NHL Predictions: Potential New Lines That Could Impress
NHL Predictions: Minnesota Wild center Mikael Granlund (64) and defenseman Marco Scandella (6) and defenseman Jonas Brodin (25) and right wing David Jones (12) skate off the ice after Granlund scores a goal against the Dallas Stars during the first period in game five of the first round of 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
NHL Predictions: Potential New Impact Lines That Could Wind Up Together at Some Point in 2016-17
Continuing with our NHL predictions, today we look around the league at potential line combinations in 2016-17. We don’t necessarily expect these players to start the year with one another (although some could), but it wouldn’t be surprising to see these guys wind up together before the new season draws to a close.
The focus here is simple. We’re identifying new additions (rookies, free agents, etc.) and projecting which individuals styles best suit one another to find a potential fit that could have an impact this upcoming season.
Potential New Impact Lines That Could Wind Up Together at Some Point in 2016-17
Max Domi – Dylan Strome – Anthony Duclair (Arizona Coyotes)
Feb 15, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Max Domi (16) and left wing Anthony Duclair (10) against the Montreal Canadiens at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
There’s a good chance Martin Hanzal starts the year playing up the middle on the top line, but that could eventually change as the season grows older.
Once Yotes rookie Dylan Strome develops trust with coach Dave Tippett, there’s a decent chance of promotion given his immense skill-set.
Brad Marchand – Patrice Bergeron – David Pastrnak (Boston Bruins)
Based on the way he looked following his return from the World Juniors last season, David Pastrnak could be ready to step into a much larger, expanded role in 2016-17. With the way Bergeron and Pastrnak like dishing out the puck, Marchand could easily score 40-plus and Pastrnak would no problem surpassing the 20-goal mark.
Tyler Ennis – Jack Eichel – Sam Reinhart (Buffalo Sabres)
Don’t be surprised if this is Buffalo’s second line to start the year with Evander Kane, Ryan O’Reilly, and Kyle Okposo presumably occupying the first. Eichel and Reinhart are both primed for a big sophomore season, while Ennis is often forgotten in this mix of forwards. These small, elusive forwards seem to be the only answer thus far to these boring, defensively structured systems.
Apr 8, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Brandon Saad (20) celebrates his goal against the Buffalo Sabres with right wing Oliver Bjorkstrand (28) during the third period at First Niagara Center. Blue Jackets beat the Sabres 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Brandon Saad – Boone Jenner – Oliver Bjorkstrand (Columbus Blue Jackets)
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John Tortorella learned all too well with Team USA what happens when you depend on role players to shut down the opposition opposed to playing your top talent. Lesson learned to bring back to Columbus.
I’ll keep beating this drum until it actually happens, as I have for over a year now. Danish winger Oliver Bjorkstrand will be an impact top-six forward and proved his worth late in 2015-16 after a slow transition to the pro-style game. He finished the NHL season on a four-game six-point streak and carried that production over to AHL Lake Erie capturing Calder Cup MVP honors en route to defeating Hershey.
Jamie Benn – Tyler Seguin – Brett Ritchie (Dallas Stars)
The departure of Valeri Nichushkin creates a hole on the right side. There might be some line juggling at the beginning, but don’t be surprised if prospect Brett Ritchie makes his way to the top line at some point. This rugged power forward is a nice mix of skill and grit that blends perfectly with captain Jamie Benn.
Milan Lucic – Connor McDavid – Jesse Puljujarvi (Edmonton Oilers)
Mar 18, 2016; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (97) takes a shot on Vancouver Canucks goaltender Jacob Markstrom (25) during the first period at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
Why not give your phenom a pair of linemates that you can guarantee will stay with the team long-term. There’d be nothing worse than watching Jordan Eberle benefit playing alongside McDavid, only to walk in free agency down the road.
Let Milan Lucic play his game, protect the kids, and contribute on occasion, meanwhile, McDavid and Puljujarvi can develop into the next great NHL duo.
Jared McCann – Nick Bjugstad – Jonathan Marchessault (Florida Panthers)
This is one of only two third lines listed, but for good reason. After Florida’s massive shake-up this summer, the team has a plethora of options when it comes to potential line combinations. If McCann, Bjugstad, and Marchessault wind up together, they could quickly develop into one of the league’s premier third lines.
Feb 28, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Charlie Coyle (3) celebrates his goal in the first period against the Florida Panthers at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Mikael Granlund – Eric Staal – Charlie Coyle (Minnesota Wild)
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Early projections have Zach Parise on the top line with Staal and Coyle. We wouldn’t be surprised if Staal and Coyle are demoted to the second to help spread out the scoring. That would leave Zach Parise, Mikko Koivu, and Jason Pominville (or someone else potentially) on the first.
By forcing both Granlund/Coyle to the wing permanently, the hope is to allow the pair to elevate their game offensively with less defensive responsibilities.
Charles Hudon – David Desharnais – Michael McCarron (Montreal Canadiens)
If the Habs hope to re-establish themselves as Eastern Conference powerhouses, they’ll need some of their younger players to step up in 2016-17. The potential long list of names includes Sven Andrighetto, Jacob de La Rose, Nikita Scherbak, and so on. Perhaps the most likely to earn a roster spot though, Charles Hudon and Michael McCarron. Playing in a third line role with veteran David Desharnais up the middle seems like a perfect fit to generate secondary scoring.
Taylor Hall – Adam Henrique – Kyle Palmieri (New Jersey Devils)
Jan 21, 2016; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils right wing Kyle Palmieri (21) celebrates his goal during the first period of their game against the Ottawa Senators at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Don’t be surprised if this is New Jersey’s top line on opening night (or possibly Zajac instead of Henrique).
Either way, the Taylor Hall addition is a major boost for a team that had difficulty scoring last year. Expect the Devils first line to be extremely productive in 2016-17.
Michael Dal Colle – Brock Nelson – Ryan Strome (New York Islanders)
On his quest to eventually becomes John Tavares‘ future linemate, Dal Colle must first prove himself during his rookie campaign. He’s certainly no lock to crack this roster out of training camp, but it shouldn’t be long before we see him at the NHL level. Watch for Michael Dal Colle to climb the Islanders depth chart throughout the year. He may eventually see time on the second line with Nelson and Strome, which could be a dangerous trio in the postseason.
May 26, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh (27), New York Rangers center J.T. Miller (10) and New York Rangers left wing Rick Nash (61) during the second period of game six of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
J.T. Miller – Mika Zibanejad – Rick Nash (New York Rangers)
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The only complaint about the high volume of incoming new players is a lack of right wingers.
In fact, sniper Rick Nash may easily find himself playing the off-wing. It could be exactly what Rick needs to bounce back from a disappointing 2015-16 season.
The combination of Nash and Zibanejad should be a perfect recipe to generate offense.
James van Riemsdyk – Auston Matthews – William Nylander (Toronto Maple Leafs)
Don’t be surprised if both Auston Matthews and William Nylander play themselves into first line duties by season’s end. Matthews will quickly become a go-to player for coach Mike Babcock based on his excellent positional play. Nylander, on the other hand, will earn extra ice-time based on his skill and creativity.
Daniel Sedin – Henrik Sedin – Loui Eriksson (Vancouver Canucks)
This is perhaps the most obvious of the entire list. Loui Eriksson was signed directly based on past chemistry with the Sedin twins on the international stage. The trio gave Canucks fans an early look at their top line at the World Cup of Hockey and all signs point to a productive 2016-17 season.
Patrik Laine – Bryan Little – Joel Armia (Winnipeg Jets)
Chances are that Drew Stafford begins the year on the second line with Laine and Little. We wouldn’t be surprised to see another Finn make their way into the top six, and that’s Joel Armia. He showed promise during his 10-point 43-game stint in 2015-16 and be the perfect fit to allow Stafford to slide down to the third to play with Mathieu Perreault.
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