Boston Bruins: Who are the best options on the roster at second-line right wing?
The Boston Bruins enjoyed an impressive start to the season. The Bruins have four wins, including three on the road, in the first five games.
The Bruins can thank strong goaltending and consistent play from the defensemen for the fast start. Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak gave Boston a chance to win every game, and Zdeno Chara and Brandon Carlo look strong out there.
There are, however, a few issues up front with Boston’s forwards. The big question mark is with the second-line right wing spot.
Bruce Cassidy tried a couple different options so far, but nobody really popped alongside David Krejci and Jake DeBrusk. Karson Kuhlman has looked solid at times, but until he starts to produce, there are other players to consider.
Karson Kuhlman
Bruce Cassidy gave Karson Kuhlman the first crack at the right wing spot. He started each of the first five games in that role.
Kuhlman does look great out there at times. He’s a great skater, and he consistently uses his speed to beat defenders to the outside.
With his speed, Kuhlman can find open space in the neutral and offensive zones. Krejci, with his vision and playmaking skills, can take advantage of this.
The best thing to say about Kuhlman is that he rarely makes mistakes. Although he lacks experience, the Bruins can rely on him in almost all situations. He doesn’t turn the puck over that much, and he’s usually in the right position.
That said, does Kuhlman offer enough offensive upside to be a top-six player for a contender? He’s yet to find himself on the scoresheet through five games. He did have a goal overturned against the Avalanche, but other than that, Kuhlman hasn’t had many chances.
Right now, Kuhlman’s a solid player who will continue to grow. He doesn’t quite look ready to be a consistent second-line player. Kuhlman can get there, but for now, he’s better-suited on the third line.
Brett Ritchie
The Bruins brought in Brett Ritchie this offseason as a low risk, high reward signing. So far, it’s paid off only a little. He has one goal in four games.
Dallas drafted Ritchie in the second round in 2011, but he never really found his game. He did score 16 goals in the 2016-2017 season, but he regressed in the next two years.
The Bruins hope that Ritchie can flash that second-round pedigree and produce for them this season.
Ritchie is pretty much the complete opposite player compared to Kuhlman. Unlike Kuhlman, Ritchie has great size and plays best when he’s physical. He had at least 120 hits in each of the last three seasons.
That said, Ritchie isn’t a great skater. On the third line this year, he’s seemed to slow down Charlie Coyle and Danton Heinen. And in limited action with Krejci and DeBrusk, Ritchie hasn’t really looked the part.
Cassidy could give Ritchie a longer look on the second line if Kuhlman struggles. He’s size and space could open space to Krejci and DeBrusk. That said, Ritchie seems destined for the bottom-six.
David Pastrnak
Here’s a thought: what if Cassidy broke up the first line to spread the offense around?
The Bruins top line again starts the season as one of the best in hockey. Brad Marchand already has four games in five games, and David Pastrnak has six total points. With Patrice Bergeron in the middle, this line can be unstoppable.
This line can carry the Bruins through the regular season and win a lot of games. That said, as we saw last year, Boston needs secondary scoring at some point.
If Cassidy put Pastrnak with Krejci and DeBrusk, the top line’s production would drop only a little. Bergeron and Marchand would still be a dynamic duo out there, so any right wing could step in and look solid.
The second line, however, would definitely see a bump in production. Pastrnak has elite talent, so he can score with anybody. He’d instantly become the best pure scorer with whom Krejci has ever played.
Plus, Pastrnak’s presence should draw defenders, and this could open up things for DeBrusk. Right now, without a reliable scorer on the ice with him, DeBrusk has to create space on his own.
Look, it’s certainly not an easy decision to break up the best line in hockey. Bergeron, Marchand, and Pastrnak single-handedly win a lot of games.
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Nonetheless, the Bruins don’t want to win games; they want to win a championship. To get there, they need reliable production from their other forwards. Cassidy has to at the very least consider putting Pastrnak with Krejci and DeBrusk.