Line Ideas for 08-09

[CaptPantalones]

Now, before I go any further, this is pending a couple of different moves

These lines are pending Max Afinogenov is traded in the off-season and no other forward of not is brought into replace him.

This also is pending upon Al Kotalik staying (which after hearing Lindy in the PC today, it sounds like he may be) and MacArthur does not break into the Top 12

Anyways, my ideas:

Vanek-Roy-Stafford: Yes, this line struggled to find the chemistry they had the season before, but as long as Stafford is healthy, this line can still be a quality top line. Stafford should hit 25 next year after a tough sophomore season.

Paille-Hecht-Pominville: One of the better lines last season, can score goals and play against the other teams top line when needed.

Kotalik-Connolly-Bernier: My radical change. 2 reasons I think this line can work. 1, Kotalik is his most useful when he has a great passer to get him the puck. These 2 (Kotalik and Tim) usually have great chemistry together. Reason 2, Bernier may be the prototypical wing you want to play with Connolly. He can hit, be a protector, and be a force around the net, giving Connolly time and space to work his magic and make the great play. With added footwork, Bernier also could be a solid skater.

Mair-Goose-Kaleta: I love Goose, but hes at his best on a 4th line situation. Great energy type line that can cause havoc and bring the physical game.

Thoughts?

[Sabres244]

We need a vet forward.

[CaptPantalones]

We need a vet forward.

ive always felt the forwards were just fine this year and i dont want to see a change. But i understand the sentiment

[slowpokemcgee]

Mine are with Afinogenov here and Kotalik gone...

Vanek - Roy - Max
Paille - Hecht - Pommers
Stafford - Connolly - Bernier
Macarthur - Gaustad - Kaleta

No Mair.

[Ralph Wiggum]

You left out Peters..........

But, in all seriousness, not bad. I could see Connolly with Hecht and Pominville. Kotalik-Bernier-Paille would be #3 (Kotalik was playing center at the end of the year). Putting Pominville with a set-up man all year like Timmy would be sweet (or until TIm gets injured).

[Mark Tock]

I like those lines.

We need Webekera here full-time..with Teppo lighting a fire under their ass.

[calr]

I would be a proponent of those lines, but I really think we need a veteran, mostly for face-offs. Any long-tenured NHL center would work for me, or even Jarret Stoll, whom I've advocated acquiring many times. There has been some speculation about Marty Reasoner, who is a better-than-average FO man and would be decent for the fourth line.

[Thumper]

So you shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket, so they say. Well fuck them for saying it.

Vanek - Roy - Pominville
Hecht - Connolly - Bernier
Paille - Gaustad - Stafford
Kotalik - Mair - Kaleta

[Mr. TBS]

So you shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket, so they say. Well fuck them for saying it.

Vanek - Roy - Pominville
Hecht - Connolly - Bernier
Paille - Gaustad - Stafford
Kotalik - Mair - Kaleta

You know...I'm not in hate of one player in those lineups.

Our defense really was terrible this year...man.

[The Toughster]

Roy Vanek Stafford
Connolly Bernier Afinogenov
Hecht Holik Pominville
Paille Gaustad Kaleta

Spacek-Weber
Sekera-Smith
Tallinder-Lydman

[treydawg]

I'd really like to see us add a vet presence in the mold of Gary Roberts. Man, we effed up not trading for him last year. Look at the difference he made in that game against the Sens.

[The Toughster]

I'd really like to see us add a vet presence in the mold of Gary Roberts. Man, we effed up not trading for him last year. Look at the difference he made in that game against the Sens.

That was a brilliant trade on so many levels. All Shero gave up to get him was a D prospect that was on his last bit of value. Shero traded a prospect he knew would fail for a playoff hero.

If you add Roberts to the Sabres last year, they very well may have won it all.

[Pondslider]

So you shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket, so they say. Well fuck them for saying it.

Vanek - Roy - Pominville
Hecht - Connolly - Bernier
Paille - Gaustad - Stafford
Kotalik - Mair - Kaleta

I'm not sure I want to take Pominville away from Hecht, but it's so tempting to see what he and Vanek can do together. It's a tough call. Poms and Hecht have been together for two years now and they really seemed to compliment each other well this year.

I really hope they go out and get another center. Seeing Connolly penciled into the top 9 forwards kind of leaves a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach.

[Thumper]

I'm not sure I want to take Pominville away from Hecht, but it's so tempting to see what he and Vanek can do together. It's a tough call. Poms and Hecht have been together for two years now and they really seemed to compliment each other well this year.

I really hope they go out and get another center. Seeing Connolly penciled into the top 9 forwards kind of leaves a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Putting another playmaker/sniper like Pom's with Vanek and Roy could make our top line one of the most dominating in the entire league. Rather than playing musical RW's with Roy/Vanek, like Ruff's been doing for the past 2 seasons, why not give them a guy who won't be demoted after 3 games? Hecht is the kind of player that can really fit in with anyone. I'd just love to see what Vanek-Roy-Pominville would do, not only offensively, but defensively also against the opposition. I think it solves a lot of problems, moving Pominville to that wing position.