Line Combos: 2016-17 Line Combinations

[BruinDust]

Marchand—Bergeron—Pastrnak
Heinen—Krejci—Backes
Beleskey—Spooner—Nash—Hayes
Schaller—Moore—Acciari




Like this lineup with Nash in over Hayes, and Spooner in the middle. Just don't think he's a wing and whether the B's are planning on dealing or keeping 51, they are best served with him being comfortable and producing.

If Vatrano were healthy, I would like to see him in that LW position with DK and Heinen with Spooner on Line 3 (Nash drops to the 4th line). I think that Heinen would be more effective at this point with 3rd line matchups.

I agree, I wouldn't of said that this past summer but I'm convinced now he'll either never be capable or at the very least never embrace being a winger.

I still have a conundrum though.

Can Belesky produce with Spooner? Belesky is a pure complimentary player, can Spooner drive the offense for a line? Just based on last season together, the answer is no, but I wonder how much of that was Spooner being injured but still playing.

Will Belesky HAVE to eventually be put back with Krejci to get production out of him to the value of his contract?

The other one I didn't really see coming. Is Backes better as a center? This summer I would of said he could do both equally, now after a very small sample size, I wonder if he's better in the middle. Doesn't mean he's a bad winger (I believe he played RW in St. Louis's playoff run and was their best player IMO), but he might be a better center.

I agree when Vatrano gets back, move Nash to the 4th line.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

I agree, I wouldn't of said that this past summer but I'm convinced now he'll either never be capable or at the very least never embrace being a winger.

I still have a conundrum though.

Can Belesky produce with Spooner? Belesky is a pure complimentary player, can Spooner drive the offense for a line? Just based on last season together, the answer is no, but I wonder how much of that was Spooner being injured but still playing.

Will Belesky HAVE to eventually be put back with Krejci to get production out of him to the value of his contract?

The other one I didn't really see coming. Is Backes better as a center? This summer I would of said he could do both equally, now after a very small sample size, I wonder if he's better in the middle. Doesn't mean he's a bad winger (I believe he played RW in St. Louis's playoff run and was their best player IMO), but he might be a better center.

I agree when Vatrano gets back, move Nash to the 4th line.

I think this depends a great deal on who is playing RW. With an anchor like Hayes, it's probably too much to ask for Spooner to carry the line offensively. However, if you put someone there that can help Spooner (Cehalrik? Nash?), it may be enough.

 

[BruinDust]

I think this depends a great deal on who is playing RW. With an anchor like Hayes, it's probably too much to ask for Spooner to carry the line offensively. However, if you put someone there that can help Spooner (Cehalrik? Nash?), it may be enough.

True, I forgot about the Hayes factor, as in him being a negative factor.

But Spooner has his precious center spot back. Nash will probably take draws on his strong stride. It's up to Spooner now to show Claude he can be relied upon at C at both ends of the ice. But I think the Spooner as a full-time winger experiment needs to die it's death permanently.

And they can always load up the top lines late in games if their down by a goal.

 

[PB37]

Begeron/Marchand don't need Pasta on their line to succeed.

Pasta is looking more and more like he can help drive a line. Put him on a line with Krejci, put Beleskey on the opposite wing to do the dirty, down low work, and then put Spooner with Backes.

I think CJ needs to stop trying to load up the top two lines and use the team's depth as a strength.


Marchand -- Bergeron -- Heinen

Beleskey -- Krejci --- Pasta

Nash/Hayes -- Spooner -- Backes ( Backes/Nash take right faceoffs )

Schaller -- Moore -- Acciari


I think this solves a lot of problems. Heinen can get some confidence playing on the top line and picking up some points with Bergeron/Marchand driving the line. Pasta can help Krejci find his game and Beleskey's role is more defined as the complimentary piece. Our third line actually has some scoring pop and can be depended on to be better in our own zone. Spooner is back at the position he wants to play and has two dependable vets to cover for mistakes when they happen.

 

[22Brad Park]

Begeron/Marchand don't need Pasta on their line to succeed.

Pasta is looking more and more like he can help drive a line. Put him on a line with Krejci, put Beleskey on the opposite wing to do the dirty, down low work, and then put Spooner with Backes.

I think CJ needs to stop trying to load up the top two lines and use the team's depth as a strength.


Marchand -- Bergeron -- Heinen

Beleskey -- Krejci --- Pasta

Nash/Hayes -- Spooner -- Backes ( Backes/Nash take right faceoffs )

Schaller -- Moore -- Acciari


I think this solves a lot of problems. Heinen can get some confidence playing on the top line and picking up some points with Bergeron/Marchand driving the line. Pasta can help Krejci find his game and Beleskey's role is more defined as the complimentary piece. Our third line actually has some scoring pop and can be depended on to be better in our own zone. Spooner is back at the position he wants to play and has two dependable vets to cover for mistakes when they happen.

That's not bad .Heinen though would need to perform.Being a healthy scratch vs habs tells me Clode does not trust him yet.So top line might be a stretch from Claudes view.I think Backes is staying with Krecji though.Just a guess.

 

[KnightofBoston]

Begeron/Marchand don't need Pasta on their line to succeed.

Pasta is looking more and more like he can help drive a line. Put him on a line with Krejci, put Beleskey on the opposite wing to do the dirty, down low work, and then put Spooner with Backes.

I think CJ needs to stop trying to load up the top two lines and use the team's depth as a strength.


Marchand -- Bergeron -- Heinen

Beleskey -- Krejci --- Pasta

Nash/Hayes -- Spooner -- Backes ( Backes/Nash take right faceoffs )

Schaller -- Moore -- Acciari


I think this solves a lot of problems. Heinen can get some confidence playing on the top line and picking up some points with Bergeron/Marchand driving the line. Pasta can help Krejci find his game and Beleskey's role is more defined as the complimentary piece. Our third line actually has some scoring pop and can be depended on to be better in our own zone. Spooner is back at the position he wants to play and has two dependable vets to cover for mistakes when they happen.

You know what. I like that.


Only thing I don't like is if Backes has reduced ice time because of his third line role. He's been arguably our best overall forward after Marchy so far

 

[wintersej]

You know what. I like that.


Only thing I don't like is if Backes has reduced ice time because of his third line role. He's been arguably our best overall forward after Marchy so far

He will get PP and PK time...and he can take an extra shift or two on Bergeron's right late and close but, it is a draw back for sure.

 

[PlayMakers]

Not sure how Spooner at wing has hurt his trade value or shows Spooner can't play wing. He's only had one game there with Krejci and Backes and he took four shots, got a breakaway and scored a goal. He wasn't the cause of any goals against and his line generated almost half of the team's shots on goal in that game...

I wish all our wings would "struggle" that much.

I think the move to center has more to do with getting some offense out of the third line than it does with Spooner not being capable of playing LW.

 

[PB37]

I also don't like how the 1st unit PP is trying to use the same straetgy of the overloaded triangle but on the opposite side because of Backes' shooting hand. It's fine if they want to run that side, but they need a left handed shooter in the bumper position currently played by Bergeron. It doesn't flow as well being on the left side/right hand in the slot. Marchand should be in that spot and Bergeron moved to the point position where Krejci is ( move Krejci to 2nd line duty ).

Or they could put Marchand/Heinen in the Loui Eriksson position along the goal line so they have the same shooting hand position that worked so well for them last season.

 

[mmk]

Begeron/Marchand don't need Pasta on their line to succeed.

Pasta is looking more and more like he can help drive a line. Put him on a line with Krejci, put Beleskey on the opposite wing to do the dirty, down low work, and then put Spooner with Backes.

I think CJ needs to stop trying to load up the top two lines and use the team's depth as a strength.


Marchand -- Bergeron -- Heinen

Beleskey -- Krejci --- Pasta

Nash/Hayes -- Spooner -- Backes ( Backes/Nash take right faceoffs )

Schaller -- Moore -- Acciari


I think this solves a lot of problems. Heinen can get some confidence playing on the top line and picking up some points with Bergeron/Marchand driving the line. Pasta can help Krejci find his game and Beleskey's role is more defined as the complimentary piece. Our third line actually has some scoring pop and can be depended on to be better in our own zone. Spooner is back at the position he wants to play and has two dependable vets to cover for mistakes when they happen.

Yeah I like these lines. I get the sense that he's not willing to break up the first line though. Would be okay if we had vatrano but he needs to adjust by giving teams something to think about when the third line steps on the ice.

 

[Brewins]

I also don't like how the 1st unit PP is trying to use the same straetgy of the overloaded triangle but on the opposite side because of Backes' shooting hand. It's fine if they want to run that side, but they need a left handed shooter in the bumper position currently played by Bergeron. It doesn't flow as well being on the left side/right hand in the slot. Marchand should be in that spot and Bergeron moved to the point position where Krejci is ( move Krejci to 2nd line duty ).

Or they could put Marchand/Heinen in the Loui Eriksson position along the goal line so they have the same shooting hand position that worked so well for them last season.

I agree, that's where we will feel most losing Loui. Try to switch it up but move berry and switch with marshy. Idk if moving dk to wall will help. Or move him to second unit, but he's a great tool on the pp, maybe if we split the time more evenly on our pp units.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

Not sure how Spooner at wing has hurt his trade value or shows Spooner can't play wing. He's only had one game there with Krejci and Backes and he took four shots, got a breakaway and scored a goal. He wasn't the cause of any goals against and his line generated almost half of the team's shots on goal in that game...

I wish all our wings would "struggle" that much.

I think the move to center has more to do with getting some offense out of the third line than it does with Spooner not being capable of playing LW.

Spooner's goal was scored on the PP, where he's not playing the traditional wing position. I don't think he's done anything to prove that he can be an effective wing at the NHL level. I agree that the move to C is MORE about spreading the offense, but disagree with the idea that him not playing well at the wing doesn't have anything to do with it...because it absolutely does.

 

[JEM28]

Spooner's goal was scored on the PP, where he's not playing the traditional wing position. I don't think he's done anything to prove that he can be an effective wing at the NHL level. I agree that the move to C is MORE about spreading the offense, but disagree with the idea that him not playing well at the wing doesn't have anything to do with it...because it absolutely does.

I'm with you. The off-wing PP goal is not indicative strong wing play, it's situational at best. Now if he was consistently generating chances like Marchand does coming in from the off-wing, maybe we'd look at him differently. But he isn't.

C plays to his strength, so put him back there, give him some help, and see if that 3rd line can get out of their own way.

 

[bp13]

Are we at a point now in Spooner's career where particularly astute hockey folks could accurately predict his ceiling and still enough other folks are taken with the speed and skill? In other words, maybe the right time to move him? I feel like if a Sinden in his prime or a Holland or whomever was GM of this team, Spooner would have been dealt in the last 6 months or about now, or someone else would have and he'd have been handed a top 2 C job. He's got that vibe where consensus on him hasn't quite been reached one way or the other, but it wouldn't surprise me if strong evaluators had him 100% pegged.

 

[rocketdan9]

Are we at a point now in Spooner's career where particularly astute hockey folks could accurately predict his ceiling and still enough other folks are taken with the speed and skill? In other words, maybe the right time to move him? I feel like if a Sinden in his prime or a Holland or whomever was GM of this team, Spooner would have been dealt in the last 6 months or about now, or someone else would have and he'd have been handed a top 2 C job. He's got that vibe where consensus on him hasn't quite been reached one way or the other, but it wouldn't surprise me if strong evaluators had him 100% pegged.

Spooner, collin miller and krug for trouba or fowler

Get it done sweeney

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

Spooner, collin miller and krug for trouba or fowler

Get it done sweeney

Good lord, that is atrocious.

 

[bp13]

Spooner, collin miller and krug for trouba or fowler

Get it done sweeney

That's a big overpay for Trouba and an absolutely ridiculous overpay for Fowler.

 

[BruinDust]

Are we at a point now in Spooner's career where particularly astute hockey folks could accurately predict his ceiling and still enough other folks are taken with the speed and skill? In other words, maybe the right time to move him? I feel like if a Sinden in his prime or a Holland or whomever was GM of this team, Spooner would have been dealt in the last 6 months or about now, or someone else would have and he'd have been handed a top 2 C job. He's got that vibe where consensus on him hasn't quite been reached one way or the other, but it wouldn't surprise me if strong evaluators had him 100% pegged.

For the right (as in correct) winger, I'd consider moving Spooner. Preferably a right-handed shot.

I wouldn't absolutely require using him to beef up the D-group if the right forward could be acquired.

 

[ODAAT]

Spooner, collin miller and krug for trouba or fowler

Get it done sweeney

tis all I`ll say about this

 

[Riverfront]

looks like Claude is at it again, Collin Miller likely scratch tonight with MaQuaid in and Joe Morrow in . This after Torey Krug admitted he has been brutal. Collin Miller for the most part has been pretty consistent, Claude should play the 6 D who are playing the most consistent. None of this guessing game with the D pairings every game.

 

[PlayMakers]

Spooner's goal was scored on the PP, where he's not playing the traditional wing position. I don't think he's done anything to prove that he can be an effective wing at the NHL level. I agree that the move to C is MORE about spreading the offense, but disagree with the idea that him not playing well at the wing doesn't have anything to do with it...because it absolutely does.

I understand that goal was on the PP and that backdoor play is seen more on the PP than at ES but it's not like they don't try it at ES, and it's not like he's not getting chances coming in from the off-wing. His breakaway against MTL was at ES and he came in from the off-wing on that scoring chance.

I don't know. I'm certainly not above being wrong, and would listen to arguments, but all I keep reading is that he's bad on the wing, without any examples or reasons why. To my eyes...

He's covering his point well in the Dzone. His D hasn't gotten loose to cause any problems or score any goals.

On breakouts, he's been very good at making that second pass to the center. In fact I'd say his natural playmaking ability serves him well in that situation because he's able to make sneaky little short passes to beat attackers coming at him. I can't remember a single time he turned it over but I can remember him springing Krejci and Backes, and when the breakout goes the other way, he's very good at using his speed to come across and be that stretch threat like they're trying to incorporate.

Offensively, he has more shots per game than any player on the team. On the whole team. At wing. He's had breakaways and been part of odd man rushes. He drew a penalty against WPG in a 2on1 with Krejci. From the red line in, all forwards are interchangeable, so it's not like making him a center is going to keep him out of the corners. All players rotate and cycle.


All that said, I'm not against him playing center and think he will play more games at center than wing this year. To me, that LW spot should eventually go to Vatrano. But all the reasons I think (and have thought for years) that Spooner can play wing, also apply to Czarnik. I'd like to see Providence use him on the wing so that he's comfortable there and because I don't think they're going to drop Pasta to the 3rd line any time soon. When healthy, I'd like to see a healthy top9 that looks like this...

Marsh - Bergeron - Pasta
Vatrano - Krejci - Backes
Beleskey - Spooner - Czarnik

I think Lil Z can bring a lot of the same elements that made Spooner-Pasta so dynamic. Speed, both in terms of their skating and how they think the game, creativity, skill... And Beleskey as the banger. Of course, all this depends on Spooner proving he's no longer a liability as a center 5on5. It doesn't really help this team win if he can't help score more than he helps prevent.

(That's not to box Heinen out or dismiss him either, I think he can still continue to improve and I think getting scratched and watching one was a good thing that could help him take another step forward tonight. But until he makes himself indispensable, I think those lines fit together better.)

 

[BruinDust]

I understand that goal was on the PP and that backdoor play is seen more on the PP than at ES but it's not like they don't try it at ES, and it's not like he's not getting chances coming in from the off-wing. His breakaway against MTL was at ES and he came in from the off-wing on that scoring chance.

I don't know. I'm certainly not above being wrong, and would listen to arguments, but all I keep reading is that he's bad on the wing, without any examples or reasons why. To my eyes...

He's covering his point well in the Dzone. His D hasn't gotten loose to cause any problems or score any goals.

On breakouts, he's been very good at making that second pass to the center. In fact I'd say his natural playmaking ability serves him well in that situation because he's able to make sneaky little short passes to beat attackers coming at him. I can't remember a single time he turned it over but I can remember him springing Krejci and Backes, and when the breakout goes the other way, he's very good at using his speed to come across and be that stretch threat like they're trying to incorporate.

Offensively, he has more shots per game than any player on the team. On the whole team. At wing. He's had breakaways and been part of odd man rushes. He drew a penalty against WPG in a 2on1 with Krejci. From the red line in, all forwards are interchangeable, so it's not like making him a center is going to keep him out of the corners. All players rotate and cycle.


All that said, I'm not against him playing center and think he will play more games at center than wing this year. To me, that LW spot should eventually go to Vatrano. But all the reasons I think (and have thought for years) that Spooner can play wing, also apply to Czarnik. I'd like to see Providence use him on the wing so that he's comfortable there and because I don't think they're going to drop Pasta to the 3rd line any time soon. When healthy, I'd like to see a healthy top9 that looks like this...

Marsh - Bergeron - Pasta
Vatrano - Krejci - Backes
Beleskey - Spooner - Czarnik

I think Lil Z can bring a lot of the same elements that made Spooner-Pasta so dynamic. Speed, both in terms of their skating and how they think the game, creativity, skill... And Beleskey as the banger. Of course, all this depends on Spooner proving he's no longer a liability as a center 5on5. It doesn't really help this team win if he can't help score more than he helps prevent.

(That's not to box Heinen out or dismiss him either, I think he can still continue to improve and I think getting scratched and watching one was a good thing that could help him take another step forward tonight. But until he makes himself indispensable, I think those lines fit together better.)

You make a lot of good points here.

That's the issue with Spooner. He CAN play the wing. He CAN be effective as a winger. Let's be honest how many players in the history of hockey could play center but couldn't play wing? Wing is the easiest position in hockey, bar none. Even most of the elite wingers likely played C growing up as high-end youth players typically end up in the middle as they are much better than their peers at a younger age.

He just refuses to embrace it. So you get the bigger inconsistencies in his effort level as a winger. In his mind he's a center, and any less isn't ever going to sit well with him. His body language/tone when he's asked about wing by the media is telling.

I've said before if the right winger became available, they should consider moving Spooner out for an age/production comparable RW.

Czarnik needs to try to adjust to the wing. Whether Spooner is at C or isn't, there is only so much room in the middle. Acciari is also a C. JFK and Frederic in the system. Even Cave and Kuraly have potential. I see Czarnik skate and he reminds me of Gallagher.

And let's face it. 10 years of Claude Julien has proven a lot of things, and one of them is breaking into the league as a center-man under Julien is HARD. That's not a knock, it's just his system is very demanding of his centers. It is what it is.

I'm not sure I like Belesky with Spooner and Czarnik. None of them are adept in their own zone. Can Belesky even keep up with those two speedy players.

Krejci and Belesky should be joined at the hip for however long they are both in Boston.

 

[PlayMakers]

You make a lot of good points here.

That's the issue with Spooner. He CAN play the wing. He CAN be effective as a winger. Let's be honest how many players in the history of hockey could play center but couldn't play wing? Wing is the easiest position in hockey, bar none. Even most of the elite wingers likely played C growing up as high-end youth players typically end up in the middle as they are much better than their peers at a younger age.

He just refuses to embrace it. So you get the bigger inconsistencies in his effort level as a winger. In his mind he's a center, and any less isn't ever going to sit well with him. His body language/tone when he's asked about wing by the media is telling.

I've said before if the right winger became available, they should consider moving Spooner out for an age/production comparable RW.

Czarnik needs to try to adjust to the wing. Whether Spooner is at C or isn't, there is only so much room in the middle. Acciari is also a C. JFK and Frederic in the system. Even Cave and Kuraly have potential. I see Czarnik skate and he reminds me of Gallagher.

And let's face it. 10 years of Claude Julien has proven a lot of things, and one of them is breaking into the league as a center-man under Julien is HARD. That's not a knock, it's just his system is very demanding of his centers. It is what it is.

I'm not sure I like Belesky with Spooner and Czarnik. None of them are adept in their own zone. Can Belesky even keep up with those two speedy players.

Krejci and Belesky should be joined at the hip for however long they are both in Boston.

All good points BD. And I agree with just about everything here, including the idea that Spooner (and just about ALL centers) can play wing but that maybe he doesn't embrace it. Which IMO is a bit of a character flaw on the kid's part.

I mean, they asked Bergeron to play wing for a season when he was young and he owned it. Seguin led the team in scoring as a winger.

I read some posts here about how it was unfair to play Spooner at wing after saying they wanted him to start in the middle. That also bugged me. Players play, they don't manage or coach. You go where they tell you and you do your best to help the team. Do they have to ask Krejci's permission when they play him at wing? Or Backes?

I wonder if Spooner has a bit of a reputation for this kind of stuff and if it affects his trade value. I mean, the talk of him "not wanting to play wing" go back years. Folks like Kirk have had conversations where he quotes Spooner as saying he'll play anywhere they want which is what you want to hear but I can't deny your point about his body language.

OT: Regarding Beleskey, I think he's actually pretty fast for a grinder. I thought he played well with Pastrnak last year and Pasta played well with Spooner. The line of Lucic-Spooner-Pasta was pretty good so I'm thinking a line of Beleskey-Spooner-Czarnik could be a low-rent version and have similar chemistry.

 

[Espresso Martini]

All good points BD. And I agree with just about everything here, including the idea that Spooner (and just about ALL centers) can play wing but that maybe he doesn't embrace it. Which IMO is a bit of a character flaw on the kid's part.

I mean, they asked Bergeron to play wing for a season when he was young and he owned it. Seguin led the team in scoring as a winger.

I read some posts here about how it was unfair to play Spooner at wing after saying they wanted him to start in the middle. That also bugged me. Players play, they don't manage or coach. You go where they tell you and you do your best to help the team. Do they have to ask Krejci's permission when they play him at wing? Or Backes?



This... Who cares what Spooner prefers to play? You play where the team needs you. Many centers can and do play wing. I don't understand what the big deal with him is. As you stated, Bergeron, Backes, Krejci and Seguin have all played wing and embraced it. Why is Spooner unable to do this? I feel he is not a strong enough center to be dictating that he should play center.

 

[BruinDust]

All good points BD. And I agree with just about everything here, including the idea that Spooner (and just about ALL centers) can play wing but that maybe he doesn't embrace it. Which IMO is a bit of a character flaw on the kid's part.

I mean, they asked Bergeron to play wing for a season when he was young and he owned it. Seguin led the team in scoring as a winger.

I read some posts here about how it was unfair to play Spooner at wing after saying they wanted him to start in the middle. That also bugged me. Players play, they don't manage or coach. You go where they tell you and you do your best to help the team. Do they have to ask Krejci's permission when they play him at wing? Or Backes?

I wonder if Spooner has a bit of a reputation for this kind of stuff and if it affects his trade value. I mean, the talk of him "not wanting to play wing" go back years. Folks like Kirk have had conversations where he quotes Spooner as saying he'll play anywhere they want which is what you want to hear but I can't deny your point about his body language.

OT: Regarding Beleskey, I think he's actually pretty fast for a grinder. I thought he played well with Pastrnak last year and Pasta played well with Spooner. The line of Lucic-Spooner-Pasta was pretty good so I'm thinking a line of Beleskey-Spooner-Czarnik could be a low-rent version and have similar chemistry.

Absolutely, if that is the case (and I think it is). It comes with maturity, maybe he will grow out of it. We think guys should be mature at 24-25 but reality is many people, not just pro hockey players, aren't really mature in their attitude at that age. I certainly wasn't.

I think he is getting that sort of reputation, like you said this goes back with him a few years. While I don't think it's unfair what the Bruins are asking of Spooner at all (your paid to play, you do what your told, period), it is concerning that despite the acquisition over the summer of Backes, Nash, and Moore, Spooner stated at the beginning of camp no one had approached or discussed him playing wing, even though many assumed that would happen at some point. Spooner can read a depth chart like anyone else. A little communication here could of gone a long way if you take his comments at face value. But unfair? No.

You bring up a good point regarding Belesky. I loved that Lucic line with 51 and 88. Claude didn't, but Lucic creating space for those two was magic. But one reason it worked so well, it FORCED Lucic to move his feet to keep up with them. No more standing around waiting for Krejci to work his cerebral puck magic. And a skate-chugging Lucic is a hard guy to stop and a very impactful player. Same reason I think he'll do well with McDavid.

Perhaps Belesky with two speedy, skilled players like Spooner and Czarnik would have the same effect, like Lucic, Belesky is pretty much useless if he's just standing around.Your right they could have chemistry and be a low-rent version. I'm on board with the idea.