Next prospect to make the Boston Bruins

[PB37]

- it sounds like they're going to give Beleskey the chance to redeem himself. I think they like him as a player when he's on his game. But he'll be under the radar and with hungry rookies on his tail, he better come into camp in great shape and ready to claim that 3rd line spot as his.

- I think Bjork will go back to school

- I think they'll give Vatrano every chance to succeed next season and he'll respond thanks to a full offseason with the foot injury behind him. If not, Bjork will be here next season and it'll be Vatrano's time to sweat with few spots open and other young kids coming up in the system with similar if not better attributes.

- Kuraly and Acciari should be locks on that 4th line

- I would love to see a Blidh/Acciari tandem on the wings of said 4th line, but I think Nash will be there as a steady, vet presence and Blidh will be a 13th forward/callup

- There's some stiff competition for spots, but the leading rookies seem to be Kuraly, Cehlarik, DeBrusk, and Heinen ( in that order ). IMO, JFK will be in the minors with Senyshyn and get some pro experience. In the end, they'll go with who plays the best and is ready to be an NHL player.


My prediction:


Marchand -- Bergeron -- Vatrano

Cehlarik -- Krejci -- Pasta

Beleskey -- Backes -- Heinen

Kuraly -- Nash -- Acciari


I think DeBrusk, JFK, and Blidh will be the final cuts/first callups in the event of injury or poor play. Again, big spotlight on Beleskey to perform and come into camp in shape. I don't think they want to enter the season with two rookies on the wing on the same line, but they may have to if Beleskey drops the ball again.

 

[slim399]

I think we could see a bunch, especially if we don't go out and make a big trade or free agent signing.

Marchand-Bergeron-Senyshyn
Debrusk/Cehlarik-Krejci-Pastrnak
Vatrano-Backes-Heinen
Blidh-Kuraly-Acciari

Chara-McAvoy
Krug-Carlo
Zboril/O'Gara-K Miller


I know its unrealistic to have 9 rookies on one team, but that is still a very good young fast talented team that can make a run at the playoffs. Crazy with naming all those guys and still having legit high end prospects in JFK, Bjork, Frederic, Gabrielle, Lauzon, Grzelcyk, Lindgren waiting in the wings.

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

Kuraly to me is the easiest choice. At his worst can be a fast, physical 4th liner. His speed was impressive.

 

[toasterjam]

Im ready for Debrusk and O'Gara

 

[Fonzerelli]

I agree on Kuraly. I think he was impressive in the playoffs and he can play 3rd or 4th line for us, so he probably has an inside track on the opening day roster.

DeBrusk is the other who payed has earned a shot based on his strong 2nd finish and playoffs. Like Kuraly, he has the versatility to play 3rd or 4th, and has might even get an audition on the 2nd line.

It sounds like JFK might have been offered at least a spot on opening day as 3rd line center. I don't know that. Just listening to media so may be off base, but it makes some sense, so I pencil him in as well.

Those two I think are locks. If Lauzon comes in healthy I think he will force his way in to the lineup as well.

The rest I think, will have to do like Jake and pay their dues in Providence.

Predicted Opening Day roster;

Marchand-Bergeron-Oshie
Vatrano-Krejci-Pastrnak
DeBrusk-JFK-Backes
Beleskey-Acciari-Nash
Kuraly

Chara-McAvoy
Krug-Carlo
Lauzon-McQuaid
Chiller

(guessing that Vegas takes Miller)

Rask
Dobby

 

[ODAAT]

wonder if one of the kids will surprise and must make it tough for coaches to justify sending him down? My two candidates will be Gabrielle and Seny

On D, I wouldn`t be shocked if O`Gara cracks the lineup but the surprise could come from either Lauzon or Zboril

 

[TwineTickler]

I'm gonna say JFK and one of the 3 young left D (O'Gara, Lauzon, Zboril). Based off Cassidy's comments the other day, I don't think he likes having a RHD on LD so whichever young guy of the those 3 has the best camp I think gets a spot.

 

[BruinLVGA]

Wake me up when we draft a Conner McDavid - and don't end up trading him for 2 or 3 grinders

Are you familiar with Stephen Fry / Futurama?

 

[ODAAT]

I'm gonna say JFK and one of the 3 young left D (O'Gara, Lauzon, Zboril). Based off Cassidy's comments the other day, I don't think he likes having a RHD on LD so whichever young guy of the those 3 has the best camp I think gets a spot.

any way you cut it, I`m loving the fact that this camp we`ll start to really see some of DS and his crew`s picks starting to push for spots.

These are exciting times for this fan base IMO. Obviously not all will turn out the way we`d like, he**, I suspect, with this many prospects, some will be traded but what a great problem to have

Dom, Reed and Kirk on their podcast all impressed and those are 3 hockey men I truly respect, doesn`t mean they are always right but they have forgotten more than I`ll know about this game and they all watch/call a ton of hockey, live,sleep and breathe it some may say

 

[Fonzerelli]

wonder if one of the kids will surprise and must make it tough for coaches to justify sending him down? My two candidates will be Gabrielle and Seny

On D, I wouldn`t be shocked if O`Gara cracks the lineup but the surprise could come from either Lauzon or Zboril

I was thinking that same thing earlier in the season, especially watching Carlo come shooting out of the gate, but with the strong performances of so many bottom 6ers since Cassidy took the reigns, I just think we are better off going slowly with both.

Backes, Pastrnak and potentially a free agent signing would have the top 2 or 3 RW spots locked up over Senyshyn. Gabes will be firmly behind Kuraly, Nash, Beleskey, possibly Schaller, Acciari, Vatrano, Debrusk and Moore for possibly bottom 6 LW spots.

Not to mention, it's looking like the development track taken by DeBrusk under Dean in Providence is paying off. Actually both DeBrusk and Heinen are trending right after each had a slow period in earlier portions.

Dare I suggest that Boston is moving towards an organization of real depth and hopefully, quality depth.

I think if Sweeney's plan takes hold, both Gabes and Seny will spend next year in Providence, which will be best for both of them, and that's a good thing, not a bad thing.

 

[DKH]

I was thinking that same thing earlier in the season, especially watching Carlo come shooting out of the gate, but with the strong performances of so many bottom 6ers since Cassidy took the reigns, I just think we are better off going slowly with both.

Backes, Pastrnak and potentially a free agent signing would have the top 2 or 3 RW spots locked up over Senyshyn. Gabes will be firmly behind Kuraly, Nash, Beleskey, possibly Schaller, Acciari, Vatrano, Debrusk and Moore for possibly bottom 6 LW spots.

Not to mention, it's looking like the development track taken by DeBrusk under Dean in Providence is paying off. Actually both DeBrusk and Heinen are trending right after each had a slow period in earlier portions.

Dare I suggest that Boston is moving towards an organization of real depth and hopefully, quality depth.

I think if Sweeney's plan takes hold, both Gabes and Seny will spend next year in Providence, which will be best for both of them, and that's a good thing, not a bad thing.

Agree- those two are very interesting and a year in the AHL would probably be great for their development

DeBrusk was on NESN a few weeks ago talking about how much he's grown as a player and person

It's beneficial just living in that environment and being an adult and professional

I have high hopes for ZS & JG

 

[DitClapper]

JD.
Everything about him screams Bruin. He's going to have a nice, solid career.

 

[neelynugs]

i like debrusk - he has a nice pro-style game to him. seems like a quick study too.

that said, sweeney's #1 job is to fix/re-shape the 'middle 6' as he said. i'd be shocked if there's not a top 9 addition via trade coming before the expansion draft. so it's tough to sort out which rookies will/won't make the team until we see how many spots are even up for grabs.

 

[whatsbruin]

Wake me up when we draft a Conner McDavid - and don't end up trading him for 2 or 3 grinders

So you want the B's to be the worst team in the league for about 10 years in a row, so that they can draft a McDavid ?

 

[GloryDaze4877]

So you want the B's to be the worst team in the league for about 10 years in a row, so that they can draft a McDavid ?

And even that doesn't guarantee anything.

Colorado the worst team this year and pick 4th, missing out on Patrick.

 

[Sharp Shooting Neely]

Very good possibility that some of the preferred names being discussed will not be in the Bruins organization following the drafts. Sweeny has the assets to improve from within (longer process and maybe more risk should it not pan out has hoped) or use some to swing a deal for a more impactful player(s). Fully anticipate he will go the trade route at this point of his plan.

Having said that, DeBrusk would be the player I would anticipate will remain and has the best shot of making the club out of camp.

 

[ORR2Sanderson2ORR]

Im ready for Debrusk and O'Gara

These two for sure but I'd keep an eye on Zboril he plays a pro-style game and I feel big Z could really help him become a true pro as far as work ethic and attitude.

 

[Mainehockey33]

I could see Zboril or Lauzon leap frog O'Gara next year based on play style. They'll probably be playing with K. Miller on the bottom pair so why not have a more offensive defenseman down there? Miller can certainly anchor that pair.

 

[Ratty]

In response to the OP's question, who replaces Moore, Schaller and Liles, my choices would be:

Moore.......Kuraly
Schaller.....Cehlarik
Liles.........O"Gara

Kuraly would add speed to the fourth line. Cehlarik would return to Krejci's LW. O'Gara, a stay-at home D, would be paired with Free skater C. Miller.

Should be room for DeBrusk on the roster given his development at Providence in late season and playoff. Heinen, also will compete for a spot. He may good use of his time with the baby Bs.