And I disagree with virtually everything in this post minus the Oshie opinion although the Bruins cant afford him..
Their first season together, first of three, that line consisted of three players with a +/- of 20+. While watching them live, they were arguably the best line on the team in terms of breakout and playing in all three zones.. AGAINST other top line talent in the league. Now thats impressive.
Krejci is also very defensive minded. He wouldnt have succeeded under Claude at all, a la Spooner, if he wasnt. Hes also been used on the penalty kill countless times....
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Hey, disagreement is good for the soul! I appreciate your point of view, but if you want to focus on their first year together, then I'd ask you what happened in their second and third years together. Or what happened this year for that matter. Year 2 for instance, Krejci was nearly team worst in +/- on a team with a +67 goal differential and admitted himself that his defensive game was weak. Lucic's only improved when away from that line which is also telling. Forward to this year, Krejci was a team worst -12 on a team with a +21 goal differential. Plus minus is sketchy, but when you start adding context around it it actually becomes pretty useful.
Also to be clear, I didn't say Krejci was bereft of defensive ability. When in a defensive situation (such as but not limited to the PK) he plays a responsible defensive game and is an asset in that regard. I said he plays a high risk, high reward style of offensive game and while that can often translate into offensive production for Boston, it can and does also translate into more transition for the opposition. Where guys like Bergeron and Marchand tend to give up possession down low on the cycle in the offensive zone (and where Bergeron is a perennial Selke finalist), Krejci's line will be more likely to give it up at the blueline gaining entry resulting in quick transition the other way.
That's not an indictment of Krejci's defensive ability, that's saying Krejci's linemates can't be mindless plugs with zero hockey IQ. When I said the KHL line was a defensive liability, that's one part Krejci's style creating transition for the opposition, and one part Horton and Lucic's weaker defensive ability.
His linemates should have a strong defensive game, because Krejci's style will create offensive chances - both ways.
