Boston Bruins Predict the Lineup & Lines discussion

[Kegs]

My BOLD bold hopeful line up.

Marchand - Coyle - JDB
Zacha - Merculov - Pastrnak
Boqvist - Geekie - Frederic/Lysell
Lucic/Topo - Richard/Beecher - Lauko

Monty likes speed/skill...so do I. Richard will surprise as will Topo.

I love JVR scoring ability in tight however I see him being dropped in favour of a young prospect. Especially if his speed is a concern. Lucic is simply a centennial nostalgic thing. He will be in/out of the line up dependent on opponent and pre-game fight routine between the 2 clubs.

I think you’re mostly correct except they will not have 5 prospects in their lineup. I think if jvr isn’t good he will be replaced quickly and sent down. I doubt we have 5 prospects that can make an impact at the nhl level. Would be

Brown's more of a banger and with Lucic and maybe Lauko (Greer?) you're looking at trying to create a heavy trouble line that might not score but might give us a little "Big Bad" back. Maybe.

The thing about JVR is that he has a reputation for being lazy and a slacker. I know some Flyers fans and they are all ecstatic that he's gone. Add his age to that and I'm not sure what he will bring if anything. A faster younger guy might give us more.

idk, maybe the Bruins culture can give JVR some sort of rebirth. We can hope for that, but I have my doubts about him. Will be glad if I'm wrong and he gives us a decent season.

i don’t recall ever loving JVR. He is very mediocre. But he is cheap and can produce…

 

[goldnblack]

o/u on Lucic games played this coming season is 39.5. I'm taking under.

 

[DominicT]

I think Monty will do what all coaches do.

Stick to their pairs and rotate the third player around. And if something goes beyond what anyone could have expected, he will keep that trio together

 

[rocketdan9]

Lauko Zacha Pasta
Marchand Coyle Debrusk
JVR Frederic Geekie
Lucic Brown Boqvist
Greer

Grz McAvoy
Lindholm Carlo
Forbort Shattenkirk
Zboril

Swayman
Ullmark
Bussi

 

[JOKER 192]

My BOLD bold hopeful line up.

Marchand - Coyle - JDB
Zacha - Merculov - Pastrnak
Boqvist - Geekie - Frederic/Lysell
Lucic/Topo - Richard/Beecher - Lauko

Monty likes speed/skill...so do I. Richard will surprise as will Topo.

I love JVR scoring ability in tight however I see him being dropped in favour of a young prospect. Especially if his speed is a concern. Lucic is simply a centennial nostalgic thing. He will be in/out of the line up dependent on opponent and pre-game fight routine between the 2 clubs.

You love your nonsense don't you? You can tell us.

I think Monty will do what all coaches do.

Stick to their pairs and rotate the third player around. And if something goes beyond what anyone could have expected, he will keep that trio together

This 100%

 

[Therick67]

A key injury or two and this could be a rough season..

 

[Over the volcano]

A key injury or two and this could be a rough season..

Kinda works like that most seasons- last year was such a moon shot.

Speaking of long shots, I'm hoping Poitras makes himself uncutable in camp and breaks in with the big club.

 

[Kegs]

Kinda works like that most seasons- last year was such a moon shot.

Speaking of long shots, I'm hoping Poitras makes himself uncutable in camp and breaks in with the big club.

If he makes the team I’ll be very happy. If he is an impact top 6 centre who can win face offs before he is 20 then I will be ecstatic.

 

[dugg133]

Lauko Zacha Pasta
Marchand Coyle Pasta
JVR Frederic Geekie
Lucic Brown Boqvist
Greer

Grz McAvoy
Lindholm Carlo
Forbort Shattenkirk
Zboril

Swayman
Ullmark
Bussi

Can't believe Sweeney learned how to clone his best player, he really is 10 steps ahead of the rest of the league

 

[roflstomper]

JVR - Zacha - Pastrnak
Marchand - Coyle - Debrusk
Boqvist - Geekie - Frederic
Lucic - Brown - Lauko
Greer

 

[The don godfather]

Hope that faranacci kid takes the 2nd c role.

 

[Aussie Bruin]

I'm not sure about exact lines but I'd say that Zacha-Pasta and Marchand-DeBrusk both staying together at least initially are locks. They have good chemistry as pairs and in a team that has undergone quite the shake up having known quantities that are proven should provide something positive to build around. That probably means Coyle centering the latter and JVR getting first crack with the Czechs. They could also try Geekie as the pivot and put Zacha on the wing where he performed so well last year. Bottom 6 is a real toss up, multiple ways that could pan out. The defensive pairs will undoubtedly chop and change a bit but Gryz-McAvoy and Lindholm-Carlo seem like pretty logical starting points, leaving Forbort, Shattenkirk and Zboril to fight it out for the bottom pair.

History says that under Sweeney the vets get first opportunity, and I don't expect any different this year, but if some of the prospects put in strong showings in Providence then ideally we will see Merkulov, Lysell and perhaps Lohrei get their chances and perhaps even make it stick by the 2nd half of the season. The other youngsters I think either aren't ready yet or simply aren't good enough (maybe McLaughlin, but he's got some work to do), but you never know.

This is really going to be quite a different team in lots of ways.

 

[RHR37]

Marchand Zacha Pasta
Freddy Coyle Debrusk
Boqvist Geekie JVR
Lucic Brown Lauko
Greer

Gryz Mac
Lindholm Carlo
Forbert Shattenkirk
Lohrei

Ullmark
SWAY

Would love to see one of these kids step-in and demand a spot in the top 9.

Merkulov Lysell Beecher Poitrois.

 

[wintersej]

Can't believe Sweeney learned how to clone his best player, he really is 10 steps ahead of the rest of the league

Fixes a lot of problems.

 

[Over the volcano]

I know we've been thinking the "pairs" are Zacha Pasta and Marchand DeBrusk. But that second "pair" last year was really Marchand Bergeron. The only other remaining pair is Coyle Frederic (they worked with Smith before Hall). So what about switching DeBrusk back to his natural left wing and running. . .

DeBrusk Zacha Pasta
Marchand Coyle Frederic

As the top 6

 

[Absurdity]

I think when it comes to who plays with Zacha and Pastrnak on the first line, that 3rd player has to be willing to go on the forecheck and battle for pucks in the corners.

Marchand and DeBrusk: Both fit this criteria and either would be the best option

JVR: In my opinion, it's not really his style of game. He's really good around the net, but in a perfect world, I think he's better suited to either be on a line with two other guys doing most of the work or being the 3rd man high on his line. I think he could really fit the Heinen role on the Mojo - Coyle - Heinen line that was really good in 2019.

Lauko: He fits the criteria, but would the coach trust him to face other top line talent? How is his passing? Will he be able to find Zacha and Pastrnak open? I think the Bruins could get away with him on this line, but there are better options. It may be beneficial to ease him in with regular minutes playing in the bottom 6.

Frederic: Kind of like Lauko but has more potential to succeed and produce on that line. Are there better options? Yes.

Boqvist: Interestingly enough, he may be the third best option to try on the 1st line. Why? He is Hall-esque, he does go in the corners, he has above average passing ability, and he has a good shot. He has also played with Zacha in the past. He may be the best option on this line especially if Montgomery wants to have Marchand and DeBrusk drive the play on their own line.

Who does everyone think will be the LW on the first line?

 

[NDiesel]

I think when it comes to who plays with Zacha and Pastrnak on the first line, that 3rd player has to be willing to go on the forecheck and battle for pucks in the corners.

Marchand and DeBrusk: Both fit this criteria and either would be the best option

JVR: In my opinion, it's not really his style of game. He's really good around the net, but in a perfect world, I think he's better suited to either be on a line with two other guys doing most of the work or being the 3rd man high on his line. I think he could really fit the Heinen role on the Mojo - Coyle - Heinen line that was really good in 2019.

Lauko: He fits the criteria, but would the coach trust him to face other top line talent? How is his passing? Will he be able to find Zacha and Pastrnak open? I think the Bruins could get away with him on this line, but there are better options. It may be beneficial to ease him in with regular minutes playing in the bottom 6.

Frederic: Kind of like Lauko but has more potential to succeed and produce on that line. Are there better options? Yes.

Boqvist: Interestingly enough, he may be the third best option to try on the 1st line. Why? He is Hall-esque, he does go in the corners, he has above average passing ability, and he has a good shot. He has also played with Zacha in the past. He may be the best option on this line especially if Montgomery wants to have Marchand and DeBrusk drive the play on their own line.

Who does everyone think will be the LW on the first line?

Personally I like Lauko there. The guy can shoot the puck well and his speed adds another element to that line that is capable of backing the Dmen further into the zone and allowing the other two guys a bit more time and space to create offense.

 

[JEM28]

A borderline career AHLer in Brown being written into the 4th line so easily is rather despairing as well. Similar to Reilly. Broke into the NHL with low tier teams... 6'1, not large. Bruins must see what a prospect in Beecher can provide before the last resort.

This is a concern to me, potentially squash others development in lieu of a career to date fringe nhl/ahl player with no obvious upside.

 

[Absurdity]

This is a concern to me, potentially squash others development in lieu of a career to date fringe nhl/ahl player with no obvious upside.

There will be at least three 4th line/13F forward spots open this season. If Brown wins a spot on the 4th line, he will have earned it.

 

[RussellmaniaKW]

Every one seems to have Gryz as there LD on the first pairing for me that is very concerning. Several posters have posted that the Bruin D will be top 5 in the league. I can not see this happening with Gryz on your first pairing. The forwards (centers) in particular are below average, . To say the Bruins are facing major challenges this year is real, but excepting it is a transition year is where we should be as Bruin fans

the Boston Bruins (maybe you're familiar with them, idk) have given up the fewest goals in the NHL over the last 3 seasons. Matt Grzelcyk spent significant time on the top pair in all 3 of those years.

Why is it hard for you to believe that a Bruins D with Matt Grzelcyk on the top pair would continue to be a top 5 D in the NHL? Like...this isn't some new development.

 

[JEM28]

There will be at least three 4th line/13F forward spots open this season. If Brown wins a spot on the 4th line, he will have earned it.

True if they make him earn it. I don’t always get the sense that that’s a pre-req. we will see and perhaps it’s more speculation of him being a likely 4c in these posts that I’m reacting too.

Not a deal breaker but I’m really just saying I want true competition and best player gets the job as you’ve hinted should be the case.

 

[TSBruins13]

Marchand Zacha Pasta
Lauko Coyle Debrusk
JVR Frederic Geekie
Lucic Brown Boqvist

 

[Kegs]

This is a concern to me, potentially squash others development in lieu of a career to date fringe nhl/ahl player with no obvious upside.

Coaches don’t ice players unless they
Think they give them the best chance to win. If brown make the team then he is the best option according to the coaches expertise.

 

[rocketdan9]

In theory ....best candidates to replace Bertuzzi on the 1st/2nd line would be

- Marchand - Wealth of experience playing with Pasta.
- Lauko - Monty likes that one heavy forchecker on every line. Lauko ... is relentless. Main job to pressure the puck handler.... to increase chance for turnover. Opportunistic in front of the net for loose pucks. Back check to helpout defense
- Toporowski - like a shorter Bertuzzi. Scrappy, skilled and willing forchecker. Longshot to make the NHL club.

Not good candidates
- Boqvist - Finesse game.
- JVR - Too old. Not known for defense (actually the opposite).
- Frederic - Not skilled enough. Better fit on the 3rd line

That empty LW spot will be the biggest question mark leading up to game 1. I personally would not split up Marchand and Debrusk.... to create a more balanced(offense) top 2 lines

 

[DaStinger]

Boqvist - Zacha - Pasta
Marchand - Geekie - Debrusk
JVR - Coyle - Frederic
Lucic - Brown - Lauko

This is how I hope it shakes out. I know it's a jump for Geekie but I feel he needs a shot there. We know that Coyle doesn't move the needle in the top 6. I feel like if he's there all season we are boned.