Boston Bruins: Assessing the battle for fourth line spots
The Boston Bruins were a true four line team last season. No forward averaged less than 12 minutes on ice in the regular season and the playoffs. That kind of depth up front helped push the Bruins all the way to the Stanley Cup Final.
Bruce Cassidy had a few different fourth line combinations last year, but he pretty much relied on the same four players: Sean Kuraly, Chris Wagner, Noel Acciari, and Joakim Nordstrom.
Kuraly, Wagner, and Nordstrom all return for Boston this year, so we’ve more of the same on the fourth line. Cassidy, however, does have a few different options from which to choose.
Kuraly, Wagner, Nordstrom
Let’s start with Cassidy’s preferred fourth line combination: Kuraly, Wagner, and Nordstrom. As long as these three players are healthy, they are indeed the best options on the fourth line.
Like prototypical fourth liners, Kuraly, Wagner, and Nordstrom can grind and wear down their opponents. They can offer that bit of sandpaper teams need in the bottom-six. All three players are solid along the boards, and they can win puck battles.
When it comes to this trio, Kuraly is the straw that stirs the drink. He has elite speed, so he can outskate almost any fourth line opponent. As a result, Kuraly can dictate play against favorable matchups.
Kuraly’s skating helps create opportunities for someone like Wagner. Wagner enjoyed his best offensive last year. He finished with 12 goals, five more than his next best season. Wagner won’t be confused for a sniper, but he does offer nice production on the fourth line.
Nordstrom lines up on the left wing, and he’s a solid defensive player. He rarely makes mistakes, and he blocks a lot of shots.
What sets this group apart from other fourth line options is skating. Kuraly, Wagner, and Nordstrom all have above-average speed, so they can keep up with the pace of play
Gone are the days of the big, slow bruisers that once dominated fourth lines. Kuraly, Wagner, and Nordstrom represent a new wave of fourth liners.
Par Lindholm
Par Lindholm is one of the newest members of the Bruins. He moves to Boston after seasons in Toronto and Winnipeg.
Lindholm is very much in the mold of Joakim Nordstrom. Like Nordstrom, Lindholm is a decent skater who has great defensive instincts. He won’t chip in much offensively, but that’s not really his job.
However, Lindholm is a little more versatile than Nordstrom. He can play center as well as both wing positions. As such, Lindholm is a perfect fill-in if there’s ever an injury in the lineup.
Lindolm, for example, will be valuable if David Krejci misses any time. Like he did in the opener against Dallas, Lindholm can step into a center role. He won’t match Krejci’s offensive production, but Cassidy can trust that Lindholm won’t make too many costly mistakes.
That said, Lindholm is what the Bruins signed him to be: a depth forward. He’s there as a reliable alternative who Cassidy can plug into most roles.
Unless there’s a long-term injury to Kuraly, Wagner, or Nordstrom, Lindholm probably won’t see a ton of playing time. But, he can certainly provide those guys with some needed rest throughout the course of a long season.
Brett Ritchie
If the Bruins want some extra size on the fourth line, Brett Ritchie is an option. Ritchie signed this summer in Boston after five years with Dallas.
Ritchie has a big 6’4″ frame, and at 220 lbs, he can a tough matchup for smaller defenders. It’s no surprise that he finished with at least 125 hits in three of his five previous seasons.
Given his size, Ritchie can add a different element to Boston’s fourth line. Kuraly, Wagner, and Nordstrom can all grind and play physical, but they’ll never be an imposing force like Ritchie.
There is a major drawback with Ritchie’s size: he’s not a great skater. There’s some question as to whether he’d be able to keep up with a center like Kuraly.
We’ve already seen Ritchie struggle with the pace on the third line this season. And that’s with Charlie Coyle and Danton Heinen, two players who aren’t exactly speed demons.
Nonetheless, Ritchie is an intriguing option who will get opportunities. Dallas picked him in 44th overall in 2011, so Ritchie has some offensive talent. He did, in fact, score 15 goals in the 2016-2017 season.
Cassidy gave Ritchie some looks with Krejci and Coyle so far this season. Expect this to continue until a young player like Anders Bjork gets the call up.
At that point, Ritchie could be a fixture in the bottom-six against bigger teams. Or, if he shows consistent production, he could earn an elevated role.
David Backes
David Backes is another option Bruce Cassidy can consider for the fourth line.
It’s obvious that the Backes experience hasn’t been a successful one in Boston. He hasn’t really lived up to his $6 million cap hit. But, he’s signed for this season and next, so he remains in Boston’s plans.
Backes does bring a few things to the table. He has a ton of experience, so he can be a calming presence on the team. He’s also a great leader, so much so that he’s an assistant captain. Backes can have a positive influence on the younger players on this team.
At the same time, Backes brings a certain physicality and edge on the ice. He’ll hit anything that moves, and he’s one of the few guys on the roster who’ll drop the gloves.
Backes, however, has lost a step over the years. He never was the best skater, but now he struggles to keep up with his linemates. The game is faster than ever, and Backes doesn’t really fit in at times.
Still, Backes can be a viable option on the fourth line. He can fill a similar role that Noel Acciari had last season. Backes can’t play every game, but Cassidy can call his name when needed.