Line Combinations

[ibcman]

Now that we are getting a better understanding of what next season's Ranger team may look like, please share your opinion of possible line combinations. Don't forget all of the new people just recently added.

Limit of 3 overagers as well.

Can Skinner play with Morin and Reider?

What defense pairings?

[jonny three time]

Just throwing this out there....

Gab - Skinner - Akeson
Rieder - Cat - Morin

You could switch Morin and Rieder as Morin can play both wings and I'm guessing that Rieder can too since he's listed as a left-handed RW.
The bottom 6 I have no idea because it's tough to tell who Spott is yet going to trade and who makes it as an OA. It's also tough to tell what the D will look like as that's a bit of a puzzle right now too.

[afclark82]

Hard to make any predictions until some of the young guys get moved. Right now we have about 15 defensemen (yes im exaggerating) and 4 or 5 too many forwards signed. Without question the top 5 forwards are Skinner, Morin, Landeskog, Akeson, and Catenacci. The rest of the lineup is really a mystery. On D we have Jasper and Murphy with about 10 other guys fighting for spots. If able to sign Melchiori and Mayfield that gives us a solid 4 defensemen. Need to add a stud shut down guy with one of Morris, Fanelli, or Stevens and the Rangers will be solid. If we are unable to sign Melchiori and/or Mayfield, the Rangers will need to bring in at least two to really be a competitive team.

One thing I am wondering about the defense, with Fowler getting drafted by the ducks, is there a chance he gets sent back to the OHL? If that happens, is there a chance that Windsor might be looking to dump him? Sure he is offensive minded but he is a prime time talent and can add a lot to our blue line.

[BrantfordRanger]

Morin - Skinner - Landeskog

Reason: This line was absolutely electric in the playoffs. With the forward depth ahead of Jeff in Carolina, I like his odds of being back and the same goes for Jet. Both are great players, the only worry is that this entire line could end up at the World Juniors. Every player on this line is a threat to score, they're impossible to guard against.

Akeson - Marcantuoni - Rieder

Reason: Listen, I get that rookies should have to pay their dues and so maybe it'll rub people the wrong way to have Matia centering the second line but the kid has too much pure offence to be played in a checking role. I don't see a reason that he couldn't have a season akin to what Matt Puempel did for Peterborough last year. Akeson is the veteran presence and he's a hell of a set up man with great hockey sense. Rieder has the speed and electric hands to play with Matia. For most teams in the league, it'll be a full time job just trying to keep up with Rieder and Marcantuoni

Tipoff - Catenacci - Thomson

Reason: This is your shutdown line. Catenacci and Tipoff both showed themselves as two of the best defensive forwards in the league in last year's playoffs. Ben Thomson brings the size but also some physical nastiness. I think his performance against Windsor/London last year when Catenacci went down was one of the most unheralded of our playoff run.

Randell - Crescenzi - Sartoretto

Reason: Simply put, I think you love that you're able to have guys like Randell and Crescenzi this far down your depth chart but I think they're both trade bait. But to start the year, this is an ideal checking line. Big, physical and intimidating, they'll force turnovers and plug up the neutral zone. Some young guys will likely slot in here after trades.

Murphy - Melchiori

Reason: Is there any doubt after last year's playoffs that Ryan Murphy should be this team's #1 defenseman? Hockey Prospect.com compared his style to Bobby Orr, no word of a lie. But he's gonna need a big rangy partner playing next to him and there's where Melchiori comes in. He's got some experience with a couple Tier 2 seasons under his belt and has some aplomb in all situations.

Jasper - Mayfield

Reason: Here's your shutdown pairing. Mayfield is a big nasty defenseman who moves well and can contribute on the powerplay. Jasper has a condor like wingspan and good mobility in his own right. They'll see a lot of the OHL's top players this year.

Stevens - McEneny/Fanelli

Reason: First, because they're both '92s I think there will be more of a trade market for Dodero and Morris than for Stevens. Stevens slots in where he probably should be which is as a very good depth defenseman. McEneny and Fanelli will switch in and out for one another. McEneny will take the opponents more known for physical play (Guelph, London, Sarnia); Fanelli will probably be used as a trap buster (Brampton, Missy) or against opponents where his mobility will be needed (Belleville, Niagara)

[Jersey]

Stevens - McEneny/Fanelli

Reason: First, because they're both '92s I think there will be more of a trade market for Dodero and Morris than for Stevens. Stevens slots in where he probably should be which is as a very good depth defenseman. McEneny and Fanelli will switch in and out for one another. McEneny will take the opponents more known for physical play (Guelph, London, Sarnia); Fanelli will probably be used as a trap buster (Brampton, Missy) or against opponents where his mobility will be needed (Belleville, Niagara)

Since Fanelli was mentioned. I was wondering if anyone knows how Ben is doing? I know he was back on skates at the end of last season, but does anyone know how he is actually doing?

I would love to see him back on the ice in a Ranger jersey this year. I think I speak for everyone when I say that.

Sorry about Hijacking the thread.

[ibcman]

Brantford Ranger has the idea. I find it strange how no one has added the names Jerry D'Amigo (I hear he IS coming), Eric Ming, Keli Grant or Zach Lorentz. What happens to those guys?

I'd like to see the following:
Morin-Skinner-Rieder
Akeson-Marcantuoni-Landeskog
Tipoff-Catenacci-Thomson
Randell-Cresenzi-Sartoretto

Murphy-Jasper
Melchiori-Mayfield
Stevens-Dodero
McEneny-Morris

[puckhead7]

But will Marcantuoni report?

[BrantfordRanger]

Brantford Ranger has the idea. I find it strange how no one has added the names Jerry D'Amigo (I hear he IS coming), Eric Ming, Keli Grant or Zach Lorentz. What happens to those guys?

I'd like to see the following:
Morin-Skinner-Rieder
Akeson-Marcantuoni-Landeskog
Tipoff-Catenacci-Thomson
Randell-Cresenzi-Sartoretto

Murphy-Jasper
Melchiori-Mayfield
Stevens-Dodero
McEneny-Morris

Okay, I was operating under the assumptiomuch as n that Jerry D'Amigo wasn't coming. I wasn't all that impressed with Keli Grant at rookie camp and as for Zach Lorentz, I can see him taking over as a fourth liner when a little space is cleared with trades or I can see him being trade bait. As for Eric Ming, I simply forgot about him.

Marcantuoni said we were the only team he'd play for and he showed up to rookie camp, my guess is he's locked in for next year.

[Rangers#1fan]

Brantford Ranger has the idea. I find it strange how no one has added the names Jerry D'Amigo (I hear he IS coming), Eric Ming, Keli Grant or Zach Lorentz. What happens to those guys?

I'd like to see the following:
Morin-Skinner-Rieder
Akeson-Marcantuoni-Landeskog
Tipoff-Catenacci-Thomson
Randell-Cresenzi-Sartoretto

Murphy-Jasper
Melchiori-Mayfield
Stevens-Dodero
McEneny-Morris

Just curious as to why you don't have D'Amigo in your line combos if he really is coming?

[Cyclone Taylor]

Brantford Ranger has the idea. I find it strange how no one has added the names Jerry D'Amigo (I hear he IS coming), Eric Ming, Keli Grant or Zach Lorentz. What happens to those guys?

I'd like to see the following:
Morin-Skinner-Rieder
Akeson-Marcantuoni-Landeskog
Tipoff-Catenacci-Thomson
Randell-Cresenzi-Sartoretto

Murphy-Jasper
Melchiori-Mayfield
Stevens-Dodero
McEneny-Morris

As noted above about Ming and Lorentz I think we'll see Ming and Lorentz into this line-up somewhere. Sartoretto I believe will be on the bubble for playing time and may be moved somewhere for playing time. Considering his age this could be a good thing for him to find out exactly where his talent will take him in the future. Hopefully if not pros (tough to think pros with his injuries and production the last cpl years) then enough to warrant playing time to get playing in the C.I.S.. I understand he's thinking of becoming a dentist after hockey so he is thinking ahead.
Has Spott confirmed that Mascioli isn't coming back? Last year at this time he confirmed the OA's for the 09/10 season, I haven't heard anything yet. I'm not sure if there's a spot for him.
Even though there isn't a forward that is known for fighting there does seem like some physicality on all four lines. Thomson even though a big boy isn't a fighter (nor should he be) he does go hard into the corners and into the dirty areas in front of the net.
The fourth line(above) could really be a line that causes mayhem but I see changes there. Will Randell be happy with 4th line minutes in his final year? Will he show up in Ranger camp fully healthy and battle for a spot in the top 2 lines? He does have the talent, hopefully he does show it this coming year. He's another I have on the bubble for being moved to get more playing time and a OA defenceman coming back (I know at Randells age we'll need to give up more than Randell.)
IMHO, if Spott never traded Aleardi or Prince they would be a real dogfight to make this team.

Will Morrison get playing time in the first half of the season to increase his value?
If not, he's another player that could be moved to prove his worth in his draft year.

I haven't included D'Amigo since I think he's a really longshot for showing up.

It's hard for me to do lines since I believe there will be few trades coming.

[ibcman]

Let's try this again after a little more thought:

Morin-Skinner-D'Amigo
Rieder-Akeson-Landeskog
Tipoff-Marcantuoni-Thompson
Randell-Cresenzi-Sartoretto


Murphy-Jasper
Melchiori-Mayfield
Stevens-Dodero
McEneny-Lowery


Trade Bait:

Mike Catenacci & Mike Mascioli for a star overage
defender which will displace Lowery and move up to 3rd pairing.
A huge loss to our penalty killing but beneficial to our defense.

Eric Ming, Keli Grant,
Zach Lorentz & Brandon Morris

[Calinduil]

With Rod Brind,amour announcing retirement Skinner sticking in Carolina does not seem far fetched.
The rangers are becoming the humane society of the ohl and will be looking for homes for some of these guys.

[manutd]

As much as I love Skinner, I don't think he is quite ready for the NHL. I think he needs to pat a little bit more attention to the defensive side of the game and another year in Kitchener will give him an oppurtunity to take on more responsibilities on both sides of the puck. For his development he might be better served playing 20 mins a night as opposed to 7-9 mins he would get in the NHL.

[HockeyAddict]

I still have a gut feeling that we will be seeing D'Amigo as a Ranger next year.

Here are the forward lines I would like to see...

Morin - Skinner - Landeskog
Akeson - D'Amigo - Rieder
Tipoff - Catneacci - Marcantuoni
Cresenzi - tough/big enforcer acquired thru trade - Thomson

[BrantfordRanger]

I still have a gut feeling that we will be seeing D'Amigo as a Ranger next year.

Here are the forward lines I would like to see...

Morin - Skinner - Landeskog
Akeson - D'Amigo - Rieder
Tipoff - Catneacci - Marcantuoni
Crescenzi - tough/big enforcer acquired thru trade - Thomson

Just a few problems.

First, D'Amigo is a Left Winger. It's what he played for the US at the World Juniors and for RPI.
Second, that would mean we'd have three wingers on the second line. Marcantuoni and Catenacci are both natural centres.
Third, Crez is a centre, so that big enforcer would be a winger.

So, maybe something like this?

Morin - Skinner - Landeskog
Akeson - Marcantuoni - Rieder
Tipoff - Catenacci - D'Amigo
Devane - Crescenzi - Thomson

Jamie Devane would be a great add in terms of size, physicality and pugilism.