The Bruins have secured the providers of Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci for a grand complete of a $3.5 million cap hit for this upcoming season. They’ve additionally procured a nonetheless promising 25-year-old ahead in Pavel Zacha, who fairly presumably might have the next offensive ceiling than he’s been capable of attain whereas toiling within the swamps of Jersey. These are all good issues.
But the B’s can be a severe problem out of the gate. Their finest defenseman, Charlie McAvoy, and arguably finest ahead, Brad Marchand, can be out till late November, whereas high 4 defenseman Matt Grzelcyk will miss in any case the beginning of the season.
Despite the nice feeling surrounding the highest two centermen, these info are able to derailing the season earlier than it even will get began.
Without fulling realizing what new coach Jim Montgomery may be pondering, right here we attempt to piece collectively a lineup for opening evening on Oct. 12 in Washington that can permit the B’s to maintain their heads above water till the Coast Guard arrives in late November. For the time being, we’re discounting the likelihood that flashy rookie Fabian Lysell is prepared for NHL motion.
First line
Pavel Zacha-Patrice Bergeron-Jake DeBrusk
Zacha, clearly, won’t be on this spot when Marchand returns nevertheless it may very well be useful for him to search out his offensive sport whereas taking part in alongside the league’s preeminent two-way centerman. Zacha, if he’s going to show the nook in his improvement, may very well be one of many keys if this group goes be merely a playoff contender or one thing greater than that. Playing with Bergeron can even be useful in establishing an on-ice work ethic and expectation for the newcomer, because it did for DeBrusk final yr. There was an inclination to let DeBrusk play on his pure left aspect whereas Marchand is out, however he’s confirmed to be a succesful proper wing and it’s wager he’ll find yourself over there ultimately, so they may as properly have him proceed to get reps on the correct aspect so there’s not a transition interval when No. 63 returns.
SECOND LINE
Taylor Hall-David Krejci-David Pastrnak
Everyone expects this line to occur, and it most likely ought to, if just for a “thank you” to Krejci for the deal he signed. But it’s no slam dunk that will probably be successful. Hall and Krejci labored extraordinarily properly two years in the past, however that was when the third wheel was Craig Smith, who did a lot of the soiled work for the road within the corners and alongside the partitions. Hall and Pastrnak additionally labored properly collectively final yr, with Erik Haula within the center, however Hall functioned because the center-like distributor. How all these three first line-caliber gamers can work collectively stays to be seen. But will probably be enjoyable to see if they will.
THIRD LINE
Trent Frederic-Charlie Coyle-Craig Smith
This grouping had a protracted sufficient stretch of excellent play in February and March to run it again for an additional look-see, at the very least till Marchand comes again and shifts all of the deck chairs. We know just about what Coyle and Smith can carry, although the B’s might use a bounce-back yr from Smith, who suffered a decrease physique damage in camp and took some time to get going. But will probably be fascinating to see which path Frederic’s profession arc will go. He desires to contribute extra offensively, and the B’s would really like nothing extra, however they may nonetheless use a number of the sandpaper he brings. He’s simply obtained to determine when and the right way to apply it.
FOURTH LINE
Tomas Nosek-Jack Studnicka-Oskar Steen
The dangerous information is that it’s anybody’s guess what the fourth line will appear like. The excellent news is that competitors ought to be fierce. Nick Foligno, Chris Wagner, Marc McLaughlin, A.J. Greer, Joona Koppanen and Jakub Lauko might all get a search for fourth-line responsibility. But Studnicka and Steen each re-upped for 2 years, are at a pivotal level of their respective careers and, given the truth that the B’s want some youthful gamers to show a nook, they need to get a protracted look. If Foligno and Wagner don’t outplay their youthful cohorts in camp, their contracts may very well be moved, both by way of commerce or waivers to Providence, to assist the group grow to be cap compliant.
DEFENSE
Hampus Lindholm-Brandon Carlo
Derek Forbort-Connor Clifton
Jakub Zboril-Mike Reilly
And herein lies the best problem to beat. Without McAvoy and Grzelcyk, the B’s can be with out half of their high 4 defensemen. Let’s begin with one thing we all know can work. As a 3rd pairing, Forbort and Clifton performed very properly collectively within the playoffs and it is smart that they begin the season collectively, albeit a rung larger due to the circumstances. Lindholm and Carlo had some tough moments collectively within the restricted responsibility they noticed, however a full coaching camp ought to at the very least give them a greater likelihood at succeeding. The lack of McAvoy not solely robs the B’s of a reputable Norris Trophy candidate, it additionally takes away from a commodity that the B’s do not need in abundance – right-shot defensemen. Grzelcyk is predicted to return earlier than McAvoy, however Grzelcyk is certainly one of many left-stick gamers. The most NHL-ready candidate in Providence, Jack Ahcan, can also be a lefty. Someone should transfer over to play the correct aspect on the third pair. With Zboril getting back from ACL surgical procedure, he ought to be the one to remain on his pure aspect till he good points a stage of consolation.
GOALTENDING
Jeremy Swayman
Linus Ullmark
The B’s can not afford the identical gradual begin from their netminding tandem as that they had final yr. But with Swayman in his second full NHL season and Ullmark in his second season with the B’s, there is no such thing as a good motive that ought to occur once more. And with the state of affairs immediately in entrance of them, the netminders could have be on high of their video games. Swayman and Ullmark see-sawed of their battle for the No. 1 spot, with Ullmark profitable the beginning job for Game 1 of the playoffs earlier than ceding the online to Swayman through the sequence towards Carolina. Going into the ultimate yr of his entry-level deal, Swayman is in place to money in on his subsequent contract. Given the state of affairs, the B’s would really like nothing greater than to see the younger Alaskan have a affluent season.
Source: www.bostonherald.com