And I really, really like it. More size with Stafford on the top line. Connolly, our best center, between MacArthur and Pominville, both of whom have played very well to start the season. Kennedy adding speed and playmaking to the 3rd line. And as tough and talented of a 4th line as you'll ever see with Gaustad centering Ellis and Kaleta.

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Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, when you're perfect in every way. I can't wait to look in the mirror, 'cause I get better looking each day. To know me is to love me, I must be a hell of a man. Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, but I'm doin' the best that I can.

They look good on paper... but I liked the lines as they were, and I think they needed more than 2 games to gel. It's too early to be doing this.

Alas, one of the downfalls of Lindy Ruff.

That said, I'm not worried. This team is going to win a lot of games this season.

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Wheelhouse

Old lines for Ottawa...

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

Swell...the next flavor of the week line combos start in game three. Obviously they haven't scored much, but they've also generated 74 shots in two games. It's just a matter of finishing and improving on the PP. Eventually Kennedy probably won't fit until injuries. He needs to hit the weight room and be able to compete harder for the puck. I like his game, but he's getting pushed around.

Vanek - Connolly - Pominville
MacArthur - Roy - Stafford
Hecht- Gaustad - Grier
Ellis - Mair - Kaleta

I sure wish we could see these lines and stay with them for more than a week, or two games.

ugh....line shuffles already? Giving lines time to click is way overrated apparently. These lines have generated shit tons of shots and 3 points (should have been 4) and have looked good. This is what annoys me about Ruff.

we need a good center .....

roy isnt a real center player.

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HOCKEY IS BACK!

This is not exactly breaking up the French Connection. I think it was obvious to everyone that the experiment of Vanek/Roy/Connolly was not working out, and Stafford was NOT going to be kept as a 4th liner once he was completely healthy again.

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Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, when you're perfect in every way. I can't wait to look in the mirror, 'cause I get better looking each day. To know me is to love me, I must be a hell of a man. Oh lord, it's hard to be humble, but I'm doin' the best that I can.

My lines in a perfect world, as of play thus far would look like this.

Vanek-Roy-MacArthur
Kennedy-Connolly-Pommer
Hecht-Goose-Grier
Stafford-McComick-Kaleta

But I guess thats why I dont make the 758K a year that Regier makes...

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"She's like plan C after an 18 pack"

Squanto 7/27/2010

I'm glad Timmy is back with C-Mac. With Timmy as his center on line 1b we should be able to see if MacArthur is really going to pan out to be the player we want him too. Put him right in the thick of things, give him one of the best playmaking centers in the league, along with Pommers on the right wing, and it should be pretty easy to see if Clark has it, or doesnt.

and after last nights game things are looking up for him

I kind of love them. Though I'd love to see Paille playing...

ETC, that initial line combo was just because Stafford was woozy out of the gate. If Ruff was going to change lines, I'd like it to be with a permanent combo, not another temporary one. The top two lines are ok, except I'd like to see what I listed above because that 2nd line is still too small. I just don't see Kennedy staying on the 3rd line, or even the team, after Mair returns.

jvacc, Mac is a LW by trade, Stafford is a RW only, and Kennedy won't have a chance battling for pucks on the wall as a winger. Why would you want Stafford rotting on the 4th line anyway??

agree with previous posters...a little early to be shuffling lines...esp. considering the # of shots they have generated....just a matter of time before they start finishing....

that being said....i like the look of the new lines....one black spot i still don't care for however still remains....HECHT.....grrrrr.....only to see him on a plane to the artic or some where like that.....

would love to see darcy spring some sort of trade to replace hecht....or have someone from portland come up, take his spot and do well......i guess i can dream right ?

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"It is more about them than it is about the team...Cannot play with them, cannot win with them, cannot coach with them. Can't do it. I want winners. I want people that want to win." - Mike Singletary

Tyler Myers - Future captain of the Buffalo Sabres, and future Norris Trophy Winner

Manning the machine gun on the Tyler Myers Bandwagon - just in case any teams have an idea of prying him away from us (3 GM's shot already)

Connolly/Roy - 2 goals in the last 47 playoff games

hecht hasnt looked bad so far this season.

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I would prefer Connolly on the 1a line and Roy on the 1b, but that's probably our least problem.

What happened to Paille? I thought he would play an important role this season and now he doesn't even appear on the roster.

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Hecht hasn't look bad, you're right, Mike. I chalk it up to playing with Goose and Grier.

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mechaphil

No he hasn't...he looks steady

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"...they came down into the stands and asked if I knew how to do play by play. I said...No. But. I'll take a shot at it if you want".- Rick Jeanneret

thats the only thing i don't like about the new lines is a prospect is playing with a disaster like jochen hecht.

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"Tis The Season, Fa la la la la LaFontaine" - Rick Jeanneret

Yeah. I love Paille. But he's sitting, while Matt Ellis gets playing time...

Nothing wrong with Ellis getting playing-time, he's earned it the "old-fashioned way" with hard work and hustle, and a nose for the puck.

There are other players who should see their ice-time reduced, if they continue with their "cold-fish", don't-give-a-crap attitude.

Beside which, competition is never a bad thing. Ride the hot hand, says I, and always bench the dog.

What Ice said. Ellis is getting the ice time he worked hard for, and Paille is in the dog house that his preseason doldrums earned him.

If Ellis falters, however, I wouldn't hesitate to bring Paille out and slot him in on the 4th to provide a serious checking line/beatdown line for the Sabres. That kid can hit.

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mechaphil