I think that Higgins and Ryder don't need Koivu, i think these guys are elite players and can play with an average Centerman and still make the line look productive enough.....what do you guys think if Kovy went to the #1 as center inbetween Higgins and Ryder.....and Koivu to Lats and Sammy, then put Pleks back to #3 with Perez and Johnson and Bonk with Begin and Murray.....
Caper_hab_fan wrote: I think that Higgins and Ryder don't need Koivu, i think these guys are elite players and can play with an average Centerman and still make the line look productive enough.....what do you guys think if Kovy went to the #1 as center inbetween Higgins and Ryder.....and Koivu to Lats and Sammy, then put Pleks back to #3 with Perez and Johnson and Bonk with Begin and Murray.....
I think you are wrong about that. Remember how badly that line (and particularly Higgins) disappeared when Koivu went down in the playoffs last year? Koivu opens up a lot of room for them with his skating, passing and backchecking.
The only guy who could perform a similar role is Pleks, but I don't know if he's ready for the top line.