Surprising Change At The Top Line During Practice
The Rangers have made a surprising change at the top line. Pushing Kaapo Kakko down to the third line, joining Will Cuylle and Nick Bonino.
In his place, Blake Wheeler is joining Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad at the top.
Kakko struggled to seize the opportunity and is fairly taking criticism over that. I discussed this in length in yesterdays article, You can read the article by clicking here. But I want to be fair, we should also point out his linemates haven't produced much at 5v5, either.
Peter Laviolette had this to say on switching Kakko and Wheeler out:
"If you're not getting the results that you're looking for from a 5v5 standpoint... you look at what maybe you could do to see if it gives it a different look. More than anything, I just wanted to change the scenery."
Personally, I'm for changing up the top line. As I said before, I think Kakko fundamentally is a good player and can do well in the right line, but he just looks lost on that top line.
I hold reservations for Wheeler, considering he hasn't played that much better himself this year, but maybe the change will be good for both of them.
Let's see if this is what they will roll out tomorrow, November 7, against the Detroit Red Wings, at Madison Square Garden.
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