New Line Thoughts

It's probably a pretty good guess that with the success the Toews-Kane-Havlat has had of late, that those three will skate together in the playoffs. It's not for sure, especially if Sharp is out, because loading all of your scoring onto a single line is dangerous if the other team can roll out a solid defensive line that can nuetralize you. However, as the good people at the Committed Indian pointed out in their Wednesday night edition - how do you break up a line that is having that much success?

Further complicating the Hawks line situation is Sharp - it sounds like he's out for sure this weekend, so what are the odds he'll be back to go by Thursday? It's impossible to guess as so little information is available, so I'll throw out my two different line combinations:


WITH SHARP

Toews-Kane-Halvat - it's scary to have them all on one line... both for the Hawks and the other team. My biggest concern is that they might try to force things too much, knowing that the bulk of the scoring responsibility is on their shoulders. Especially with Toews and Kane never having seen the post-season, this could be a recipe for disaster. On the other hand, if they can show a little early success, it could be just the confidence boost the kids need to elevate their game.

Bolland-Ladd-Buff - Clearly this line takes a hit without Havlat on it, but Bolland does make things happen and Ladd is a fairly solid all-around player. As always, the question is whether Buff comes to play. If he's got the intensity and desire, then Buff can do a lot of little things that Bolland and Ladd can take advantage of. He also is capable of capitalizing on the good set-ups of Bolland and Ladd by getting some clean up goals.

Pahlsson-Versteeg-Sharp - This line would serve dual purposes, shutting down the opposing teams top line and giving the Hawks a legit second scoring line. Pahlsson isn't a great offensive player, but he's capable. Plus, his great face-off skills and top notch defensive work would both spur the offense. Versteeg and Sharp are both top offensive players who would pair well - Versteeg is a creator while Sharp is a scorer. Plus, they are skilled defensive forwards who are committed in both ends.

Frasier-Burrish-Eager - Yep, Brouwer is sitting in my ideal lines because the guy doesn't add anything. Some might argue that Eager should sit so Brouwer can bring some more skill to this line, but I'm not buying. Eager has skills of his own and I like how this line has skated together. Plus, as I said, Brouwer is worthless. Go back to the AHL and become Steve Maltais Jr. already (no knock on Steve, who is a legendary IHL and AHL player).


WITHOUT SHARP

Toews-Kane-Havlat - Again, I'd probably break them up anyway, but most certainly if Sharp wasn't around to balance the scoring. Still, I'm gonna assume JQ sticks with this set-up.

Bolland-Ladd-Versteeg - My thought here is that this line worked very well with Havlat on it and Versteeg is a poor man's Havlat. You'd have a decent shot at these guys providing scoring and you'd have a fairly solid defensive unit as well. It's not an ideal second line, but it's at least capable.

Pahlsson-Brouwer-Buff - The one thing I'd say about Brouwer is at least he might be able to handle himself on a true checking line. Buff is the bigger question mark, but the fact that he's a defensemen by trade suggests that if put in the situtation to play on a more defensive line, that he could get it done. Again, this is far from ideal, but I think giving Brouwer and Buff a defined and attainable goal - just play good defense every shift - could be the best thing for setting them up for success. It's a lot on Pahlsson to turn this into a good checking line, but honestly, what other options are there?

Frasier-Burrish-Eager - As I mentioned in my original post, I'd have Eager up on one of the top lines because I think he could bring something that they need. Especially with Sharp out, I'd take my chance that Eager could be a nice combo with one of the other lines and then have Brouwer or Buff back on this line. Unfortunately that won't happen this year, but the upside is that this 4th line has done very well together and will continue to be an asset.