Bob Murray went contract crazy this past summer, and for the better in my opinion.  It’s all about having options, and right now the Ducks have plenty of options. 

With all of the new talent added to the Ducks roster, there has been an abundance of speculation about who will play with whom and on what line.   I’ve done my fair share of thinking, and just the other day Randy Carlyle confirmed a few of my own thoughts.

Essentially, the Ducks feel that they are going to be able to put their top line against any of the opposing lines in the league. This allows for more scoring opportunities for the Ducks and an option to spread their offense to a 3rd line, therefore potentially eliminating what we’ve all come to know and love as a checking line.  While the Ducks were extremely successful with the ever popular shut down line (see NHL history, 2007 Stanley Cup Winners) and it’s members, Samuel Pahlsson, Travis Moen, and Rob Niedermayer, the Ducks are no longer receiving their services.  While the Ducks have found that there are plenty of options to replace those physical specimens such as Mike Brown, Evgeny Artyukhin, and Todd Marchant, the focus may be turning from this checking line altogether.     

Instead, lets imagine potentially spreading the newly acquired offense throughout three lines…and of course, these lines and their third party affiliates are interchangeable. 

Christensen – Getzlaf – Perry (this was a concept line after the trade deadline, it didn’t spark then, but this is a new season and the guys have had some time to come together…it could work!)

Nokelainen – Koivu – Selanne (why not keep the Finns together?  Heck, they could all speak in their native language and completely confuse the opposition…it’s like a weapon in itself!)

Ryan – Carter/Ebbett- Lupul(the Ducks don’t have any actual left wingers on the roster, so we’ll have to create a few options.  We’ve already seen what Bobby Ryan can do on the left with Getzlaf and Perry, it might just work here as well)

Artyukhin – Marchant – Parros – Brown (I’d say that’s more energy than any team could possibly ask for.)

Of course, training camp and the upcoming preseason will help to confirm lines and allow for Carlyle to make various adjustments.  I, for one, will have to remember to be patient as these lines are coming together as chemistry takes time to establish and nothing will be automatic over night.  It also helps to continually create healthy competition amongst these lines.  More playing time comes from more goals scored and so forth (let’s just hope it doesn’t create trade demands a-la Healty style!). 

But can you just imagine…3 lines of offensive power and scoring ability? 

GO DUCKS!!!

Tweet This Post