I like Kuraly a whole lot but he is just not a 3rd line player. Think Bjork should start on the 3rd. I would have Studnicka or Senyshyn on the 3rd line ahead of Kuraly as well. I want a forward with good hands.

Don't disagree, but seems like its what Bruce wants to do. It's the only trio that's been together all week.

While I agree with mostly everything you said, Kuraly is a different player in the playoffs. The line up might not look as sexy but I think that third line could be really effective.

Not a fan of Ritchie at 3LW, but im also not a fan or Ritchie in general. Personally would rather see Bjork ar RW and Kuraly at LW. Seems odd to suddenly ask Kuraly to play a position hes never played.

I didn’t even think about kuraly being in that spot. If it’s a line that Bruce hasn’t changed since mini camp opened i gotta think they’re doing something right. Or Cassidy really doesn’t want Bjork in the line up.

Kuraly and Coyle actually had good advanced number together so it doesn't surprise me. Ritchie-Krejci-Kase was a dumpster fire so unless they are putting Ritchie on the 4th line (which I doubt they do to start) then the only spot for him is 3LW.

I was surprised to see that since he joined Boston, Ritchie logged more 5v5 TOI than Bergeron

That is actually pretty strange. Maybe a little load management for Bergy?

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

Is what I think will be the starting lineup coming out of the round robin.

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

Is what I would like to see starting. But it isn’t going to happen.

Chara-McAvoy
Krug-Carlo
Grzelcyk-Lauzon

Vaakanainen-Zboril
Moore-Clifton

Have you seen him in the playoffs? The guy elevates his game like crazy.

I have and I don’t agree with Cassidys fascination with playing Kuraly above the 4th line. But it is Cassidys choice.

I think the whole idea of that 3rd line is that they're a big checking line. All above 6'2 and 210. I don't mind having a line like that at all, especially when playing against heavier teams like wsh, phi, and tbl.

He plays like a damn first liner in the playoffs.

Ok, hopefully Cassidy gives him 1st line minutes.

I think that would be a bad idea.

Kind of what your 4th line is, no? Just seems like a waste of Coyle's talent. Kuraly will be playing an unfamiliar position and Ritchie is (imo) as useless as his brother was/is.

I guess it doesnt hurt to try that as the 3rd line during the first few games and see how it does. I'm a little more optimistic on ritchie than u are so that's why.

Ya I'm not high on Ritchie at all. I tried to convience myself when we made the trade that it was a good deal, but at this point we just traded for a worse player because he was a lower cap hit.

Oddly enough if you look at the rel#'s this year for ANH, Ritchie was towards the top in most of the major categories, meaning the team was better when he was on the ice. In Boston (just looking at the team numbers from when he debuted), he was one of the worst. You have to wonder why ANH was so willing to move a #10OA pick that appeared to have the best rel#'s on the team, for a guy who cost more money and grades out as a 3rd liner.

In ritchie's defence, tbf he's only played a hand full of games in BOS. I don't think he was properly deployed. I wouldn't have had him playing 2LW that's for sure. I always believed it was better for him to flank coyle and maybe with 2 big boys on that line potentially be a very impactful line. I think a ritchie-coyle-bjork/stud/seny/kuhlman line can be fairly productive.

I think the reason we have different views is because I wasn't very highly on heinen. I think he's a good two-way forward don't get me wrong, but the one thing I didn't like about him was his effort/hunger for the puck and willingness to go into the dirty areas. He seemed shy to hit/get hit. That's why I liked the acquisition of ritchie, but Sweeney should've been able to reel in a draft pick as well, since imo heinen has more trade value than ritchie. But it is what it is.

i think bjork takes the 3rd rw spot. i cant see them having bjork practicing with bergeron and marchand and not in the lineup... I am still fully on board Marchand -bergeron - bjork
debrusk - krejci - pasta
ritchie - coyle - kase
nordy - kuraly - mayor of walpole

Ya I don't get to focused on the "effort" deal. Krejci gets a lot of flack because he looks like he doesn't put effort in, yet he's a high-end #2C that's had revolving wingers for a few years now. I think I have more of a don't confuse effort and achievement mindset. Just because a guy looks like he's giving effort doesn't mean he's actually doing anything. With Heinen at worst you knew he'd be a very good defensive forward that would help keep the other team off the board. I just don't see the fascination with Ritchie, but for some reason a good chunk of B's fans get excited for a guy whose big and can hit.

I guess only time will tell

idk to me its more about having a physical presence when needed. heinen was a nothing once the playoffs started. he could easily develop into a marcus johansson type player but i just dont see it. as kenny says it looks at times like hes afraid to get to an area or fight for a puck. ritchie imagine ritchie kuraly and wagner all together. that forecheck would be intense. i also think it was cheaper for similar production offensively for a guy whose at least willing to lay it on the line. I think heinen is solid defensively, good at getting the puck up the ice. but he always left me wanting a little more.

I 100% think the trade was to free up some cap space and hope Ritchie gives you the same production Heinen would. While I don't disagree about the Ritchie-Kuraly-Wagner trio, its a 4th line bunch (which is where I'd put Ritchie). As I said over on HFB, Ritchie is a better offensive version of Shawn Thornton minus the heart and work ethic. Kid could be a really good player because he has all the tools, but as we've seen, those only get players so far.

I think his shot isnt great. hes a sub 10% shooter. i think where he shoot from contributes to this. i also think being on anaheim contributed to that. it will be interesting to see what him and kase end up providing here. kase could be a solid 2nd line option for krejci.

Surprisingly, coming out of Juniors Ritchie shot was consider NHL ready and some though he had the best shot in the draft class. Maybe his shot selection hasn't been great? His ixG over the last 3 years is 38.24, but he's only netted 28 goals. Maybe he's been unlucky, maybe he's been robbed, IDK. What's scary is his ixG and actual goals scored is very similar to Milan Lucic and Corey Perry.