Bruins Still Thin at Right Wing

So far the two biggest holes on the Bruins coming into this off season have yet to be addressed; specifically, right wing.

Defense was and is still the biggest hole, but then there is the right wing.

May 17, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues center David Backes (42) against the San Jose Sharks in game two of the Western Conference Final of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoff at Scottrade Center. The Sharks won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Last season was almost comical to not be able to find a player to fit in with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand. If you are into advanced stats those stats tell the story of Bergeron and Marchand carrying anyone who played with them last year. Brett Connolly and Lee Stempniak got the bulk of the time there and both players are now gone, neither player really excelled there anyway so the loss of those two guys is not a problem. The problem is that there is still no clear answer for that spot.

David Backes can play the wing but he clearly stated that he wants and plans to be a center. David Krejci will be coming off of hip surgery to start the season and should be ready to go, but if he isn’t then Backes would slide in there at center. If all goes well then Backes will be forced to play wing with Bergeron and Marchand.

David Pastrnak is the best right wing the Bruins have in the organization by far and should be poised for a breakout year numbers wise. He has broken out in terms of ability, but now in a contract year he needs to number one be one the ice, and number two be consistent.

Mar 7, 2016; Sunrise, FL, USA; Boston Bruins left wing David Pastrnak (88) loosing up before a game against the Florida Panthers at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports /

After Backes and Pastrnak who both are not sure things is where it gets really scary. Jimmy Hayes, Riley Nash, and Tyler Randell are what the Bruins are working with to fill in the last two right wing spots. Ryan Spooner deserves a better option than anyone of those guys if he is going to be asked to produce like he has in the last year and a half. Randell is a good fourth line option, and actually played well in limited minutes last season. The only player that the Bruins might get a little more than expected from is Seth Griffith, who will certainly get an opportunity to earn a job.

Hayes and Nash are what they are at this point, last season they combined for 22 goals. Probably not a good idea to hope one of them can hit that number on their own.

There have been no signs of Zach Senyshen being ready to make the jump up to the NHL. Maybe he has a good camp and pushes for a job, that is what the Bruins desperately need. This team is still not fast and skilled enough, they need to have more youth infused into the bottom six.

Next: Interesting Start to Bruins Free Agency Period

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