After the Bruins series with the Columbus Blue Jackets, I was having a conversation with some friends about what would the Bruins roster look like if the NHL had a rule where when you beat a team in the playoffs, you can take one player from that team to add to your roster for the remainder of the playoffs.

Obviously this is a rule that is unrealistic, but why not throw this out there in the world of blogging. For the sake of the blog, the following conditions will be met.

- Players must play natural position. Centers can’t play wing, wings can’t play center.
Wingers can play either side.
- Player taken from defeated team must be originally from defeated team.

Bruins series by round:

First: Toronto Maple Leafs
Second: Columbus Blue Jackets
ECF: Carolina Hurricanes
SCF: St. Louis Blues

Bruins Game 1 lineup against Columbus

Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Danton Heinen
Jake DeBrusk-David Krejci-David Pastrnak
Marcus Johansson-Charlie Coyle-Chris Wagner
Joakim Nordstrom-Sean Kuraly-Noel Acciari

After defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs in seven games in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Bruins have a tough decision of which Maple Leaf to select. Auston Matthews and John Tavares are the first two that come to mind. But the Bruins already have themselves a nice one-two punch down the middle in Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci.

The Bruins biggest need throughout the season was a second top tier right winger, and that’s why I am taking Mitch Marner.

Fake Game 1 lineup against Columbus

Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Mitch Marner
Jake DeBrusk-David Krejci-David Pastrnak
Marcus Johansson-Charlie Coyle-Chris Wagner
Danton Heinen-Sean Kuraly-Noel Acciari

I really like the way Pastrnak played with Krejci during the regular season. With that in mind, I am putting Marner on a line with Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron, and moving Pastrnak to the right of Krejci and Jake DeBrusk. With Marner in the mix, the Bruins have a very dangerous top-six group of forwards.

Bruins Game 1 lineup against Carolina

Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-David Pastrnak
Jake DeBrusk-David Krejci-David Backes
Marcus Johansson-Charlie Coyle-Danton Heinen
Joakim Nordstrom-Sean Kuraly-Chris Wagner

With Marner in tow, the Bruins have an easy time with Columbus and move onto the Eastern Conference Finals against the Carolina Hurricanes. Making a decision on which Blue Jacket to take with them to the Conference Finals is an easy decision. Although Cam Atkinson and his 40-goal season would be a nice addition, how can you pass on bringing Artemi Panarin along with you?

Fake Game 1 lineup against Carolina

Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Mitch Marner
Artemi Panarin-David Krejci-David Pastrnak
Marcus Johansson-Charlie Coyle-Jake DeBrusk
Danton Heinen-Sean Kuraly-Chris Wagner

Keeping Marner on the top line, Panarin slides in with Krejci and Pastrnak. The speed of Pastrnak and Panarin, combined with the play-making abilities of Krejci makes the Bruins second line fun to watch. With DeBrusk being bumped off the second line, he moves to his natural side on the right wing. With Johansson and Coyle having some chemistry between the two, DeBrusk is a nice add to a line that has been making plays happen through two rounds.

Real Game 1 lineup against St. Louis

Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-David Pastrnak
Jake DeBrusk-David Krejci-David Backes
Marcus Johansson-Charlie Coyle-Danton Heinen
Joakim Nordstrom-Noel Acciari-Sean Kuraly

After a quick sweep of the ‘Canes, it’s onto the Stanley Cup Final for the Bruins. Much like it was after beating the Blue Jackets, finding a Hurricane to add to the roster is an easy choice. Adding more speed to the roster, the Bruins take Sebastian Aho with them to the Stanley Cup Final.

Fake Game 1 lineup against St. Louis

Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Mitch Marner
Artemi Panarin-David Krejci-David Pastrnak
Sebastian Aho-Charlie Coyle-Jake DeBrusk
Marcus Johansson-Noel Acciari-Danton Heinen

Keeping the top-six as is from their sweep of the Hurricanes, the bottom-six gets a major shakeup. As much as I hate breaking up what Johansson and Coyle have built together, you cannot go wrong with adding Sebastian Aho to your third line.

With the speed of Aho and the net-front presence that DeBrusk brings to the table, Coyle uses his hockey sense to create scoring chances, giving opposing defenses nightmares trying to slow down the Bruins top-three lines.

What do you think Bruins fans? Who would you have selected and why?

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