Boston Bruins 24-25 Roster/Cap thread VI

[Gee Wally]

Just started

https://x.com/i/web/status/1845593054516039991

 

[PlayMakers]

Coyle's regular season ppg ave is around .51
Lindholm's regular season ppg ave is around .68
But let's assume your discussion points are an accurate assessment of Coyle's ability ... then there should be no problem or drop off of his new found production by having him carry another line apart from Marchand.
I don't have anything against Coyle I think he is a valuable player for what he brings to the team. But I do think pairing him with Marchand is stifling Marchand's production while enhancing Coyle's production.
I think both players could bring more overall benefit to the team success apart than they do paired together ... especially now that we have options. Last year we didn’t have these options, they were paired out of necessity.

The difference in their career production is PP time.

And yes, if you put Coyle back at 3c (without Marchand) his even strength production would be about the same. He scored 44 even strength points with Marchand last year, and he scored 40 even strength points the year before without Marchand. Again, the biggest uptick in his production last year was from special teams.

You're also saying Coyle brings Marchand down, but Marchand had 67 points with Coyle and 67 points the year before, without Coyle. To be more specific, he had 37 even strength points with Coyle and 37 even strength points the year before, without Coyle.

 

[NDiesel]

What is interesting is that the two duos we know have chemistry, Marchand + Pasta and Frederic + Coyle aren’t together.

Just my thoughts on the logic behind it, but if you know they have chemistry then there's no reason to play them together this early. Try out other combinations and see what clicks with the knowledge that you can always go back to this if it doesnt work out

 

[sarge88]

Coyle has never received the credit that he deserves since he came here. 25 goals last year and 60 points, oh well this offense is so good lets drop Coyle down in the lineup, that will solve everything.

For me it’s not about punishing Coyle, it’s about structuring the lineup in way that gives them balanced scoring and advantages as much as possible.

If Coyle anchors line three and he’s truly a 2C, then in every game they play the Bruins are at an advantage if he’s used as a 3.

Admittedly, it’s too early for all of this and none of us is even sure of what we have here this year.

I just don’t want to find them become a one line offense in the playoffs again.

 

[PlayMakers]

Fair.

I guess the fact that Coyle proved to be 2C worthy makes me even more happy about being able to use him at 3C though.

Of course this is provided that they can find a way to make lines 1 & 2 legitimate.

I guess I just don't see the advantage. If Poitras is a 2c right now then aren't we getting the same matchup advantage vs 3rd lines. Whether it's Coyle or Poitras it's a 2c vs 3c's, at least against most teams.

And again, the Marchand line matches up against top lines. Coyle did that all last season. I don't see the upside in asking Poitras to take on that responsibility right away.

 

[PlayMakers]

Brazeau-Zacha-Pasta (Can Brazeau be a Bertuzzi type?)
Marchand-Lindholm-Coyle (play against top lines, most ES TOI)
Frederic-Poitras-Geekie (matchup advantage)

 

[dugg133]

What is interesting is that the two duos we know have chemistry, Marchand + Pasta and Frederic + Coyle aren’t together.

I think the logic in keeping marchand and pasta separate is that it evens out the scoring a bit. That logic kinda falls apart if the 2nd line is dogshit though lol.

Random idea but I think Beecher has looked awesome through 3 games, so what about running something like this:

zacha-lindholm-pasta
marchand-coyle-frederic
beecher-poitras-geekie
koepke-kastelic-brazeau

Or maybe swap Koepke and Beecher if you wanna keep beecher and kastelic together as your dzone specialist line? Idk just feels inevitable to me that they need to eventually move Freddy to 2RW, that's the best option we have on the team to fill that spot right now. And Poitras had pretty good chemistry with Geekie early on last season, so that line could still be solid if they can find a third guy that works with them.

 

[BruinsJoe]

This...

Zacha-Lindholm-Pasta
Marchand-Coyle-Poitras
Freddy-Geekie-Brazeau
Beecher-Kastelic-Koepke

Sway

 

[wintersej]

I think the logic in keeping marchand and pasta separate is that it evens out the scoring a bit. That logic kinda falls apart if the 2nd line is dogshit though lol.

Random idea but I think Beecher has looked awesome through 3 games, so what about running something like this:

zacha-lindholm-pasta
marchand-coyle-frederic
beecher-poitras-geekie
koepke-kastelic-brazeau

Or maybe swap Koepke and Beecher if you wanna keep beecher and kastelic together as your dzone specialist line? Idk just feels inevitable to me that they need to eventually move Freddy to 2RW, that's the best option we have on the team to fill that spot right now.

Yeah that’s totally the reasoning. I worry Coyle can lead a two way line come playoffs. 2 goals in his last 20 playoffs games ain’t great. Frederic has shown an ability to play with Coyle. I’m not sure Marchand is the right fit with Coyle, tho. And he didn’t really mesh with Poitras last season, either, Although extremely early returns makes me think that Poitras and Frederic could be a pair. Curious how it shapes out.

 

[Knight]

Marchand Lindholm Pastrnak
Zacha Poitras Brazeau
Frederic Coyle Geekie
Beecher Kastelic Koepke

 

[dugg133]

Yeah that’s totally the reasoning. I worry Coyle can lead a two way line come playoffs. 2 goals in his last 20 playoffs games ain’t great. Frederic has shown an ability to play with Coyle. I’m not sure Marchand is the right fit with Coyle, tho. And he didn’t really mesh with Poitras last season, either, Although extremely early returns makes me think that Poitras and Frederic could be a pair. Curious how it shapes out.

Very short sample size, but Marchand-Coyle-Frederic did work last season in limited minutes. 3 GF 0 GA with a 54% xG% despite a 37% ozone start %. Who knows how that works if you run it regularly, but on paper it's good 2-way line.

 

[BigGoalBrad]

What are people seeing in Brazeau that they want him in the lineup? Hes soft and slow despite the size and I can't remember much offense ever.

Would much rather force the issue with any of the new guys.

I think we will see a line of

Zacha-Coyle-Freddy

When we move Brad up to the first which will happen at some point. But I like of like Poitras with Zacha and Freddy as the second. I doubt we ever see that combo.

 

[PlayMakers]

What are people seeing in Brazeau that they want him in the lineup? Hes soft and slow despite the size and I can't remember much offense ever.

He's only played 22 NHL games so you shouldn't have to go back far to remember something. In those 22 games he's scored at a 20 goal pace. He had a great backhand feed to Frederic for a goal in the season opener... nice goal in the playoffs where he blew past the Florida D and powered to the net. Big body who likes to play around the net, hunting for tips and rebounds... Those qualities have the coaching staff putting him on the 2nd PP, though I will say I thought he had a tough game against LA.

He might be a flash in the pan or he could be another Mike Knuble type, a late bloomer who played a simple game but was really good and determined around the net, which led to him being a complimentary piece on several top lines.

 

[quietbruinfan]

Knuble I believe once led the NCAA in goals. I know what they think they see ,but he is no Knuble. Put 63 back on the top line and move Zacha down. It is what Sweeney's abominable drafting hath wrought.

 

[Fenian24]

So Poitras should be our 2C after one game, and we are writing off Coyle after 3.

Got it.

I wrote Coyle off a long time ago as, at best, a good number 3C

 

[pucksindeep92]

Zacha - Lindholm - Pasta
Marchand - Poitras- Brazeau
Frederic - Coyle - Geekie
Koepke - Beecher - Kastelic
Johnson*

Acquire a true top 6 winger before deadline and you’re looking real nice. Brazzers elevates/adapts to his linemates, and will bring some Horton/Lucic feel to the Poitras line and compliment Brad well.

 

[Gee Wally]

I think part of the Geekie ‘issue’ was Marchand repeatedly saying he wanted him on his line. Time for Monty to sit with the Captain and tell him he’s mixing things up now for everyone’s good. Geekie needs to be on the third.

 

[Beesfan]

Brazeau-Zacha-Pasta (Can Brazeau be a Bertuzzi type?)
Marchand-Lindholm-Coyle (play against top lines, most ES TOI)
Frederic-Poitras-Geekie (matchup advantage)

You're overthinking here. If Poitras is 3c instead of top two lines then Coyle stays at center. He was great there last season next to Marchand.

We may experiment with Poitras and Pastrnak. If that catches fire, then your second line makes sense.

I think we acquire a RW at the deadline, which will help put the pieces in the right place.

 

[Joe Zanussi]

Max Jones isn’t dead yet.

 

[dangermike]

Getting coyle together with Freddy should be fairly high on the priority list since neither has found their game (sample size).

So prolly-

Zacha Lindholm Pasta
Marchand Coyle Freddy

That would leave the 3rd line with Poitras fending for his life with either slow Brazeau or …Geekie

What about

Marchy Lindholm Pasta - perfection lite
Zacha Poitras Geekie - fast
Freddy Coyle Anyone idk (hopefully lysell eventually)

 

[dugg133]

Getting coyle together with Freddy should be fairly high on the priority list since neither has found their game (sample size).

So prolly-

Zacha Lindholm Pasta
Marchand Coyle Freddy

That would leave the 3rd line with Poitras fending for his life with either slow Brazeau or …Geekie

What about

Marchy Lindholm Pasta - perfection lite
Zacha Poitras Geekie - fast
Freddy Coyle Anyone idk (hopefully lysell eventually)

I think this is the top 6 they eventually need to be running. Poitras gets pretty heavily sheltered deployment with a lot of ozone starts, so you don't really need that line to be great defensively. And Poitras and Geekie had pretty good chemistry offensively at the start of last season. I think you could cobble together a decent third line with x-Poitras-Geekie and just try different options as the third guy until you find someone that works well with them.

 

[Blowfish]

Brazeau-Zacha-Pasta (Can Brazeau be a Bertuzzi type?)
Marchand-Lindholm-Coyle (play against top lines, most ES TOI)
Frederic-Poitras-Geekie (matchup advantage)

Good call...Love the 2nd line. Coyle/Marchand are a keep together duo to play against top line ...

 

[Blowfish]

Max Jones isn’t dead yet.

He needs to get in game shape ... any chance he can work out his kinks in Providence? Conditioning / injury recovery time?

Getting coyle together with Freddy should be fairly high on the priority list since neither has found their game (sample size).

So prolly-

Zacha Lindholm Pasta
Marchand Coyle Freddy

That would leave the 3rd line with Poitras fending for his life with either slow Brazeau or …Geekie

What about

Marchy Lindholm Pasta - perfection lite
Zacha Poitras Geekie - fast
Freddy Coyle Anyone idk (hopefully lysell eventually)

The fast line isn't fast. The fast line is current 4th line.

 

[Hookslide]

I think part of the Geekie ‘issue’ was Marchand repeatedly saying he wanted him on his line. Time for Monty to sit with the Captain and tell him he’s mixing things up now for everyone’s good. Geekie needs to be on the third.

I am Geekie defender, some fans think that unless you are 40 goal scorer, you cannot contribute. I know this will be criticized but maybe both belong on the third line, Brad might be at that time in his career and maybe he could take advantage of some of the match ups.

 

[Gee Wally]

I am Geekie defender, some fans think that unless you are 40 goal scorer, you cannot contribute. I know this will be criticized but maybe both belong on the third line, Brad might be at that time in his career and maybe he could take advantage of some of the match ups.

Possibly. But I feel Marchand still a mightier contributor than Geekie. Not that’s not a slight against Geekie but moreso where he can be more effective.