Need More: Tyler Seguin

This kid needs to play more. I understand he's just learning the system and isn't very responsible defensively, but have you seen some of his goals? The Bruins could definitely use his offensive presence.

I understand they're a defense first team and I have absolutely no problem with that. All some people want to see is goals, but that can't happen realistically. I don't mind the system Julien uses as much as other people. The games might not be as exciting as watching a fast moving offensive team like Tampa Bay (they let in 2.93 goals a game - not much defensive responsibility and shaky goaltending) or Detroit, but when you're fifth in the NHL in scoring and third in goals against, you're doing something right (even though Thomas and Rask bail the defense out so often).

One of the things Julien isn't doing right is managing the development of Tyler Seguin. As with most rookies there will be setbacks over the course of the season as they get adjusted to the NHL life and have to learn a more complex game. That's where the healthy scratch comes in. And it can be effective with almost any player (veteran's included). Within the last month, I feel Seguin's been scratched more than he needs to be. I think the ideal would be once every 10 games or so. That way he can see the action from above, rest and recover while thinking about how he can improve. When he was scratched before the Detroit series, he came back and looked like a different player.

The most frustrating part of his season has been his low TOI every game. Seguin needs more consistency to develop. Even if he seems to be playing well, if there's a close game in the 3rd Tyler will be benched (and then come back and win the game in a SO!). Julien just doesn't trust him, but he will roll out Kampfer and Boychuck who've looked pretty awful defensively at times. No one is saying defense is Seguin's game, but I think he gives you a better chance to score. In those close games you could use an extra goal just as much as you could use not giving one up. He's got game breaking speed and is instant offense.

That's saying a lot considering how inconsistent his playing time has been. Confidence is huge among rookies, and with the way he's been handled this year, Seguin's confidence can't be too high. He's managed to score 22 points (11-11--22) in 758:19 TOI. Taylor hall has scored 42 points (22-20--42) in 1,183:38. Seguin scores an average of every 34 minutes, while Hall scores every 28. Not to mention that Hall gets PP time, while Seguin plays on the fourth line, which is incomprehensible considering his game is totally wrong for that.

Why not stick such an offensive player on the PP? It's awful anyway, and the B's won't need to worry about such a defensive "liability." I get that players should earn playing time and be accountable for their mistakes, but it almost makes too much sense to throw him out there on the man advantage. And why not give him a shot playing alongside Bergeron? If you're worried about compromising a the defensiveness of that line, then play Seguin on the 3rd. Now's the perfect time to try with Marchand suspended. He's cooled off anyway. And who knows, maybe this is Seguin's time to get hot.

Proposed Lineup:
Lucic-Krejci-Horton
Marchand-Bergeron-Recchi
Seguin-Peverley-Ryder
Kelly-Campbell-Thornton

Chara-McQuaid
Kaberle-Seidenberg
Ference-Boychuck/Kampfer