What Should The Lines Look Like Now?

With Ales Hemsky, in all likelihood, heading back to the injured list, it puts the club in a situation where they need to take a long look at what their starting lineup looks like moving forward. Once Hemsky and Sam Gagner return, things change but for the immediate short term, some decisions need to be made if they would like to earn some points to possibly battle for a playoff spot later in the season.

In my mind, they have two options at the moment and they require the promotion of Teemu Hartikainen back to the NHL.

Hall - Nugent-Hopkins - Smyth

Omark - Horcoff - Eberle

Paajarvi - Belanger - Jones

Eager - Lander - Hartikainen

Extras: Petrell, Hordichuk

or option two

Hall - Nugent-Hopkins - Eberle

Omark - Horcoff - Smyth

Paajarvi - Belanger - Jones

Eager - Lander - Hartikainen

 Extras: Petrell, Hordichuk

The first option is nice because it puts the two top remaining play makers, RNH and Omark, on the first two units while the bottom six looks to have much more jam and scoring potential with the addition of Hartikainen. The feisty Finn proved last season that he can already score a little at this level and it will give him an opportunity to play with Anton Lander, whom I see him being paired up with in Oklahoma City at some point this year and potentially full time with the Oilers next season. These line combinations allows the coaching staff to keep the veteran presence on each line, which seems to be the desired route they want to go.

The downside to the second option, is the top line not having that veteran player on it and I would also be hesitant to put all the kids together for anything longer then a game or two. It's a lot of pressure to put on the trio, especially with both Gagner and Hemsky out, and there is no need to rush them into what will be the clubs top line for years to come. Another possible issue, is taking away the potential of Omark playing with an actual marksman. That being said, playing with a player like Ryan Smyth sometimes can be even more effective but it is something to seriously look at. This should be the time for them to see what Omark can do but I have my doubts that they trust the player enough to actually do it.

Regardless of what route they decide to go with, they need to be proactive and not reactive. Waiting for them to struggle and then make a move, may put the playoffs out of reach much earlier then any one was anticipating.