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.
OT: The Pittsburgher Thread: 5 and 2 Justin who? Hand the Fields to Wilson
