Player Discussion Charlie Coyle

[PlayMakers]

Will he succeed or fail as the #1c?

What do you project his point totals to be, and why?

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[PlayMakers]

Don’t understand why there is an assumption that he will be. I think Zacha has that based on his time playing with #88.

I'm assuming Coyle will be the #1c because he's the only returning center on the team, and Neely said that he expected next year's team to look like the team they iced for Games 3 & 4. Coyle was the #1 center in those two games.

I know the plan is to move Zacha to center and I have high hopes for that move, but that's still kind of an experiment. If it were me, I'd want to shelter Zacha a little bit as he adjusts to being a full time center. Coyle on the other hand, is used to playing against top lines as a center, he's used to a heavy defensive load as a center, he's better on face-offs... IMO he's the obvious choice to step into Bergeron's spot in the lineup between 63 & 74.

This is the lineup I expect to start the season with...

March - Coyle - DeBrusk
JVR - Zacha - Pastrnak
Boqvist - Geekie - Frederic
Lucic - Brown - Rookie
X: Greer

Grzelcyk - McAvoy
Lindholm - Carlo
Forbort - Shattenkirk
Zboril - Mitchell

Ullmark - Swayman

 

[Gordon Lightfoot]

That's how I see it as well. They may try Marchand on a different line but for all intensive purposes, Zacha as C + Pasta on RW are your first line. They'll likely see all of Marchand, JVR, Lucic, Debrusk, and even others, at some point on LW. Kevin Stevens might get a look yet.

I don't even think Coyle is locked into the 2nd center job. I think when it's all said and done, Morgan Geekie will be centering what people consider "the 2nd line" or the scoring line with pile of offensive zone starts but comparatively little in the defensive zone.

What will they do when the purposes aren’t intensive?

 

[TCB]

I don't see Coyle as the Number one center leaving camp and I think Monty will put his eggs all in one basket and go with Marchand and Pasta on Zacha's wing. Coyle with Debrusk and JVR, Geekie centering Frederic and Boqvist, and Brown centering Looch and McGlaughlin. All subject to change shift to shift, game to game.

 

[Gee Wally]

Unless something else happens I think they go with Zacha as # 1.

 

[Ludwig Fell Down]

I love Coyle in is role. He is not a #2C. That was clear 2 seasons ago when Eric Haula (I believe) was promoted to the 2C role and Coyle went back to 3C. I am always fearful of "Bobby Holik" syndrome where a successful 3C is promoted to a role that he is not qualified for.

With the B's cap situation, $5,5m is a luxury for a 3C, but I don't see any other options and would prefer to keep Coyle where he is. Minus Taylor Hall, I think his production goes down a bit, maybe 13/27/40

 

[JoeIsAStud]

I think the 1st line will be Pasta-Zacha-Marchand

If it is Coyle, he'd be average at best IMO. Solid D, 60 points or so racking up assists with Pasta and Marchand

If Coyle is #1 C and has Pasta on his wing, he might turn Pasta into an overpaid 60 point winger

 

[Blowfish]

Geekie is an interesting pick up, I’m excited to see if he’s got another level.

Richard intrigues me...I like the small speedy shifty players that can play big and put up points.

 

[missingchicklet]

I don't know that Geekie is a top 6C, but it would be pretty big for the team if he could just fill a role in between Marchand and Debrusk and maybe pot 40 to 50 points while he's at it.

Geekie at $2M per was a very good addition because he has been a 4th line center who with opportunity will likely be a good 3rd line player. After watching him a lot last season I feel that the idea that he is a top-6 center is expecting something that Geekie is not at this point in his career. Big difference in looking good playing 10 mins a game vs playing top-6 mins against better competition. It would be manna from the heavens if Geekie shocks the world and immediately becomes an effective top-6 C. Never say never, I guess.

As for the main point of the thread, I very much hope management can find a way to bring Lindholm into the fold via trade or Krejci surprises everyone and comes back another season. I'll leave it at that.

 

[Blowfish]

Geekie at $2M per was a very good addition because he has been a 4th line center who with opportunity will likely be a good 3rd line player. After watching him a lot last season I feel that the idea that he is a top-6 center is expecting something that Geekie is not at this point in his career. Big difference in looking good playing 10 mins a game vs playing top-6 mins against better competition. It would be manna from the heavens if Geekie shocks the world and immediately becomes an effective top-6 C. Never say never, I guess.

As for the main point of the thread, I very much hope management can find a way to bring Lindholm into the fold via trade or Krejci surprises everyone and comes back another season. I'll leave it at that.

It is strange nothing final regarding Krejci...Take him back in a heartbeat.

Dam you injuries to key players this playoffs. The team was way too good to not win the cup!

 

[PB37]

Lots of size among our current crop of centers. Zacha, Geekie, Coyle, and Frederic are all 6'3. Brown is a thick dude at 6'1 210.

 

[Blowfish]

Lots of size among our current crop of centers. Zacha, Geekie, Coyle, and Frederic are all 6'3. Brown is a thick dude at 6'1 210.

Good valid point...what's not to like about that.

Maybe you insert a Merkster in there somewhere.

 

[DKH]

22 goals 42 assists

 

[EverettMike]

Unless something else happens I think they go with Zacha as # 1.

Agree. Could not possibly be setting him up for failure more.

 

[Smitty93]

If I had to pick one, I'd say he's 2C. They probably split up Marchand and Pastrnak because neither Coyle nor DeBrusk are capable of being the best player on a top 6 line.

They'll go with this, and then figure out the least bad option to play with Zacha and Pastrnak.

XXXXX-Zacha-Pastrnak
Marchand-Coyle-DeBrusk

Coyle won't be especially bad at 2C, but he won't be good either. He won't get dropped down to 3C because no one's good enough to replace him.

 

[CDJ]

Powerplay time, 51 points as the 2C

 

[Guelph Bruin]

If I had to pick one, I'd say he's 2C. They probably split up Marchand and Pastrnak because neither Coyle nor DeBrusk are capable of being the best player on a top 6 line.

They'll go with this, and then figure out the least bad option to play with Zacha and Pastrnak.

XXXXX-Zacha-Pastrnak
Marchand-Coyle-DeBrusk

Coyle won't be especially bad at 2C, but he won't be good either. He won't get dropped down to 3C because no one's good enough to replace him.

I think Boquist could be the XXXXX ..familiarity with Zacha and he can skate

 

[KrejciMVP]

doesnt seem like a recipe for success

 

[Blowfish]

doesnt seem like a recipe for success

Hey Krejci good to see you posting here...Have you made a decision?

 

[MarkP1126]

Will he succeed or fail as the #1c?

What do you project his point totals to be, and why?

44 points - It is what he is.

 

[DKH]

doesnt seem like a recipe for success

Add brown sugar - pretty much makes everything work

 

[Blowfish]

Anyway of removing them smelly leaf fans from voting?

My oh my did anyone have a chance to read the mainboard. So entertaining.

Where do the Bruins go from here?

First of all, as a Leafs fan and first class Bruins hater, happy trails to Bergeron. Absolute legend, classy human being, best defensive forward to ever do it. Sorry to see him go. That said, I think the Bruins are screwed. I have a long history of posts suggesting I think they should clean...

forums.hfboards.com

 

[DKH]

Anyway of removing them smelly leaf fans from voting?

My oh my did anyone have a chance to read the mainboard. So entertaining.

Where do the Bruins go from here?

First of all, as a Leafs fan and first class Bruins hater, happy trails to Bergeron. Absolute legend, classy human being, best defensive forward to ever do it. Sorry to see him go. That said, I think the Bruins are screwed. I have a long history of posts suggesting I think they should clean...

forums.hfboards.com

Can’t wait till 7.th seed Bruins open up in Toronto against a fragile fan base

 

[Blowfish]

Can’t wait till 7.th seed Bruins open up in Toronto against a fragile fan base

YES!

 

[JAD]

I didn't like any of the poll choices.
Coyle is a decent defensive / puck protecting center, but he is not a playmaking center. Coyle is a center where wingers point production goes to die, especially if it's give and go zone entry offense. Such as the way he was used last time as a #2C before two seasons ago when it was center by committee.
However, with that said, he does have a decent shot. Go old school with Coyle and have him set up in the slot Esposito style with wingers feeding him the puck and he could potentially pot 30 goals.
But he is not a creative playmaking center making something out of nothing off the rush.

 

[mjhfb]

Anything can happen, but for the long haul putting a puck possession righty center (albeit a good one) with the leagues best goal scorer would not produce the best outcome.
Especially since Coyle is also a righty, and he's no Krejci at distributing to his RW on his backhand.
Zacha makes more sense.