2017 Boston Bruins Offseason

Piecing together what I've read, here's how the roster seems to be shaping up:

Goalies- Rask, Khudobin

I keep hearing the rookies have a chance but from an organizational depth perspective, this makes the most sense (AK would have to go through waivers). Besides, Subban hasn't looked great (some even saying he's not an NHL goalie)

Defense - Chara/Carlo, Miller/McAvoy, O'Gara/McQuaid

Things probably got a bit clearer with the Krug injury. Chara and Carlo (paired together last night) will probably be the "top pair". I had read that Cassidy likes Miller with McAvoy (and that's how they were paired in the group practices, despite Krug pairing with the rookie in PS Game 2). So with Krug out, that seems the likely pairing. Many felt O'Gara and McQuaid were battling for the 6th spot (If O'Gara had won, Mcquaid would be 7 unless traded, if AM won, O'Gara could have been 7 or likely sent to Providence to play). Now that Krug is hurt, they are now 5 and 6. Postma maybe locking up the 7th spot?

Forwards - Marchand/Bergeron/Bjork, DeBrusk/Krejci/Pastrnak, Vatrano/?/Backes, ?/Nash/Acciari

If things stay the same, the top 2 lines should look as we've seen them (some said JD wasn't a lock on #2 but one of the Asst Coaches said they really like him paired with those 2). The 3rd line is a bit in flux (aside from Backes). Joey Mac thought it would be Vatrano/JFK/Backes but now JFK is hurt. Depending on the severity, that could open the door for back up for Spooner (maybe it was never closed since, despite his struggles, he isn't a guy you just dump). Beleskey's injury (again, unknown severity) probably keeps Vatrano on the LW. Early lineup projections had a 4th line of Schaller/Nash/Acciari but Gabrielle has played 2 of the 3 games on that line (even when BOTH he and Schaller played in game 1). I would imagine Agostino gets kept as an extra forward (Czarnik and Heinen, need to play so having them in Providence (instead of sitting) makes more sense.

A lot can change with 4 more preseason games left but that would appear to be where things stand (reading the tea leaves).

EDIT - One? Sheesh

Given how he lived for much of his life, upright is a surprise. Happy that he seems to be in better health, at least.

Never knew he was anything but a goalie. Biggest problem is that he thinks he's the best but doesn't compete at that level (and it shows in his performance).

Great to see some Bruins talk here! I go back to the Orr days. Thanks Tex's for the threads. So with Kirk Luedeke out of the picture, he actually highly reccommended Bruins Network, and it's a great informative site. They feel Subban has outplayed McIntyre thus far, and speculates the same thing. Kirk has in the past thought Mc will finish ahead, but as pointed out here goalies are really tricky and Subban has great athleticism, so who knows. I have not been this excited about a young crop since Levielle, Fergus, Kluzak, Bourque early 80's. Of course injuries took down two of those and Fergus just didn't have great motivation. Then was Thornton, Samsonov.
But what is unique here is the depth.. I just haven't seen anything like it , very excited! Sweeney did a great job holding his ground both during the off-season and at the trade deadline, as even fine writers like Hagg's had thought he'd have to pick and choose prospects to trade to become a contender. I love that he's held on- let other teams get desperate with injuries and come to the B's for Spooner, etc.- after, of course he proves that he's improved and worthy of a good price. Then one at a time get some picks for players and keep this window going a long time!

The thing about Subban vs. McIntyre is age. 23 vs 25. Subban was playing in minors while McIntyre was in College, his first year wasn't that good. He was very good last year, but had two years more experience on Subban. This is a big year for Subban, he needs to take a step forward.

I wish the Bruins hadn't crushed my soul.