The newest blog from Prashanth looking at line combos and whether the answer can come from within or needs to come from trades.
The newest blog from Prashanth looking at line combos and whether the answer can come from within or needs to come from trades.
9 comments
Yeah, these are some worrying stats. And the eye test shows a real lack of puck cylcing and offensive possesion. I really hope they find some offensive chemistry soon
Read article yesterday Larkin demoted to second line, Raymond to third and Finnie to fourth in practice. Larkin wingers now Kasper and Elmer, Raymond with Compher and JVR.
Todd sending a message
Well they never want to shoot the puck. Thats the main issue when I watch tha line
I’m concerned for a few reasons.
1) I worry that the solution to fix the top of the lineup isn’t currently in our organization or is several years away from making an impact.
2) If we wait for free agency to try to find the right top six addition, I worry we won’t make playoffs, making it harder to attract talent that wants to win.
3) If we do expect to fix this problem is FA, I also worry that the FA pool won’t have what we need. As most of the elite guys are either already extended or will be traded as UFA and extend with their new teams.
Check out the FA, there are like two guys I’m interested in and they are both trade targets, Tuch and Schmatlz… they are under 30 but just barely.. just to get ahead of FA with a sign and trade. Everyone else is either meh or ancient, and I’m cooling down a bit on Tuch as apparently he wants an 8 year deal and that is one of the hang ups for Buf.
https://www.spotrac.com/nhl/free-agents/available/_/year/2026/position/f/type/ufa
Adding a defenseman has been the priority in my head, hoping the shakeup gets the forward group back on track or we’re going to be needing multiple moves. At this point it’s important for the group’s confidence not to squander the start like he said, and it’s not going to be easy.
I would much rather see a move for a 2nd pairing defenseman or someone who can at least make the 3rd pairing less of a dumpster fire than kicking tires on Stamkos or ROR. Seider and Edvinsson are absolutely carrying the d-core. Seider will be getting a lot of minutes at the Olympics too.
Strap in tonight, guys. I have a feeling this will be a prove your worth game and they will come out hot.
I’d prefer to see Leonard on that second line instead of Soderblom, but hopefully some part of this blender works. God knows it’s needed after that last performance.
Raymond has looked off for the last month despite producing a lot of assists. He looks like he’s trying to protect himself and avoiding making moves to the middle of the ice.
If he’s hurt, I get gritting it out going but playing at the olympics should be off the table. The team paying your bills needs you at as close to 100% as possible. He’s an absolutely essential part of this team and playing the way he is right now is going to hurt their chances to make the playoffs.