Okay, let's have a thread dedicated to our-up-to-the-minute forward lines as we would have them, understanding, of course, that we are stuck with Anne Hecht in the lineup no matter how worthless she may be on account of that retarded $3.5 million contract.

Assuming Stafford and Grier are still out:

1. Vanek-Connolly- Anne Hecht
Comment: Let's hide Anne here, because Vanek and Connolly can still make things happen as she pointlessly floats around not bothering anybody.

2. MacArthur-Roy-Pominville
Comment: I really like the way these guys are playing together.

3. Ennis-Kennedy-Kaleta
Comment: The B-Lo line! My favorite line on the team, and one that I hope will remain intact for the next 10 years.

4. Ellis-Gaustad-Mair
Comment: I replace Mair with Grier when he's ready to return.

Summary: Unfortunately, as soon as Stafford returns we say goodbye to Ennis and plop Anne back down to the B-Lo line. We're on the hook for at least two more years of her before we can make any changes, so we just have to accept her 9 goal/20 points worth of soft hockey until then.

Good points ETC. I too am very curious to see how Lindy and the Shadow (formerly known as Darcy Reiger) handle things.
I think Stafford will return by Wed. game, but I am not sure when we will know this.
If Stafford returns but Grier does not, I would think they would sit Mair and keep Ennis up, correct?

Good points ETC. I too am very curious to see how Lindy and the Shadow (formerly known as Darcy Reiger) handle things.
I think Stafford will return by Wed. game, but I am not sure when we will know this. If Stafford returns but Grier does not, I would think they would sit Mair and keep Ennis up, correct?

Connolly is pretty scrappy, but the first two lines are seriously wimpy right now. I sincerely hope you aren't worried that Kaleta needs protection...he certainly can take care of business.

Kaleta and Kennedy are very scrappy, and will both stick up for themselves. But if they have to take on all 5 of the opposing teams players....I don't know. I'd just be more comfortable having someone like Grier out there with them -I guess we wouldn't need to if Rivet or Montador was out on the ice. Maybe Kassian can fill that role in the future...

Kaleta and Kennedy are very scrappy, and will both stick up for themselves. But if they have to take on all 5 of the opposing teams players....I don't know. I'd just be more comfortable having someone like Grier out there with them -I guess we wouldn't need to if Rivet or Montador was out on the ice. Maybe Kassian can fill that role in the future...

Kaleta is far more than scrappy, he's perhaps the league's hardest hitting forward and draws more penalties per minute than anyone else in the NHL. He can more than handle his business, even if he isn't an enforcer goon. No need to add a lumbering cop to a line with that much speed and energy...it would only reduce their offensive potency. See: Andrew Peters.

No, I think Ennis will go back when Stafford returns, because the juggle to make room for both Stafford and Ennis in the lineup will be nearly impossible unless they put Hecht in the press box...and, as we all too painfully know, that is an impossibility.

I see Kassian playing RW to Kennedy and Ennis, that line would be fucking beast.