Is It Weird That I Like Projecting Lineups More Than A Lot of Stuff?

Boston Sports Buzz

Get your Buzz on, babies

Boston Sports Buzz - Red Sox Patriots Celtics Bruins MLB NFL NBA NHL Baseball Football Basketball...: Is It Weird That I Like Projecting Lineups More Than A Lot of Stuff?

Is It Weird That I Like Projecting Lineups More Than A Lot of Stuff?

(Fun Fact: Michael Ryder isn't in this picture. Sucks to be you, Ryder)

I would say I like projecting sports lineups more than watching movies twice, reading, getting haircuts, etc.

So, as KG would say, I'm so hyped right now. Because it's time to project the 2011-2012 Boston Bruins.

Forwards

Lucic - Krejci - Horton

One of the best and most complete lines the Bruins have had probably since Mike Knuble - Joe Thornton - Glenn Murray.

Add in a full year together plus playoffs and this line could actually get better which is scary. You could see how great their chemistry was in the playoffs and it should only get better with all 3 dudes returning.

Marchand - Bergeron - Peverley

Could be a deadly line. Crazy speed, good vision, finishability, defensive accountability. If Pev doesn't fit, and Seguin steps it up, Seguin will take the RW spot creating a ridiculous Top 6 forward group.

And it's official, Rich Peverley is my favorite player on the Bruins. He just does everything right. You're never like, "Jesus, Pev, what are you doing?" Because he'd be like, "I'm doing everything right."

Caron - Kelly - Seguin

Caron will beat out Pouliot I think. Pouliot is a waste of space. His style and work ethic is so anti-Bruins I can't stand it. It is time for Caron. They are polar opposites and Caron will win out because he plays the Bruins' style.

Unless he finally taps into his huge potential, he will be watching a lot of games in a suit and tie. Or skinny jeans and a beret or whatever French dudes wear.

As for the line, it's another line with pretty good potential. Good to great speed, mostly young, hungry, could be great defensively if Seguin progresses.

Once again, if Pev struggles and/or Seguin steps it up, Pev could be 3rd line RW with Seguin being moved up.

Paille - Campbell - Thornton

Merlot Line at it again. Great 4th line. Probably one of the best in the league.

Defense

Chara - Seidenberg

The best Chara played all year was in the playoffs with Seidenberg. The best Seidenberg played was in the playoffs with Chara. They clearly love each other.

Ference - Corvo

McQuaid - Boychuk

The back end of the D should probably be interchangeable depending on play. But that is a deep, deep group. I'll take McQuaid and Boychuk or McQuaid and Corvo as my 3rd D pairing all day. Deal.

Goalies

Timmy

Tuukka

I've heard these guys are pretty good.

Best Thing About It

The Bruins will head into the 2011-2012 season with a ton of expectations and a ton of potential. They are returning 18 of 22 guys from the Stanley Cup Championship team.

But the best thing about it is this roster is so versatile. It's unbelievable. I mean Rich Peverley stepped in as the 1st line RW when Horton got decapitated and they didn't miss a beat.

You want to play Seguin at wing? Good call. Oh wait, you want to groom him as your next franchise center? Go ahead.

You need a big face off win and don't trust Seguin? Good thing Chris Kelly is right next to him.

Having that versatility and depth should prove to be invaluable for the B's this year. The 2nd and 3rd lines will have two guys on each line that can take draws if the other guy gets chased off of the face off. That's awesome.

Prediction

I don't make predictions, baysh. You know this. But I will say that I expect the Bruins to be a top team again this year. They have too much depth and talent to suck.