Barring a late-summer deal, what you see might be what you get when it comes to this 2021-22 Bruins roster — at least until the trade market picks up once more this winter.
And even though we’re still more than a month away from the official start of training camp, Bruce Cassidy did map out a rough draft of his lineup that more or less falls in line with what we expect from a roster that offers both intrigue and depth — and plenty of question marks.
But, as we all can attest to, there’s a whoooooole lot that can happen over the course of a season — especially in a sport such as hockey where roster shuffles are as fluid as a line change.
So let’s get creative, and take a quick look at some of the more drastic lineup shuffles that Cassidy can ponder this season as he looks to get the most of out this talented — albeit overhauled — roster.
1. Splitting up the top line
Pros: Balancing the lineup
Where have we seen this before?
Even when the Bruins had the luxury of rolling out a double-headed monster down the middle in Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, splitting up Boston’s top line served as a popular “break glass in case of emergency” contingency plan for fans to ponder.
Now, with Krejci playing in the Czech Republic and Charlie Coyle now handed the keys to Boston’s second line, the rationale behind breaking up the triumvirate of Bergeron, David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand is more valid now than ever.
As daunting as a top-six assignment might be for Coyle, he’s aided by the fact that he has two strong wingers to his left and right in Taylor Hall and Craig Smith — a sizable upgrade from the carousel of forwards that he was regularly saddled with on the third line in 2021.
But if Boston really wants to make life easier for Coyle as he looks to step into Krejci’s shoes, why not overload that second line with as much talent as possible? Sure, Coyle may not have the playmaking prowess of a Krejci, but you give him both Hall and Pastrnak on a line, and methinks the Weymouth native is going to have no issue piling up points, especially if he returns to form after undergoing offseason knee surgery.
Even a simple switcheroo between Pastrnak (down to Line 2) and Smith (up to Line 1) could make a sizable impact on the rest of the roster. Sure, Boston’s top line may not be the cheat code we've become accustomed to if Pastrnak is bumped down, but a two-way, shoot-first, high-energy winger like Smith sure seems like a fantastic complement alongside Marchand and Bergeron.
It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to Bruins fans, but it turns out that just about ANY line combination featuring both Marchand and Bergeron has fared pretty well over the years, including names such as:
Reilly Smith (1,199 minutes of 5v5 ice time with Marchand and Bergeron: 60.96 CF% / Plus-28 goal differential / Plus-241 shot differential - 3.45 goals for per 60 minutes)
Loui Eriksson (372 5v5 minutes: 62.81 CF% / Plus-3 goal differential / Plus-108 shot differential / 2.26 goals for per 60 minutes).
Brett Connolly (424 5v5 minutes: 55.23 CF% / Plus-3 goal differential / Plus-49 shot differential / 2.97 goals for per 60 minutes)
Takeaways?
Plenty of players do just fine with Bergeron/Marchand — especially a proven 20-goal/50-point winger like Smith.
Cons: Boston no longer has its trump card in the “Perfection Line”
Sure, you could very well make the argument that the Bruins are better served by breaking up their elite line if it creates two very, very good lines in its place— but Cassidy doesn’t seem to agree with such a scenario.
Considering how effective the Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak line has been over the years — often covering for the blemishes on a B’s roster has has often been done in by secondary scoring — it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that Cassidy has been hesitant to break up his go-to crew for extended stretches.
“If it ain’t broke …” has been the usual mantra for Cassidy and the B’s when it comes to weighing the pros/cons of splitting up that line — and so far, the risks don’t outweigh the benefits in the eyes of Boston’s bench boss.
“No, I think we’re going to start with it together,” Cassidy said of the 63-37-88 crew. “We know what we have there. They’re a handful to play against. And let’s see how the other guys shake out, probably more than moving David around. Then as the year goes on, see how the chemistry develops with other lines. We know the top line has it. If we need to drop David down and move some pieces around, we’ll look at that if it makes us a better team.”
Chances of it happening? 15%.
A mid-game switch where Pastrnak earns some looks on the second line should be expected at some point this season when Boston's offense hits a rut — but as far as legit, extended stretches in which Cassidy rolls out a top-six unit of Marchand-Bergeron-Smith / Hall-Coyle-Pastrnak? I’m skeptical.
Again, it’s a fluid situation, especially when it comes to finding an internal option to drive that second line with Krejci out of the picture. So if Boston gets to a point in, say, November where Coyle isn’t getting the results, then perhaps we can look at a scenario where Boston opts to load up the firepower next to Coyle on Line 2 before handing the keys to 2C over to another candidate like an Erik Haula or a Jack Studnicka.
The sooner that Boston can entrench a player in Krejci’s spot, the better — and that very well could be facilitated by giving Coyle an embarrassment of riches in terms of his new linemates.
2. Splitting up Grzelcyk-McAvoy pairing
Pros: Spreading talent throughout revamped D corps
Boston's top pairing of Charlie McAvoy and Matt Grzelcyk is a fascinating case study when it comes to weighing analytics and underlying metrics against the basic eye test and matchups on the ice.
Because let's face it — if we're basing lineups off of just the underlying stats, then keeping McAvoy and Grzelcyk together might be the easiest lineup move Cassidy has to make in camp.
While the BU products may not be the most conventional top pair (at least in the eyes of hockey purists), it's easy to see why both blueliners function so well together — frequently limiting the amount of time spent in Boston's zone (and the scoring chances that usually follow) thanks to their proficiency on the breakout and overall transition game. Add in both McAvoy and Grzelcyk's playmaking abilities, and you can see why Boston outscored opponents, 20-7, and held a plus-126 shot differential during Grzelcyk-McAvoy's 339:43 of 5v5 ice time together last year.
Clearing the puck against Hall-Krejci-Smith / Grzelcyk-McAvoy doesn't seem like a lot of fun. pic.twitter.com/cIid1xWLTb
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) April 20, 2021
But after a second-round exit in which that top pair was suddenly rendered mortal thanks to a furious forecheck from the Islanders (Boston only outscored New York, 4-3, during the duo's on-ice reps at 5v5), it sure seems like the Bruins are intrigued by the possibility of giving McAvoy a sturdier partner (physically, at least) in free-agent pickup Derek Forbort.
"We know Grizz and Charlie can play together,” Cassidy said. “Didn't work out as well in the playoffs as we'd like. It's a lot of demands on Grizz so we brought in a guy like a Forbort that's ... a bigger defender, a different type of defender (than Grzelcyk).
“So we want to see how that would look with Charlie. Now whether we do that every night or not remains to be seen. That's a big ask. We know Grizz can slot in there at times, so I think you'll see some toggling.”
Much like the rationale when it comes to swapping Pastrnak and Smith, splitting up Grzelcyk-McAvoy could offer the same result in which breaking up an elite combination leads to a more balanced lineup as a whole. Even though Forbort isn't exactly standing at the forefront of shutdown options among NHL D-men, he has had experience in a top-pairing role during his time with the Kings, regularly skating alongside Drew Doughty. And much like the positive returns with lines featuring Bergeron and Marchand, let's face it — you can stick just about any blueliner with McAvoy at this point and you're probably going to have a pretty great pairing in place.
Add in the potential mismatch that a guy like Grzelcyk could provide further down in the lineup, be it with Brandon Carlo or likely Connor Clifton, and you can see why Boston might want to give that Forbort-McAvoy pair an extended look in camp.
Cons: A Forbort-McAvoy pairing may not be maximizing the potential of your top defenseman
Of course, just because Forbort CAN play with McAvoy, it doesn't mean that he necessarily SHOULD. Even though Forbort spend a hefty amount of minutes with Doughty out in L.A., the numbers weren't exactly stellar, with the pair generating an expected goals for rate of 106.14 — and an expected goals against rate of 118.01 during their 3,187 minutes of 5v5 ice time from 2016-19. Perhaps a Forbort-McAvoy pairing is still steady — if not just flat out good — but is being just good ... well, good enough when Cassidy and his staff are all well aware of the numbers that Grzelcyk-McAvoy tend to generate together?
Chances of it happening? 55%
Given Cassidy's comments, I wouldn't be surprised if Boston follows a similar script from last year, in which McAvoy opened the 2021 campaign with a more stay-at-home partner (Jeremy Lauzon) that produced solid results. But be it injuries or a simple lack of production, it sure seems like it's only a matter of time before Grzelcyk-McAvoy start earning regular reps once more in 2021-22.
3. Handing Jack Studnicka a definitive spot at 2C/3C
Pros: A higher offensive ceiling
Boston may not have David Krejci in the mix this season, but at least they have ... options. That's a silver lining, right? .... Right?
Granted, Boston at least does seem to have a lineup structure in place entering camp — in which Coyle handles top-six duties and Erik Haula is the first man up at 3C. If Haula struggles, moving another free-agent signee in Nick Foligno over at center seems like a logical backup plan. But with a strong training camp, it's not out of the realm of possibility that a youngster like Jack Studnicka makes a legitimate push for a starting gig down the middle.
As tough as his 2021 season was, there's still a lot to like about Studnicka and what his skillset can offer a Bruins roster that's in desperate need of an injection of skill somewhere up front. Granted, it's a tall task for Studnicka to simply leapfrog two or three NHL vets out of camp, but it'd be a good problem for Boston to have if Studnicka (who has put on a good amount of muscle this offseason) realizes his potential and eventually develops into a playmaking pivot at the NHL level.
Cons: Studnicka simply might just be what he is at this point
We'll let our latest column on Bruins youngsters do the talking here — because as tantalizing as Studnicka's skills are and even with his encouraging offseason workout regimen, it doesn't mean all that much if he doesn't put it together in a game setting.
Studnicka will need a strong showing in camp if he really wants a legitimate shot at sticking around in the NHL ranks this season. Granted, Studnicka would likely benefit from a full season spent at his natural position at center — and in a spot higher than the fourth line — but with both Haula/Foligno already present on the roster and Boston not necessarily afforded the luxury of letting Studnicka sort out the struggles of adjusting to the NHL game on his own time, Studnicka doesn't exactly have a lot of rope to work with here. Boston can and should give him a chance to fight for that 3C spot in camp, but if he doesn't bring it during that short sample size, he's going to be on the outside looking in for a long, long time.
Chances of it happening? 25%
Out of camp? It sure seems unlikely, especially with Haula/Foligno first in line. But if injuries strike or Studnicka impresses during reps elsewhere in the lineup (potentially on the wing), he could carve out a path that eventually puts him in the mix for a regular role down the middle. It may not be the easiest road for the young pivot, but such is the hand that he's been dealt while on a team that simply can't be on the same patient timeline as him when it comes to his development.
4. Bringing back David Krejci
Pros: David Krejci is back
I mean, no need to delve too deep into this one, right? If Boston is looking to get the most out of this current roster — you’d ideally have David Krejci orchestrating Grade-A chances in the O-zone. You know, the guy who drove a second line (Hall-Krejci-Smith) that outscored opponents, 13-1, in 180 minutes of 5v5 ice time last season.
Cons: It’s unclear if Krejci even plans on returning this year (and if so, there’s a LOT of hurdles to clear)
Yes, both Don Sweeney and Cassidy both left the door open for Krejci to eventually return to Boston at some point before he officially hangs up his skates. But if you expect Krejci, fresh off a fruitful season with HC Olomouc, to suddenly swoop in as Boston's savior in February or March and put this team over the top ahead of yet another playoff push — well, it's not that simple.
Whether it be signing ahead of the NHL trade deadline (and potentially leaving HC Olomouc before their season wraps), passing through waivers or the very plausible scenario in which Krejci doesn't want to just dive right into another NHL campaign at this time, there's a lot working against an easy reunion for Krejci and the Bruins in 2021-22.
Chances of it happening? 10%
Now, if your asking me if Krejci might be interested in returning to Boston in 2022-23 when he's officially a free agent again? Then I think the odds are a bit better, especially after wrapping a full season overseas. But in terms of a mid-season return? It sure seems like there's plenty of hurdles hampering such a reunion at this point.
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'Yotes kicked out of Glendale in 2022
The Arizona Coyotes are going to have to look for a new barn to play in for the 2022-23 season — putting an already struggling franchise in even greater peril.
The City of Glendale announced in a statement this week that it was terminating its lease with the Arizona Coyotes for Gila River Arena, which has been home to the franchise since 2003. The current lease deal was on a year-to-year basis — with the Coyotes now forced to vacate the arena (both in terms of on-ice facilities and administrative offices) by June 2022.
Glendale’s decision to cut ties with the ‘Yotes stands as culmination of repeated failed attempts to hash out a long-term lease agreement, with the Coyotes also drawing the ire of the city due to multiple delinquent and outstanding balances owed by the team.
Coyotes President Xavier A. Gutierrez noted in a team release that the franchise remains committed to remaining in Arizona, even if they will have to look elsewhere in short order.
"We are disappointed by today's unilateral decision by the City of Glendale to break off negotiations on a multi-year lease extension agreement,” Gutierrez said. “We are hopeful that they will reconsider a move that would primarily damage the small businesses and hard-working citizens of Glendale.
“We remain open to restarting good-faith negotiations with the City. "Most importantly, the Coyotes are one hundred percent committed to finding a long-term arena solution here in Arizona, and nothing will shake our determination to do what is right for our organization, residents of the entire Valley and, most important, our fans."
While the NHL and Gary Bettman in particular have stressed the importance of keeping hockey in a Sun Belt market like Arizona, it remains to be seen just where the ‘Yotes land in 2022.
Could a relocation be in the cards? Quebec City has been clamoring for the NHL to return (and they have a state-of-the-art, 18,000-seat arena ready to welcome a team), while the NHL has always been intrigued by the Houston market.
Time will tell, but regardless of where the Coyotes end up, this looming eviction stands as the latest black eye on an expansion franchise that’s taken its fair share of welts over the years.
David Pastrnak makes history among Czech players
He only turned 25 years old back in May, but David Pastrnak has already carved out an impressive resume for himself — especially when compared to some of his fellow countrymen over the Czech Republic.
Last week, Pastrnak was honored with the Golden Hockey Stick — awarded annually to Czech Republic’s top hockey player.
It marks the fifth year in a row that Pastrnak has taken home the accolade — the first time any Czech player has won the award five straight seasons since its inception back in 1969.
Considering the pipeline of hockey talent that the Czech Republic has churned out over the years, Pastrnak’s achievement is quite remarkable — given that other hockey stars that have taken home the Golden Hockey Stick include Jaromir Jagr, Dominik Hasek, Peter Stastny, David Krejci, Jakub Voracek and Patrick Elias.
Pastrnak has now tied Hasek with his fifth Golden Hockey Stick — but he still has a long way to go to catch Jagr, who took home the most awards in his career with 12.
Pastrnak captured 492 points in the voting this season to win the award, narrowly beating Lightning winger Ondrej Palat (472 points). The award is voted on by a wide assortment of hockey personnel, including members of the Czech Ice Hockey Association, the Czech National Team, journalists and more.
You could make the argument that Pastrnak had a bit of a pedestrian season compared to his lofty standards — ooooonly tallying 20 goals and posting 48 points in 48 games. But with Pastrnak another year removed from major offseason surgery and a full 82-game slate on the horizon, don’t be surprised if Pastrnak once again puts himself in the running for that coveted 50-goal campaign — and another Golden Hockey Stick next summer.
Jersey ads reportedly coming to NHL
As soon as the NHL gave the green light to advertisements on helmets last year, it seemed like a forgone conclusion that hockey sweaters were going to be in line for a few alterations in the foreseeable future.
Sure enough, the NHL is reportedly set to follow a similar revenue-spurring route that plenty of leagues and sports have taken over the years when it comes to imprinting ads on the front of their jerseys.
According to Greg Wyshynski of ESPN, the NHL has put the wheels in motion for ads to be stitched on sweaters in time for the 2022-23 season. The patches will be placed in a 3-inch-by-3.5-inch rectangle — which is larger than the 2.5-by-2.5-inch space advertising space featured on NBA jerseys.
As expected, the reception to jersey ads has been quite chilly since it was first reported by Sportico, but the NHL’s decision seemed all but inevitable — especially given the profits made by helmet stickers during a COVID-impacted 2021 campaign. According to Bettman, NHL teams still "retained more than $100 million in revenue" last season despite playing in front of largely empty buildings due to measures such as helmet ads.