Predicting Bruins’ expanded roster for 2020 postseason - which call-ups will make the cut?

Even with a date for full training camp still pencilled in for July 10, it’s pretty evident these days that just about nothing is set in stone when it comes to the NHL’s (or any other sports league’s) efforts of returning to action in the midst of a pandemic. 

Even if the NHL and NHLPA manage to weather the following weeks (with additional positive cases for COVID-19 all but a certainty) and welcome full rosters back to team facilities — both the rapid ramp-up of on-ice work and the looming threat of the pandemic could create a scenario in which injuries (and quarantines) could sap a club’s roster once games do get underway later this summer.

As such, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that the NHL is planning on expanding rosters by the time Phase 3 is implemented — giving each of the 24 teams included in the expanded playoffs some necessary insurance in case of some unexpected misfortunes. 

According to Larry Brooks of the New York Post, teams will be allowed to bring 30 total players to camp once Phase 3 begins, while 28 skaters will be available to play once actual games in Phase 4 get underway. In addition, clubs will be able to bring an unlimited amount of goaltenders — a preventative measure, given the lack of suitable EBUGs at these two neutral-site venues. 

As such, with training camp now less than three weeks away, let’s take a look at which 28 players are going to make the cut for Boston once playoff hockey resumes. 

CENTERS: 

1: Patrice Bergeron — Well, duh. While Boston’s top-line center, like many other NHLers, will need to shake off the rust over in the next month, the extended time off should also help a veteran pivot that is often saddled with nagging injuries year after year. Any deep Cup run this summer will have No. 37 leading the charge. 

2: David Krejci — While it remains to be seen who will be skating to both the right and left of him during 5v5 play, Krejci is going to entrenched in his usual spot as the B’s second-line center. Getting him rolling — by finding suitable wingers — will be a major focus of Phase 3 and potentially the round-robin games. 

3: Charlie Coyle — He might have value as a top-six winger if other options are unable to bring much of a spark to Krejci’s line, but Coyle is at his best when tasked with driving a grouping as Boston’s third-line pivot. Like Krejci, it remains to be seen who Coyle’s consistent linemates are. 

4: Sean Kuraly — The key cog on Boston’s fourth line, Kuraly could find himself higher up in Boston’s lineup if Bruce Cassidy is looking for a bit more speed and straight-line contributions next to either Krejci or Coyle. A line featuring both Kuraly + Coyle has combined for five goals scored (3.23 GF/60) in 93:00 of 5v5 TOI together. 

5: Par Lindholm — The next man up if Kuraly gets bumped up to the wing, Lindholm has been solid in his role as a depth piece in Boston’s bottom-six corps. Despite unfavorable matchups on the fourth line, few opposing clubs managed to land punches against Boston when Lindholm was on the ice — with the Swede ranking first among B’s skaters (min. 300 minutes of 5v5 TOI) in goals against per 60 minutes at 0.64. 

WINGS:

6: David Pastrnak — Another easy one here. While Boston could experiment and slot Pastrnak down to the second line with Krejci in order to balance out the scoring, let’s be frank — the 2019-20 “Rocket” Richard Trophy winner is going to make an impact wherever Cassidy places him this summer. 

7: Brad Marchand — A 5v5 dynamo, Marchand’s individual 5v5 points per 60 minutes rate of 3.05 ranks third overall in the NHL (min. 500 minutes played) behind only Evgeni Malkin and Artemi Panarin. While Pastrnak could get moved around, Marchand goes where Bergeron goes. That’s it — that’s the rule. 

8: Jake DeBrusk — Even though DeBrusk has primarily logged most of his minutes next to Krejci throughout his young career, he was actually bumped down to the third line during Boston’s final regular-season matchup back in early March. Often plagued by peaks and valleys as far as offensive production goes, Boston’s top-six grouping is often unstoppable when DeBrusk gets into a groove. 

9: Ondrej Kase — An analytics darling that often peppers the net when out on a shift, Kase failed to settle into a defined role with his new club before the regular season was paused. Kase’s shoot-first style makes him a natural fit next to a playmaking Krejci in the top six, but the Czech product could also slot in next to Bergeron + Marchand if Pastrnak is bumped down to balance out the B’s offense. 

10: Nick Ritchie — While he managed to leave a bit of an imprint with his new team thanks to his willingness to throw his weight around, Ritchie still doesn’t exactly have a defined spot in Boston’s lineup quite yet. The power forward could start on Coyle’s line, but might could also earn a look with either Krejci or down on the fourth line, where his size could be effective. 

11: Chris Wagner — Boston missed Wagner’s willingness to both eat up pucks and drop opposing skaters during last year’s Cup Final against the Blues. He should be a lock for the fourth line’s RW spot. 

12: Joakim Nordstrom — A versatile forward that will likely get the first crack at a starting spot as Boston’s 4LW , Nordstrom is everything you’re looking for in a reliable bottom-six skater. Had a strong playoff run last season when called into action, logging plenty of PK shifts while blocking 21 shots. Averaged 14:49 of ice time against St. Louis in the Cup Final. 

13: Anders Bjork — One of many promising wingers that will be scrapping for a middle-six role come training camp next month, Bjork was on the outside looking in at regular minutes at the time of the pause. Still, given his two-way play and ability to push the puck through the neutral zone, don't sleep on Bjork's ability to be an impact player this postseason. 



14: Jack Studnicka — A lock as far as call-ups go, Studnicka is likely center depth at this point, but could very well find himself in Boston's lineup if Cassidy struggles to find a consistent option to the right of either Krejci or Coyle. While I'm not expecting a "McAvoy in 2017" showing from Studnicka, it wouldn't surprise me if he pushes a few regulars in the B's lineup once training camp and scrimmages get going.

15: Karson Kuhlman — Like Bjork, Kuhlman is another promising winger that was largely relegated to the bench over the final weeks of the regular season. Still, as Boston's second-line winger during the 2019 postseason, Kuhlman does bring some experience to a middle-six grouping filled with plenty of question marks. The speedy, hard-nosed skater could be a fantastic fourth liner if given regular minutes in such a role.

16: Trent Frederic — Like Studnicka, Frederic is another Providence call-up that will likely only be utilized if some major injuries befall Boston's forward corps. While he is a natural center, I wouldn't rule out a situation in which Frederic — who led the AHL in penalty minutes — is called upon to add some snarl to Boston's bottom-six grouping.

17: Paul Carey — One of the leaders on a talented Providence club, Carey is expected to get the call up to the NHL roster — with the Weymouth native appearing in 100 career games up at the NHL level in his career.

18: Anton Blidh — He may not be flashy, but Blidh's physical, north-south style of play makes him a logical pick as a depth option on Boston's fourth line. Like Frederic, don't be surprised if Blidh gets a call if things turn ugly over the course of a competitive playoff series.

DEFENSEMEN: 

19: Zdeno Chara — He may not be a perennial Norris Trophy winner anymore, but Chara is still a top-pairing defenseman and an anchor on a top-five penalty kill. It remains to be seen just how many deep Cup runs are still in the cards for Boston’s captain. 

20: Charlie McAvoy — The stoppage of the 2019-20 season came at a brutal time for McAvoy — who was averaging 22:59 of ice time per game and tallied 15 points (five goals, 10 assists) over his final 17 outings. Boston’s most dependable driver of 5v5 production from the blue line, McAvoy will be tasked with heavy minutes this postseason — and often called upon to jumpstart the B’s offense thanks to his superb transition game. 

21: Torey Krug — Boston’s quarterback on the power play may get a bad rap as an offensive-minded defensemen, but  you could make the argument that a Carlo-Krug pairing was Boston’s most dependable grouping on the blue line during last year’s run to the Cup Final. Given his pending UFA status and a cap crunch on the horizon due to a likely flat cap, this summer could be Krug’s final campaign in a black and gold sweater. 

22: Brandon Carlo — The reigning Eddie Shore Award winner — given annually to the Bruins player demonstrating exceptional hustle and determination throughout the year — will be tasked with heavy minutes once again this postseason. He ranks 10th among NHL defensemen (min. 500 minutes of 5v5 TOI this season) in goals against per 60 minutes (GA/60) at 1.75. 

23: Matt Grzelcyk — One of the more unheralded D-men in the NHL, Grzelcyk can do a little bit of everything for Boston, whether it be handling minutes on the power play or pushing the puck out of danger areas. The Charlestown native leads all B’s blueliners in 5v5 GA/60 at 1.63. 

24: Jeremy Lauzon — One of Boston’s top surprises this season, Lauzon’s simple, hard-nosed game helped shore up the B’s third D pairing this season. The Quebec native ranks second among B’s blueliners with an expected goals against per 60 minutes rate of 1.80. 

25: Connor Clifton — “Cliffy Hockey” excelled last season during Boston’s run to the Cup Final, but found himself on the outside looking in at a starting role due to injuries and Lauzon’s emergence. Regaining his assertiveness will be key for Clifton, who should serve as a more than suitable depth option for Boston. 

26: John Moore — A veteran that held his own when pressed into service during last year’s Cup Final against St. Louis, Moore would be a third-pairing regular on many other NHL clubs less fortunate than Boston when it comes to depth on the blue line. 

27: Steven Kampfer — Much like Moore, Kampfer is another veteran presence that could also hold his own if Boston’s D corps took a major hit. While he logged a solid amount of time this year down in the AHL, Kampfer played a sound game whenever Boston needed his services on the ice — recording a pair of assists over 10 games with the club. He scored a goal against Carolina in one of his three playoff outings last spring. 

28: Jakub Zboril — While Urho Vaakanainen might have a higher ceiling as far as B’s prospects go, Providence head coach Jay Leach said last month that Zboril “became probably our best defenseman overall” down the stretch before the AHL season was shuttered. He’s more of a back-up option given Boston’s depth on defense, but Zboril could still benefit as a passenger on a deep playoff push.

GOALTENDERS: 

While there isn't a set limit here, it seems like a given that Boston will bring at least one additional netminder to compliment Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak. Dan Vladar is the next man up, given that the young netminder posted an AHL-leading goals-against average of 1.79 and save percentage of .936 in 25 appearances this season with the Baby B's. If Boston really wanted some insurance, AHL veteran Max Lagacé could also get the call after a solid season in Providence (.919 save percentage). Even though Jeremy Swayman's stock in Boston has soared after his dominant season at Maine, he will not be eligible to play this summer — given that no current-year contracts were allowed when it came to college free agents and ELC deals back in March.

EXTRA SKATERS: 

If Boston can bring 30 total skaters to training camp, I wouldn't be surprised if both Urho Vaakanainen and Zach Senyshyn get the call up. While we had Zboril edging Vaakanainen when it comes to the playoff roster, the margin could be pretty thin between the two blueliners — especially if a healthy Vaakanainen asserts himself in the early going.

Meanwhile, Senyshyn could very well figure into the long list of capable middle-six wingers fighting for a few spots in Boston's lineup. Senyshyn showcased some flashes of his skill earlier this year in Boston, where he impressed on a line with Charlie Coyle (plus-2 goal differential, 61.54 CF% in just 16:22 of 5v5 ice time) before missing time due to injury.