Day 32: Coaches Corner

Well, we've got the 500s on tap tonight. They're down, but clearly not out. With Nathan Horton scheduled to miss two more games, I like how our lower lines clicked during his first game out.

Frolov - Demitra - Murray
Korolyuk - Draper - Ekman
Malone - Jokinen - Bergeron
Halpern - Legwand - Hall

In the preseason we had Ryan Malone pencilled into the #2 LW slot alongside either Demitra or Draper (or Jokinen). We still think he can play on a scoring line, but depth pushed him down to very low minutes. Putting him on the third line offered him more minutes last game and he took advantage, setting up both goals. Bergeron played very well for his first ever game and didn't look out of place. Suddenly this looks like a more offensive unit with Halpern out and Malone in. Horton returning will send Bergeron back to the bench, but we now think we can count on him more if a top 3 winger goes out.

Frolov is the only guy in the top six that has struggled. We're hesitant to break up the second line, but if he continues to underachieve we may have to try him somewhere else. We still believe in him; we just have to find a way to get the best out of him. Maybe Malone can audition on the first line if Frolov doesn't snap out of it.

We've shipped out some depth in Wiemer and Nylander in recent days, but Bergeron and Malhotra are both two-position guys, and Montador can dress as the 15th forward in a pinch. Cleaning out the pressbox gives us enough wiggle room financially to address any needs, be they offensively or defensively, later in the season.