October 6, 2011; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins fans pass around a flag with the Stanley Cup as part of the celebration before the game against the Philadelphia Flyers at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
The last few episodes of our selections on Bruins fantasy picks have been which Bruins will be hot this year, and which ones you should just cheer for while your watching. This episode will focus on the top six forwards for the Black and Gold. Any of the six forwards are people you are going to want on your line this year (so I guess they’re all HOT). We’re going to break down which ones you should grab first.
Jun 24, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron (37) passes the puck against the Chicago Blackhawks during the first period in game six of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Michael Ivins-USA TODAY Sports
#1 – Patrice Bergeron. There are games we expect him to go out on the ice, and do everything. I think we’re still waiting for the day Bergeron signs ‘O, Canada’ in English and French before the game. He had thirty two points in the abbreviated season(ten goals). He was in the top ten in the league for +/- with a +24. Two power play goals and three game winners will give healthy boosts to his stats, and for those of you who factor in ice time, he routinely spends twenty minutes on the pond each game. The only place where he won’t be helpful in are leagues that put an emphasis on penalty minutes. He plays very clean hockey and you can count his career fighting majors on one hand. Still, if you’re going to grab anyone first…you have to go with Bergy.
May 16, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins center Brad Marchand (63) pushes New York Rangers left wing Carl Hagelin (62) during the first period in game one of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
#2 – Brad Marchand. Boston’s ‘Little Ball of Hate’ proved he could be just as versatile as his center last season. He led the team in points with thirty six last season(eighteen goals). He was just a point behind Bergeron in the +/- with a +23. Twenty seven minutes in penalties is a plus for the pest as well. Four power play goals, two shorties, and five game winners rate him as a point making machine. His time on ice is comparable with Bergeron, and if Bergeron isn’t available grab Marchand early for some easy points in your league. Bergeron and Marchand are so close together, one might even chose Marchand over Bergeron.
Jun 24, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews (19) falls to the ice as he chases after the puck controlled by Boston Bruins center David Krejci (46) during the first period in game six of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
#3 – David Krejci. A quieter version of Marchand. Krejci has the ability to create time and space in such a way that an astrophysicist would be jealous. The center of the Bruins top line was one point behind Bergeron with thirty two(ten goals). (He did lead the league in post season points.)Krejci had twenty PIM last season. His +/- should skyrocket with a scoring machine like Jarome Iginla on his wing. (It will be a serious improvement from his +1 last season.) Krejci does tend to live on the ice so he’ll do great for those ice time leagues as well. He did have five game winning goals last season as well. This was also a tough final call to make, but in the end I think Krejci will slightly outscore number four on the list.
Jun 24, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Milan Lucic (17) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during the third period in game six of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Michael Ivins-USA TODAY Sports
#4 – Milan Lucic. By a lot of people’s standards, Milan Lucic had a disappointing regular season for Boston. He did put up twenty seven points for the Bruins, but only seven of them were goals. The addition of Iginla will also raise his +/- this season (+8 last year). Where Looch was a monster point maker last season was his penalty time. He even eclipsed Shawn Thornton last season with seventy five minutes resting in the sin bin. Lucic is poised to have a better season, and he should be taken quickly in most leagues.
Jun 5, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Jarome Iginla (12) keeps the puck away from Boston Bruins left wing Milan Lucic (17) during the first period in game three of the Eastern Conference finals of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
#5 – Jarome Iginla. The Bruins swapped out one active legend on its roster (Jaromir Jagr) for another one. This future Hall-of-Famer gave up a storied career in Calgary to play for a championship team. Sadly, he chose poorly with the Pittsburgh Penguins last year. (They were swept out of the Eastern Conference Finals by the Bruins last year.) He’ll definitely help with the Bruins on the power play problem they’ve been having (Iginla had six last season), and he put up thirty three points last season for Calgary and Pittsburgh. His +/- should improve as well as he plays with a defensive-minded team like the Bruins as well. He’s the oldest guy in the group, so he will bring his lifetime of experience to the Bruins lead line.
Apr 9, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars left wing Loui Eriksson (21) warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Kings at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
#6 – Loui Eriksson. He may be at the bottom of the list for Boston, but he’ll be a machine for the Bruins this season. Eriksson was an outstanding player on a sub-standard Dallas squad. (It’s gotten so rough for the Stars, Mike Modano is ‘seriously contemplating’ a return to the ice for Dallas.) Eriksson should fit in the Bergeron line seamlessly, and that will only make the B’s second line that much more dangerous. He racked up twenty nine points for the struggling Stars(twelve goals) last season. His +/- of -9 will also improve under the Julien system, and the change to a serious hockey town (no offense Stars fans) will make Eriksson a better player for the Black and Gold.