There are many questions hanging over the Boston Bruins during this year’s preseason. However, one question that is not on anyone’s mind is who will Brad Marchand play with. That’s because, for a long time, the answer has always been Patrice Bergeron.
Puck Prose
“Me and Bergy have played together for a while and we do have really good chemistry.” Marchand said in an after practice interview. “We work on it. We always try to go together in practice and try to improve on that. We’re always talking.” Brad Marchnd and Patrice Bergeron have been line mates for many years and have always been effective together. Their line, featuring Mark Recchi at the time, was the most dominant in the crucial Game 7, Stanley Cup Final, win against the Vancouver Canucks in 2011.
Even though the two forwards have played together for so long, Brad Marchand claims that he still worries about the possibility of the coach separating him from the three time Selke Trophy winner. “I’m still always nervous that they’re going to switch it up and try something new.” Pairing Marchand with David Krejci or Ryan Spooner would most certainly add a new dynamic to the Bruins forward group. However, most fans, and analysts, would rather live by the common phrase, “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it,” when it comes to this pair.
“One day that could change, but right now I’m going to enjoy it and always feel a little more comfortable coming into camp.” – Brad Marchand on playing with Patrice Bergeron
The Candidates for the right wing position on this line are currently Brett Connolly, Jimmy Hayes, David Pastrnak and Loui Eriksson. If the Bergeron line is to once again be the go to shut down line, like they usually are, it would be in Claude Julien’s best interest to put the young Pastrnak and Connolly on other lines.
Loui Eriksson’s two way play would fit in perfectly with Marchand and Bergeron, but could also arguably be more useful on a line that needs a more defensive player. Jimmy Hayes has a big frame and is great at retrieving pucks from the opposition which would help this line’s already impressive puck possession stats. However, like Eriksson, perhaps Hayes’ qualities would be more suitable to a line that has smaller, less formidable, players than Marchand and Bergeron.
More from Bruins News
- Bruins release Prospects Challenge roster, schedule Tuesday
- Bruins bringing back familiar forward on tryout contract
- The Bruins should take a look at these four free agents
- NHL Network lists Ullmark as sixth-best goalie in the league
- The Lasting Legacy of David Krejci
Due to the excellent chemistry and defensive responsibility that Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand already possess, I feel that Claude Julien should turn his focus to creating two strong scoring lines (with Krejci and Spooner in the middle). Then, whichever forward does not gel well with the other lines can be put with Bergeron and Marchand.
Playing with Patrice Bergeron as your middle man makes any player better and Brad Marchand is a perfect example of that. It is incredibly likely that Marchand and Bergeron will continue to play together and Marchand wouldn’t have it any other way. “One day that could change,” Marchand admits, “but right now I’m going to enjoy it and always feel a little more comfortable coming into camp.”
Who do you think Brad Marchand should play with? Comment below. For more access to all things Boston Bruins, follow 29Bruins on Twitter.