There is strong indication that Kaigorodov (click for scouting report) will be making the trip to Ottawa this year. At least that is what is being reported at EuroHockey.net

This is nothing short of fantastic news! I am sure that any of you who have been doodling with prospective line combinations will understand the significance and impact of this.

Without Kaigorodov, we would be hard pressed to put three overly strong lines together, and worse one "decent" player, Kelly, Vermette or McCammond would find themselves wasted on a fourth line with McGrattan.

With Kaigorodov in, it means we can roll four NHL calibre lines again.

Even more important it becomes much easier to form those three lines in sequences that are capable of applying offensive pressure. Without getting into the rationale at this stage I throw up a few possible line ups:

Big Line Intact

Alfredson-Spezza-Heatley
Schaefer-Kaigorodov-Fisher
Kelly-Vermette-Eaves
Hamel-McCammond-Neil

Alfredson-Spezza-Heatley
Schaefer-Kaigorodov-Eaves
McCammond-Vermette-Fisher
Hamel-Kelly-Neil

Breaking the Big Line Up

Schaefer-Spezza-Heatley
McCammond-Kaigorodov-Alfredson
Vermette-Fisher-Eaves
Hamel-Kelly-Neil

Eaves-Spezza-Heatley
Schaefer-Kaigorodov-Alfredson
McCammond-Vermette-Fisher
Hamel-Kelly-Neil

Schaefer-Spezza-Heatley
Vermette-Kaigorodov-Alfredson
McCammond-Fisher-Eaves
Hamel-Kelly-Neil

We should be able to some serious, serious damage out there this year.