Training Camp Lurking; Forward Combinations

With the start of training camp just around the corner, there have been many questions surrounding the Islanders' line combinations to start the year.

It's obvious that the Islanders do not have many legitimate top 6 forwards. Almost the entire forward group is in for a year of proving their own capabilities. What we do know is that John Tavares will get all the ice time he can possibly be given. But will he be at center, or on wing? Here's my take on the forward lines for Oct. 3.

Tambellini-Weight-Tavares
Comeau-Bailey-Okposo
Bergenheim-Nielsen-Hunter
Park-Thompson-Jackman

I'll go from bottom to top on the analysis:

4th line - Don't expect Jackman to be anywhere else other than the 4th line. Thompson, in my opinion, is not an NHL player. Stick him on the 4th line for now, and don't be surprised if you see him in the AHL at some point. Park is defined as a high energy 3rd liner, but he'll get his time on the PK and he should not be given ice time ahead of the "youth".

3rd line - On a winning team, this is a textbook 3rd line. Energy, speed, and grit. Yet even on a team such as the Islanders, each of these players are capable of putting up 40 points. Bergenheim and Tambellini could be switched around.

2nd line - No doubt, Bailey was drafted in hopes of complimenting Okposo. He has built up his frame this summer and should be able to prove his abilities as an elite 2nd line center. This is the "kid line" that thrived for a couple months in the latter part of the season. Let's bring that back together.

1st line - Doug Weight is the only proven player up front. He should be the 1st line center. Tavares would slot in nicely at RW this season. Crosby and Malkin both started on the wing, so it must be a horrible idea to put Tavares on wing, right? And then, Jeff Tambellini. The guy with all the skills that he can't translate into NHL production. He has a half a season left to prove himself, so put him with the guys who can help him produce. If he doesn't fare well here, put him on the 3rd line and bring Bergenheim up to this spot.


The most important thing in putting together lines is chemistry. The lines above have a lot of that. But my opinion is as good as anyone else's. Time will tell at this point. I don't think training camp and pre-season will alter opinions on players, so I'd like to see how these lines work before we start flipping things around.