Comments for Clear Separation, Part III at http://hockey.dobbersports.com , comment 1 to 9 out of 9 comments http://hockey.dobbersports.com Wed, 22 May 2013 18:40:56 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/russ-miller/3857-clear-separation-part-iii#comment-15564 Tortorella changes lines so often that it's hard to set "clear" combinations, but this is how I see it playing out the majority of the time: Dubinsky - Richards - Gaborik Wolski - Stepan - Callahan Zuccarello - Anisimov - Fedotenko Prust - Boyle - Rupp w/Christensen and Avery getting spot duty when Torts gets tired of Wolski, Zuccarello or Fedotenko. The top 5 guys (Richards, Gaborik, Dubinsky, Callahan, and Stepan) will get the majority of ice time (18-22 minutes). Torts likes to really play his best players, so expect the occasional double-shift from these 5 guys. That fourth line will be the best "checking line" in the NHL. - Massimo Cinelli Fri, 29 Jul 2011 05:42:24 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/russ-miller/3857-clear-separation-part-iii#comment-15532 @Roy Myatt, Capuano has been more than up front with saying that he has no problem playing youngsters on the team, if they earn the spot. In this situation, if any youngster makes the squad in a top-nine role, I just think that's going to be Niederreiter, not Strome. Strome has already impressed in his rookie camp, but I have my doubts that he'll be in an Isles uniform all year long. They already made that mistake with Bailey. @Pengwin7, Now that I know Joensuu is gone for next year, I'd replace him with Haley. With Konopka gone, he could be in line for an increased enforcer role, but he only averaged 8:02 per game in the 27 games he dressed for last year. Might be worth a depth PIM spot. Really...he had 85 PIM...that's a 258 PIM pace over an 82-game season. If he sticks, he's definitely a solid PIM contributor. - Tim Lucarelli Thu, 28 Jul 2011 06:48:33 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/russ-miller/3857-clear-separation-part-iii#comment-15531 Where do you see Micheal Haley fitting in with NYI? How many games might he play? - Pengwin7 Thu, 28 Jul 2011 06:32:43 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/russ-miller/3857-clear-separation-part-iii#comment-15530 Good feedback. Keep it coming! @paul, I completely agree. Hard to really hammer down exactly what the lines are going to look like in October, when we aren't even in August yet. Things will certainly change between now and then. Hell, Drury might be back in the lineup and actually healthy. You never really know. @fzusher, thanks man. Can't believe I missed that one. Makes things a little easier. :) @Big Ev, I guess I just thought Michalek wasn't received very well in Ottawa. He's only scored 33 and 34 points over the last two years and carries one of the top cap hits on the team. One factor I didn't really think about too deep though, is that they don't actually need that cap space. Most teams would look at Michalek's prodction vs. his cap hit and say enough is enough. At least that's how I feel and that's where the comment came from. You watch the team on a much closer basis than I do, so if you say he's more well received than I'm giving him credit for, then I'll take you at your word. In regards to Regin, yes, I completely agree. He's on thin ice and might not even win a spot out of camp. Do you really think Zibanejad has a shot at making the team? I guess he has as good of a chance as anyone else in getting in there, but with the strong play of Greening, Condra, and Butler last year, and having Da Costa and Filatov in the mix, I just didn't really think there would be space for Zibanejad. I'd love to see Niederreiter get in the top-six (I own him!), but I think Parenteau's play last year has fairly solidified him in the top line. Okposo deserves to be there IMO, but he'll have to outplay Parenteau for that spot (which I should also note that I think he is fully capable of). Fedotenko might get some ice time on the top line, but I don't know that he'll stick there. When you play an entire season with Boyle and Prust, that says quite a bit about where the coach feels you should be. @Michal SK, Stepan was getting quite a bit of first-line center duties last year. He might be weak on draws, but I think that's just because of his age. As he gets older, he should become stronger in that regard. Dubinsky actually was one of the stronger Rangers centers last year in the faceoff circle, which is why I had him skating on Stepan's line. That would allow Stepan to grow as a center and potentially develop Dubinsky as a LW, which is where I feel the Rangers could use him the most. - Tim Lucarelli Thu, 28 Jul 2011 06:27:44 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/russ-miller/3857-clear-separation-part-iii#comment-15529 Good Article. I'm surprised you haven't included [b]Ryan Strome[/b]as a challenger for the NYI. NYI have no problem throwing young talent right on to the big stage and also have a ways to go to reach the salary floor. My prediction is Strome plays the whole season, acheives his bonuses and helps them get thier cap hit a bit higher. Maybe that's just the fantasy junkie in me thinking wishfully.[ - Rob Myatt Thu, 28 Jul 2011 06:22:00 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/russ-miller/3857-clear-separation-part-iii#comment-15527 Big Ev - i agree with your comments except the Rangers part - Anisimov will stay in the second line centre, it is gonna be his 3rd season and there is no reason to demote him to 3rd line as he was doing very well for 2dn year player. Stepan is weak in draws so i think he will play wing and it is gonna be in top 6. Stepan/Dubinsky-Richards-Gaborik Dubinsky/Stepan-Anisimov-Callaghan Dubinsky-Anisimov-Callaghan clicked very well last year so i think they will stay together. - Michal Sk Thu, 28 Jul 2011 05:40:13 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/russ-miller/3857-clear-separation-part-iii#comment-15524 Good analysis on Ottawa, except for the Michalek comment. There is zero chance he ever gets waived or buried in the AHL. What would be the point of that? You don't waive good two-way character guys, even if he isn't scoring. Sorry but that makes no sense. Peter Regin is the guy who would be waived if he doesn't perform well in camp. Also, I'd add Mika Zibanejad to the challengers. I like Niederreiter or Okposo to steal Parenteau's spot this season. Fedotenko will play with Richards and Gaborik. Anisimov will be 3rd line centre. - Big Ev Thu, 28 Jul 2011 03:42:15 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/russ-miller/3857-clear-separation-part-iii#comment-15523 To make your analysis easier, Joensuu signed a two-year with HV71 of the Elitserien July 1st. - fzusher Thu, 28 Jul 2011 02:32:08 +0100 http://hockey.dobbersports.com/index.php/russ-miller/3857-clear-separation-part-iii#comment-15520 thanks for the article, july is a long way from opening night most ranger fans do not have stepan pegged for a top 6 role, nor is anisimov a winger the top 2 lines will most likely be Dubinsky-Richards-Gaborik Wolski-Anisimov-Callahan Stepan will center the 3rd line and Boyle the 4th line. - paul Wed, 27 Jul 2011 21:54:36 +0100