Yeah, I think Nordstrom has looked decent, but 2nd line? That’s ridiculous.
There are at least 6 players I would try there before him (Backes, Donato, Heinen, Bjork, Pasta, call up Cehlarik).
First, let me preface this by saying that I am a big DeBrusk fan. However, I don’t understand why the RW spot is the only one they are tinkering with? Last year, DeBrusk was handed that LW gig out of camp and he was surgically conjoined at the hip with Krejci. Through thick and thin, the B’s have stuck with him in that spot, and for the most part, he responded.
He put up 16g/27a in 70 games, which was very good. By comparison, Heinen put up 16g/31a in 77 games playing with a rotating cast of 3rd and 4th line guys, while JDB had Krejci most of the year. I am sure there is something the B’s coaches see that makes them want to keep those two together. If it’s me, and the 2nd line isn’t producing, I’m looking at all the components, including 74 and 46.