Boston Bruins Roundtable: Projected Lines For 2015-16 Season
Mar 28, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins center Ryan Spooner (51) skates with the puck during the second period against the New York Rangers at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Christopher Bokum’s Projected Lines:
Matt Beleskey – David Krejci – David Pastrnak
Brad Marchand – Patrice Bergeron – Brett Connolly
Loui Eriksson – Ryan Spooner – Jimmy Hayes
Seth Griffith – Chris Kelly – Brian Ferlin
Extras: Joonas Kemppainen, Max Talbot
Julien would have an aneurism if my projected fourth line was sent out. He’d dubiously never entertain this. He’s ardent about his ‘fourth line grinders’, so for consolation, I’ve got Chris Kelly centering the bunch. Albeit I bluntly feel Kelly should not be on this team, we all know Julien esteems his veteran forwards and trusts them to win battles in their own zone. That’s why I’m sticking Max Talbot as an extra to fill, likely, a fourth line void.
The NHL is transitioning to a speedy and elusive fourth line. Griffith and Ferlin are both young, two-way forwards who bode well for the evolving NHL fourth line (look at Tampa and Chicago’s). Working our way up to my third line, I’ve got Ryan Spooner, like most, commanding it alongside Eriksson and Hayes. Some feel Brett Connolly should see the third line. I feel Connolly could use Patrice Bergeron to help lean his game in the right direction. Hayes has totaled 36 career NHL goals in 5 seasons. He seems to be finding his game nicely, while Connolly just hasn’t.
Prior to David Krejci’s injury last season, Bergeron was the habitual second line center. That’s why I’ve got him alongside Brad Marchand on the second forward line. Matt Beleskey and David Pastrnak are the last remaining starting forwards alongside Krejci I have to start the first line. Beleskey has the blueprint of a Milan Lucic and can seamlessly fill has departed void with possibly additional offensive power. I see Pastrnak gelling with Krejci. The two can spark some offensive magic, and the right wing void that has plagued Boston’s top line for several years may finally cease.
My projected defensive pairs for the Bruins:
Zdeno Chara – Colin Miller
Torey Krug – Adam McQuaid
Dennis Seidenberg – Kevan Miller
If Sweeney can’t deal at least one top-four defensemen, the Bruins blue line looks rather soft. Arriving from LA, Colin Miller has posted solid numbers in the AHL. He scored 19 goals with the Manchester Monarchs last season and could help ignite offense with Chara. As for Krug and McQuaid, it’s a rather bleak second pairing. Between both, Krug only plays top-four defense. McQuaid would likely play third line minutes in other cities, but with Kevan Miller playing a similar style of defense, it’s germane to separate them. Seidenberg has reached the tender age of 33 for a defensemen who has battled injury. I project him on the third defensive pairing due to his health issues. He can work well with the brawny Miller down low, but don’t expect any offense from these two.
My projected goaltenders for the Bruins:
Tuukka Rask
Jeremy Smith
Malcolm Subban hasn’t sold me yet as a backup alongside Rask. He’s erratic, as shown back on Feb. 20th when he allowed three quick goals to St. Louis. Word is Smith can be a reliable backup and appears NHL ready. He’ll give you solid starts and is more consistent to that of Subban. Smith is 26 and was drafted 54th overall back in 2007. He went 22-11-5 with Providence and posted a .933 save percentage.