Line Combos: 2016-17 Line Combinations

[Trap Jesus]

I think people mighy be jumping the gjn on Backes defensively, his shot suppression while on ice isnt very impressive at all. Not bagging him, but if people think hes gonna be a defensive centre that shuts down opposing lines, think again. When compred directly with Loui for shot auppression aone, they're not even in the same league. Hopefully under Claude this will change and he'll be better in that area, cos we really need him to be.

Backes' whole thing is that he does more heavy lifting than almost anyone in the NHL. He has among the toughest zone starts in the league over the last few years and plays against top competition, and each year STL kept adding to that aspect of his game. Remember that whole thing about people wanting Tarasenko to get more ice time in the playoffs? The main reason for that was because Hitchcock cherry-picked when to put Tarasenko out in offensive situations. The flipside to that is that Backes was getting all the D-zone starts.

No, he doesn't push the play back like the very elite players do, but he still at the very least holds his ground, which is impressive in itself considering he was worked like a mule in STL.

If you can put a guy like Backes out to hold his ground in the toughest situations, it frees up the Bergeron line that much more. The net effect of that would be very beneficial to the team.

 

[Brewins]

I'll bet you the Stockyard steak dinner that Dan owes me, that he starts there.

I may have to settle for gentlemanly $1 bet. But deal.

 

[BruinDust]

Backes' whole thing is that he does more heavy lifting than almost anyone in the NHL. He has among the toughest zone starts in the league over the last few years and plays against top competition, and each year STL kept adding to that aspect of his game. Remember that whole thing about people wanting Tarasenko to get more ice time in the playoffs? The main reason for that was because Hitchcock cherry-picked when to put Tarasenko out in offensive situations. The flipside to that is that Backes was getting all the D-zone starts.

No, he doesn't push the play back like the very elite players do, but he still at the very least holds his ground, which is impressive in itself considering he was worked like a mule in STL.

If you can put a guy like Backes out to hold his ground in the toughest situations, it frees up the Bergeron line that much more. The net effect of that would be very beneficial to the team.

Also frees up the Krejci line from secondary defensive assignments. Part of the reason IMO the team collapsed at the end of last year was Bergeron and Krejci had simply been overworked the first 65 games with Julien having very little faith defensively in the line Spooner was centering, and not a whole lot of faith in the 4th line the way he had previous years.

 

[PlayMakers]

I may have to settle for gentlemanly $1 bet. But deal.

 

[ODAAT]

We still need another winger and obviously a D man. Thinking we bring in Hudler and Russel. Not great but they bring experience. Dont like the idea of all these young guys to fill holes.

agreed, I like introducing a kid, maybe 2 max per season, any more than that and it`s a recipe for trouble. If it`s a total rebuild, then yes, but this isn`t a rebuild, it`s a retool. This team will most likely, at best be fighting for that 8th spot. I think it`s likely we`ll see Heinen as mentioned often in this thread on the lineup, and most likely, we`ll see Carlo at some point this year.

The team with Spooner/Pasta/Vatrano/C Miller/Morrow on it, that`s a 1/3 of the D and 1/4th of the forward crew that are still very young.

Again unlike most here, as much as I see this year being a struggle, I`m already looking down the road to next year where I think were going to be in for a treat

 

[Beantown1616]

I have hope for a third line of: Vatrano - Backes - Hayes

My thinking:

1) I am genuinely torn between Backes at RW with Bergy/Marchand (great line) or having Backes play his natural C position on the third line (great C depth). There will be holes either way (lack of RW depth and I don't trust Spooner...yet).

2) Krejci needs at least some muscle on his line so I think that's either Beleskey or Backes (if Backes, see #1 above). Vatrano - Krejci - Pastrnak is exciting on paper (and could work out) but I have doubts/fears re: size/strength.

3) Backes seems like the kind of guy who can get Jimmy Hayes (and Spooner and others) to stop being passengers and be actively engaged. This is my hope but also I think the reason the B's pursued him in FA.

4) The proposed third line has in aggregate 2 guys who have grit/hustle/jam, 2 guys who have size, and 2 guys who can/should put up points. All in all, should be productive.

5) There will be a hole at RW on whichever top-2 line Pastrnak doesn't play on but if someone emerges from camp we can play them with Bergy and all will be fine (because Bergy is great).

 

[Beantown1616]

Also add 6) Statistically, Hayes will either bounce back or play his way out of the NHL. I think the former is more likely.

 

[Mpasta]

Also add 6) Statistically, Hayes will either bounce back or play his way out of the NHL. I think the former is more likely.

Where's Spooner?

 

[Over the volcano]

Backes gives Julien so much flexibility with his lines.

 

[Beantown1616]

Where's Spooner?

Genuinely have no idea. Last season he took a step forward developmentally and was a real spark on the PP but I hate watching him 5-on-5 in the D-zone.

If he takes another step forward and can maintain his offensive production throughout the season, then give him 3C (with Backes RW in the top-6), but I'm not counting on it. I consider him trade bait (but it looks like Sweeney can't find a taker).

Part of the problem is he's not strong on the puck (nor is he as talented as guys like Kane and Gaudreau) and so he may never be able to lead a line alongside Vatrano, Pastrnak, even Marchand. Like Savard (and now Krejci), I feel he'll do better with some muscle on his line.

We'll probably see more mixing and matching of line combos than we've ever seen in the CJ era.

 

[ODAAT]

Genuinely have no idea. Last season he took a step forward developmentally and was a real spark on the PP but I hate watching him 5-on-5 in the D-zone.

If he takes another step forward and can maintain his offensive production throughout the season, then give him 3C (with Backes RW in the top-6), but I'm not counting on it. I consider him trade bait (but it looks like Sweeney can't find a taker).

Part of the problem is he's not strong on the puck (nor is he as talented as guys like Kane and Gaudreau) and so he may never be able to lead a line alongside Vatrano, Pastrnak, even Marchand. Like Savard (and now Krejci), I feel he'll do better with some muscle on his line.

We'll probably see more mixing and matching of line combos than we've ever seen in the CJ era.

Spoons won`t be a Selke finalist but he improved a great deal in his own zone from the year before, still lots of room for improvement but I`m fine if he becomes a guy who may not be the "go to" in order to protect a lead but a guy who can still be somewhat trusted not to continually make defensive mistakes and last year was a nice year of defensive improvement IMO

 

[Dr Quincy]

Spoons won`t be a Selke finalist but he improved a great deal in his own zone from the year before, still lots of room for improvement but I`m fine if he becomes a guy who may not be the "go to" in order to protect a lead but a guy who can still be somewhat trusted not to continually make defensive mistakes and last year was a nice year of defensive improvement IMO

I'm fine with having an offensive player who is weak on defense on the team. Not a problem. But let's admit, that he is a liability defensively, and frankly, I didn't see much improvement.

Looking at the numbers he was still near the bottom in QOC, near the bottom in GA/60 (along with Hayes and Connolly) but unlike those 2 he was given a large amount of offensive zone starts.

In other words: easy minutes, easy competition, easy zone starts.... and still gave it more goals with him on the ice than anyone else.

Don't think that Claude doesn't see that. But like I said, he's a good offensive player so you can live with it, but you can't ignore it.

 

[tburns21]

barring any big/bold moves I would suspect we'll see on opening day

marchand-bergy-spooner/vatrano
belesky-krejci-pasta
spooner/vatrano-backes-hayes
schaller-moore-nash
ex: randell

chara-cmiller
krug-kmiller
liles-mcquad

which is probably better then some other combinations

i hope they give c miller a real run with some decent mins to see what the kid can do. i'd even sub liles out some games and run morrow-mcquaid

 

[wintersej]

I have hope for a third line of: Vatrano - Backes - Hayes

My thinking:

1) I am genuinely torn between Backes at RW with Bergy/Marchand (great line) or having Backes play his natural C position on the third line (great C depth). There will be holes either way (lack of RW depth and I don't trust Spooner...yet).

2) Krejci needs at least some muscle on his line so I think that's either Beleskey or Backes (if Backes, see #1 above). Vatrano - Krejci - Pastrnak is exciting on paper (and could work out) but I have doubts/fears re: size/strength.

3) Backes seems like the kind of guy who can get Jimmy Hayes (and Spooner and others) to stop being passengers and be actively engaged. This is my hope but also I think the reason the B's pursued him in FA.

4) The proposed third line has in aggregate 2 guys who have grit/hustle/jam, 2 guys who have size, and 2 guys who can/should put up points. All in all, should be productive.

5) There will be a hole at RW on whichever top-2 line Pastrnak doesn't play on but if someone emerges from camp we can play them with Bergy and all will be fine (because Bergy is great).

I think Backes and Hayes both are better suited to be the net front guy in the offensive zone. Don't think they matchup on a line together well. And Vatrano needs someone that can drive the play and feed him the biscut.

 

[wintersej]

I'm sold on the Backes at C and Spooner on wing idea given the fluidity of the offensive zone and the big puck battle responsibility of the C in Julien's system in the defensive zone.

So I think you start with...

xxxx Krejci xxxx
Marchand Bergeron xxxx
xxxx Backes xxxx
xxxx Moore Nash

Beleksey and Spooner will be LW1 and LW3 in some order.

Pastrnak will most likely be with Mr. Krejci. Spooner/Krejci/Pastrnak is a fascinating line, but I think Beleksey makes more sense as the LW there as the space/net front guy.

So...

Beleksey Krejci Pasta
Marchand Bergeron XXXX
Spooner Backes XXXX
XXXX Moore Nash

I don't think Hayes and Backes belong on a line together, too much overlap in their offensive game. Nor do I think Vatrano fits with shoot first Marchand. I do think Vatrano fits with Spooner, though.

Beleksey Krejci Pasta
Marchand Bergeron XXXX
Spooner Backes Vatrano
XXXX Moore Nash

Hayes should get that 4th line LW spot. And the spot next to Marchand/Bergeron goes to one of the kids (Heinen, Griffith, Czarnik, Senyshyn as a long shot) that separates themselves in camp.

 

[Beesfan]

When the regulars return from the World Cup, I expect we will see the following:

Marchand/Bergeron/Spooner
Vatrano/Krejci/Pastrnak
Belesky/Backes/Hayes
Schaller/Moore/Nash

Chara - C.Miller
Krug - K.Miller
Liles - McQuaid

Rask
Khudobin

I generally like this lineup as it provides the most depth. I think it is option A. Option B would be to switch Belesky and Vatrano, and Option C would be to switch Backes and Spooner.

 

[PB37]

When the regulars return from the World Cup, I expect we will see the following:

Marchand/Bergeron/Spooner
Vatrano/Krejci/Pastrnak
Belesky/Backes/Hayes
Schaller/Moore/Nash

Chara - C.Miller
Krug - K.Miller
Liles - McQuaid

Rask
Khudobin

I generally like this lineup as it provides the most depth. I think it is option A. Option B would be to switch Belesky and Vatrano, and Option C would be to switch Backes and Spooner.

That's the lineup I've been wanting, too.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

When the regulars return from the World Cup, I expect we will see the following:

Marchand/Bergeron/Spooner
Vatrano/Krejci/Pastrnak
Belesky/Backes/Hayes
Schaller/Moore/Nash

Chara - C.Miller
Krug - K.Miller
Liles - McQuaid

Rask
Khudobin

I generally like this lineup as it provides the most depth. I think it is option A. Option B would be to switch Belesky and Vatrano, and Option C would be to switch Backes and Spooner.

That's the lineup I've been wanting, too.

Hoping Heinen can force his way into that lineup, either on Bergeron or Backes' RW.

Not counting on it like Bill, but hoping

 

[Absurdity]

Marchand - Bergeron - Heinen
Beleskey - Krejci - Pastrnak
Vatrano - Spooner - Backes
Hayes - Moore - Nash

Chara - C. Miller
Krug - K. Miller
Morrow/Liles/O'Gara/Grzelcyk - McQuaid
Morrow/Liles/O'Gara/Grzelcyk

Rask
Khudobin

I think that gives the Bruins a balanced top 9. Backes can take the defensive draws on the 3rd line.

 

[wintersej]

Beleksey/Backes/Hayes just seems like an awful line to me. Too many guys that want to play the same role in the offensive zone... And no one to skate with the puck.

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

Beleksey/Backes/Hayes just seems like an awful line to me. Too many guys that want to play the same role in the offensive zone... And no one to skate with the puck.

Agreed. Hate it.

 

[ashnathan]

Marchand - Bergeron - Heinen
Beleskey - Krejci - Pastrnak
Vatrano - Spooner - Backes
Hayes - Moore - Nash

Chara - C. Miller
Krug - K. Miller
Morrow/Liles/O'Gara/Grzelcyk - McQuaid
Morrow/Liles/O'Gara/Grzelcyk

Rask
Khudobin

I think that gives the Bruins a balanced top 9. Backes can take the defensive draws on the 3rd line.

I like it. Although I dunno about sticking heinen on line 2 straight away. Id put Frankie on his off wing for the pre season games and see how he goes, he scored his hat trick goal on the rush on his off wing. If he can play his off wing well then that makes our line up a hell of a lot better going forward.

 

[BruinDust]

I like it. Although I dunno about sticking heinen on line 2 straight away. Id put Frankie on his off wing for the pre season games and see how he goes, he scored his hat trick goal on the rush on his off wing. If he can play his off wing well then that makes our line up a hell of a lot better going forward.

I know Heinen is suppose to have very good defensive awareness but I agree, putting him on the Bergeron line that's used for shutdown assignments might be a bit much at least in the beginning.

Now you could say the same thing for Vatrano but at least he's got NHL experience.

I'm hoping at least one of the young guys (exempting Vatrano, I think he's got a spot locked up) bumps Hayes right out of the line-up. Hayes has zero business on the 4th line alongside a couple grinder-types.

He looked bad enough playing with better players, can't see him alongside Moore and Nash improving his cause. Give me Schaller on that 4th line LW, at least he can kill penalties and play physical, unlike Hayes who I see having zero special teams roles this season. Backes will likely take his net-front role on the 2nd unit PP.

Marchand - Bergeron - Vatrano
Belesky - Krejci - Pastrnak
Spooner - Backes - Heinen
Schaller - Moore - Nash

Extras: Randell, Hayes

PP 1 - Krejci, Bergeron, Marchand, Spooner, Krug

PP 2 - Pastrnak, Backes, Vatrano, Colin, Liles

PK forwards - Marchand, Bergeron, Backes, Schaller, Moore, Nash

 

[Fenian24]

Belesky-Krecji-Pastrnak
Marchand-Bergeron-Backes
Vatrano-Spooner-Nash (anybody think Claude is letting two young offensively gifted players not have a defensive minded vet on their line?)
Acciari-Moore-Randell
Hayes for now until Sweeney manages to move him to some unsuspecting schlep for a pick.

 

[KnightofBoston]

It all depends on where Backes fits best in terms of on ice chemistry and that could take some time to figure out

I kind of like the idea of putting spooner on Bergeron's right, covers his defensive challenges and gives that line a true playmaker that can also shoot


Backes at third center gives the line up a lot of depth and strength up the middle, especially if Moore can be a player for us.


The more I look at it the more I realize if the forward lines are more stable, the overall defense will improve and to me it was overlooked how unstable the bottom six was last year


If spooner performs well and can improve his defensive, I can see Julien preferring he plays on the third line, and Backes plays right side in the top six. At the same time, spooner's skill set may be wasted on the third line.

Hell, if moore and Nash play well enough who's to say it won't end up being them in the bottom six with both spooner and Backes in the top 6?

Seems like a lot of options and we'll have to wait to see how it shakes out in camp.

We certainly need Krug to take a step, get his goal totals back up and consistently play like a top 4 with the occasional top 2 performance. Chara shouldn't be relied on as much anymore and will play as a serviceable number 2 guy most nights , and we need Cmiller to take a big step. If another young puck move can surprise, all the better - buts it's really CMiller, Chara, Krug that will determine how stable the defense is. Quaider Liles and Killer are what they are and as long as the forward lines are stable and the other three above can perform, we shan't worry too much about the latter three.


Eventually we could have a top 3 defense in the NHL, especially if they don't get antsy and ax claude (and he does himself a favor and doesn't play the Gregory Campbell's of the world with minutes to go down a goal when the goddamn season is still on the line) and keeps making the right decisions re guarding chemistry and playing time for certain players. We shall see