With a Full Squad, Are We Going to See a Change in Strategy?
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I'm not going to go into great detail here. Not needed. For the last couple of seasons, Chiarelli seemingly has attempted to form a balanced attack, with three solid scoring units and a grinding fourth.
With our PK struggling, Chiarelli went out and picked up a guy to help improve that aspect of the club. Kobasew is gone (20+ goals, but little defensive awareness) and Paille steps in. The need for the defensive forward was understated in the off-season, and we've all seen how different the team plays with a strong defense.
The thing about Paille, is that he'll likely never be a scorer. Defensive forward (or 2-way, if you prefer), he seems like a perfect fit for a successful Burns-like checking line.
When Lucic and Savard get back from their respective injuries, I'd like to see a front-loading of talent, with bottom 6 of speed and checking ability.
Lucic - Savard - Bergeron
Sturm - Krejci - Ryder
Paille - Sobotka - Wheeler
(I know a few people lobbying for Bergie on the top line... and I agree with them)
This leaves Recchi in the lurch a bit and I realize that. And it sucks. But I see the makeup of the second group of lines as being much more focused and compatible than the first group.
Discussion worthy? I'm not sure. I haven't been around much... Busy with other things. But since Chia traded for Paille (good move asset for asset... But a bit confusing at the time), I've been dreading wasting Bergeron on yet another line with no scoring touch. To me, his salary is best used in a place where he can help produce offense.
Last edited by Mr. Make-Believe: 11-10-2009 at 03:06 PM.
I don't know, having Bergeron and Paille on the same line would sure be the start of a great checking line with some offensive upside. Paille has hit 19 goals, nobody is going to mistake him for Ovechkin, but 19 goals isn't bad.
A pure checking line is close to useless 50% of the time anyway, every road game where the opposition has last change. They just get matched up against the 4'th line, and get pulled off the ice as soon as they win the face-off. Balancing the offense I think has some merit.
I think Julien likes to roll 4 lines, I don't see anything significant changing.
I'm not going to go into great detail here. Not needed. For the last couple of seasons, Chiarelli seemingly has attempted to form a balanced attack, with three solid scoring units and a grinding fourth.
With our PK struggling, Chiarelli went out and picked up a guy to help improve that aspect of the club. Kobasew is gone (20+ goals, but little defensive awareness) and Paille steps in. The need for the defensive forward was understated in the off-season, and we've all seen how different the team plays with a strong defense.
The thing about Paille, is that he'll likely never be a scorer. Defensive forward (or 2-way, if you prefer), he seems like a perfect fit for a successful Burns-like checking line.
When Lucic and Savard get back from their respective injuries, I'd like to see a front-loading of talent, with bottom 6 of speed and checking ability.
Lucic - Savard - Bergeron
Sturm - Krejci - Ryder
Paille - Sobotka - Wheeler
(I know a few people lobbying for Bergie on the top line... and I agree with them)
This leaves Recchi in the lurch a bit and I realize that. And it sucks. But I see the makeup of the second group of lines as being much more focused and compatible than the first group.
Discussion worthy? I'm not sure. I haven't been around much... Busy with other things. But since Chia traded for Paille (good move asset for asset... But a bit confusing at the time), I've been dreading wasting Bergeron on yet another line with no scoring touch. To me, his salary is best used in a place where he can help produce offense.
Close to the lines I'd like to see tried actually, I'd just go with these:
Now, don't get me wrong, I actually want Recchi around, just not sure where to fit him in. Most of all I want to see Bergeron on Savard's wing, problem is I'm not sure who to play at center if Sob sits for Recchi. Maybe Wheeler Begin Paille and Recchi Bitz Thornton...bah, that doesn't work either. Oh well, it'll be interesting to see regardless.
I see Boston trotting out a lineup that has Savard, Krejci, Bergeron, and Begin at center, with Sobotka as the extra player.
The one thing I see changing with a full roster is the Bruins win total. They may be better than last year and with the injuries around the league piling up they have a chance to go on a nice little run.
Not sure he would like this but I think Recchi should get some games off and rest for the playoffs.I don't think he should play all 82 games,once we have a full lineup we can use Sobotka as much as possible and rest Rex
The removal of Sobotka and Marchand from the lineup will definitely decrease overall team speed.
agreed, but we are talking Clawed here. He's a veteran players coach, and would rather eat his arm than take out Recchi. Recchi has actually been pretty damn good lately. I was ready to kick him to the curb but he had two very strong games against the Habs and Sabres.
He's a short timer anyways, and Sobotka, Marchand, Taylor Hall? someone will be in here next year manning the left side; and likely the year after if not sooner Marco will be headed back to San Jose for a final fling before he retires to race cars in the World Touring Car Series or whatever they call it.
I'm all for this lineup, with everyone healthy we have to stack talent on one line, Bergeron is the only center capable of moving to wing so unfortunately he is the guy that has to go. I like the proposed 3rd line a lot too, I hate sitting Bitz but there is just no way Recchi sits.
I'm not going to go into great detail here. Not needed. For the last couple of seasons, Chiarelli seemingly has attempted to form a balanced attack, with three solid scoring units and a grinding fourth.
Ask yourself, do we have the talent to roll 3 scoring lines?
With our PK struggling, Chiarelli went out and picked up a guy to help improve that aspect of the club. Kobasew is gone (20+ goals, but little defensive awareness) and Paille steps in. The need for the defensive forward was understated in the off-season, and we've all seen how different the team plays with a strong defense.
Kobasew was not at all lacking defensivley as you seem to imply. What you are seeing is the absence of guys like Yelle and Axey.
The thing about Paille, is that he'll likely never be a scorer. Defensive forward (or 2-way, if you prefer), he seems like a perfect fit for a successful Burns-like checking line.
Axey? why does it seem like you just described him and his role here....
When Lucic and Savard get back from their respective injuries, I'd like to see a front-loading of talent, with bottom 6 of speed and checking ability.
Lucic - Savard - Bergeron
Sturm - Krejci - Ryder
Paille - Sobotka - Wheeler
(I know a few people lobbying for Bergie on the top line... and I agree with them)
This leaves Recchi in the lurch a bit and I realize that. And it sucks. But I see the makeup of the second group of lines as being much more focused and compatible than the first group.
Discussion worthy? I'm not sure. I haven't been around much... Busy with other things. But since Chia traded for Paille (good move asset for asset... But a bit confusing at the time), I've been dreading wasting Bergeron on yet another line with no scoring touch. To me, his salary is best used in a place where he can help produce offense.
Lucic and Ryder on the same line is scary, and not in the good way. Savard needs a guy with skill and speed.
Paile replaces Axey to an extent. Lateral move.
This team was always defense first, hence all the figure skating behind the net.
what has really changes in there style of play with the injuries?
nothing, just there inability to execute said style of play.
Not sure he would like this but I think Recchi should get some games off and rest for the playoffs.I don't think he should play all 82 games,once we have a full lineup we can use Sobotka as much as possible and rest Rex
I hope you are right. I really do.
I also thought they'd do that with Axxy and Muzz the last couple of seasons and it didn't happen, so I'm not getting my hopes up.
I see Boston trotting out a lineup that has Savard, Krejci, Bergeron, and Begin at center, with Sobotka as the extra player.
The one thing I see changing with a full roster is the Bruins win total. They may be better than last year and with the injuries around the league piling up they have a chance to go on a nice little run.
I'm not going to go into great detail here. Not needed. For the last couple of seasons, Chiarelli seemingly has attempted to form a balanced attack, with three solid scoring units and a grinding fourth.
With our PK struggling, Chiarelli went out and picked up a guy to help improve that aspect of the club. Kobasew is gone (20+ goals, but little defensive awareness) and Paille steps in. The need for the defensive forward was understated in the off-season, and we've all seen how different the team plays with a strong defense.
The thing about Paille, is that he'll likely never be a scorer. Defensive forward (or 2-way, if you prefer), he seems like a perfect fit for a successful Burns-like checking line.
When Lucic and Savard get back from their respective injuries, I'd like to see a front-loading of talent, with bottom 6 of speed and checking ability.
Lucic - Savard - Bergeron
Sturm - Krejci - Ryder
Paille - Sobotka - Wheeler
(I know a few people lobbying for Bergie on the top line... and I agree with them)
This leaves Recchi in the lurch a bit and I realize that. And it sucks. But I see the makeup of the second group of lines as being much more focused and compatible than the first group.
Discussion worthy? I'm not sure. I haven't been around much... Busy with other things. But since Chia traded for Paille (good move asset for asset... But a bit confusing at the time), I've been dreading wasting Bergeron on yet another line with no scoring touch. To me, his salary is best used in a place where he can help produce offense.
I like those lines. Wheeler is a bit underutilized, but he has looked good with Sobotka. As for SOB, he looks like he's played well enough to act as a pivot on the third line and bump Bergeron to Savard's wing. One last thing I really like about them: if they're not working, they can be changed! If there's nothing doing after two periods, switch Bergeron to third line C, move Sobotka to Bergeron's wing and bump Wheeler to the first line.
As for Recchi, I'm not opposed to him seeing 4th line duty or press box time. If he is, he needs to get over it.
I also thought they'd do that with Axxy and Muzz the last couple of seasons and it didn't happen, so I'm not getting my hopes up.
Well considering all the injuries we had going into the post season,I hope Julien took notes and gives the older guys a couple of nights off here and there
Well considering all the injuries we had going into the post season,I hope Julien took notes and gives the older guys a couple of nights off here and there
I agree, and for the sake of the team, hope you are right.
I LOVE the idea of concentrating our talent into the top two lines. We are wasting talent by distributing it among 3-4 lines. Enough with this rolling 4 "tough to play against" lines BS.
Bergy is wasting away playing with scrubs like Paille. Put Bergy on the top line with Savard and Lucic where his talents can really come into focus. Put Krejci with Ryder and Sturm where he can have some people he might be able to dish the puck to. I think Sobotka can do a very good job on the third line with Paille and Recchi. What are we going to lose by putting Sobotka down with Paille. NOTHING. We will lose nothing. We are hindering Bergeron's talent. And our fourth line is pretty damn good as of now.
This team trying to roll four lines is like the NHL after expansion. Before expansion there was a greater number of high caliber players on each team. After expansion, the amount of star caliber talent decreases for each team. The Bruins are spreading their talent too thin by trying to have 4 "tough" lines.
Right now, we have 4 mediocre lines when we could have 2 good lines and 2 mediocre lines.
This sort of discussion is the exact reason that you saw Chiarelli make those moves in October... competition.
I understand why people want to see Bergeron moved to Savard's wing and I wouldn't mind seeing those two play togethr in third periods when we need a goal but faceoffs are a vital part of the game and Bergy is our best guy, we need him at center.
Our regular centers:
Patrice Bergeron 55.2%
Steve Begin 54.6%
David Krejci 48.5%
Vladimir Sobotka 48.1%
Marc Savard 46.7%
Byron Bitz is another tempting one to take out because a lot of his play is not obvious but I think simply for his boardplay on that 4th line he too is a pretty vital cog, in fact, for now I think you keep Begin/Thornton/Bitz intact, they've done their job brilliantly all year.
I also wouldn't be so quick to get rid of Recchi, I think he needs to be the net presence on the top power-play unit, Rex is not the player he once was but he still the best Bruin at getting those garbage goals, something I think we'll appreciate more at playoff time. I am a fan of managing his playing and game time though to ensure he is fully fit come said playoffs.
Does this mean there is no room for Sobotka? Of course not, he has plenty of time left to push himself up the depth chart or for any of these players to slide down. Very rarely are teams lucky enough to have no injuries at all and Vlad has looked every bit of the all-round two-way center that we have been promised. If he ends up spending a few games as the 13th forward it will not be the end of the world.
Either way, if you leave out an NHL caliber player who has to fight for their place, you're hockey club is moving in the right direction. It's funny how Ference, Hunwick and Stuart (though imo he has been very good all year anyways) picked up their games after Boychuk impressed in his couple of outings... coincidence no?
I understand why people want to see Bergeron moved to Savard's wing and I wouldn't mind seeing those two play togethr in third periods when we need a goal but faceoffs are a vital part of the game and Bergy is our best guy, we need him at center.
Our regular centers:
Patrice Bergeron 55.2%
Steve Begin 54.6%
David Krejci 48.5%
Vladimir Sobotka 48.1%
Marc Savard 46.7%
Why would playing on the wing stop Bergy from taking faceoffs? Wingers take facoffs regularly all the time in hockey. And Savard had the worse faceoff percentage from centres last season also, so it's not like we'd be putting two of our best faceoff guys on the same line.
I don’t necessarily see a change in strategy; however I do see more options for Julien.
With all the injuries / struggles we’ve seen this year; our most consistent line has been Begin with Thornton and Bitz or filler. Julien isn’t afraid to play them at key moments in the game and this will still allow him to keep everyone fresh. Remember, that was a huge factor to our success last year….having a balanced attacked with players on every line that could score at any given shift.
Would I like a more offensive top 2 lines? Yes, but I’m perfectly fine throwing out 3 solid lines with Begin coming over the boards as the 4th line center.
I’m confident Krejci will find his game and you can tell he still isn’t up to par from last year. The injury pushed him back a month and I’m sure come January he’ll be close to leading the team in scoring.
D.Paille is a perfect fit for the 3rd line. His speed creates a lot of chances and he’s a very under-rated forechecker…he’s laid out some pretty thunderous hits this year already.
One area I’d like to Chia improve is the backend….I’ve kinda lost faith in Ference this year and Hunwick has struggled. Acquire someone like B.Jackman or S.O’Brien and we become that much tougher to play against.
Thomas / Rask continue to give us solid goaltending. If the PP can get its act together will get back on our winnings ways.
Is the Bergeron as winger purely HF fantasy/coaching idea? I don't know if the Bruins ever try him there at practice. I really like the idea but wonder if there is any chance of it happening.
Is the Bergeron as winger purely HF fantasy/coaching idea? I don't know if the Bruins ever try him there at practice. I really like the idea but wonder if there is any chance of it happening.
No, every scouting report on him says he's capable of playing all three forward positions. I seem to recall him playing RW in his rookie year.
Julien has proven one thing in his time here, despite whom he has at his disposal, he is always going to play the same system, expect the same committment and never waiver in his belief that playing solid, team oriented defense creates offensive opportunities.
The lines may be tweaked a bit, but there is no reason that I can see for Julien to change his overall strategy.
No, every scouting report on him says he's capable of playing all three forward positions. I seem to recall him playing RW in his rookie year.
They did play him at wing with Rolston and Axe his rookie year. To ease him in.
But the recent idea to put him at wing is an HF concoction in that they've never tried it in practice and there's never been any talk from the B's about it. In fact, the one time they did try to play Bergeron and Savvy together, it was Savvy who played wing. At least, I seem to remember Savard saying it was the first time he played wing since he was a kid...
They did play him at wing with Rolston and Axe his rookie year. To ease him in.
But the recent idea to put him at wing is an HF concoction in that they've never tried it in practice and there's never been any talk from the B's about it. In fact, the one time they did try to play Bergeron and Savvy together, it was Savvy who played wing. At least, I seem to remember Savard saying it was the first time he played wing since he was a kid...
I would love if Savvy played wing for that line, he could be the setup man still at wing much like Alex Tanguay.
Lucic-Bergeron-Savard is a line I think is capable of being a very formidable first line.
I haven't been around much... Busy with other things. But since Chia traded for Paille (good move asset for asset... But a bit confusing at the time), I've been dreading wasting Bergeron on yet another line with no scoring touch. To me, his salary is best used in a place where he can help produce offense.
