Report: Forward Lines Nearly Complete

Head coach Jeff Blashill has revealed his plans for his forward group.

 

The Detroit Free Press reports that while Blashill has not officially perfected any full line combinations, he started putting together pairs of skaters who will most likely start the regular season together.

 

Thomas Vanek will play to the right of Darren Helm, and Frans Nielsen will center Henrik Zetterberg while Justin Abdelkader’s status remains unknown. Dylan Larkin’s wingers are yet to be determined, although Abdelkader could potentially play on his wing.

 

 

Remind you of anyone?

 

 

Scotty Bowman, whom Blashill admitted he regularly speaks to, used to employ a similar strategy in establishing chemistrty between twosomes before seeing who could fit within a full line.