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Bruins plan to line Iginla up with Krejci, Eriksson alongside Bergeron

iginlaeriksson

The Boston Bruins sometimes-dominant “HuLK line” has disbanded, but their new sets should be pretty impressive in their own right.

Head coach Claude Julien answered a fan’s question on Tuesday, saying that Jarome Iginla will probably line up with David Krejci while Loui Eriksson is expected to skate with Patrice Bergeron.

One would assume that Milan Lucic would slide in with Krejci-Iginla while Brad Marchand may join Bergeron-Eriksson, although you never know. For what it’s worth, Julien said he might give Daniel Paille a more pronounced role, so things could be shaken up.

If that previous assumption is correct, it’s imperative that the hockey world come up with a good nickname for the Iginla version of Boston’s most offensive-oriented line. Here are a few early attempts: “The ILK line” and “the KILl line.” All silliness aside, it’s not outrageous to expect Iginla, 36, to transition smoothly into Nathan Horton’s vacated role.

Eriksson, 28, makes a lot of sense with Bergeron, too. The Swedish winger is noted for his two-way play, as Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli noted, so he could be a great compliment for the Selke-caliber pivot.

It’s important to remember that line combinations can change by the day in certain systems, but one can see the logic behind Julien’s initial plan.

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins