Bruins in 18-19

veritas

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Cassidy confirmed DeBrusk in concussion protocol, Kuraly had minor nose surgery, he's probable.

Kalman wrote an article wondering if they should keep Krejci with Marchand and Pastrnak when Bergeron comes back. I don't think it's as crazy as it sounds at first. Donato-Bergeron-Heinen would be an intriguing 2nd line.
 

TFP

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I think it's crazy. Either put Bergeron back into the best line in hockey, or go:

Marchand - Bergeron - XX
Debrusk - Krejci - Pasta
 

LogansDad

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Z and Bergy. Bergy and Z.

I know it was a shoulder/chest thing, but Bergy looks WAY better than I expected him to in that video. Consider me hopeful for a return soon... until now I was kind of expecting it to be a really long, lingering issue.
 

veritas

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If that line is still the best line in hockey with Krejci, I don't think it could hurt to leave it for a little while when Bergeron comes back to see if you can spark another line.

Donato is great in the offensive zone but a possession black hole. Bergeron will single handedly get him a ton of chances.
 

TheRealness

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Cassidy confirmed DeBrusk in concussion protocol, Kuraly had minor nose surgery, he's probable.

Kalman wrote an article wondering if they should keep Krejci with Marchand and Pastrnak when Bergeron comes back. I don't think it's as crazy as it sounds at first. Donato-Bergeron-Heinen would be an intriguing 2nd line.
I kinda like the college line. They were impressive in limited action on Tuesday when I went. It also seems JFK's possession numbers are ticking up, so I want to see how that goes. Having JFK blossom into a legit 3rd line center would take a lot of pressure off trading for someone. I still think he's a year or two away, but he's been much better lately IMO.
 

cshea

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There have been positive trends in JFK’s game since they sent him to the press box for a few games. 3rd line (IMO they have really been the 2nd line the last few games) is starting to gain traction.

JFK’s first 9 games: 2-0=2, 3 SOG. His last 6 games after being a healthy scratch: 1-2=3, 10 SOG.

The Donato - JFK - Heinen line has been good. In 6 games (43 min at 5x5) they have gotten 54% of the shot attempts, 54% of the scoring chances, and 69% of the high danger chances. Unfortunately for them they’ve been outscored 3-2 so far, but that should change if this keeps up. Donato could’ve had a few goals last night, and JFK made a beautiful play to set up Heinen who couldn’t cash in.

Anyways, good to see JFK start to move in the right direction. Stabilizing the 3C spot would be big for them.

On the other hand, the Nordstrom - Cave - Backes line has been an unmitigated disaster.
 

cshea

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Wonder if they call Bjork back up too before the freeze (tonight I think?). Would be similar to the Donato plan, which i think worked for Donato. Donato got 10 games, Bjork is at 7 but missed 1 or 2 with a minor injury.

DeBrusk hasn’t skated so he’s still a bit away. They could just lose or send down Smith and move DeBrusk to IR to free spots for Bjork and Bergy.

D could be a challenge. They have 2 players to activate, only 1 player waivers exempt (Lauzon). I don’t know if Miller or Chara will be ready during the freeze though, so it could be moot.
 

The Napkin

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Saw something that they were happy with Bjork's work in Provy. Wonder if they'll activate him for the winter classic game as a bit of a reward.
 

PedroSpecialK

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Yeah I doubt they send anyone down outside of Smith if he clears. They only have 4 games during the freeze (Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, Thursday), so if Miller/Chara would be ready for that Thursday Devils game, not too much is really lost by not being able to activate them until Friday.
 

McDrew

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I think I've been able to infer something from the stats.

The B's are currently 27th in Goals/Game, but have the 5th best power play. They have the 2nd best Goals Against/Game, but the 22nd rated Penalty kill.

The only scoring that happens at B's game happens on special teams apparently.
 

cshea

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There isn’t a lot of scoring in their games in general. Just on the pure raw numbers, they’re 25 in goals for and 1st in goals against.

They play low event hockey. It is pretty much what coaches do when the roster gets decimated with injury. Muck things up, hope to score on the PP and win games 2-1.
 

The Napkin

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Marchand and McAvoy both out for Buffalo but are traveling with the team.

Marchand just joked about how he shouldn't play the next 2 because he didn't want something to happen that would make him miss the winter classic. Fuck.
 

LogansDad

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Not sure where else to put it, but Pasta is heading to his first All Star Game.

Only Bruin selected.

Edit: Bergy is on the Last Man In vote (or whatever it is called), which opens tomorrow at noon and goes until the 10th.
 
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cshea

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Not much going on this time of year, but the deadline is starting to creep closer. Custance at the Athletic put together a top 20 trade board.

https://theathletic.com/753896/2019/01/07/nhl-trade-big-board-20-players-who-could-move-before-the-deadline/

The centers listed are Duchene, Kevin Hayes and Brayden Schenn. As for the B’s, Custance says they’ll be linked to any available center.

Any of these deals will likely require significant prospect capital to go out the door, but Schenn would be my target of the 3 since he has an extra year on his deal.
 

veritas

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Staal would be my top target if the Wild end up selling. Given his age, expiring contract and low PDO this season, I think he could potentially be a good value rental. I'd take any of the three you mentioned if the price was right. I suspect the price is not right on Duchene and Hayes though
 

cshea

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Divver speculating that Cehlarik could be headed to Boston.


37 games played, 10 goals and 19 assists. Leads Providence in scoring, and has 5 goals and 2 assists in his last 4 games.

I would suspect he’ll get a whirl on the Krejci line. He’s pretty much the last option they have to try out in that spot.
 

Haunted

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I heard Billy Jaffe on with T&R this morning discussing what they thought the Bruins should do at the deadline. It seems that Billy is torn between the following options:

  1. Go for the 3rd line Center, in the person of Brayden Schenn or someone else (RNH?).
  2. Get a 2nd line winger for Krejci. They mentioned Vladimir Tarasenko and 1-2 others I don't remember.
  3. Accept the idea that they have a decent almost-ready prospect stock but are short on draft picks, and that they aren't really ready to compete with Tampa (or Warshington) even with Tarasenko or Schenn.

I hate the idea of letting go of what is likely to be Zdeno Chara's last season, or another year of Bergeron. However, even with option 1 or 2 I do not think they will compete with the best two teams in the conference. The 3rd line has come along fairly well recently too, which would help alleviate some of the emergency need for that 3rd line center.
 

Salem's Lot

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I heard Billy Jaffe on with T&R this morning discussing what they thought the Bruins should do at the deadline. It seems that Billy is torn between the following options:

  1. Go for the 3rd line Center, in the person of Brayden Schenn or someone else (RNH?).
  2. Get a 2nd line winger for Krejci. They mentioned Vladimir Tarasenko and 1-2 others I don't remember.
  3. Accept the idea that they have a decent almost-ready prospect stock but are short on draft picks, and that they aren't really ready to compete with Tampa (or Warshington) even with Tarasenko or Schenn.

I hate the idea of letting go of what is likely to be Zdeno Chara's last season, or another year of Bergeron. However, even with option 1 or 2 I do not think they will compete with the best two teams in the conference. The 3rd line has come along fairly well recently too, which would help alleviate some of the emergency need for that 3rd line center.
I’m all for the slow build. Bergeron and Marchand aren’t that old. I like their young defense prospects. If they can make a hockey trade with Krug in the offseason (not a knock on Krug, but he’s going into the last year of his deal, and I’m not interested in giving him $7 million per year) for a young veteran winger, then I’m all for it. Something like the Nathan Horton deal except they wouldn’t have to give up a first because Krug is way better than Wideman was. I’m not interested in giving up good prospects or picks for short term solutions.
 

veritas

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Bergeon is actually old, he'll be 34 when next season starts. He's going to decline soon and it's going to be painful for the Bruins.
 

lexrageorge

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The Bruins are solid playoff team with defensive depth and good goaltending, which is a reasonable formula for success in the playoffs. While their talent doesn't match up with the top teams in the conference, anything can happen in a NHL playoff series. So I do think they should try to compete and upgrade the roster where needed. It's unfortunate Rick Nash got concussed last year, but that alone should not scare them off.

I'd go with either of the first two options listed above. Seems like it may be a good time to cash in some of their prospects not named DeBrusk or McAvoy.
 

Salem's Lot

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Bergeon is actually old, he'll be 34 when next season starts. He's going to decline soon and it's going to be painful for the Bruins.
I’ll take the chance that one of the most dedicated athletes around can maintain his current level of play at age 35, and lead a deep group with Pastrnak and McAvoy as young elite players, with guys like Donato, Vaakanainen, DeBrusk, Lauzon, And Frederic maturing into good players, over overpaying for Brayden Schenn and losing to Tampa or Washington in 6 games instead of 5. That group has a ton of upside if management is willing to be patient. Make hockey trades in July, not short term expensive moves in March.
 

joe dokes

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Whether its because Cehlarik or some new guy gains traction, I think there has to be a reckoning with Backes soon. It sorta pains me to say it, because he seems like a good guy and teammate, and he's trying, but his on-ice ineffectiveness (to my eyes anyway) sticks out like a sore thumb on 2/3 of his shifts.
 

TFP

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I’ll take the chance that one of the most dedicated athletes around can maintain his current level of play at age 35, and lead a deep group with Pastrnak and McAvoy as young elite players, with guys like Donato, Vaakanainen, DeBrusk, Lauzon, And Frederic maturing into good players, over overpaying for Brayden Schenn and losing to Tampa or Washington in 6 games instead of 5. That group has a ton of upside if management is willing to be patient. Make hockey trades in July, not short term expensive moves in March.
While I generally agree with all of this, one could say that guys like Heinen, Donato (when he was in college), JFK, Senyshyn, etc will never have higher value than when they were prospects and they missed the trading window to maximize their value. Trading Frederic now could potentially be the best move they could make.
 

veritas

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I’ll take the chance that one of the most dedicated athletes around can maintain his current level of play at age 35, and lead a deep group with Pastrnak and McAvoy as young elite players, with guys like Donato, Vaakanainen, DeBrusk, Lauzon, And Frederic maturing into good players, over overpaying for Brayden Schenn and losing to Tampa or Washington in 6 games instead of 5. That group has a ton of upside if management is willing to be patient. Make hockey trades in July, not short term expensive moves in March.
I can't think of any elite players who were elite past 35 in the modern era*. Even Chara took a big step back around that age, and he's a huge outlier for various reasons. I'm not saying Bergeron won't be a very good player still, but the difference between the Bergeron of the past 5 years and a very good (top 20-30) center is enormous. Like ~10-15 goals above replacement enormous. The difference between the playoffs and not the playoffs for most teams.

Almost all players, especially forwards start to decline significantly starting in their early 30's. The fact that Bergeron hasn't really yet doesn't mean he won't.

*I found three: Joe Thornton at 36, Martin St. Louis at 37, Lidstrom a few 35+ years. Even Jagr's last great season was 34.
 
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cshea

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I lean towards being aggressive. They had 112 points last year (4th overall) and are on pace for 101 this year despite a rash of injuries. They have holes, but if those holes are addressed properly they can win a Stanley Cup.

Bergeron and Krejci are aging and they don’t have any in house options to replace them. The B’s have a deeper farm system, but they don’t have any blue chippers. I get being patient, but by the time they figure out what they have in some of the kids like Frederic, Studnicka, Vaakanainen, etc. the old part of the Bruins core will likely have aged out. I’m fine with moving some prospect and draft capital to give them a better shot at winning in the next 1-3 years.
 

NYCSox

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Been debating this one in my head all day. I too lean towards making a push. But it's a daunting road with the Lightning being so damn good and the fucking Caps around (go Pens!).
 

Salem's Lot

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I lean towards being aggressive. They had 112 points last year (4th overall) and are on pace for 101 this year despite a rash of injuries. They have holes, but if those holes are addressed properly they can win a Stanley Cup.

Bergeron and Krejci are aging and they don’t have any in house options to replace them. The B’s have a deeper farm system, but they don’t have any blue chippers. I get being patient, but by the time they figure out what they have in some of the kids like Frederic, Studnicka, Vaakanainen, etc. the old part of the Bruins core will likely have aged out. I’m fine with moving some prospect and draft capital to give them a better shot at winning in the next 1-3 years.
The more I think about it, my apprehension about moving prospects has more to do with the nature of the trade deadline than parting with certain guys. I just think when you have a buyer/seller market, with few sellers and many buyers, teams are just ripe to significantly overpay. I’d be very interested in a good hockey trade, but those tend to happen in June not March. I like the idea of moving Krug (before he cashes in on FA) with one of those guys for a forward upgrade around July 1.
 

cshea

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I think the Krug decision is one that’ll come over the summer. They have to decide to either commit and pay him, or move him and recoup value. Trading him in season doesn’t make much sense, I want him back there for a run. I’d keep him through the year and deal with it at the draft/UFA. They have the cap flexibility for this season to add a significant cap hit without sending much out. It gets dicey after this season with some of the kids (McAvoy, Heinen, Donato, Carlo, etc.) needing extensions. Something is going to have to give on D anyways since only Chara and Kampfer are UFA’s, and my assumption is Chara comes back. I don’t think they can go into next year with Moore or Grzelyck in the press box again, and LHD is an area they’re deep at.

Anyways, I’m not too enthused by rentals. I’d be looking at trading some kids and picks for a C and RW under some control.
 

Salem's Lot

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I was referring to this offseason for a possible Krug trade, not at the deadline. They need him for the power play for this playoff run, and he’s got a no trade.
 

Boston Brawler

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The Globe is pushing the B’s as a potential trade partner with STL for Tarasenko. Anyone else see that?
 

lexrageorge

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The Globe can push it all they want, but here is why it won't and shouldn't happen:

The price would be sky-high. The Blues would no doubt request top picks, young standouts like Charlie McAvoy and Jake DeBrusk and high-end prospects.
Taking off 2 young, cost-controlled standout players from the current roster is a non-starter, IMO. Which means KPD will be all in favor of it (he hates McAvoy, fwiw).
 

joe dokes

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Taking off 2 young, cost-controlled standout players from the current roster is a non-starter, IMO. Which means KPD will be all in favor of it (he hates McAvoy, fwiw).
"McAvoy was late" will replace "Thornton lost that faceoff to Madden" in the 2nd graf of every KPD story from now until 2030 or so.
 

cshea

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I don’t have a Globe subscription, is that the story about McAvoy being tardy? Cassidy came out and said that was BS.
 

Dummy Hoy

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Off topic a bit (although the topic is how bad Dupes sucks), but Fluto has been writing some really good stuff at The Athletic. The longer he's away from Dupes, the less he sucks. I've always though Dupes ruined Fluto by convincing him to be cynical and telling him that the reporter is part of the story...Fluto is back to being all business and cranking out some quality content. I've been hating on him for years, so I'm pleasantly surprised.
 

TFP

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Off topic a bit (although the topic is how bad Dupes sucks), but Fluto has been writing some really good stuff at The Athletic. The longer he's away from Dupes, the less he sucks. I've always though Dupes ruined Fluto by convincing him to be cynical and telling him that the reporter is part of the story...Fluto is back to being all business and cranking out some quality content. I've been hating on him for years, so I'm pleasantly surprised.
The Athletic has some really really good hockey content overall too. I think it's worth the subscription for the hockey writing alone. Fluto, Joey Mac, Pierre LeBrun, Down Goes Brown/Sean McIndoe, Justin Bourne plus others.
 

lexrageorge

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I don’t have a Globe subscription, is that the story about McAvoy being tardy? Cassidy came out and said that was BS.
Yes, it's basically about McAvoy being late. Neely, during a radio interview with Felger & Mazz, basically did confirm (after being pressed heavily by Felger) that he was late for a team bus once, but it was basically dealt with by his teammates and is a non-issue. McAvoy confirmed this in the article I linked.

I think the headline may have been toned down a bit from the original, because I really groaned when I first saw the headline. But my recollection could be faulty.
 

RedOctober3829

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Yes, it's basically about McAvoy being late. Neely, during a radio interview with Felger & Mazz, basically did confirm (after being pressed heavily by Felger) that he was late for a team bus once, but it was basically dealt with by his teammates and is a non-issue. McAvoy confirmed this in the article I linked.

I think the headline may have been toned down a bit from the original, because I really groaned when I first saw the headline. But my recollection could be faulty.
Your recollection is right. I was listening to Neely on F&M on New Year's Day and he said that McAvoy was late and that Marchand jokingly bought him an alarm clock. Neely addressed the point that McAvoy needed to learn how to be a pro but he's young and a good kid.
 

Smiling Joe Hesketh

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God I hope this McAvoy late thing isn't a thing, although it sounds like Neely has got a good clamp on it. The media milked Seguin getting benched in Winnipeg for oversleeping for months and months and shoot me in the head, even after Thornton went on the radio and explained that Winnipeg's odd 30 min difference screwed up Seguin's alarm-setting.