Player Discussion Is 63-37-88 the best Bruins line...ever?

[RedeyeRocketeer]

I'm not old enough to have seen Wayne Cashman, Phil Esposito, and Ken Hodge and some of those lines with Schmidt. I obviously got to see Thornton-Murray-Knuble, Lucic-Krejci-Kessel and on down the line.

But I think since I was a little kid, I can't honestly say I've seen a more dominant line than Marchand-Bergeron-Pasta. At both ends of the ice it's the best, at all strengths too. In theory with another ring in there, you could have 2 really likely HOF'ers and one maybe. Ottawa radio this morning was calling it the top line in the league. I just think it's our best line, ever.

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[Bruinaura]

I'm not old enough to have seen Wayne Cashman, Phil Esposito, and Ken Hodge and some of those lines with Schmidt. I obviously got to see Thornton-Murray-Knuble, Lucic-Krejci-Kessel and on down the line.

But I think since I was a little kid, I can't honestly say I've seen a more dominant line than Marchand-Bergeron-Pasta. At both ends of the ice it's the best, at all strengths too. In theory with another ring in there, you could have 2 really likely HOF'ers and one maybe. Ottawa radio this morning was calling it the top line in the league. I just think it's our best line, ever.

I don't know enough about the history of other Bruins lines, but if they're not the best, they're certainly in the middle of the discussion.

I've watched hockey since the mid 90s and the only other line I enjoyed nearly as much from any team was the Legion of Doom.

 

[BigBadBruins7708]

Still the Kraut Line.

All 3 are in The Hall and thats with all 3 missing 4 years of their primes.

They were 23, 25 and 26 coming off of 2 Cups in 3 years and sitting on a 20-12-8 record in 42.

Then all 3 enlisted to fight in WW2.

Their sacrifice cost them personal accolades in hockey and certainly cost the Bruins multiple Cups. But it was the right thing to do.

 

[Gator Mike]

Cashman-Esposito-Hodge once scored 140 goals in one season.

 

[Baddkarma]

I think 8-12-49 is up there...

 

[22Brad Park]

This Bruins line reminds me of Kings triple crown line.Dionne Taylor and Simmer.They carry the load or they lose.lol Best Bruins line I ever saw and I saw alot.

 

[RedeyeRocketeer]

But are we talking 2 way game factored in? Because some of these HOF names I know didn't have the defensive acumen this line has.

Also have to factor in dominating a 6 team league, vs dominating a 31 team league....

 

[Bruinaura]

Cashman-Esposito-Hodge once scored 140 goals in one season.

But are we talking 2 way game factored in? Because some of these HOF names I know didn't have the defensive acumen this line has.

Also have to factor in dominating a 6 team league, vs dominating a 31 team league....

I think if BPM played Ottawa more often they'd have 280 goals

 

[Spirit of 67]

Still the Kraut Line.

All 3 are in The Hall and thats with all 3 missing 4 years of their primes.

They were 23, 25 and 26 coming off of 2 Cups in 3 years and sitting on a 20-12-8 record in 42.

Then all 3 enlisted to fight in WW2.

Their sacrifice cost them personal accolades in hockey and certainly cost the Bruins multiple Cups. But it was the right thing to do.

You make a strong argument. I'll go with you on this.

I never saw them play and am a tich young for the Espo line.

88/37/63 are easily the best I've seen from the Bruins.

 

[smithformeragent]

There was an article on ESPN claiming that Ovechkin is the best goal scorer of all time.

They argued that he plays in an era where the defenses are more sound and the goalies are better trained and fine tuned.

It’s basically impossible to compare across eras.

 

[wintersej]

Its too bad Kevin Stevens was cooked when he got here. 25/12/8 should have been amazing.

 

[Gordon Lightfoot]

There was an article on ESPN claiming that Ovechkin is the best goal scorer of all time.

They argued that he plays in an era where the defenses are more sound and the goalies are better trained and fine tuned.

It’s basically impossible to compare across eras.

I think he likely is the greatest goal scorer ever.

As far as 63/37/88, it’s hard to say definitively. I’m tempted to say yes but measuring lines across eras is even more difficult. The two way play of Marchand and Bergeron is what makes me want to say yes.

 

[Mainehockey33]

If they stay healthy and all put up 100+ points, I still wouldn’t know but it would be pretty sweet. Definitely one of the best lines of the modern era. Usually people talk about dynamic duos, Sellane and Kariya, Stamkos and St Louis, the Sedins, not entire lines on this level.

 

[BigBadBruins7708]

But are we talking 2 way game factored in? Because some of these HOF names I know didn't have the defensive acumen this line has.

Also have to factor in dominating a 6 team league, vs dominating a 31 team league....

Schmidt is widely considered the best 2 way player of his day and if it had existed then he'd have multiple Selkes.

 

[RedeyeRocketeer]

But again, I dunno if we can say being the best of something in a 6 team league has the epic weight of a 31 team league drafting players globally. I think a mathematician would favor what it means to dominate this current pool of athletes.

 

[BigBadBruins7708]

But again, I dunno if we can say being the best of something in a 6 team league has the epic weight of a 31 team league drafting players globally. I think a mathematician would favor what it means to dominate this current pool of athletes.

the NHL wasnt the only north american league back then, it was just the best of the best. the AHL was a legitimate pro league with many franchises near the level of an NHL team.

you also are ignoring the watering down that 31 teams introduce vs 6.

Take today's league and compress it to 6 teams. what do those 4th lines and 3rd pairings look like? They played every minute against the best of the best, there was no 3rd line drop off.

Hell, in 1950 for example, out of the 5 opponents they faced 4 had HOF goalies playing

 

[PB37]

There was an article on ESPN claiming that Ovechkin is the best goal scorer of all time.

They argued that he plays in an era where the defenses are more sound and the goalies are better trained and fine tuned.

It’s basically impossible to compare across eras.

Not really. Compare their dominance and impact to their respective eras, not their individual skill or overal totals.