Line Combos: Your Opening Night Roster II

[Tim Vezina Thomas]

that is a question for the person trying to slot him there! my point is to forgive their mistake.

Oh my mistake, thought that was you who placed him there.

 

[Alicat]

2 more hours until final rosters are due.

We shall see if Bjork and Vaak officially make the team.

 

[Conrad McBenis]

Fantasy Insight Question:

With Krug out for a few weeks I need to pick up a D-Man in FA. With the extra salary I save from putting Krug on IR, I am able to pick up both Carlo and Backes from FA.

The way our league works is two roster changes per week, one before the games on Monday and the second before Friday's games. Being that the Bruins play back to back Wednesday and Thursday, picking up a couple Bruins makes sense.

What type of production should I see over the next few weeks from the two? Do you think it's worth holding onto them for a few weeks or use them as one and done and go back fishing?

 

[Bumper]

neither is likely to tear it up in a points-heavy data extraction. neither is likely to be killer in plus/minus. I see Backes as a liability unless there is an uncontrolled-rage-ometer I am not aware of.

 

[PlayMakers]

So this is what we're looking at opening night...

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

Chara-McAvoy
Moore-Carlo
Grzelcyk-Miller
X: Vaakanainen, Kampfer

Rask
Halak

Two questions for you fine folks...

1) What do you think it should have been?

B) What do you think it will look like that first week in December when they face Tampa and Toronto back to back? (provided everyone's healthy)

 

[LSCII]

Why exactly is Chris Wagner a must dress? I simply do not get his presence on this team. I'd have preferred they buried Backes and his terrible contract on the 4th with Kuraly and rolled a 3rd line of youthful skill players.

 

[Bumper]

third of DON/ACC/BJO? please show your work.

 

[Pay Carl]

Fantasy Insight Question:

With Krug out for a few weeks I need to pick up a D-Man in FA. With the extra salary I save from putting Krug on IR, I am able to pick up both Carlo and Backes from FA.

The way our league works is two roster changes per week, one before the games on Monday and the second before Friday's games. Being that the Bruins play back to back Wednesday and Thursday, picking up a couple Bruins makes sense.

What type of production should I see over the next few weeks from the two? Do you think it's worth holding onto them for a few weeks or use them as one and done and go back fishing?

Carlo is pretty much an offensive black hole so I probably wouldn't do that

 

[AngryMilkcrates]

Gryz is not a sure thing for Wednesday. So UV may get the last minute nod.

 

[mjhfb]

So this is what we're looking at opening night...

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

Chara-McAvoy
Moore-Carlo
Grzelcyk-Miller
X: Vaakanainen, Kampfer

Rask
Halak

Two questions for you fine folks...

1) What do you think it should have been?

B) What do you think it will look like that first week in December when they face Tampa and Toronto back to back? (provided everyone's healthy)

Like it or not, going with experience.

 

[BadBruins]

Why exactly is Chris Wagner a must dress? I simply do not get his presence on this team. I'd have preferred they buried Backes and his terrible contract on the 4th with Kuraly and rolled a 3rd line of youthful skill players.

I'm not sure why anyone on the 4th line is a must dress? I really don't understand why the 4th line has to be made up of single use specialty players. My one beef with off-season signings of Nordstrom and Wagner was the fact that neither can move up in the lineup. Personally, I don't get a Acciari either, but whatever. Depth isn't a bad thing. Again, it's 4th line depth. I know people will scream Riley Nash, but I'm not buying it.

I thought Kuraly was the guy that made the 4th line go last year. Good north/south skater with size and energy. Very limited offensive game though. I hope it works out, but I think he's in a position to fail currently. 5 on 5, I don't think Backes or Donato create enough for themselves to be consistently productive with a center like Kuraly. In my eyes the 4th line gets worse and the 3rd doesn't get any better..... Again I hope it works out, just not sure I see the long term or the short term gain.

 

[Alberta_OReilly_Fan]

if healthy... the lineup I WOULD LIKE TO SEE

Bjork/Bergeron/Marchand
Pastrnak/Krecji/Debrusk
Backes/Heinen/Donato
Wagner/Kuraly/Accari
Nordstrom/Winnik

McAvoy/Moore
Carlo/Chara
Miller/Krug
Grezlyk

I do like the Bjork kid's smarts... I like his willingness to learn defense. Put him back with Bergeron/Marchand if he has his conditioning and lets try to develop him into a serious asset. Pastrnak can be moved back here when its necessary

Meanwhile... krecji is a depreciating asset paid 7.25 mill that we are probably wanting to trade in a year. Give the dude a chance to succeed. Give him a winger that might help him pad his stats. Krejci's defense is underrated. If he put up a few points he would still be worth something in a trade.

Heinen at center? I guess we didn't see it in preseason. Maybe the team doesn't see it. But he is a heady play maker who protects the puck and he makes a smart effort defensively. with backes there helping the transition we can make this work. and I want donato to get enough icetime to show his stuff. tell him to work his butt off defensively and see if he can work his way up the lineup.

the bottom 5 is all flexible and play multiple positions. rotate them based on who is healthy and keep them all in game shape. these guys are more valuable when they stay hungry for icetime.

as for the defense pairings... I see vaikanainen as the partner for McAvoy soon {even if I cant spell the kids name} but a season in AHL will be good. Moore has 2 way game and size... he can play with anyone so stick him here because...

I want chara out there every shift with carlo. carlo can become something very good if he can develop some of chara's smarts and attitude. carlo has a lot more to learn from chara than McAvoy does

as for krug being reduced to a 3rd pair option... he will still rule the pp. if we can afford a 5 mill cap hit for a pp specialist we are sitting pretty. honestly in a 3rd pair role with a guy like miller, I think krug will do just fine and be able to handle his defensive assignments. I see krug being a very important secret weapon for us

our d is set up to really develop very nicely now. when chara retires its looking like zboril will have a good chance to replace him. even before that happens we have vaikainen now in the pipeline pushing for a spot. we will be able to shop krug once vaikainen is ready. moving chara/krug and replacing with vaikainainen and zboril will save us the 8 mill cap space that goes along ways towards affording McAvoy/carlos new deals.

our defense is looking like a team strength not only this year but for the next 2-3 years without any real worries.

team has done a great job finding us 23 names to slot into the lineup. if the kids Bjork/Heinen/debrusk/donato develop at all we will be a super powerhouse team and a legit cup contender

 

[Saxon Eric]

So this is what we're looking at opening night...

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

Chara-McAvoy
Moore-Carlo
Grzelcyk-Miller
X: Vaakanainen, Kampfer

Rask
Halak

Two questions for you fine folks...

1) What do you think it should have been?

B) What do you think it will look like that first week in December when they face Tampa and Toronto back to back? (provided everyone's healthy)

Only thing i'll say is I'd go with Vaakanainen both night,lets see what we've got with him

 

[Absurdity]

So this is what we're looking at opening night...

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

Chara-McAvoy
Moore-Carlo
Grzelcyk-Miller
X: Vaakanainen, Kampfer

Rask
Halak

Two questions for you fine folks...

1) What do you think it should have been?

B) What do you think it will look like that first week in December when they face Tampa and Toronto back to back? (provided everyone's healthy)

1. What I think it should have been

Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak
DeBrusk-Krejci-Heinen/Cehlarik
Donato-Backes-Cehlarik/Heinen
Nordstrom/Bjork*-Kuraly-Wagner
X: Acciari/Bjork eases into playing again down in Providence and gets the first call-up

Chara-Carlo
Vaakanainen-McAvoy
Moore-Miller
X: Grzelcyk, Kampfer

Rask
Halak

2. What I think it will look like that first week in December when they face Tampa and Toronto back to back (provided everyone's healthy).

Marchand-Bergeron-Bjork
DeBrusk-Krejci-Pastrnak
Heinen-Kuraly-Backes
Cehlarik-Acciari-Wagner
X: Nordstrom

Chara-McAvoy
Krug-Carlo
Grzelcyk/Moore-Miller
X: Moore/Grzelcyk

Rask
Halak

 

[BruinDust]

So this is what we're looking at opening night...

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

Chara-McAvoy
Moore-Carlo
Grzelcyk-Miller
X: Vaakanainen, Kampfer

Rask
Halak

Two questions for you fine folks...

1) What do you think it should have been?

B) What do you think it will look like that first week in December when they face Tampa and Toronto back to back? (provided everyone's healthy)

I don't know what it should of been, because what I would do isn't close to what they've done.

But by December, providing people stay healthy, I expect:

The Bergeron line will stay intact

Bjork will be at 2nd line RW alongside Debrusk and Krejci. I think Heinen is on a short-lease there and eventually by then he will be back on the 3rd line with Kuraly and Backes.

The 4th line will be as it is today.

Donato will be back in Providence

My guess

Marchand - Bergeron - Pastrnak

Debrusk - Krejci - Bjork

Heinen - Kuraly - Backes

Nordstrom - Acciari - Wagner

 

[NDiesel]

I'll obviously wait to see it in action before I completely blast it, but still not a fan of the Kuraly choice. I really hope they swing a deal for a guy to replace him permanently, because I doubt this experiment lasts long.

I would have preferred they claimed Gagner off of waivers and at least get some offense/pp specialist from that 3c spot.

 

[wintersej]

that's cool. we can all agree that the Bruins don't use him as one, but officially he is a center. it's not just "a website," it is an official record created by his employing league, the NHL.

Wasnt Marchand listed as a C for years? And Pasta as a LW?

 

[Sheppy]

Why exactly is Chris Wagner a must dress? I simply do not get his presence on this team. I'd have preferred they buried Backes and his terrible contract on the 4th with Kuraly and rolled a 3rd line of youthful skill players.

Physicality still has a place in hockey. Wagner is physical, doesn't shy away and will hit anything that moves.

The top 9 right now is incredibly soft, that's even with Backes in there. You move him to the 4th line and you legitimately have no one in the top 9 that can/will hit.

 

[rocketdan9]

Cassidy was on Toucher and Rich and stated that Grz is likely going to play which means Vaaka will sit. Didn't mention about sending down Vaaka

Lineup is likely going to be...

Marchand Bergeron Pasta
Debrusk Krejci Heinen
Donato Kuraly Backes
Nordstrom Wagner Acciari

Chara McAvoy
Moore Carlo
Grz Miller

 

[Rumpy]

I'll obviously wait to see it in action before I completely blast it, but still not a fan of the Kuraly choice. I really hope they swing a deal for a guy to replace him permanently, because I doubt this experiment lasts long.

I would have preferred they claimed Gagner off of waivers and at least get some offense/pp specialist from that 3c spot.

You must have some Green Lawn trying to add a guy cut by Vancouver.

 

[The don godfather]

My boy backes on that third line with fire lit under his you know what and to prove that atrocious contract with 20 goals this year. Book it.

 

[LSCII]

Physicality still has a place in hockey. Wagner is physical, doesn't shy away and will hit anything that moves.

The top 9 right now is incredibly soft, that's even with Backes in there. You move him to the 4th line and you legitimately have no one in the top 9 that can/will hit.

Yeah, and? Wagner in his NHL career is 104th overall for hits with 482 or 2.8 hits per game for the time period. The 2.8 hits per game puts him in the 60s overall for that time frame. The irony is that 253 of his total hits came last year, and he's generally been a part time player the rest of the time. A guy you sub in and then sub out. He fills a very specific role and one that is not needed every game. He doesn't drop the gloves at all, so he's a one trick pony. He hits. Are they big hits or rub offs? Doesn't matter a hit is a hit, I guess.

 

[Sheppy]

Yeah, and? Wagner in his NHL career is 104th overall for hits with 482 or 2.8 hits per game for the time period. The 2.8 hits per game puts him in the 60s overall for that time frame. The irony is that 253 of his total hits came last year, and he's generally been a part time player the rest of the time. A guy you sub in and then sub out. He fills a very specific role and one that is not needed every game. He doesn't drop the gloves at all, so he's a one trick pony. He hits. Are they big hits or rub offs? Doesn't matter a hit is a hit, I guess.

He hits hard.

I would like to see the Bruins be remotely physical instead of scraping themselves off the end boards. Wagner helps with this.

If you're worried about his production and how it will come into play, I suggest you pin some of the blame on others in the top 9. Wagner isn't here to put up points (which seems to be the only thing that matters to most people) - He's here to provide some energy, lay the body, possibly kill some penalties. He's a decent skater, too.

Who would you suggest play in front of him for 8-10 minutes a night?

Chris Wagner isn't going to make or break this team. Good god.

 

[Bread and Circuses]

My boy backes on that third line with fire lit under his you know what and to prove that atrocious contract with 20 goals this year. Book it.

I don't doubt for a second that he is going to give 100%, I hope he finds his A game because he has gone through some shit in the last year that is for sure. It looks like he dropped even more weight over this past off season in order to keep up with the pace.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

So this is what we're looking at opening night...

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

Chara-McAvoy
Moore-Carlo
Grzelcyk-Miller
X: Vaakanainen, Kampfer

Rask
Halak

Two questions for you fine folks...

1) What do you think it should have been?

B) What do you think it will look like that first week in December when they face Tampa and Toronto back to back? (provided everyone's healthy)

Isn’t that what we have been doing since July?

I would have preferred something like:

Marchand-Bergeron-Heinen
DeBrusk-Krejci-Pasta
Donato/Cehlarik -Frederic-Bjork
Kuraly-Wagner-Backes
Nordstrom

Z-McAvoy
Moore-Carlo
Grizz (Krug)-Miller
UV/Kamp

Rask
Halak

If the B’s are ahead, I would put Pasta on the 2nd line to spread out the scoring. If they are behind, swap him and Heinen.

In December, I hope the lines are closer to what I have above, or what the B’s actually start with, because that means the team is doing well.

To me, the biggest issue is the 3rd line C, and that’s not to say that Kuraly can’t do it, just that he’s better on the 4th line. I would have put Backes in that 3rd line C spot, but by now it’s apparent that the B’s don’t want him there.

I expect that there will be some injuries, which should give some guys like UV, Frederic and Cehlarik some opportunities.