Jeremy Rutherford believes he has spied Blues combinations that result in three scoring lines:
Kariya-Berglund-Perron
This is a classic training camp line that could very well die a quick death once the games mean anything. Perron was on an extremely short leash last year, and I don't see Murray loosening up with Berglund. The talent on this line is eye popping, but if they are on the ice for a few goals against all you are going to hear about it is "defensive responsibilities."
Tkachuk-Oshie-Backes
Anybody who watched Oshie in college playing with Jonathan Toews can see where this is coming from...and it does make sense. TJ's work rate meshes well with players who can bang around the net. The question will be how Oshie deals with having less time and space to work with.
Stempniak-McDonald-Boyes
I like the idea of Stempniak getting to play with more offensive minded linemates. Last year Lee played himself off of a scoring line, but I have to think a bounceback is possible. Breaking up Kariya and Boyes seems like a bit of a gamble, but with all the kids playing you need to spread the vets around. Long term, this line is only viable as long as Boyes nets consistently. If he struggles, the impulse is gonna be to reunite him with Kariya, which will lead to the reinsertion of various 4th line players. Speaking of which...
King-McClement-Porter
The arrival of Berglund and Oshie has marked the end of the pretensions that McClement was a possible offensive threat. Now, he's the reincarnation of Ryan Johnson. That's fine. Have him center a line with the likes of King, Hinote, Janssen, and Stastny, and don't think too much about it anymore. Sound good?
These don't look so bad, but a problem looms. When people slump or get banged up, as they always do, who do you slide into the mix on the top three lines? Stastny or Hinote? Confidence is not the result. The Blues have some good pieces, but no depth to speak of offensively.
That is a detail that is gonna be a devil for this team.
Kariya-Berglund-Perron
This is a classic training camp line that could very well die a quick death once the games mean anything. Perron was on an extremely short leash last year, and I don't see Murray loosening up with Berglund. The talent on this line is eye popping, but if they are on the ice for a few goals against all you are going to hear about it is "defensive responsibilities."
Tkachuk-Oshie-Backes
Anybody who watched Oshie in college playing with Jonathan Toews can see where this is coming from...and it does make sense. TJ's work rate meshes well with players who can bang around the net. The question will be how Oshie deals with having less time and space to work with.
Stempniak-McDonald-Boyes
I like the idea of Stempniak getting to play with more offensive minded linemates. Last year Lee played himself off of a scoring line, but I have to think a bounceback is possible. Breaking up Kariya and Boyes seems like a bit of a gamble, but with all the kids playing you need to spread the vets around. Long term, this line is only viable as long as Boyes nets consistently. If he struggles, the impulse is gonna be to reunite him with Kariya, which will lead to the reinsertion of various 4th line players. Speaking of which...
King-McClement-Porter
The arrival of Berglund and Oshie has marked the end of the pretensions that McClement was a possible offensive threat. Now, he's the reincarnation of Ryan Johnson. That's fine. Have him center a line with the likes of King, Hinote, Janssen, and Stastny, and don't think too much about it anymore. Sound good?
These don't look so bad, but a problem looms. When people slump or get banged up, as they always do, who do you slide into the mix on the top three lines? Stastny or Hinote? Confidence is not the result. The Blues have some good pieces, but no depth to speak of offensively.
That is a detail that is gonna be a devil for this team.
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