The B’s in the Second Half

lexrageorge · Jan 8, 2018

I did not expect this team to be this much fun to watch. Especially when they were dealing with the rolling injuries at the start of the season, it appeared like it was going to be one of those scratch-and-claw for the final playoff spot (maybe) type of years.

Biggest concern I see is Krejci's status. When healthy, he can drive the second line scoring which is critical for making the team hard to defend against in the stretch run and in the playoffs. The problem is his health. But I don't see them adding a forward, unless they decide this is the time to swap out Spooner.

I could see them adding a veteran blueliner as insurance against either injury or McAvoy/Grzelcyk hitting a rookie wall. If the cost is reasonable, I would be OK with that; they've got enough prospect depth in general that shipping out a mid-round draft choice wouldn't be the worst scenario.

Eddie Jurak · Jan 8, 2018

cshea said:
I personally don’t think the Bruins should do much of anything, unless they can land a bigger fish. I’m not sure that a Stafford/Stempniak/Liles type would add more than what they already have internally. They still have Bjork, Cehlarik, JFK and I guess Beleskey (3 goals in 9 games!) down in Providence as possible help, plus perhaps Donato coming in if Harvard’s season ends early enough.

I'd kind of like to see them run with what they have, straight through to the playoffs. Learn what these kids are made of. If there are kids who already look like they will be on the outside looking in (Vatrano?), I wouldn't be against dealing them.

grimshaw · Jan 8, 2018

If you told me before the season that the Bruins would have a better 2+ year outlook than the Sox or Patriots I would have thought you were nuts.

Who gets more credit for their success this season between Bruce Cassidy and Don Sweeney?

veritas · Jan 9, 2018

cshea said:
I personally don’t think the Bruins should do much of anything, unless they can land a bigger fish. I’m not sure that a Stafford/Stempniak/Liles type would add more than what they already have internally.

Completely agree, I don't want them making a move for a Stafford/Stempniak/Liles type. Depth isn't the issue on this team, they have 7 NHL defensemen and at least 5 lines full of forwards.

A top 3 defenseman seems like the biggest "area of need", especially on the left side, but I'm not sure it's the best idea to be making deals based on that. Teams showed last year that there are many ways to win in the playoffs. Just look at the cup finals, Pittsburgh won with overwhelming force at forward and trash on defense. Nashville got there with tons of depth, mostly on defense. Anaheim and Ottawa were two of the most top-heavy teams in the league. The Bruins adding a very good defenseman makes them much more balanced, but adding a very good center makes them an impossible matchup for most defenses. Either one is a big win. If they can get an equally valuable C for cheaper, I think that's what they should do.

Spitballing, if they are confident in extending Backlund, something like a 1st, JFK/Heinen, a lesser prospect, and Beleskey's contract for Backlund would make sense for both teams.

grimshaw said:
Who gets more credit for their success this season between Bruce Cassidy and Don Sweeney?

Lines 2-4 have been getting all the love with their huge improvement year over year, but I think Cassidy's system and McAvoy deserve as much credit for their success. McAvoy gives them a real #1 defenseman and bumps Carlo, Miller, and McQuaid down to where they belong. It also gives them a real puck mover on every pair. When interviewed right after taking over, Cassidy said he wasn't going to change much, but wanted to focus on improving transition, and getting the puck into attacking areas before defenses could get set up. He's managed to do that this season without sacrificing their possession numbers, and I think he deserves a lot of credit.

LogansDad · Jan 10, 2018

If true, that news gives me happy pants.

TFP · Jan 23, 2018

cshea said:
In this week’s edition, Friedman has the B’s jumping into the Mike Hoffman chase.

$5.18 mm AAV for 2 more seasons after this. Sweeney has said no prospects are going, but I do think this is the kind of move that they could make a prospect or 2 available for. Good player under a good contract. More of a traditional winger, I think he would be great for the Krejci line. Only hesitation would be if he can’t play RW, I haven’t watched him enough to know if there would be any issue. Ideally if they’re looking for a winger, it’d be to upgrade Spooner’s spot.

I would think deal based around Spooner, a Providence winger (Senyshyn/Cehlarik?) and D (Zboril/Lauzon?) and then maybe draft picks could work for both sides. I don’t think that is crippling for the B’s farm system, and would shed salary on the Sens end with no salary commitment past this year to Spooner, get them 2 good and cheap prospects, plus draft picks.

I would do that deal in a Wade Redden heartbeat. Which makes me think it wouldn't be enough for Ottawa, but who knows what they're doing anymore.

RedOctober3829 · Jan 23, 2018

Would the Rangers trade Ryan McDonagh for a package including Torey Krug and a combo of picks/prospects? 2.5 years left on McDonagh's deal at $4.7.

TheRealness · Jan 23, 2018

TFP said:
I would do that deal in a Wade Redden heartbeat. Which makes me think it wouldn't be enough for Ottawa, but who knows what they're doing anymore.

I am hoping Spooner's run of actually giving a shit physically will increase his value, but we will see.

I don't see them making a move as they don't have a huge need. I am perfectly content with them doing nothing at the deadline and rolling with the current team as is.

veritas · Jan 23, 2018

I'm surprised they're interested in Hoffman with that contract. Although I would be intrigued by him on Krejci's wing, Krejci hasn't played with a shooter like him since Michael Ryder. Mark Stone seems more like their type of player but he's going to be a lot more expensive.

If they do add a forward, I hope it's not a replacement for Spooner. Ideally a move for a forward would bump everyone down the ladder, strengthen the bottom 6, and sit Schaller/Acciari.

veritas · Jan 26, 2018

Sounds like the Rangers could very well be sellers:
Zuccarello and Grabner are to wingers I'd be really happy with if the price is right. Zuccarello as a top 6 guy who's signed another year and Grabner as a cheap depth rental.

McDonough would be a huge get obviously, I think his price would be outrageous though. He's also signed through next season

RedOctober3829 · Jan 26, 2018

veritas said:
Sounds like the Rangers could very well be sellers:
Zuccarello and Grabner are to wingers I'd be really happy with if the price is right. Zuccarello as a top 6 guy who's signed another year and Grabner as a cheap depth rental.

McDonough would be a huge get obviously, I think his price would be outrageous though. He's also signed through next season

Rick Nash would be awesome to get to play on the 2nd line. The forward groupings would be awesome. I'd move Heinen to RW on the 2nd line as he has experience playing there because I would try to trade Spooner in a Nash deal.

Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak
Rick Nash-Krejci-Heinen
DeBrusk-Riley Nash-Backes
Schaller-Kuraly-Acciari

veritas · Jan 26, 2018

RedOctober3829 said:
Rick Nash would be awesome to get to play on the 2nd line. The forward groupings would be awesome. I'd move Heinen to RW on the 2nd line as he has experience playing there because I would try to trade Spooner in a Nash deal.

Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak
Rick Nash-Krejci-Heinen
DeBrusk-Riley Nash-Backes
Schaller-Kuraly-Acciari

(sorry I missed the other thread you started)

Nash would be a great gamble if he wasn't making 8m/year and if he would be cheap. I don't see the Rangers eating much of that or giving him up for cheap. But if...

Him and Riley Nash wearing their full names would be great though

RedOctober3829 · Jan 26, 2018

veritas said:
(sorry I missed the other thread you started)

Nash would be a great gamble if he wasn't making 8m/year and if he would be cheap. I don't see the Rangers eating much of that or giving him up for cheap. But if...

Him and Riley Nash wearing their full names would be great though

The Rangers can assume up to 50% of his salary in a trade. I'd assume they'd do that to get a better return.

NYCSox · Jan 26, 2018

Cap Friendly has the Bruins at under $3.5M in available cap space at the deadline. https://www.capfriendly.com/teams/bruins

Obviously moving back Spooner's $2.8M will help but more will be needed.

RedOctober3829 · Jan 26, 2018

NYCSox said:
Cap Friendly has the Bruins at under $3.5M in available cap space at the deadline. https://www.capfriendly.com/teams/bruins

Obviously moving back Spooner's $2.8M will help but more will be needed.

If the Rangers take on some of the $7.8 then wouldn't Spooner's $2.8 be more than enough to remain cap compliant? Sweeten the pot with a pick or a prospect the Rangers like at a position of depth. The problem with this is that the Rangers will find a team more desperate to take Nash and they'll be willing to give up a lot for him. The Bruins are in a position where they don't have to do anything drastic to break up their prospect pool or young NHL players.

Rico Guapo · Jan 26, 2018

From yesterdays game thread:

cshea said:
101 points gained under Cassidy since he took over.

They have played 73 games.

I don't think they need to do anything significant.

veritas · Jan 26, 2018

I don't think they need to do anything significant, but picking up someone like Zuccarello (or Staal, Stone, etc) who is signed through next year could be a wise use of their excess prospect depth.

As much as I like the B's young players, they may have a relatively short window right now where the young players are reaching their peaks and their older players haven't fallen off a cliff yet.

Eddie Jurak · Jan 27, 2018

I feel like if I'm the Bruins I'm not looking aggressively for a depth deal.

burstnbloom · Jan 27, 2018

I agree with the sentiment that a depth move might not be worth it. I would entertain a larger deal for a rw or Ihd with term.

jk333 · Jan 27, 2018

Eddie Jurak said:
I feel like if I'm the Bruins I'm not looking aggressively for a depth deal.

I agree, upgrading Spooner to a rental would make most sense for the Bruins and the acquiring team. He’s a great 3c and serviceable 2c the way he’s been playing lately. And as an rfa, the acquiring team gets him for this year and (more importantly) next. They could add a Czarnik level guy. If that gets you a Nash great, if not, they have depth in the younger guys this year.

Eddie Jurak · Jan 27, 2018

jk333 said:
I agree, upgrading Spooner to a rental would make most sense for the Bruins and the acquiring team. He’s a great 3c and serviceable 2c the way he’s been playing lately. And as an rfa, the acquiring team gets him for this year and (more importantly) next. They could add a Czarnik level guy. If that gets you a Nash great, if not, they have depth in the younger guys this year.

To be honest, I'm not even eager to do this. Spooner is an asset to the team right now, and stirring up a mix is always a risk. (I'm still bitter about how poorly the Gonchar/Nylander acquisition worked out for the Bruins 15 years ago).

Given the Bruins' salary cap situation, their prospect depth, and Spooner's future salary, I don't think he really has a long-term future in Boston. So I'm not averse to dealing him, and, indeed, he might be the type of player who should be dealt proactively in order to best maximize his value as an team asset. That said, I think the best way to do that would be to shop him during the offseason.

timlinin8th · Jan 27, 2018

Eddie Jurak said:
To be honest, I'm not even eager to do this. Spooner is an asset to the team right now, and stirring up a mix is always a risk. (I'm still bitter about how poorly the Gonchar/Nylander acquisition worked out for the Bruins 15 years ago).

Given the Bruins' salary cap situation, their prospect depth, and Spooner's future salary, I don't think he really has a long-term future in Boston. So I'm not averse to dealing him, and, indeed, he might be the type of player who should be dealt proactively in order to best maximize his value as an team asset. That said, I think the best way to do that would be to shop him during the offseason.

Count me in as someone who is hesitant to make a “depth” move with the forward lines. The Bruins currently have a +40 GF/GA differential, second best in the NHL behind TB. With the cap being as tight as it is, I’d be hesitant to go pulling in more cap dollars on vet players. I agree that Spooner eventually will have to be moved because of his escalating price and the need to work in some other prospects but now isn’t that time, UNLESS he can be included for a top 4 LHD with term. That is the one spot I really feel could use an upgrade. Grz has been awesome so far this year, putting him on the third pair would be an incredible D corps.

Chara/McAvoy
LHD/Krug
Grz/Miller
Carlo

Salem's Lot · Jan 27, 2018

I don't want them to make any move for a player with term until they figure out McAvoy's extension, which should be Sweeney's number 1 priority this offseason. I'd go into the playoffs with what we have. Hopefully Spooner's desire to get paid this offseason helps the cause. Then they should move him for a pick and or prospect at the draft before they have to pay him $4 million in arbitration.

RedOctober3829 · Jan 27, 2018

NYCSox said:
Cap Friendly has the Bruins at under $3.5M in available cap space at the deadline. https://www.capfriendly.com/teams/bruins

Obviously moving back Spooner's $2.8M will help but more will be needed.

I just checked CapFriendly and it says the Bruins have $5.1 million in deadline cap space.

NYCSox · Jan 27, 2018

RedOctober3829 said:
I just checked CapFriendly and it says the Bruins have $5.1 million in deadline cap space.

I think that's because of Marchand's suspension. Also it looks like there was a paper move of Bjork being sent down. So it's probably the effect of both moves. Probably the pre-suspension figure of $3.5M is correct but we'll see once the dust settles with Marchand in about 10 days.

NYCSox · Jan 28, 2018

cshea said:
Marchand’s suspension has no impact on the cap.

Not sure about that.

Second, who doesn’t count against the cap?

DURING THE SEASON:
Players assigned to the minors – even if on one-way contracts – do not count (as long as they are not on conditioning assignments) as well as players signed to a contract that are in Major Junior hockey (CHL) or overseas (Europe). Players suspended by either the team or the NHL will not count for the duration of the suspension as long as the player is not receiving his salary; however, teams must keep enough payroll space available to be able to accept the player should his suspension end immediately.
/QUOTE]

https://thehockeywriters.com/8-ways-to-legally-circumvent-the-nhl-salary-cap/

Where is PSK when you need him?

PedroSpecialK · Jan 29, 2018

It's a bit trickier than normal due to Marchand's repeat offender status, and actually helps the B's in that sense. First time offenders forfeit 1 day's salary per game suspended, whereas repeats get 1 game's salary.

The Bruins can operate with (5/82)* $6.125m = $373,475 in supplemental cap space to play with come deadline day, which is 41 days away from the end of the season. That prorates out to ~$1.7m in deadline cap space, in addition to the ~$5.1m the B's were already on track for.

Big picture, the league should really not give teams cap relief for repeat offender salaries, but that's another story.

Eddie Jurak · Jan 29, 2018

PedroSpecialK said:
Big picture, the league should really not give teams cap relief for repeat offender salaries, but that's another story.

"Hey, Brad! It's Don. We need a bit more cap space for our deadline moves. Can you take a few cheap shots tonight? Thanks."

RetractableRoof · Feb 2, 2018

I was just wandering around the interwebs and took a moment to look at the NHL standings... damn. And with a couple of games in hand as well. After the way this season started I just can't get over that they are 5 points behind Tampa for the Conference, and fourth in the league behind Tampa. Where the heck did this come from??? I didn't see this coming this season, not knowing how they were going to respond to Cassidy from the start of the season. I know they were *forced* to play a lot of youth this year - especially given the early time missed by some of the veterans - but I wasn't expecting this much collective playing time for them either.

Fun to watch, and effective in the standings as well. And for just the right hint of deliciousness that Montreal team is no where to be found at this point. (I just hope they don't bottom out - I'd rather they not get a real high draft pick.)

RetractableRoof · Feb 2, 2018

I think that is where I went wrong in some ways. Injuries aside, I closed last year thinking they were what they were and didn't see the depth coming to make a difference given the cap situation. I had my fingers crossed that some youth (Bjork, and perhaps one D) would help, but not to the extent it has. The question to me is what is the real Bruins team? Was last year injuries as you say (and some under performing under Claude?) leading to this year returning to its actual level supported by the injection of youth, or is this team over performing with an unsustainable level by the kids? Or is it somewhere in between and this is a high water mark for the season?

I don't know the answer, but I see an awful lot of things going right (which can snowball and build just as much as a negative spiral). Spooner is playing well, is this the real him? The goalies are playing well in a way I had accepted Rask was no longer going to provide. The D is getting it done for the most part when I thought they were going to be more porous. The offensive top line is one of the top 5 in the league I guess - and there isn't anyone really playing over their head on that line. It's the consistency that is fun to watch. The rest of the lines are balanced, in a way where if I had hoped for that performance to start the year it would have felt like I was being a homer wearing rose colored glasses.

Real fun to watch, and especially to see it play out going forward.

TSC · Feb 4, 2018

This team is legit.

twothousandone · Feb 4, 2018

In getting outworked, outscored, out-chanced, out-goaltended, outmuscled, out-disciplined and out-everything-else’d against a member of the NHL’s true elite, the Leafs and their fathers flew home late with one to grow on.

“There’s not a lot of holes in their game,” Toronto defenceman Morgan Rielly confirmed.

“No question, we’re chasing them right now and we want to get to where they’re at,” Leafs defenceman Connor Carrick said.

Salem's Lot · Feb 4, 2018

Wow as impressed as I was watching that live last night, I'm even more impressed now. I forgot it was their fathers' trip weekend. So they played Toronto without Marchand and a rusty McAvoy, and they kicked their ass in front of their dads. That's legit.

LogansDad · Feb 4, 2018

Yeah, this isn't the same team that lost 3 out of 4 point against Toronto in November.

I also don't think, if this was indeed a first round playoff preview, that the Bruins dominate a series and crush Toronto. There's quite a bit of talent on that team, and I suspect a playoff matchup could be pretty epically entertaining.

lexrageorge · Feb 5, 2018

Boston fans now turn their sad and downtrodden eyes to the spoked-B. Their play this season has been one of the more under-the-radar stories this winter. Consider me fully on board the bandwagon.

kbourdon · Feb 5, 2018

Who is on the no trade list for Nash?

TSC · Feb 5, 2018

Carolina is sinking and potentially selling. Lots of discord in that organization.

I know left D isn't a position of weakness, but Noah Hanifin may be a good buy low candidate. He hasn't looked great this season, and he's an RFA due for a big (potentially unearned at this point) raise. Canes also have Slavin and Pesce so it's not like they'd be selling all their talent.

veritas · Feb 5, 2018

What do people think they should do with Spooner? Between his breakout and Krejci's ongoing frailty, I think it'd be a huge gamble to trade him without getting a 2C back. As much as I like Riley Nash, they'd be a Krejci injury from him/Backes/Czarnik/JFK at 2C, and those are all terrifying options for a contending team. It would have sounded crazy last season, but I'm much more comfortable with Spooner than any of those guys.

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