So once Lauko is ready, does Steen or Brown go down to Providence?

My vote is for Brown

It should be Brown, but it will probably be Steen since they love Brown. If they have a full forward group when Lucic returns, it will be interesting to see who's sent down.

It would be Steen that gets sent down unless he suddenly starts playing like a 3rd liner



Why should it be Brown?

I think it's a little telling that Brown is the odd man out today. Brown has been the "veteran presence" on that line since Lucic is out, but with Heinen now available (who is a MUCH better player than Brown), Steen stays until Lucic is back and then you're looking at a rotation of Lauko, Heinen and Lucic with Beecher centering.

When did Heinen sign?

He hasn't officially signed but lead the practice stretch, got stick taps, got the post practice media scrum and was a regular with Beecher and Steen at practice with Brown being the extra and playing defense.

All signs point to him being signed today, before the game.

He also was a regular on the 4th line before the DET game. Leading the stretches could have just been a gesture to say thank you for sticking around and working hard everyday despite not having a contract.

Yes true, but that was before any call ups. No real reason to replace Brown on that line unless he was playing.

I'd be happy if they did. I like Heinen has a player and think he brings a lot of versatility to the line-up

Brown is simply not an effective NHL forward based on stats and just watching him.
-He did not earn a spot during preseason.
-He's been a fringe NHLer the last 2 seasons getting outplayed most of the time (physical mostly because he never has the puck). His best AHL season (35 pts in 70 games) is just alright, he didn't dominate there either and really few quality NHLers have made it without being great at the AHL level. Despite being reliable defensively, he kills too much offense at the NHL level.
-Based on his track record and his age, it's doubtful he'll get suddenly better at 31yo.
-He would most importantly be in a position to succeed in the AHL. He's been captain before in Charlotte and Henderson so (assuming he's a good leader), he could have a leadership role in Providence and help the younger players and prospects. Pretty much the Wagner situation all over again.

I'd add the Bruins should opt for more youth and developing young players who can grow into a bigger role instead of (regressing) veterans who will be gone after the season especially in the bottom-6 and on the 3rd pair since those roles are easier to fill.

So far this season at 5v5 with Brown on the ice the Bruins.....

Out-shooting opp: 18-9
Out-chancing opp: 6-5
Out-HD changing opp: 3-1

They've scored 1 goal and allowed 1 goal while Brown's been on the ice. He leads the team in hits/60 and has won 60% of his draws. For a guy who has a d-zone start of 63% I'd say he's filling the role they want him to

It's 5 games against mostly bad teams.

So what does that say about a guy like Lauko? When he's been on the ice at 5v5 vs mostly bad teams...

Bruins being outshot: 20-18
Bruins being out scored: 3-0
Bruins being out chanced: 18-15

How about Beecher at 5v5 vs mostly bad teams?

Bruins outshooting opp: 29-26
Bruins being out scored: 3-1
Bruins being out chanced: 19-14

The sample size is too small for any player. 95% of the reasons I select a player is based on his performance last season and how they are projected to be (younger guys potentially taking a step while the older vets declining). I like to give a player minimum 7-10 games so it's a reasonable sample size but, a player has to prove he deserve the opportunity (which I feel Brown didn't based on his preseason and track record).

First, Lauko did well in the 23 games he played last season and second, he's waivers eligible so that has to be considered. Based on these two reasons, I'd give him a longer look (20-25 games) to see if he's good enough to stick in the NHL.

I don't mind going either way with Beecher (just like Brown, I would have liked him to have a great productive season in the AHL), but he's having a look, he's been okay and if there's another player I prefer or I feel he isn't ready, there's no issue to send him back to Providence. If anything, with Heinen's signed, I'm actually considering moving him to the top9 and dropping Geekie to 4C once they're fully healthy if Beecher isn't good enough.

Brown is only in because of injuries. With a full line-up he's either a 13th forward or in the AHL. His play right now is proving that he can be a serviceable 4th liner when the teams needs someone to step in for a few games. He's literally filling the role that the Bruins want him to. It's why I don't understand why so many fans rip on Brown.