Who makes it?
The more and more I keep thinking about this roster, the more excited I get, with both the present and future of this club. To be honest, I see the Bruins as one of the better teams in the East. Not only because I am a homer, usually I will say when I don't like this team, but because this team is DEEP, which is what Detroit was and all the Cup winners in the past were. So, let's take a look and see who makes this team.
Locks:
Patrice Bergeron
Marc Savard
Phil Kessel
David Krejci
Milan Lucic
Chuck Kobasew
PJ Axlesson
Marco Sturm
Bubble:
Petteri Nokelainen
Peter Schaefer
Glen Murray
Carl Soderberg
Jeremy Reich
Shawn Thornton
Vladimir Sobotka
Stretches:
Blake Wheeler
Zach Hamill
We have say 14 active forwards for this season, so 8 locks leaving 6 spaces. I would say Soderberg would most likely end up in Providence and then is called up if necessary. I think they would REALLY like to get him some time getting to know North American hockey before most likely getting a roster spot next season. Assuming everyone is here, I think Sobotka goes to Providence as well just because he can get more playing time and be called up if necessary. Nokelainen is likely to be the 4th line center, but he also could end up in Providence or as a healthy scratch some nights. Reich will see extremely limited time as an injury replacement, and since his deal is 1 way, he might be traded for a pick or in a package. Thornton will see time as the goon on the team. Schaefer remains the most likely to be dealt if a trade is made, but he could be paired with Sobotka as they played well in the playoffs. Wheeler and Hamill with more than likely play in Providence and could get a late season call up.
Lucic-Savard-Ryder
Sturm-Bergeorn-Kessel
Kobasew-Krejci-Murray
Schaefer-Nokelainen-Axlesson
Thornton-Sobotka
Reich
or
Schaefer-Savard-Ryder
Sturm-Bergeron-Kobasew
Lucic-Krejci-Kessel
Axelsson-Nokelainen-Murray
Thornton-Sobotka
Reich
As you can see, I moved Lucic up to the 1st line as it seems that the Bruins really want this guy up at the top, but a Lucic-Krejci-Kessel like could also work in which Murray would slot down to the 4th line and Schaefer plays with Savard as was planned last year. If Schaefer can regain playoff form all year, he will be a good player. I really don't see Reich doing much, which is why he is the 15th forward on the team. Thornton could spell for anyone via injury and juggle the lines and Sobotka and Nokie will likely split a lot of time. Obviously, a trade is what is most likely or buyout, but I am dealing with what we have now.
If Murray is gone, here are my lines.
Lucic-Savard-Ryder
Sturm-Bergeron-Kessel
Schaefer-Krejci-Kobasew
Axelsson-Nokelainen-Sobotka
Thornton-Reich/Soderberg
or
Schaefer-Savard-Ryder
Sturm-Bergeron-Kobasew
Lucic-Krejci-Kessel
Axlesson-Nokelainen-Sobotka
Thornton-Reich/Soderberg
So, as you can tell, this is a DEEP team with 4 legit scoring lines.
posted by Matt at 7:51 PM
11 Comments:
if they are so deep with 4 legit scoring lines how come they couldnt score last year?
because certain pairings create new opportunities and could bring out the best of our scorers.
signing ryder was huge. he and savard alone could be a productive 1st line. guys like kobasew and sturm are good for 25-30, especially since kobasew was going well then got hurt last season. bergerons back--enough said. and that third line has guys who could get up to 15 so i think we are in great shape.
i really didnt see how deep they are!
John from Medford.... Adding a great second line center (Patrice) and a 14 goal scorer with potential (Ryder)does not turn one of the worst offensive teams in the league into a four line scoring threat. Also having Schaefer getting more playing time than Axelsson is an insult to anyone who has ever watched a Bruins game in their life! Who will have the most fighting majors on the team? With you having Lucic on the top line and Thornton on the bench... Chara with three majors???? I have high hopes for the team this year, but that was the worst post this website has ever seen. Shame on you Matt, shame on you.
yeah no chance the bruins put lucic on the first line dude im sorry...he can take the third line with krej and kessel and continue to develop also no way schaef deserves first line duty...not a chance in hell...ill say kessel gets on first line duty with savvy and ryder if all goes well
kessel-savvy-ryder
sturm-bergie-kobasew
axe-krej-lucic
thornton-nokie-sobotka
i agree, lucic is not on the first line. plus, we definitely dont have 4 legit scoring lines...3rd is legit enough, 4th is still gonna need serious work.
Lucic could be in the first line because he is their 2nd best LW, but they want Sturm with Bergeron because they have good chemistry. It is more likely that they do and Lucic-Krejci-Kessel line which is what I said, therefore i did both options.
I agree with most of the lines except I don't think Lucic is a first line player right now.
hmmm guess i should've read other comments first.
Mike from Fitchburg....
I agree we are pretty deep, but I have to agree with everyone else, Lucic may end up on the top line down the road, but not right now.
I also think that if Murray stays, He'll play with a chip on his shoulder (until he gets hurt.) We're probably one of the deepest teams in the east but most of our talent is still under-developed and need to gel.
I think success rides on the shoulders of Claude Julien and the veteran leaders. I've seen worse teams have success.
ahhh matt, you have clearly never played hockey. You clearly don't know much about hockey. lucic, not a 1st liner. axlesson noke and sobotka, not a legit scoring line. You have the guy who led the bruins in goals per game on the third lin in one scenario. cmon man, what are you thinking. should we also put chara in goal because he is big?
can't defend yourself matt?
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