Boston Bruins 24-25 Roster/Cap thread VI

[Hookslide]

We can agree to disagree about the effectiveness of Marchand, or whether he can still play first line minutes.
But I would like to find out if he is:
1) still recovering and getting in game shape,
2) lost a step, or
3) poor play of linemates that is the cause of his woes.
Flip floping Marchand with Zacha at least for a while may be helpful.
The old rat, long in tooth, Marchand still has more game breaking potential then Zacha has shown and better chemistry with Pastrnak.
There is no shame is seeing what's really left in Marchand's tank.
Can always switch them back if it doesn't help


E. Lindholm has many of the traits Bergeron had, but I agree he doesn't have the same drive or level of on ice awareness; many of the same tendencies though.
Again you may disagree.
It doesn't matter how he was used elsewhere by other teams all that matters now is how he plays here.
E. Lindholm would be considered a complementary first line player between Pastrnak and Marchand.
If Boston had a better center ideally E. Lindholm would slot in nicely as a sound two way 2nd line center.
But, he is currently the best center on the team.


Quick question are you related to Zacha in some way?
Have a crush on him?
Because I hate to break it to you, but on a Stanley Cup champion team he is not first line material.
Which championship team in say the last 50 years would he replace the first line wing or center on that championship team?
Zacha is a good player, but a first line player needs to have game breaking, game difference making, or game controlling potential (At least in my world).
Zacha, thus far in his career, is a complementary first line player, not someone who at any moment could be a difference maker.
Nothing wrong with that.
But, you shouldn't have two complementary players on the first line.

Yet, because Boston lacks skill and talent depth up front Zacha is one of the few options for the first line.
Question: If he were playing for the Panthers where would he slot - maybe second line?
With the NHL today and it's watered down talent pool it's easy to forget what true first line talent looks like.
With the watered down talent league wide the player’s stats expectations have diminished.
A player accumulating 40 - 60 points in a season would not be a first line talent 20 - 30 years ago.
First line players should put up 70, 80, 90 plus points each season during their prime.
i blame expansion and a watered down product.

Zacha is playing where he is because Boston doesn't have any one better, but that doesn't make him a true first line player.
Zacha at best - to date - is a second line player.
He has been in a position to change that perception for over a year now, but hasn't.
Not a knock against Zacha, he is a good solid second line player.
Again feel free to disagree.

If you really want Marchand on the second line then give him a play making center to work with, - please.
At least on the first line he could feed Pastrnak pucks all game long.
Marchand may be getting older but you still need to use players where they are going to be most effective, even if it's only certain games or occurrences.

Last year management and coaches were forced out of necessity to use many players in positions in the line up above their normal effective level.
Some of these players thrived when given the opportunity and had, for them, career years.
A regular season highlighted by overachieving without a true number 1 center and a career 3rd line center flourishing in a number 2 role.
Unfortunately the necessity of using players above their effectiveness level was exposed as a weakness in the playoffs where player matchups are exaggerated in importance.

It is said that water will seek it's own level.
I'm fearful to ask, Is what we are witnessing with some of last year's over achievers a regression?
Are players reverting back to their normal level of effectiveness after being asked to play up in the lineup?
Few players can sustain playing effectively above their career level for prolonged stretches of time.
For a short time, a season, sure; but maintaining that level is uncommon for someone who previously had not.

It may now be that years of low draft picks and lack of NHL ready high end forward talent in Boston's prospect pool is catching up to them and showing on the ice.
The team needs high end talent up front.
If not via trade this year then they need to prioritize high end forward talent next summer in free agency.
We have enough 3rd and 4th liners.

I hope it's just a slow start for some players and not regression,
but
Time will tell.

Well if they didn't spend 8 mil on your complimentary "BINKY "maybe they could have gone out and got a playmaker for Marchand. Zacha is a solid all-around player, i guess you don't count backchecking as part of the game, doesn't give up on the play, as improved his numbers every year. To answer your question, I am not related to or have a crush on Zacha, I guess I am just smart enough to recognize a good hockey player and the contract he is on, and I also recognize that they, have a center making nearly 8 mil and was playing third line, could have used the cap he eats up might have been better used. Now please enjoy your snuggle time with the 8 mil man.

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

I am just smart enough to recognize a good hockey player

And yet you complain about Lindholm in almost every post.

 

[dafoomie]

Yeah, I forget the numbers but teams that aren't in the playoff picture by Thanksgiving rarely make it. If they wait another 15 games to get serious about their issues it will be too late.

Pat Burns went 3-4-1 when he got fired, it's never a high bar for a coach on the last year of his deal. He's 3-2-1 now with 2 of the next 3 against difficult opponents. Of course, Jay Leach would probably be the guy for the rest of the season so I'm not sure how much good it would do.

 

[Hookslide]

And yet you complain about Lindholm in almost every post.

I complain about his contract, no freakn way he should be getting that contract.

 

[PlayMakers]

Pat Burns went 3-4-1 when he got fired, it's never a high bar for a coach on the last year of his deal. He's 3-2-1 now with 2 of the next 3 against difficult opponents. Of course, Jay Leach would probably be the guy for the rest of the season so I'm not sure how much good it would do.

Yeah, I don't know much about Sacco or Leach so I don't know if they'd be any better. I do think Monty's on the hot season and that there is legitimate cause for concern based on how they've played. It's very hard to overcome a bad start, so I'm glad to see they've recognized it and are making changes ahead of tonight's game.

 

[Hookslide]

Yeah, I don't know much about Sacco or Leach so I don't know if they'd be any better. I do think Monty's on the hot season and that there is legitimate cause for concern based on how they've played. It's very hard to overcome a bad start, so I'm glad to see they've recognized it and are making changes ahead of tonight's game.

Monty as done things that I have not liked, and he should be on the hot seat, but all the blame should not fall on him.

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

I think this recent line shakeup is a step in the right direction. I fully expected the start to this season to be a little rocky. Lots of PK. Goalies finding footing. Lines needing to be worked out.

I thought it would be more of a defensive battle (low scoring games), but the fourth line has helped mitigate that and the defense has been a little worse than I imagined.

Now just give some of these combos a few games together. Coyle with Frederic (and away from Marchand) is a win to me. An effort to recreate a poor man’s Perfection line is a win. Keeping the Kastelic unit together through the shuffle is another solid play. Hell, I want to see more of Jones and this may be the perfect spot for him. I don’t know how I feel about the Poitras line, but who knows? Give it a shot.

 

[Healthy Wrap]

Give Jones some time he has been hurt.

How much more time are we giving him?

 

[Blowfish]

We can improve the team my simply trading Jones Tufte and the Korpse.

 

[BradMarchandismydad]

Yeah, I don't know much about Sacco or Leach so I don't know if they'd be any better. I do think Monty's on the hot season and that there is legitimate cause for concern based on how they've played. It's very hard to overcome a bad start, so I'm glad to see they've recognized it and are making changes ahead of tonight's game.

Leach might be something, I think he took this job because there’s a chance he could take over.

—

In terms of the roster it’s hard to ice something that looks good because we need a 2C. If you flip Zacha to 2C/1C then you’ve got a hole on LW and are still not super strong down the middle.

I think the move has to be finding a trade partner, but we are right up against the cap.

 

[Pia8988]

GM built a bad roster. I'm sure his 4th coach will finally fix it

 

[DKH]

Our "kids" are now mid-life AHL slugs like 55. There is good reason to not like their play.

I get a kick out of you but for your well being I hope this doomsday outlook is limited to the Bruins

 

[PlayMakers]

Leach might be something, I think he took this job because there’s a chance he could take over.

—

In terms of the roster it’s hard to ice something that looks good because we need a 2C. If you flip Zacha to 2C/1C then you’ve got a hole on LW and are still not super strong down the middle.

I think the move has to be finding a trade partner, but we are right up against the cap.

I'd have no problem going back to Zacha at C. That's actually a good idea. If Lysell has another couple games as good as this past weekend I'd give him a look as well.

Marchand - Lindholm - Pasta
?????????? - Zacha - Lysell
Frederic - Coyle - Poitras

 

[Over the volcano]

I'd give Montgomery a short leash. Beyond the 4th line the whole team is out of sorts. It's not a talent issue.

 

[BradMarchandismydad]

GM built a bad roster. I'm sure his 4th coach will finally fix it

We basically have one first line caliber player.

I'd have no problem going back to Zacha at C. That's actually a good idea. If Lysell has another couple games as good as this past weekend I'd give him a look as well.

Marchand - Lindholm - Pasta
?????????? - Zacha - Lysell
Frederic - Coyle - Poitras

Yeah this was my initial thought as well, but then who slots in that 2LW?

Merkulov? Koepke? It creates another unfillable hole.

I still prefer it to Charlie Coyle 2C, though.

I think dumping Geekie Coyle and or Frederic gives us enough space for Zegras.

Zacha - Zegras - Pasta
Marchand - Lindholm - Lysell

I can’t imagine how many points Zegras would have with two guys with absolute cannon shots on his wings.

 

[LouJersey]

I'd give Montgomery a short leash. Beyond the 4th line the whole team is out of sorts. It's not a talent issue.

Are we sure about that? I would think you are correct, but I am starting to wonder.

 

[NDiesel]

I'd give Montgomery a short leash. Beyond the 4th line the whole team is out of sorts. It's not a talent issue.

I think its both, but the fact that the team largely looks like shit to start each game and then turns it on and actually looks good makes me lean towards he isn't preparing them well or they are no longer buying in.

Like the skating and forechecking in the 3rd last night was light years better than the first 2 periods, something isn't right....

On the otherside of it Jones, Coyle and Geekie in the top 6 is all on Sweeney

 

[Healthy Wrap]

I'd give Montgomery a short leash. Beyond the 4th line the whole team is out of sorts. It's not a talent issue.

The second line last night was Jones-Coyle-Frederic…

You can count on one Muppet hand the number of top 6 forwards we have: Pastrnak, Lindholm, Zacha, and Marchand (and even he is borderline at this point)

It absolutely is a talent issue

 

[FrankerC]

They built a big strong defense, have a legitimate 4th line, nothing out of the top 9. Outside of Pasta and Lindholm I dont see much talent. Marchand shows his flashiness but age has slown him way down. Those dekes he tries worked 10 years ago, not now.

 

[NDiesel]

The second line last night was Jones-Coyle-Frederic…

You can count on one Muppet hand the number of top 6 forwards we have: Pastrnak, Lindholm, Zacha, and Marchand (and even he is borderline at this point)

It absolutely is a talent issue

But that doesn't answer why the team has zero energy or urgency in the first 20 to 40 minutes but all of a sudden can turn it on and win puck battles, skate, forecheck, etc....

 

[Hookslide]

I'd give Montgomery a short leash. Beyond the 4th line the whole team is out of sorts. It's not a talent issue.

I think you are right, that they look off, but I think there is something else going on also, but what it is, I am not sure, still trying to put it together. In the past when they went through rough stretches, they seemed to pull through it but this has a different feel to it.

 

[dugg133]

They built a big strong defense, have a legitimate 4th line, nothing out of the top 9. Outside of Pasta and Lindholm I dont see much talent. Marchand shows his flashiness but age has slown him way down. Those dekes he tries worked 10 years ago, not now.

it doesn't matter how big and strong the defense is if the forwards are incapable of winning their 5v5 matchups, which is the case right now. Adding more offensive weapons 100% should have been the priority over Zadorov.

 

[Hookslide]

We can improve the team my simply trading Jones Tufte and the Korpse.

That will do it, I am sure.

 

[neelynugs]

i'm not a big lysell guy, but probably time to give him a shot. at least he won't take 4 penalties in 30 minutes or whatever jones
has done so far.

 

[Healthy Wrap]

But that doesn't answer why the team has zero energy or urgency in the first 20 to 40 minutes but all of a sudden can turn it on and win puck battles, skate, forecheck, etc....

I’m not saying Montgomery shouldn’t shoulder some of the blame. The team seems to have lost its cohesive defensive structure that was a hallmark of the Cassidy and Julien teams. That’s on him. As is the team not showing up to play at puck drop

But ultimately, you can’t make chicken salad out of chicken shit. And you cannot ignore the fact that this is a painfully mediocre forward group devoid of high-end talent. This was a team that struggled to score when it mattered last year and Sweeney opted to spend money on the likes of Nikita Forbortov instead of addressing the issue.