It's only the second day of camp, but after looking at the forward lines and defense pairings that LJ posted earlier, a few things stand out, and the biggest is that Hitch and the crew are working on developing chemistry on all levels. Guys who could play together for the Jackets, Crunch, and Bombers. Here are some of the other things:
TEAM BLUE:
1) The line of Nash - Zherdev - Vyborny. This could very well be the top line in Columbus this season. So far so good with Z at center, here's hoping the guys can gel and be dominant!
2) Legein and Fritsche on a line together. Since Legein was drafted, I see him on a line with Alex Picard and Fritsche in Columbus down the road. That line would have speed, grit, forechecking ability, and the capability to put up offense. A perfect third line to match up against the other team's top line.
3) The Lindstrom - Platt - Pineault line. This line could very well be the top line in Syracuse this season.
4) Manny centering a pair of rookies, Boll and Sestito, who were teammates in Plymouth of the OHL last season. These guys can learn a lot from Manny, who has proven in the past to be a good teacher of the game.
5) Szwex and Murray playing together. These guys will likely play on a line together in Syracuse, likely bottom six.
6) The Klesla-Hejda and Westcott-Hainsey pairings. These four guys stand a great chance of being defense partners when the season opens. That leaves a formidable shut-down pairing of Foote-Tollefsen.
WHITE TEAM:
1) Fedorov and Brule playing on a line together. Had Modin participated in the practice today, he likely would have been on the line with these guys. It's looking good that the second line in Columbus will be Modin - Fedorov - Brule.
2) Brassard and Voracek together. Long term, these guys will almost undoubtedly be together on a line. Nasher is a good choice to complete the line, and it has the ability to be one of the best in the NHL. Ever.
3) Very similar to the Manny situation i listed above, Peca is centering two rookies, Starkov and Dorsett. Like Sestito and Boll, who have a good chance of playing together with the Crunch or Bombers this year, these guys can learn a ton from Peca and could also play together in Syracuse or Dayton.
4) The Russell - Tollefsen pairing. When Russ is ready for full-time NHL duty, he could get banged around a bit, due to his size. Pairing him with a defense-first, hard hitting blueliner like Ole will prevent teams from taking liberties with Russ. These guys would be ideal for eachother long term.
5) Methot - Wharton: Based on Wharton's solid play so far this pre-season, this could be the top pairing in Syracuse. Methot is a stay at home type while Wharton is great offensively. They compliment each other nicely.
TEAM BLUE:
1) The line of Nash - Zherdev - Vyborny. This could very well be the top line in Columbus this season. So far so good with Z at center, here's hoping the guys can gel and be dominant!
2) Legein and Fritsche on a line together. Since Legein was drafted, I see him on a line with Alex Picard and Fritsche in Columbus down the road. That line would have speed, grit, forechecking ability, and the capability to put up offense. A perfect third line to match up against the other team's top line.
3) The Lindstrom - Platt - Pineault line. This line could very well be the top line in Syracuse this season.
4) Manny centering a pair of rookies, Boll and Sestito, who were teammates in Plymouth of the OHL last season. These guys can learn a lot from Manny, who has proven in the past to be a good teacher of the game.
5) Szwex and Murray playing together. These guys will likely play on a line together in Syracuse, likely bottom six.
6) The Klesla-Hejda and Westcott-Hainsey pairings. These four guys stand a great chance of being defense partners when the season opens. That leaves a formidable shut-down pairing of Foote-Tollefsen.
WHITE TEAM:
1) Fedorov and Brule playing on a line together. Had Modin participated in the practice today, he likely would have been on the line with these guys. It's looking good that the second line in Columbus will be Modin - Fedorov - Brule.
2) Brassard and Voracek together. Long term, these guys will almost undoubtedly be together on a line. Nasher is a good choice to complete the line, and it has the ability to be one of the best in the NHL. Ever.
3) Very similar to the Manny situation i listed above, Peca is centering two rookies, Starkov and Dorsett. Like Sestito and Boll, who have a good chance of playing together with the Crunch or Bombers this year, these guys can learn a ton from Peca and could also play together in Syracuse or Dayton.
4) The Russell - Tollefsen pairing. When Russ is ready for full-time NHL duty, he could get banged around a bit, due to his size. Pairing him with a defense-first, hard hitting blueliner like Ole will prevent teams from taking liberties with Russ. These guys would be ideal for eachother long term.
5) Methot - Wharton: Based on Wharton's solid play so far this pre-season, this could be the top pairing in Syracuse. Methot is a stay at home type while Wharton is great offensively. They compliment each other nicely.