Possible lineup

I like it. Definitely like it. Putting the best team forward, for sure, and as much as I wish that there was a way for Nokelainen and Sobotka to be in the lineup, they're solid callups for when someone gets hurt. Hnidy, however, can go away.

Axelsson is not a 1st line player...i don't understand why they keep trying to force him....he's hopefully just holding that position till Lucic/Wheeler prove they are ready for big time playing time....

If Sobotka's gonna be a healthy scratch, they may as well send him to Provi to let him play and improve and call up Thompson or Reich to sit in the press box.

Agreed. However, skeptical of Axe on the first line. He's a checking line guy, not a scoring line guy. I understand it since there's nowhere else for him/anyone else to go, but still.. Hopefully that is addressed at some point. Love that 2nd line. Fluto, has Lucic been that bad in camp? As he gets his game back can we expect him to move up? I had him banging bodies around for savvy/ryder...

Also, with this team's intangibles, is this going to be a rotating type of roster/lines?

I'll take Hnidy over Alberts 9 times out of 10.

Curious as to why they moved Wheeler off the Bergeron line given he seemed to have good chemistry there. I'm glad Kessel is in the top 6 though and I really like that Julien is showing confidence in him by giving him PK time, I think just getting that vote of confidence will do well for his development.

Lucic AND Thorton on the same line...watch out Avs

My only beef is with the lack of someone with real size up front on the second line. Any two of those three will be more effective playing with someone that can create some room.

If these are the lines I expect Savard to blow his brains out by Thanksgiving. First he had to play with the useless Glen Murray last year. Now he's on a line with the possibly washed up Michael Ryder and the "never was" PJ Axelsson!! Get Axelsson out of there and put Sturm or Wheeler in his place now!!!

I think a couple of guys will get looks on those first line LW and second line RW spots. I still think Kobasew, if fully healthy, would be a good fit next to Savvy and Ryder.

2nd line looks like a #1 line to me

"omgzadddsz I can't believe that PJ guy is on the first line or even a Bruin player at all. He should be making chocolate in Sweden or zome Army Knifes or something but not on a first line in the hockey gaems."

WE GET IT ALREADY! I don't understand how many times it needs to be said by the coaches, GM's and even the occasional blog writer. PJ is a very important part of the team, and as an 11 year veteran of the Bruins I think he's earned his time. He's extremely versitile and as has been stated ad nauseum, he'll allow Savard and Ryder to take more chances in the offensive zone, due to his defensive awareness. Can we move on please? He's going to be on the first line as long as Julien wants him there... end of story.

Though I guess with Shaefer being placed on waivers, the only things we have to complain about now are Axy on the first line and Rask being down in Providence.

Can someone tell me why Lucic is on the forth line? PJ is nothing but a shut down defender! Has Lucic really been that bad at camp.I mean he was a stud last year, I was looking forward to him being up there with Savard and Ryder. Is the coach sending a message to everyone or what?

We need a big body to play on the first line whether its Lucic or Wheeler...need a grinder to get in the corners...Axe is not capable of this...he'll slid down to 3rd or 4th soon...He is invaluable as a PK player but he is not first line material. Lucic will be moving up the ranks as will Wheeler...Kosabew could even play first line he plays the body

Fluto, Any idea who the assistant captains will be this year? I assume Bergie get's his 'A' back, but who's taking Murray's?

I for one would like to see P.J. log some time on the first line...let's see! I think looking at him as a fourth liner/penalty kill guy is due to only seeing him in that role for so many years. I think with the right chemistry you could see how much he'd have to contribute on the first line...and I'm not talking strictly goals.

I seem to remember a couple of casual comparisons of P.J. early on in his career as a Swedish Gretzky. Now, I know that's a huge stretch, but he's a good skater, he has good speed, he's got great defensive cover-up potential, and sometimes he can even finish a shot or two.

could just be having Axelsson on the 1st line to showcase him for a possible trade??

Lucic on the fourth line? Dog i hope this is a monumental wakeup call.

And I'm still annoyed with the Yelle signing. Sobotka should be on the ice, he can't improve his game from the penalty box.

I'm so glad they dropped Schaeffer... Why can't Kobasew play with Savard? Seems like abetter option to me by putting Axe on the 3rd line where he belongs. He can also keep Wheeler and Krejci safe on D. Sobotka over Thornton, only play thornton when you need a heavyweight fighter, otherwise Lucic can fill that role

Look, I like Axey as much as anyone and his role on the team, but c'mon! He is in no way a first line forward. Marc Savard needs some help up there. With Ax on the left side of that line he will get no room to work with Ryder. Ax needs to be a 4th line guy, or third line at best who heads the PK. He is not someone you put on the first line, which is expected to score the bulk of your goals. I can understand wanting to match him up against the other teams top forwards and to help the defense in the defensive zone but let's stop being so defensive. The second line is super quick if these lines hold up and that will be the line that will do the majority of the scoring. I just think Savard will get pissed if those are his line mates all season. He needs a goal scorer out there with him, and I'm not sure if Ryder is that guy. He could be if they have another threat out there, but Ax?

Axelsson has no business being on the top line. He is, was, and always will be a checker. It's amazing Savard had as many assists as he did last season - give him someone to work with! And they have to find some way of getting Sobotka into the lineup. The guy makes something happen every time he's on the ice.

Always a problem with the B's, misusing forwards. A couple of years ago it was putting Brian Rolston on the 3rd line and lately it's been PJ on the first line. I think Chiarelli has put together a good lineup, it's up to Julien to make those pieces work. PJ on Line 1 won't cut it.

Big Bee - I could be mistaken but I'm pretty sure the "Swedish Gretzky" line was used to describe Nylander, not Axelsson. Love Axe, but no one has ever compared him to Wayner

Axy on the first line is fine, it gives the Bruisn depth at 3 legit scoring lines. His defense opens up the ice for Savvy/Ryder. Look at the bigger picture.

I am more excited about the 2nd and 3rd lines than the 1st line! I agree with what a couple people already said, PJ is a good role player, penalty killer, etc but he is not 1st line material. I hope this is temporary and I was hoping to see Lucic get a shot to become the "young Neely" everyone seems to think he can be. That said, I think this is a very solid team and I think they are a top4/5 team in the East...

I will stop the complaining trend and focus on the good. I will say that I will love watching that second line on the ice. Every shift they will make things exciting. I'm excited to see that line in action if it happens.

here would be my opening night lineup:
Lucic Savard Ryder
Sturm Bergeron Kessel
Axelsson Krejci Kobasew
Wheeler Yelle Thornton
Chara Wideman
Ward Ference
Stuart Alberts
Thomas
Fernandez

They need to get Lucic more playing time than on the fourth line and he earned it at the end of the season and in the playoffs. Get him to crash the net cause havoc and pot the rebounds.

It looks like the idea on the first line is to have Savard and Ryder work as a setup/finisher combo with Ax backchecking and shoring up the D. I like it, especially when you compare it to the 2nd line which is a completely different approach to scoring goals (three very fast skaters who can shoot).

those lobbying for lucic on the 1st line must have seen something I missed.... I think you guys are letting the intensity he plays with and potential get in the way of current skill level.

I like Axey more than most here, but over the years I've noticed he has an unerring ability to hit goalies in the logo. Not sure what that brings to the #1 line.

In all honesty, Lucic has looked flat-footed with stone hands so far. I'm sure that will change as he gets going, but he's looked slow and slightly lost out there.

I'm pretty sure they call Axe Zoolander now.

That being said he's one of the best defensive minded Forwards we have and great support. Is he a first liner, maybe not, but it should be fun to watch. Axe is the most underrated player on the B's we'll see how he does on a first line.

Looch was looking cocky and sloppy this camp, its sophomore slump based on feeling like he is bigger than he is, he just needs to remember what his game really is and stop trying to be PK. I predict Wheeler steps up first.

Very happy to see so many people excited about the bruins...I am AMPED for this season. and i KNOW that boston's strong hockey fan base is just begging for a legitimate team to root for. If they can consistently play with the passion and excitement of Game 6, the garden will be regularly sold out and rockin!

***LETS PUT THE BRUINS BACK ON THE MAP***

I like the lineup. They dumped the right guys and have Nokelainen and Sobotka available but the lines need a little tweeking.

Marco Sturm - Marc Savard - Michael Ryder
Milan Lucic - Patrice Bergeron - Phil Kessel
Blake Wheeler - David Krejci - Chuck Kobasew
P.J. Axelsson - Stephane Yelle - Shawn Thornton

Pierce- Rondo- Allen
T. Allen- Cassel-House
Miles-Pruitt-Giddens
Davis-Scalabrine-Powe

...oops wrong sport!

BB, I think that lineup is on the right track. In any event there'll be juggling galore. If Lucic and Wheeler step it up, they (along with Kobasew) could find themselves on one of the first two lines.

It's a brand-new hockey concept I just invented: a line should have a guy that can make some room, a playmaker who can pass, and a scorer. You know, like Knuble, Thornton and Murray.

I'm a GENIUS!

Every time I watch Axe I am reminded of Steve Kasper, a fine player, but not a first line player, nevertheless, as the game progresses and players step-up (while others fade) adjustments will be made. You have to be excited about the offensive depth, although where is the sniper? Now you understand why I am eager to see Lucic and Wheeler get some ice-time, sure Savard and Bergeron will pile up the points, but Sturm is what he is, a nice 30 goal guy, same as Kobasew and maybe Ryder. Kessel or Wheeler, emerging as a big-time goal scorer would really make this group of front-liners impressive. For anyone paying attention yesterday, the reason that I did not include Stuart on my lists of bruisers was because I wasn't sure if he would stick; good to have even more muscle. That defensive group will at-best be solid and at-worst cough-up too many goals. We need another blue-chip blue-liner. If all goes well, (hey, the other three sports teams have gotten some breaks) then we can trade for one with some of the access front-line talent at mid-season.