Line Combos: 2016-17 Line Combinations

[BruinDust]

I don't see the game trending away from it at all. And who's talking about having players changing side willy-nilly? That's a bit of a non sequitur. We're talking about players who have played their off wing with success and the possibility of them slotting into the lineup that way.

And I don't have an issue with guys who've proven to be able to do it. I didn't say boo about Eriksson on RW, or Recchi when he was here, or Jagr, etc.

If they had success there, I say no problem.

But guess what Vedder, that doesn't include Spooner. One game and one assist doesn't equal success. Am I ruling out it working? No, maybe it would. I don't see any reason for Boston to have to try it right now. We seen the lines in camp today, if they want to load up the Top 2 lines why play Spooner on his off-wing when you have natural RWs in Backes and Pastrnak. Makes no sense.

But were trending away from it, the increased speed is making it harder and harder to play your off-side, whether it be forward or defense. It can still be done, the guy playing his off-wing will never be extinct. And forgive me but a guy like Heinen doing it at the speed of the NCAA level in no way indicates he can handle playing his off-wing at the pro-level. Once again, maybe he can, but it hasn't been proven yet.

But I've seen multiple line ups from people with everything from Acciari, Nash, Hayes, etc. playing there off-side, with no proven ability or past success to do so.

But one thing I will say about guys on their off-wing, the majority of the time it's highly skilled top level guys, whether it be OV, Tarasenko, Eriksson, etc. in this era, or going back to guys like Recchi, Bure, Jagr, Kovalev, etc. in the previous era. Rarely do you see 3rd or 4th line grinder-types playing their off-side unless it's out of necessity.

 

[PB37]

And I don't have an issue with guys who've proven to be able to do it. I didn't say boo about Eriksson on RW, or Recchi when he was here, or Jagr, etc.

If they had success there, I say no problem.

But guess what Vedder, that doesn't include Spooner. One game and one assist doesn't equal success. Am I ruling out it working? No, maybe it would. I don't see any reason for Boston to have to try it right now. We seen the lines in camp today, if they want to load up the Top 2 lines why play Spooner on his off-wing when you have natural RWs in Backes and Pastrnak. Makes no sense.

But were trending away from it, the increased speed is making it harder and harder to play your off-side, whether it be forward or defense. It can still be done, the guy playing his off-wing will never be extinct. And forgive me but a guy like Heinen doing it at the speed of the NCAA level in no way indicates he can handle playing his off-wing at the pro-level. Once again, maybe he can, but it hasn't been proven yet.

But I've seen multiple line ups from people with everything from Acciari, Nash, Hayes, etc. playing there off-side, with no proven ability or past success to do so.

But one thing I will say about guys on their off-wing, the majority of the time it's highly skilled top level guys, whether it be OV, Tarasenko, Eriksson, etc. in this era, or going back to guys like Recchi, Bure, Jagr, Kovalev, etc. in the previous era. Rarely do you see 3rd or 4th line grinder-types playing their off-side unless it's out of necessity.

Hayes played his off-wing last season several games on the 4th line and also with Florida.

Spooner played last year on the RW of the PP and succeeded, as well as the one game with Bergeron. In his first year, he played a couple of games with Soderberg on the RW. His skating ability of opening up his hips without losing speed allows him to be effective carrying the puck on either wing.

I think you're over stating the increased speed of the NHL as something that's a detriment to playing the off wing. The game is faster, but it's not taking away from player's skill of catching the puck on your backhand; it's not going to take away one timers, a benefit of playing on the off wing, and it's not taking away angles of shooting lanes for RH left wings ( as an example ).

 

[JoeIsAStud]

It's not like Pastrnak and Krejci have displayed some type of "63-37 like" chemistry, and they absolutely HAVE to stay together. You could argue Pastrnak's best stretch in the league production-wise wasn't with Krejci as his centerman at all.

If Heinen can't handle the 13 or so minutes of 5 on 5 play per night on ANY scoring line, then he shouldn't be in Boston at all.

And I'm still waiting for someone to clarify for me how putting Jimmy Hayes on the 4th line with a couple of grinder-types like Nash and Moore is in any way going to help him produce. He needs guys who can carry and get him the puck in scoring situations. If he can't play on a scoring line (Top 9), there is zero point for him to even be in the line-up. I don't even like the player but it's about giving Hayes at least some chance to succeed and utilize his strengths. Pairing him up with Moore and Nash is not it. Let alone make either Nash or Hayes begin playing their off-wing.

One thing I agree with you on is "there is zero point for him to even be in the line-up"

I don't think you build your lineup around how to best utilize one of the worst players on your roster. Maybe Hayes will earn his chance to get back into the top 6, but he certainly didn't earn it last year, and honestly I think he needs to play on a lower line and actually show something that resembles a passion for the game

 

[TheBigBadB]

Did I miss somewhere that Moore was injuried? Haven't heard his name once this preseason

 

[Flannelman]

Did I miss somewhere that Moore was injuried? Haven't heard his name once this preseason

Pretty sure he's health6z thought I read something on him working w spoons on fo's

 

[BruinDust]

Hayes played his off-wing last season several games on the 4th line and also with Florida.

Spooner played last year on the RW of the PP and succeeded, as well as the one game with Bergeron. In his first year, he played a couple of games with Soderberg on the RW. His skating ability of opening up his hips without losing speed allows him to be effective carrying the puck on either wing.

I think you're over stating the increased speed of the NHL as something that's a detriment to playing the off wing. The game is faster, but it's not taking away from player's skill of catching the puck on your backhand; it's not going to take away one timers, a benefit of playing on the off wing, and it's not taking away angles of shooting lanes for RH left wings ( as an example ).

Yeah that playing LW worked out well for Hayes last year.

So if it was effective, why did he always end up back at RW?

Spooner played LW on the Soderberg/Eriksson line. If he did play RW, awful small sample size to make a judgement on his ability to play RW.

Carrying the puck on the off-wing isn't the issue. But receiving the pass, recovering and maintaining control takes that little bit extra time and concentration. The team without possession are on you so quick in the neutral zone now with the game as fast as it is, every split second counts.

Spooner played the half-wall (RW you call it) on the PP? So what? Most PP units run with their players inverted for better shooting angles. Doesn't mean they should start playing their off-side 5 on 5.

Once your in the offensive zone, what forward position you play doesn't matter. The puck moves through the cycle, players rotate around. Marchand probably scored half-dozen goals last year one-timing it from the right side. Doesn't mean he should become a RWer?

After the increased difficulty of picking passes off you back-hand coming through the neutral zone, the biggest challenge is that extra half-second it takes to make break-out plays along the wall on your off-wing. That's where the increased speed comes into play the most, and aggressive D-men being able to pinch more and keep the play in your own zone.

I appreciate your viewpoint Vedder. I'll guess we'll see how it all shakes out. To be honest I hope your right and Spooner can effectively play LW or RW, cause he ain't going to see much action at Center with Backes and Moore here.

 

[BruinDust]

One thing I agree with you on is "there is zero point for him to even be in the line-up"

I don't think you build your lineup around how to best utilize one of the worst players on your roster. Maybe Hayes will earn his chance to get back into the top 6, but he certainly didn't earn it last year, and honestly I think he needs to play on a lower line and actually show something that resembles a passion for the game

I'm no Hayes fan but we've seen what doesn't work, which is a lot of things unfortunately.

What's your suggestion Joe? He's likely to get a chance to redeem himself in the 1st quarter.

Is him putting up Zeros manning the 4th line with Nash and Moore acceptable?

I would of traded the guy for a 7th rounder yesterday, but he's here, I'm just trying to suggest a way to put him in a position to be successful. Playing on the 3rd line with Backes or Spooner doesn't look like to me a good fit for him either. We know him with Spooner is pure garbage.

Kinda leaves your options limited if he's in the line-up, which I expect him to be until Vatrano is ready. He was a big acquisition by Sweeney, and he's going to get another chance here in the early going.

 

[PB37]

Yeah that playing LW worked out well for Hayes last year.

So if it was effective, why did he always end up back at RW?

Spooner played LW on the Soderberg/Eriksson line. If he did play RW, awful small sample size to make a judgement on his ability to play RW.

Carrying the puck on the off-wing isn't the issue. But receiving the pass, recovering and maintaining control takes that little bit extra time and concentration. The team without possession are on you so quick in the neutral zone now with the game as fast as it is, every split second counts.

Spooner played the half-wall (RW you call it) on the PP? So what? Most PP units run with their players inverted for better shooting angles. Doesn't mean they should start playing their off-side 5 on 5.

Once your in the offensive zone, what forward position you play doesn't matter. The puck moves through the cycle, players rotate around. Marchand probably scored half-dozen goals last year one-timing it from the right side. Doesn't mean he should become a RWer?

After the increased difficulty of picking passes off you back-hand coming through the neutral zone, the biggest challenge is that extra half-second it takes to make break-out plays along the wall on your off-wing. That's where the increased speed comes into play the most, and aggressive D-men being able to pinch more and keep the play in your own zone.

I appreciate your viewpoint Vedder. I'll guess we'll see how it all shakes out. To be honest I hope your right and Spooner can effectively play LW or RW, cause he ain't going to see much action at Center with Backes and Moore here.

Well, if there's something we can agree on is that playing either wing didn't work out for Hayes very well last year.

You're correct in saying that most of the time, it's skilled players who play on their off wing. Which is one of the reasons why I'm an advocate of seeing Spooner get a shot at the top line, RW spot. He's had experience of seeing the ice from that side, he has the deft stick handling and speed to maintain puck control on his backhand. But more importantly, he doesn't have to do the heavy lifting defensively on that line while taking nothing away from his offensive gifts.

 

[BruinDust]

Well, if there's something we can agree on is that playing either wing didn't work out for Hayes very well last year.

You're correct in saying that most of the time, it's skilled players who play on their off wing. Which is one of the reasons why I'm an advocate of seeing Spooner get a shot at the top line, RW spot. He's had experience of seeing the ice from that side, he has the deft stick handling and speed to maintain puck control on his backhand. But more importantly, he doesn't have to do the heavy lifting defensively on that line while taking nothing away from his offensive gifts.

Based on his skill-set, I agree, Spooner being able to play his off-wing makes total sense. I'm wary about plugging guys into positions they haven't proven to be successful at, but at the end of the day it's just fans proposing line-ups that likely never come to pass. You make some good points here.

After a long battle on this issue, I think you might have finally talked me into supporting this idea. If Spooner does end up on the RW of 63/37, and it works, it's all good. I think he's due for a break-out year.

 

[rocketdan9]

Again

Beleksky Krejci Spooner could workout well
Heinen Backes Pasta have natural chemistry

Marchand Bergeron Vatrano (when is back from injury) could turn out to be a nice line. While Marchand , Beregeron is cycling the puck, you can use a guy like Vatrano to bury it in, or tip it in or score an ugly one.

Acciari/Moore/Hayes/Czarnik/Debrusk/Nash -- the 4th line/extras

 

[s3antana5757]

I can't remember exactly where I saw it, I think it was the practice rushes from today. They were interesting.

Marchand-Bergeron-Pasta
Spooner-Krejci-Backes
Beleskey-Czarnik-Hayes

If Vatrano comes back and you slide Spooner to 3rd line center and put Vatrano there, I kind of like these lines. Even without him, I kinda like these lines. Really top heavy for sure, but I've always thought Pasta could be similar to Seguin with 63 and 37. Backes fills the Lucic/Iginla/Horton mold on Krejci's wing.

 

[Ratty]

Still want to see Heinen in the top 9 somewhere. He's the leading goal scorer so far in this be brief exhibition season.

 

[PB37]

I can't remember exactly where I saw it, I think it was the practice rushes from today. They were interesting.

Marchand-Bergeron-Pasta
Spooner-Krejci-Backes
Beleskey-Czarnik-Hayes

If Vatrano comes back and you slide Spooner to 3rd line center and put Vatrano there, I kind of like these lines. Even without him, I kinda like these lines. Really top heavy for sure, but I've always thought Pasta could be similar to Seguin with 63 and 37. Backes fills the Lucic/Iginla/Horton mold on Krejci's wing.

IMO, most of how the lines will shape up will boil down to what they decide to do with Spooner. I prefer Backes to be in the middle and anchor the third line with Beleskey, but if Spooner shows he's continued progression as a player and center, that frees Backes to float more between lines as a winger.

 

[Armada]

Odds on C. Miller making the team and been a sleeper pick (30-40 points?).

 

[GloveSave1]

Odds on C. Miller making the team and been a sleeper pick (30-40 points?).

I want to be a believer. ...but I'm thinking lower expectations.

He should be the everyday #6, IMO, and show flashes of his offensive talent, while focusing on adjusting to life in the NHL and hopefully taking a step forward in his defensive game.

Just show glimpses and don't be a liability. That should be all that is asked of C.Miller. It's what the #6 slot if for...sheltering and growing a guy...

Too bad it's harder to do that when the D is subpar.

As for Spooner, I just can't get my head around this wing idea. I know he finds anything but center distastful. Just seems destined for failure.

 

[BruinsFanMike82]

"Get used to my linemates,"

Can/should we read anything into this comment?

 

[Pia8988]

"Get used to my linemates,"

Can/should we read anything into this comment?

Doubtful. He's going to play with 2 people he played very little (Spooner) or not at all (Backes) last year with Loui leaving and Pasta starting next to Bergeron.

 

[PlayMakers]

Odds on C. Miller making the team and been a sleeper pick (30-40 points?).

I'm a fan and a believer in Colin Miller, but I'm not sure how Ehrhoff fits in this puzzle.

We'll have to see how Ehrhoff looks in this system, but I think he's going to be a good match and I think he brings more of what we need (skating, puck moving). Still, I don't think a defense with all puck movers is any better than a defense with all McQuaid types. Dallas had that kind of D last year and St. Louis had their way with them by playing a heavy game in the corners.

 

[PlayMakers]

"Get used to my linemates,"

Can/should we read anything into this comment?

I would say yes. I think Backes is a lock to start next to Krejci. I was/am expecting Heinen to get that LW spot until Vatrano returns, so I'm not sure which way the wind is blowing on Spooner. Will he fit there? Does it matter if he's trade bait?

My guess is that if he's still here, they will start Spooner as the 3C.

 

[Montecristo]

I think Carlo would be a perfect fit with krug. For krug to be at his best I think he needs to be able to take risks in the offensive zone, and have a partner with the defensive responsibility to bail him out when those risks lead to fast breaks the other way. So that partner needs to be a good skater and defensively responsible. Both things Carlo should be. I'm not sure if it'll start out that way but paring krug with a slow footed Chara, Mcquaid or miller disables krug from doing what he does best. People think Krugs skating will make up for charas so they fit together. But it's really just the opposite. When chara gets caught up ice it's now on the undersized and defensively mediocre krug to bail him out. It's not a good fit at all. chara needs a smart savvy partner like ehrhoff or liles.

So ideally by mid season barring any major shake ups I would like to see.

Chara-liles
Ehrhoff-K miller
Krug-carlo

C Miller
Mcquaid
Morrow all on bench or traded.

 

[DKH]

I'm a fan and a believer in Colin Miller, but I'm not sure how Ehrhoff fits in this puzzle.

We'll have to see how Ehrhoff looks in this system, but I think he's going to be a good match and I think he brings more of what we need (skating, puck moving). Still, I don't think a defense with all puck movers is any better than a defense with all McQuaid types. Dallas had that kind of D last year and St. Louis had their way with them by playing a heavy game in the corners.

I would rather see Miller get a shot - he's got eye candy skills. But....Claude clearly based on his comments the last 24 hours is behind this Erhoff move. Chara also.

I'm just glad it's not Irwin type but a guy who has been good in the past

I can deal with Morrow but if Colin Miller is collateral damage I'm going to be unhappy

Anyone who has kids like us knows that we can take our kids shopping and be determined to not let them but crap but at the end of day they won out

Claude won out here and he's got Chara in his corner - that's probably why the PTO as its throwing an extra guy in mix

My guess

Chara-Erhoff

Krug- Miller

Liles- McQuaid

Carlo & O'Gara down till they see how this goes

C Miller 7th guy

Morrow waived and 8th guy

Lock

 

[BruinDust]

I think Carlo would be a perfect fit with krug. For krug to be at his best I think he needs to be able to take risks in the offensive zone, and have a partner with the defensive responsibility to bail him out when those risks lead to fast breaks the other way. So that partner needs to be a good skater and defensively responsible. Both things Carlo should be. I'm not sure if it'll start out that way but paring krug with a slow footed Chara, Mcquaid or miller disables krug from doing what he does best. People think Krugs skating will make up for charas so they fit together. But it's really just the opposite. When chara gets caught up ice it's now on the undersized and defensively mediocre krug to bail him out. It's not a good fit at all. chara needs a smart savvy partner like ehrhoff or liles.

So ideally by mid season barring any major shake ups I would like to see.

Chara-liles
Ehrhoff-K miller
Krug-carlo

C Miller
Mcquaid
Morrow all on bench or traded.

You lost me with the "undersized and defensively mediocre" Krug.

So Krug's size is going to be a big detriment to stopping a 2 on 1 outnumbered attack?

How many times a game (or in a season) is Krug going to have to "bail out" Chara on a bad pinch? Is that a good reason to not pair them up?

 

[Montecristo]

You lost me with the "undersized and defensively mediocre" Krug.

So Krug's size is going to be a big detriment to stopping a 2 on 1 outnumbered attack?

How many times a game (or in a season) is Krug going to have to "bail out" Chara on a bad pinch? Is that a good reason to not pair them up?

I'm saying If Boston wants krug to play to his best capabilities he shouldn't be with a d partner that can't make up for his offensive risk taking. If krug can't take risks, he can't be as effecting in the offensive end. If he has to concern himself with being the last line of defense then he isn't going to be good. Charas not fast enough to make up for any of Krugs aggressiveness offensively, so krug would have to be more passive. If krug had a partner that could bail him out on a fast break, he could be more aggressive offensively which what he's very good at. Defensively mediocre, offensively excellent. Still equates to an above average defenseman. Krug doesn't have the reach to be effective in 2-1. He might have the speed to get back but he plays with poor gaps and let's too many free lanes to the net go. He's great for 5-9, but 5-9 does not make a great defensive dman no matter the effort level.

But that's not an indictment on him. He's being paid for his offense not defense. And with chara as a partner, he won't be able to contribute as much on the offensive side knowing charas footspeed can't make up for a potential bad pinch

 

[Estlin]

I would rather see Miller get a shot - he's got eye candy skills. But....Claude clearly based on his comments the last 24 hours is behind this Erhoff move. Chara also.

I'm just glad it's not Irwin type but a guy who has been good in the past

I can deal with Morrow but if Colin Miller is collateral damage I'm going to be unhappy

Anyone who has kids like us knows that we can take our kids shopping and be determined to not let them but crap but at the end of day they won out

Claude won out here and he's got Chara in his corner - that's probably why the PTO as its throwing an extra guy in mix

My guess

Chara-Erhoff

Krug- Miller

Liles- McQuaid

Carlo & O'Gara down till they see how this goes

C Miller 7th guy

Morrow waived and 8th guy

Lock

That is a god-awful defense. And, of course, Julien loves a washed-up defenseman in Ehroff. There is no way that Boston makes the playoffs with such an abysmal defense.

 

[DKH]

That is a god-awful defense. And, of course, Julien loves a washed-up defenseman in Ehroff. There is no way that Boston makes the playoffs with such an abysmal defense.

One man's trash is another Claude's treasure