Love it or hate it, line-juggling is a reality of the game when Lindy Ruff‘s at the helm. So which will be his lines of choice this season?
As Dallas Stars fans, we’re intimately familiar with the concept of love/hate relationships. Each hockey season, we volunteer ourselves for an emotional rollercoaster ride that at moments thrills and astounds us and at others, just makes us feel a bit queasy and want off. The Stars fan life is not for the faint of heart.
But one of the double-edged swords that Stars fans have come to accept and at times even enjoy is Lindy Ruff’s signature line-juggling. You never can be sure just who is going to take the ice together.
When that doesn’t work out quite as well as hoped, it can be frustrating. But when those linemates click and beautiful things happen, well, line-juggling becomes the magical life-raft we want thrown to us time after time.
And some great things have come out of Ruff’s creativity. Because intermittent injuries and illnesses caused holes in lines we were more familiar with, we got to see some interesting replacements that actually worked last season. Here are some lines to look for in the upcoming season.
Jamie Benn– Mattias Janmark– Jason Spezza
When Tyler Seguin was sidelined at the end of last season, Jamie Benn was without his linemate. To add to the odds, Jason Spezza usually centers a line himself. But when you toss the youthful zeal and talent of Mattias Janmark into the mix with Benn and Spezza’s experience and ability, great things have happened.
All three of these players are threats in the slot as well as good playmakers. Could we call this the jack of all trades line? Quite possibly.
Antoine Roussel– Cody Eakin– Patrick Eaves
I like to think of this one as the crouching tiger, hidden dragon (and a ginger) line. Let me explain. Each of these players has a unique angle. While both Cody Eakin and Patrick Eaves have proven that they can take the far shot, they are both good at finding space close to the net, in different ways.
Eakin is a little more overt about it, while when Eaves scores, you hardly ever see it coming. And then of course Antoine Roussel, who can repel defenders (or in certain turns of events, attract them) with his taunting methods. These three can work together to cover all the angles.
Jamie Benn- Tyler Seguin– Patrick Sharp
I would love to see the GQ line come into its own this season. There was a lot of hoopla when the Dallas Stars originally acquired Sharp, and everyone was elated that the Stars had finally found the perfect linemate fit for Benn and Seguin.
However, they never fully clicked last season and didn’t live up to the standards set by memories of those truly golden Benn- Seguin- Nichushkin moments from the olden days. However, you can never expect too much of a player in his first season with a team.
That’s why I think this will be a better season for the GQ line. Ruff will, of course, want several pairing options for that first line in case one of their regular first-liners is a no-go. With Seguin healthy and if Sharp finds his upswing, this could become a go to line.
Of course, there will be other things to account for as training camp is underway and when the season starts. Jiri Hudler will find his place (and I’m really hoping it’s on a line with Antoine Roussel, anybody else?) and the Stars will figure out strategies to fill the spots left by those who have moved on.
Next: Dallas Stars World Cup of Hockey Updates
But until then, I’m going to cross my fingers that we’ll see a few of these lines in action, hitting their strides this season.
Which lines do you think will become regulars?