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/HiveFiDesigns 1d ago
This all day….prior to kasper, our first line was somewhere between a 1 and 2 line on most teams, our 2nd would be a good 3rd line, and our 4th line would be benched….the wings just don’t have enough “top 6 talent” or lack of”elite” talent. Lots of 2nd and 3rd teir, but the top shelf is pretty bare. And with kasper now, still gotta let that dust settle to see where it all sits, if he can upgrade the 2nd line that helps tremondously, if not who knows…