You vote: Bruins’ 12th forward for opening night
Caron/By S. Bradley
The Bruins have cut down their roster once again and now have 14 forwards in the mix.
When perusing the list, you have to figure that Benoit Pouliot, Chris Clark and Jordan Caron are the three players battling to be the 12th forward.
While they all bring different things to the ice and would probably skate on different lines and wings — causing other players in the lineup to move around a bit — they all also make for a difficult decision for head coach Claude Julien.
So now it’s your turn to let Julien know what you think. Assuming the Bruins open the season with 14 forwards, the Bruins are going to need to scratch two for the season opener against Philadelphia Thursday night at TD Garden. I ask you:
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Pouliot being a free agent, should not have signed with the defending cup champs. It’s a deep lineup with good hard working players.
A guy like him who has more talent than average but the belief that he can only perform with increased minutes should have waited for a lower ranked, bottom dwelling team to try to stick him on the top 2 lines. Only then would he be able to build some numbers and make a decent reputation.
Being on the bubble to go to the minors or doing 4th line minutes will spell the end of Benoit’s NHL career.
Caron deserves so give it to him. Clark will be Clark. And Pouliot hasn’t done enough in camp. I believe the perfect spot for Caron would be 4th line, and follow the Marchand plan. But Paille has proved to have value on that line…Krejci for assistant Captain!!!
I think Caron gets the nod. He got it last year. Clark will be Clark. Pouliot has not proven anything this preseason. And Krejci Assistant Captain!!! BOOM!
Caron played a fair amount with Seguin. Hopefully, that is a good sign for him. I think Pouliot will eventually be dealt, while I think Clark will be the insurance guy. Kelly stays put for this year.
Last year, Caron sat the opening game & played in the 2nd. I bet that’s what will happen again. Pouliot will play the 1st game & possibly sit the 2nd (like Paille did last year).
I voted for Pouliot but believe that the Bruins will carry 14 forwards and all three will get a chance until someone really screws up or develops great chemistry with Seguin.
yuckster – that may be true, and pouliot may whine, but I can’t remember him taking shifts with Bergy or Krecji all preseason. Maybe the idea is that paired with Seguin he’ll have the chance to use more skill and not just grind as he was asked to for Montreal. Habs aren’t exactly deep…
**settling, not setting. My smart phone wasn’t that smart.
Let’s not forget that Pouilot complained loudly about being a third/fourth liner in Montreal. While Julien has done a good job of meshing everyone together, I can’t imagine Pouilot setting for a bottom six role. Clark adds grit. Somehow I keep coming back to the idea that Kelly gets dealt and Seguin centers a line with Caron and Clark.
caron. hope he has more in the tank this year.
I voted Pouliot, only because if he is scratched early he might check out mentally like he apparently has in the past. If he shows nothing in the first 10 or so games then I would go right to Caron or Clark.
Glad to see Sauve and McDermid get this far before being assigned to the P-B’s. Hope to see both playing some games with the B’s during the season.
Some variables to consider for opening night roster; Clark has a busted nose, Pouliot would have to clear waivers(I’m not sure he would), Caron has played better but its easy for the B’s to send him down and keep the other two.
I’d prefer Caron but my vote doesn’t count.
I’d think it’s either Pouloit or Caron, with Clark being insurance. Caron probably earned it, so I think I’d rather see him get the chance, but I think Pouloit gets it because I do see him as the return of Mr. Ryder.
Paul-
Khudobin is still around just to take some of the extra shots. But he definitely gives the Bruins options going forward.
MK
Interesting question, but not as simple as it may seem – not for a coach. If we go on preseason alone, it’s Caron or Clark. But something tells me giving it to Pouliot might go a long way toward getting this kid to where we hope he can be. But – are they playing Peverley on the 2nd or third line? If he’s with Kelly and Seguin on the third line – I’d play Caron with Bergy and Marchand.
But – all things considered, I think they should send Caron down (he doesn’t need to be waived) tell him to lead that club by example, and let Pouliot and Clark fight it our over the course of a couple to three weeks.
If Pouliot plays like a muffin – send him down as a kick to the rear. Clark is just simply awesome insurance. You know exactly what you’re getting – all out hustle every night. He’s plug and play on the 4th line anytime someone needs a spell and really could hold his own on 2 or 3 for a couple nights as well.
Matt, saw you on nhl network, nice work…
Is khudobin still in camp? Is he really challenging rask for a spot? or is he just there to get nhl reps in preparation of a call up due to injury and to also give adequate preseason rest to thomas and rask in practice?