Causeway Crowd
Fansided

Boston Bruins: Top 3 players that can replace David Pastrnak on the first line until he returns

By Matt Hawkins

TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 19: Ondrej Kase #28 of the Boston Bruins carries the puck against the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period in Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 19, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ONTARIO - AUGUST 19: Ondrej Kase #28 of the Boston Bruins carries the puck against the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period in Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on August 19, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – JANUARY 30: Craig Smith #15 of the Nashville Predators skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on January 30, 2020 in Newark, New Jersey. The Predators defeated the Devils 6-5 in the shoot-out. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – JANUARY 30: Craig Smith #15 of the Nashville Predators skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on January 30, 2020 in Newark, New Jersey. The Predators defeated the Devils 6-5 in the shoot-out. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

2. Craig Smith could play the Boston Bruins’ first line right wing.

The Bruins signed Craig Smith to a three-year, $9.3 million deal in early October when free agency first began. This $3.1 million average annual value (AAV) is a pretty good deal considering Smith is basically automatic for at least 20 goals a season.

This deal could look even more of a bargain if Smith can slot into the first line right wing role and give us quality hockey for around a month until Pastrnak returns.

Related Story. Boston Bruins: Is Craig Smith the answer as the second line RW?. light

Like I previously stated, Smith is almost automatic for at least 20 goals in a full 82-game season. In five of the last seven seasons, Smith has score 20+ goals, and he would’ve again this season if it wasn’t cut short due to COVID-19.

Along with scoring at least 20 goals, Smith is usually hovering between 35 and 45 points a season — with the exception of 2013-14 and 2017-18 where he finished with 52 and 51 points.

A problem with Smith moving up to the first line is that he has only played middle-six minutes throughout his nine-year career. Smith’s average ice time is just 14:52 over his career and playing over 18 minutes a game after playing just under 13 and half minutes a game last season could be too much for the 31-year-old.

Related Story. Boston Bruins: Craig Smith signing could be a bargain deal by Sweeney. light

However, Smith is a professional and I’m sure he’s in great shape, conditioning-wise, and would be more than able to play these minutes. But, this is a great risk as Smith was just signed in October and has yet to practice and even meet his teammates. Smith could spend that whole month trying to find chemistry with Marchy and Bergy.

Like Coyle, Smith plays a defensive style of hockey, which as I mentioned earlier, could benefit Marchand and Bergeron.

Home/Bruins News