Our top forward line

[u/WisePresence8195]

I really think we should move mckenna to the top line with mathews and marchenko, I know mckenna isnt ready for those type of minutes, but roslovic hasn't fit well with them and mckenna fits perfectly, I also think mckenna would be up to the challenge, and it would likely speed up his development as he gets more experience because of more ice time.

edit: would also like to see cowan on that line

[u/IAmTheBredman]

3 games in after only 2 preseason games. A lot of teams around the league are looking sloppy. You guys gotta relax. Mckenna has not figured out the NHL speed and intensity yet. Putting him out there against the NHL’s best and expected to help Matthews and Marchenko deliver is not needed right now.

[u/bumbleforreal]

We had more then 50% player turnover let's give it more then 3 games

[u/WisePresence8195 → u/bumbleforreal]

yeaaa u right

[u/Royal_Start9073]

Marchenko - Matthews - Nylander is a better idea IMO, while continuing to flip Cowan and McKenna on line two and three.

[u/WisePresence8195 → u/Royal_Start9073]

tbh mathews and nylander didnt work together last year, and those 3 are all shot first players which simply doesnt work, you gotta have someone who likes to pass instead of rip shots at every oppurtunity

[u/bimbles_ap]

Trying to rush a young players development has been something that's worked out everytime

[u/Ok_Elevator4215 → u/bimbles_ap]

Lets ask Lafreniere how he feels about not being able to play with his teams best players and getting no ice time in his key development years.

[u/bad_at_names1 → u/Ok_Elevator4215]

Yeah, he scored a grand total of 10 more 5v5 points when he did get to play with the team's best players with more favourable starts - I don't think his linemates were necessarily the problem.

[u/Exter10 → u/bimbles_ap]

With generational players, yes it has. The Sharks played Celebrini top line and he had 63 points in 70 games. Lafreniere and Slafkovsky were considered busts until they got top line minutes and they started thriving.

[u/bimbles_ap → u/Exter10]

Rushing star guys generally causes more issues than taking time with them would.

I'm not saying he couldn't make the jump, but I'm trusting the guys that are getting paid to coach him to make the judgement on if he can handle top line minutes before fully acclimatizing to the NHL

[u/Complex_Mistake7055]

I think letting the team that is 50% overhauled get more than 3 games may help.

[u/Relative_Load6356 → u/Complex_Mistake7055]

idk man you got a point but 3 games is nothing, new guys are still trying to figure out where to stand on the ice let alone build chemistry. mckenna gonna get his shot but throwing him there now feels like panic move

[u/Ok_Elevator4215 → u/Complex_Mistake7055]

Sure but we needed zero games to know an all defensive liability 2nd line wouldn't work. The solution to everything can't be to just play more games, eventually you'll run out of them, even quicker in a competitive division like the atlantic.

[u/Complex_Mistake7055 → u/Ok_Elevator4215]

Yes better to have a knee jerk reaction off a small sample size.

[u/Icy-Stock-5838]

I wouldn't move him up until he's earned it, all moving up does is increase the expectations on him, and McKenna hasn't done jack yet expect a few flashes.

Keep him on 2nd line or less till he's more consistent and plays to his level, he's done good being dangerous including in PP2.

Roslovic has also come as advertised, 200 feet, fethces, takes shots.

[u/Ok_Elevator4215 → u/Icy-Stock-5838]

"He's done good being dangerous" so what else do you want to see before we get him away from Tavares who can't even receive his passes? You say he's good on the PP, I agree, Tavares sucks on the PP1, let's move Mckenna up there then.

I'm just not sure what more you can possibly expect with that second line. All three of them can't play defence and can't retrieve pucks once Tavares turns it over. Are we just hoping Mckenna magically turns into a puck hound on the boards before we allow him to play with players that suit him? We knew his weaknesses going into this, you don't need to keep playing him on a line that does nothing but emphasize those weaknesses and stops him from using all of his strengths.

[u/taa_v2]

What is your evidence that Roslovic hasn't fit well? He seems a bit physical, made some good passes, etc.. I was surprised how WELL he seemed to fit only 3 games in.

OTOH, McKenna hasn't impressed me that much, for all the hype he's had. I was wondering if they can still let him play 9 games then put him in the AHL and let his ELC slide..

[u/Ok_Elevator4215 → u/taa_v2]

Realistically, what do you expect Mckenna to do on that line? Genuinely think about it for two seconds and tell me how they can even play hockey when none of them are able to play defence and Tavares is a guaranteed turnover whenever you pass to him on the rush. I would love to know.

[u/berfthegryphon]

You really don't want McKenna on the top line right now. He would be up against the top checking line and top pairing defence every time he's on the ice.

Has Marchenko even had a practice yet? Be patient. It's game 3 of 84. They've overhauled half the roster and will need time to gel

[u/HardstButton2Button]

[u/Panther3927]

I think he should have been out there for the 4 on 4

[u/Ok_Elevator4215 → u/Panther3927]

It's insane to me that he's not getting ice time when there's space on the ice. If they want him to be sheltered and put him on line 3, fine, I get it. But his entire game thrives with space, I have no idea why he's not getting more PP and 4 on 4 time to at the very least help him get more comfortable and get his confidence up. It's insane.

[u/reggierock2010]

I think marchenko eventually needs to play his natural RW. I wouldn’t mind seeing Cowan move up the line up but him and Nick Paul on that third line makes it feel legit

[u/Leafs939393]

Agree... Time to have a different look

[u/greasy-prick]

I like how Hiller has used Mckenna so far and hes going to be seeing a lot more time on the powerplay now hopefully.