Line Combos: 2018 -2019 Line/D Pairing discussions & proposals

[Mainehockey33]

I think Backes "is" the lack of playmaker on his line though.

I agree. At center, it looked like he would throw the puck away every time he had it in the offensive zone. At 4th line RW I thought he made better plays.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

I think Backes "is" the lack of playmaker on his line though.

I recall Heinen and Bjork setting him up for some pretty good scoring chances when they were playing together, but no finish.

 

[PlayMakers]

You missed the point entirely. How did he do THAT SEASON?. They were catching lightning in a bottle and didn’t take advantage of it. What he turned out to be doesn’t matter for that season. Everyone here was pining for him to get more ice time AT THE TIME, yet some nights we had kelly Talbot and Campbell as our 2-3-4.

Claude was the best coach in Bruins history, warts and all.

I don't think I missed the point.

You think Spooner could have made a difference [back then] if he was given more minutes and responsibility. I disagree. I don't think he was ready for it then and history has shown that he never really turned that particular corner. Every time he's been moved into a top6 role at center he's been a net negative. We've seen it over multiple years and under multiple coaches.

He's 26 now and in the prime of his career, he's bigger, stronger and has almost 300 games worth of NHL experience under his belt and he's still not that guy. I think it stands to reason that if he can't do it now, he couldn't have done it 5 years ago.

Fwiw, I was probably Spooner's biggest supporter when he was young, but I wanted him converted to wing in Providence and it didn't happen. Rumors about him not wanting to play wing, poor off-ice work ethic, immature and so on, I don't know. I know he got a decent shot with decent players at wing with marginal results. Cassidy was even less of a fan and immediately reduced his minutes. He put up points for the Rags last year but was also on pace for a -20. Now he's 0-0-0 -5 in 3 games for Edmonton. I hope he figures it out someday, but he doesn't seem to want to make the changes that would allow him to be a more effective player 5on5.

 

[Mick Riddleton]

No one is disputing Claude was a successful Coach by winning the most amount of games and the Stanley Cup. Don't forget he was the 2nd longest tenured coach (10 years).

I was curious so I looked up the all time Coaching stats

Art Ross won 2 Cups as a coach.
Statistically, Tom Johnson was the best coach, with a winning percentage of .738.
He is followed by Harry Sinden, who, averaging his two terms, had a winning percentage of .689.
Claude ended at .614, Cassidy is at .690. Don Cherry .658

As for pairing I am glad Backes is staying on the 4th line, it is the only place he can contribute. It is a toss up between him and Acciari, they go back and forth with who has a better last game. Nordstrom presently is the best option we have for the 2nd line center. Maybe he can be like Riley Nash was last year. Would have liked to see what Cave can do in a lower role.

 

[Rubber Biscuit]

 

[Tmac37]

Please get Kampfer out of the lineup immediately!

 

[veganbruin]

When all of the D are healthy, who sits? Gryzlyck has been our best defensman in all 3 zones since the injuries. He has earned his spot.

 

[BruinsFanSince94]

When all of the D are healthy, who sits? Gryzlyck has been our best defensman in all 3 zones since the injuries. He has earned his spot.

When all the defense are healthy? I would say that Lauzon, Clifton and Zboril all go back down and Kevan Miller sits.

 

[Blowfish]

With the young d call ups and JFK success perhaps the bruins Should try-more young p bruins to replace under 6 point forwards a zach or Cehlairk? There is no way they could be any worse production wise. Nords is showing those kids how to do it.

 

[BruinsFanSince94]

With the young d call ups and JFK success perhaps the bruins Should try-more young p bruins to replace under 6 point forwards a zach or Cehlairk? There is no way they could be any worse. Nords is showing those kids how to do it.

Senyshyn isn't ready and shouldn't be considered right now.

 

[Alan Ryan]

When all the defense are healthy? I would say that Lauzon, Clifton and Zboril all go back down and Kevan Miller sits.

Zboril was sent down to Providence on Wednesday.

 

[wintersej]

With the young d call ups and JFK success perhaps the bruins Should try-more young p bruins to replace under 6 point forwards a zach or Cehlairk? There is no way they could be any worse production wise. Nords is showing those kids how to do it.

Senyshyn isn't ready and shouldn't be considered right now.

The difference between a team like Boston developing their talent and a team like Edmonton that ruins their kids is that the Bruins will let the kids work out key issues with their game before the NHL level. Senyshyn is probably better than Acciari right now, yes. But, the long term development of the player and the team is best served by Senyshyn continuing to play in Rhode Island.

 

[DrJustice]

Call me crazy but till Chara comes back...

Grzelcyk-McAvoy
Krug-Carlo
Moore-Miller

 

[The don godfather]

Lauzon deserves to stay he's ready.

 

[BruinsFanSince94]

Lauzon deserves to stay he's ready.

When everyone returns, there's a good chance he's still sent down. There isn't room for him when everyone is healthy.

Chara -- McAvoy
Krug -- Carlo
Grzelcyk -- Moore
Miller

...... No point having him as a reserve. He goes back to Providence unless a trade is made.

 

[wintersej]

Lauzon deserves to stay he's ready.

Not in the top 6 if everyone is healthy. Not his fault, but Bruins have just silly D depth right now.

 

[00BW]

2 1/2 games past the quarter mark of the regular season, and with 5 of their top 6 regular D missing half the season (on average), the Bruins have allowed the fewest goals against at 55 in just 23 games. And that is despite a couple of blowouts. Only one other team, Nashville at 56 in 23 games, is below 62 goals against.

They are tied for 22nd in the league with just 65 goals for. This would be the biggest area of concern.

I wonder if these Bruins are playing more conservatively because of the defense injuries or if they are missing their best breakout weapons. Or maybe there is some other cause for this offensive power outage they are experiencing.

Pasta and DeBrusk can't be expected to score all of the goals while #3 goal scorer, Bergeron, is out for a month. Other guys need to step up. And while I like the way JFK has been playing defense against top lines, taking just 3 shots in 8 games is not getting it done either, even when you score on 2 of them. He, and most of the rest of the team, seem to be playing not to lose rather than playing to win. They are eking out wins and OT losses for now but it's not enough in the Atlantic.

 

[tremha]

JFK has not worked out at C to date. Cassidy has lowered his minutesand tried him in a few spots. Both he and Heinen need to be stronger on the puck. why not try Donato at C with Pasta and March - he will be protected to a degree by them on D and his O can flourish with them. Maybe time to give Blidh or Fitz a shot in a shutdown role if Bjork should go down for seasoning. He's pressing and am sure his confidence is waning. Cave seems to be gaining confidence and seems like a good fit in the 3C spot. Backes has been better the last 3 games.

Marchand Donato Pasta
Heinen Krecji DeBrusk
(Bjork / Blidh / Fitz) Cave Nord
Acciari Kuraly Backes

 

[BruinsFanSince94]

JFK has not worked out at C to date. Cassidy has lowered his minutesand tried him in a few spots. Both he and Heinen need to be stronger on the puck. why not try Donato at C with Pasta and March - he will be protected to a degree by them on D and his O can flourish with them. Maybe time to give Blidh or Fitz a shot in a shutdown role if Bjork should go down for seasoning. He's pressing and am sure his confidence is waning. Cave seems to be gaining confidence and seems like a good fit in the 3C spot. Backes has been better the last 3 games.

Marchand Donato Pasta
Heinen Krecji DeBrusk
(Bjork / Blidh / Fitz) Cave Nord
Acciari Kuraly Backes

Because Donato hasn't played any center at the professional level.

 

[PlayMakers]

Marchand - Backes - Pastrnak
Heinen - Krejci - DeBrusk
Donato - Cave - Bjork
Nords - Kuraly - Wagner

 

[rocketdan9]

Marchand JFK Pasta
Debrusk Krejci Cehlarik
Heinen Cave Bjork
Nords Kuraly Backes

Krug Moore
Grz Miller
Lauzon Clifton

 

[BruinsPortugal]

Nordstrom-Cave-Bjork
Wagner-Kuraly-Backes

This would be my bottom 6 as of today, with Acciari rotating with Wagner maybe.

Not sure what the solution to the first line is since JFK looked lost against Toronto and i dont believe rewarding him with more 1st line TOI is the way to go.

 

[bob27]

Nordstrom-Cave-Bjork
Wagner-Kuraly-Backes

This would be my bottom 6 as of today, with Acciari rotating with Wagner maybe.

Not sure what the solution to the first line is since JFK looked lost against Toronto and i dont believe rewarding him with more 1st line TOI is the way to go.

I feel like that bottom-6 would struggle to score goals against AHL opposition. There needs to be at least some legitimate offensive threat throughout the lineup if the Bruins want to do anything in the playoffs.

 

[Jean_Jacket41]

If DeBrusk can't go on Thursday, Cassidy better not put Nordstrom back into the top-6...

Put Björk or call up Donato/Senyshyn in that spot and give Krejci some skills on his line. Not no hands grinders.

 

[Mainehockey33]

Bjork needs to be sent down, he’s just not producing and if they won’t try him on the 2nd line, send him down to get some confidence.

Marchand-Cave-Pastrnak
Heinen-Krejci-Debrusk (Heinen needs to start producing)
Cehlarik-JFK-Donato
Nordstrom-Kuraly-Backes

JFK is in the lineup until Bergeron comes back because there are no other viable options. I’d rather see Senyshyn who has double the points in the AHL this year but unfortunately he’s a winger.