1/2/14 - Nashville at Boston

Eddie Jurak

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I kind of think Smith has played so well with Bergeron and Marchand that it would be a mistake to break up that line when Eriksson (not cleared for contact yet) returns.

At the same time, Eriksson might be a good fit with his fellow Swede Soderberg, and Fraser has been mostly invisible thus far. Imagine what Spooner might do with TWO linemates instead of just Carl.
 

TheRealness

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Eddie Jurak said:
I kind of think Smith has played so well with Bergeron and Marchand that it would be a mistake to break up that line when Eriksson (not cleared for contact yet) returns.

At the same time, Eriksson might be a good fit with his fellow Swede Soderberg, and Fraser has been mostly invisible thus far. Imagine what Spooner might do with TWO linemates instead of just Carl.
 
Fraser disappearing is not surprising, it's pretty much his MO except he hasn't been scoring in Boston. And while I am open to easing Eriksson in on the 3rd line, I believe his place is on the 2nd no matter how good Smith has been. Eriksson is the one they are invested in, and they're going to give him an opportunity to show that investment was wise. Plus, I still feel that line is best with Eriksson and a focused Marchand. 
 
As for Spooner, this discussion may be worthy of it's own thread, but I'd still be wary of giving him the third line role and relegating Kelly to the 4th. He can still be a liability to larger puck possession type lines (like LKI) in his own end, and physically hasn't shown enough for me to play over Kelly. His speed, creativity and vision are really good, but I am still worried about his physicality in a playoff atmosphere. However, him playing with Smith and Soderberg could result in that line becoming so explosive they have no other choice. I don't think Spooner's there yet, but I'd be quite happy if he proved me wrong. 
 

timlinin8th

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TheRealness said:
Fraser disappearing is not surprising, it's pretty much his MO except he hasn't been scoring in Boston. And while I am open to easing Eriksson in on the 3rd line, I believe his place is on the 2nd no matter how good Smith has been. Eriksson is the one they are invested in, and they're going to give him an opportunity to show that investment was wise. Plus, I still feel that line is best with Eriksson and a focused Marchand. 
 
As for Spooner, this discussion may be worthy of it's own thread, but I'd still be wary of giving him the third line role and relegating Kelly to the 4th. He can still be a liability to larger puck possession type lines (like LKI) in his own end, and physically hasn't shown enough for me to play over Kelly. His speed, creativity and vision are really good, but I am still worried about his physicality in a playoff atmosphere. However, him playing with Smith and Soderberg could result in that line becoming so explosive they have no other choice. I don't think Spooner's there yet, but I'd be quite happy if he proved me wrong. 
I'd agree if I thought the third line was going to see significantly more minutes than the fourth that Kelly shouldn't be moved down, but with the amount of depth the Bruins have if they're healthy, and Claude's usual MO of rolling all four lines, I doubt you'd see a significant TOI differential. I was thinking of it from a more matchup based scenario - Kelly/Campbell/Paille are already used on the PK so having the three on a line together that can take draws in defensive zone and use Soderberg/Spooner/Smith in the attacking zone... Essentially you'd have a 3A and 3B line depending on what is going on in game, sheltering the Spooner line from ever really matching up against the possession type lines. I think using Spooner between Campbell and Paille just doesn't make use of his skillset and he'd vanish, essentially pointless being on the big club.
 

TheRealness

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Yeah, I wasn't arguing for Spooner on the 4th line and feel that's a waste of his talent. I would have Spooner as the first call up, but wouldn't roster him at this point in the playoffs.

Your point about 3A and 3B lines is well taken though. It may be difficult to shelter Spooner on the road in the playoffs though, so I still believe he's getting sent down once Kelly is healthy barring any other injuries.