It was a big day in Frisco for spring break kids (they were everywhere) and for couch coaches. Jere Lehtinen (upper body injury) appears ready to return after missing six games, and he was placed on the right wing with Mike Modano.
That's important for a couple of reasons. 1. It means that Brendan Morrison will move back to the left wing... and 2. It means James Neal will move to a different line. Tippett ran these lines in practice:
Ott-Ribeiro-Eriksson
Morrison-Modano-Lehtinen
Neal-Sutherby-Conner
Barch-Begin-Wilson
Tippett switched Barch up to the Sutherby line in the third period against Minnesota, and liked what he saw. He also could have Fabian Brunnstrom (upper body injury) ready for Tuesday's game against Vancouver, and could sub Brunnstrom in for Conner (remember, that Neal-Sutherby-Brunnstrom line was good against San Jose a couple of weeks back). If he does that, he could move Conner back to the fourth line in place of Wilson. Tippett really likes Conner's game right now.
So, do you like this shuffling? And do you have a better idea (Brunnstrom, Mark Parrish and Joel Lundqvist are your other options)? _Mike Heika


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