Just Missed the Cutoff: Jake DeBrusk (26), David Pastrnak (26), Brandon Carlo (26), Connor Clifton (27)
For a team who's been near or at the top of the NHL for the vast majority of the late 2000s, 2010s, and early 2020s, this squad isn't as bad as I'd expect.
This IS NOT A RANKING OF PLAYERS, but rather a team build using only Bruins players age 25 or younger. I'm trying to get lines together that'd work well.
Line 1: Probably the three highest potential forwards in the Bruins system right now. Lysell and Poitras are both exceptionally quick, high IQ and elite vision playmakers that would pair well with the shooter Merkulov. Lacking in physicality and defense but overall would be a very fun unit to watch.
Line 2: This line is similar to the Czech Mates, but the lite version. Duran is a very smart two-way center who plays the game in a very details-oriented manner. He centers Zacha, who's a Czech mate, and Locmelis, who's an elite offensive player with little defensive ability. He'd have to take on the Pasta role on the line. Obviously not as good as the real thing, but the concept fits.
Line 3: This may be, in terms of talent right now, the best line on this squad. And, they'd be a pain to play against. All three players are good skaters, physical, and talented in their own end. If you need a spark, this is the line you send out.
Line 4: This is probably the third unit if this were a real team, as they are a scoring line more than anything, certainly more so than the third line. Harrison is an excellent net-front player, Kuntar is a shooter, and Jellvik is a puck carrier who has the vision and playmaking ability to get the puck where it needs to go. I think they'd compliment each other fairly well. Only Harrison is good defensively, though, so there could be an issue there.
Pair 1: Lohrei and McAvoy may be the future top pair for the Bruins in real life, and I'm excited for it. Both guys are very capable puck carrier, good shooters, and solid defensively. They are also both more than willing to chip in the occasional hit. Good all around pair.
Pair 2: The all-offensive defender in Ahcan paired with the all-defensive defender Mast. Seems to be a good compliment for each other. Mast will be able to play his game, hanging back while Ahcan joins rushes and chips in on offense.
Pair 3: Michael Callahan is an excellent stay-at-home defender, and Gallagher is a jack-of-all-trades, master of none. They should both be able to take on PK minutes, and they'd be a solid enough pair overall to get the job done.
The Goalies: Sway is obviously the highest ceiling goalie in the Bruins system right now, and despite inconsistent production to open up the year, I have high hopes fro him still. The backup is kind of a crap shoot, as it's a whole lotta nothing. I opted for Keyser, as he's played really well this year in the AHL. Could be anyone, though.
Scratches: The three forwards I've selected as "healthy scratches" all serve a different purpose in terms of how they'd plug into the lineup. Mantykivi would likely join the top six only, as the offensively-talented player with great playmaking ability. Spicer is a well-rounded player, could fit in pretty much anywhere. Greer is just more of honorable mention for how he's played in the NHL this season, but he probably doesn't play any higher than the third line. Defensively, Edward provides defensive prowess and physicality for the bigger teams, and Zboril is just an all around, plug-and-play guy who can mix in up and down the lineup. In net, I picked Bussi, as he's been pretty good in the AHL this year, but like Keyser, it could be anyone
Really like this post, something different then the norm we see here.
Would have to assume poitras would play RW, Lysell is on the left and Harrison due to his higher offensive/ goal scorer upside plays 1C his size also helps in that C area
Merkulov probably bumps locmelis down not sure where.
McLaughlin definitely would put up a solid fight for a bottom 6 role, has that hustle and all around game and possesses a strong shot.
I like ahcan and if it wasn’t for grzelcyk he’d probably be on the nhl squad but I feel brunet beats him out, kid has size speed an arsenal of weapons on how to score or help his teammates score. Potentially a future PP2 QB for Boston and everything I have read so far is that his defensive game is improving. Probably due to his size and speed.
Bussi another guy who I think will become the future back-up, younger then keyser yet is playing just aswell and has dominated in every league he has played in
B’s may not have this crazy high potential prospect pool outside of lysell and Lohrei but their is definitely a plethora of guys that could easily reach a solid middle 6 or 4-5 dman role or middle of the pack back-up goalie
Really like this post, something different then the norm we see here.
Would have to assume poitras would play RW, Lysell is on the left and Harrison due to his higher offensive/ goal scorer upside plays 1C his size also helps in that C area
Merkulov probably bumps locmelis down not sure where.
McLaughlin definitely would put up a solid fight for a bottom 6 role, has that hustle and all around game and possesses a strong shot.
I like ahcan and if it wasn’t for grzelcyk he’d probably be on the nhl squad but I feel brunet beats him out, kid has size speed an arsenal of weapons on how to score or help his teammates score. Potentially a future PP2 QB for Boston and everything I have read so far is that his defensive game is improving. Probably due to his size and speed.
Bussi another guy who I think will become the future back-up, younger then keyser yet is playing just aswell and has dominated in every league he has played in
B’s may not have this crazy high potential prospect pool outside of lysell and Lohrei but their is definitely a plethora of guys that could easily reach a solid middle 6 or 4-5 dman role or middle of the pack back-up goalie
I like his upside. Not a true 1C upside but we don’t have any of those guys in the system. Only guy I project as a 2C right now. Harrison needs to keep this production up to be considered a future 2C again. View my Prospect Updates in the forum for my in depth thoughts
Really like this post, something different then the norm we see here.
Would have to assume poitras would play RW, Lysell is on the left and Harrison due to his higher offensive/ goal scorer upside plays 1C his size also helps in that C area
Merkulov probably bumps locmelis down not sure where.
McLaughlin definitely would put up a solid fight for a bottom 6 role, has that hustle and all around game and possesses a strong shot.
I like ahcan and if it wasn’t for grzelcyk he’d probably be on the nhl squad but I feel brunet beats him out, kid has size speed an arsenal of weapons on how to score or help his teammates score. Potentially a future PP2 QB for Boston and everything I have read so far is that his defensive game is improving. Probably due to his size and speed.
Bussi another guy who I think will become the future back-up, younger then keyser yet is playing just aswell and has dominated in every league he has played in
B’s may not have this crazy high potential prospect pool outside of lysell and Lohrei but their is definitely a plethora of guys that could easily reach a solid middle 6 or 4-5 dman role or middle of the pack back-up goalie
Someone hasn’t read my prospect updates lol.
Poitras is a center. He can play Wing but has been good down the middle. We’re weak at center and stronger on the wings so I figure keep him at C for this team build. Harrison needs to produce like he’s been for the past month longer to re-gain my full confidence. He was playing horribly to start the year, inconsistency always worries me with prospects.
McLaughlin is definitely another option. Like you mentioned, the Bs have a ton of guys that can slide into that bottom six role and be good.
No way with Brunet. Keep that kid and his trash IQ away from this squad. Again, read what I wrote up on him yesterday. And months past, but yesterdays most recent. Agreed on Ahcan tho
Yeah I like Bussi, Keyser was just the guy I settled on for this. Like I said, after Swayman it’s 3 guys with backup potential (Bussi, Keyser, and Dyck). Take your pick.
I like his upside. Not a true 1C upside but we don’t have any of those guys in the system. Only guy I project as a 2C right now. Harrison needs to keep this production up to be considered a future 2C again. View my Prospect Updates in the forum for my in depth thoughts
He doesn’t really project as an NHL player, let alone a 2C.
He doesn’t really project as an NHL player, let alone a 2C.
Are we talking about the same prospect? Poitras, the center/wing with a high IQ, elite vision, excellent work rate, well above average playmaking skills, including elite hands and some of the best vision in the 2022 class, and a details-oriented approach that makes him at least solid in pretty much any situation. One concern would be overall strength, as he’s pushed off of the puck at times. But, overall, Poitras most definitely projects as an NHLer. Probably middle six, if I had to guess
Are we talking about the same prospect? Poitras, the center/wing with a high IQ, elite vision, excellent work rate, well above average playmaking skills, including elite hands and some of the best vision in the 2022 class, and a details-oriented approach that makes him at least solid in pretty much any situation. One concern would be overall strength, as he’s pushed off of the puck at times. But, overall, Poitras most definitely projects as an NHLer. Probably middle six, if I had to guess
If he legitimately projected as a 2C he wouldn’t have been drafted 54th in a weak draft a few months ago.