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NHL Line Combinations for 2016-17 (Pacific Division)

By Ryan Ritchie

April 30, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks right wing Corey Perry (10) and center Ryan Getzlaf (15) celebrate the 6-1 victory against the Calgary Flames following game one of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
April 30, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks right wing Corey Perry (10) and center Ryan Getzlaf (15) celebrate the 6-1 victory against the Calgary Flames following game one of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 7, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks center Joe Pavelski (8) is congratulated for scoring a goal against the Nashville Predators during the second period in game five of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 7, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks center Joe Pavelski (8) is congratulated for scoring a goal against the Nashville Predators during the second period in game five of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

San Jose Sharks

Patrick Marleau – Joe Thornton – Joe Pavelski
Mikkel Boedker – Logan Couture – Joonas Donskoi
Nikolay Goldobin – Tomas Hertl – Joel Ward
Matt Nieto – Tommy Wingels – Melker Karlsson
xs: Chris Tierney, Michael Haley

Marc-Edouard Vlasic – Brent Burns
Paul Martin – Justin Braun
David Schlemko – Dylan DeMelo
xs: Brenden Dillon

Martin Jones – Aaron Dell

*Timo Meier expected to be out 3-4 weeks

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Some folks are slotting Mikkel Boedker in on the top line, pushing Marleau down to the second. He wasn’t a first line talent in Arizona or Colorado and isn’t about to be in San Jose whether you give him stud linemates or not. At $4 million dollars/year, he’s a decent second line LWer that would likely serve as a depth scorer on the third in a Stanley Cup winning environment.

It wouldn’t actually be all that shocking to see rookie Nikolay Goldobin surpass Boedker on the depth chart before the end of the season. His knack for scoring goals and creating offense screams top-six material.

Figuring out the opening night roster/lines shouldn’t be overly difficult. Things could get interesting in a month from now when top prospect Timo Meier returns from illness (suffering from Mono). The left-handed shooting right winger is another rookie that could have a big impact in 2016-17 (assuming he sticks around).

If even one of these guys emerges as expected, it could force GM Doug Wilson to shed a contract via the trade market. Fans have pointed at names such as Tommy Wingels, Matt Nieto, and Chris Tierney as potential trade candidates if things get too crowded.

Looking to the blue line, we’ve opted to keep Dylan DeMelo and Brendan Dillon. That leaves promising prospect Mirco Mueller on the outside looking in. Selected 18th overall in 2013, Mueller is still only 21-years-old and could be two or three years away from having a significant NHL impact.

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