Number That May Interest Only Me: 2
by Derek Zona on Oct 26, 2011 9:45 AM MDT
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PrintLowetide asked his readers if they'd like to see Magnus Paajarvi on the Oilers' first line, Tom Renney's tough-minutes line, with Shawn Horcoff and Ryan Smyth. It's an idea I like, not only because Paajarvi has shown flashes of own-zone abilitiy beyond those of the rest of the younger players on this team, but because he's far bigger and seemingly stronger than the rest of his romper room contingent. His skating ability, size, strength and defensive skill is exactly the sort of package that should propel him into the upper echelon of two-way forwards in the NHL.
If he's going to stick with the Mystery Machine as a unit, I'd like to see Tom Renney try (when healthy) the following line combinations:
| Ryan Smyth | - | Shawn Horcoff | - | Magnus Paajarvi |
| Sam Gagner | - | Eric Belanger | - | Ales Hemsky |
| Taylor Hall | - | Ryan Hopkins | - | Jordan Eberle |
| Lennart Petrell | - | Anton Lander | - | Ryan Jones |
Though Gagner is still finding his feet at wing after a long layoff, the top two lines are both offensive threats and strong enough to handle tough minutes. Two tough minutes lines should give Tom Renney the opportunity to protect Romper Room on the road even if opposing coaches try to target them, which they will.
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I’m fairly certain that the chances of Ben Eager not being on the fourth line are close to zero. Renney is a devotee of ‘agressive-truculence’ and will continue to make offerings at that shrine every gameday.
I know that your lines are a wish-list rather than a prediction (and hence the Finn must play!), but if everyone was finally healthy (ha!) I could imagine:
Smyth – Horcoff – Hemsky
Hall – RNH – Eberle
Paajavi – Belanger – Gagner
Eager – Lander – Jones
I’m fairly certain that the chances of Ben Eager not being on the fourth line are close to zero.
No kidding. Watch the latest episode of Oil Change and convince yourself that Eager and Hordichuk will both be consigned to the press box for any game that one of them is healthy enough to go. One will sit out most games? Both? Not happening.
That said, I’m lovin’ Petrell’s game and hope there is some way to keep him in the mix.
Oilers fan through thick, thin and anorexic. Writer for The Cult of Hockey.
by Bruce McCurdy on Oct 26, 2011 10:52 AM MDT up reply actions
I also like the offense that Hemsky could bring to the first line. His ability to carry the puck works well with horc and smitty who like to drive the net and regain possession.
MPS would probably also do better facing lesser d-men. He appears worried about losing possession even at the cost of potentially making a play. While there’s been a lot more dump and chase this year, it hasn’t been from him – though late last year I thought he was starting to excel in that tactic.
Having Petrell over Eager is also 1 more for the PK – which has been performing well to date, so I don’t know if they’ll want to mess that up as it seems a bigger role than the 7 minutes of ES icetime Eager would get.
by till_horcoff_is_coach on Oct 26, 2011 11:08 AM MDT up reply actions
I’d be tempted to put Gagner between Omark and Hemsky, bump Belanger down, maybe move Lander to wing (or send him to OKC) and then have Jones and Eager battle it out for first injury replacement/4 line W if Lander gets sent down.
Smyth-Horc-Paajarvi against first toughs.
Petrell-Belanger-Lander/Jones against second toughs.
Hall-Hopkins-Eberle with the gravy minutes.
Omark-Gagner-Hemsky also running amok in the Ozone.
It’s nice to have options for once.
by melancholyculkin on Oct 26, 2011 11:16 AM MDT reply actions
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