Bruins Mock 4.7589 -- I don't know what number this is

Every line has a young player on it, with two veterans to cover for them (and their mistkes), and allow us to roll 3 consistent lines that should be able to produce offensively, and be solid in their own end. Lineup, has a lot of versatility in it. Backes starts games as your #3 center (but still gets solid minutes with EV, PP, and PK) and is easily slid up and down the lineup (C --> RW) if needed. With Austin Czarnik winning a spot as the 4th line RW, he is able to get his feet wet a bit, and is a threat to easily slide up into a #3 center spot when Backes is moved up. Riley Nash is also an option to do that (solid numbers playing with a offensively lacking Carolina team).

Defensively, it's not going to be perfect. Hell, the chances of the Bruins even getting a top 4 defenseman (Trouba, Ceci, Shattenkirk, Dumba, Brodin, etc.) is getting slimmer by the day. But for the purpose of the mock, the Bruins acquire a young promising defenseman from Ottawa in Cody Ceci. Ceci has shown solid all around potential, while starting off a lot in the defensive zone. He is very Boychuk-esque. Solid skater, moves the puck well, can play physical, and has a nice shot. Right handed, and would be a solid partner for either, Chara or Krug. With that said, have to spread out the defense a bit. A Chara-Ceci pairing would be too top heavy, imo. Krug can't cover for Colin Miller also (and I don't want Kevan Miller in the top 4). Now, with this mock (as well as some other's I've done) the Bruins have plenty of in-house options in case injuries, or failures happen. If Colin doesn't work out, or Kevan gets hurt, Brandon Carlo should be the #1 call up for the right side. Many ways you can go with that..... Ceci up to #2, Carlo to #4 (or #6 -- Kevan sliding up) or Carlo straight to #6 if Kevan gets hurt...Did i lose you yet? lol....

On the left side, the Bruins prime candidates are Matt Grzelcyk, Linus Arnesson, and (my personal favorite) Robert O'Gara. JML can also play both sides, so if needed, you could leave Carlo in the minors, slide him up (or over) and call up/play one of the two mentioned.

except you traded Joe morrow but have him in your lineup......... krug and Ceci is not a pairing you'll see CJ ever use.... C miller would play 3rd pairing and Ceci may move up to play with chara and K miller would play with krug.

Yeah, i took him out.

Ceci has proven to be a good player in his own zone. Not sure why you think that wouldn't be a pairing CJ would use.

I don't really understand this. Unless your basic reasoning is Spooner can't play wing I see no reason to trade him, especially for a guy who could be our # 6 in 2 years. Carlo, Zboril, Lauzon, O'Gara, McAvoy, Lindgren, could all end up better than Ceci. Then factor in Grzlyck, Benning, Arnesson and Sherman. We have zero need for a young dman.

Well for one, no... I don't think Spooner can play wing. He plays LW for one (when he does), and we have Marchand, Beleskey, Vatrano right now (and hell, who knows; may add Vesey). So no room there. He's not a top 6 winger (playing his off side). So he's expendable. You trade him for a similar young defenseman. Cody Ceci is jus that. He's exactly what this team needs. Right Shot, plays sound defense, can skate and transition, and give you offense. He's 22 years old.... You wouldn't trade Spooner for a legit top 4 (young) dman b/c of our system? That is flawed logic.

"I don't want to trade for a proven player because we have a lot of maybe's in the system." For one, who says any of those guys turn into top 4 defenseman (which Ceci already is)? It is not a given at all. Out of the players you listed, I think Carlo, McAvoy, Lauzon, and Zboril have legit top 4 potential. Lindgren is right there, but lets see how he fares in his first college season.

I love O'Gara, but he (at least right now) looks more like a solid #5/6 and a guy who you can slide up IF NEEDED (like an Andrew Ference...Not play style, but how the Bruins used him). Grzelcyk -- can't be viewed as anything more than a #5/6 PP specialist (what Krug was). Benning is most likely gone (and isn't anything to write home about). Arnesson maybe is a top 4 guy, but he has zero offense. Probably another #5/6 (if he makes it at all.) Sherman, too far away to make any type of projection.

This Bruins team desperately needs a young top 4 defenseman (For now, and the future...). They really have a need for 2 right now, for Christ's sake. The Bruins right side is Kevan Miller -- Adam McQuaid -- Colin Miller/JML .... And you don't want to trade for a solid young T4D b/c of our system? If any of the above blossom to the point where they're bumping Cody Ceci down to a #6 position, then the Bruins probably hit the lottery.

Now that is what i don't really understand......