin : What we've been looking for. A top winger to go with Eric, capable of thrity goals. Eric capable of thirty goals. Semin and Tlusty can pass, all have decent size.
Skinner, J Staal, Ruutu: A second line that's a definite threat: 30 goal scorer, strong, BIG puck posessing center who can also score, banger who can score and free up pucks. Gives us a true center on the line who is solid in both ends and capable of winning draws and keeping attention from focucing on Skinner. Skins and Finns, though a good line, isn't near as strong at center, not as defensively responsible and hasn't got the same puck battling/posession skills as it would with Jordan.
Jokinen, Welsh, Bowman: A third scoring line. Good size and two way play in both Bowman and Welsh. Good playmaker in Jussi. Jussi can take Center position if Welsh not up to it early on. NOT a shutdown line as used under Mo, but more a third scoring line as used under Laviolette. Has a lot of scoring potential if Jussi returns to form, Bowman continues to improve, and Welsh learns the pro game even a little. This definitely creates matchup problem to run a third scoring line.
Dwyer Brent LaRose: PK men, energy line post PP, defensively responsible but can pot the occasional goal. Thrown out to rest top lines and grind/agitate. Small size is a concern, but nothing we haven't fielded in the past.
When behind we can then load up the top line like Pitt does and run either: Skinner, E Staal, Semin or E Staal, J Staal, Semin to push the talent up to try for ties or wins depending on chemistry or results...
Yup
Wed, 08/08/2012 - 11:27 — DavidMeyerThis is the right one. Good post.
I don't see Skinner and
Mon, 08/06/2012 - 10:22 — ctillI don't see Skinner and Semin on the same line. Otherwise I'm not opinionated about the top two lines. My guess is that E-Staal will play center not wing. It's unclear whether Jokinen or Tlusty will be the sixth forward; advantage Jokinen in my mind, but if Tlusty shows the same season-over-season improvement that he showed last year, he could bump Jokinen to the third line. Quite a logjam for the 3rd and 4th lines, with Welsh potentially a factor as well. At some point JR will have to weed out those lines, just as he did to the D corps a few years ago (Borer, Carson, etc).
Repeating what I've posted before..
Mon, 08/06/2012 - 08:22 — louis12580Staal (E)/Semin/Tlusty
Staal (J)/Ruutu/Skinner
Nash/LaRose/Jokinen (maybe flipflop Jokinen with Tlusty depending)
Dwyer/Stewart/Nodl/Brent
Maybe Bowman, or another of the other forwards makes the team on a permanent basis and the team makes a deal for another.
Powerplay: Staal/Staal/Semin, Skins and Finns
When you have the aformentioned 3S line, think of the space they take up on the ice. Eric handling the puck, Jordan camped in front of the net and Semin lurking on the half-wall or drifting into the circle. It also allows the team to play the 3 forward, 2 defenseman powerplay. Faulk/Pitkanen/Corvo/McBain, all skilled, all fast and Pitkanen is a great passer from the point.
I don't want the Staals to be paired together except on the powerplay. Separating them for regular shifts gives the team strength down the middle which they have not had since the Cup team. When you keep them apart it forces the other team to pick their poison.