2024-2025 Blues Multi-Purpose Thread.

Dude he's playing on the 3rd line with Sunny

Yeah, there's a reason for that. He hasn't scored an even strength goal in how long? He's more of an energy guy/PP specialist for now, so the third line is where he should be.

Kinda getting ridiculous at this point how 75% of this forum seems to favor Bolduc over Neighbours despite Neighbours clearly being the more effective player at 5-on-5. If Bolduc can improve next year, then it will be a competition for that spot but seems like most people wanna just hand it to Bolduc right now.
 
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Yeah, there's a reason for that. He hasn't scored an even strength goal in how long? He's more of an energy guy/PP specialist for now, so the third line is where he should be.

Kinda getting ridiculous at this point how 75% of this forum seems to favor Bolduc over Neighbours despite Neighbours clearly being the more effective player at 5-on-5. If Bolduc can improve next year, then it will be a competition for that spot but seems like most people wanna just hand it to Bolduc right now.
While what you say is true I’d say there’s also validity in the thought that he’d be more productive with better linemates. It’s the classic chicken or the egg argument. Snuggy was automatically given top-6 deployment but Bolduc hasn’t had the same opportunities even though he’s been here longer.

That said, there very likely are good reasons for that. Bolduc’s time will come but I do think it’s fair to think he’s deserved at least a shot on one of the top 2 lines to see how he’d look…but a coach also needs to balance lines so I get it.
 
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Yeah, I mean, I’m sure JR, DeFranks, Korac etc aren’t camped out at Centrene at all hours and it’s possible Holloway has gotten in a skate or two they don’t know about but it seems likely that’d be something that’d get out. Someone would see it. My gut tells me he’s not close. Perhaps not completely ruled out if they can make it far but not close.
there's also this unspoken rule in playoff hockey not to broadcast how injured players look so....
 
While what you say is true I’d say there’s also validity in the thought that he’d be more productive with better linemates. It’s the classic chicken or the egg argument. Snuggy was automatically given top-6 deployment but Bolduc hasn’t had the same opportunities even though he’s been here longer.

That said, there very likely are good reasons for that. Bolduc’s time will come but I do think it’s fair to think he’s deserved at least a shot on one of the top 2 lines to see how he’d look…but a coach also needs to balance lines so I get it.

That's true, but it is what it is. Even the fourth line has produced more offense than the 3rd line. I could also argue that every player would benefit from playing with better linemates but there are only so many top 6 spots available. Considering the fact that Bolduc hasn't generated any offense lately aside from being fed one timers in the slot on the PP, putting him in a 3rd line checking role seems appropriate for now.

I'm sure you could switch him and Snuggerud but Snuggs certainly isn't able to play that 3rd line energy role right now, so it's either top 6 or bust for him. Plus, Thomas and Buch can cover for him defensively. Honestly I'm just tired of people constantly downplaying Neighbours. He's been one of our best forwards in this series.
 
Yeah, there's a reason for that. He hasn't scored an even strength goal in how long? He's more of an energy guy/PP specialist for now, so the third line is where he should be.

Kinda getting ridiculous at this point how 75% of this forum seems to favor Bolduc over Neighbours despite Neighbours clearly being the more effective player at 5-on-5. If Bolduc can improve next year, then it will be a competition for that spot but seems like most people wanna just hand it to Bolduc right now.

How is he going to score an even strength goal on the 3rd line with Sunny? Yet you seem fine with Snuggy being gifted his playing time but some how Bolduc has to earn it right? Both Bolduc and Snuggy deserve 1/2 line while Neighbors is the one that absolutely deserves to be 3rd line.
 

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