Best 1-2 center combo in the NHL

[chippa13 1844]

Definitely Thornton + Marleau.  Who knows if Malkin will even play center, there are a lot of rumors floating around they'll put him on Crosby's wing.

Savard-Bergeron-Boyes isn't bad either.

That's swell, except Boyes hasn't played too much center since he rode shotgun with Bergeron in Providence during the lockout and then found that same chemistry after the Thornton deal in Boston.

Isn't Zhamnov still on the roster? The guy is a great playmaker and better than average defensively. That's a decent 1-2-3 and I still think Crosby will be better on the wing.

Word is that Zhamnov is done. His broken leg from last season appears to be career ending and the B's are just working through the details of getting his salary off the books.

[Chadd 916]

Definitely Thornton + Marleau.  Who knows if Malkin will even play center, there are a lot of rumors floating around they'll put him on Crosby's wing.

Savard-Bergeron-Boyes isn't bad either.

That's swell, except Boyes hasn't played too much center since he rode shotgun with Bergeron in Providence during the lockout and then found that same chemistry after the Thornton deal in Boston.

Isn't Zhamnov still on the roster? The guy is a great playmaker and better than average defensively. That's a decent 1-2-3 and I still think Crosby will be better on the wing.

Word is that Zhamnov is done. His broken leg from last season appears to be career ending and the B's are just working through the details of getting his salary off the books.

Thanks, I hadn't seen that. All I could find out was that he was still on the roster and counting against their cap number. That would free up som emore cash for a playoff run though.

[chippa13 1844]

Definitely Thornton + Marleau.  Who knows if Malkin will even play center, there are a lot of rumors floating around they'll put him on Crosby's wing.

Savard-Bergeron-Boyes isn't bad either.

That's swell, except Boyes hasn't played too much center since he rode shotgun with Bergeron in Providence during the lockout and then found that same chemistry after the Thornton deal in Boston.

Isn't Zhamnov still on the roster? The guy is a great playmaker and better than average defensively. That's a decent 1-2-3 and I still think Crosby will be better on the wing.

Word is that Zhamnov is done. His broken leg from last season appears to be career ending and the B's are just working through the details of getting his salary off the books.

Thanks, I hadn't seen that. All I could find out was that he was still on the roster and counting against their cap number. That would free up som emore cash for a playoff run though.

They are proceeding with their signings and such as if the salary is already off the books. As far as we can tell on the B's board, it is just about a done deal.

[Chadd 916]

I thought he was old enough that they his full number would count no matter what. There doesn't seem to be any consistancy to the new CBA and how it applies to teams/players.

[chippa13 1844]

I thought he was old enough that they his full number would count no matter what. There doesn't seem to be any consistancy to the new CBA and how it applies to teams/players.

If his career is ended by injury, meaning he is forced to retire because he can't get medically cleared to play, then the number comes off of the cap.

[Chadd 916]

And I'm sure that won't get abused by teams.

[kosydar 0]

And I'm sure that won't get abused by teams.

Lou is already trying to exploit it for Malakhov and Mogilny.

[mack 44]

In all fairness he should be able to use the fact that both of their careers technically ended years ago.

[Chadd 916]

In all fairness he should be able to use the fact that both of their careers technically ended years ago.

That didn't stop Lou from signing them in the first place.

[mack 44]

I can't fault him for trying only because the last time he got them it welcomed their new mini-dynasty.

[Chadd 916]

He was supposed to be the svengali of the new system and according to the experts he was going to blow away all other GMs with his expertise. I find it interesting that he's had more problems than any other team.

[mack 44]

I think all things considered he'll be right back up to snuff but he was having to try and replace very key players and felt pressure to get what he could. Granted I don't know who else he had a shot at but I'd like to hope there was no one else since there's no way I'd take those two, let alone at their salaries.

[hockeytim18 0]

Who would be the other Winger with Malkin/Crosby? My initial thought would be Armstrong but i'm not sure.

[mack 44]

He or Recchi I'd imagine.

[hockeytim18 0]

Yeah you're probably right. I think Recchi should be second line so the talent is widespread. Armstrong does very good with Crosby so that'd be a good line with him on it but Recchi is a good choice for the wing but like I said spread the talent a bit.

[mack 44]

Granted I think I saw one Pens game last year but I'd go with:

LeClair-Crosby-Armstrong

Malone (I think he's still there)-Malkin-Recchi

[hockeytim18 0]

Really. After all of you debated against me on how Malkin/Crosby should be on the same line someone argues that now. That sucks.

[mack 44]

I just said who I thought should play where if they were on the same line. I wouldn't put them together on the same line until they develop or acquire some other Cs.

[TBLfan 25]

Richards/Lecavalier

And that's with Vinny half-assing, if he went 100% all the time he'd be even better. That's also with him being with Prospal who loves to shoot two-feet wide.

[DamnLocust 0]

It's ok, TBL. I made excuses for the Rangers for 7 years.

[forsberg91 0]

A couple years ago the Sakic/Forsberg one wasnt bad at all...

[slaw 1]

Is Peca gonna be second line centre in T.O.

Sundins centre isnt he?

That could be nice if they both played well and put up some numbers.

[kobcc 0]

Last season it was Thornton and Marleau. This year I think there are a number of teams with a good one-two punch. However, Anaheim with the best 1-2 combo of d-men in Pronger and Niedermayer and their outlet passes, skating ability and vision on ice most of the play will be in the opposing teams end and one should look at Macdonald (had a good season last year, should repeat) and Getzlaf who also had a fine year only playing 2/3 of the season and is ready to break out. While this might not be the best 1-2 combo, it is worth mentioning.

Briere/Drury/Connolly is a good combo if all can stay healthy.

[kosydar 0]

Is Peca gonna be second line centre in T.O.

Sundins centre isnt he?

That could be nice if they both played well and put up some numbers.

This is wishful thinking but..

Sundin will be first line, Wellwood will be second. Peca will be third line in a defensive shut down role. If we rely on him to get points our season is shot.

[Eazy_b97 1]

Thats the idea I am getting from Maurice's hints. It's looking like similar lines to last season for the start of camp. Roughly:

Antro - Sundin - Poni

Tucker - Welly - Kilger

Steen - Stajan - O'Neil

Belak - Peca - Ondrus/Williams/Newburry

The Steen and Welly line are like semi 2nd lines or semi 3rd lins. Peca used as checking, the other 3 as scoring. Maurice has hinted the first unit will start the same as it ended. He appears to like Belak as a checker and Peca isn't much more so I fired them together.