On Thursday night’s episode of the Sick Podcast Post-game Show, Tony Marinaro discussed with his guests Pierre McGuire and Brian Wilde about what the Montreal Canadiens should potentially do to improve their top line with Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki. One thing that Marinaro mentioned is that the Habs should consider putting Juraj Slafkovsky back on the top line with them, as there is no one that can fit the role that the duo of Suzuki and Caufield need beside them. However, is that really the best move for Slafkovsky as a whole going forward?
The main thought process that Marinaro had going with bringing Slafkovsky back up to the top line is that Alex Newhook looked great alongside Ivan Demidov and Oliver Kapanen before he fractured his ankle back in November. With that being said, the Habs could potentially try that combination again to see if they can continue to have the success that they had earlier on. It could be an interesting move to allow the top line to get the power forward that they have been missing on the top line with Suzuki and Caufield ever since Slafkovsky went down to the 2nd line to patrol his own line.
While Kirby Dach hasn’t been a horrible fit on that line, the fact that there is no left-handed shot on that line is hindering them currently. There is also the fact that Dach, having been injured so often throughout his time in Montreal, isn’t the best fit as a top-line player, as he was never able to develop into the player the Canadiens were hoping for back when they acquired him at the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. Nonetheless, he does give a bit of a power forward type that helps Suzuki and Caufield, but there are definitely better options like Slafkovsky, as Marinaro mentions.
It should be noted that Slafkovsky has been a much better player ever since he was placed on the 2nd line with Demidov and Kapanen. This is why it also doesn’t seem like the greatest decision. Obviously, it’s easier to say that Slafkovsky should switch lines after he had a rough night on Thursday against the New York Islanders, where he made a lot of bad passes, but that could just be a result of an Olympic hangover. Hence, the Habs shouldn’t judge the chemistry of that 2nd line for another few games.
However, Marinaro and Wilde talked about how maybe what Slafkovsky really needed was to control his own line so that he could eventually come back up to play with Suzuki and Caufield with more confidence. This is something to truly consider, as during that time with Demidov and Kapanen, Slafkovsky learned a lot of leadership skills, which have allowed him to carry the mail on his line. That 2nd line can have a skilled winger like Demidov be the play driver going forward if the eventual move is to put Newhook there and Slafkovsky back up onto the top line. Therefore, it may be worth giving it a shot once Newhook gets a few more games under his belt after missing 40 games with his fractured ankle.
Marinaro made a very good point in that the Habs should potentially consider placing Slafkovsky back on the top line so they can rediscover their dominance to possibly an even better level now that the young Slovak shouldn’t be afraid to bring the puck himself. The only issue is that the Habs would likely need to find a more consistent offensive forward than Newhook to play alongside Demidov. While Newhook brings great speed, he lacks finishing ability and therefore may be best suited on a 3rd line rather than a 2nd. Nonetheless, it’s possible playing with Demidov gets Newhook’s goal-scoring to continue to shine the way it did earlier in the season.
Would you consider putting Slafkovsky back on the top line, or would you rather he stick with Demidov and Kapanen?
