We have one forward line exceeding expectations, one meeting them (or exceeding them slightly) and two well below expectations.

Our top line needs to stay together: Higgins, Koivu, Ryder

Our second an fourth lines need to be shaken up, and our third line is doing well, but not so well that we can't shuffle them around to stimulate the other lines.

The problem is that unlike last year where the rookies were pushing up, this year no young forward (except Higgins) has been doing very well.

Latendress has not earned a promotion. Murray has not earned his icetime. Perezhogin is meeting expectations... or at least the low end of his expectations. Nobody in Hamilton has earned a call-up. And at least one player, Samsonov, needs a message sent to him. I am still not going to say he is a bad pickup, but these players need to be more competitive. One line cannot carry our team, and one game where other lines chipped in is not enough. We are being forced into a reshuffle for the wrong reasons.

Given that Johnson is probably the guy who deserves a move up the most right now, how do these lines sound?

Higgins-Koivu-Ryder

Johnson-Plekanec-Kovalev

Perez-Bonk-Lats

Samsonov-Begin-Murray

And call up either Kostsitsyn, Chipchura, or anyone else from Hamilton just to send a message that no one's job is completely safe.

I like Johnson with Kovalev becaus it gives him someone else to get the puck to. It also means there is only one puck carrier on each line so they stop getting in each other's way.