Yea Chara has a big impact in the playoffs

I guess my one question would be: do you really think they could swap Debrusk with Rtichie? Your reasoning makes sense and I would love to see them together, im just curious if it would happen ya know

I dont know if its that simple, it will come down to production. i see them going debrusk krejci kase as a 2nd line but ritchie takes nordstroms spot and someone like studnicka gets 3c where they move coyle to wing.

Small sample size I know, but the trio of Ritchie-Krejci-Kase was just very underwhelming. I had posted what I'd like to see for lines (see below), but I'm gut says we'll see the same lines we had before the break, which is what you have here.

What I'd want to see...

Marchand - Bergeron - Pastrnak
DeBrusk - Krejci - Coyle
Bjork - Studnicka - Kase
Ritchie - Kuraly - Wagner

I can't see then breaking in stud after such a long layoff. Plus coyle has been way more effective as a center than a wing. Next season though, id like those lines

No issue with Lauzon, big fan, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Clifton were to play.

Kind of went over this a bit in my ACGM I did, but I don't see any issue with using Stud. He's had the same layoff that everyone else has, but he's also younger and should have an easier time getting is legs back. As for Coyle, I would agree he's a better center, but the advanced numbers w/ DeBrusk-Krejci-Coyle are very good in the limited time they had together. Again for me I wasn't impressed with the Ritchie-Krejci-Kase trio. While a small sample size, their metrics together were below average. I'd be looking to build a strong second line vs a below average 2nd line and above average 3rd line (Debrusk - Coyle - Bjork) from an analytics standpoint.

Ritchie on the 2nd line? More likely he’s on his second bag of popcorn watching the games from the press box. No chance.

Coyle can be good with literally anyone.
I would still prefer DeBrusk with Krejci and Kase on the second line. Ideally, Ritchie on the 4th but no guarantee Studnicka/Senyshyn/Kuhlman can produce so LW3.

4th line, would like last year's line but they haven't been able to bring back that chemistry (yet), hopefully they will. Otherwise, Lindholm is reliable defensively, Blidh as well but not my first option and Kuhlman could be a good fit on the 4th line.

D/G perfect

They were using ritchie on the 2nd line before this all stopped. if they put him on 3rd line you just have another useless line. As i said ideally hes a 4th liner. but i could see them doing this.

Definitely like the idea of Studnicka in the mix, not sure how likely it is, but if they do i just think they probably keep Coyle with him whether thats on the wing or center. That Third line just seems like a defensive mess, at least if you have Coyle riding shotgun they can swap on faceoffs, assignments if Stud is falling behind. He's a really talented prospect but he's played 2 NHL games, and im not sure if sticking him on a line with a young winger and new addition is the best route for him. I do agree on the analytics and the top two lines are scary good if you go this route, i just think you end up having a third line that plays 8 minutes a night and doesnt really add anything in terms of matchups. But anything can happen, and if they do go with this idea it could very well surprise

Defensivley they should be ok. Studnicka was one of the most dangerous PK'ers in the AHL this season and Bjork is a 200ft players. It would make for a hell of a forchecking group actually. Aa for the trio, Studs and Bjork played together while Bjork was in Providence, so they are familiar with each other. Kase is a wild card, but w/ Coyle going to 2RW, Kase is the logical choice for 3RW. All three guys are good skaters that get in on the forcheck and are disruptive when teams try and breakout.

Totally agree on most points, and understand that Stud was all situations guy. But i guess for me personally, I know 2 games isnt enough and it was early but during his NHL stint he didn't stand out a ton, and was moved to the wing in his second game. I just think having Coyle ride shotgun would cover up some mistakes. Regardless of the layoff, its still a jump and a learning curve. But i guess we'll be able to know until they get these guys out for training camp to see how far along they are physically/mentally. Who knows, Stud could show up and play his way into that role for sure. I would be thrilled if they could make that third line work.

I think cassidy tried this experiment and it failed. That 2nd line didnt produce much before the pause, he needs to switch it up. My lines would be
march-berg-pasta
jd-krech-kase
ritch-coyle-bjork
blidh-kuraly-wags

I mean McAvoy stepped into the playoffs with zero experience and played 25+ a night. Talent rises to the occasion and its a 3rd line role of 12-13 minutes a night. Were not asking him to be a major contributor.

I don't think it happens, but its what id want to see. I fully expect the same lines we had before the break.

3rd line would be a nothing line. At that point drop ritchie to 4th line and put senyshyn or studnicka there.

Sure, im with ya. But Mac also had Z riding with him, kind of what id like to see with Stud in terms of Coyle. But i think we agree on the fact, that Stud is a special young player for the bruins and it would be awesome if he can drive a line in the playoffs, the young legs would definitely help. And Lord knows Cassidy will mess with the lines anyways, so honestly if he does make the roster he will be shifted around a decent bit. But like you drew out, that second line with 74-46-13 would be a nightmare to play against!!