Speculation: Most Likely to Surprise and Make Opening Night Lineup

[Beesfan]

Let's say the conventional lineup would be as follows:

Forward
Marchand
Coyle
DeBrusk
Zacha
Pastrnak
JVR
Boqvist
Geekie
Frederic
Lucic
Brown
Lauko
Greer (13th)

Defense
McAvoy
Lindholm
Grzelcyk
Carlo
Forbort
Shattenkirk
Zboril (13th)

Goaltender
Ullmark
Swayman

Who has a chance to steal a spot from one of these guys (2 choices).

*I'm not including Greer and Zboril in the poll, as I don't consider that a surprise.

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[McGarnagle]

Defense seems pretty set to me so I wouldn't expect any surprises unless we have multiple injuries.

For F, I could see either Merkulov or Beecher taking a spot if they outplay Brown or Boqvist in training camp.

 

[HustleB]

Merkulov is my top choice. Richards the kid from the Canadiens organization is my next favorite. Though I really haven’t read as much about the d. I do like a lot of what I read on Mitchell.

 

[Beesfan]

I voted Beecher and Chaisson. I think Beecher is in a head to head with Brown and may even have the inside track. Chaisson is a capable player that depending where his game is could have a very good showing at TC.

 

[PlayMakers]

Mitchell.

I think they'll waive Zboril to make room for him, which will also allow them to call up another forward.

I think that 23rd forward will be McLaughlin.

 

[Dr Quincy]

Defense seems pretty set to me so I wouldn't expect any surprises unless we have multiple injuries.

For F, I could see either Merkulov or Beecher taking a spot if they outplay Brown or Boqvist in training camp.

Merkulov yes, Beecher? No. What has he done in the AHL that shows he's achieved the level of being too good for that league? I'd give McLaughlin a better shot of making the team than Beecher.

 

[quietbruinfan]

Mitchell or Merkulov for me. If he is allowed to beat out Shattenkirk, I think Mitchell might surprise us.

 

[Beesfan]

Merkulov yes, Beecher? No. What has he done in the AHL that shows he's achieved the level of being too good for that league? I'd give McLaughlin a better shot of making the team than Beecher.

Beecher is a Sean Kuraly type. Kuraly was never too good for the AHL. They are fourth liners that are on the roster for their unique combo of size and speed.

Merkulov doesn't make the roster unless he fills a skill role. That is a harder hill to climb.

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

Merkulov yes, Beecher? No. What has he done in the AHL that shows he's achieved the level of being too good for that league? I'd give McLaughlin a better shot of making the team than Beecher.

Beecher wins faceoffs and is a strong defender and can PK. Seems right for that 4th line role. Not saying McLaughlin won’t beat him out though.

 

[Over the volcano]

Think Poitras would be the biggest surprise and I could see it as the alternative for him is juniors.

 

[Dr Quincy]

Beecher wins faceoffs and is a strong defender and can PK. Seems right for that 4th line role. Not saying McLaughlin won’t beat him out though.

Patrick Brown was 52.5% in the NHL last year on faceoffs. What was Beecher in the AHL? Brown played on the PK for 2 NHL teams last year

Brown makes 800k. Beecher makes 925k.

If all you want is someone to win faceoffs and PK, then it's going to be the guy they specifically signed to do that role. Beecher can stay in the AHL and hopefully move up to 2nd line there this year. For years we've been told Beecher is actually good offensively, but he's just stuck behind elite players. Well, let him play in PRO on the 2nd line and show what offense he has. He can always be called up later.

 

[Beesfan]

Patrick Brown was 52.5% in the NHL last year on faceoffs. What was Beecher in the AHL? Brown played on the PK for 2 NHL teams last year

Brown makes 800k. Beecher makes 925k.

If all you want is someone to win faceoffs and PK, then it's going to be the guy they specifically signed to do that role. Beecher can stay in the AHL and hopefully move up to 2nd line there this year. For years we've been told Beecher is actually good offensively, but he's just stuck behind elite players. Well, let him play in PRO on the 2nd line and show what offense he has. He can always be called up later.

Patrick Brown is 31 years old. He has played 138 games in the NHL over 9 season, an average of less than 15 games per season. By contrast, he has played 403 games in the AHL. I don't think he can be called a full time NHL player. I think Bruins mgmt is hoping he gets beat.

 

[UncleRico]

Beecher is a Sean Kuraly type. Kuraly was never too good for the AHL. They are fourth liners that are on the roster for their unique combo of size and speed.

Merkulov doesn't make the roster unless he fills a skill role. That is a harder hill to climb.

True but kuraly was fairly more productive in the AHL his one year than Beecher was. Kuraly had a .48ppg and beecher was .37ppg in his first year.

 

[BruinDust]

None of the guys on this list will be in the line-up opening night.

Mitchell will be on the roster but he'll be the 7th D to start.

I wouldn't be surprised at all if Chaisson ends up with the 13th F spot over Greer who may be redundant right now with Lucic coming in. But he (Chaisson) won't dress opening night either.

 

[wintersej]

Think Poitras would be the biggest surprise and I could see it as the alternative for him is juniors.

I think he is a late cut to get as much of a taste as possible but I just don’t see them rushing him. I mean both Lysell and Merkulov are more physically ready.

 

[ON3M4N]

I think they'll be a few guys that surprise, but idk if they any make the opening night roster. Sweeney Co has always taken advantage of sending guys down that don't require waivers and the Bruins like to let guys marinade in the AHL. From the list above I'd say Chiasson. Could come in, have a good camp, work well on PP2 as the net front guy and earn a bottom 6 role.

 

[Fenian24]

I think Toporowski will be most deserving but they have depth at LW and he is better served playing top 6 minutes in Providence. Voted Beecher as I see him between Lucic and Lauko, two very fast players with a slow Lucic, each would off set the others limitations.

Brown as 13th because he is physical and can win faceoffs.

 

[Troublesome 85]

Other cuz tbh idk. Would love Beecher Lysell or Poitros to surprise but think may be Merkulov

 

[4ORRBRUIN]

Lots of posters a very high on Merkulov

I am going left field and say Farinacci and I also see Chaisson making it on the opening night roster

​

 

[Dr Quincy]

Patrick Brown is 31 years old. He has played 138 games in the NHL over 9 season, an average of less than 15 games per season. By contrast, he has played 403 games in the AHL. I don't think he can be called a full time NHL player. I think Bruins mgmt is hoping he gets beat.

They signed Brown on the very 1st day of free agency, which meant they were planning on it well before then.

He makes less than Merkulov or Beecher, and any money they can start to bank can be spent later on.

Beecher has not shown he's a "good" AHL player yet. His year as a whole was "meh" with "bad" at the beginning of the year and "ok" at the end of the year.

The team has a history of signing vets for bottom of the roster players and giving them the first crack. Brown is going to be on this roster. Maybe he'll suck, and maybe Beecher will be great in October in the AHL.

Cool. You can adjust then. But I don't think the plan is to start Beecher or Lohrei in the NHL.

 

[RI.B FAN]

Mitchell or Merkulov for me. If he is allowed to beat out Shattenkirk, I think Mitchell might surprise us.

Even if he plays better than KS, the veteran will probably get the opening night start

 

[Blowfish]

IMO Merkulov wouldn't be a surprise however one of Topo or Richard would be a good surprise.

 

[BlackFrancis]

The Topo love warms my rimy heart.

 

[JOKER 192]

To be honest I don't see what any of the prospects have done to make anyone think they are ready for the NHL. I think they could all use at least 1/2 season in the AHL.

I think they start the season with the vets and then if anyone takes the big step in the AHL or a spot becomes available due to injuries then we'll see them .

 

[The don godfather]

I'm gonna snag jvr in the late rounds in my fantasy league what a sleeper pick. Playing possibly on the first line wowsers. Could pop 20 plus !