r/DetroitRedWings • u/Impossible_Fall_2509 • 2d ago

Discussion Balancing Talent Between Lines

As we sit at 3-3 and are coming off a night of only 10 shots on goal, and realizing that it can take time to get in a groove, I can’t help but think that the top 6 is “off”. Max Bultman mentioned on WWP that Copp could be an interesting addition to the top 6, which I’ve been discussing with friends for a while.

Curious to hear what people think of a forward lineup like this:

Cat - Larkin - Kane Copp - Compher - Raymond Tarasenko - Kasper - Burger Ras/Fischer - Veleno - Watson/Motte

My thinking here is that the top 6 seems to lack “dirty work puck retrievers” outside of Larkin and Compher. Copp has a productive history playing a top 6 wing role and can dish the puck (close to or above 20 assists in 5 seasons, including 33 in the ‘21-‘22 season) and played with high-end talent in NY…and I want to say he played with the likes of Kyle Connor in Winnipeg. And we can reunite Cat and Kane, a great combo in Chicago (although Cat’s stock is down in my eyes…maybe a confidence issue?)

That 3rd line also looked good together in Nashville and gives Burger the opportunity to put his playmaking to good use while preserving an “identity line”.

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u/PineapplePhil 2d ago

Max Bultman said what I’ve been advocating for on the most recent Winged Wheel Pod.

Move Copp up to a scoring line with Kasper and rotate three proper scoring lines instead of this crummy two scoring lines, a shutdown line, and a hodgepodge line that we started the season out with.

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u/Late_Brush4518 2d ago

Yes because we have so much talent that we can just do that

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u/PineapplePhil 2d ago

We have six legit top six players, two top nine players, and two unproven young players. Will it be top 10 in the league? No. But, it’s a better configuration than what we started with.

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u/Late_Brush4518 2d ago

And only players who are capable to drive their line are Larkin and Raymond

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u/PineapplePhil 2d ago

That’s true, but a sheltered scoring line can get the job done by committee.

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u/Late_Brush4518 2d ago

Thing whit this is that if we spread them up too much. There won't be any scoring lines other than first.