Hartsburg to split up top line

cash wrote:And that line followed up by Vermette and Alfredsson (a duo I have always wanted to see!) would probably shore-up our secondary scoring "issues"

Absolutely! Vermette looked solid in the center position at the end of last season. I think that is where he will break out, if he ever does. Throw Fisher and Alfie on his wings and that's a solid 2nd line. The good thing though, is that with the additions of Winchester and Shannon - whether they find themselves in Bingo or not - we have some good options and players to experiment with during training camp and the season.

We have tried to put Mike Fisher on a wing over the last few years. Murray did this when he first came to Ottawa and Fisher was lost on the wing. He has all the makeup to be a very big power forward winger but can't ever get in th grove. I would like to see Spezza and Heatley split up. I would not mind Vermette centering Heatley and Alfie. I still think we need another offenzive forward on the second line to complete this puzzle. I would have loved big bertuzzi playing here at just over two million.
Heatley- Vermette- Alfie
Bertuzzi- Spezza- Foligno
Ruttu-fisher-bass
Schubert-kelly-neil

Just remembering the old days when you had the problem of trying to figure out where to play a Havlat on the third line.

paddygill wrote:We have tried to put Mike Fisher on a wing over the last few years. Murray did this when he first came to Ottawa and Fisher was lost on the wing. He has all the makeup to be a very big power forward winger but can't ever get in th grove. I would like to see Spezza and Heatley split up. I would not mind Vermette centering Heatley and Alfie. I still think we need another offenzive forward on the second line to complete this puzzle. I would have loved big bertuzzi playing here at just over two million.
Heatley- Vermette- Alfie
Bertuzzi- Spezza- Foligno
Ruttu-fisher-bass
Schubert-kelly-neil

Just remembering the old days when you had the problem of trying to figure out where to play a Havlat on the third line.

Yeah, and Spezza was centering him on the third line. Good Lord those were the days. I wish we could have our lines set up like this:

Heatley-Spezza-[Glen Murray]
Alfredsson-Vermette-Zubov
Foligno-Fisher-Winchester
Ruutu-Kelly-Bass

Strength down the middle, with lots of great potential lines.

504Heater wrote:

Cronenbergfan wrote:
Honestly, a line of Heatley, Spezza and Fisher makes me drool; and I think still strikes fear in ANY team's defence...

i wouldn't be surprised to see Hartsburg try that. Besides, after ALL the ridiculous changes Paddock tried, what's the worst that can happen??

I think he will for sure now. I think it was possible before, now it's almost certain.

It's the best combo in hockey IMO. Power, power and mass skill.

Apparently Spezza has bulked up also - it's not inconceivable that he turns into somewhat of a semi-power forward himself. He has most of the tools to be one, other than the fact that he doesn't use his size to his advantage.

cash wrote:I don't think Vermette can play with those two, but it would be great if it could work...The problem is that Vermette does things that the other team and his own teammates don't expect. He needs someone like Stillman or Alfredsson who can read the play and anticipate his random movements. That would've been a great line imo...too bad.

To this point, something to keep in mind is that Heatley and Spezza are not even close to as fast as Vermette, whereas Fisher can almost keep up. When you put Vermette out with Heater/Spezz, they are always trailing behind as he takes off up the ice, unless he starts to "dipsy-doodle", at which point everyone goes offside, because nobody can anticipate it except Alfie (all hail Alfie!)

I wonder if you are better off with Vermette/Spezza/[?Zubov or Foligno] (Spezza will have to learn to read Vermette) and Heatley/Fisher/Alfie. I think I suggested this before, or elsewhere.

Spezza isn't the fastest, but his foot speed has improved. Zubov is supposed to be fairly fast, and a good finisher. Alternatively, Foligno is a bit more physical. He was slower last year, but apparently worked on his speed over the summer. Both Spezza and Vermette have fairly accurate shots, and are good setup-guys, so they should work well together also.

The other line is just a big, mean, hard-hitting, scoring machine.

The best part is that it splits the big line, so teams can't key on one line (but doesn't put anyone out of position either - Vermette can still be called upon to take the important faceoffs at any time)

Nice post - I don't really have anything to comment on because its all quite possible and seemingly true...but really I don't care to speculate anymore. I want some damn answers and some friggin games!

mojo1016 wrote:I agree completely that the Sens will probably get off to a slow start. I think it's fair to say that they will be .500 team for the first 20 games. There are a lot of new players and some new coaches, this will take time to work things out. I hope he Hartsburg sticks to his word and keeps the top line apart.

I disagree, I think the Sens will come into the season with something to prove and a renewed energy. I expect a very fast start again this year.

They will tail off a bit after that, but nowhere near like last year.

Aetherial wrote:

mojo1016 wrote:I agree completely that the Sens will probably get off to a slow start. I think it's fair to say that they will be .500 team for the first 20 games. There are a lot of new players and some new coaches, this will take time to work things out. I hope he Hartsburg sticks to his word and keeps the top line apart.

I disagree, I think the Sens will come into the season with something to prove and a renewed energy. I expect a very fast start again this year.

They will tail off a bit after that, but nowhere near like last year.

Truth be told, thats what I'm expecting as well.
Wait?? Aren't you a Leaf fan?? You guys aren't supposed to be positive about US! WTH? Are you a spy sent to deceive us

cash wrote:

Aetherial wrote:

mojo1016 wrote:I agree completely that the Sens will probably get off to a slow start. I think it's fair to say that they will be .500 team for the first 20 games. There are a lot of new players and some new coaches, this will take time to work things out. I hope he Hartsburg sticks to his word and keeps the top line apart.

I disagree, I think the Sens will come into the season with something to prove and a renewed energy. I expect a very fast start again this year.

They will tail off a bit after that, but nowhere near like last year.

Truth be told, thats what I'm expecting as well.
Wait?? Aren't you a Leaf fan?? You guys aren't supposed to be positive about US! WTH? Are you a spy sent to deceive us

If it makes you feel any better, as a habs fan, i have no faith in ottawa whatsoever :D [Braces for the flamming]

Thats Better!! Aetherial is over here throwing off the balance :x

wprager wrote:

PKC wrote:Ideally, my favorite balance for the team lineup would be:

Foligno-Spezza-Heatley
Winchester-Fisher-Alfredsson
Vermette-Kelly-Zubov
Ruutu-Bass-Donovan

Was Neil traded for a pick?

Not yet... I wonder if that deal or a deal is still on the table with Chicago?

Cronenbergfan wrote:

wprager wrote:

PKC wrote:Ideally, my favorite balance for the team lineup would be:

Foligno-Spezza-Heatley
Winchester-Fisher-Alfredsson
Vermette-Kelly-Zubov
Ruutu-Bass-Donovan

Was Neil traded for a pick?

Not yet... I wonder if that deal or a deal is still on the table with Chicago?

Oh please let it be a 2nd rounder.

Cronenbergfan wrote:

wprager wrote:

PKC wrote:Ideally, my favorite balance for the team lineup would be:

Foligno-Spezza-Heatley
Winchester-Fisher-Alfredsson
Vermette-Kelly-Zubov
Ruutu-Bass-Donovan

Was Neil traded for a pick?

Not yet... I wonder if that deal or a deal is still on the table with Chicago?

Neil will not be traded and not being shopped.

If not Neil then does anyone think McAmmond could be packaged up?

Cap'n' Clutch wrote:If not Neil then does anyone think McAmmond could be packaged up?

For what? McCammond may get a 6th or 7th round pick in return, but I really don't see a market or want for McCammond out there.

Sadly I agree with Jam. McAmmond, while he could be a great plug for teams, there seems to be NO demand for him. Now, Schubert on the other hand, could potentially fetch us a NICE return, but I don't know if I'm ready to entertain that...just yet...

Cronenbergfan wrote:Sadly I agree with Jam. McAmmond, while he could be a great plug for teams, there seems to be NO demand for him. Now, Schubert on the other hand, could potentially fetch us a NICE return, but I don't know if I'm ready to entertain that...just yet...

Assuming what Hartsburg says will be done...

Heatley - Spezza - Fisher
Foligno - Vermette - Alfredsson
Donovan - Kelly - Neil
Ruutu - Bass - Schubert

McAmmond in the pressbox as an injury reserve. Or Neil in the press box if he doesn't do what's asked. But with injuries etc. I wouldn't imagine they'd be out of action long.

Cronenbergfan wrote:Sadly I agree with Jam. McAmmond, while he could be a great plug for teams, there seems to be NO demand for him. Now, Schubert on the other hand, could potentially fetch us a NICE return, but I don't know if I'm ready to entertain that...just yet...

I'd rather keep McAmmond up in the pressbox than moving Schubert just because we can. I'm also not in favor of keeping guys down on the farm just because they are on a two-way contract, but that's the business side of things, unfortunately. But if it came down to trading away Schubert versus keeping, say, Bass down in Bingo, I'd say "Sorry, Charlie" (yeah, I know he's a Bass and not a Tuna).