On the Fly: 4 lines we can't wait to watch this season
On the Fly, theScore's roundtable series, is shifting its focus from the now-ended World Cup to the coming NHL season. Here are four lines we're looking forward to watching come Oct. 12.
Laine-Little-Stafford
Vaswani: Patrik Laine's ready for showtime, and the Winnipeg Jets are going to give the people what they want.
The No. 2 pick is slated to start on the second line centered by Bryan Little, with Drew Stafford at right wing. Little, much like teammate Blake Wheeler, is one of the NHL's more underrated forwards. He's totaled 45 points or more in four of the past six full seasons, and would've hit the mark last season if healthy (he finished with a respectable 42 points in 57 games).
I have no doubt Laine and Little will have success. The line will feature an abundance of speed, and Stafford shouldn't have trouble hitting the 20-goal mark again.
There's also the possibility of Laine jumping up to the first unit if he impresses and Nikolaj Ehlers struggles. Laine, Mark Scheifele, and Wheeler - that'd be something.
Lucic-McDavid-Eberle
Cuthbert: Just a few days after dealing one of the NHL's most efficient left wingers, the Edmonton Oilers devoted $42 million to Milan Lucic, signing him to fill the void on the depth chart left by Taylor Hall. So on Tuesday, the first time skating on a line, apparent disconnect between Lucic and linemates Connor McDavid and Jordan Eberle caught the attention of fans, and of course the media.
Except McDavid's impression was very much the opposite. The Oilers soon-to-be captain, whose opinion, mind you, is really the only one that matters, mentioned afterwards he thinks Lucic is "almost a perfect winger" to complement his game, as the bruiser possesses the size, strength, and offensive instincts to create space and force defenses into mistakes.
McDavid's already the most exciting, most dynamic player this league has to offer; who doesn't want to him operate in more space, and more often?
D. Sedin-H. Sedin-Eriksson
Hagerman: Vancouver Canucks fans were lucky enough to get a sneak peak at their future top line at the World Cup.
The trio of Daniel and Henrik Sedin with Loui Eriksson largely played as Team Sweden's top trio, and boy did they look good.
The three went off for a combined six points in four games during the tournament, along with another eight points in three pre-tournament contests. The triumvirate have an average age of over 34 years old, but you'd never know it based on how they played for Sweden.
Immediately, the three appear in sync - of course the Sedins always have and always will be - as Eriksson has seemed to fit seamlessly with the twins' high-tempo, passing-play style.
Unlike Radim Vrbata - whose experiment with the Sedins thrived during the 2014-15 season, but failed last year - Eriksson is a much more well rounded player able to also help out in the corners, perfect for the Sedins.
The Canucks will have a lot going against them this season, but their No. 1 line should be no worry.
Vesey-Zibanejad-Nash
Wilkins: The New York Rangers' second line offers a little bit of everything, from highly touted recruit Jimmy Vesey, to new pivot Mika Zibanejad, and streaky winger Rick Nash.
Vesey and Zibanejad are both new faces to New York, with Vesey joining as an unsigned college recruit, while Zibanejad brings his talents from the Ottawa Senators. The 2016 Hobey Baker winner, Vesey was pursued by many teams after tallying 46 points in 33 games with Harvard.
Acquired for veteran center Derick Brassard, Zibanejad brings young legs and up-and-coming skill to Manhattan. The 23-year-old playmaker is showing signs of a breakout - he scored a career-best 51 points in 81 games last season - and he'll have a chance to build on that partnered with two shooters.
A new season offers a clean slate for Nash, who plummeted to 15 goals last year after finishing with 42 in the previous campaign. Still, he was limited to 60 games in 2015-16, and a full season surrounded by fresh linemates could be just the trick to help the former Rocket Richard winner find the back of the net more often.