Line Combos: Would the Bruins ever consider: Kelly-Bergeron-Peverley?

[Alan Ryan]

Originally Posted by Bill Ladd

It has been good and I'm definitely not saying they should make this change today. But if they get the kind of player Chiarelli's been rumored to be after, then I think things get interesting because a guy like Briere is obviously better suited to a top 6 role, which begs the question: Who goes down? Who would be the best suited to play with Kells and Perv?

That said, it definitely would be easier to make this kind of move with a guy like Spooner because there would be no confusion/debate/hurt feelings over who the "3rd" center is. Although I would think they'd want Spooner to play out the rest of this season and playoffs in Providence.

Thanks Bill. I realize that this thread, and adjusted lines with Seguin at center, is based on the acquisition of a forward who can play in the top six. If that happens, as you indicate, it gives the Bruins a lot of flexibility. But they may not find the right player in this market at a price they are willing to pay.

What if the B's are unable to acquire someone who fits and they have to go with what they have? To me the biggest area of concern is the third line--they have to get more involved offensively. The top six, including Seguin at RW, is functioning well and they don't really need to make big changes.

I'm with DKH. I'd like the team to try upgrading the third line by bringing Spooner up for a trial at center between Kelly and Peverly, sending Bourque back to Providence or keep him as a spare forward. Bourque is trying hard but isn't the right player for that line.

With Spooner the third line could be more creative, giving Peverly and Kelly more scoring opportunities, while remaining defensively responsible (all three are centers). Spooner also could help on the power play and shootouts.

Do it soon--if it doesn't work there will be time to make other adjustments. It also provides the opportunity to evaluate Spooner's role in the organization for next season. If he is as good as he looks in Providence, and the following line-up works well, it could help them with the cap issues for next year.


Lucic - Krejci - Horton
Marchand - Bergeron - Seguin
Kelly - Spooner - Peverly
Paille - Campbell - Thornton

MacDermid - Pandolfo

[Alan Ryan]

Originally Posted by Concessionaire

I'm with the folks here pointing out that the Bergeron + Marchand combo is money. I would be very hesitant to separate those two.

I agree. The Seguin and Marchand combo ain't bad either.

[nords1995]

Originally Posted by nords1995 ]

Bergeron's ice time per play is one if not the lower by presence on the team.

I apologize, but I'm not sure what this means.

Thank's for your apology But you're right, My sentence was extremely not well written, and I'm not sure how to write it correctly - so in another world and maybe on an another HF Boards in french

No. I'm saying I prefer the 3 line model to the 2 line model, and I think Seguin will (eventually) be a better center than a winger.

I understand that you consider Seguin + Bergeron at center an upgrade on Bergeron + Kelly at center. Time will tell, if Seguin is given center duty.

I think removing him is more about Kelly being a great defensive player than Seguin being a bad one. Why wouldn't you want your two best defensive players on the ice at the most important defensive moments in a game?

That is exactly what the Bruins are actually doing.

Originally Posted by Bill Ladd

Fair enough.

Hopefully this winning stretch won't finish and ugrades on D and wing will come in. Cause a Marchand - Seguin duo composing with half of our D zone is not what I would be dreaming about. That combo duo on a line would be - from my humble point of view - extremely vulnerable especially when not at home. This also put on the team with 3 r.h centers for the majority of the draws.

[nords1995]

Originally Posted by Alan Ryan

I agree. The Seguin and Marchand combo ain't bad either.

On an offence point of view. But on a full tight playoff game, I'm not sold on a Marchand + Seguin (centerman) duo.

[cursednumber6]

Originally Posted by nords1995

Originally Posted by nords1995 ]

Bergeron's ice time per play is one if not the lower by presence on the team.

I apologize, but I'm not sure what this means.

Thank's for your apology But you're right, My sentence was extremely not well written, and I'm not sure how to write it correctly - so in another world and maybe on an another HF Boards in french

No. I'm saying I prefer the 3 line model to the 2 line model, and I think Seguin will (eventually) be a better center than a winger.

I understand that you consider Seguin + Bergeron at center an upgrade on Bergeron + Kelly at center. Time will tell, if Seguin is given center duty.

I think removing him is more about Kelly being a great defensive player than Seguin being a bad one. Why wouldn't you want your two best defensive players on the ice at the most important defensive moments in a game?

That is exactly what the Bruins are actually doing.



Hopefully this winning stretch won't finish and ugrades on D and wing will come in. Cause a Marchand - Seguin duo composing with half of our D zone is not what I would be dreaming about. That combo duo on a line would be - from my humble point of view - extremely vulnerable especially when not at home. This also put on the team with 3 r.h centers for the majority of the draws.

Agreed on all counts except maybe that first sentence which I take to mean for Bergeron's presence his time on ice is actually a little too low. .Marchy is an excellent player but with Seguin's recent improvement I think Marchand is their weakest defensive forward. He tries and he covers the middle but he loses his assignment quite often.

[nords1995]

Originally Posted by cursednumber6

Agreed on all counts except maybe that first sentence which I take to mean for Bergeron's presence his time on ice is actually a little too low.

Originally Posted by cursednumber6

.Marchy is an excellent player but with Seguin's recent improvement I think Marchand is their weakest defensive forward. He tries and he covers the middle but he loses his assignment quite often.

--
That was what I meant.

-
On Marchand, I agree. He needs a rounded 2 way center. That is what I meamt.

So placing Bergeron on the third, is beaking the Marcahnd - Bergeron duo and also, to be possible, the DK- Lucic duo. I would be more ok with Seguin between Lucic and Horton than him between Marchand and the new guy.

So that means you break up your two best O combinations to creat one, which you can't know the result and the consistancy.

My feeling is bring in a big third line winger, and more important a no 3 defence. With that, we will be extremely tough to play against, with Rask playing the way he is. You will also be built for tight and playoffs games.

You won't fill in opponents goal, but you will be built with a calm team, responding well to pressure. Ultimately, you need one more goal than the opponents to win games.

[Oates2Neely]

I like Krejci Bergeron Kelly as the 1-2-3 centers. Seguin is fine at wing. A 3rd line wing w some pop and who can provide a physical presence is all that's needed. Along with a top-4 dman.

LKH
Marchand Bergy Seguin
(Morrow) Kelly Peverly
Merlot

Chara (Streit)
Seidenberg Hamilton
Ference Boychuk

McQuaid
Johnson

Chiarelli has the assets needed to acquire Streit. He wouldn't be a savior here, but another vet who can calmly move the puck would only benefit this team. Morrow could probably be had cheaply, and he'd slot in we'll alongside Kelly and Peverly.