Line Combos: 2016-17 Line Combinations

[Sheppy]

I wish I could actually watch a pre season game to see what the kids look like...

 

[Hanson Brothers]

Hi guys,

What are PP units? Is Backes sliding into the PP1 unit?

 

[slim399]

The way the kids played last night I wouldn't mind rolling out something like this the first 5-10 games and see what happens.

Marchand-Bergeron-Czarnik
Debrusk-Krejci-Pastrnak
Heinen-Spooner-Backes
Beleskey-Moore-Hayes
Kuraly

Chara-C Miller
Krug-Carlo
Erhoff/Liles-K Miller
Morrow

Of course that will never happen but that would certainly be an up temp exciting line up to watch.

 

[Greek_physique]

I for one wouldn't mind seeing Miller and McQuaid sit the first few games of the season if they are still hurt. Youth could be a nice change

 

[Greek_physique]

The way the kids played last night I wouldn't mind rolling out something like this the first 5-10 games and see what happens.

Marchand-Bergeron-Czarnik
Debrusk-Krejci-Pastrnak
Heinen-Spooner-Backes
Beleskey-Moore-Hayes
Kuraly

Chara-C Miller
Krug-Carlo
Erhoff/Liles-K Miller
Morrow

Of course that will never happen but that would certainly be an up temp exciting line up to watch.

I haven't watched most of the pre-season, but has Nash been that bad?

 

[Espresso Martini]

I for one wouldn't mind seeing Miller and McQuaid sit the first few games of the season if they are still hurt. Youth could be a nice change

I just said exactly the same thing to my coworker.

 

[Mount Kramer Cameras]

I haven't watched most of the pre-season, but has Nash been that bad?

It's been scarcely noticeable to my eye. Certainly not an upgrade on Connolly.

 

[CombatOnContact]

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

Krug-K.Miller
Chara-Carlo
Liles-Erhoff

Rask
Khudobin

That's the lineup I would like to see on opening night..

 

[Sheppy]

Do they have anyone in their forward group that can hit besides Backes/Beleskey? I'd like to see someone on the 4th line that can bang some bodies/stir the pot.

 

[BruinDust]

I haven't watched most of the pre-season, but has Nash been that bad?

He's been what would be expected. 4th line two-way guy who can fill in on the 3rd line in case of injuries. He hasn't been terrible, hasn't wowed anyone either. He's played C mostly when he's probably a better winger and mostly with younger guys.

He's sometimes not penciled into people's line-ups because Boston has had several young forwards who've been impressive and pushing for spots, Czarnik, Heinen, Debrusk, Acciari, and even Kuraly.

I'd be shocked if he didn't make the final cut after signing a 2-year deal.

 

[BruinDust]

Do they have anyone in their forward group that can hit besides Backes/Beleskey? I'd like to see someone on the 4th line that can bang some bodies/stir the pot.

Acciari isn't the biggest guy but he's not afraid to bang around.

Schaller might make it as 4th line LW or extra forward, and is quite physical.

Kuraly has also shown a willingness to get his hands dirty.

Or are you thinking more along the line of the recently waived Zac Rinaldo.

 

[BruinDust]

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

Krug-K.Miller
Chara-Carlo
Liles-Erhoff

Rask
Khudobin

That's the lineup I would like to see on opening night..

I love the idea of Spooner and Pastrnak together. People sometimes forget how good they were together offensively back in the tail end of 2014-15. Pretty much the only scenario where I like Spooner as a C and not as a wing with Backes playing C instead.

Claude seems especially adverse to putting them together unfortunately. I think they got like one period together last year, generated a goal, then got scored on, and Claude quickly killed the idea.

 

[rocketdan9]

Well the one thing I'm glad to see is that most of us are in agreement that Czarnik, Heinen and Ehrhoff all deserve a spot in the lineup

I also really liked what I saw from Carlo

 

[Sheppy]

Acciari isn't the biggest guy but he's not afraid to bang around.

Schaller might make it as 4th line LW or extra forward, and is quite physical.

Kuraly has also shown a willingness to get his hands dirty.

Or are you thinking more along the line of the recently waived Zac Rinaldo.

My issue is how much the Bruins got pushed around over the last few seasons. I didn't mind Rinaldo, and didn't think he was nearly as bad as people made him out to be, but that ship has obviously sailed.

I'm a fan of a 4th line that goes out and bangs bodies rather than an offensive 4th line that might score 2-3 more goals a year.

Seeing some of these projected lineups have me a bit nervous, especially when they play heavier teams. (I have an oldschool mentality though, I admit)

 

[BruinDust]

My issue is how much the Bruins got pushed around over the last few seasons. I didn't mind Rinaldo, and didn't think he was nearly as bad as people made him out to be, but that ship has obviously sailed.

I'm a fan of a 4th line that goes out and bangs bodies rather than an offensive 4th line that might score 2-3 more goals a year.

Seeing some of these projected lineups have me a bit nervous, especially when they play heavier teams. (I have an oldschool mentality though, I admit)

Legit concern, that Anaheim game last year was telling, the Ducks bullied the Bruins all over the ice.

Ideally I'd like a couple younger power forward types as the bookends of the 4th line with a strong defensive C in the middle. Problem is finding those types of guys who can skate in today's game is getting harder and harder to do.

 

[Sheppy]

Legit concern, that Anaheim game last year was telling, the Ducks bullied the Bruins all over the ice.

Ideally I'd like a couple younger power forward types as the bookends of the 4th line with a strong defensive C in the middle. Problem is finding those types of guys who can skate in today's game is getting harder and harder to do.

The game where Krug got fed by Stewart, lost like 6-2 and not one Bruin took exception to it kind of infuriated me.

I don't mind Randell being a 13th as long as they use him in these types of games. They just lack a guy who could destroy you with a hit. Beleskey and Backes are physical, but not really HEAVY hitters. A guy like Matt Martin comes to mind, hits hard, fights and isn't bad as a 4th liner. Serviceable guys who can do it all are hard to find, and I understand that.

I just found the last two years the Bruins have kind of just allowed teams to walk all over them. I'm just not a big fan of having small, softish forwards on the 4th line. Never have been and never will be. A mixture of a tough guy, defensive forward and a guy who can chip in will always be my ideal 4th line, not a line of guys who are 175 pounds with 15 combined hits.

 

[TwineTickler]

Legit concern, that Anaheim game last year was telling, the Ducks bullied the Bruins all over the ice.

Ideally I'd like a couple younger power forward types as the bookends of the 4th line with a strong defensive C in the middle. Problem is finding those types of guys who can skate in today's game is getting harder and harder to do.

Schaller to me, albeit in limited viewings, looks like someone who can fit that mold. I don't know if he's going to make the team but I'd like him on the roster and in the mix on the 4th line.

I know theres still some time between now and the 13th, but considering C.J. rolled out these lines:
Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak
Spooner-Krejci-Backes

you could say that may very well be the top 2 lines to start the year. I think Claude views Czarnik as a solid two way player that is defensively responsible enough to handle 3rd line duties which is why Backes is playing RW. I don't think that was necessarily the plan and Vatrano getting hurt I'm sure changed things a bit.

The 3rd line today was:

Beleskey-Czar-Hayes

I personally don't like the inclusion of Hayes there, and would much rather see Heinen but I feel like they are going to give Hayes another go to see if he can resemble a top 9 forward that they envisioned getting when acquiring him. I think that's a mistake personally.

That leaves, realistically, these forwards (IMO) for the 4th line role. Heinen, Moore, Schaller, Acciari, Nash, Randell. I don't think any other forwards left are unseating any of those. The two off-season signings you'd imagine are 2/3 of that line and Heinen deserves to make the team after preseason he's had but I'm not sure he's best suited in that 4th line role to Sheppy's point. It'd be nice to have a little more tough/rough.

It'll be interesting to see what they do. I legitimately feel like Heinen deserves a spot, even over a guy like Hayes. The only reason Hayes is still getting looks is because of his paycheck. He doesn't deserve a roster spot in my opinion.

 

[DitClapper]

It's interesting to see Carlo paired up with Chara at practice this morning.

 

[BruinDust]

The game where Krug got fed by Stewart, lost like 6-2 and not one Bruin took exception to it kind of infuriated me.

I don't mind Randell being a 13th as long as they use him in these types of games. They just lack a guy who could destroy you with a hit. Beleskey and Backes are physical, but not really HEAVY hitters. A guy like Matt Martin comes to mind, hits hard, fights and isn't bad as a 4th liner. Serviceable guys who can do it all are hard to find, and I understand that.

I just found the last two years the Bruins have kind of just allowed teams to walk all over them. I'm just not a big fan of having small, softish forwards on the 4th line. Never have been and never will be. A mixture of a tough guy, defensive forward and a guy who can chip in will always be my ideal 4th line, not a line of guys who are 175 pounds with 15 combined hits.

Same, I was disgusted by that game, and when McQuaid got face-planted by Sill and no one other than Bergeron even blinked an eyelash. I think McQuaid's day has come, he can't keep up anymore, but my favorite thing about Quaider, by far, was he always stood up for his teammates, immediately without hesistation.

I don't mind maybe one smaller winger on the 4th line, as long as he has guts and gumption to his game, think Marchand on the 4th line when he started. But not a pure skill guy on the wing, like say a Koko or Griffith. Don't like that at all.

This team just doesn't have the swagger it had back in the day when they were contenders and a force to be reckoned with. I'm hoping Backes can bring back that "don't take %%# from anyone" attitude, even if we'll never see the Bruins fighting as much as we did back in the day.

 

[BruinDust]

Schaller to me, albeit in limited viewings, looks like someone who can fit that mold. I don't know if he's going to make the team but I'd like him on the roster and in the mix on the 4th line.

I know theres still some time between now and the 13th, but considering C.J. rolled out these lines:
Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak
Spooner-Krejci-Backes

you could say that may very well be the top 2 lines to start the year. I think Claude views Czarnik as a solid two way player that is defensively responsible enough to handle 3rd line duties which is why Backes is playing RW. I don't think that was necessarily the plan and Vatrano getting hurt I'm sure changed things a bit.

The 3rd line today was:

Beleskey-Czar-Hayes

I personally don't like the inclusion of Hayes there, and would much rather see Heinen but I feel like they are going to give Hayes another go to see if he can resemble a top 9 forward that they envisioned getting when acquiring him. I think that's a mistake personally.

That leaves, realistically, these forwards (IMO) for the 4th line role. Heinen, Moore, Schaller, Acciari, Nash, Randell. I don't think any other forwards left are unseating any of those. The two off-season signings you'd imagine are 2/3 of that line and Heinen deserves to make the team after preseason he's had but I'm not sure he's best suited in that 4th line role to Sheppy's point. It'd be nice to have a little more tough/rough.

It'll be interesting to see what they do. I legitimately feel like Heinen deserves a spot, even over a guy like Hayes. The only reason Hayes is still getting looks is because of his paycheck. He doesn't deserve a roster spot in my opinion.

That and he was Sweeney's acquistion, they aren't ready to bail on him yet. I'll give Hayes this much, his effort level has been good in pre-season, seems like he's doing what they are asking of him to do.

I'd say he's got about 20 games to prove himself. Let Heinen and Debrusk go to Providence and get more adjusted to the pro game. If Hayes reverts back to 2nd half 2016 Hayes, call up one of Heinen, Debrusk, or Vatrano when he's ready, and end the Jimmy Hayes experiment.

 

[PlayMakers]

Hi guys,

What are PP units? Is Backes sliding into the PP1 unit?

Hard to know as they mix and match but against MTL the PP was Backes in front of the net, Bergeron as the bumper in the middle, Spooner as the QB, Krejci at the top of the umbrella and Krug on the other flank.

Next unit had Marchand, Pasta, Czarnik, Colin Miller and Ehrhoff.

Czarnik and Backes also killed penalties together (Czarnik scored a shorty).

 

[BruinDust]

Hard to know as they mix and match but against MTL the PP was Backes in front of the net, Bergeron as the bumper in the middle, Spooner as the QB, Krejci at the top of the umbrella and Krug on the other flank.

Next unit had Marchand, Pasta, Czarnik, Colin Miller and Ehrhoff.

Czarnik and Backes also killed penalties together (Czarnik scored a shorty).

Personally, I think it's absolute insanity to not have Marchand on that 1st unit PP. Put him in the Eriksson spot on the 1st unit. Carey Price himself said he thought Marchand had the best shot on Team Canada. What other team doesn't use it's best goal scorer on it's 1st PP unit?

Let Backes set up in front on the 2nd unit, which was primarily used last year as a shoot and rebound unit. Backes create havoc in front and let Colin, Ehrhoff, and Pastrnak fire away.

 

[Pia8988]

Personally, I think it's absolute insanity to not have Marchand on that 1st unit PP. Put him in the Eriksson spot on the 1st unit. Carey Price himself said he thought Marchand had the best shot on Team Canada. What other team doesn't use it's best goal scorer on it's 1st PP unit?

Let Backes set up in front on the 2nd unit, which was primarily used last year as a shoot and rebound unit. Backes create havoc in front and let Colin, Ehrhoff, and Pastrnak fire away.

Being in the Eriksson spot wouldn't be suited for his wrist shot, that would be where Spooner plays. If they plan to run the same type of PP as last year, Backes is by far the best to step in for Loui down low.

 

[BruinDust]

Being in the Eriksson spot wouldn't be suited for his wrist shot, that would be where Spooner plays. If they plan to run the same type of PP as last year, Backes is by far the best to step in for Loui down low.

Well considering Spooner and Eriksson rotated between those two spots on the cycle, I wouldn't see this as a concern.

It's going to be harder to accomplish with a right-handed shooter like Backes taking that Eriksson spot and having to come out of the corner on his back-hand.

 

[PIMsCup]

Personally, I think it's absolute insanity to not have Marchand on that 1st unit PP. Put him in the Eriksson spot on the 1st unit. Carey Price himself said he thought Marchand had the best shot on Team Canada. What other team doesn't use it's best goal scorer on it's 1st PP unit?

Let Backes set up in front on the 2nd unit, which was primarily used last year as a shoot and rebound unit. Backes create havoc in front and let Colin, Ehrhoff, and Pastrnak fire away.

Marchand plays well in motion, not so much with patient powerplay schemes. He usually shorts the play by trying to take defenders one-on-one and attempting a shot in traffic. He is a great volume shooter, transition rusher, defensive pitbull, and epic cycler down low...but a calculating PP chessplayer he is not.

Personally I would rather have more Pasternak than Marchand on the top unit.