As we shared earlier in the week, Bruce Cassidy says he wants to break up the Misfit Line to see if he can find other combinations that can elevate the rest of the 12-man forward group.
The Golden Knights still have some work to do this offseason, which may well include the signing of a veteran forward, but for the sake of this article, let’s just use the group currently under contract or soon to be (Roy, Kolesar, Leschyshyn).
Here are five different options, including one in which each of Marchessault, Karlsson, and Smith are on three separate lines.
Path of least resistance
Marchessault-Eichel-Stone
Manninen-Karlsson-Smith
Carrier-Stephenson-Amadio
Howden-Roy-Kolesar
The simplest path is to take Marchessault away from Smith and Karlsson and stick him on the other top line with Eichel and Stone. Then we need to find a replacement Misfit. Well, the Golden Knights just signed a little forward with a nasty shot who has been underestimated his whole career. His name is Sakari Manninen, and over the past few years, he’s done nothing but score massive goals. That leaves Stephenson to anchor a third line with a scorer on his right and a speed merchant on his left.
Eichel: The Misfit
Marchessault-Eichel-Smith
Stephenson-Karlsson-Stone
Rondbjerg-Roy-Amadio
Carrier-Howden-Kolesar
Many moons ago there was a center who played between Marchessault and Smith that scored 43 goals in a season. The days of Karlsson doing it appear to be over, but there’s no reason Eichel couldn’t thrive between them. The idea of Karlsson with Stone is also intriguing as they’d be lockdown on defense and Stephenson’s speed could have them killing teams in transition. The bottom-six is a bit barren and would require either Roy and/or Howden to have a big year to keep it afloat.
World Championship Reunion
Marchessault-Eichel-Stone
Howden-Karlsson-Smith
Roy-Stephenson-Kolesar
Carrier-Leschyshyn-Amadio
In 2019 during the IIHF World Championships, Team Canada ran out a top line of Stone, Marchessault, and Pierre-Luc Dubois. They dominated game in and game out during that tournament and Eichel is an even more talented power forward than Dubois. This also leaves Smith and Karlsson together which has been successful with just about anyone else with them. Stephenson produced offensively even without Pacioretty or Stone last year which hopefully will continue with Roy and Kolesar.
Protect Eichel
Smith-Eichel-Stone
Marchessault-Karlsson-Roy
Carrier-Stephenson-Kolesar
Leschyshyn-Howden-Rondbjerg
Placing the best two defensive forwards on the team with Eichel should make for a dominant top-line that can take the toughest minutes every night. Roy makes perfect sense as a replacement for Smith on the Misfit Line. On the 3rd line, we have the need for speed and should be a nightmare to play against. The 4th line would need to just hold their own.
Split Em All Up
Marchessault-Eichel-Stephenson
Howden-Karlsson-Stone
Carrier-Roy-Smith
Amadio-Leschyshyn-Kolesar
Actually, it’s not as bad as you’d expect. It’s easily the deepest of the options presented here and the top-six really only requires Howden to take a step forward. If he can do it, there are matchup nightmares galore and all four lines should be able to chip in offensively.
Vic
On the Path of Least Resistance line we’re going to plug in a guy from Finland who is smaller than my sister on line 2? Then you say line 3 will have Stephenson with two right wings, one being a ‘scorer’ ? I guess the ‘scorer’ is Amadio? I think your brain is fried from the many hours spent on your last post regarding Tkachuk.
THE hockey GOD
@ VIC LOL !
RIP Patches
Marchy-Eichel-Smith
Amadio-Stephenson-Stone
Carrier-Karlsson-Roy
Leschyshn-Howden-Kolesar
David V
Where is Matthew Tkachuk? You forgot him
Tim
I just don’t see a lot of scoring how ever you construct the lines. Scoring is a skill which players like McKinnin, McDavid, Point, Stamkos etc. have the touch. Who has anywhere near the touch on our team to match them or another 20 players I didn’t mention. Were trying to take rejects from other teams and there magically going to become competent scorers. Like I’ve said you can’t make chicken soup out of chicken feathers. After all the line moves we still have a big problem will Lehner be ready for opening day, If you think Logan Thompson is the man think again Canada pulled him in a tournament last winter for the obvious reason he didn’t stop the puck.
knights fan in minny
he got hurt
Blitz
Not sure why people think LT got pulled in the tournament. He got injured! You know, like RL does every game, but look at those stats.
THE hockey GOD
not sure ? Because a news outlet FIRST reported that after talking to a coach. I think I posted a link to the story awhile back when it first came out. I guess after the fact an injury was allegedly reported. Either way he did not have a good showing, injured or not.
knights fan in minny
thank God you were here to straighten that out
THE hockey GOD
I was waiting for you to pitch in, and gave up , so someone had too !
GJMinimizer
I know he was injured and is injury prone, but isn’t Nolan Patrick still under contract for another season and healthy enough to start the year on the roster? I know he’s not a great option, but he could slide in now without having to call up a rookie who isn’t ready yet. Not much of an improvement I know, but better than some of these options here!
Mike StG
GJ – In McCrimmon’s recent presser he said something to the effect that Patrick needs to get better first and THEN can start to think about playing hockey. Sounds like his concussion issues are even worse now. Some speculation he might have to retire.
VGK fan
Mike,
Thanks!
I was also wondering why there was no Nolan Patrick.
The big problem with all these lineups is we lost 2 of our 4 top goal scorers from last season and have the weakest bottom 6 in VGK history.
Mike StG
VGK fan – Yeah, it’s a big loss. Roy had somewhat of a breakout season last year. So if he continues his improvement and they can land Stastny that would give them excellent bottom 6 depth at center. Stastny scored 20g last year and if Roy continues his upward trend he could easily score 20g too. Plus as good a playmaker as Stastny is, that should increase production for whoever plays on his line. Definitely also need Wild Bill to score at least 25g (which is my prediction in Cassidy’s system).
If they’re looking really good at TD I could see them trying to add Patty Kane or maybe even Huberdeau (if CGY doesn’t do well). Word is that several teams contacted CGY after they acquired him last night about potential future deals. I’d imagine that if CGY shapes up to be really good they’ll just go for it and keep him at the risk of losing him for nothing at the end of the season (like with Johnny G).
Blitz
I wish I had time today to spew stuff about these lines, but I don’t. I like the article for its thought. I don’t like the lines, but then again it goes back to the team doesn’t have what it needs and it severely lacks shooters and it has almost zero grit.
I don’t think this team has a 6th forward at all. Everything else is just fill in the 6th spot. The top five will be ground down and not last the season. Depth will be an issue at that point. I do think your first line is best because it tries to bring in a 6th guy, not on the current assumed roster. That is what we need, a new guy, or someone deep on the team to earn that spot. If you have to stretched to put Stephenson or Roy you lose. Neither are great wingers and then you lose center depth, which is the only depth you have. Neither are great shots or have quick release so it isn’t fitting that role any way. Carrier or Kolesar hell no, terrible shooting, not great passers. Maybe Howden or Amadio can earn it, but I would say NO from seeing it last year. The AHL guys from last year, maybe they can earn it, but didn’t see the scoring touch from them with lots of ice time. So yeah, maybe the guys we haven’t seen yet have a chance to come out blazing and take that 6th spot. Otherwise you need to go out and find that person.
Otherwise outside the top 5 currently all other forwards, besides Stephenson, are just bottom 6 interchangeables. Stephenson is a great L1/L2 center fill in. Roy is serviceable as well, at center, if injury up top.
Vic
Bingo Blitz. The death spiral is in the 2nd inning for the reasons you stated. Whatever combos are put together, the quality of the bottom 6 is average or worse. When the bottom 6 guys spill into the top 6, then real trouble begins. It’s going to take patience and smarts moves to build chemistry which is long gone.
Frank
Point here is bad trades have made us worse and severely lacking depth. Other than that, we’ll be ok 😉 Eichel needs to have a MONSTER season.
THE hockey GOD
another filler article, at least it is not an identity politics article, it’s way too early at this point in time to project lines.
I’d like to see some AHL and prospect talent because lines 3 and 4 as listed are plainly not good enough based upon last year’s performance.
Mike StG
Hmm… all of those line combos would like way better with either Patty Kane or Matthew Tkachuk in one of the winger slots!!
Lol.
Mike StG
Oops,
*look way better… (not like)
THE hockey GOD
i like whoever posted
the
whoever – whoever – whoever
lines combo !! That was classic.
THE hockey GOD
Who thinks the VGK could use a 24 year old player with stats like this ?
Season GP G A P +/- PIM PPG PPP SHG SHP GWG S%
21-22 POs 12 4 6 10 -6 20 1 3 0 0 0 0 35 11.4
Career POs 27 7 8 15 -11 52 2 4 0 0 0 0 61 21 to 22 82 42 62 104 57 68 12 29 0 0 6 0
NHL Career 431 152 230 382 85 425 45 117 0 0 16
THE hockey GOD
season 21 to 22 stats
82 42goals 62assists 104total 57 plus minuse 68pIM 12PP 29PP
Mike StG
Here’s another unofficial stat on this 24 y/o player – he’s a beast net front where he scores the majority of his goals.
Oh, is that not a stat? 🙂
THE hockey GOD
in breaking news = maybe one of these try out college hyped will stick, so far none have come close.
July 21, 2022 at 9:54 am CDT | by Gavin Lee Leave a Comment
Over the next few months, unsigned players will start to earn professional tryouts with various organizations, giving them a chance to attend training camp and showcase their skills. Today, CapFriendly tweets that William Riedell has landed one of those agreements with the Vegas Golden Knights.
The 25-year-old defenseman played two games with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms this season after finishing his college career with a year at Ohio State but will be looking for a more permanent home in 2022-23. Undrafted, the physical defender played four seasons for Lake Superior State but with an added year of eligibility, transferred to Ohio State to serve as the Buckeyes’ captain.
In 171 college games, Riedell racked up 20 goals and 61 points. He’ll now try to prove he’s worth an NHL contract, or at least land a deal with a minor league organization that will allow him to enter the professional ranks on a full-time basis.
These tryout contracts will become much more regular later on in the summer
THE hockey GOD
what’s a Lehigh Valley Phantom ?
Mike StG
Actually, if they could sign Stastny to play 3C for 1 year in this off-season and then add Kaner in season or at TD that might be a decent upgrade. Roy moves to 4C. Chandler & Howden on wing with Stastny…
TS
I was bummed to see Stasny traded. Loved his family. Happy to see him.play here. He was playing well and contributing to the team. It would be a boost to the guys to see him back. ( yes, I know mgmt thinks diff, but we can hope..)
Mike StG
TS – they only traded him because they had to make cap room for the Petro deal. I’ve seen comments that he still comes to town and that people see him skating with his kids at CNA, but that may have been because Max was here. If that’s the case then with Max gone Vegas could now be a less desirable option for him.
He such a smart player, great playmaker, slows the game down. He’d be great with some fast wingers. And he was a mentor to younger players, another plus.
Original 6 ✅
where we getting 5 mil for kane if Hawks trade him at deadline ! oh i know Lehner will be injured but it won’t matter if we are 3 rd or 4 th in div and still can’t beat the Avs. he’s going to rangers who now have saved 5 mil cap room
Mike StG
O6 – there’s always a way. Could trade Marty $5.2M. And CHI could retain 50% for combo of higher picks and prospects. Or could bring a 3rd team into the deal, like Vegas did in acquiring Lehner with almost no cap hit (less than $1M, when his salary was $5M).
My concern wouldn’t be Patty going to NYR, it would be him going to the Avs. His contract is up at year end. So he could always just sign as a FA anywhere next off-season – NYR, Sabres…
Mark
I like the Stastny idea and the word is he misses Vegas. He had great years here and wants to come back. Has anyone heard different ?? He a veteran guy, hopefully, the price is right.
Mike StG
Holy cannoli!!! FLA traded away Jonathan Huberdeau, McKenzie Weegar, a prospect AND a 1st for Tkachuk. Panthers smell of desperation. I wouldn’t have traded Huby for Tkachuk straight up much less including Weegar, who was outstanding last year esp when Ekblad was injured. Flames robbed FLA, and they’re gonna be a playoff team no doubt next year.
Hat’s off to Treliving. This was a better heist than Ocean’s Eleven.
knights fan in minny
panthers got fleeced all that for one guy hub is a stud weeger is a damm good d man
JV
Only justification I can see for this trade is Huberdeau and Weegar are both on expiring contracts. If Flames can extend both for reasonable salary, it will be an absolute steal, though Huberdeau will turn 30 next January. Maybe FLA felt they got what they could out of them and flipped them for a younger player just starting his prime. I’m not saying FLA didn’t overpay a boatload, because they did…..just playing devils advocate here.
knights fan in minny
i bet panther fans are pissed i would also bet that barkov is to they lost a lot the panthers weeger is a 40 t0 50 point d-man hubey is lights out they also lost marchment
THE hockey GOD
and “Some” posters here think the VGK FO fell off the cliff in the last year !!! Gives them something to THINK about!!
the goose stepping neo nazi’s following herr Grape Stomper are no longer the NHL whipping post !!! (at least by their standards, whatever they are)
Patches ‘OHoolihan
Marchy-Eichel-Smith
Amadio-Stephenson-Stone
Carrier-Karlsson-Roy
Leschysyn-Howden-Kolesar
knights fan in minny
they look pretty good i would like to see brisson get a long look
THE hockey GOD
welcome to the jungle, PATCHES !!! nice post.
knights fan in minny
wow so now you’re the post police
Emmanuel
I like the split em all up, but swap Carrier and Howden.
The 2nd line would be hard to score against,
It also makes you realize how Karlsson scoring about 25G would really take the team to the next level.
Mark
A couple of things, we need Karlsson to step up production, after all, he’s under 30 and not washed up. 25 to 30 goals is a must plus assists, if not, our chances are slim. Stone, needs to be Stone, not a shell of himself, we all know he was hurting. Same thing, we got no shot if he’s hurting. This Finnish guy needs to stop the bleeding, he’s a scorer for sure, so 20 to 25 goals is needed. I know Marchy, Smith, Chandler are solid, their constantly producing, we need not worry. We have a small margin for error. Injuries must be limited, if any of our key guys fall, it’s over, we can’t afford that, again no room for error. It’s kinda like The Domino Principle, if one goes, they all go. Lehner and Thompson need to shuttle, to alternate at first, pick the hot hand, but we need both. It’s man up time, no excuses. I think we are 60/40 not to make the playoffs but then again we were 500 to 1 to win it all in 17/18. The good thing is of course betting, we should be underdogs to start the season, instead of heavy favs. It could present opportunity’s unlike we have never had.
THE hockey GOD
useful dream, but no. 71 is damaged goods, he’s two steps and his shot is a shadow of what it used to be; still good on back check.
Original 6 ✅
The florida Panthers made a great trade to land Tkachuk ! the give up Huberdeau & Weegar both in there last year of their contracts and a 1st round pik in 2025 ! that’s how u do it !!!! I see them getting a 24 yr old and giving up a 1st rd pik in 2 season which will be low pik with the record they might have and can sign both traded players after this season which i think Huberdeau will do even for less to rejoin panthers cuz there’s no state tax !!!!!!!!! Weegar could do the same so that’s a trade i see panthers got a young star player for a low first rd pik in 2 years who can resign the players lost before the pick is chosen. Mc Cringe gave the farm away to get patches then traded him so in fact went all in by giving future and Suzuki and got nothing ! Your Fired is all that comes to me
Jake
We need players who aren’t injury prone. If you can’t answer the bell to play, your potential and former stats are meaningless.
I am optimistic with Eichel, et. al.
Karlsson might do much better under a new coaching system.
I also would like Stastny for stability and leadership for a year. If he wants to be in Vegas, that’s a big plus.
knights fan in minny
i thought i heard stasny still lives in vegas he would be a cheap plus i have always liked his game
TS
Looks like many of us felt the same about Stasny. I had forgotten we traded him for Petriangelo, which was a plus, but sure would be nice to see him back.
Original 6 ✅
JV. you see it as the way panthers see it. I myself think both sign again in a year with panthers. and the pik they gave it could be useless if they go deep in playoffs. What the knights gave up in piks & suzuki is the heist of trades then got rid of him for nothing. that’s an entire loss. Calgary still won’t go far and you better believe either panthers aren’t selling their homes
Dylan
New Top Line:
Clueless McCriminal—Drunk Greedy-Foley—George McPhool
New Goon:
The Hockey GOD
THE hockey GOD
dylan, I play goalie, not goon, your spelling leaves little to be desired. If you followed this site you would know that.
you would also know it is NOT good practice to tick off ThG !
I give you a pass this time, have a cookie on me.
knights fan in minny
don’t tick off the hockey dunce he will reportyou to the internet police when are you bringing back your alter ego arnold
THE hockey GOD
kfim, I only report psycho freak stalkers, like you. Arnold is lurking, watch out.
knights fan in minny
is arnold your twin brother you have locked up in the basement
THE hockey GOD
only psycho stalker creeps like you live in the basement.
I thought you knew that, sorry I had to remind you , AGAIN !
THE hockey GOD
official from rotoworld
The Calgary Flames have acquired Jonathan Huberdeau, MacKenzie Weegar, Cole Schwindt, and a 2025 first-round pick from the Florida Panthers in exchange for Matthew Tkachuk and a conditional fourth rounder.
The Flames certainly managed to get a huge haul for Tkachuk, who made it clear that he wasn’t interested in a long-term deal with the Flames. That said, the Flames might end up in a similar situation with Huberdeau, who is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Of course, if the Flames can’t re-sign Huberdeau than they can trade him too, increasing the overall return they’ve gotten from Tkachuk in the process. If they can re-sign him though, then Calgary will be securing one of the best offensive talents in the game. Huberdeau had 30 goals and 115 points in 80 contests last season.
THE hockey GOD
this vaults the FLAMES into main challenge to the AVS in the western conference, thus pushing the once shiny getters VGK down a slot or two.
It appears that the VGK have not been getting ANY shining objects in quite awhile, much to the chagrin of the most unsophisticated fan base in sports worlds (Ken Iole words, not mine).
DEAL WITH IT PEOPLE !!!
knights fan in minny
you’re a little late butch
THE hockey GOD
I gave the official trade, which was not posted above, some people didn’t have the official version.
WAKE UP stalker you are FALLING BEHIND !!
knights fan in minny
people already knew attention whore your just like aoc love the attention
THE hockey GOD
what “people” ?? Go stalk someone else loser, you have more posts in last week than anybody.
Now “people” have the official version.
Speaking of AOC did you see her and the squad faking that they were handcuffed at their “staged” protest ?? AOC and you have something in common since you bring her up.
THE hockey GOD
Here are my rules to live life by.
By Brian Watt , aka Mr. Yen
1- Never buy wicker, or any wicker products- CHECK.
2- Always wear underwear, check, always wear CLEAN underwear, CHECK
3- Never bet against a Sicilian when DEATH is on the line. CHECK
4- Never start a LAND war with Russia, translated- never date a hot Russian
girl under 45. Loyalty is not in their vocabulary. CHECK.
5- Birth control starts in the bedroom, not on the surgical table. CHECK.
6- Never bring a first date to McDonalds (and order a double cheese big
MAC , with coke and fries. You will regret it later.) CHECK
7- Never bring a first date to Opening Day at Del Mar, order
double del margaritas after each race at 40 USD a pop because you will
end up married in Vegas the next day, not recall how you got there, and five years later divorced because she gambled all your money away on the horse. CHECK
THE hockey GOD
8- never diddle in the middle – Check
oh shoot I forget to delete my real name. oh shit, oh shit, oooooo shit. Too quick on the cut and paste, forgot to proof read. DANG IT. The haters are going to have a ball now.
THE hockey GOD
9- opps, forgot most important one, always wash behind your ears, and make sure all your cracks are clean EVERY DAY – CHECK
ThG
Mike StG
I follow most of these. 🙂
ThG – very entertaining. Thanks, I needed the laughs.
THE hockey GOD
here for you buddy
knights fan in minny
rules to live by do not listen to the hockey dunce’s babble
THE hockey GOD
Kfim, you snooze you lose.
ThG
knights fan in minny
you only make peoples ears hurt
knights fan in minny
no get it right its thd
THE hockey GOD
what’s wrong with your computer, or brain ? You can only post in “six words or less ‘ sentences??
Stalker you are losing it.
You are not on your A game today !
MORE COFFEE !! Maybe you need a new computer ? More sleep ?
JV
Well lets have some fun
Marchy- Eichel- Stone
Theodore-Stephenson- Smith
Carrier-Karlsson- Amadio
Howden- Roy- Rondbjerg
Buyout Patrick- 233K cap hit next 2 seasons per Cap Friendly. I don’t know if you get stuck with cap hit if put on unconditional waivers. If Kolesar get > 1mil in arb. let him walk.
Ok, Shea on LW2….know I will get trashed. He can score, has good hands, and has speed. I think he can fit with Chandler. This way he doesn’t have to worry about defending the front of the net, as he tends to drift away and let someone sneak behind him. Nothing to lose by trying in pre-season. Also bottom 6 doesn’t look so bad now. We can pick up a cheap 7th D or bring up Miromanov after signing Hague. This is life in mismanaged cap hell.
Annie
They traded to many good players over the years I dont see them getting better with eichel. They did many mistakes over several year with sending players away.
Sandra kisner
Are we going to be able to watch games this next season, without having internet or some exensive sport package.