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Line combinations
Here are the lines that I like and why for the start of the season. Now they will change during the year with injuries and hot/cold streaks.
JVR – Richards – Carter
Hartnell – Briere – Leino
Carcillo – Giroux – Zherdev
Shelley/Powe – Betts/Powe – Lappierre

Here is my rationale. First Briere proved that he is a big producer in the center and that entire line was incredible during the playoffs. Start them and ride them as long as possible. Second, let’s put JVR under some pressure to become a big time scoring winger. With Richards and Carter on the line his defensive issues will be much less evident. Third, put Zherdev with the best passer on the team and give them both a guy that can stir the drink in Carcillo on the wing. This move also matches Claude against the 3rd defense pair usually. Fourth, remember that Carter gives the team the ability to play with wall better than all the other centers due to his size. He is also the only one of the group that can flat out shoot from all over the zone and score – another sign of a scoring winger.

Defense
Here are my suggested defense pairs.
Pronger – Carle
Timonen – Mezzaros
Coburn – O’Donnell/Walker

This create 3 pairs that all have the ability to skate the puck out of danger, pass the puck up ice quickly, and play extremely physically on defense.

Goalies
I would tell Boucher and Leighton that just like last year we are looking for them to make the saves they are supposed to make. They will not be facing 45 shots a game with the defense in front of them. They will win lots of games and put up great numbers if they stay square, challenge, and do not overplay the position. Stay in the net, don’t go running around to shoot the puck. I would also tell them both that they will each play around 30 games and the other 20 will be decided by who is hot at the time during key stretches.

Good Night and Good Hockey!

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Filed Under:   Flyers  
August 11, 2010 3:18 PM ET | Delete
With carter being a right handed shot i would hope that lavy puts him on his off wing and then tell him to watch some tape of ovechkin and see how a real sniper uses his blazing speed and powerful shot to win mvp's but hey a guy can wish cant he? Also can we just make giroux the number center already..the guy oozes talent and is waiting to put up 90 point seasons
August 11, 2010 4:21 PM ET | Delete
I'd still put Carter at center and Richie on LW and let Carcillo bang for them at RW. Richards is better at whatever off position he plays than Carter is. And Defensively LW has the more responsibilities. Make our Selke nomine pick up for Gags's spot. Also I would not be surprised if we end up seeing Backlund
August 11, 2010 6:40 PM ET | Delete
Put Giroux, arguably our best wing, at center, and Carter, our biggest if not best center at wing? Doesn't make much sense to me. Can we please get over this Giroux as a 90 point center idea. Giroux will be a 65-70 point guy MAX, who excels in the playoffs. He is simply too small, just like Briere, to play at that level during a full regular season. He needs to be at wing where he will take less pounding. Giroux will play wing and Carter will play center, bank on it.
August 11, 2010 9:50 PM ET | Delete
August 12, 2010 6:23 PM ET | Delete
Sorry MB - Giroux is a center.
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