Well, it looks like the McLaren experiment is over, at least for the time being. No one has been called up to replace him, so expect to see Staubitz skating on line four.

Also, don't be surprised to see Malhotra joining him there, as McLellan seems to be experimenting with Nichol on line three with Orty and Ferriero. I don't know if we should read too much into this, though, as it could be akin to Setoguchi's "demotion" to line three after the first game of the season. Setoguchi saw one shift on the third line before getting back to his regular duties.

I do like, though, that McLellan isn't afraid to switch things up this early in the season. He's not sugarcoating anything this year, and Malhotra hasn't played particularly well 5-on-5 so far. Nichol has played well, so here's to him getting some more time on ice.

I actually don't mind what this does to our lower lines, since Malhotra is a bit more suited to play with Shelley and Staubitz than Nichol is, in so far as that he's responsible defensively. I don't like this in the long run, but it works for now.