Third-Line Center

[BruinsFanSince94]

Krejci as a 3rd line center. That’s depth. 60 point guys on the 3rd line hahaha

 

[Dr Hook]

Krejci as a 3rd line center. That’s depth. 60 point guys on the 3rd line hahaha

But we'd have to go out and find wingers that can play with him to make it work!

 

[UConn126]

Based on numbers, I'm hesitant to pencil in JFK for the third line C spot.

I think our best bet would be to move Kuraly to 3C. If he can handle it, great, if he can't, we add a veteran 3C at the deadline.

 

[RussellmaniaKW]

there's no way we make Kuraly 3C. that spot needs to be a guy who can fill in on the top 2 lines in a pinch and that's just not his game

 

[BruinsFanSince94]

there's no way we make Kuraly 3C. that spot needs to be a guy who can fill in on the top 2 lines in a pinch and that's just not his game

Yeah, I’m not to big on that suggestion.

 

[Dr Hook]

Yeah, I’m not to big on that suggestion.

I'd like to see what he could do there- it doesn't appear that he has the offensive instincts or talent to pull it off, but he could surprise us.

 

[BruinsFanSince94]

I'd like to see what he could do there- it doesn't appear that he has the offensive instincts or talent to pull it off, but he could surprise us.

He could, but I’m not sure this is the team you try that with. It worked with Riley Nash during the regular season (not the playoffs) but do you really go 2/2 on 4th liners hitting that next level? I think they need to go a different route and keep Kuraly where we know he is effective.

 

[RussellmaniaKW]

I'd like to see what he could do there- it doesn't appear that he has the offensive instincts or talent to pull it off, but he could surprise us.

they way to find that out is to let him fill in when someone is inevitably injured, but I definitely wouldn't pencil him in to that spot on a hunch.

 

[Dr Hook]

they way to find that out is to let him fill in when someone is inevitably injured, but I definitely wouldn't pencil him in to that spot on a hunch.

Given our walking wounded, he should get an opportunity at some point. I thought when Cassidy moved him up with Backes for some shifts, he didn't look bad. Then again, that sort of grind line as a 3rd line is probably too retro 90s these days.

 

[RussellmaniaKW]

Given our walking wounded, he should get an opportunity at some point. I thought when Cassidy moved him up with Backes for some shifts, he didn't look bad. Then again, that sort of grind line as a 3rd line is probably too retro 90s these days.

Yeah, Backes & Kuraly have played well together going back to last year. I could live with Backes on the 4th line if they had a speedy 3rd line maybe.

 

[Dr Hook]

Yeah, Backes & Kuraly have played well together going back to last year. I could live with Backes on the 4th line if they had a speedy 3rd line maybe.

You know it could be that we might be looking at 3/4 lines that are not true 3/4 lines in terms of depth, but more in terms of need/style. That could be cool . . .

 

[Jean_Jacket41]

there's no way we make Kuraly 3C. that spot needs to be a guy who can fill in on the top 2 lines in a pinch and that's just not his game

Agree. Kuraly is intense and skates well but he has no hands or creativity. Perfect for 4th line but not for permanent 3C option.

 

[DKH]

I am not sure if it’s from the start but my view is JFK is going to be a good NHL player

His timing to be a second line caliber center is lined up perfectly with Krejci contract

He’s getting way undervalued in this thread

I love following guys around the ice on shifts and since the player may have the puck at most for a few seconds any shift it’s not hard if you got a good view to assess what he did with the puck

I did this with JFK whether watching him in Lowell, Agannis, or Providence

He could get stronger like DeBrusk and Heinen did but his puck skills are plus plus

He’s very good on faceoffs

If he can avoid heavy hits - he holds on to pick a long time to wait for guys to get open - he looks 50+ points probably 60+

He’s got top 6 skills and head - he probably starts here but I don’t see him when he’s played 200 nhl games a third liner

He could be a monster with Donato or DeBrusk on his wing in a few years

 

[False Start]

I am not sure if it’s from the start but my view is JFK is going to be a good NHL player

His timing to be a second line caliber center is lined up perfectly with Krejci contract

He’s getting way undervalued in this thread

I love following guys around the ice on shifts and since the player may have the puck at most for a few seconds any shift it’s not hard if you got a good view to assess what he did with the puck

I did this with JFK whether watching him in Lowell, Agannis, or Providence

He could get stronger like DeBrusk and Heinen did but his puck skills are plus plus

He’s very good on faceoffs

If he can avoid heavy hits - he holds on to pick a long time to wait for guys to get open - he looks 50+ points probably 60+

He’s got top 6 skills and head - he probably starts here but I don’t see him when he’s played 200 nhl games a third liner

He could be a monster with Donato or DeBrusk on his wing in a few years

He's got the perfect mentor too in Bergeron.

I for one cannot wait for his true debut.

 

[ODAAT]

I am not sure if it’s from the start but my view is JFK is going to be a good NHL player

His timing to be a second line caliber center is lined up perfectly with Krejci contract

He’s getting way undervalued in this thread

I love following guys around the ice on shifts and since the player may have the puck at most for a few seconds any shift it’s not hard if you got a good view to assess what he did with the puck

I did this with JFK whether watching him in Lowell, Agannis, or Providence

He could get stronger like DeBrusk and Heinen did but his puck skills are plus plus

He’s very good on faceoffs

If he can avoid heavy hits - he holds on to pick a long time to wait for guys to get open - he looks 50+ points probably 60+

He’s got top 6 skills and head - he probably starts here but I don’t see him when he’s played 200 nhl games a third liner

He could be a monster with Donato or DeBrusk on his wing in a few years

DKH, can I ask what his D game and skating like? While I`m left uninspired by Krejci often, one thing I rarely have been able to fault him for is his attention to details defensively. How`s JFK in that regards if you know please and thanks. I know very little about the kid but everything I have read about him states very similar points to what you offered above

 

[Tim Vezina Thomas]

If Riley Nash would accept a 1 year deal I'd bring him back asap. He isn't an offensive force but with the contract situation looking like it is (McAvoy, Carlo, Heinen, Donato all RFAs after next year) I think hes a fairly low risk signing and can easily be a very productive fourth liner.

Also - Between Donato, JFK, Kuraly and Frederic you'd HOPE one of them could take over that 3C role. If not Nash has proven to be adequate in that spot to let the kids develop one more year.

Any more than 1 year deal I'd be very hesitant though.

 

[Dr Hook]

If Riley Nash would accept a 1 year deal I'd bring him back asap.

I can't imagine why Riley would take a 1 year deal, though. He's pretty much at his best (and perhaps only) opportunity to get a nice NHL contract. Someone will offer 3 or 4 years at decent money and he'd be a fool not to take it. Why take a one year deal, risk a poor season and lose all that leverage? I think unless the Bruins are coming in with a multi-year deal for him at 3-4 mill. (and I hope they don't( he is walking. Best of luck to him- he's earned it.

 

[Tim Vezina Thomas]

I can't imagine why Riley would take a 1 year deal, though. He's pretty much at his best (and perhaps only) opportunity to get a nice NHL contract. Someone will offer 3 or 4 years at decent money and he'd be a fool not to take it. Why take a one year deal, risk a poor season and lose all that leverage? I think unless the Bruins are coming in with a multi-year deal for him at 3-4 mill. (and I hope they don't( he is walking. Best of luck to him- he's earned it.

Never said he would, but he said he was comfortable here so maybe a 1 year deal with higher AAV would make it enticing? 1 year at $4mm?

Just spitballing here of course.

 

[Hali33]

there's no way we make Kuraly 3C. that spot needs to be a guy who can fill in on the top 2 lines in a pinch and that's just not his game

Agree. I don’t like the idea of going into a season with uncertainty in our 3C role. I don’t think it’s realistic at all to expect one or both of Bergy and Krejci to have healthy seasons where they don’t miss time. I think it’s pretty reasonable expectation our 3C will need to be capable of jumping into a top 6 center role for more than a random game.

This is too important a depth position to have questionable.

 

[Dr Hook]

Just spitballing here of course.

Pretty much all we do here, for the most part

 

[Tim Vezina Thomas]

I also think an underrated aspect of the 3C is putting some pressure on Krejci as the 2C. Krejci floats more often than most of us would like and having a young kid challenging him for minutes woudlnt be the worst thing.

 

[Rubber Biscuit]

If Riley Nash would accept a 1 year deal I'd bring him back asap. He isn't an offensive force but with the contract situation looking like it is (McAvoy, Carlo, Heinen, Donato all RFAs after next year) I think hes a fairly low risk signing and can easily be a very productive fourth liner.

Also - Between Donato, JFK, Kuraly and Frederic you'd HOPE one of them could take over that 3C role. If not Nash has proven to be adequate in that spot to let the kids develop one more year.

Any more than 1 year deal I'd be very hesitant though.

I would be very comfortable with him on a one year deal but I think he’d be silly to take one

 

[kdog82]

Maybe Derek Ryan as a stop gap. 1-2 year deal?

Good speed, can chip in offensively and real good at the dot.

 

[kdog82]

Or try and hit a home run and overpay for Athanasiou. Not sure what his relationship is with Red Wings management but he's an RFA who held out last year. This guy would be the perfect 3rd line centre for this Bruins team.

Heinen + Lauzon for Athanasiou (Heinen had more points that AA)

 

[BMC]

Resigning Riley Nash is the worst possible idea

Why don't we find out what he wants for $ before dismissing the idea of re-signing him? Everyone assumes he's going for the home run contract but that might not be the case. When David Krejci was UFA there was a lot of talk about not re-signing him because of assumptions about how much $ he wanted. Turned out it was less than what was feared at the time.