BRIGHTON, Mass. — Brad Marchand has pull. As the Boston Bruins’ captain, he is in regular conversation with coach Jim Montgomery about an assortment of matters.
It’s a good bet Marchand has informed his boss what kind of player he and Charlie Coyle prefer as a linemate: heavy, responsible, professional.
A veteran, in other words.
So while the Bruins await the preseason debut of Elias Lindholm, who has been out with an undisclosed injury, the big question is who will break camp in Jake DeBrusk’s old spot. Lindholm has his top-line position locked down once he gets the green light.
The identity of the No. 2 right wing is not as clear.
Here’s an updated look at how we see it developing, with analysis below.
First line
Pavel Zacha and David Pastrňák are ready to go. It’s not ideal that Lindholm has missed critical break-in time with his wings. But the Czech wings have enough chemistry to keep the line humming until Lindholm finds his legs.
Second line
Marchand and Coyle practiced with Morgan Geekie on Wednesday. Geekie, who’s heading into his sixth NHL season, is the best fit considering the top-line assignments the threesome would draw. The right-shot forward also scored 17 goals and 39 points last season, both career highs.
“I love playing with Geeks,” Marchand said. “He’s so great in some of the different areas, the way he can hold onto pucks and makes plays. Shoots it. Great in the corners. I think he really complements our line as well. We haven’t had a ton of reps together, so we’ll continue to work on it. But I’ve always really liked his game.”
A day later, Marchand and Coyle welcomed Fabian Lysell to their line in practice. The Bruins would like Lysell to make a breakthrough. The 2021 first-rounder rocketed in a power-play goal during the Bruins’ 4-1 preseason win over the Washington Capitals on Sept. 24.
But Lysell had zero shots in the preseason opener against the New York Rangers. Such performances will not be good enough for Lysell to stick with Marchand and Coyle.
“It’s encouraging,” Marchand said when informed youngsters like Lysell, Matt Poitras and Georgii Merkulov played pretty well against the Capitals. “But pretty well needs to be better. For those guys to make the team, you’ve got to look at it and push guys out that are on term and big deals. Pretty good is not going to cut it. If you’re happy with that, you’ve got a long ways to go.”
Third line
Justin Brazeau didn’t start camp with a good degree of pace. But the right wing showed what he can do with a goal against the Capitals, set up by a behind-the-back Merkulov pass.
Brazeau can do good things when his center gets him the puck. Matt Poitras could fill that position.
Poitras played right wing in the second preseason game with Brett Harrison and Trent Frederic. The natural center was back in the middle Thursday against the Rangers between Zacha and Pastrnak.
Montgomery has been giving Poitras shifts at right wing to optimize him for offense. But Poitras may serve the Bruins best at center, where he has more time and space to make plays with the puck.
Frederic has been playing center in camp. But he may end up at left wing.
Fourth line
Riley Duran has played well this preseason. The first-year pro, who played with Harrison and Geekie against the Rangers on Thursday, has gotten to his spots on the forecheck. Duran has made the most of his opportunity with Max Jones missing time because of an undisclosed injury.
While Jones, Johnny Beecher and Mark Kastelic should start as the No. 4 line, Duran could be first up when an injury happens.
First pair
Charlie McAvoy spent parts of the past four seasons playing with Matt Grzelcyk. McAvoy will have to get used to playing with a completely different partner in Nikita Zadorov: big, long, physical, mean.
“Hate him,” Marchand cracked. “He’s amazing. He’s an absolute animal. He can do it all. He has offensive abilities. He’s big. He’s mean. He doesn’t care. He’s a predator out there.”
Second pair
Hampus Lindholm and Brandon Carlo will get shutdown minutes against top lines. If Lindholm can find his offensive game again, the duo will be even more dangerous.
Third pair
Mason Lohrei and Andrew Peeke continue to build their chemistry. Lohrei’s focus will be to tighten up defensively.
Goalies
Joonas Korpisalo is ahead of Brandon Bussi. Korpisalo was efficient in his preseason debut.
(Photo of Brad Marchand: Steph Chambers / Getty Images)
