Who was the best line in the NHL last season? Heately-Thornton-Marleau? Byfuglien-Toews-Kane? Ovechkin-Backstrom-Semin? If you answered St. Louis-Stamkos-Downie, you selected an answer that was not available for selection, and you should learn how to read. As we all know, Steven Stamkos is a monster. Children are afraid that he's hiding under their respective beds, waiting to rip a slap shot past their glove sides. Martin St. Louis is a gentleman, which is also commonly known. The man plays with so much class that it's rumored that he emits the smell of aged scotch every time you slam him into the boards. He too, is a monster. Steve Downie on the other hand, is not a monster. Yes, he is someone who you should be afraid to have under your bed. But he is not a great hockey player. Though he is a great middle six forward who can provide a lot of grit and physicality to a team, he is no top six forward. The guy had never played a full season in the NHL before this season, and even while playing top line minutes, he only managed 46 points while playing with some of the best line mates in the league.
With the introduction of Simon Gagne, one would assume that this would mean second line for the young forward, who was one of the first forwards in about ten years to top 20 goals and 200 PIM's. Yet it doesn't. With Gagne's health problems, and with Vinny LeCavalier's incessant loneliness on the second line, you can be sure that coach Guy Boucher will be spreading the offense between the top two lines. Thus, expect to see a St. Louis-Stamkos tandem dominate the first line, and a Vinny-Gagne tandem take over the second. All four forwards will see lots of power play time, which will be especially productive with the addition of blue liner Pavel Kubina. An older Victor Hedman sure doesn't hurt either though. So congratulations to Steve Downie, former first round flop who has found a home in Tampa Bay, playing with one of the best centers in the world.
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