FanPost

Opening night lines and power play change

What does a smart, balanced lineup look like to start the 2019-20 season? What should the Canes PP units look like?

Here's my take right now, which assumes that Williams returns (resulting in need to trade Reimer to make cap space, Ned becomes backup).

Line 1: Nino-Aho-Svech
Line 2: Turbo-Haula-Dzingel
Line 3: Foegele-Staal-Williams
Line 4: Martinook-Wallmark-McGinn
Healthy scratch: Saku

PP1:
LW: Svech
C: Aho
RW: Dzingel
LD/QB: Turbo
RD: Hamilton

PK1:
Staal-Martinook
Slavin-Pesce

Line 1: Aho-Svech are primary feature, with Nino cleaning up . Still tough to play against in all situations. This setup gives Aho 2 wingers who are big and physical who can both finish scoring chances, and also moves Turbo down to bolster an impressive second scoring line.

Line 2: This is a fast second scoring line with two strong 2-way players in Turbo and Haula, with the finisher in Dzingel. I could see Turbo setting up Dzingel for 25 goals easily. Other teams will likely put their best defensive players against the Aho line, giving Haula line some real opportunities.

Line 3: Staal-Williams line essentially. The vets are going to bring a smart game that's hard to play against. This is the possession line that wins faceoffs, but also going to get some good looks at scoring.

Line 4: High energy, defensively responsible line, led by smart play from Wallmark but physical edge coming from the wings in Martinook and McGinn.

Staal and Williams get fewer minutes than in the past so they have legs for the entire season. If Williams retires, then Necas probably makes the team, otherwise I don't see space for Necas right now.

Power play: Move to 4 forwards exclusively on PP, with Hamilton being the D on PP1. Turbo becomes the QB of PP1, distributing the puck to 4 guys who can finish (Dougie, Aho, Dzingel, and Svech).