Boston Bruins: Questions Heading Into The 2016-2017 Season

As the 2016-2017 season approaches, the Boston Bruins head into it with many questions in a variety of areas.

Even after a series of moves, some bigger than others, the Boston Bruins enter the upcoming season with many questions. Positional battles and roster spots are some of the main points of interest. The B’s season opener is in Columbus against the Blue Jackets on Thursday, Oct. 13.

Where Will David Backes Play?

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One of the main questions left to be answered is finding where David Backes and Ryan Spooner play this year. Right wing, left wing, center? Who knows? Let’s start with David Backes.

David Backes as we all know by now was acquired via free agency in one of the biggest deals on July 1. The speculation since then has been mainly, what does this mean for David Krejci and Ryan Spooner? As well as, what position will he play? Right wing with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand or David Krejci and Matt Beleskey/Frank Vatrano? Frank Vatrano has since been sidelined for three months after having foot surgery in late September. There also remains the possibility of Backes playing third line center.

Boston Bruins CEO, Charlie Jacobs, said back in late August that Backes will be the team’s third line center. Obviously, today it’s unknown where the former St. Louis Blues captain will play in the Bruins top-nine forward core. I personally think you can’t go wrong with him in any of the spots listed, but I could be wrong.

Where will Ryan Spooner play?

Ryan Spooner is in much of the same situation as David Backes. Will he play right wing with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand or on the Krejci line? Maybe left wing with David Krejci and David Backes, Danton Heinen or David Pastrnak? There is also the possibility of him playing third-line left wing, right wing or center with David Backes and maybe Jimmy Hayes, Matt Beleskey, David Pastrnak or Danton Heinen. Your heads are probably spinning after all of that, so here it is summed up.

Your heads are probably spinning after all of that, so here it is summed up.

Marchand – Bergeron – Backes/Spooner/Heinen

Heinen/Beleskey/Spooner – Krejci – Pastrnak/Heinen/Spooner/Backes

Beleskey/Spooner/Heinen – Backes/Spooner – Heinen/Hayes-Pastrnak

Complicated right? That’s what the situation is like in the most complicated way, it will obviously become less complicated over time.

Will a center or winger be traded for a defenseman?

Aside from all of the Jacob Trouba rumors, the Bruins need a puck-moving defenseman sooner rather than later. All Bruins fans know that by now. The Anaheim Ducks trading Cam Fowler would give them more leeway to resign RFAs Hampus Lindholm and Rickard Rakell. How much leeway they have depends on how much salary they get back. Frank Vatrano, even though he is injured, and Ryan Spooner, are prime trade candidates. As much as it might suck to have to let one of them go, it would significantly improve the team and help the Anaheim Ducks solidify their team. Both sides would end up happy. It might take more than Vatrano or Spooner to persuade Ducks GM Bob Murray to pull the trigger on a deal. Especially if it is Vatrano, as he will be out for quite some time, but would fill their left wing need, as Spooner could.

What young guys will make the roster?

Preseason is all wrapped up for the Boston Bruins with final cuts still to be made. Danton Heinen, Brandon Carlo, Rob O’Gara and Austin Czarnik are the young guys that still remain on the NHL roster. Czarnik left the game after getting crushed by notorious Philadelphia Flyers goon Radko Gudas in the third period. My prediction is that Heinen, Czarnik and Carlo make the roster and O’Gara won’t. If an injury on the back end occurs, O’Gara will be the first guy called up. I know he isn’t a young guy, but I also think Christian Ehrhoff will stay with the team.

How will Zdeno Chara look?

This is something I myself I am very worried about. I see Zdeno Chara continuing to break down this year. I hope I will end up being wrong on this one because he plays such an important role. That preseason turnover against the Montreal Canadiens that lead to Daniel Carr’s nifty goal was one of the worse turnovers I’ve seen in awhile. The thought of Big Z hanging up the skates someday is something I don’t like the sound of very much. There should still be the belief that he can serve well as a minute-eater on the back end, but there is also many reasons for doubt.

Who could break out?

The two main guys I see breaking out this year are Danton Heinen and David Pastrnak. If Heinen gets solid, consistent playing time I believe he can break out to some degree and establish himself. Not talking 50-60 points, but getting 30-40 would be very good for a former fourth-round pick. Pastrnak on the other hand, I see reaching the 55-60 point mark this year, if he like Heinen, gets solid and consistent playing time.

Next: Boston Bruins: Finalizing The Blue Line

Pastrnak was put in the doghouse oo many times last year for minor miscues that should be expected time and time again from youngsters. Even former first-round picks. Increased production from Pasta and solid first-year would be monumental for the Bruins this year and in years to come.