There may have been better offensive trios, and maybe better defensive trios, but has there ever been a better all-around trio than these three?
It has to be the best.There may have been better offensive trios, and maybe better defensive trios, but has there ever been a better all-around trio than these three?
Hard to compare eras but the Kraut line was pretty good. Milt Schmidt, Bobby Bauer, and Woody Dumart averaged .8 points per game over the 7 seasons they played together, while playing elite defense like this line does. Esposito, Cashman, and Hodge were great as well.It has to be the best.
I think Cashman, Hodge and Espo is at the top - in 71/72, they had 132 goals, 290 points (and 292 PIMs) and a Stanley Cup. That's pretty hard to top, but hey, there's still hardware to be awarded this yearI thought of 7-8-12, but don't recall their defensive prowess
They were awesome obviously, but had the GOAT skating around with them as well. Opponents had no answer when they were all on the ice.I think Cashman, Hodge and Espo is at the top - in 71/72, they had 132 goals, 290 points (and 292 PIMs) and a Stanley Cup. That's pretty hard to top, but hey, there's still hardware to be awarded this year
Yep - I saw something recently about Espo setting the NHL record for scoring and finishing second for MVP on his own teamThey were awesome obviously, but had the GOAT skating around with them as well. Opponents had no answer when they were all on the ice.
That's fair - Bergeron is the shut-down guy defensively; IIRC, that was Marcotte (maybe Westfall too, before he left?) on the 70s BsCashman was the Marchand of his line, although Marchand is the better skater and scorer, and the bigger (for his time) Cashman was probably the better defensive player.
Pasta is a better sniper and two-way player than Hodge.
Esposito could score goals even without that Other Guy on the blue line; he led all players in both goals and points in the epic 1972 Summit Series. But at his best he was slightly above average defensively, and was a liability towards the end of his Bruins tenure. Bergeron is regularly in the running for the Selke, and is the glue that makes that line run.
My reaction to anybody saying Espo wasn't the best player.Esposito could score goals even without that Other Guy on the blue line; he led all players in both goals and points in the epic 1972 Summit Series. But at his best he was slightly above average defensively, and was a liability towards the end of his Bruins tenure. Bergeron is regularly in the running for the Selke, and is the glue that makes that line run.
Agree on all counts, and thanks for posting. And he was definitely THE MAN in the #1 international hockey series.My reaction to anybody saying Espo wasn't the best player.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gb-fxkqPTm4
Espo was the best player in the world whenever Orr was hurt, which was often. He was an incredible competitor and leader.This line may be better overall but no way peak Espo wasn't the best player of all players being discussed.
I know 1980 is near and dear to the USA fan, but what the 72 team did in Moscow is one of the great accomplishments in all of sports history and Espo was the best player in that series.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFKvB3Wnzgk
Yeah, I'd pick these two lines 1a and 1b as the B's best ever. The Kraut line famously finished 1-2-3 in league scoring one year (39-40) so can't beat that when comparing eras. Hodge/Espo/Cashman in their prime were not only great great offensively, but Cash and Hodge were terrific in the corners and could fight in an era where that was important. In fact, the B's second line during those Cup years (Chief Bucyk, Pie McKenzie and Fred Standfield) was also excellent - wish we had them this yearHard to compare eras but the Kraut line was pretty good. Milt Schmidt, Bobby Bauer, and Woody Dumart averaged .8 points per game over the 7 seasons they played together, while playing elite defense like this line does. Esposito, Cashman, and Hodge were great as well.
I'm not the guy to go in depth with numbers, but sufficed to say I don't agree with the idea that the line as a whole is not great all around. The league has changed a little in the last 40-80 years.As to the subject of this thread, Pasta/Marchand/Bergy are great but I'm not sure I'd call them great "all round"? Bergy for sure but not so much the other two
Cashman was one of the power forwards of his day. In the same Summit series the only win in Canada was credited to his physical play in game 2. In fact the Russians complained so much about Cashman they threatened to not play if Canada dressed him again.Hodge/Espo/Cashman in their prime were not only great great offensively, but Cash and Hodge were terrific in the corners and could fight in an era where that was important.
33 and 37 are locks. Anyone else it will matter if they win another one. There are many great players that have played for this organization that don’t have retired numbers.Building off this... which 2010+ Bruins get their numbers raised to the rafters? 37 and 33 for sure. 63 and 88 [if they maintain their pace[]? 40? I love 46, but I don't think he is number retirement worthy. Did I miss anyone?
And he wasn't exactly a benchwarmer that season either. Thomas only having to start 55 games might have helped him sustain his play through the playoffs.Quibble but he has a Cup. It was just as a backup. I know what you mean though, so it’s just me being pedantic.
Marchand is one of the best PKers in the league, I think one of the better forecheckers, and he works his sack off in the defensive end. Pasta has shown huge improvement in his 200 foot game as well, though he's not on the level of the other two. Of course they can't score quite like him...As to the subject of this thread, Pasta/Marchand/Bergy are great but I'm not sure I'd call them great "all round"? Bergy for sure but not so much the other two
Curious (legit, not internet trolling curious) about Thomas over Rask. Is it just the 1 cup? Rask will end up as the all-time leader in wins/ games played, Save % (>82 games played) (...and second in points) . Tiny Thompson has GAA (> 82 games) with Rask second there.At any rate, Bergeron, Chara, maybe Thomas and Marchand get retired. Krejci has been very good and probably deserves it, but it feels like he is overshadowed by Bergeron's skill and Marchand's skill and personality. If he plays out the string with the Bs, maybe.
Thomas was such a goddamned legend in that win, but he also is a great story, a memorable style and an excellent, if short, career. He won two Vezinas in just 8 full seasons!Curious (legit, not internet trolling curious) about Thomas over Rask. Is it just the 1 cup? Rask will end up as the all-time leader in wins/ games played, Save % (>82 games played) (...and second in points) . Tiny Thompson has GAA (> 82 games) with Rask second there.
Building on that... I think the Rags->Riches story of Thomas helps. And maybe his flashy saves (due to his style--- Ellsbury vs JBJ? ). I have no issue with either of them being up there... I don't want to come across as Anti Thomas . Thanks for the good faith response.Thomas was such a goddamned legend in that win, but he also is a great story, a memorable style and an excellent, if short, career. He won two Vezinas in just 8 full seasons!
Rask doesn't have that signature capstone (plus 1 fewer Vezina... so far) and I do think that hurts. You're right that from a regular season stats standpoint if Thomas is in, Rask should be. Guy was huge in two Cup runs, even if neither was successful. And might be huge in another one this year.
I agree with this take, but the Bruins do not win the cup without Thomas.I think it’s Rask over Thomas but I’m in the minority. Rask is a likely hall of famer (IMO) and Thomas is definitely not one. It’s funny how much the one cup makes a difference to Boston fans, I think the rest of the league would say “wtf?” if we retired Thomas over Rask. Rask’s career is clearly superior.
Absolutely, I’d argue they should both probably be retired. But Rask more so.I agree with this take, but the Bruins do not win the cup without Thomas.
Paging Michael Ryder. Michael Ryder to the front desk please.I agree with this take, but the Bruins do not win the cup without Thomas.