2009 Dallas Stars line combinations

by Brandon Worley on Jul 2, 2009 11:37 AM CDT in News Comment 13 comments

What do you think the line combos should be if the roster stays the same?

A few days ago I posted a rudimentary depth chart based on the current Dallas Stars roster, as well as a look at the cap and budget situation. It didn't include Jere Lehtinen on the roster (he hadn't re-signed just yet) and that threw a significant bump in the equation. Without Lehtinen, the Stars had just one true right wing on the roster (Krys Barch), and I attempted to guess who might play where if they entered the season in the same situation.

Only one problem: I had Loui Eriksson and Steve Ott completely switched up.

Astute reader and commenter Hull Fan pointed out my error, and with some assistance via email, after the jump is a more logical approach to the Stars' line combinations. Including Jere Lehtinen.

Brenden Morrow	Mike Ribeiro	Jere Lehtinen
Steve Ott	Brad Richards	Loui Eriksson
James Neal	Mike Modano	Fabian Brunnstrom
Brian Sutherby	Toby Petersen	Krys Barch / Raymond Sawada

Trevor Daley	Stephane Robidas
Ivan Vishnevskiy	Matt Niskanen
Mark Fistric	Nicklas Grossman
Andrew Hutchinson

Marty Turco

Last season, Eriksson primarily played on the right side with Richards. When Brenden Morrow was lost to injury Steve Ott moved up to the top line to play on the left wing with Ribeiro and Lehtinen. Fabian Brunnstrom started the season on the left wing but eventually moved to the right side when late season injuries really started to affect the lineup. Brunnstrom's final month of the season was his best of the year.

So now I ask you: What do you think the line combinations should be? Should James Neal be a top six forward next season? What about the defensive pairings? Would it be best to have Vishnevskiy with Niskanen, or a more experience vet like Robidas.

Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

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Comments

I like your line combos,, I think Hutchinson is better suited than vishnevsky.

Morrow, ribeiro, Lehtinen
Brunnstrom, Richards, Erickson
Ott, Modano, Neal
Sutherby, Peterson, Barch

Robidas, Fistric ( way underated )
Daley, Niskanen
Grossman, Hutchinson

When you loook at it on paper, the stars have a good team. Knock on wood, we stay healthy and get Zubie back for at least 60 games. Maybe add Chelios in for moral support,, and we still have a chance

by rburk32981 on Jul 2, 2009 11:54 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Fistric needs to learn a bit of control.

But I agree, he had a strong finish to the season. He was too undisciplined at times, and took some bad penalties. But he’s turning into a formidable physical presence. But he still hasn’t earned top pair billing, imo.

I’d like to see Vishnevskiy get regular time.

Defending Big D: A Dallas Stars blog on SBN: easy to use, free to join.

by Brandon Worley on Jul 2, 2009 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

no no

no way i think Hutchinson starts over Vishnevsky. We need the power play guy and i think Ivan is that guy, well atleast i hope. I think Hutchinson is a nice vet and a good solid number 7 but he does not need to start.

I would also not put niskanen and vishnevsky together because i dont trust Niskanen.

My D lines would be

Robidas, Niskanen
Daley, Fistric
Grossman, Vishnevsky.

born to destroy

by Lifewish on Jul 2, 2009 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not bad

I definitely don’t see too many problems with that line-up. In fact other than a few Defensive changes (Considering the signing of Skrastins earlier today) I can’t say that if they keep their roster from last year that I would change much. However, I think this is the year we’re going to see at least one or two other forwards try to break in. Namely Jamie Benn. If any trade is going to happen I also see Brunnstrom going in it. But those intangibles aside I agree. However I wouldn’t be surprised if our new “offense first” coach doesn’t try putting a super line together with Ribs, Morrow and Eriksson. But that said…

Morrow, Ribeiro, Lehtinen –
You have your grit, finesse and two way

Ott, Richards, Eriksson –
You have Grit, Playmaking and a Scorer with 2-way capabilities

Neal, Modano, Brunnstrom –
This line may cause some problems with being relatively inconsistent defensively. Neal is offensive first, Modano is old and Brunnstrom doesn’t know what to do when he doesn’t have the puck, but aside from wasting talent by taking it from other lines, this is the optimal layout.

Sutherby, Peterson, Barch -
You have to think that the management will be smart enough to use Otts new found (or rather, re-found from his minor days) scoring touch. Meaning Barch is a necessary evil (in a good way) for that punch (pun intended). Peterson is one of my favorite players on the team, very under-rated. Sutherby falls into one of the few moves made that I fully support and loved when I heard they got him for another 2 years. Great guy, great player. Good 4th line. Shut em’ down. Also while I don’t think Barch is the thug type fighter that Crawford is used to, he will appreciate his tool set more than Tippett did.

DEFENSE
I want to say this first – I see a big hole for having a true top 2 defenseman right now. We signed a 3-4 pairing D-Defenseman today in Skrastins, and Robidas just doesn’t have it in him despite how amazing he is – though I would love to see him prove me wrong this season. This of course assuming that one of our big guys like Grossman or Fistric don’t jump out and surprise us and become our Norstrom.

Robidas – Daley
Skrastins – Niskanen
Grossman – VIshnevskiy
Fistric

That’s going on the layout of Offensive paired with a Defensive D-man. That doesn’t mean that will happen, it’s likely we’ll see Grossman and Fistric back together instead and Vishnevskiy will get his shot int he form of some time on the attack as well as the powerplay until he has officially proven himself – but I fully expect him to be on the roster for most of the year. I am very excited to see the kid play more.

Further more after looking at our Defensive line up I have to say that someone’s either getting traded or just sent to the Texas Stars. We have too many at this point. Not signing Sydor again just freed up one spot. With Huthinson still under contract you have to wonder who it will be that gets the boot. I have to say it’s unfortunate that someone like Vishy is going to be on the short list higher than most others followed by Fistric in a close second.

by TDSA_Brian on Jul 2, 2009 4:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

In retrospect, rethinking the situation. I don’t see a spot for Hutchinson more than anyone else. All of his assets are found in other players who are simply better.

by TDSA_Brian on Jul 2, 2009 4:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I find myself jumping on Brandon

because we fundamentally disagree.

Morrow-Ribiero-Brunnstrom

Lehtinen no longer fits. I know people long for the glory years but really Jere is a shadow of himself. That’s not to say I’m upset with his signing but his role on this team going forward should be purely checking. He’s not nearly the scorer he was even two years ago. In the final 15 games Lehtinen played last season he scored one point, an assist, in a 3-2 win against LA. He averaged just under 18 minutes a night during that stretch. I know Morrow wasn’t playing with Ribs during that span but Ott was picking up points. Relying on Lehts to score is turning the clock back rather than moving forward.

By contrast in Bruno (my personal nickname) was in the lineup and played for more than 10 minutes he scored. Other than a bad March when no one on the entire team could score, Bruno was great down the stretch with Ribs and Ott. No longer fighting an ankle problem he played his best hockey in the final five games. Even if you don’t want him on the top line it’s time to find out what his role on this team is going forward and just how dynamic a scorer he can be. Bruno was a team best in points/minute played. Let that top line focus on offense and 90+ points for Ribiero is possible. Oh and Brandon Bruno started the season on the right side of Neal and Modano. He played the majority of his games at RW.

Neal-Richarads-Eriksson

Two finishers with a passer. Eriksson and Richards belong together. Neal’s not great in his own zone and these two can help cover his mistakes. Both could conceivably score 30+ goals with Richards as their pivot. A great second line could do wonders to make the Stars a legit playoff team and possible division winner.

Ott-Modano-Lehtinen

But Hull Fan Ott refound his scoring touch. Yes, yes he did and good for Otter, but Steve’s biggest contribution to making this team a winner is to drive forwards like Thornton, Getzlaf, Kopitar, Doan, and company completely insane. His agitation skills are second to none in this league and his defense has improved immeasurably. The best thing that could happen to this team is putting this line against the top lines of other teams so Ribs and Richie can focus on offense. Let Ott be his petulant best along with Mike winning faceoffs, and Jere being a beast along the boards. This is a great checking line. Breaking it up hoping Ott and Lehts score more than Neal and Bruno is a disservice to all involved.

Sutherby-Peterson-Barch/Sawada

I’m not a Barch fan. His willingness to drop the gloves is impressive but otherwise he’s fairly useless on the ice. Still I’m not sure pigeon holing Sawada into a 4th line role is really doing him any favors. Quite frankly whoever is on the right side really isn’t important. 4th lines rarely get much ice under Crawford and whoever it is won’t be looked on to score, just provide quality minutes (however many there are) and not put the team at a disadvantage.

Skrastins-Niskanen
Grossman-Robidas
Fistric-Daley

I’ll leave my defense pairings opine for another day.

by Hull Fan on Jul 3, 2009 8:31 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Ahhh see this is what I've been craving: A good discussion like this

In Brunnstrom’s first NHL game, when he scored a hat trick, the lines were this:

Brunnstrom-Richards-Avery (2nd line)

A few days later they were this:

Morrow-Richards-Brunnstrom (2nd line)

After that, Brunnstrom moved up and down the lines on the right and left side for a while. In early November, Brunnstrom was on the right side of Morrow and and Ribeiro when Lehtinen was hurt, and he was very successful. But once Lehtinen came back, “Bruno” was back on the left side of Modano. Once Morrow was lost to injury we started to see these combinations (for a bit at least)

Neal-Ribeiro-Avery
Conner-Modano-Parrish
Brunnstrom-Richards-Eriksson
Barch-Petersen-Wilson

When Avery was suspended, these were the combos:

Brunnstrom-Modano-Conner
Neal-Ribeiro-Parrish
Eriksson-Richards-Wilson
Barch-Petersen-Janik

Right before he was hurt, though, Brunnstrom was playing a lot on the right of Ribeiro. But the point really, is that Brunnstrom was bounced around a lot season season, both from the left to the right (he even played fourth line center for two games). But I wouldn’t say he played the majority of his games on the RW, not counting the final month. But I think we both agree that he played his best when on the right side.

As for your other line combos, I can’t really argue with those. We’re both approaching it from different angles, however. I’m looking at how to have a balance between three lines where all have scoring and defensive capability. You are looking at how to best stack the top two lines and make a near perfect third checking line. Both are logical approaches to how to best utilize the players.

And you are right on Brunnstrom. He ended the season with the best shot percentage on the team and finished first in GOALS/60, and second on the team in Points/60. He started the season horrendously bad on defense, and finished the season 2nd worst on the team in GAON/60.

I think we are all encouraged by what Brunnstrom showed at the end of last season, and I’m excited to see what he can do with a year of experience under his belt. A line of Morrow, Ribs and Brunnstrom will be downright deadly and I think he was at his best playing next to Ribeiro. So have I been a bit blinded by the hope of seeing Morrow, Ribs and Lehts return to the glory of 07-08. Perhaps. There is no doubting the chemistry those three have shared in the past however. But it will have been 10 months since all three played together when the season starts.

I was looking for balance among three lines, both offensively and defensively. Perhaps Crawford will want to go like you, and make two extraordinarily dangerous top lines, and a choking third, that’s reminiscent of the Carbonneau line from 1999. Hmmmm….

Defending Big D: A Dallas Stars blog on SBN: easy to use, free to join.

by Brandon Worley on Jul 3, 2009 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

All I know about Crawford

is he’s offensively oriented, who doesn’t play his 4th line much and would rather ride his top three lines (if they are good). That seems likely in Dallas who does have 9 forwards to make three good lines. The 4th line getting 7-10 minutes is fine with me.

I can see Eriksson on the top line, but would rather him play with Richards. Bruno did play everywhere, I do remember him playing and preferring the right side though.

He and Ribiero would/are awesome together. As for Lehts I think there comes a point where the past doesn’t really matter. Yes those three were awesome two years ago but by now other younger players are ready for that role. In this case in particular it’s maximizing Bruno’s and Leht’s strengths offensively and defensively to make the, imho, best lineup possible.

There’s room for debate but this is how I feel about it and I will defend it to the death, unless the actual on ice product falls flat, but I don’t anticipate that.

by Hull Fan on Jul 3, 2009 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not disagreeing with you at all.

In fact, the thought of what Morrow-Ribs-Brunnstrom can do together on that top line is incredibly exciting. And the more I think about it, the more I tend to start thinking the way you are. Not to make this all about reliving the glory years, but in 1999 the Stars had Hull-Modano-Lehts with Nieuwendyk anchoring the second scoring line, with Carbs holding down the checking line. I can see that being similar to what the Stars can build toward this season, with more offensive explosiveness.

It’s going to be interesting to see how Crawford coaches these guys up. Perhaps Tippett was holding these guys back a bit. Who knows. But it will be interesting.

Defending Big D: A Dallas Stars blog on SBN: easy to use, free to join.

by Brandon Worley on Jul 3, 2009 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I will sway you to the darkside

or something like that.

I’m pretty sure a dman gets moved before the season starts too.

by Hull Fan on Jul 3, 2009 2:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Line ups

I like your lineups and think they will bring about the best scoring possibilities for the Stars, the defense on the other hand, will depend if Sergei is healthy and re signs. If he doesn’t, think then V will get his chance probably partnered with new D-man Karlis. Robida and Niskanen would work as another D-team. The rest of the D with be young and inexperienced, but a year wiser and seasoned. The monster is what will help the Stars this year, to give Marty a rest and add a capable back up. Also Marty starting the season a little hotter wouldn’t hurt either.

by Boltzmeister on Jul 3, 2009 10:49 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Morrow-Richards-Lehtenen
Eriksson-Ribeiro-Brunnstrom
Neal-Modano-Ott
Sutherby-Petersen-Barch

I think Mike Modano can really help Neal flourish. Also i think the second line i put together would really light things up with the energy and intensity we need.

Robidas, Fistric
Daley, Niskanen
Grossman, Vishnevsky

And i agree with lifewish, Vishnevsky is tops over Hutchinson. I’m still holding onto hope that Zubov will stay around. But that hope is slipping away.

Turco – (Gustavsson, Fernandez, ?)

Fingers crossed for The Monster!

by NineStarSaint on Jul 5, 2009 1:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs