Not one person here thinks they're gonna keep their best line together from last year?
Sturm-Bergeron-Boyes
have proven chemistry. Why taper with that?
The second line should look like this:
Murray-Savard-Kessel
Murray gets his bonafide playmaker back and Kessel is put in a position to succeed.
The Sturgeroyes line should stay together only if the 2nd line of ???-Savard-Murray is clicking. If Savard and Murray can't find chemistry and if Kessel/Kalus can't cut it, then Boston will need to do some line adjusting.
Ideally, I think most would want the lineup to look like this:
Has Kalus looked that good that he should be top two line material? I'm surprised if he has come on this strong. What do you think his point potential is this year and in the future? Thanks!
Has Kalus looked that good that he should be top two line material? I'm surprised if he has come on this strong. What do you think his point potential is this year and in the future? Thanks!
I think Kalus is the top candidate for a 4th line position right now...at least to start the season. Sounds like he's really impressed the brass so far. Assuming he makes the team, I'm sure he'll see some spot duty on a top line from time to time. They seem to be setting him up as a versatile winger. I doubt he'll put up big numbers this year. If he plays a full season, he might end up with 15-20 points max. In the future I can see him being a hard-working 1st/2nd line winger maxing out around 60-70 points...who knows though, he could get better, or he could go busto.
Line 1 (C-RW-LW): Patrice Bergeron - Petr Kalus - Marco Sturm
Sturm is fast; Kalus has some grit. Bergeron is both.
Line 2: Marc Savard - Glen Murray - Shean Donovan
Donovan is a high intensity guy who can skate well, and remind Savard/Murray that there is more to life than standing still in the o-zone and looking for one timers.
Line 3: Phil Kessel - Brad Boyes - PJ Axelsson
Two good two way veteran players with Kessel. Axelsson's transition game will creat more offense if he is sending Phil Kessel in alone instead of Travis Green. Boyes is responsible in the defensive end, and is equally good at playamking and scoring in the offensive zone. He'll help Kessel find his offensive game.
Line 4: Mark Mowers - Yan Stastny - Wayne Primeau
From what I saw against NJ, I really like Mowers a lot. He deserves to center this line, and to be the guy who moves up to the top three lines if someone gets hurt. If he had any sort of offensive game, he'd be an established regular in the league.
Extra forward: No one (or anyone but Brookbank). Will probably be Brookbank.
Defense 1: Chara - Mara
Split up Chara and Stuart, so that one or the other will almost always be on the ice. The Bruins want Chara to get more involved offensively, so he pairs with Mara, their most proven offensive defenseman.
Defense 2: B. Stuart - Jurcina
Stuart and Jurcina played well together at times last year.
Defense 3: Alberts - Dempsey
Steady veteran plus second year guy Alberts.
Extra defenseman: York
Power play 1: Bergeron - Boyes - Kessel - Chara - Mara
Power play 2: Savard - Murray - Sturm - B.Stuart - Jurcina
Most of the PP time at defense would go to Chara, Mara and Stuart.
Line 1 (C-RW-LW): Patrice Bergeron - Petr Kalus - Marco Sturm
Sturm is fast; Kalus has some grit. Bergeron is both.
Line 2: Marc Savard - Glen Murray - Shean Donovan
Donovan is a high intensity guy who can skate well, and remind Savard/Murray that there is more to life than standing still in the o-zone and looking for one timers.
Line 3: Phil Kessel - Brad Boyes - PJ Axelsson
Two good two way veteran players with Kessel. Axelsson's transition game will creat more offense if he is sending Phil Kessel in alone instead of Travis Green. Boyes is responsible in the defensive end, and is equally good at playamking and scoring in the offensive zone. He'll help Kessel find his offensive game.
Line 4: Mark Mowers - Yan Stastny - Wayne Primeau
From what I saw against NJ, I really like Mowers a lot. He deserves to center this line, and to be the guy who moves up to the top three lines if someone gets hurt. If he had any sort of offensive game, he'd be an established regular in the league.
Extra forward: No one (or anyone but Brookbank). Will probably be Brookbank.
Defense 1: Chara - Mara
Split up Chara and Stuart, so that one or the other will almost always be on the ice. The Bruins want Chara to get more involved offensively, so he pairs with Mara, their most proven offensive defenseman.
Defense 2: B. Stuart - Jurcina
Stuart and Jurcina played well together at times last year.
Defense 3: Alberts - Dempsey
Steady veteran plus second year guy Alberts.
Extra defenseman: York
Power play 1: Bergeron - Boyes - Kessel - Chara - Mara
Power play 2: Savard - Murray - Sturm - B.Stuart - Jurcina
Most of the PP time at defense would go to Chara, Mara and Stuart.
Line 1 (C-RW-LW): Patrice Bergeron - Petr Kalus - Marco Sturm
Sturm is fast; Kalus has some grit. Bergeron is both.
Line 2: Marc Savard - Glen Murray - Shean Donovan
Donovan is a high intensity guy who can skate well, and remind Savard/Murray that there is more to life than standing still in the o-zone and looking for one timers.
Line 3: Phil Kessel - Brad Boyes - PJ Axelsson
Two good two way veteran players with Kessel. Axelsson's transition game will creat more offense if he is sending Phil Kessel in alone instead of Travis Green. Boyes is responsible in the defensive end, and is equally good at playamking and scoring in the offensive zone. He'll help Kessel find his offensive game.
Line 4: Mark Mowers - Yan Stastny - Wayne Primeau
From what I saw against NJ, I really like Mowers a lot. He deserves to center this line, and to be the guy who moves up to the top three lines if someone gets hurt. If he had any sort of offensive game, he'd be an established regular in the league.
Extra forward: No one (or anyone but Brookbank). Will probably be Brookbank.
Defense 1: Chara - Mara
Split up Chara and Stuart, so that one or the other will almost always be on the ice. The Bruins want Chara to get more involved offensively, so he pairs with Mara, their most proven offensive defenseman.
Defense 2: B. Stuart - Jurcina
Stuart and Jurcina played well together at times last year.
Defense 3: Alberts - Dempsey
Steady veteran plus second year guy Alberts.
Extra defenseman: York
Power play 1: Bergeron - Boyes - Kessel - Chara - Mara
Power play 2: Savard - Murray - Sturm - B.Stuart - Jurcina
Most of the PP time at defense would go to Chara, Mara and Stuart.
I'll pass on this too.. as far as the PP goes based on what has gone on in the pre-season I would be shocked not to see Savard on the first PP unit.. my hope however is that he's joined by Bergeron and Boyes up front. Kessel, although a small sample size, has shown he can play center and could easily be the pivot on the number two unit.. and come on that first unit would be rediculous.
What I'd like to see.
Sturm/Kessel-Bergeron-Boyes
Sturm/Kessel-Savard-Murray
Axellson-Mowers/Primeau-Donovan
Hoggan-Mowers/Primeau-Statsny
Reserved - Brookbank for the occasional rough stuff
I love Kalus but I think he might be better playing top line minutes.. unfortunately it won't be at providence.
Chara-Jurcina
Stuart-Mara
Alberts-Dempsey -- whatever the pairs may be these are the top 6 I'd like to see.
I like everything but the 4th line I would go with Stastny Mowers Kalus and maybe switch Mowers with Primeau but to start the year Primeau as the 3rd line center
Some random thoughts - starting on D - both Stuart and Jurcina are right side guys so I'd expect something more along the lines of the following....
Mara-Chara
Alberts-Stuart
York-Jurcina
Dempsey
Lashoff and Sigalet in providence - we have enough puck carriers on the back-end for this season - let the guys groom with Stuart in Providence. I'm still not convinced for Alberts OR York for that matter so this is a 20 game test to see who stays before making a deal for a legit #4 if none of the guys proves his mettle in the early goings.
As for forward, there is any number of options but I think Kessel with a guy like Donovan could do some damage - great speed and the ability to get help on defensive coverage. As much as Lewis was mentioning Axe maybe having more scoring potential, I don't think he meant this to suggest he spot time on the first line - more that he can contribute to an offensive game plan on the 3rd - with Kessel and Donovan (playing the same role as in the Olympics)
For me - BBS stays together, Kalus on the 2nd line - plays the Knuble game for Murray and Savard (cycle and one timer), Axe-Kessel-Donovan 3rd line (Kessel plays the Rolton game looking for the breakout pass to turn the burners on and go in 1 on 1), Stastny-Primeau-Mowers - there's your grind line for the 4th. Hoggan extra and all the others in Providence. If Kalus can't cut it, that's your demotion and one of the Providence guys get's a chance before spending on a deal to get a legit LW (either D or forwards will get upgraded after the 20 game shot to stick - Chia has time to weigh his options on that one.)
If Lewis can get one of Chara or Stuart out there when Kessel is centering, I'm not that concerned about the defensive coverage as they can REALLY help fill the gaps with the others on his wings. That's a major improvement from where we've been these past few years.
Granted this is about line combinations, but reading what Fluto has to say it appears two forward spots are open on the 4th line. My feeling is I'd rather have a guy like Kalus get top minutes in Providence rather than 4th line duty in Boston.
Based on performance, comments by the coaching staff, inside knowledge, etc., who appear to be the leading candidates for the 4th-line? And would you rather have Kalus on the team as a 4th-liner or in Providence?
Same question for the defense. Chara, Mara, and B. Stuart are the top-three, but are Alberts and Jurcina absolute locks to be in the opening day lineup? If so, who has the inside track at #6?
Is Toivonen going to start as the #1 guy?
I know all of this has probably been talked about, but I just want to get a grasp as to what the plans are for the team. Either way I am excited for the season to start!
If we are running and gunning- playing a team that rolls a well balanced-attack (i.e Montreal, Buffalo, Philadelphia, Toronto, Carolina) 1a Kalus- Bergeron-Boyes 1b Mowers- Savard- Murray 1c Sturm- Kessel- Donovan Utility line- Axelson- Statsny-Hoggan
*Primeau
If we are playing a team with a solid 1st line attack (i.e. New York Rangers, Atlanta, Washington)
I have been really impressed with Mowers lately. He has been displaying some speed and offensive abilities. His play has put him in the top 9, IMO, in either format. I personally would give Primeau a month to improve his play. 1.2 million is alot of $ for a 4th line player. With Mowers, Hoggan, and Statsny on his tail, he better pick up the pace- especially when we can save $500,000-$750,000 to put towards the Kessel bonus fund. I keep hearing injury excuses- but I'm not buying it.
I think it's safe to say the B's have had the most turnover...let the new era begin!
yow.
Who would've predicted that our #6 and #7 defensemen from last year would be mainstays in this year's fold? Not saying that Alberts and Jurcina are indispensible, but without either it's a very different makeup defensively. Boyes also rocketed to the top of the depth chart.
I'm hoping Primeau's injury last year was downplayed and he will be able to be more productive this year, but he's not a bad 3rd line center either way - I do wish Scatchard was still here though.
15 of the players from last year's projected opening night lineup are gone - that's unbelievable!
that third line might be the fastest line in the world
yow.
