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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[Aussie Bruin]

He's not. But that looks like the spot he was signed for. Gave him a two-year, one-way deal.

Geekie isn't here to play on the 4th line either. He's centering one of the three scoring lines as it stands right now.

McLaughlin and Beecher don't need waivers and will be up against it to make the team. Any player that doesn't need waivers will have a tough time pushing guys on one-way contracts off the roster. To me, training camp/exhibition aren't really try-outs anymore. You see teams now run their "full line-up" earlier in exhibition because they already know what the team looks like. Just add up the one-way contracts. Baring outliers (example Carlo in 2016) those decisions are made long before camp.

Boqvist who knows. Skill guy he's likely on a scoring line or not in the line-up if they use the 4th line for heavy defensive assignments. I don't see him as a center here anyways.

With the defensive ability gone out the door up front, and the lack of right-handed shooters, tells me Brown is more likely to be dressed next year than Greer. And Greer is most likely fighting with Lauko for that final forward spot in the line-up.

The two years is telling to me. Absolutely no reason why Sweeney had to give Brown two but he did. Obviously you're still not taking on much risk with a near min. wage deal, regardless of length, but it does suggest that Don has a specific plan or role in mind for Pat of the kind you've described.

If you look at the Bruins' young forwards, McLaughlin had a good camp last year but then, as far as I can tell, failed to really fire in Providence, Steen was disappointing, Beecher still has a ways to go, and there is no need to rush Merkulov or Lysell. Lauko is the only one who at this stage should absolutely be getting a spot in the initial roster.

So there is no pressing reason not to try out Brown first. We know Sweeney prefers to run with the vets to start with most of the time. The best thing a guy like McLaughlin can do is put in a good showing at camp and then do what he struggled to do last season and back it up by making a really strong case for himself with the Baby Bs, such that if Brown or one of the other incumbents falters or gets injured, he's right at the door saying I'm ready to go.

I want to see a couple more of the youngsters in the team as much as anybody, but history and the state of the roster both suggest they're going to have to put in some hard yards earn it. Hopefully some do.

 

[BruinDust]

The two years is telling to me. Absolutely no reason why Sweeney had to give Brown two but he did. Obviously you're still not taking on much risk with a near min. wage deal, regardless of length, but it does suggest that Don has a specific plan or role in mind for Pat of the kind you've described.

If you look at the Bruins' young forwards, McLaughlin had a good camp last year but then, as far as I can tell, failed to really fire in Providence, Steen was disappointing, Beecher still has a ways to go, and there is no need to rush Merkulov or Lysell. Lauko is the only one who at this stage should absolutely be getting a spot in the initial roster.

So there is no pressing reason not to try out Brown first. We know Sweeney prefers to run with the vets to start with most of the time. The best thing a guy like McLaughlin can do is put in a good showing at camp and then do what he struggled to do last season and back it up by making a really strong case for himself with the Baby Bs, such that if Brown or one of the other incumbents falters or gets injured, he's right at the door saying I'm ready to go.

I want to see a couple more of the youngsters in the team as much as anybody, but history and the state of the roster both suggest they're going to have to put in some hard yards earn it. Hopefully some do.

Well said, couldn't agree more.

That, and the fact he was a Day 1 signing not far into the opening of free agency. Tells me they targeted this player.

My hope is that by the time they get to the spring of 2025, Brown is down in Providence captaining his 3rd AHL squad. For now, he can be a useful, low maintenance character player for Boston. I expect basically zero offense out of him.

 

[Kegs]

I picked 2nd line centre. But I don’t think that means he won’t play with Marchand or pasta. I’m not sure how the lines will pan out when it’s all said and done.

For me coyle is a play driving possession guy who circles around and works the walls hard and effectively. He has a sneaky good shot too. I don’t like him as a playmaker though. He is very effective as a defensive centre.

Ideally you play him with a playmaker. But most wingers are goal scorers or hard hitting bangers. That’s why he is suited for the third line on Boston. He fits in really well with a guy like Taylor hall or Fredric. Shame to lose hall. I’m expecting tfred to play with him still to be honest. I can see Marchand on his wing too.

It’s kinda funny but I don’t see a lot of right wingers on the bruins roster….. I’m getting some deva vu….

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

Why? How has he earned a lock?

The Bruins love their Trent Whitfield clones.

 

[Kegs]

I think Brown is a lock.

There's only one spot up for grabs, IMO.

I think you’re right. They need right handed players that can take face offs. That’s why brown and megna were added.

 

[elMatador]

Coyle being a top 6 C is a big lol. There is a reason why Wild traded him for Donato. They got fed up with him to be a consistent C on the second line. For a short period he would pretend to be a dominant 2nd line center and then he would disappear for a much longer period.

 

[EverettMike]

I sort of feel like I'm taking crazy pills reading this thread.

A 31-year-old player doesn't suddenly transform into a #1 center just because you put him in that position. If Charlie Coyle had that in him he'd already be that.

 

[BruinDust]

I think you’re right. They need right handed players that can take face offs. That’s why brown and megna were added.

Although Megna is most likely captain down in Providence and one of the first guys who would be called up. Two-way deal but he's making 400k in the AHL which is fairly significant. Tells me he knows where he stands as far as what he'll be doing next year. Lot's of AHL time, with some NHL games sprinkled in due to injuries.

The Bruins love their Trent Whitfield clones.

Megna is this year's Whitfield. AHL/NHL tweener.

Brown is a legitimate NHL player.

 

[wintersej]

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

By TOI, Zacha Krejci Pasta was the number 2 line last year. It think because it was Bergeron it was fair to label his like as the #1 line anyway because of the matchups they took, but I’m less convinced that next year the line with Pasta on it wont be labeled the #1 line. Not that any of this labeling really matters.

 

[EverettMike]

Brown is a legitimate NHL player.

He is? He's only played 138 NHL games in 7 years. And both his traditional counting and advanced stats all stink.

 

[BruinDust]

He is? He's only played 138 NHL games in 7 years. And both his traditional countings and advanced stats all stink.

Hasn't sniffed an AHL bus in two full seasons now. Has a new two-year one-way contract.

That's an NHL player IMO. At least I would think so if I was him.

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

Hasn't sniffed an AHL bus in two full seasons now. Has a new two-year one-way contract.

That's an NHL player IMO. At least I would think so if I was him.

Ian Mitchell got a one way. Doesn’t mean he’s going to be on the roster and certainly not in the lineup.

If they go with Brown at 4C it means other players disappointed at camp. Brown would mean they’re going to go with their crazy 80+% DZ deployment for the fourth line. Means Lucic is 3LW because he can’t handle that. And means Boqvist doesn’t make the team, along with Merkulov, except at 13F.

I think starting with the contract and working backwards is the wrong way to look at it. Virtually no chance he’s claimed if waived. He’s depth. He’s a JAG. He didn’t even play much center for Ottawa. And is there in case all the other forwards fail in camp, which is certainly a possibility.

 

[EverettMike]

Hasn't sniffed an AHL bus in two full seasons now. Has a new two-year one-way contract.

That's an NHL player IMO. At least I would think so if I was him.

I'm sure he thinks he is, but I remain skeptical. Giving a two-year one-way contract to a guy who only played 44 games for freaking Ottawa just two season ago does not mean he deserved it.

 

[BruinDust]

Ian Mitchell got a one way. Doesn’t mean he’s going to be on the roster and certainly not in the lineup.

If they go with Brown at 4C it means other players disappointed at camp. Brown would mean they’re going to go with their crazy 80+% DZ deployment for the fourth line. Means Lucic is 3LW because he can’t handle that. And means Boqvist doesn’t make the team, along with Merkulov, except at 13F.

I think starting with the contract and working backwards is the wrong way to look at it. Virtually no chance he’s claimed if waived. He’s depth. He’s a JAG. He didn’t even play much center for Ottawa. And is there in case all the other forwards fail in camp, which is certainly a possibility.

Well, last year he got waived. And was claimed.

I said in a post above, nothing is guaranteed. See Oskar Steen, 2022.

But Ian Mitchell with his one-way contract is an awfully good indication he's got an inside track on a roster spot. I like his chances better than Zboril. Cheaper than Zboril too. Then factor in Monty is familiar with him.

The high DZ deployment/tough match-ups for the 4th line is how most teams are doing it now. Hard to win in the long-term running 4th lines 5-6 minutes a night, sheltered minutes. Ask Florida Panthers fans. Sheltering their 4th line caught up to them in finals. Wasn't sustainable.

Boqvist is making this team. May not be an everyday player, but he'll break camp. I think he's also a legit NHLer and has been in the NHL since his recall in late 2021.

Greer to me is the one who should be sweating. I'm not sure where he fits now.

Is Brown a JAG? Absolutely. Played mostly center in Philly. Has been described as a face-off specialist. He brings some things to the table they feel they need this coming year.

 

[BruinDust]

I'm sure he thinks he is, but I remain skeptical. Giving a two-year one-way contract to a guy who only played 44 games for freaking Ottawa just two season ago does not mean he deserved it.

Maybe not. This is Bruin's pro scouting at work here it's not like their track record is strong.

 

[PlayMakers]

By TOI, Zacha Krejci Pasta was the number 2 line last year. It think because it was Bergeron it was fair to label his like as the #1 line anyway because of the matchups they took, but I’m less convinced that next year the line with Pasta on it wont be labeled the #1 line. Not that any of this labeling really matters.

That’s why I qualified my definition of ‘first line’ as playing with either Marchand or Pasta.

I don’t really care what we call the line, I’m just interested in seeing what people think about Coyle on a line with top talent.

 

[Mainehockey33]

That’s why I qualified my definition of ‘first line’ as playing with either Marchand or Pasta.

I don’t really care what we call the line, I’m just interested in seeing what people think about Coyle on a line with top talent.

I think it would be a waste putting Coyle with Pastrnak and Debrusk or Marchand when Zacha just put up almost 60 points last year, was almost a ppg in the playoffs, and looks like he could put up some points with Pastrnak next season. Zacha has vision, a good shot and plays with pace, all things that Coyle is lacking that will help him put up points in an offensive role. My hot take for next season is if Zacha is healthy he puts up 70+ points.

 

[BruinDust]

I think it would be a waste putting Coyle with Pastrnak and Debrusk or Marchand when Zacha just put up almost 60 points last year, was almost a ppg in the playoffs, and looks like he could put up some points with Pastrnak next season. Zacha has vision, a good shot and plays with pace, all things that Coyle is lacking that will help him put up points in an offensive role. My hot take for next season is if Zacha is healthy he puts up 70+ points.

To me, whichever line our Hart Trophy candidate is on is the No.1 line. Pasta's line will be the one opponents focus on shutting down.

I don't see any reason to have anyone other than Pavel Zacha center Pastrnak's line to start the year. Basically spent the bulk of last year playing on a line together. I'd argue the Zacha-Krejci-Pasta line was the No.1 line here last year.

The question for me is who ends up on their LW. May come down to deployment. I wouldn't be shocked at all if we see all 3 of Marchand, JVR, and even Lucic, spend some time at LW with Zacha-Pasta. The heavier the assignment is defensively, it would be Marchand.

If they want to overload Pasta-Zacha with offensive opportunities, it may be JVR or even Lucic there.

The X-Factor is Debrusk. Will he remain primarily on his off-wing, or will be see some time this year back in his natural position. No question his numbers have been better on RW.

 

[Shaun]

i've been a fan since he was at BU and that being said him being the #1 center would be a disaster

 

[Mainehockey33]

To me, whichever line our Hart Trophy candidate is on is the No.1 line. Pasta's line will be the one opponents focus on shutting down.

I don't see any reason to have anyone other than Pavel Zacha center Pastrnak's line to start the year. Basically spent the bulk of last year playing on a line together. I'd argue the Zacha-Krejci-Pasta line was the No.1 line here last year.

The question for me is who ends up on their LW. May come down to deployment. I wouldn't be shocked at all if we see all 3 of Marchand, JVR, and even Lucic, spend some time at LW with Zacha-Pasta. The heavier the assignment is defensively, it would be Marchand.

If they want to overload Pasta-Zacha with offensive opportunities, it may be JVR or even Lucic there.

The X-Factor is Debrusk. Will he remain primarily on his off-wing, or will be see some time this year back in his natural position. No question his numbers have been better on RW.

I’d load up the first line with Debrusk-Zacha-Pastrnak and have Marchand drive the 2nd line with Coyle. Not sure who gets the 2nd line RW though.

 

[BruinDust]

I’d load up the first line with Debrusk-Zacha-Pastrnak and have Marchand drive the 2nd line with Coyle. Not sure who gets the 2nd line RW though.

Maybe Boqvist. He's a skill guy, can create off the rush.

Has JVR ever played his off-wing? I also believe Lucic played some off-wing last year too which to me is surprising.

This team is really deficient in right-shooting wingers.

 

[BMC]

Charlie Coyle is one of the best if not the best 3C in the NHL. He can play 1C or 2C for a few games while someone recovers from injury/illness but that's it. There's no way he is going to magically transform himself into a playmaking 1C or 2C at age 31.

And I say that with the utmost love & respect for #13- hell, I named my cat after him!!!

 

[PlayMakers]

Ian

Ian Mitchell got a one way. Doesn’t mean he’s going to be on the roster and certainly not in the lineup.

If they go with Brown at 4C it means other players disappointed at camp. Brown would mean they’re going to go with their crazy 80+% DZ deployment for the fourth line. Means Lucic is 3LW because he can’t handle that. And means Boqvist doesn’t make the team, along with Merkulov, except at 13F.

I think starting with the contract and working backwards is the wrong way to look at it. Virtually no chance he’s claimed if waived. He’s depth. He’s a JAG. He didn’t even play much center for Ottawa. And is there in case all the other forwards fail in camp, which is certainly a possibility.

I have Ian Mitchell in the lineup, and have had him there since they got him. Young guy, 1way deal, history with Monty… he’s in, IMO.

I disagree with all your assumptions here, that having Brown in the lineup = 80% DZ starts = Lucic in top9 = Boqvist not making team…

I think you start with the contract because at the end of the day, this is a business. They're not going to sign Brown to a 2 year deal, 1 way deal with the intention of sticking him in the minors. If that was the plan he would have got the Megna deal, a 1 way, 2 way deal. There are loads of AHL all-stars making a quarter (and less) what Brown would make if he was sent down.

 

[Mainehockey33]

Maybe Boqvist. He's a skill guy, can create off the rush.

Has JVR ever played his off-wing? I also believe Lucic played some off-wing last year too which to me is surprising.

This team is really deficient in right-shooting wingers.

There are no great options. I don’t really want Lucic or JVR in the top 6. Maybe someone surprises and they go with a Lysell or Merkulov at least to start.

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

Ian

I have Ian Mitchell in the lineup, and have had him there since they got him. Young guy, 1way deal, history with Monty… he’s in, IMO.

I disagree with all your assumptions here, that having Brown in the lineup = 80% DZ starts = Lucic in top9 = Boqvist not making team…

I think you start with the contract because at the end of the day, this is a business. They're not going to sign Brown to a 2 year deal, 1 way deal with the intention of sticking him in the minors. If that was the plan he would have got the Megna deal, a 1 way, 2 way deal. There are loads of AHL all-stars making a quarter (and less) what Brown would make if he was sent down.

Who is Mitchell displacing in the lineup? He could certainly be 7D but then they're waiving Zboril, which contradicts your business part.

They can absolutely afford to pay a bit for some depth (this is one place you can go above the cap in terms of cash but not eat the cap hit) and hope any of these forwards can beat him out. But he's there in case they can't, or in case they do and then get hurt. Again, he got waived from the freaking Flyers last year.

Lucic has never had more than 47% DZ starts in a season. You don't play Brown at 4C for a more dynamic offensive lineup - he's the Nosek strategy (90% DZ starts last year), so if you're going there, you're either completely misusing Lucic, or you're moving him up the lineup. And you don't have Boqvist to eat 75%+ DZ starts either - that's not his game.

A redefined fourth line who doesn't get completely buried? Something like Lauko-Beecher-Boqvist? That's a different story.