I posted these before and I stand by them today.
1A-Ericksson Krejci Connolly
This line is very sound defensively. Connolly adds a hard net drive, a +shot and hard fore-check presence and a certain physicality. DK and Ericksson have the smarts and have shown chemistry in the past. DK has his quickest linemates he has had with the Bruins and that will allow him to get the blue line and give him space as defenders back off to respect the speed on the wings.
1B- Machand Bergeron Hayes
Marchand and Bergeron tend to cycle well and Hayes is a + player along the boards. Hayes has a ++net drive and nose for rebounds. I think this could be a top possession line in the league. Defensively, they will be among the strongest in the league also just because, well, Bergie.
3- Belesky Spooner Pastrnak
This line will be the burners. No starts in the defensive end except for on icings, but lots of OZone starts. Pure Speed, Pure fore-check, pure energy. We will love the excitement they bring and hate them for some defensive gaffs, but thisw is out future second and maybe first line..all bring sped and dynamic skating.
4- Talbot Kelly Kemp/Rinaldo
if Kemp earns a spot, he is known for being a tancious, smart defender and + faceoff man. Kelly has slidden in FO% the past few years, maybe becasue he's been playing a lot of wing, but it give you a good FO option in Kemp possibly. If its Rinaldo you have 3 veterans, all who are known for playing very hard. Kelly is still a 3rd line center on many teams in the NHL, like him or not.
Defense is a mess, but IO expect Seids will be much better this year, more mobile and back closer to what he was before his Knee injury.
1-Chara C Miller/Trotman
I have a sneaky suspicion C Miller is going to surprise. He is here because Chara tends to be the one to break in the noobs, and becasue C Miller is a ++ skater and can help when Chara gets turned. If he doesn't impress, Trots is there for the same reason.
2-Seids Krug
I don;'t like Krug here, but what choice is there? Forces Seids to play off hand, but I think he prefers that. This will be Krugs chance to step up, but I worry that he is what he is, and undersized 6 and a PP specialist.
3 McQuaid KMiller/Trotman/CMiller/Irwin
Whoever isn't on the top pairing will compete with KMiller for the 6 spot. crazy to say that. I Love KMiller. strong skater and positive player no matter where he is paired. in a 6 role I think he can be very effective. i think Irwin will be spending a lot of time upstairs....
G- Rask Smith/Subban/Zane
Rask will get overplayed, and this will bite us in the ass come stretch time.
If Sweeney can find a way to get Franson, I think it improves the D, but I don't want Oduya.. I this is going to be a playoff team, it will require a Vezina season from Rask, and some id of miraculous elevation of a Dman or two, or a major acquisition. They need a #2 guy.
I like the forward group. I don't like the D group, and I am unsure of the backup.
Its going to be an interesting year!
