If Nash is back this weekend, our lines really don't look that bad. Yes I think we still need to deal a dman for one more forward scorer, but our lines are pretty solid IMO: Kreider/Stepan/MZA Nash/Richards/Cally Hags/Brassard/Pouliot Boyle/Moore/Dorsett/Miller Those are pretty solid forwards. Again, I do think we'd be best served to deal a dman and add one more top 9 forward so we wouldn't have to rely on Pouliot and MZA to always produce, but those are not terrible lines, and we have some nice depth as well.
Pouliot is what he is. Up and down. Inconsistent. We have seen that already this year. Some games he has been very good (Detroit), and others not so much. That is the story of his career.
He takes a lot of stupid penalties... and I don't think his so called up is even close to making him worth a roster spot compared to his down. Hope he somehow gets moved in a package at some point this season.
As stupid as it may sound, I wouldn't be surprise to see Hags stick on the line with Richards and Cally, with Nash starting on the '3rd' line with Brassard and Pouliot, with probably Miller going down to HFD, until Nash really gets his legs back. Also wouldn't be shocked if its Pouliot going down to HFD instead of Miller, although I don't know much about his waivers situation and if that could work, but I think AV might be getting tired of his stupid offensive zone penalties... I still would be very surprised to see Nash back by this weekend though, he hasn't even had any contact practices yet and they seem in no rush to push him back in any kind of hurry.... Krieder/Step/Zuc Hags/Richards/Cally Nash/Brassard/Miller Boyle/Moore/Dorset You're right Chuck, that doesn't look half bad....
Maybe just throw Pouliot on the 4th line for now if they want to cut his minutes. He's got the size to play there and could add a little scoring perhaps. Sit D. Moore or Boyle every other game.
Nash said he wont play this weekend. I would say...give a week or two for him to get back in shape. The guy has not skated in forever.
I am not worried too much about the actual line makeup. To me the point is we have some depth and talent upfront, and the lines look pretty solid however they are constructed. As for Nash, barring a setback he will be back soon. Maybe he misses 2 or 3 more games, but it will be real soon unless he has a setback.
I'd be thrilled to get Nash back even if it's after Thanksgiving, that's alot sooner than expected. Let's see him take some contact in practice over the next week.
If they break in Nash slowly on the third line then Hagelin Richards Callahan Kreider Stepan Zuccarello Pouliot Brassard Nash Miller Boyle Dorsett otherwise Kreider Stepan Nash Hagelin Richards Callahan Pouliot Brassard Zuccarello Miller Boyle Dorsett
I'd keep Miller up and send Pouliot down. If it were just a matter of up and down play, I could handle him being here on the 3rd or 4th line, but those awful penalties in the offensive zone make me want to puke in my lap.
