2016-2017 - A Bruins Retrospective
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Break up day today. Should be some injury info and who has been told they aren't coming back info coming out.
I won't act like we are close. I met him just when he was younger, and know his dad a bit. It has always seemed he has been underestimated, and having to prove himself despite playing well at wherever he was. He didn't get drafted, Jake Allen was the starter on Team Canada, spending time in the AHL, etc. Like many successful people, stories of his work ethic are legend.
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Ryan Whitney talked about this on the Spittin Chicklets podcast- just how hard you have to work to be NHL caliber. He talked about how dedicTed to hockey you have to be, and that's the difference between the super talented 15 year olds and those that make it.
Well, at least by not advancing past the first round, the cost of the Stafford trade remains a 2018 6th round pick.
Of course I'd prefer that it would have turned into a 4th round pick.
Of course I'd prefer that it would have turned into a 4th round pick.
Quick thoughts:
1) Going into this season the D was a big question mark. Now it is arguably a strength, or at a minimum solid enough. Have to believe going into next year a stronger D will mean that Rask won't be exposed quite as often and I suspect is overall play/numbers improve. Pretty excited about that end of the game, and there are some great D prospects coming up in the next couple years as well.
2) For next year have to get something more out of Hayes or Beleskey. If you can find takers for both, great, but I'd say if you ship one out and focus on maximizing the other (probably Beleskey) maybe you can turn them into a solid third line player. The talent has always been there and maybe another year into Boston with better health he improves. Only 28 and willing to give him the benefit of the doubt though obviously not playing up to the contract right now.
3) Need someone that will score in the top 6. Hopefully with a more aggressive offensive approach like we saw under Cassidy this solves itself over the course of a full year. I think the talent is there for this roster to accomplish that, if you include a healthy Krejci.
1) Going into this season the D was a big question mark. Now it is arguably a strength, or at a minimum solid enough. Have to believe going into next year a stronger D will mean that Rask won't be exposed quite as often and I suspect is overall play/numbers improve. Pretty excited about that end of the game, and there are some great D prospects coming up in the next couple years as well.
2) For next year have to get something more out of Hayes or Beleskey. If you can find takers for both, great, but I'd say if you ship one out and focus on maximizing the other (probably Beleskey) maybe you can turn them into a solid third line player. The talent has always been there and maybe another year into Boston with better health he improves. Only 28 and willing to give him the benefit of the doubt though obviously not playing up to the contract right now.
3) Need someone that will score in the top 6. Hopefully with a more aggressive offensive approach like we saw under Cassidy this solves itself over the course of a full year. I think the talent is there for this roster to accomplish that, if you include a healthy Krejci.
The biggest issue I have with Beleskey and Hayes is who do you replace with them in the playoff lineup?
I'd rather have Schaller, Moore (impending UFA), Acciari, and Kuraly over them. Where do they fit? They have no place in the lineup, and I don't see how that changes. Maybe LV will need to get to the cap floor? I don't know. That is a difficult decision, but I'd probably buy them out. I don't like the idea of buying out 3 years of Beleskey, but I also don't think they are going to have cap issues this summer that forces that decision. Here is the buyout calculator on Beleskey (https://www.capfriendly.com/buyout_calculator/matt-beleskey). Not ideal. Buying out Hayes seems a lot more palatable (https://www.capfriendly.com/buyout_calculator/jimmy-hayes).
I agree with FL4WL3$$ that Cassidy deserves to be re-signed, and there is not much I like on the coaching market. Give Butch a second shot.
I feel Pastrnak will probably re-sign around $6-6.5m per year, which I think leaves them around $3m in space (not accounting for expansion drafted players or trades) otherwise. You may see them re-sign Moore or something small like that, but I don't expect them to do anything impactful via FA. I suppose I could see them looking at a short term deal for short money on Sharp, but I half expect them to re-sign Stafford. Depends on where they see players like Heinen, DeBrusk and Senyshyn in their development.
The trade market could always be a place for them to make a deal, especially with some talent to deal from. Zboril remains a guy I think they are open to moving and could see him included with some picks or lesser prospects to upgrade the wing position. Otherwise, I think they stand pat. I don't see them paying the price to get someone like Landeskog or someone of that ilk.
I will be very interested to see where DeBrusk, Heinen and Senyshyn are at next year, but I really would love to see them bring Bjork into the fold. Sounds like he's returning for his senior season, so that will likely have to wait until next April. Should be a very interesting year seeing where JFK fits in as well.
Finally, before I forget, and most important of all, cut bait with Ryan Spooner. He's softer than my baby's softest shit, and routinely disappears in physical games. He's terrible defensively, and his offense is not enough to make up for the colossal sucktitude that he brings to the defensive end. Just get him the fuck off the team, and let someone else deal with him.
I'd rather have Schaller, Moore (impending UFA), Acciari, and Kuraly over them. Where do they fit? They have no place in the lineup, and I don't see how that changes. Maybe LV will need to get to the cap floor? I don't know. That is a difficult decision, but I'd probably buy them out. I don't like the idea of buying out 3 years of Beleskey, but I also don't think they are going to have cap issues this summer that forces that decision. Here is the buyout calculator on Beleskey (https://www.capfriendly.com/buyout_calculator/matt-beleskey). Not ideal. Buying out Hayes seems a lot more palatable (https://www.capfriendly.com/buyout_calculator/jimmy-hayes).
I agree with FL4WL3$$ that Cassidy deserves to be re-signed, and there is not much I like on the coaching market. Give Butch a second shot.
I feel Pastrnak will probably re-sign around $6-6.5m per year, which I think leaves them around $3m in space (not accounting for expansion drafted players or trades) otherwise. You may see them re-sign Moore or something small like that, but I don't expect them to do anything impactful via FA. I suppose I could see them looking at a short term deal for short money on Sharp, but I half expect them to re-sign Stafford. Depends on where they see players like Heinen, DeBrusk and Senyshyn in their development.
The trade market could always be a place for them to make a deal, especially with some talent to deal from. Zboril remains a guy I think they are open to moving and could see him included with some picks or lesser prospects to upgrade the wing position. Otherwise, I think they stand pat. I don't see them paying the price to get someone like Landeskog or someone of that ilk.
I will be very interested to see where DeBrusk, Heinen and Senyshyn are at next year, but I really would love to see them bring Bjork into the fold. Sounds like he's returning for his senior season, so that will likely have to wait until next April. Should be a very interesting year seeing where JFK fits in as well.
Finally, before I forget, and most important of all, cut bait with Ryan Spooner. He's softer than my baby's softest shit, and routinely disappears in physical games. He's terrible defensively, and his offense is not enough to make up for the colossal sucktitude that he brings to the defensive end. Just get him the fuck off the team, and let someone else deal with him.
Honestly, I think I'd just let Hayes play out his contract in the press box and buy out Beleskey next offseason. It's going to suck carrying both of them for one more year, but while neither can score, we can find uses for them on the bottom lines to fill spots. The Bruins are already carrying Seidenberg for 3 more seasons, that would mean carrying 3 dead weight contracts for the next 2 years, kinda gross.
There's still the option of paying them to play in Providence, but I'm sure the Jacobs family wouldn't be too happy about that.
There's still the option of paying them to play in Providence, but I'm sure the Jacobs family wouldn't be too happy about that.
I think you can only hve 2 buyouts on the books at any time anyways, but I would have to double check. That may have just been for the compliance buyouts.
I would explore trade possibilities for both players. In Hayes' case I'd be willing to retain salary to facilitate a deal. I don't know that he'll have much of a market, but maybe someone takes a flier on a cheap reclamation project with no commitment past this season. The old "change of scenery" gambit. A buyout seems palatable in this case, but retaining 50% of his salary would be $800K more cap hit this season and then they're done. Even if they get a bag of pucks back. They need to replace the pucks from all the ones they sent over the glass this series anyways.
There were rumors at the deadline that the Bruins were looking to move Beleskey. Anaheim apparently had some interest but it was too complicated to pull off in season. It is worth exploring in the next 2 months. If a trade can't be found, I would just bring him back and try to work with him to re-establish some value. I though he was good in 15/16 so there's still a good player in there somewhere. This season he got off to a bad start, then had the knee injury. He never really got on track. Maybe with a different approach to the offseason or more work with the coaching will get him going in the direction again.
I would explore trade possibilities for both players. In Hayes' case I'd be willing to retain salary to facilitate a deal. I don't know that he'll have much of a market, but maybe someone takes a flier on a cheap reclamation project with no commitment past this season. The old "change of scenery" gambit. A buyout seems palatable in this case, but retaining 50% of his salary would be $800K more cap hit this season and then they're done. Even if they get a bag of pucks back. They need to replace the pucks from all the ones they sent over the glass this series anyways.
There were rumors at the deadline that the Bruins were looking to move Beleskey. Anaheim apparently had some interest but it was too complicated to pull off in season. It is worth exploring in the next 2 months. If a trade can't be found, I would just bring him back and try to work with him to re-establish some value. I though he was good in 15/16 so there's still a good player in there somewhere. This season he got off to a bad start, then had the knee injury. He never really got on track. Maybe with a different approach to the offseason or more work with the coaching will get him going in the direction again.
Here comes the injury news...
- Krug had a bum knee
- Carlo is/was concussed
- Bergy dealt with a sports hernia all year. Surgery is possible
- Krug had a bum knee
- Carlo is/was concussed
- Bergy dealt with a sports hernia all year. Surgery is possible
Boston BruinsVerified account @NHLBruins 24s25 seconds ago
Adam McQuaid said that he hurt his neck.
Adam McQuaid said that he hurt his neck.
Shawn Hutcheon @ShawnHutcheon 9s10 seconds ago
It's no secret but before Game 6, I heard saw & heard #NHLBruins David Krejci tell an NHL officiating supervisor that he had knee injury.
The answer to the Krug situation.
Joe HaggertyVerified account @HackswithHaggs 8s9 seconds ago
Torey Krug said it was an MCL injury to his right knee. No surgery needed. Might have been able to play a Game 7
Our intrepid reporters don't appear to have asked about that injury.
Z says he would like to sign a new contract and continue playing past next season.
Z says he would like to sign a new contract and continue playing past next season.
Yup, appears nobody out of the KPD, Fluto, Bean, Conroy crew bothered to ask.
What a time to be a beat writer.
Fluto was too busy trying that new Norwegian fusion restaurant, DJ was buying tickets to see Spoon, and KPD just doesn't care enough.
The Bruins need to clear out some dead wood in that forward corps. Backes still has value, just not what they're going to pay him. I wonder what you'd have to staple onto Beleskey and Hayes in terms of picks or young players to make them palatable? I don't know if is just asking next to nothing for them would be enough to get another team interested at this point. But the bigger question is, who of the prospects would be ready to step into a second line role right of the bat?
FWIW, DJ isn't a beat reporter anymore. He's in mini-Felger mode (but with a logical brain) at CSNNE now.
It's basically Fluto, Haggs, Conroy, Harris and maybe Not Matt Kalman?
I agree there's a good player in Belesky somewhere. But this season he completely lost him game -- he looked tentative and confused. His game was always in the corners, along the walls, and in front of the net. This year he didn't do any of that passably.
Besides the knee injury and the games spent on the 9th level, does anyone have a read on why Belesky fell so far from the player he was in 2014-2015 and 2015-2016? Did he just lose his confidence?
It's easy to forget that these guys are finely tuned athletes, not being able to skate for a month or two can have huge effects, and a lot of injuries take a while to completely heal even after guys are ready to play. Sure Bergeron is one of the best players in the world and can still play at a high level while injured. But guys lower on the roster have much thinner margins between being 100% and being replacement level. I'm not ready to write off Beleskey and I am still really high on Vatrano.
As for the big picture, this team had a +22 goal differential and even better underlying shot and expected goal metrics. I don't think they have to do anything drastic to add 10-15 goals to that and be comfortably above the wild card fray. Three things I'd do in the offseason to accomplish that:
1) Get a backup goalie who can give you 30 games at a .915+ clip, even if you have to burn cap and/or future assets to get it. That's going to improve the backup situation, and make Tuukka better when he plays. That's 5-10 goals right there.
2) Be preemptive with the D situation regarding the expansion draft. Trade Kevan Miller for a middle 6 forward. A lot of teams are going to be interested in shuffling their rosters, and Anaheim is the only team I can think of that has more of an excess of defenseman. A lot of teams have excess forwards they can't protect and would love to pick up a solid NHL defenseman for someone they'd lose anyway. (Assuming you can't somehow find a way to get Krejci to waive his NMC and protect 8 skaters instead of 7F/3D).
3) Balance out the lines. I don't think they lack forward depth, I think they haven't optimized their lines well this year. Marchand-Bergeron-Anyone is going to be a very effective line. Pastrnak and Krejci make each other worse. Something like this gives you 3 legitimate lines:
Marchand-Bergeron-JFK
Pastrnak-(Kevan trade return)-Backes
Vatrano-Krejci-Nash
Any three of Beleskey/Kuraly/Heinen/Czarnik/Cehlarik/Debrusk/Senyshyn
As for the big picture, this team had a +22 goal differential and even better underlying shot and expected goal metrics. I don't think they have to do anything drastic to add 10-15 goals to that and be comfortably above the wild card fray. Three things I'd do in the offseason to accomplish that:
1) Get a backup goalie who can give you 30 games at a .915+ clip, even if you have to burn cap and/or future assets to get it. That's going to improve the backup situation, and make Tuukka better when he plays. That's 5-10 goals right there.
2) Be preemptive with the D situation regarding the expansion draft. Trade Kevan Miller for a middle 6 forward. A lot of teams are going to be interested in shuffling their rosters, and Anaheim is the only team I can think of that has more of an excess of defenseman. A lot of teams have excess forwards they can't protect and would love to pick up a solid NHL defenseman for someone they'd lose anyway. (Assuming you can't somehow find a way to get Krejci to waive his NMC and protect 8 skaters instead of 7F/3D).
3) Balance out the lines. I don't think they lack forward depth, I think they haven't optimized their lines well this year. Marchand-Bergeron-Anyone is going to be a very effective line. Pastrnak and Krejci make each other worse. Something like this gives you 3 legitimate lines:
Marchand-Bergeron-JFK
Pastrnak-(Kevan trade return)-Backes
Vatrano-Krejci-Nash
Any three of Beleskey/Kuraly/Heinen/Czarnik/Cehlarik/Debrusk/Senyshyn
The big issue with that is we have no idea if JFK can play wing. Either at the college or pro level.
JFK will not play wing. He's being groomed for the 3c spot, and potentially Krejci's replacement in 2-3 years. Guys like DeBrusk, Heinen and Senyshyn seem more likely to get a shot at wing.
I'd like to see them add a second line wing for Krejci, and let the young guys develop in Providence.
I'd like to see them add a second line wing for Krejci, and let the young guys develop in Providence.
Here's my overview of the roster heading into the offseason:
Marchand - Bergeron - Pastrnak
XXXXXX - Krejci - Backes
Vatrano - XXXXX - XXXXX
Kuraly - Nash - Acciari
RFA's: Ryan Spooner, Tim Schaller
UFA's: Drew Stafford, Dominic Moore
Useless category: Matt Beleskey, Jimmy Hayes
I think the 3rd line vacancies can be filled in internally. JFK, Peter Cehlarik, Danton Heinen and Jake DeBrusk should leading candidates. 3 of the 4 have full AHL seasons under their belts so they should be ready. Maybe a Senyshyn surprises in camp and win's a spot, or Bjork signs. Either way they appear to have enough depth to let Moore and Stafford go and stay away from the free agent market. I threw Kuraly in that 4th line wing spot, but they have other options there. I'd qualify Spooner and try to trade him for a pick. Schaller only made $600K last year so I see no reason not to QO him and try to bring him back as insurance. Then there's Beleskey and Hayes. I'd try to trade both, but worst case scenario I would buyout Hayes and try and rehab Beleskey's career next season. That leaves the 2nd line wing spot.
Chara - McAvoy
Krug - McQuaid
Miller - Miller
Carlo
UFA: John-Michael Liles
RFA: Joe Morrow
Work to be done here before the expansion draft. Too many bodies. I think ideally you would want to try and force Vegas to taking McQuaid (or Beleskey or Hayes). To do that you would have to trade whichever Miller you decide to leave unprotected before the expansion draft. The Miller's both have enough value that I wouldn't want to lose either for free. I prefer to protect Colin since he is cheaper and has a higher ceiling, but I can see the argument for protecting Kevan. If Vegas doesn't take a D, they'll have to trade someone out. I don't think they can go into next season with the 6 regular D back plus McAvoy. Something would have to give. Liles should be let go. Morrow I could see bringing back as the 7th D, but not sure he'd be up to sitting on 9 75% of the games for a 3rd straight season. Grzelyck and O'Gara got full seasons down in Providence, and they'll joined by Zboril and Lauzon next year. I think kids is the way to go and would steer away from any UFA's.
Rask
Khudobin
Seems they'll both be back. Khudobin was signed to fulfill the expansion draft requirements, and I can't see Vegas taking him. Subban is an RFA, McIntyre had a really good season in Providence and Dan Vladar seems ready for AHL duty. So there's probably some maneuvering to be done here. Not enough space for Subban/McIntyre/Vladar
Marchand - Bergeron - Pastrnak
XXXXXX - Krejci - Backes
Vatrano - XXXXX - XXXXX
Kuraly - Nash - Acciari
RFA's: Ryan Spooner, Tim Schaller
UFA's: Drew Stafford, Dominic Moore
Useless category: Matt Beleskey, Jimmy Hayes
I think the 3rd line vacancies can be filled in internally. JFK, Peter Cehlarik, Danton Heinen and Jake DeBrusk should leading candidates. 3 of the 4 have full AHL seasons under their belts so they should be ready. Maybe a Senyshyn surprises in camp and win's a spot, or Bjork signs. Either way they appear to have enough depth to let Moore and Stafford go and stay away from the free agent market. I threw Kuraly in that 4th line wing spot, but they have other options there. I'd qualify Spooner and try to trade him for a pick. Schaller only made $600K last year so I see no reason not to QO him and try to bring him back as insurance. Then there's Beleskey and Hayes. I'd try to trade both, but worst case scenario I would buyout Hayes and try and rehab Beleskey's career next season. That leaves the 2nd line wing spot.
Chara - McAvoy
Krug - McQuaid
Miller - Miller
Carlo
UFA: John-Michael Liles
RFA: Joe Morrow
Work to be done here before the expansion draft. Too many bodies. I think ideally you would want to try and force Vegas to taking McQuaid (or Beleskey or Hayes). To do that you would have to trade whichever Miller you decide to leave unprotected before the expansion draft. The Miller's both have enough value that I wouldn't want to lose either for free. I prefer to protect Colin since he is cheaper and has a higher ceiling, but I can see the argument for protecting Kevan. If Vegas doesn't take a D, they'll have to trade someone out. I don't think they can go into next season with the 6 regular D back plus McAvoy. Something would have to give. Liles should be let go. Morrow I could see bringing back as the 7th D, but not sure he'd be up to sitting on 9 75% of the games for a 3rd straight season. Grzelyck and O'Gara got full seasons down in Providence, and they'll joined by Zboril and Lauzon next year. I think kids is the way to go and would steer away from any UFA's.
Rask
Khudobin
Seems they'll both be back. Khudobin was signed to fulfill the expansion draft requirements, and I can't see Vegas taking him. Subban is an RFA, McIntyre had a really good season in Providence and Dan Vladar seems ready for AHL duty. So there's probably some maneuvering to be done here. Not enough space for Subban/McIntyre/Vladar
Bring back Pastrnak should be the team's top priority. My opinion of Sweeney and Neely will plummet further if they fall down on that task.
Separately, does it make sense to Backes back to his natural center position as a 3rd line center? He never seemed to get untracked as a wing last year, either with Bergeron or with Krejci.
Separately, does it make sense to Backes back to his natural center position as a 3rd line center? He never seemed to get untracked as a wing last year, either with Bergeron or with Krejci.
I think they need to stay away from free agency and focus on bringing back their own guy (Pastrnak). I'd consider bringing Moore back if he's cheap enough.
I think they should find a way to try and keep both Millers while subtracting McQuaid and other junk.
I'm not as down on Spooner as many, though I would still expose him in the hope of protecting a Miller if Vegas likes him.
What they really need is to have at least 1 and ideally 2 of the young forwards step up. There is reason for optimism in the numbers: Vatrano, Heinen, JFK, Cehlarik, DeBrusk, Senyshyn, Gabrielle. (I'm assuming Bjork and Frederic are not available until next year's playoffs at the earliest.). Odds are higher for some than for others, but there should at least be a good competition.
I think they should find a way to try and keep both Millers while subtracting McQuaid and other junk.
I'm not as down on Spooner as many, though I would still expose him in the hope of protecting a Miller if Vegas likes him.
What they really need is to have at least 1 and ideally 2 of the young forwards step up. There is reason for optimism in the numbers: Vatrano, Heinen, JFK, Cehlarik, DeBrusk, Senyshyn, Gabrielle. (I'm assuming Bjork and Frederic are not available until next year's playoffs at the earliest.). Odds are higher for some than for others, but there should at least be a good competition.
Just want to point out that technically LV can choose any of the free agents, so they could choose to take JM Liles over either of the Millers or the forwards.
What would they get for selecting him other than exclusive negotiating rights until free agency begins?
They actually have an exclusive free agent bargaining window before the draft. If they sign anyone during that, it counts as their selection from that team. So the Knights could sign Dominic Moore during this period, but then they wouldn't be able to select anyone from the Bruins during the draft.
My fault for not quoting, but I was asking in relation to post #86 not #87. Nevertheless, useful information from T4P anyways.
Hypothetically, why would they sign Liles in either the pre-draft or during the draft if he's a UFA. Is it literally only for the extra negotiating window?
Hypothetically, why would they sign Liles in either the pre-draft or during the draft if he's a UFA. Is it literally only for the extra negotiating window?
I agree completely, I'm not sure the Bruins do though.
Does Krejci have to waive his NMC completely to be exposed? Or can it be specific to one team? Exposing Krejci and protecting 4 D would make a lot of sense. I don't think Vegas would take him anyway
Krejci would have to completely waive his NMC.
Only way to do the 8 skater protection route, which would allow them to protect 4 D, would be to get Backes and Krejci to waive.
Only way to do the 8 skater protection route, which would allow them to protect 4 D, would be to get Backes and Krejci to waive.
Isn't it either rather than both? Keep Bergeron, Marchand, Pastrnak and the one who doesn't waive.
Edit: Unless you want to include Spooner in which case then yeah it's both.
Just one of them, right?
Bergeron, Marchand, Pastrnak, Krejci/Backes
Chara, Krug, Miller, Miller
Rask
Errr, Jerome Iginla just bought a big house in Brookline right near The Country Club.
The hockey fans at The Boston Business Journal are very excited.
http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2017/04/26/does-this-4-5m-home-sale-mean-the-bruins-will-re.html?ana=twt
The hockey fans at The Boston Business Journal are very excited.
http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2017/04/26/does-this-4-5m-home-sale-mean-the-bruins-will-re.html?ana=twt
In terms of entertainment, Backes - Krejci - Iginla would give the zambonis a run for their money between periods
Perhaps B's can get Chara to agree to a wink-wink deal where he agrees to waive the NMC for draft purposes then bs give him a 2 yr ext post draft with nmc.
Can that be done? Don't see any way LV takes a 40yo with 1 yr on contract.
Otherwise it is going to suck when we lose C Miller because we had to protect Backes who is already overpaid.
Can that be done? Don't see any way LV takes a 40yo with 1 yr on contract.
Otherwise it is going to suck when we lose C Miller because we had to protect Backes who is already overpaid.