2015 / 2016 Line Up

[2slowtogofast]

Assuming that we draft Eichel what do you guys think our top 3 lines will look like next year. I do not know a whole lot about what prospects we have in the pipeline and who may come up next year. I would like to see who people think will be in the line up next year to get an idea of how good this team will be and if we have a shot at the playoffs. Let me know what you guys think. Thanks.

[dudacek]

I'd count on this:

* Girgensons, Ennis, Foligno, Moulson and Gionta are regulars who will be back and playing in the top nine.

* They will be joined by Evander Kane, who will be counted on to be a first-line, all-situations player

* Nick Deslauriers will be a role player up front, as will Cody McCormick if his health permits

* Girgorenko and Larsson now have to clear waivers, so will be with the big club unless they are traded.

* If we get a McEichel he will be playing regularly in the top nine. Sam Reinhart will be given every chance to join him.

* Cody Hodgson is under contract. His future is an open question

* Tim Murray will either make a big trade for a younger proven forward, or will sign a dependable veteran free agent to shield the kids in the top nine — likely a centre or a right wing

 

I'm not suggesting these will be the lines, but you could see a starting depth chart like this:

Kane                 McEichel         Ennis

Moulson           Girgensons      (open spot)        

Foligno             Reinhart          Gionta

Deslauriers       Larsson          McCormick

 

* Grigorenko and Hodgson will be battling with Larsson and Reinhart for the open spot in the top six if they aren't traded, or a free agent isn't acquired. Reinhart is the only one who can safely be sent to the minors.

* Girgensons and Larsson can easily be moved to the wing. Moving Reinhart, McEichel or Grigorenko to the wing may also be considered

Edited March 29, 2015 by dudacek

[2slowtogofast]

That line up does not look half bad. If Grigorenko can take a step forward and start living up to some of the hopes we had for him when we drafted him in the first round and if GMTM can add 1 or 2 above average players via free agency then I think we have a legit shot of going to the playoffs.

 

If Ristolainen Pysyk and Zadorov can continue to progress and take some positive steps this off season then I think our D should be pretty sound as well. I am happy we have Kane but I am kind of sad we traded Meyers. I was still holding out hope he would return to the player he was in his first season or two.

 

All that being said next year should be extremely exciting and interesting. I just pray we finish the tank and secure our chances at McEichel.

[beerme1]

Normally this is where some a hole chimes in with some sarcasm about this being discussed in another thread, or why did you start a new thread for this.

Clearly this is not a normal situation.

dudacek laid out a nice scenario but I believe Grigo is gone as part of a trade for ROR. There's been too much chatter about that trade happening. Much like Evander Kane being mentioned to come here a year ago.  

I have been a Grigo supporter but would be real happy giving him up as part of a package to get ROR.

Thank  you

[dudacek]

Normally this is where some a hole chimes in with some sarcasm about this being discussed in another thread, or why did you start a new thread for this.

Clearly this is not a normal situation.

dudacek laid out a nice scenario but I believe Grigo is gone as part of a trade for ROR. There's been too much chatter about that trade happening. Much like Evander Kane being mentioned to come here a year ago.  

I have been a Grigo supporter but would be real happy giving him up as part of a package to get ROR.

Thank  you

 

I'm with you on all of this. I hope circumstances allow it to happen.

[...]

Give dudacek's first line a half season to get cozy with one another and it could be an exceptionally fun line to watch.

[Andrew Amerk]

I just don't see the point of McCormick

[2slowtogofast]

I have not heard much about Grigorenko being part of a trade for ROR. That would be awesome if that were to happen thou.

[Huckleberry]

I'm with you on all of this. I hope circumstances allow it to happen.

 

Grigorenko and a late 1st yes, or McCabe and a late 1st.

to be honest i don't know if i want RoR when you already got Zemgus.

[Hoss]

I won't dig up my thoughts from elsewhere because my thoughts on next year's lineup changes weekly...

But let's look at the team we have right now and who likely has a long-term future here (say 3+ years):

 

Most likely: Ennis, Girgensons, Kane, Moulson, Bogosian, Ristolainen, Zadorov, Pysyk, Reinhart

 

Maybe: Deslauriers, McCabe, Baptiste, Bailey, Foligno, Hodsgon, Larsson, Gorges, Weber

 

No: D'Amigo, Dalpe, Ellis, Gionta, Kaleta, McCormick, Schaller, Varone, Benoit, Meszaros, Strachan, the goalies

 

 

The only "no" I see on the roster next season is Gionta and MAYBE Johnson (but I highly doubt it).

[WildCard]

When Crosby came in the league, did he center the top line of the Pens right off the bat? I'm curious because some of us have McEichel penciled in at the #1 slot

[dudacek]

When Crosby came in the league, did he center the top line of the Pens right off the bat? I'm curious because some of us have McEichel penciled in at the #1 slot

 

 

He led the team in scoring by 44 points, so I'd say yes

[Hoss]

When Crosby came in the league, did he center the top line of the Pens right off the bat? I'm curious because some of us have McEichel penciled in at the #1 slot

Looking at the box score of his first game it looks like he centered the second line of John LeClair and Mark Recchi. Believe line one was Ziggy Palffy, Mario Lemieux and Ryan Malone.

 

By his second game Crosby's line was playing between 30-60 seconds less than the first line. Then Lemieux got hurt and Sid was the first-line center.

 

Chances are McEichel jumps on the first line here because we don't have a Lemiuex.

Edited March 29, 2015 by Tank

[LastPommerFan]

Looking at the box score of his first game it looks like he centered the second line of John LeClair and Mark Recchi. Believe line one was Ziggy Palffy, Mario Lemieux and Ryan Malone.

 

Looks like Mario only played 26 games that year, Crosby definitely had the most minutes of any Penguins center by the end of the season.

[Drunkard]

When Crosby came in the league, did he center the top line of the Pens right off the bat? I'm curious because some of us have McEichel penciled in at the #1 slot

I'm on the fence about that as well. Personally I think our top 6 will consist of Moulson, Girgensons, Ennis, Kane, McEichel, and possibly Reinhart or a new RW brought in through trade or free agency. How they mix it up is anybody's guess. Will they put one or both of our new stud centers in the top 6? Put one or both of them at RW initially? Tough to say other then I doubt they both play on the same line so I guess something like:

 

Mouslon Girgensons Reinhart

Kane McEichel Ennis

 

Both lines would probably get similar ice time and the top line would be determined by who the coach of the other team chooses to put his top or shut down line against.

[Weave]

I'm on the fence about that as well. Personally I think our top 6 will consist of Moulson, Girgensons, Ennis, Kane, McEichel, and possibly Reinhart or a new RW brought in through trade or free agency. How they mix it up is anybody's guess. Will they put one or both of our new stud centers in the top 6? Put one or both of them at RW initially? Tough to say other then I doubt they both play on the same line so I guess something like:

 

Mouslon Girgensons Reinhart

Kane McEichel Ennis

 

Both lines would probably get similar ice time and the top line would be determined by who the coach of the other team chooses to put his top or shut down line against.

 

102 pts in Crosby's rookie year.  Mario Lemieux played a partial season.  If Crosby didn't start the season on the 1st line, he likely was on it by the seasons' end.

[Taro T]

Wouldn't be surprised to see Girgensons getting 1st line minutes at center initially with McEichel getting them by the end of December if not sooner.

[Drunkard]

102 pts in Crosby's rookie year. Mario Lemieux played a partial season. If Crosby didn't start the season on the 1st line, he likely was on it by the seasons' end.

We are in a different situation than Pittsburgh was in Crosby's rookie year because we have 2 young centers ready to break into the NHL in the same season. I have no problem starting a stud rookie center on the top line but should we start both at center in the top 6? Start one at right wing? Should one of them be relegated to the 3rd line to avoid breaking in 2 rookies into the top 6 simultaneously?

[Bob Malooga]

I think when it's all said and done, we could have a lineup like this...

 

Kane - McEichel - Ennis

Moulson - Reinhart - Toffoli (or) O'Reilly (Grigorenko if neither is brought in)

Foligno - Girgensons - Gionta

Deslauriers - Larsson - Schaller

 

Gorges - Bogosian

Zadorov - Ristolainen

McCabe - Pysyk (Ruhwedel if Pysyk is traded for O'Reilly)

 

Lindback, Hackett or Johnson...and one of Martin Jones, Robin Lehner or Ben Bishop?

 

Is this too crazy or too optimistic? Could Murray pull off the offer sheets for Jones and Toffoli and STILL have the assets to bring in O'Reilly?

 

Is Tampa Bay not as close as I think to turning over the net full-time to Vasilevskiy? Won't they need to dump Bishop's contract to sign their young RFA's?

 

Will Ottawa turn the net over to Hammond after this year, having to decide between Anderson and Lehner?

 

I just have a weird feeling that this team is about to change A LOT more than we think it will...I see Murray going all out, like the Bills just did, to stock this team with talent.

 

(I like Schaller over McCormick, and I hope Mackenzie Blackwood and Matt O'Connor are both added to the stable of goalies...I'd like to see Matt Garbowsky signed for Rochester too.)

Edited March 29, 2015 by Bob Malooga

[Hoss]

Malooga - I don't see that lineup as optimistic for us. I don't believe any of the current goalies have a place on a good team (and they've proven that for the most part this season). It's basically what we have plus McEichel, a winger and a goalie. That's not moving the needle much.

 

Ruhwedel has no place on this team. I expect us to pursue vets like Mike Green and Francois Beauchemin. At least one of Zadorov, Pysyk and/or McCabe will either be in Rochester or elsewhere next season.

[sabresith]

No thanks to ROR! Guy wants too much money, for what he actually is. Also do we really need another left handed shot?

If I remember correctly,right before the trade deadline there was talk of the Blues trading Oshie. Mostly due to the fact they couldn't afford to sign him as well as some of their other contracts. Now this is a trade I can get behind. Right handed shot, great on the power play,and oh yeah shootout specialist.

Opening day would look something like this

Kane McEichel Ennis

Moulson Reinhart Oshie

Zemgus Grigs Gionta

 

But I don't know. I could be way off on all of this. Just what I would like to see.

[Bob Malooga]

Just going off what we have and what I have heard we could possibly get. I figured if I said we would get Lehner, Bishop, O'Reilly, Toffoli, Jones and 5 free agents we don't even know if they'll be available yet, I would be called crazy. My question was, is it optimistic to think we can get 2 top-6 forwards and 2 starting goalies?

 

If Zadorov goes to Rochester, he's going back to Russia, I'll make a bet on that one. Pysyk doesn't belong in Rochester either, if that's the case, trade him for something so he can finally play.

 

TJ Oshie, Dustin Brown and others have been said to be available this summer...they are much older than O'Reilly, and they are always injured. And as I tried to show in my post, I would probably take Toffoli over all of them.

 

I figured it was a more optimistic idea than a lineup with Cody McCormick in it.

 

Kane - McEichel - Ennis

 

Moulson - Girgensons -(open spot)

 

Foligno - Reinhart - Gionta

 

Deslauriers - Larsson - McCormick

 

 

I'm not sure how that is really any different than what I asked about? Lol. (I was using that as a template.)

Edited March 29, 2015 by Bob Malooga

[LastPommerFan]

Malooga - I don't see that lineup as optimistic for us. I don't believe any of the current goalies have a place on a good team (and they've proven that for the most part this season). It's basically what we have plus McEichel, a winger and a goalie. That's not moving the needle much.

 

Ruhwedel has no place on this team. I expect us to pursue vets like Mike Green and Francois Beauchemin. At least one of Zadorov, Pysyk and/or McCabe will either be in Rochester or elsewhere next season.

 

4 new faces in the top 6 (Kane, Samson, McEichel, Winger). It could move the needle, especially if Samson figures it out.

[Hoss]

4 new faces in the top 6 (Kane, Samson, McEichel, Winger). It could move the needle, especially if Samson figures it out.

If anybody is going to be talking about needles it'd be the guy with one in his avatar!

 

But I think we're going to be better without many moves if our draft pick is here, Reinhart steps up and we're healthy... But by "move the needle" I meant change us from a bottom dweller to at least a team that competes for a playoff spot deep into the season.

 

 

 

Malooga - My comment about Rochester was mainly on McCabe and, to some point, Zadorov. I think Pysyk will be traded before he's sent back to Rochester, but my hope is that he's here. A large part of me likes Pysyk more than Zadorov at this point. I love Zadorov, but he's been HORRIBLE at points. I can't say the same about Pysyk. Zadorov has had some pretty high highs, but the lows have been somewhat frequent and extreme. If he's the centerpiece of a O'Reilly deal then I'm fine with it. Not saying we SHOULD trade him, but I won't be heartbroken.

[Johnny DangerFace]

I agree pysyk needs to be up from the start