Boston Bruins 2020-2021 Roster Discussion VI - STAY ON TOPIC

[GloveSave1]

I view them a little differently...

#1 - McAvoy is a clear cut #1D.

#2 - I think of a #2 defenseman as a guy who's able to play both ways and drive the puck movement on his pair, but can't quite carry a defense. The Bruins don't have that guy yet.

#3 - Carlo to me is a legit #3. He can play in the top pair against top lines if he's paired with a #1, and he can be an effective 2nd pair guy if his partner is a gunslinger. He's got size, skating ability and is more physical than he's given credit for.

#4 - Gryz IMO has already shown he's a capable top4 defenseman. In 2019 Chara and Krug missed 38 games. During that time, Gryz played top pair minutes, he went head to head against guys like Crosby (twice) and Kucherov and dominated those matchups. He averaged over 19 minutes a night and Brick raved about him. Gryz is going to be fine and I won't be surprised if he becomes that #2 we're missing, in the mold of a younger Sami Vatanen or Jared Spurgeon.

#5 - Chara had a regular season where he looked like a #2 or 3 and then a playoff that looked like a #5 or 6. I think there is something to the layoff affecting him here. All I know is this team would be better off with his experience in the mix. Even if he's a #5 and PK specialist, he's still an amazing mentor, and can slide up the lineup during the regular season if one of the young D prove they're not quite ready for bigger minutes.

#6 - Lauzon has the potential to be a #3, IMO. He's got size, some nasty and he can skate. Of all the young guys, I think he has the best chance of moving into the top4, but he did not look like a #4 last year. IMO he looked ok against 3rd pair competition and only played 15 minutes a night in 19 games. It's possible he could make the jump, he will eventually, but I think it's asking a lot for him to do it now.

#6 - Clifton has shown some sparks. He's got moxie, physical and offensive moxie. He skates well, he likes to hit and plays bigger than his size. Jury is out on his upside, but he has the tools and Krug-like confidence. I hope they don't pass over him in favor of the new shiny toy on the scene like they've done with some of the forwards in the past. There could be something here. Playing with someone like Z in the 3rd pair could be amazing for his development.

#7 - Miller was a very good #3 when he got injured. Who knows what he is now, but until he proves himself I don't think we can count on him being more than a #7.

#7 - Moore looked like a decent #4/5 when he played regularly, but the Bruins have destroyed this guy with how they've handled him. He has negative value and who knows if he can get back to where he was before they benched him forever.

#7 - Zboril has all the tools to be a top4 defenseman but I've never seen him play a game where he didn't make some really wonky decisions. He had a strong year in Providence but still didn't see a minute of time in the NHL. I'm hoping he figures it out, but IMO he has to earn it and should start at the bottom rung and play his way up. I'd pair him with Miller in practice and hope Miller can mentor him.

Nice work.

With D, i look more at pairings. A number 1 dman is easy to identify. But what's the difference between a 2 and a 3? A 4 and a 5? Aren't a 5 and 6 essentially the same? Ask 20 hockey fans these questions and you'll get 10-15 different answers.

I look more at pairings. Can a guy play on a top pairing? Or is he more suited for a 2nd pairing role? Well, that's easy. McAvoy is clearly 1st pairing material ( and the easiest to identify since he's a number 1 dman ). Carlo, someone like him and his specialized skillset, is more suited on the 2nd pair, especially playing on the same side as McAvoy. Guys like Miller and rookies should be on a bottom pairing. IMO, it's a much easier way to slot in guys on a roster.

Good points. Agree on most of them.

Carlo is a lightning rod because he doesn’t have a lot of snarl...any really...and he has no offense. So he irritates a lot of people.

But I look at what he can, and has to do, as to why he’s a #2 on just about any team. I agree that #1s have to be well-rounded, but in today’s game the offensive side counts for more in almost every situation. So a top defenseman is still gonna be a offensive focused player. It’s where the money is, as well. A top pair is going to face the other teams best players most often, so you need a shutdown D on your top pair for sure. Carlo is that guy. What he lacks in snarl, he makes up for in size, skating, and defensive acumen, when he’s on top of his game. Yes, we’ve seen Carlo play with an edge to his game...it was glorious...but fleeting. I’m not sure you can demand it. It’s probably just not in him.

Subtracting Chara’s roll on this team for the last 15 or so years leaves a lot of weight. That’s Carlo’s task.

What I want on a dpair is skillset balance. The Bruins can potentially do that quite nicely, but they can’t make literally everything about right handed or left handed shot. We all see how difficult that’s going to get to work out seamlessly. But the skill sets are there.

Offensive puck movers:

McAvoy
Gryz
Clifton

Defensive guys:

Carlo
Miller
Chara/Lauzon

Sometimes the simplest answer is the right one. Get to work in camp. Make it work.

I agree, the numbers aren’t a priority, it’s mixing the right skill sets and putting guys where they can have their best chance at succeeding against the competition. Hopefully that’s the focus.

 

[Aussie Bruin]

I'm sure this has been discussed previously, so apologies if this is old ground, but with Pasta certainly out for the start of the season and probably Marchand too, what lines do the Bs roll with in the early games? Do you just give Bergy the two best wingers (DeBrusk and Kase/Smith) and shuffle everyone else up accordingly? Or do you try and let the 2nd and 3rd lines build as much chemistry as possible in a shortened season and pretty much leave them be while putting Bergeron to work with a Studnicka or Bjork? Or do you get really creative and try Stud in his preferred center position, playing 3C while Coyle temporarily jumps to a top 6 wing spot?

I think I lean towards the 2nd option because it creates less disruption and if you're really lucky you might get a lasting impacting in elevating a youngster's game through playing with Bergy, but I think above all Cassidy's just going to need to be flexible and willing to shuffle the deck depending on the in-game situation.

 

[smack66]

can we seriously start the season soon? I think a combination of 2020, being ill and watching the world juniors has made my appetite for Bruins hockey even stronger then usual.

 

[Blowfish]

Fluto Shinzawa last week reported a league source was uncertain if the Boston Bruins would bring back Zdeno Chara for another season. The source said it feels like they’re waiting to see if anything opens up in the trade market.

Shinzawa observed the Bruins have sufficient salary-cap space to bring back Chara, but there are concerns over the 43-year-old defenseman’s performance. His days of logging over 20 minutes per game may be over. The Bruins also want to see how former first-round picks Jakub Zboril and Urho Vaakanainen could complement Matt Grzelcyk, Jeremy Lauzon and John Moore.
Trading for a younger left-side defenseman could be the Bruins’ preference. However, they’ll have to part with assets and try to make the acquisition fit under the cap.

NBC SPORTS BOSTON: Nick Goss recently reported Bruins team president Cam Neely last week observed some teams were pressed for cap space and will probably have to do something. He’s sure general manager Don Sweeney is still looking at tweaking or adding to the roster over the next couple of weeks.
Goss noted Sami Vatanen, Ron Hainsey and Travis Hamonic remain available in the free-agent market. He also pointed out the Bruins’ limited prospect pool and cap space could make it difficult to address their needs via trades.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Joe Haggerty observes there are reports suggesting the Bruins could be looking at Ben Hutton. The unrestricted free agent had 16 points and plus-minus of plus-five in 65 games last season with the Los Angeles Kings. Haggerty feels the 27-year-old blueliners could be an affordable fit if Zboril, Vaakanainen or Lauzon aren’t ready for prime time.

 

[ON3M4N]

I'm sure this has been discussed previously, so apologies if this is old ground, but with Pasta certainly out for the start of the season and probably Marchand too, what lines do the Bs roll with in the early games? Do you just give Bergy the two best wingers (DeBrusk and Kase/Smith) and shuffle everyone else up accordingly? Or do you try and let the 2nd and 3rd lines build as much chemistry as possible in a shortened season and pretty much leave them be while putting Bergeron to work with a Studnicka or Bjork? Or do you get really creative and try Stud in his preferred center position, playing 3C while Coyle temporarily jumps to a top 6 wing spot?

I think I lean towards the 2nd option because it creates less disruption and if you're really lucky you might get a lasting impacting in elevating a youngster's game through playing with Bergy, but I think above all Cassidy's just going to need to be flexible and willing to shuffle the deck depending on the in-game situation.

Sounds like Marchand may not miss any time. If it were me....

Marchand - Bergeron - Smith
DeBrusk - Krejci - Kase
Bjork - Coyle - Studnicka

That would be my top 9. Smith is a veteran guy, knows where to be and gets in the dirty area. Not opposed to Stud's 1RW and Smith 3LW w/ Coyle if your looking for more balance.

 

[yazmybaby]

Ottawa threw Tbay a life jacket with their trade the other trade.
They trade a 3rd pairing dee a 4th liner and give up a second round pick to gain cap space.
The only change to their playoff lineup is that Kucherov is out and Stamkos is in.
Love the creativity their GM used to get compliant to the Cap....DS are you taking notes?????

 

[yazmybaby]

Sounds like Marchand may not miss any time. If it were me....

Marchand - Bergeron - Smith
DeBrusk - Krejci - Kase
Bjork - Coyle - Studnicka

That would be my top 9. Smith is a veteran guy, knows where to be and gets in the dirty area. Not opposed to Stud's 1RW and Smith 3LW w/ Coyle if your looking for more balance.

I like these lines too.
Coyle and Bjork are responsible enough defensively to cover for Stud if needed.
Would love to see some new blood on the 4th line this year ( Frederic or ZS given a chance).
Ritchie better show up 10-15 pounds ligther and be in the best shape of his life, or he will be in the press box.

 

[HustleB]

Sounds like Marchand may not miss any time. If it were me....

Marchand - Bergeron - Smith
DeBrusk - Krejci - Kase
Bjork - Coyle - Studnicka

That would be my top 9. Smith is a veteran guy, knows where to be and gets in the dirty area. Not opposed to Stud's 1RW and Smith 3LW w/ Coyle if your looking for more balance.

I like this lineup, if I could make one change I think I would flip Kase and Smith. Kase being more of a playmaker could allow Bergeron/Marchand to shoot more early on. Smith being the shooter would be on Krejci's Right potentially as the shooter he has needed for a very long time.

Did you just like the chemistry Kase and Krejci were working on late last year? Do you think Smith is more dangerous with those guys because they will open the ice for him to get his shot off?

 

[Blowfish]

Ottawa threw Tbay a life jacket with their trade the other trade.
They trade a 3rd pairing dee a 4th liner and give up a second round pick to gain cap space.
The only change to their playoff lineup is that Kucherov is out and Stamkos is in.
Love the creativity their GM used to get compliant to the Cap....DS are you taking notes?????

Not rocket science when you have an extremely talented hockey team who all want to stay intact residing on the sunny gulf coast tax free taking discounts to do so.

Unfortunately Tampa Bay makes hockey boring...love watching traditional teams be competitive not teams with a fanbase of 20K.

 

[Don Cherry]

Love the creativity their GM used to get compliant to the Cap....DS are you taking notes?????

I doubt it. I'm still waiting for the "big changes" and "brutally honest" comments to make sense.
In fact, I will be brutally honest-- the biggest (and best) changes would be Neely and Sweeney getting fired NOW.

 

[ON3M4N]

I like this lineup, if I could make one change I think I would flip Kase and Smith. Kase being more of a playmaker could allow Bergeron/Marchand to shoot more early on. Smith being the shooter would be on Krejci's Right potentially as the shooter he has needed for a very long time.

Did you just like the chemistry Kase and Krejci were working on late last year? Do you think Smith is more dangerous with those guys because they will open the ice for him to get his shot off?

At times in the playoffs Krejci/Kase looked very dangerous together. Idk that I recall Krejci looking like that with someone in a while (outside guys like Pasta and Marchy). They didn't do it consistently, but maybe a camp will get them synced up better.

As for Smith, I just think his style of play would fit w/ 37 & 63 until Pasta returns. He plays a simple game, knows where to be and thats what you need to play with Bergy and Marchy. Could also jump start Smith playing with two elite talents.

 

[GlenFeatherstone]

Here’s a thought I really haven’t seen brought up.

Lauzon. Vaak. Zboril. What if the kids CAN play. What if they are ready for the show. I don’t care what defenseman is what number. I just want the right guys paired with each other. The guys skill set should compliment each other’s. If whoever is paired with Mcavoy can’t handle the heavy minutes then they shouldn’t be with him.

Also I would put Debrusk with Coyle and Smith. That would end up being the second line. Bjork or Ritchie fight it out in camp to be on the third line with Krejci and Kase.

 

[analyser]

Well Donny the pickings are getting slim.

Left shooting D remaining are Chara, Hainsey and Hutton.

Goal scoring forwards, nothing to speak of.

Trades are not going to happen, do not have the required inventory.

 

[smack66]

I like this lineup, if I could make one change I think I would flip Kase and Smith. Kase being more of a playmaker could allow Bergeron/Marchand to shoot more early on. Smith being the shooter would be on Krejci's Right potentially as the shooter he has needed for a very long time.

Did you just like the chemistry Kase and Krejci were working on late last year? Do you think Smith is more dangerous with those guys because they will open the ice for him to get his shot off?

if Ritchie comes to camp in shape he bumps Bjork

edit... quoted wrong post

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

Not rocket science when you have an extremely talented hockey team who all want to stay intact residing on the sunny gulf coast tax free taking discounts to do so.

Unfortunately Tampa Bay makes hockey boring...love watching traditional teams be competitive not teams with a fanbase of 20K.

Who's taking discounts for the Lightning?

And why take a shot at the fan base?

 

[HustleB]

if Ritchie comes to camp in shape he bumps Bjork

edit... quoted wrong post

Lol.

I couldn’t agree more. I have 5 wings slotted to play.

Marchand Pasta
DeBrusk Smith
Kase

for the final wing spot in the top 9 I consider Bjork and Ritchie to be the top options. Studnicka can take it but he has to be far better then the other options. I throw Kuraly into the mix because I think he has looked good on the wing and played well with Coyle. He doesn’t have the offense but could be used for board battles and putting pressure on D in the corners. If Kuraly wins the competition I’m disappointed but we have an extremely reliable checking line with two competent offensive options.

It is not the worst thing that we get to see two of these guys in the first month while Pasta recovers. I think something will pop. I just have no idea which one(s).

 

[remer]

Well Donny the pickings are getting slim.

Left shooting D remaining are Chara, Hainsey and Hutton.

Goal scoring forwards, nothing to speak of.

Trades are not going to happen, do not have the required inventory.

Not a stellar off season for Sweeney. There was opportunity in a flat cap world to improve the team and it didn't happen. Bringing in a third line winger at 3.1 million for three years may help but does not make this team much better. The lose of Krug's production will hurt. Not addresses the LD will be an issue. Donny seems to look into things: OEL, Hanifin, Pietrangelo, Hall, Hoffman, Toffilo, Anderson, Dadonov, etc but could not pull the trigger.

 

[Healthy Wrap]

Not a stellar off season for Sweeney. There was opportunity in a flat cap world to improve the team and it didn't happen. Bringing in a third line winger at 3.1 million for three years may help but does not make this team much better. The lose of Krug's production will hurt. Not addresses the LD will be an issue. Donny seems to look into things: OEL, Hanifin, Pietrangelo, Hall, Hoffman, Toffilo, Anderson, Dadonov, etc but could not pull the trigger.

When has Donny ever had a stellar offseason?

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

the Pandemic stopped what normally would be transpiring here, folks..... remember, too, Sweeney's also on the AHL RTP Committee, to determine how/what/where/if Providence can safely resume operation, not simply having to rely on Jacksonville for prospect updates

 

[Sheppy]

Imagine losing Krug and Chara, and then adding Karl Alzner.

 

[Fenian24]

Well Donny the pickings are getting slim.

Left shooting D remaining are Chara, Hainsey and Hutton.

Goal scoring forwards, nothing to speak of.

Trades are not going to happen, do not have the required inventory.

How can you say they don't have the inventory????? Zboril a sure fire Calder candidate and Norris candidate, Senyshyn top line RW, will easily surpass his career high of 14 goals in the minors because he is clearly NHL ready after lighting the AHL ON FIRE with his goal scoring prowess, Vaakananien, a number one pick who can skate and has shown some brief glimpses of being a good third pairing D who has become completely gun shy of hits after his concussion. Bjork who played well in a ten game stretch with Bergeron and Marchand two years ago, the cupboard is overflowing with talent.

Of course if you are Sweeengenius why would you trade these future sure fire all stars for something silly like a top 4 D. Donnie has it right, sit.....wait.....wait some more.....then evaluate.....then "go with the kids". Can't wait for another Cup parade.

 

[Fenian24]

Who's taking discounts for the Lightning?

And why take a shot at the fan base?

That's true, you need a fan base to take shots at, they don't have one.

 

[smack66]

Imagine losing Krug and Chara, and then adding Karl Alzner.

no. that'd not imagining that's a nightmare. alzner is a 10 - 11 Dman

 

[smack66]

How can you say they don't have the inventory????? Zboril a sure fire Calder candidate and Norris candidate, Senyshyn top line RW, will easily surpass his career high of 14 goals in the minors because he is clearly NHL ready after lighting the AHL ON FIRE with his goal scoring prowess, Vaakananien, a number one pick who can skate and has shown some brief glimpses of being a good third pairing D who has become completely gun shy of hits after his concussion. Bjork who played well in a ten game stretch with Bergeron and Marchand two years ago, the cupboard is overflowing with talent.

Of course if you are Sweeengenius why would you trade these future sure fire all stars for something silly like a top 4 D. Donnie has it right, sit.....wait.....wait some more.....then evaluate.....then "go with the kids". Can't wait for another Cup parade.

not sure why you are so down on Zboril. I thought Lauzon has looked good and can become a #3 or 4 Dman if he continues to develop. I have only seen Zboril live once but would like him to at least get a 40 game tryout

 

[DominicT]

Fluto Shinzawa last week reported a league source was uncertain if the Boston Bruins would bring back Zdeno Chara for another season. The source said it feels like they’re waiting to see if anything opens up in the trade market.

Shinzawa observed the Bruins have sufficient salary-cap space to bring back Chara, but there are concerns over the 43-year-old defenseman’s performance. His days of logging over 20 minutes per game may be over. The Bruins also want to see how former first-round picks Jakub Zboril and Urho Vaakanainen could complement Matt Grzelcyk, Jeremy Lauzon and John Moore.
Trading for a younger left-side defenseman could be the Bruins’ preference. However, they’ll have to part with assets and try to make the acquisition fit under the cap.

NBC SPORTS BOSTON: Nick Goss recently reported Bruins team president Cam Neely last week observed some teams were pressed for cap space and will probably have to do something. He’s sure general manager Don Sweeney is still looking at tweaking or adding to the roster over the next couple of weeks.
Goss noted Sami Vatanen, Ron Hainsey and Travis Hamonic remain available in the free-agent market. He also pointed out the Bruins’ limited prospect pool and cap space could make it difficult to address their needs via trades.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Joe Haggerty observes there are reports suggesting the Bruins could be looking at Ben Hutton. The unrestricted free agent had 16 points and plus-minus of plus-five in 65 games last season with the Los Angeles Kings. Haggerty feels the 27-year-old blueliners could be an affordable fit if Zboril, Vaakanainen or Lauzon aren’t ready for prime time.

Wait. I know I have a lot of problems with reading comprehension, so someone please explain this to me:

Bruins team president Cam Neely last week observed some teams were pressed for cap space and will probably have to do something.

So, is that saying Neely didn't know until last week what the rest of the hockey world has known for months?

Or

Is it bad writing?