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Gagne may get an audition with Bruins’ Krejci, Lucic

Boston Bruins vs Montreal Canadiens

MONTREAL, QC - OCTOBER 16: Simon Gagne #12 of the Boston Bruins skates on the ice in the NHL game against the Montreal Canadians at the Bell Centre on October 16, 2014 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Francois Lacasse/NHLI via Getty Images)

NHLI via Getty Images

David Krejci and Milan Lucic seem like they’re getting healthier and more productive as of late for the Boston Bruins, but it looks like head coach Claude Julien is still experimenting to find them the right linemate.

Seth Griffith’s opportunity seemingly ended during Thursday’s loss to the Montreal Canadiens, yet it seemed hasty to assume that Simon Gagne’s late shifts with Krejci and Lucic would mean an extended audition, even if Gagne managed to score a goal in that very limited amount of time with that duo.

If the Bruins’ announced line rushes are any indication, he’ll get a chance to prove he can stick:

If this sticks, it would be a fascinating opportunity for a 34-year-old winger who didn’t play in 2013-14 and waited until this season already started to get his current, $600K deal. He also started off on the fourth line.

Gagne has two 40+ goal seasons and two other 30+ campaigns to his name, so it’s easy to see why things could work out, especially since Krejci and Lucic would likely open up a lot of space for the winger to unleash what still may be a lethal shot. (One may assume that trait hasn’t “left him.”)

Krejci and Lucic might be used to setting up right-handed shots considering their experiences with Jarome Iginla and Nathan Horton, so it would be interesting to see if Gagne’s once-elite lefty release changes this dynamic in anyway.

Speaking of changing dynamics, coaches tend to tweak lines frequently in the NHL, so there’s no telling how long Gagne might stick.

Considering the resume he brings to the table and Boston’s limited options thanks to cap concerns, it might behoove the Bruins to give him a long look here, though.

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins