Thoughts on the Bruins’ opening night roster, projected lines
On Tuesday, the Boston Bruins announced their opening night roster.
The roster is ready. pic.twitter.com/LkTZWgjMED
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) October 10, 2023
The Bruins will carry with them 12 forwards, seven defensemen, and two goaltenders, giving them an even 21 players on the active roster.
Their forwards are: John Beecher, Charlie Coyle, Jake DeBrusk, Trent Frederic, Morgan Geekie, Jakub Lauko, Milan Lucic, Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, Matthew Poitras, James van Riemsdyk, and Pavel Zacha.
According to the team’s X account, they have also recalled Patrick Brown, but a corresponding move has yet to be announced.
Analysis
The first thing that springs to mind when looking at this forward groups is the fact that Matthew Poitras made the team. After the preseason he put together, it’s not entirely surprising, but where he is playing is another debate to be had now.
The second thing of note was a player that surprised me, well actually two: John Beecher and Jakub Lauko. Neither player actually blew anyone out of the water with their performances in the preseason, but Lauko does have the NHL experience to back up his case.
Beecher beat out, presumably, Jesper Boqvist who was battling for a fourth-line center job. Given his history with the organization, that is probably what pushed him over the newcomer from the New Jersey Devils.
Projected Lines (just guesses):
Jake DeBrusk-Charlie Coyle-James van Riemsdyk
Brad Marchand-Pavel Zacha-David Pastrnak
Milan Lucic-Matthew Poitras-Morgan Geekie
Jakub Lauko-John Beecher-Trent Frederic
The defensemen are: Brandon Carlo, Derek Forbort, Matt Grzelcyk, Hampus Lindholm, Charlie McAvoy, Ian Mitchell, and Kevin Shattenkirk.
Analysis
The first thing that sticks out to me on this list is Derek Forbort over Mason Lohrei. Yes, Forbort has more NHL, not to mention professional, experience than Lohrei does, but Forbort gave Bruins’ general manager Don Sweeney nothing to think about during the preseason.
Lohrei gave him plenty to ponder on as the preseason wore on. He was in on every play, he was eating up minutes, and towards the end, he was even scoring goals. With the Bruins being heavy-handed with right-handed defensemen, it’s between the newcomers (Ian Mitchell and Kevin Shattenkirk) for who gets scratched.
My guess is, he had options to the AHL, and ultimately, he was beat out by Ian Mitchell who didn’t. Not only that, but Mitchell was too valuable for Sweeney to risk losing to waivers. Lohrei may get consistent playing time with the Providence Bruins, but don’t be surprised if he isn’t down there for long.
Projected Lines (just guesses):
Charlie McAvoy-Hampus Lindholm
Brandon Carlo-Matt Grzelcyk
Ian Mitchell/Kevin Shattenkirk-Derek Forbort
The two goaltenders to no one’s surprise are Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman.
Analysis
Fortunately, for me, there is not much to analyze here as Boston will be running it back with the same goaltending tandem as last year. Not to mention a duo that was nye-impossible to beat.
Linus Ullmark is the reigning Vezina trophy winner, and will likely start out the season in net, but it remains to be seen in Jeremy Swayman will remain as a true back-up or he will play as a 1A again like he did last year after winning his arbitration case.
If head coach Jim Montgomery is smart, he will start them out as a tandem – sharing the time in net, much like he did last season. He did, however, trot them out as a true “starter, backup” package in the playoffs last season and it came back to bite them.
The Centennial season starts tomorrow with a matchup with Connor Bedard and the Blackhawks on Wednesday. The game can be viewed on Max, and TNT – puck drop is at 7:30 p.m.