Boston Bruins Predict the Lineup & Lines discussion

[Bodit9]

I was the first to suggest Lauko with Zacha and Pasta to create a Czech line where Lauko uses his speed as a LW disrupter on the forecheck. It makes sense as we want to spread out talent on other lines too and the puck on Pasta's stick and then the C (Zacha) so he is the 3rd option.

It is a similar thought as a Hyman with the superstars in Toronto and Edmonton. I hope we give it a shot throughout camp, nothing to lose, lots to gain.

Don't like it. Zacha & Pasta need to be with an offensively gifted player. That's not Lauko.

 

[Colt.45Orr]

Don't like it. Zacha & Pasta need to be with an offensively gifted player. That's not Lauko.

He's a long-shot to be sure, but it could be (cheap) lightning in a bottle. Lauko is our best skater and has tools that could fit really well on that line. He also could be on the 4th line --who knows.

 

[Dizzay]

I get the pairs discussion and I definitely think it's wise when spreading out the offence but I'm surprised we haven't seen more Marchy-Zacha-Pasta possibilities? You're second line would have to be JVR-Coyle-Debrusk or move Jake back to his natural side and go Debrusk-Coyle-Freddy

I just hope one of the more offensively gifted prospects make it impossible for us to cut them this season, Poitras, Merkulov, Lysell..............that's kind of best case scenario.

I also hope Lohrei makes the opening night roster. Him playing with McAvoy would be fun to watch. There would be growing pains but who better to learn from right now?

I'm pumped for camp, pumped for the season, pumped for this team.

 

[PlayMakers]

I'm surprised we haven't seen more Marchy-Zacha-Pasta possibilities?

Marchand-Zacha-Pasta means your second line is a 3rd line playing 2nd line minutes.

 

[bb74]

Marchand-Zacha-Pasta
JVR-Geekie-DeBrusk
Boqvist-Coyle-Frederic
Lucic-Brown-Greer

Marchand is the straw on that line - can work down low and halfwall and the best on the team with the passing to get Pasta the puck anywhere for his one timer without having to be on the PP.

DeBrusk has never really worked with Coyle and I don't see him as a creator which is what that first line needs so figure he'll get the new guys and see if they can make something of it. JVR is just a net front presence guy which may be problematic if he is playing LW and is the first back on D. He'll need shelter so maybe they play the C up high with more an umbrella approach. DeBrusk is going to have to grow more creativity into his game this year as there isn't enough speed on the wings to cover for a pure N:S below the hashlines game and still defend (IMO).

Boqvist could be the front office hope and prayer to be a 2nd coming of M. Johansson and Frederic and Coyle at least have shown they can play together. Still never heard the story on why they let him go / why he wanted to be elsewhere. The sum of the parts of those 2 was much better than either alone so if anyone had the inside story on why MJ walked, I'd love to know (here or on PM.)

 

[Bodit9]

He's a long-shot to be sure, but it could be (cheap) lightning in a bottle. Lauko is our best skater and has tools that could fit really well on that line. He also could be on the 4th line --who knows.

Would rather try a different young player there with a better offensive mind. Like a Merkulov or maybe Anthony Richard. I like Lauko but wouldn't put him in the top 6. Offensive players think the game on another level. They need complementary players who can also think that way.

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

Marchand-Zacha-Pasta means your second line is a 3rd line playing 2nd line minutes.

Well, such is the life of a team with a lack of genuine top six talent. We have four guys who fit the bill.

 

[mar2kbos]

Marchand-Zacha-Pasta
JVR-Geekie-DeBrusk
Boqvist-Coyle-Frederic
Lucic-Brown-Greer

Marchand is the straw on that line - can work down low and halfwall and the best on the team with the passing to get Pasta the puck anywhere for his one timer without having to be on the PP.

DeBrusk has never really worked with Coyle and I don't see him as a creator which is what that first line needs so figure he'll get the new guys and see if they can make something of it. JVR is just a net front presence guy which may be problematic if he is playing LW and is the first back on D. He'll need shelter so maybe they play the C up high with more an umbrella approach. DeBrusk is going to have to grow more creativity into his game this year as there isn't enough speed on the wings to cover for a pure N:S below the hashlines game and still defend (IMO).

Boqvist could be the front office hope and prayer to be a 2nd coming of M. Johansson and Frederic and Coyle at least have shown they can play together. Still never heard the story on why they let him go / why he wanted to be elsewhere. The sum of the parts of those 2 was much better than either alone so if anyone had the inside story on why MJ walked, I'd love to know (here or on PM.)

Debrusk may be looking for the FA exit if those are his linemates for the year.

 

[The don godfather]

I predict this jesper boqvist guy surprising everyone with his speed and smarts and popping like 18 goals this year . Book it! We will thank the devils organization once again this year.

 

[Kegs]

Don't like it. Zacha & Pasta need to be with an offensively gifted player. That's not Lauko.

Why do they need to be with an offensive player? They both create their own offence. I don’t see any reason to think this couldn’t work.

I predict this jesper boqvist guy surprising everyone with his speed and smarts and popping like 18 goals this year . Book it! We will thank the devils organization once again this year.

I agree. I think he just needs to get stronger. Hopefully this off-season he got stronger.

 

[The don godfather]

Why do they need to be with an offensive player? They both create their own offence. I don’t see any reason to think this couldn’t work.


I agree. I think he just needs to get stronger. Hopefully this off-season he got stronger.

He scored 10 last year another 8 playing useful minutes with Coyle and getting 18 looks easy. He has speed.

 

[Kegs]

He scored 10 last year another 8 playing useful minutes with Coyle and getting 18 looks easy. He has speed.

I don’t find coyle makes players around him better. I find he Controls the play a lot of the times. But adding speed to this roster is always something I want to see. Speed kills. I want a big strong fast team.

 

[The don godfather]

I don’t find coyle makes players around him better. I find he Controls the play a lot of the times. But adding speed to this roster is always something I want to see. Speed kills. I want a big strong fast team.

Hopefully one of the young kids take a center spot and thrive. Merkulov or faranacci are my bet .

 

[PlayMakers]

Well, such is the life of a team with a lack of genuine top six talent. We have four guys who fit the bill.

Yeah, but I think if you split the 4 of them you can create two top6 lines, and I'd rather go with that than be a one line team.

 

[Bodit9]

Why do they need to be with an offensive player? They both create their own offence. I don’t see any reason to think this couldn’t work.


I agree. I think he just needs to get stronger. Hopefully this off-season he got stronger.

Because elite offensive players (top 6) have higher hockey IQs and scoring skillsets (passing, vision, shooting, finding soft areas) that when put with someone without those qualities, will drag them down.

 

[mjhfb]

Some very good ideas listed, but we will all see as combos are tested that chemistry is not something you can fake.

 

[JCRO]

Pairs IMO you should keep together..

The pairs
Marchand-JDB
Pasta-Zacha
Coyle-Freddy

BUT the center situation really makes that difficult.

I dont think it is so far out there to say that we may very well see Geekie tried out between a strong pair like Marchand- JDB. Then you add a Lauko to another strong pairing like Coyle-Freddy.

That leaves Pasta-Zacha and JVR I guess... Idk man its tough.

 

[PlayMakers]

Because elite offensive players (top 6) have higher hockey IQs and scoring skillsets (passing, vision, shooting, finding soft areas) that when put with someone without those qualities, will drag them down.

I don’t agree. The Hawks won multiple Cups by putting talented pairs with a 3rd line grinder. Toews, Kane and Bickel was the line that beat us in 2013. Tampa did it too. Toronto does it, Edmonton does it...

Sometimes what two skilled linemates need is a simpleton who will forecheck and create some chaos, or go to the net and stay there to occupy a D and create room for the skilled guys.

 

[Jorah Marshmont]

What the hell.

DeBrusk-Zacha-Pasta
Marchand-Coyle-Lysell
Merkulov-Geekie-Boqvist
JVR-Frederic-Lauko
Lucic-McLovin

Lohrei-McAvoy
Lindholm-Carlo
Gryz-Shattenkirk
Mitchell

$3,333 in cap space with Forbort and Zboril buried

 

[neelynugs]

Marchand - Coyle - JDB
JVR - Zacha - Pastrnak
Boqvist - Geekie - Frederic
Lucic - Brown - Lauko
X: Greer, McLaughlin

Grzelcyk - McAvoy
Lindholm - Carlo
Forbort - Shattenkirk
X: Mitchell

Ullmark - Swayman

agree all the way through. dump zboril to SJ for a 7th rounder.

 

[The Andrew Peeke Fan]

What the hell.

DeBrusk-Zacha-Pasta
Marchand-Coyle-Lysell
Merkulov-Geekie-Boqvist
JVR-Frederic-Lauko
Lucic-McLovin

Lohrei-McAvoy
Lindholm-Carlo
Gryz-Shattenkirk
Mitchell

$3,333 in cap space with Forbort and Zboril buried

I really like this, however extremely unlikely.

 

[JEM28]

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.

Your theory is the way it should be. Then again, Do you agree with every decision the coach makes? It’s his squad and decision but best chance to win can be a subjective thing.

 

[bb74]

Debrusk may be looking for the FA exit if those are his linemates for the year.

If so he can **** off in my book and should be a deadline swap for the rebuild or a comp player. He is going to get paid and given how they have done a lot to try and make it right for him over the past year, with the bridge contracts, etc..., he can play as a pro and not whine about minutes and teammates. A guy that does that as a non franchise level talent comes across as a jackwagon and good riddance if he pulls that and is gone.

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

If so he can **** off in my book and should be a deadline swap for the rebuild or a comp player. He is going to get paid and given how they have done a lot to try and make it right for him over the past year, with the bridge contracts, etc..., he can play as a pro and not whine about minutes and teammates. A guy that does that as a non franchise level talent comes across as a jackwagon and good riddance if he pulls that and is gone.

 

[bb74]

View attachment 738328

Yep.

Ever have to work with / perform with someone who felt they always deserved more than the next guy/gal? I have and it is toxic and not a way to build a team, culture, or raise the overall performance of a group.

May be a harsh take on my part but so be it. Gotta help others before you help yourself and I'm not aware of a trend where JD consistently makes people around him better yet.