There's been some chatter in various threads about line combinations so I figured I'd start a new one. At least for the forwards, I refuse to believe they're going into the season with this group on defense.
Loui-Bergeron-Pastrnak
Beleskey-Krejci-Connolly
Marchand-Spooner-Hayes
Kelly-Kemppainen-Talbot
Is what I'd like to see to start the season, with Kelly swapping spots with Spooner protecting a lead, defensive zone draws, and/or tough road matchups. My reasoning:
The first line puts Pastrnak with two great possession players. Pastrnak proved last year he has elite offensive talent, not just leading the Bruins by a wide margin in ES P/60, but also 24th in the NHL. Putting him with Bergeron and Eriksson not only covers up some of his defensive deficiencies, it's going to lead to a lot more shots on goal with Pastrnak on the ice, which is what you want happening with your most skilled offensive player.
The second line is the best attempt at re-creating the Lucic-Krejci-Horton line, with a physical north-south LW who can shoot, and a sorta big, skilled RW. (people over romanticize the shit out of the Lucic-Krejci-Horton era anyway, IMO)
The third line gives Spooner a physical presence on one side, and a legitimate scoring winger on the other side. I'd even out Marchand's minutes by putting him on the PP to make up for whatever he loses being on the 3rd line.
The fourth line because not Zac Rinaldo.
Lets get some conversation going that'll be moot when they trade 2 top 9 guys next week
Loui-Bergeron-Pastrnak
Beleskey-Krejci-Connolly
Marchand-Spooner-Hayes
Kelly-Kemppainen-Talbot
Is what I'd like to see to start the season, with Kelly swapping spots with Spooner protecting a lead, defensive zone draws, and/or tough road matchups. My reasoning:
The first line puts Pastrnak with two great possession players. Pastrnak proved last year he has elite offensive talent, not just leading the Bruins by a wide margin in ES P/60, but also 24th in the NHL. Putting him with Bergeron and Eriksson not only covers up some of his defensive deficiencies, it's going to lead to a lot more shots on goal with Pastrnak on the ice, which is what you want happening with your most skilled offensive player.
The second line is the best attempt at re-creating the Lucic-Krejci-Horton line, with a physical north-south LW who can shoot, and a sorta big, skilled RW. (people over romanticize the shit out of the Lucic-Krejci-Horton era anyway, IMO)
The third line gives Spooner a physical presence on one side, and a legitimate scoring winger on the other side. I'd even out Marchand's minutes by putting him on the PP to make up for whatever he loses being on the 3rd line.
The fourth line because not Zac Rinaldo.
Lets get some conversation going that'll be moot when they trade 2 top 9 guys next week