What Should the Opening Night Forward Lines Be?

Many of those taking the ice in a blue sweater on October 8th will be doing so for the first time. Some for the first time so early in a season. The summer of spending which followed a February of purging has left many blue bleeders wondering what the lineup for the St. Louis Blues will look like come opening night.

Which goalie starts as backup?
What will the lines look like?
Who will be paired with who?
Who is on which special team unit?

Since the question has been posed to me, my answer I will provide. Mind you I am not out to predict what the final roster will be. Far too many variables exist that must play out between Traverse City, Training Camp and preseason games before an accurate speculative assessment can be made. However, I can offer what I think the lineup should look like as of Game 1 of 82 (and hopefully more).

I will run this in a series. Today I will tackle the forward lines. For the sake of argument I will label the lines 1 through 4. Clarifications and caveats will be detailed.

Forward Lines

*Left Wing – Center – Rigth Wing

Line 1: TJ Oshie – Patrik Berglund – Chris Stewart

- With David Perron out and Oshie’s return last season one combination utilized by head coach Davis Payne was TJ and Stewart flanking the #TechnoViking. The three did have success before additional injuries split up the trio. Why not revisit what worked?

In this set up my philosophy on how scoring lines should be constructed for optimal results pans out. Putting a playmaker (Oshie) with a shooter (Berglund) and a bulldozer (Stewart). At least one of the three should be able to be effectively utilized in all three roles (Berglund).

The danger with this line is the word “potential”. All three carry the requsite physical skills and tools to become a Ryan-Getzlaf-Perry type of line in their ability to produce offense. The only question is, can they? An answer no one has till they’re given an extended opportunity to become that type of unit.

Line 2: Andy McDonald – David Backes – Matt D’Agostini

- Speaking of a line that had success in the 2010-11 campaign, the threesome of McDonald, Backes and D’Agostini were perhaps the Blues most consistent offensive unit all season. Their reliable efforts provide an acceptable secondary punch to the “top line”.

Happy Meal as the playmaker. Backes the Bulldozer (has a nice ring to it, but I like Inglorious better). Dags is the shooter. Though a slight stretch, Backes is the do it all.

The injury potential with McDonald is a concern. Especially when a potential non contract year slump for D’Agostini could make this line difficult to keep together. That said, every line will change at some point but on day 1, they’re the safest bet together.

Line 3: Alex Steen – Jason Arnott – Jamie Langenbrunner

- Finally for something new Steen slides in with the two grizzled veteran warriors added over the summer, Arnott and Langenbrunner.

With the third line the philosophy shifts from balance coming from even role coverage to those types of forwards often considered “two way”. Those that can create offense while not forgoing their defensive responsibilities. In the case of the Blues minus Perron, its a dynamic that has to be altered. Someone like Oshie would be a better fit as a “jack of all trades” center, but Arnott has to fit the bill. Steen and Langenbrunner already fit prefectly on the wings and Arnott is not a scoring line forward anymore, but he is not the surest of defenders.

However, with Arnott’s ability to win a draw and do the dirty work in the offensive zone he should complement to two checking wingers well.

Caveat: Steen is not just a checking winger. He certainly brings a solid shot to the line in which can be utilized more by the space created by Arnott. He will see plenty of power play minutes to make up for his lack of even strength offensive opportunities.

Line 4: Vladimir Sobotka – Scott Nichol – BJ Crombeen

- The tenderizer line. That line that gets under your skin for all the little dirty things they do and for all the time they spend banging on the opposition’s defensemen.

Taking Sobe out of the middle isn’t an optimal set up, but one that works with the addition of a faceoff specialist like Nichol. Sobotka can use his skating ability to help break through the neutral zone for his slower linemates (think like McDonald) and let them do the banging.

Extra(s): Ryan Reaves (and maybe Chris Porter)

- It’s been said the Blues will carry 23 players on the roster to start the season. With Perron basically confirmed out till further notice, its a safe bet he starts the season on Injured Reserve. It’s also a safe bet that Ian Cole starts in Peoria with the signing of Kent Huskins and the one way contract given to Nikita Nikitin. All of this likely means that two forwards start in St. Louis.

Jonathan Cheechoo, TJ Hensick and Phil McRae may be an option, but the Blues really value Porter and the role they know he contribute in. Which is one the other will struggle to excel in. Reaves makes all the sense as the tough guy. If they choose to go with just 13 forwards, then the spot should go to Porter.

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What say you. Good? Bad? Meh? Be back with Defenseman later this week.