Even with the early success of the Vanek-Adam-Pominville line, Ruff said he’s not against shuffling bodies around to jumpstart other players.

“We can always flip some pieces around,” he explains. “It seems sometimes that when you do that you end up with better results. We end up with Luke up between Thomas and Jason, and that’s just from trying to get pieces to fit and work together."

I think it could easily be said that shuffling players around has not worked just as much as it has. When can we look back and remember two players in a slump, flipping them around and seeing both players start producing? One player might get started but another might not. I can't ever point to a time where there was an overall net gain in production just because of line shuffling. I sure would like to try out and see long-term line chemistry for once, just for kicks.

Well, he's won over 500 games so he can shuffle all he wants. Its not everyday you get a line like the French Connection or a LaFontaine/Mogilny duo.

Well, he's won over 500 games so he can shuffle all he wants. Its not everyday you get a line like the French Connection or a LaFontaine/Mogilny duo.

I think line chemistry is overrated. These guys are professionals playing a system. They should know where their teammates are supposed to be and what they're supposed to be doing regardless of who they are. That isn't to say it's not something, but I think it's a smaller issue than fans think.

I think part of it has to do with the abilities of the different players within the system. Yes, you know where you're supposed to be, but some guys are going to be there before or after others...you have to get used to that kind of timing.


As far as the 500 wins thing goes, he's also been with the club for a LONG FUCKING TIME...

Once again, First two lines have potential to be offensive juggernauts. I say let them mold into something beautiful. You play with someone long enough and you learn their tendencies. Their tendencies become your tendencies. I will agree about the players working in a system. I think that goes more for players that are that "product of a system", those being our 3-4 line pairings.

That goes both ways, though. If you play long enough together, not only do you learn your linemates' tendencies, but the other teams watching film on you also learn these tendencies, and plan a gameplan around those tendencies.

Line chemistry is just about the most overrated thing in hockey.

I can agree with some of that. But if you have talent and gel well together as a unit, other teams can only hope to contain your opportunities, see the Sedins-Burrows, Heatley-Spezza-Alfie from 05-08, French Connection, Triple Crown line, etc, talent beats game planning 9 times out of 10.

I think breaking up the Vanek-Adam-Pommers line is a major mistake, can shuffle around Roy, Staff, Ennis, Leino, Boyes, Gerbe all you want though, as none of those lines have been overly explosive.