During World Cup practices for Team Sweden, Filip Forsberg's line often matched up against the Sedins. When training camp opened, he was impressed that they showed up to the first practice of the tournament and looked like they had been playing together all summer. It’s what the Sedins do.
He caught himself watching and admiring.
“It’s impressive to see what they’re able to do, year in and year out,” Forsberg said. “It’s impressive to see it up close.”
Then, something else stood out. Loui Eriksson, the third player on that line, looked like he’d been playing together with the Sedins for years.
Eriksson had played with them during the World Championships and had signed a six-year contract to play with them in Vancouver.
Forsberg got an up close look at how good that trio may be if that’s how it plays out in Vancouver this season.
“Loui is almost like a third Sedin brother,” Forsberg said. “He’s a similar player to them. Having them play together is a tough challenge.”
That was kind of the point for Eriksson. He wasn’t necessarily appreciated in Boston by some of the decision makers as much as he should have been. In terms of style of play, there’s not a better fit for him in the NHL than in Vancouver.
“He’s really good without the puck,” said Henrik Sedin. “That’s No. 1. Where we don’t have to spend a lot of energy getting pucks back. We like to keep the game simple and get pucks deep and get them back. It makes for a lot of easy chances for us.”
When the Sedins are slowing the game down, they’re at their best, and Eriksson’s skill set plays right into that.
“We’ve never been the best skaters. That’s how we have to play to be successful,” Henrik Sedin said. “Maybe a lot of people don’t appreciate that way of playing.”
Eriksson certainly does.
“We play the game the same way,” Eriksson said. “They like those small passes to each other. I always like to make plays like that. I know how to play in the corners and everything, it’s all about reading about where I can be open on the ice. If I find a spot, they will find me. They’re such smart players.”
There’s not much to look forward to in Vancouver this season. The Canucks are a long shot to make the playoffs, and would do well not to finish last. But watching those three play together will be art at its finest, something we should enjoy while it lasts.
Here are four other lines we can’t wait to see in the regular season:
Milan Lucic – Connor McDavid – Jordan Eberle
Internally, the Oilers didn’t necessarily think McDavid and Taylor Hall meshed well together on a line because they are both puck transporters. Both like having the puck in the neutral zone, heading into the offensive zone where they can then make the decision on where the puck should be sent next.
On this line, McDavid can do that job without question, while Lucic and Eberle each will have very specific roles if this is ultimately the line that comes together.
Another option in the Lucic spot is Patrick Maroon. Either way, there’s a really good chance that Eberle and McDavid see significant time together. Eberle was McDavid’s most frequent linemate last season. When McDavid played at even strength, Eberle was on the ice 58 percent of the time.
McDavid makes it no secret that he loves playing with Eberle.
“I like it a lot. He’s so smart,” McDavid said. “He’s so good with the puck and he’s always in the right spot. When you give him the puck in and around the net, he’s going to do a lot of good with it. He’s definitely one of my favorite guys to play with.”
Zach Hyman – Auston Matthews – William Nylander
Last season, Hyman played 175:31 of his 204:14 even-strength minutes with William Nylander, and the two were very effective, controlling 56.4 percent of the even-strength shot attempts when playing together.
All these lines are subject to change, and it’s fair to wonder whether or not Mike Babcock is going to want to play three inexperienced guys together. But their skill sets complement each other nicely. Hyman is a hard-working forward who is versatile but with enough skill to play with these two future stars.
Matthews showed in the World Cup just how well he can play on both sides of the ice. Ideally, Babcock will deploy these three as a third line, giving them favorable matchups while they learn the NHL game.
Carl Hagelin – Nick Bonino – Phil Kessel
In theory, this line should just keep on cooking. The beauty in the way the Penguins are constructed is that Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin attract the top opposing players, freeing up this line to do real damage.
It may lead to strategy changes against the Penguins. The better tactic may be to send out your top-four defensemen against this trio and take your chances with the Malkin line -- unless you have a speedy bottom pair, which almost nobody does.
It will be fascinating to see if the HBK line can produce at the same frenetic pace during an entire season, or if there was lightning in the bottle at the end of last season and into the playoffs.
Taylor Hall – Adam Henrique – Kyle Palmieri
Give GM Ray Shero credit for quickly adding high-end skill to a Devils lineup that needed it. We’re admittedly not sure how coach John Hynes is going to run the Devils lines, but early indications at camp suggested that Henrique and Hall would get a look together, especially considering they are former junior teammates in Windsor.
Two of these three players weren’t on the Devils' roster when Shero took over, and it has the makings of highly dangerous line. Henrique’s most common linemate last season was Lee Stempniak, and he’s no longer with the team.
As good as Stempniak was with the Devils, it’s going to be exciting to see a jilted and motivated Hall playing in the wide-open Eastern Conference. If Henrique gets a season with Hall, he’ll undoubtedly exceed his career high in points, set in 2011-12 at 51. Hall is currently the only player on this potential line without a 30-goal season to his credit, and the guess here is that he gets it this season.