Only seven forwards, what does your team do?

[SirJW 207]

This is a debate that can go on for ages but I wanted to throw it out there.

When your team only has seven forwards how are the lines set?

I prefer three centers and two sets of wingers. I feel the flow of the bench is much better than w/ the odd winger (two centers and five wingers) and there is never any confusion who is up next..

What do you prefer or think works best?

[Chadd 916]

Three weakest players on one side, but they never sit on the PK. It keeps your center and other wing together and allows for some chemistry. There is also the fact that you always change for the same guy to reduce confusion. You could have the extra guy shift wings each period, but that gets back into the confusion. Despite not being one of the weaker players on my team, I will often volunteer to be on the side with extra guy as I don't mind the extra rest and guys seem to respect the fact I'm not always trying to get as much ice time as possible.

[tro 4]

I think it depends on how the skill and conditioning level is accross the 7 guys.

On all 3 teams I play on, the 2 centers are the best conditioned and the best players, so the 7th guy will rotate with just the wingers, half game one line, then the other.

For more balance the 7th guy rotates through every postion, half game one line, then the other.

[sickwilly 37]

We generally have one guy roll through each position on one line first. Then he rolls through the next line, sits a shift, then starts the process over.

[Chadd 916]

For more balance the 7th guy rotates through every postion, half game one line, then the other.

I hate it when the "rotator" is on your line as it's really hard to get any flow going when it's a different line combo on every shift.

[tro 4]

Agreed Chadd, It's a killer, I hate when a 7th forward shows up and the team decides to go with this system. We usually go with the 2 center, having the best players out is the main factor, but 2nd would be that the flow is just not there and positional play breaks down.

[chk hrd 164]

We generally have one guy roll through each position on one line first. Then he rolls through the next line, sits a shift, then starts the process over.

same here, and if anyone is really gased the extra man can jump in for his shift

[Machinehead2k5 32]

the 2 weakest wings on different lines switching for one another. 2 strong skaters at C and one "normal" C. Then 1 strong skater at wing and 1 "normal" winger.

[chippa13 1844]

If you've got the room on the blueline, shift one of the forwards back to D.

[Kiernan97 0]

3 lines of wings roll 2 centers its the easiest thing to do

[TBLfan 25]

Normally, it depends on the total numbers of guys. Occasionally, it's better to roll with 4 dmen, sometimes 5 or even 6(which is a lot in rec league)... if necessary even 3 dmen is ok. It really depends on the balance of skill the team has.

[Chadd 916]

If you've got the room on the blueline, shift one of the forwards back to D.

I'd rather go with three D, three pair of wings and two centers. Then again, that has more to do with our strengths and weaknesses than anything else.

[jcp2 2]

Our wing pairs always stick together, so we just add an extra center and expect them to go a lot harder.

[eric42434224 1]

3 lines of wings roll 2 centers its the easiest thing to do

Yes, that works........If you have 8 forwards.

[chippa13 1844]

I think what he meant is that you move one of the defenseman up. It all depends on how many total guys you have. If you're looking at 7 forwards and 5 defensemen then shifting one guy up makes sense. If you've got 7 forwards and 3 defensemen then dropping one guy back works.

We always try to only have 10 on the roster so the goal is to try and have 2 lines of forwards as much as possible. Sometimes that ends up being 6 forwards and 2 defensemen with the D guys getting a blow now and then.

[regularjoe 1]

If you can swing it, I 2nd Chadd's idea. That way, you guarantee two of your best four forwards are always on the ice. It works particular well in some instances for one of my teams b/c the drop off between the first four and the rest is pretty large.

[shoeshine boy 242]

I think it's best to take a good look at what you have. I've played with some guys who were phenomenal wingers but not very good centers. you actually weakened then if you put them at center instead of just leaving them on the wing. if you have 3 centers I think it's better to go with 3 centers and 2 sets of wings. centers should be skating more anyway so why not keep them fresher?

[Chadd 916]

I think it's best to take a good look at what you have. I've played with some guys who were phenomenal wingers but not very good centers. you actually weakened then if you put them at center instead of just leaving them on the wing. if you have 3 centers I think it's better to go with 3 centers and 2 sets of wings. centers should be skating more anyway so why not keep them fresher?

Center or wing really only matters for the faceoff, after that it's F1, F2, F3. First man back should always take the slot defensively, even if he's a winger.

[jcp2 2]

Center or wing really only matters for the faceoff, after that it's F1, F2, F3. First man back should always take the slot defensively, even if he's a winger.

That would be presuming too much for my team. In fact, one of our centers was assigned to that position because he is magnetically attracted to the puck, no matter what position he is supposed to be in. He's not a bad skater or shooter, just a poor positional player.

[Jarick 5]

Usually roll 3 wingers on one side for a period, switch it up for the second period, and back to the other side for the third.

[SirJW 207]

Wow, extra winger prevails.

[shoeshine boy 242]

Center or wing really only matters for the faceoff, after that it's F1, F2, F3. First man back should always take the slot defensively, even if he's a winger.

you'd be surprised. there's a guy I've played with that's a fantastic winger. he's got speed, he's got hands and he really knows how to make space for himself but if you put him at center he's just lost. he does not play well down low helping out the D in his own zone. when he's the first forward back we usually switch as soon as the center gets down there. I can play any forward position and D in a pinch (though I play more like a natural center) but there are plenty of people out there who can't or won't.