I think this Bruins team is a contender. Ya, we lose our arguably best forward, Best defenseman, and a mid d-man for at least the first 10 games. (The expectation is Grzelcyk is ready for late October early November, and Marchand and McAvoy till around thanksgiving.) I understand people’s thoughts on this, “for 20 games the Bruins aren’t going to float by.” But let’s go to last season, we struggled until new year and never stayed in a consistent playoff spot till we hit a burst to the trade deadline. Now I understand the B’s played less games than every other team but still, I think losing those 3 for about 20 games is as even as being 1-7 games played behind a playoff team. I think the Bruins will float by and hold close to a playoff spot till those 3 are back and healthy, but do mind you, when this team is healthy, they are a force to be recon with.

Foglino: Bounce back year, I think he will step up and do well in the absence of Marchand.
Zacha: HUGE help for our left side with Marchand gone. Could play 1st line minutes I think.
Hall: Krejci is back. He Pasta and Hall will dominate like they did in that short span of 2021
DeBrusk turned it up in the second half last year, I expect that to roll on.
Smith: Will be solid depth for the B’s
McLaughlin: Should have time to prove himself this year. He proved last year.
Krejci: Here comes a beast.
Bergeron: Wants to win and will lead us there.
Lindholm: Got hurt last year during his time in Boston, he will be a MASSIVE help when needed.
Carlo: He will likely step up when needed most
Clifton: Will step up like last year
Zboril: Healthy and ready to play
Swayman: Ended last year regular season rough, he is an ELITE GOALIE and this is his year. I mean 5th place Calder vote, Solid.

This team is solid no matter what you think, my projected lines are:

Hall-Bergeron-Pasta
Zacha-Krejci-DeBrusk
Frederic-Coyle-Smith
Foglino-McLaughlin-Nosek
Lindholm-Carlo
Forbort-Clifton
Reilly-Zboril
Ullmark I do think they will split starts
Swayman

When healthy they will be great. I know they are in a stacked conference, but I don’t think Toronto will be as strong as last year, Same as Florida allowing Boston to play right with them. I know Ottawa will get close and possibly in but I don’t think Detroit is there yet. Caps lose Backstrom but get Kumper. Jackets will contend. Pens will get close but I don’t know if they will do it.

My east playoff teams,

Carolina
New York Rangers
Tampa
Florida
Ottowa
Boston
Toronto
Columbus

Theres no way they split up Pasta and Krejci.

The lines to start most likely look like this

Hall-Krejci-Pasta
Zacha-Bergy-Debrusk
Frederic-Coyle-Smith
Foligno-Nosek-Steen

I think the D you have is correct.

I could see that. I was going to add another but thought it was to much. Lol. I think it could be a switch of your second and first lines. I just don’t see Bergeron playing second line.