OK, now that we are two days away from the Sabres opening their regular season and the roster is finally set. It’s time to play Lindy Ruff, and try my best line combinations. I’ll say this, even though Ruff more then likely has penciled in what lines he wants, we all know Ruff juggles his lines more than Boso the Clown. There will be moments where Ruff will want as many skill guys on his lines, and then he juggle them to have a grinder on each line. So here’s my line combos.
Vanek-Connolly-Roy
As far as I’m concerned if you’re going to make the most money on the front line, you may as well play together on the front line. Connolly is suppose to be your big set-up man, while Vanek is your best finisher, it’s a no brainier. Throw in Roy who can pass and score (when his head is in the game) and you may have a legit first line. But if laziness does come across this line, don’t be surprised if Ruff puts Goose or Grier on there. Especially Grier, who they brought in to ring players necks if their being lazy.
Pommer-Kennedy-Paille
I’m sick and tired of Lindy Ruff putting some of his youngest prospects on the 4th line with Adam Mair or Dominic Moore or Rob Ray. If Tim Kennedy is suppose to be the home town hero he’s being billed to be, lets give him some love and talent around him. Ruff kept Kennedy over Gerbe because Kennedy is more of a two way player, which we all know Ruff is infatuated with. Playing him along side Pommer who isn’t too shabby in his own end, will give the Sabres a line combo with a little bit of scoring and checking. I put Paille in here over MacCarthur, because Paille at times has hit everything in site, only to disappear. But the physicality is what I’m hoping he can bring to the line.
Grier-Gaustad–Hecht
This line will more than likely be the fan favorite of the team. I’ve always said if the Sabres put together a team of 23 guys who could hit and score 10-15 goals a game, and have a few fights here and there, the fans wouldn’t care where the team would finish. In other words, Buffalo fans love the blue-collar line, and that’s what they will be getting with this line. I know most fans are looking forward to see how Grier plays, but I’m more interested to see how Hecht rebounds from is disappointing season. Hecht will finally be back at home, playing on a checking line instead of a scoring line. Look for this line to be the shut down line for the Sabres.
Ellis-MacCarthur–Kaleta
If I’m an architect of a hockey team, I want 2 lines that have both scoring and checking ability, a pure scoring line, and a pure checking line. I really feel this forth line can fall into the category of scoring and checking. MacCarthur of course is the only pure scorer on the line, but with mix of Kaleta’s hitting and Ellis forecheck, it could definitely be a line with a lot of high energy. It’s also going to be the line that may see Ellis sit for Mair when he returns from injury.
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