Arizona Coyotes: Full line combination predictions for 2018-19
By Nick McAdam
First line: Clayton Keller-Derek Stepan-Brendan Perlini
Welcome to the point share line. The combo features two players who love distributing the puck in Derek Stepan and Clayton Keller which is then capped off by a very balanced and productive player in Brendan Perlini.
This line features it all, which is a good case for why they’re going to be at the very top of the depth chart. Shooting, passing, defensive contributions, physical play, winning key draws; you name it, and this line most likely contains some form of it.
Coyotes’ supporters should be drooling at the fact that both Stepan and Keller combine for a massive 10 total point shares based off of last season. They feed off each other, and Perlini needs to get in on the action as well.
The results of this line can very well mean the postseason. It pushes Keller farther forward into being the face of the franchise, while Perlini could make significant strides into becoming a prime winger with more minutes. Stepan will enjoy dishing to these two while setting himself up for some big point totals in the next campaign.
All of these players will feature on an array of special teams as well; giving them more minutes and more of a chance to create an established first line that can inflict serious punishment on the rest of the league in the near future.