Player Discussion Anders Bjork

[BruinsBtn]

I would be thrilled with 40 points from Bjork.

You have to assume Bergeron and Marchand are getting +70 points each. The guy who is riding with them needs to put up +50 points minimum IMO.

 

[Mainehockey33]

You have to assume Bergeron and Marchand are getting +70 points each. The guy who is riding with them needs to put up +50 points minimum IMO.

Bergeron hasn't hit 70 points in ten years. It would be nice and possible, but I don't think it should be assumed.

 

[BMC]

The only thing I have against Bjork is he is wearing #10 which IIRC has not been good for the guy wearing it.

 

[BruinDust]

You have to assume Bergeron and Marchand are getting +70 points each. The guy who is riding with them needs to put up +50 points minimum IMO.

Why?

Especially when you consider the guy riding shot-gun with them quite possibly won't see top unit PP time with them.

 

[BruinDust]

The only thing I have against Bjork is he is wearing #10 which IIRC has not been a good for the guy wearing it.

I like it, sure beats guys wearing numbers in the 40s and 50s. I'm a fan of lower numbers.

Except #6, that number is cursed for Boston and should be taken out of circulation.

 

[ODAAT]

You have to assume Bergeron and Marchand are getting +70 points each. The guy who is riding with them needs to put up +50 points minimum IMO.

needs to? Disagree, if Bjork or whomever is flanking the Bergy line and they prove to be a nice compliment yet were to wind up with 40 pts, not a chance I would consider that a negative thing, let alone for a rookie, now, that line can`t have a Schaller-like player on it who would bring minimal skill but to say that line "needs to" have a guy riding with them who posts a minimum of 50 isn`t something I can agree with respectfully

 

[Tim Vezina Thomas]

You have to assume Bergeron and Marchand are getting +70 points each. The guy who is riding with them needs to put up +50 points minimum IMO.

What is your opinion based on though? Bjorks a first year player, 50+ points is a tall order I think.

Prob won't get as much PP time either.

 

[ODAAT]

What is your opinion based on though? Bjorks a first year player, 50+ points is a tall order I think.

Prob won't get as much PP time either.

I know you aren`t asking me but I`m gonna answer regardless

If Bjork can post 35-40 pts or thereabouts, show he can play at this level without too many stretches where he looks a bit overwhelmed which can happy to a kid, call me ecstatic.

I don`t think those totals would be unattainable. I could see him produce more but would be happy with what I stated above

 

[Tim Vezina Thomas]

I know you aren`t asking me but I`m gonna answer regardless

If Bjork can post 35-40 pts or thereabouts, show he can play at this level without too many stretches where he looks a bit overwhelmed which can happy to a kid, call me ecstatic.

I don`t think those totals would be unattainable. I could see him produce more but would be happy with what I stated above

Agreed. I don't think 50+ points is out of the realm of possibility, but "needs to" is strong I think. Also seems a bit arbitrary,

 

[ODAAT]

Agreed. I don't think 50+ points is out of the realm of possibility, but "needs to" is strong I think. Also seems a bit arbitrary,

I think some too have conveniently forgotten this kid is a 5th round pick who "could" literally be a gift from the hockey gods, not some top 5 first round pick where expectations are rightfully higher

 

[BruinsBtn]

What is your opinion based on though? Bjorks a first year player, 50+ points is a tall order I think.

Prob won't get as much PP time either.

It's based on watching Bergeron and Marchand playing together the past 5 years. A rookie Reilly Smith put up 51 points with them.

Last year Bergeron was really banged up and if he stays healthy, he's going to get 70 this year.

I expect that line to be at worst a top-5 line in the NHL so whoever is riding shotgun with them needs to bring it. I don't think 40 points is enough.

At the same time, if he's bumped down to play on another line, I'll be thrilled with 40 points.

TBH, seeing what Bjork has done so far, I think 50 points is going to happen but he's gotta move the feet like he did yesterday.

 

[ODAAT]

It's based on watching Bergeron and Marchand playing together the past 5 years. A rookie Reilly Smith put up 51 points with them.

Last year Bergeron was really banged up and if he stays healthy, he's going to get 70 this year.

I expect that line to be at worst a top-5 line in the NHL so whoever is riding shotgun with them needs to bring it. I don't think 40 points is enough.

TBH, seeing what Bjork has done so far, I think 50 points is going to happen but he's gotta move the feet like he did yesterday.

total nitpicking but Smith had 40 ish NHL games under his belt prior to arriving in Boston so he, at the very least, had some experience when navigating the NHL game.

I don`t think 50 pts is out of reach at all, I just don`t think it would be deemed unsuccessful if Bjork were to put up 40 ish pts either

 

[SpeedyLazaro]

Let's not Reily Smith the Bjork thread

I try to forget the Reily Smith era

 

[BruinLVGA]

For me, playing with 63/37... 30-35 points = realistic/good, 40-45 points = wow, 50 points =

Let's not forget that in 15-16 63/37 combined for 69 goals, second only to Benn/Seguin in the whole league and their prevalent partner, Connolly, put up 25... points. So, expectations of 50+ points for Bjork are a tad exaggerated, IMO.

 

[Bruinaura]

I think some too have conveniently forgotten this kid is a 5th round pick who "could" literally be a gift from the hockey gods, not some top 5 first round pick where expectations are rightfully higher

Good point. Bergeron as a rookie put up 39 as a surprise 2nd rounder. Find me anyone (outside of a couple people on this board, and Kirk), who thought he'd even make the team, much less score 39 points, at this point in the preseason that year.

Of course I think he missed about a dozen games that year, but still...

I think Bjork will do just fine. There aren't many better players you could start an NHL career with on your line than 37 and 63.

 

[BruinsBtn]

For me, playing with 63/37... 30-35 points = realistic/good, 40-45 points = wow, 50 points =

Let's not forget that in 15-16 63/37 combined for 69 goals, second only to Benn/Seguin in the whole league and their prevalent partner, Connolly, put up 25... points. So, expectations of 50+ points for Bjork are a tad exaggerated, IMO.

If you're only getting 30-35 riding shotgun with Bergeron/Marchand, you're dragging the line down.

If you can't finish passes like the one Bergeron gave Bjork last night, then you gotta find someone who can.

And if you can, you should be getting 50 points because Bergeron and Marchand are creating at least 5 scoring chances a game. Playing in the slot with 63/37 is possibly the most desirable RW slot in the entire league.

 

[JCRO]

For me, playing with 63/37... 30-35 points = realistic/good, 40-45 points = wow, 50 points =

Let's not forget that in 15-16 63/37 combined for 69 goals, second only to Benn/Seguin in the whole league and their prevalent partner, Connolly, put up 25... points. So, expectations of 50+ points for Bjork are a tad exaggerated, IMO.

Very well said.

I agree.

 

[Hali33]

For me, playing with 63/37... 30-35 points = realistic/good, 40-45 points = wow, 50 points =

Let's not forget that in 15-16 63/37 combined for 69 goals, second only to Benn/Seguin in the whole league and their prevalent partner, Connolly, put up 25... points. So, expectations of 50+ points for Bjork are a tad exaggerated, IMO.

Agree.

Expectations for a rookie season should be tapered, regardless of how good your linemates are. Inexperience and lots of ups and downs over a full season, nature of the beast.

 

[Bmessy]

I've only seen highlights and read about him but so far I like what I'm reading and seeing. I can't wait take a good look at him to see his game without the puck.

What I love about some of our recent draft picks, which is reflected with Bjork, are their willingness to battle. Cassidy said the "courage" that Bjork has. This coupled with all his other strengths gets me pumped.

Debrusk is another one that is good in tight and can win pucks. (hoping that pairs well with Krejci) It's almost cliche but it helps so much to be able to win pucks and battle. Even better if you can be productive offensively in tight areas. (Marchand) It's not always about laying someone out. But you have to be able to grind away for the puck night in and night out. Spooner seems to be doing this too, so far. A frustrating player when he's passive, but all of a sudden he looks great when he's working in the hard areas.

 

[BruinLVGA]

Agree.

Expectations for a rookie season should be tapered, regardless of how good your linemates are. Inexperience and lots of ups and downs over a full season, nature of the beast.

Absolutely correct, IMO.

 

[ODAAT]

Good point. Bergeron as a rookie put up 39 as a surprise 2nd rounder. Find me anyone (outside of a couple people on this board, and Kirk), who thought he'd even make the team, much less score 39 points, at this point in the preseason that year.

Of course I think he missed about a dozen games that year, but still...

I think Bjork will do just fine. There aren't many better players you could start an NHL career with on your line than 37 and 63.

these last two games should be decent gauges as to how Bjork reacts to NHL lineups as I suspect both the Flyers and Hawks will be icing lineups close to being complete, my guess, the kid will be fine

 

[ODAAT]

I've only seen highlights and read about him but so far I like what I'm reading and seeing. I can't wait take a good look at him to see his game without the puck.

What I love about some of our recent draft picks, which is reflected with Bjork, are their willingness to battle. Cassidy said the "courage" that Bjork has. This coupled with all his other strengths gets me pumped.

Debrusk is another one that is good in tight and can win pucks. (hoping that pairs well with Krejci) It's almost cliche but it helps so much to be able to win pucks and battle. Even better if you can be productive offensively in tight areas. (Marchand) It's not always about laying someone out. But you have to be able to grind away for the puck night in and night out. Spooner seems to be doing this too, so far. A frustrating player when he's passive, but all of a sudden he looks great when he's working in the hard areas.

I know this will sound odd but I`m kind of an odd guy to be kind but last night, being my first game to watch the B`s and specifically a few players in particular, I watched them once they hit the ice as much as the camera would allow and your first sentence is what I focused on as much as I could (play without the puck).

Although the Hawks didn`t necessarily ice a close to ready NHL lineup, that doesn`t mean you can`t still look lost without the puck out there and with that, most impressive for me on both the back end and forwards were Bjork and O`Gara of those I tried to focus on.

On Bjork`s goal, on the replay I watched of it, Bjork himself cut off the route the Hawks wanted to intially take to move the puck up ice, forced the play along the boards, you can teach this but there are certain players who are willing to do it while others won`t, loved the play off the draw as much as the goal

https://www.nhl.com/bruins/video/bjork-rips-home-bergerons-feed/t-277443694/c-52932203

 

[Dellstrom]

You have to assume Bergeron and Marchand are getting +70 points each. The guy who is riding with them needs to put up +50 points minimum IMO.

Disagree. 40-45 points for Bjork as a rookie would be absolutely phenomenal.

It's not going to be all peaks for him. He's certainly going to have ups and downs and he'll likely go up and down the lineup a few times. I'd like to see consistent improvement throughout the year from him, he doesn't have to blow me away on the stat sheet.

 

[ODAAT]

Disagree. 40-45 points for Bjork as a rookie would be absolutely phenomenal.

It's not going to be all peaks for him. He's certainly going to have ups and downs and he'll likely go up and down the lineup a few times. I'd like to see consistent improvement throughout the year from him, he doesn't have to blow me away on the stat sheet.

excellent post

 

[Alberta_OReilly_Fan]

If bjork isnt scoring 45-50 points why are we rushing him?

I am on record saying that pure offense players dont have a happy history in boston. Ive already said my spider sense predicts problems for bjork

That said, the kid is very impressive in camp. I have jumped on the bandwagon wanting to see him in nhl

but thats ONLY if he is contributing. He needs 45-50 points or he should be in ahl