As many people know the Bruins were thrown a curve-ball around mid-September when it was announced that forwards David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand were both going to be missing some regular season time. It is pretty commonly known that these are two of our best players and significant members of our lineup. A lot of people think the Bruins went backwards this off-season and it didn’t help with departures from well known names like Zdeno Chara or Torey Krug. Not to mention the absurd Tuukka Rask trade rumors that were going around last year as well.
It was recently discovered that Brad Marchand will be aiming to start the season on the season opener January 14th versus the New Jersey Devils. He is back playing at full contact in training camp but fellow line-mate David Pastrnak was confirmed to be missing the opener. Don't worry Bruins fans he will be returning earlier than the scheduled February 14th. That leaves one hole in the lineup and that is the first line right wing.
Jack Studnicka fits the role perfectly and it gives him a much needed opportunity to showcase his abilities. He has been awaiting an opportunity to move into the lineup full-time
for a while now and may finally get his chance. He is normally a center and Head Coach Bruce Cassidy confirmed that Studnicka will compete for a center spot but will likely end up play wing. Now, with the absence of a winger he can move into the lineup. Forward Anders Bjork will also be looking to solidify a spot in the lineup and he will get reps in at RW1 as well per Bruce Cassidy. Both players are getting reps in with Bergeron during training camp and it is looking likely they move into those spots.
There are two scenarios planned out here. Scenario one is that Brad Marchand is in the lineup and Scenario two is that Brad Marchand is not in the lineup. Here are my options for both scenarios.
Scenario 1
Marchand - Bergeron - Studnicka
Debrusk - Krejci -Kase
Ritchie - Coyle - Smith
Bjork - Kuraly - Wagner
-
Lauzon - McAvoy
Grzelcyk - Carlo
Zboril - Miller
-
Rask
Halak
Scenario 2
Bjork - Bergeron - Studnicka
Debrusk - Krejci - Kase
Ritchie - Coyle - Smith
Frederic - Kuraly - Wagner
-
Lauzon - McAvoy
Grzelcyk - Carlo
Zboril - Miller
-
Rask Halak
Jeremy Lauzon is another guy making a big jump from fourth pair to first pair here. He will be playing with Charlie McAvoy and that should be a good defensive pairing. Grzelcyk has had an amazing camp from what I’ve been told and he is working well with Carlo. Many
speculated he would be joining McAvoy on the first pair but it is now more than likely he plays with Carlo. Another surprising move is Jakub Zboril and Kevan Miller becoming the third pairing. Many thought Uhro Vaakanainen would claim that spot after the praise Bruce Cassidy had for the young defense-man but it seems as if Zboril has likely edged him out for the time being. I think this D-core could be exciting and shock a lot of people next year. It got an infusion of youth and is full of young defensive defense-man ready to prove themselves.
Both of these scenarios involve giving younger guys a chance and letting our middle six build up chemistry faster. A smart move by Bruce Cassidy and I am a fan of the decision. Along with good decisions and structuring to our D-pairings to maximize the levels of play. I will be excited to see how Cassidy puts together the line-up when we have the reigning Rocket Richard trophy winner back at full health.
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