Player Discussion David Krejci. IV

[Tampbear]

While Krecji may be an issue as the number two center and I would love to see and upgrade Donny Doolittle (I hope) should have been smart enough to see this coming and realized the holes he had up front. They were exposed as passive and a team with no secondary scoring by Tampa last year, while the Kuraly line is not passive and Wagner was a nice addition to the bottom 6 it did not address secondary scoring in anyway. Despite the greatness of the top line they will not go far as a one line team with a bunch of 10 goal scorers on the other lines.

Part of that is by design, we have so many young kids knocking on the door that giving them a chance to sort themselves out makes a lot of sense. Our young wingers should be given the chance to prove themselves even if it means some struggling at the beginning of the year as they do so and get comfortable. Bjork hasn't played in half a season and is looking better just needs to get comfortable, Donato earned a shot after his productive stint with us at the end of last season and Heinen produced like a middle six forward last year. The second line with Heinen and Debrusk around Krejci has two second year NHL players and I would expect it to struggle at times but could get stronger as the year goes on and I have no concerns right this minute if they are allowed to stick together for a period of time. We still have Cehlarik in providence as well who could be a solid winger for us or trade bait if we find something desperately needs an upgrade after things settle down a bit. I am worried about 3rd line center, but if we can narrow our concerns to there that is a problem that can be addressed after perhaps giving JFK or Frederic a chance there if they can't handle it. Even Backes deserved a chance there and has proved his ineffectiveness, I wouldn't even be against giving Kuraly another crack if the second line can be solid. With so many question marks entering the season, this sort of start should have been expected, I mean they didn't even play as a complete team in preseason.

I would like an upgrade at third line C this year but it's not something that has to happen right this second, and may be something more worth looking into once Krug is back in the lineup.

 

[KrejciMVP]

You make good points about DK but to be fair you can over react sometimes to people disagreeing with you. Just a few weeks ago you called me a Tom Brady Hater because I disagreed with you about how he handled an interview.

Its common knowledge you're Kirk's PR around here. Cmon now lol. You would never ever ever question him.

 

[Donnie Shulzhoffer]

Its common knowledge you're Kirk's PR around here. Cmon now lol. You would never ever ever question him.

I rest my case.

 

[KrejciMVP]

I rest my case.

Take it to the media thread team Kirk.

 

[HellFish89]

View attachment 148037

After the top line Krejci is the only forward producing 5 on 5

It be scary to imagine this team without him as 2nd line Center

right now we our a 4 foward offense

We desperately need someone besides the big 4 to start playing good hockey and producing

He might produce as much as the best line in hockey at even strenght, but where are the PPP? A guy scoring at a PPG pace 5 on 5 and doing nothing on the PP drag down his linemate. Debrusk, Nordstrom, Donato and Heinen have less points combine than Krejci because Krejci is bad!

Seriously, shame on the fans blind enough to think Krejci is a problem right now. This team as a couple of WAAAAAY bigger problem than an "almost" PPG, good on defense and in the doth 2nd line center ...

 

[mjhfb]

Coaches talk about opportunities, well Krejci's RW has been a big one for a while, and to this point none of the kids have separated themselves enough to earn that spot full time. With so many options this revolving door might go on for a while. Its even possible that none of them will ever earn it.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

What a bunch of nonsense as usual, i don't care what stats say, hes not trying bc I say so. Get him some actual top 6 talent and you'll see better stats

Keep it going Krejci!

Like DK, but he’s the highest paid player on the team. He should be producing, and he should be making his wings better, not the other way around.

Thought he was good last night, but he should have had another goal off a back door feed from Grizz. Wide open net.

 

[Mainehockey33]

Like DK, but he’s the highest paid player on the team. He should be producing, and he should be making his wings better, not the other way around.

Thought he was good last night, but he should have had another goal off a back door feed from Grizz. Wide open net.

Stamkos and Crosby have a combined 7 points in 11 games. Krejci has 6 in 7. He’s been fine to start the season production wise and I’d say he made his linemates better, Nordstrom scored a goal.

 

[NDiesel]

Like DK, but he’s the highest paid player on the team. He should be producing, and he should be making his wings better, not the other way around.

Thought he was good last night, but he should have had another goal off a back door feed from Grizz. Wide open net.

I mean, he is producing - 6 points in 7 games - the eye test is where he is failing.

I keep stressing this, I think it's time to consider Krejci a complimentary piece. Our expectations of him are just too high right now, because we can't look past the fact that he signed his contract at 28 years old and the chances of him being better at 32 than at 28 are extremely slim. I think instead of having these unrealistic expectations that Krejci should be able to carry Debrusk and Nordstrom/Donato/Heinen we should start finding better wingers.

I know people hate that argument, but it is what it is. We can sit here and bitch that he's overpaid and what not and should be doing better, but the fact is:

1) Because of injury history/contract/NMC he is more valuable to us than what he would return in a trade
2) He's a pass first player and he's playing with guys who have never topped 20 goals in their careers (short sample size, but still)
3)We keep giving him a revolving door of wingers, it would be nice to keep someone and actually have them develop chemistry with them as well

I generally think it's unfair that we give Bergeron the two best offensive players on our team and then complain that Krejci isn't carrying his line. I mean, do we really think that Bergeron would have 13 points with the same line mates that Krejci has? On the flip side do we think that Krejci has 6 points playing with Marchand and Pastrnak?

Just food for thought, overall he has to be better, but our 2nd line RW is a huge weakness. Nordstrom worked well there temporarily but I doubt he's a long term solution and they really need to get a shoot first player onto that wing IMO.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

Stamkos and Crosby have a combined 7 points in 11 games. Krejci has 6 in 7. He’s been fine to start the season production wise and I’d say he made his linemates better, Nordstrom scored a goal.

Please tell me that you are not comparing Krejci to Stamkos or Crosby

I'm not just talking about this season. Every year we have this discussion about having to get Krejci better wings so he produces. At $7.25m, it's not a discussion you should need to have. Cassidy should stick Bjork or Heinen on one wing with DeBrusk on the other and let them gel. For the money DK is getting, he should be able to bring out the best in both those young players.

Krejci wasn't doing much UNTIL Nordstrom was put on that line, so I'm not sure that's the road you want to go down?

 

[NDiesel]

For more context:

Krejci 1 goal 5 assists
DeBrusk 2 goals
Nordstrom 1 goal

Is he really the problem on that line right now?

 

[22Brad Park]

Part of that is by design, we have so many young kids knocking on the door that giving them a chance to sort themselves out makes a lot of sense. Our young wingers should be given the chance to prove themselves even if it means some struggling at the beginning of the year as they do so and get comfortable. Bjork hasn't played in half a season and is looking better just needs to get comfortable, Donato earned a shot after his productive stint with us at the end of last season and Heinen produced like a middle six forward last year. The second line with Heinen and Debrusk around Krejci has two second year NHL players and I would expect it to struggle at times but could get stronger as the year goes on and I have no concerns right this minute if they are allowed to stick together for a period of time. We still have Cehlarik in providence as well who could be a solid winger for us or trade bait if we find something desperately needs an upgrade after things settle down a bit. I am worried about 3rd line center, but if we can narrow our concerns to there that is a problem that can be addressed after perhaps giving JFK or Frederic a chance there if they can't handle it. Even Backes deserved a chance there and has proved his ineffectiveness, I wouldn't even be against giving Kuraly another crack if the second line can be solid. With so many question marks entering the season, this sort of start should have been expected, I mean they didn't even play as a complete team in preseason.

I would like an upgrade at third line C this year but it's not something that has to happen right this second, and may be something more worth looking into once Krug is back in the lineup.

The kid Cehlarik is a healthy scratch today in Providence .They are ruining that kid.He deserved a spot out of camp.You put a player with bad players he will look bad.Put him with good players he will play better .Sweeney for sure needs to find a proven scoring winger for top 9.And if it means moving one of them kids so be it.Bergeron etc does not have 3 years to wait on them.Bruins are caught right in between here with the way this team is built.Reminds me of the Sinden days .Good enough to get in but not take home the bacon.

 

[KrejciMVP]

For more context:

Krejci 1 goal 5 assists
DeBrusk 2 goals
Nordstrom 1 goal

Is he really the problem on that line right now?

Boston is the LAST place in the NHL to get Krejci analysis. Better to get it from hockey sources in the division. Hes very respected outside Bruin land. I've never seen more breakdowns over a good Krejci performance than I do here. They just plain lose it

 

[22Brad Park]

Boston is the LAST place in the NHL to get Krejci analysis. Better to get it from hockey sources in the division. Hes very respected outside Bruin land. I've never seen more breakdowns over a good Krejci performance than I do here. They just plain lose it

I love Krecji .I have one issue with him,He glides way to much without moving his feet.But never forget the pass to Horton getting us to the finals vs Nucks.

 

[NDiesel]

Boston is the LAST place in the NHL to get Krejci analysis. Better to get it from hockey sources in the division. Hes very respected outside Bruin land

The expectations are just so high from Bruins fans (I get why). You can't give him wingers similar to Malkin and Crosby and expect that he'll get the same production out of them as they do. He's a 2nd line center at this point, we need to stop treating him like he should be making a 20 goal scorer into a 40 goal scorer.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

I mean, he is producing - 6 points in 7 games - the eye test is where he is failing.

I keep stressing this, I think it's time to consider Krejci a complimentary piece. Our expectations of him are just too high right now, because we can't look past the fact that he signed his contract at 28 years old and the chances of him being better at 32 than at 28 are extremely slim. I think instead of having these unrealistic expectations that Krejci should be able to carry Debrusk and Nordstrom/Donato/Heinen we should start finding better wingers.

I know people hate that argument, but it is what it is. We can sit here and ***** that he's overpaid and what not and should be doing better, but the fact is:

1) Because of injury history/contract/NMC he is more valuable to us than what he would return in a trade
2) He's a pass first player and he's playing with guys who have never topped 20 goals in their careers (short sample size, but still)
3)We keep giving him a revolving door of wingers, it would be nice to keep someone and actually have them develop chemistry with them as well

I generally think it's unfair that we give Bergeron the two best offensive players on our team and then complain that Krejci isn't carrying his line. I mean, do we really think that Bergeron would have 13 points with the same line mates that Krejci has? On the flip side do we think that Krejci has 6 points playing with Marchand and Pastrnak?

Just food for thought, overall he has to be better, but our 2nd line RW is a huge weakness. Nordstrom worked well there temporarily but I doubt he's a long term solution and they really need to get a shoot first player onto that wing IMO.

Bergeron IS playing with the two best offensive wings. I would not be adverse to switching Pasta and Heinen, but the B's apparently only want to try something like that as a last resort. The two next best wings on the team are DeBrusk and Heinen. Last year, DeBrusk had 43 pts, Krejci 44, Heinen 47 pts. Granted, Krejci played less games than they did, but 43 and 47 pts is not chopped liver.

If we said Krejci could have wings like Oshie, Skinner, Toffoli, Konecny, Simmonds, Hertl, Neal, Palmieri...people would probably be saying, "Hell Yeah!".

Guess what, DeBrusk and Heinen were within a couple of points of all of those wings. They are younger than a few, but the case can easily be made that both 74 and 43 are legit Top 6 players, and Krejci has nothing to be crying about (not that he is).

I don't believe that 2nd line RW is the "huge weakness" some are making it out to be. Do I want Nordstrom there? Absolutely not, but I don't have any issues with DeBrusk and Heinen on the 2nd line and I don't think Bjork or Cehlarik would be bad there either. I would rather the B's try to pick up a 2B or 3A center.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

The expectations are just so high from Bruins fans (I get why). You can't give him wingers similar to Malkin and Crosby and expect that he'll get the same production out of them as they do. He's a 2nd line center at this point, we need to stop treating him like he should be making a 20 goal scorer into a 40 goal scorer.

I don't think anybody is asking for that. Most just want a consistent "2nd line center" performance out of him almost every game.

 

[Sheppy]

Again, huge No to breaking up the top line.

 

[22Brad Park]

Bergeron IS playing with the two best offensive wings. I would not be adverse to switching Pasta and Heinen, but the B's apparently only want to try something like that as a last resort. The two next best wings on the team are DeBrusk and Heinen. Last year, DeBrusk had 43 pts, Krejci 44, Heinen 47 pts. Granted, Krejci played less games than they did, but 43 and 47 pts is not chopped liver.

If we said Krejci could have wings like Oshie, Skinner, Toffoli, Konecny, Simmonds, Hertl, Neal, Palmieri...people would probably be saying, "Hell Yeah!".

Guess what, DeBrusk and Heinen were within a couple of points of all of those wings. They are younger than a few, but the case can easily be made that both 74 and 43 are legit Top 6 players, and Krejci has nothing to be crying about (not that he is).

I don't believe that 2nd line RW is the "huge weakness" some are making it out to be. Do I want Nordstrom there? Absolutely not, but I don't have any issues with DeBrusk and Heinen on the 2nd line and I don't think Bjork or Cehlarik would be bad there either. I would rather the B's try to pick up a 2B or 3A center.

Excellent post.That said I do not think they are going to find that center.I think they could get a Kreider though from Rangers and he would help.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

Again, huge No to breaking up the top line.

Why?

 

[NDiesel]

Bergeron IS playing with the two best offensive wings. I would not be adverse to switching Pasta and Heinen, but the B's apparently only want to try something like that as a last resort. The two next best wings on the team are DeBrusk and Heinen. Last year, DeBrusk had 43 pts, Krejci 44, Heinen 47 pts. Granted, Krejci played less games than they did, but 43 and 47 pts is not chopped liver.

If we said Krejci could have wings like Oshie, Skinner, Toffoli, Konecny, Simmonds, Hertl, Neal, Palmieri...people would probably be saying, "Hell Yeah!".

Guess what, DeBrusk and Heinen were within a couple of points of all of those wings. They are younger than a few, but the case can easily be made that both 74 and 43 are legit Top 6 players, and Krejci has nothing to be crying about (not that he is).

I don't believe that 2nd line RW is the "huge weakness" some are making it out to be. Do I want Nordstrom there? Absolutely not, but I don't have any issues with DeBrusk and Heinen on the 2nd line and I don't think Bjork or Cehlarik would be bad there either. I would rather the B's try to pick up a 2B or 3A center.

But it's not about just points or the skill of the wingers he has, it's the fit. Debrusk had 19 goals last year, Heinen had 16, Krejci had 17. Their assist totals were 27, 31, 27. We have 3 guys who even in their AHL/Junior careers have generally had more assists than goals, save one season in junior where Debrusk at 42 goals, all playing on the same line. Doesn't make sense to me.

Donato is probably the best fit there, but he hasn't looked great this year and could probably use some time in Providence. Bjork is an option I'd like to see them try more than a couple games before looking outside the organization as well.

 

[Sheppy]

Why?

Because they're absolutely too dominant to tinker with it. Look at a solution via trade right now, go grab a proven scorer for the second line wing. I don't want them to break up the best line in hockey because the rest of the forwards cant do their job.

They have the assets to move, they have cap space. Go make a trade for a guy who can be an impactful player, not toss a few rotating parts around.

 

[22Brad Park]

Why?

Because its the one thing you know works and is the best line in hockey.

 

[NDiesel]

I don't think anybody is asking for that. Most just want a consistent "2nd line center" performance out of him almost every game.

Well most are expecting him (and you can look through this thread to confirm this) to make his wingers better. It's just not realistic, that's something you expect from Crosby, Malkin, McDavid, Mackinnon, Matthews, Tavares, etc. Krejci shouldn't be mentioned near these guys.

 

[22Brad Park]

Because they're absolutely too dominant to tinker with it. Look at a solution via trade right now, go grab a proven scorer for the second line wing. I don't want them to break up the best line in hockey because the rest of the forwards cant do their job.

They have the assets to move, they have cap space. Go make a trade for a guy who can be an impactful player, not toss a few rotating parts around.

That would take Sweeney to admit his vision is failing though.Kids will be good but not in timeframe he was thinking are the odds.