No harm in seeing what Fortin can do while pressuring and motivating Saad, letting him be the scoring leadership on the 4th.
Eventually I want to see the Chech's together, possibly the answer to building around Kruger.
Saad-Toews-Cat
Panarin-Smaltz-Kane
Kunitz-AA-Sikura
Kampf/Hayden-Kruger-Kahun
One more big gun...gives us options and strength wherever we want it. I have an issue with Smaltz and Kane together because they do some of the same things for a line. I think we are stronger if we separate them. Might be time with the way Toews is playing.
Cat-Toews-Kane
Saad-Smaltz-Hayden (smatlz isn't the type of net front center, or isn't best served doing that, he carries puck well into the zone, passes well, skates around and shoots and that is what he should be doing, if Saad is going to be there, somebody needs to keep opponent on a swivel, maybe Hayden could do it and create some space for those two who need to get going.
Toews-AA-Smaltz-Kruger are not really the problem. Saad and Kunitz are part of the problem because we need them to be better than Kahun, Kampf, Johnson, etc...bodies. Just bodies. If Saad and Kunitz are just bodies our scoring looks thin. Bring up Sikura who creates opportunity for others and knows where to be.
I feel there is a plan with Sikura...they want to see what they have up here, and keep the little guy as fresh as possible as long as possible, and then unleash a healthier version to drive the second half, possibly supported by the trade deadline, etc.
If Fortin can be a guy and play like Kahun...we are starting to talk about just needing the defense to come together and Crow to be 90% of what he was, and we can compete.
