For the entire Training Camp, the Golden Knights have been focused on developing chemistry between Jack Eichel and Mitch Marner. So much so that it would be a stunning change if they don’t take the opening faceoff together on October 8th.
They aren’t putting all their eggs in one basket, though. While Eichel and Marner clearly are the primary option they’d like to see have success, Bruce Cassidy knows there will likely come a time he’ll have to split his two biggest guns up, and he’s already looking ahead to prepare for it.
In Wednesday night’s preseason game, Cassidy took the opportunity with Jack Eichel out of the lineup to put Marner on a line with Tomas Hertl and Brandon Saad. It’s a spot that’s been occupied by Pavel Dorofeyev, but there’s always been a belief that Marner could be an ideal fit with the big-bodied center.
Mitch is a right-winger, but he plays a lot like a centerman in terms of wanting the puck, handling the puck, and seeing the ice. Hertl is a center than can play like a power winger. He gets inside, he’s looking to shoot the puck when he gets between the rings. There’s an opportunity for those two to have some chemistry. I wanted to try Marner and Hertl at some point and it looked good. -Cassidy
It took about a period and a half before their offensive chemistry started to kick in, but by the 3rd period they were reading off each other well and making plays in the offensive zone.
Marner playing with Hertl would give VGK one of the most well-balanced forward lineups in the league. There would be almost no way to match up with them as one of Eichel, Marner, or Mark Stone would be on the ice almost all the time.
The key to a more balanced lineup working would be Eichel’s ability to play with a pair of wingers who do not drive play. Last year, Eichel found the most success with Stone by his side, while the year before it was Jonathan Marchessault. If Pavel Dorofeyev can fill the role, it would give Cassidy a bevy of options that would be a nightmare for opposing coaches.
Also, I was kind of joking around when I asked William Karlsson the difference between this right winger (Stone) and the one he used to play with (Marchessault). Then, he gave a great answer, so I figured I’d share it as well.
He’s a little bigger… Taller.
He reads the game super well. You’ve got to get used to the long stick because that thing has abilities that I haven’t really played with before. Just have to adjust a little bit and be ready to receive a puck when it comes. -Karlsson
Quieter? -Me
Definitely. -Karlsson
knights fan in minny
Did I see that right we lost Schwint If so that sucks
NAM
Yeah he was claimed by FLA. Good for him, but I think this is a loss for VGK.
Emmanuel
He tops off as a 4th line checker, some depth is lost but its not the end of the world.
If someone breaks into the top 9 itll be Lavoie or Holtz, both seem to be snakebitten though.
JB
I think we got a little to cute on the wavier thing. Lost a couple guys that we could have used?
Emmanuel
Whos the 2nd guy (besides Schwindt)?
JB
Someone said oilers claimed Lavoie?