Quoting: Millertime24
They need a 3rd line that can score. Aston reese, Blueger, Tanev will not provide enough scoring for a 3rd line. They are great, but they need to be the 4th line. This puts too much pressure on the top 2 lines to produce all the offense. Jank, Sceviour, and Lafferty/Oconnor are not cutting it. Only one worth keeping for the 3rd line would be McCann IMO. He also is one of our only trade pieces, so its complicated. I'd be all for bringing Poulin up to see what he can provide. I'd also include him in a trade to get top 6 help if possible too.
They aren't going to trade Poulin. I just don't see that happening. Not with Hextall. They got to much time invested into him at this point and he looks NHL ready.
It's no surprise Jank, Laf, and OConnor aren't cutting it. OConnor is a 4th liner, he shouldn't be getting 3rd line minutes. He's still young but he's a solid 4th liner.
The real issue here starts with Jank. They are just eating him alive when he's on the ice. He's always pinned into his zone. Given he starts there all the time too.
But still you got to do better than these 27% corsi games.
Truth is I don't like the argument that there is too much pressure on the top 2 lines to score. That is their job. No one is looking at BOS top line and complaining about them getting it done. It's not like they got a lot of help. They should be winning on the ice and that's all there is to it. If the buzzsaw 3rd line can give a bit of an edge you are 90% of the way home.
They do need a better 4th line, because just having McCann out there on his own with no help is not the answer, but they aren't willing to play their youth and JR was hell bent on Jank as the C. Even though everyone on the whole damn planet knew that was a stupid ass idea. Like every other post on this board was for Haula. But that was asking too much or he didn't want to be here.
What they really need is a guy to emerge in wb who can play center. That's really the best hope this team has because I wouldn't expect them to make any trades at this point or possibly this year.
They need to clear out the damage that JR did 1st, and second fix the problems.
Their biggest trade chip at this point should be Matheson, who is playing well. If they can find a team that needs D help, and they can move him for a C they will be much better off.