bruins19-20

( Photo Credit: The Hockey News )


By: Yanni Latzanakis  |  Follow Me On Twitter @yanlatz

First Line: Marchand – Bergeron – Heinen

Ever since Marchand and Bergeron began playing together, they have been inseparable. The duo has played together on the same line five on five, on the powerplay, and even the penalty kill and have shined together. While at times the line with Pastrnak on the right side was arguably the best line in the league, they also struggled to put the puck in the net. Also, the top line had so much pressure on them to score that they were gripping their sticks a little to tight and not producing like they can. I would like to see some balance in the Bruins lineup by moving Pastrnak to the second line and Danton Heinen getting a shot on the first line. When Pastrnak went down with a thumb injury and Heinen filled in on the right-wing, the line continued dominance without missing a beat and it was Heinen’s best stretch of hockey last season. When playing with Bergeron and Marchand, they produced 11 goals and gave up four against. Heinen is becoming a skilled two-way forward before our eyes and his development can take off if he plays with Marchand and Bergeron in the 2019-2020 season.

 

Second Line: DeBrusk – Krejci – Pastrnak

The second line has been a mystery, especially at the right-wing position all of last season and this offseason. With players like David Backes, Karson Kuhlman, David Pastrnak, Danton Heinen, and Peter Cehlarik just some of the right-wingers who were tried on Krejci’s right for Bruce Cassidy last year. My ideal lineup would include Pastrnak on the right side of Krejci. The two countrymen have been shown to have chemistry in the past and the balance throughout the lineup would be felt quickly, especially if that second line can produce goals at even strength.

 

Third Line: Bjork – Coyle – Ritchie

Charlie Coyle was a hometown playoff hero for the Bruins putting up nine goals and seven assists for 16 points in 24 playoff games this past spring. He built great chemistry with winger’s Marcus Johansson, who left as an unrestricted free agent and signed with division rival Buffalo Sabres, and Danton Heinen. The third line center position was in question all season until GM of the Year Don Sweeney made the deal for third-line center depth in Coyle. If Anders Bjork can make a comeback after a shoulder injury that required surgery and ended his whole 2018-2019 campaign he can add some spark on the third line. Bjork played 30 regular-season games in 2017-2018 for the Bruins scoring four goals and eight assists while appearing in 20 games in 2018-2019 posting a goal and two helpers. Bjork has always been looked at as a skilled prospect and if he can stay healthy, he might be able to provide some offense with Charlie Coyle and new free agent signing Brett Ritchie. Brett Ritchie played 53 games last season with the Dallas Stars and racked up four goals and two assists. Ritchie has an empty score sheet in three career playoff games. The Orangeville, Ontario native signed a one-year $1 million contract on July first and we will have to see how he fits in the Bruins lineup this upcoming season.

 

Fourth Line: Wagner – Kuraly – Nordstrom

With the departure of Noel Acciari to the Florida Panthers, the Bruins lost some grit and depth for their fourth line. However, they still have Chris Wagner, Sean Kuraly, and Joakim Nordstrom as an ideal checking line. Wagner, the Walpole, MA native, won the Seventh Player award as the player who went above and beyond expectations last season. Kuraly and Nordstrom also had strong years as depth, physical, and reliable players for Bruce Cassidy’s B’s. For the fourth line, I would not tinker much with these three for opening night.

Extra Forwards: David Backes, Par Lindholm, Karson Kuhlman

Defense:

Chara – McAvoy

Krug – Carlo

Grzelcyk – Moore

Extra Defense: Connor Clifton, Kevan Miller, Steven Kampfer, Urho Vaakanainen

The defense was strong this past season as well as into the playoffs and it is safe to say the Bruins have plenty of depth on the back end. Assuming Brandon Carlo and Charlie McAvoy are signed to contracts before opening night, this is how I would line it up on the back end for the Black ‘N Gold. Moore did not have the strongest start to his campaign with the Bruins but towards the end of the season and in the playoffs, particularly the Stanley Cup Finals, Moore showed off his smooth skating and hockey IQ. With either Moor or Clifton in the last defense position, there is no doubt the Bruins have all bases covered on the back end.

Goaltenders: Tuukka Rask, Jaroslav Halak

As the offseason is flying by, it will be interesting to see if the Bruins make any trades or moves to their roster as they gear up for hopefully another Stanley Cup run next Spring.
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