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Muller93


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The way I see it...
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The key to a great team is the way the lines a configured. You need a great first scoring line; a really good second scoring line; a solid schecking line with an offensive upside; and a grind line.


Pretty much every team in the NHL has a great first line( Atlanda has Hossa, Bondra, that Ilya guy). That is not the secret to a great team.


So Montreal has a great first line. A checking line with an offensive upside; and a great grind line with Begin and Higgins mucking it out.  What is missing?


That is right, a true second line.  I like Ryder but playing with Ribs and Dags is awful. Perhaps when Zed comes back that might give us the adequate second line we need. Montreal really does have all the ingredients up front but is missing that second line. 


I really think a line of Zed-plekanec-Ryder would be a decent second line. Plekanec being the questionable part( but after last nights shot and goal.....hmmm looks good to me). But I just know he is a more complete player than Ribs...



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Ando


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A fair assessment...and quite well stated!


Our disagreement, however, still lies in one single area!  I would argue that Dags and Ribs could/should be gonzo...and Saku bumped down to run the 2nd line between Zed/Perez and Ryder.  I defend this thinking by with the use of a simple question...would Perez and Kovy's present output be lower with Pleks (or Bonk...or any centre)???  I just don't think so...and Saku can still contribute his "leadership" and "heart" from the second line....and, for that matter, is Saks that much more of a leader than Begin (just for example)??? 


I also think that everyone is underestimating Pleks value.  This kid has at least the same skill-set as either Ribs or Saku...and is only going to get better with maturity!  (In fact, I think that BG might end-up using Pleks on the 2nd line soon...which gives you what you wish.)


Anyway, good post...but we still disagree on Saku's place.


I guess the big hole in my theory is how/where do the Habs get a top line centre without taking too much off the roster???  The answer (might I suggest) is fast becoming...Ribs, Dags, Hainsey and (gulp) Theodore! 



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AWOL


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I wholeheartedly agree with the need for a second line. In fact I was having the exact same discussion last night with a friend during the game. The way I see it, when Zednik comes back, he should move to the second line with Ryder, centered by Higgins. That would give the Habs 2 very dangerous lines. Dagenais should be a scratch and I would move Ribeiro to a wing on one of the lower lines or trade him. He's too small to play center. I would prefer to keep Plekanec where he is. Same goes for Perezhogin. He's flying and why break the chemistry?




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Muller93


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And-o. Funny, I was about to post and ask you a question along these lines. I had been thinking about your logic and must admit I do agree you kinda need a 1-2 punch like St. Louis and Lecavlier( Small/big). I throws the opposition off in terms of how you cover the player defensively. For saku you gotta use someone fast with the ability to read plays the same way Saku does. Then if you have a second center who is skilled but plays harder on the puck... you need someone else to cover that guy.


The way it stands now, The fast/skilled checker can cover both Ribero and saku. Most teams elect to cover saku and leave Ribero either unchecked or match second lines with them( Ribs line has been losing that match up in either case).


No argument here that Saku would operate more effectively if we had a viable second line. Or even that he may be better on the second line. Imagine having Lecavlier on the first line, followed by saku?


Can you imagine if they traded Theo/Ribero together what the french media would say about that? The only wat that would happen is if Lecavlier came to montreal. But then you are left with Dannis as our number one??? A real pickle to say the least. But I do not believe Gainey is trying to win the cup this year so I suspect he will just hang out and let guys like Plek/higgins develop and maybe trade for a viable second/first line center next year.



-- Edited by Muller93 at 17:06, 2005-10-16

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