Line Combos: Odd man out? Heinen, Bjork, Donato...

[wintersej]

Bruins have a spot at top 6 RW, at 3LW, and 3C up for grabs. Everything has pointed to the Bruins preferring Heinen and Donato at wing.

If that preference and the current roster remain (and Backes does not slide over), it means that one of Heinen, Bjork or Donato does not have a slot in the top 9.

Which one is the odd man out?

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[Montecristo]

Bjork probably

 

[easton117]

Ya probably Bjork.
I keep expecting to see him traded in a package for something daily.

 

[Gonzothe7thDman]

Ya probably Bjork.
I keep expecting to see him traded in a package for something daily.

If Bjork is the odd man out, and he's going to be traded in a package, Don better have him in the top 6 for the first 10-15 games of the season to build up his value.

 

[BruinsFanSince94]

This really seems like a better question posed during TC/PS because we don't really know if Donato is viewed as a winger only yet. I swear Sweeney threw Donato's name in the mix as a player who will get looks at center in camp. To answer the question, I guess I go with Bjork for now with the fact he's going to be coming back from injury.

 

[Ratty]

I'm hoping Donato, barring a trade, can snag that third line center slot. Given his impressive showing late in the season, albeit sss, he has experience at the position in ECAC and Olympics.

That would free up the logjam and allow Bjork and Heinen to secure top nine wing vacancies.

Don't count Cehlarik out of the competition.

 

[BruinDust]

I think LW will be Marchand - Debrusk - Donato - 4th line type (Nordstrom).

I think Heinen has the edge due to his experience last year over Bjork on a RW job on one of the top 3 lines.

Making Bjork the odd man out.

I wish they'd just move Backes to the middle and play all 3 but that's beating a dead horse. Same as wanting to have a spot on the 4th line with Kuraly and Wagner for one of them, Cassidy seems set on his vision of a traditional 4th line.

 

[Sheppy]

I'd try to move Bjork for an upgrade.

 

[DaStinger]

I think Donato will be the one out to start. Bjork looked really good the first half of last season. Although Donato has all the skills I think he will need more time to get adjusted to the NHL game.

 

[Saxon Eric]

Cehlarik wins 2nd line RW
Heinen wins 3rd LW
Donato and Bjork to Providence
Start there and adjust as needed

 

[Mpasta]

I'd try to move Bjork for an upgrade.

Not to be a smartass but who wouldn't want to trade a player for an upgrade?

Bjork has little trade value right now.

 

[BruinDust]

I think Donato will be the one out to start. Bjork looked really good the first half of last season. Although Donato has all the skills I think he will need more time to get adjusted to the NHL game.

Fact is, Donato in the regular season scored goals at a rate that would give him 35 for an entire season. And this wasn't during October when things are wide open, he did this during the March/April stretch drive when things are tighter and scoring is down.

Not saying if he plays he's guaranteed to pop 30. But I'd be shocked based on his performance if he's the odd man out.

I'd put a lot more stock on Donato's performance in March/April than I would Bjork's in Oct/Nov.

 

[BruinDust]

Not to be a smartass but who wouldn't want to trade a player for an upgrade?

Bjork has little trade value right now.

Really?

Because a year ago he was essentially considered this organizations top forward prospect.

Not saying he'd get massive value in a a 1-for-1 swap, but as part of a package he would have a fair amount of value as one of 2 or 3 pieces.

 

[Mpasta]

Really?

Because a year ago he was essentially considered this organizations top forward prospect.

Not saying he'd get massive value in a a 1-for-1 swap, but as part of a package he would have a fair amount of value as one of 2 or 3 pieces.

What I mean is that he has much less trade value due to him barely playing last year. Trading him now would get us less than if he got a chance on the team and proved himself or if he lit it up in the AHL which I think he's capable of doing.

 

[BruinDust]

What I mean is that he has much less trade value due to him barely playing last year. Trading him now would get us less than if he got a chance on the team and proved himself or if he lit it up in the AHL which I think he's capable of doing.

Very true.

 

[Bruinswillwin77]

I'd reluctantly say Bjork.

 

[Blowfish]

Odd man in Cehlarik lol

 

[GloryDaze4877]

I only voted Bjork because I’m not sure how much he has been able to train this offseason coming off that shoulder surgery.

Would not be surprised if he started in PRO, ripped it up and forced his way into the NHL lineup ala Heinen last year.

 

[EON]

I hope none, I'd like to see all 3 on the roster but doubt it happens. But if I had to choose one it would be Bjork because of the shoulder injury so I voted him.

Marchand-Bergeron-Bjork
DeBrusk-Krejci-Pastrnak
Heinen-Donato-Backes
Nordstrom-Kuraly-Wagner/Acciari

Cehlarik/JFK/Frederic are dark horses.

 

[Estlin]

I hope none, I'd like to see all 3 on the roster but doubt it happens. But if I had to choose one it would be Bjork because of the shoulder injury so I voted him.

Marchand-Bergeron-Bjork
DeBrusk-Krejci-Pastrnak
Heinen-Donato-Backes
Nordstrom-Kuraly-Wagner/Acciari

Cehlarik/JFK/Frederic are dark horses.

I was just about to ask where the option was for none of the above, Your top nine is what I expect to see at the start of the season (but either Heinen or Backes would center the third line).

 

[Jean_Jacket41]

None. They all play.

Marchand-Bergeron -Pasta
DeBrusk-Krejci-Heinen
Donato-Backes-Bjork
Nordstrom-Kuraly-Wagner
Acciari

 

[Mpasta]

None. They all play.

Marchand-Bergeron -Pasta
DeBrusk-Krejci-Heinen
Donato-Backes-Bjork
Nordstrom-Kuraly-Wagner
Acciari

This seems close to what most people want including me but it's been proven that the Bruins don't want Backes at center. It seems it would fix some lineup issues but obviously there's a reason why they haven't done it.

 

[BruinsFanSince94]

This seems close to what most people want including me but it's been proven that the Bruins don't want Backes at center. It seems it would fix some lineup issues but obviously there's a reason why they haven't done it.

While maybe it's not Backes, if Donato gets a look at center and impresses, it could be:

Bjork -- Donato -- Backes

 

[Sheppy]

I'd like to see a bigger body in the lineup there somewhere via trade. Top 9 looks incredibly soft.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

I'd like to see a bigger body in the lineup there somewhere via trade. Top 9 looks incredibly soft.

Color me...unsurprised.

Who would you suggest?

I’m all for adding size/grit to the lineup, but not at the expense of being able to actually play.