2016-2017 - A Bruins Retrospective

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SoSH's Doug Neidermeyer
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All things considered - I would call this a successful season. The team showed a ton of heart in the face of adversary numerous times. The future looks brighter than any time in the recent past. Charlie McAvoy is the real deal. Pastrnak is an elite goal scorer. Marchand is an elite player.

It sucks the season is over. But as Bruins fans, we have a lot to look forward to.

Fuck the Senators.
 

Smiling Joe Hesketh

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I may be legally insane, but I have an uneasy gut instinct feeling that they trade Rask this off-season. He played well down the stretch and the playoff exit isn't his fault by any stretch of the imagination, but I wonder if they'll use his little dips in play at times this year and try to move him. It would be a mistake, of course, but I wouldn't put it past them.
 

Jordu

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Compared to the mess at the ends of the last two seasons, I'll take this season. In September no one thought this team would make any noise, and through the first two-thirds of the season they were just a little bit better than mediocre.

The coaching change seemed to help, but what impressed me most about this team was that when they hit an ugly late-season skid they gathered themselves up and fought their way to an impressive season-closing run.

Cassidy has surely earned himself a multi-year contract.
 

timlinin8th

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All things considered - I would call this a successful season. The team showed a ton of heart in the face of adversary numerous times. The future looks brighter than any time in the recent past. Charlie McAvoy is the real deal. Pastrnak is an elite goal scorer. Marchand is an elite player.

It sucks the season is over. But as Bruins fans, we have a lot to look forward to.

Fuck the Senators.
Considering that at the beginning of the season I had this team continuing to trend downward while not making the playoffs, this season was a rousing success.

The emergence of Carlo as an everyday D, Kevan quietly putting together a solid season, Colin continuing to develop, McAvoy stepping into NHL Playoff hockey and belonging has me feeling pretty good about the the direction the D is going.

Pastrnak is becoming a star, Marchand is elite, Bergeron is going to win another Selke, and the Bruins have some decent young fourth line options. If the Bruins can get some legitimate second and third line players they could become dangerous, and the youth pipeline showed that there is a lot of promise in the near future.
 

jk333

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I may be legally insane, but I have an uneasy gut instinct feeling that they trade Rask this off-season. He played well down the stretch and the playoff exit isn't his fault by any stretch of the imagination, but I wonder if they'll use his little dips in play at times this year and try to move him. It would be a mistake, of course, but I wouldn't put it past them.
I wouldn't dump him but if they can get a return and use the savings for a forward, it may not be the worst idea. Especially if you think his prime is the past two years and next two years and the Bruins cup window is more like 2019-2021 when he's a 7.5M 33/34 yr old goalie.

Hellebucyk and a prospect from the Jets would be interesting. Also, the Providence goalies had very high save percentages- is that their defensive system? They looked bad when they were up for the Bruins.
 

j44thor

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I may be legally insane, but I have an uneasy gut instinct feeling that they trade Rask this off-season. He played well down the stretch and the playoff exit isn't his fault by any stretch of the imagination, but I wonder if they'll use his little dips in play at times this year and try to move him. It would be a mistake, of course, but I wouldn't put it past them.
I doubt they move him. Didn't the backups go something like 0-10+ to start the season?

The bigger issue is what do you do with Hayes and Beleskey? That is a decent amount of cap space tied up in dead weight.
 

TFP

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I could entertain the idea of moving Rask if they had anything resembling an NHL starting goalie anywhere in their system. Since they don't, it feels like a solution in search of a problem. Don't turn a strength into a weakness.
 

j44thor

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Biggest issue next season is going to be keeping up with the rest of the division.
TOR should be filthy though a sophmore slump could happen.
TB is too talented and getting a healthy Stamkos should make them a contender again.
OTT will be a PITA but shouldn't be much better.
Claude behind the bench in MTL for a full season should lead to another strong season.
FL had horribly injury luck and should be a much better team moving forward one of the youngest minus Jagr.
BUF is still a joke but do have some building blocks.
DET is old and probably a few years away at this point.

B's future looks bright but how they keep pace will be interesting.
 

lexrageorge

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Losing playoff series is always disappointing, especially in the first round. But the team did take a step forward this season. But they could just as easily take a step back next season.

I really hope the front office:

- Renews Cassidy. He was hardly "meh". The fact he couldn't get anything out of Hayes or Belesky says a lot more about those 2 players than it does about Cassidy.

- Doesn't panic. In other words, don't trade Pastrnak for a bunch of grinders and low round draft picks.
 

Eddie Jurak

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I may be legally insane, but I have an uneasy gut instinct feeling that they trade Rask this off-season. He played well down the stretch and the playoff exit isn't his fault by any stretch of the imagination, but I wonder if they'll use his little dips in play at times this year and try to move him. It would be a mistake, of course, but I wouldn't put it past them.
They don't have a goalie if they do that, so I doubt it.
 

cshea

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I think their biggest need is a top 6 wing. They got too reliant on the top line for scoring.

Other than that they're probably OK. They'll probably lose a Miller to Vegas, but they'll be adding a full season of McAvoy and Lauzon/Zboril to the system. No issues on D. The bottom 6 forwards are probably fine. Probably need to trim some of the Hayes and Beleskey dead weight. They've got plenty of options internally. The only thing they really lack is a top 6 wing.
 

DJnVa

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They don't have a goalie if they do that, so I doubt it.
They'd be permitted to sign a FA though. Not sure who's available though--someone like Scott Darling maybe? Blackhawks backup is an UFA, went 18-5, 2.38 GAA, .924 save percentage.

But like was said, that position isn't really a problem, so no need to make it one.

Some other potential UFA at other positions: TJ Oshie, Sam Gagner, Nick Bonino, Brett Connolly...
 

MiracleOfO2704

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I think their biggest need is a top 6 wing. They got too reliant on the top line for scoring.

Other than that they're probably OK. They'll probably lose a Miller to Vegas, but they'll be adding a full season of McAvoy and Lauzon/Zboril to the system. No issues on D. The bottom 6 forwards are probably fine. Probably need to trim some of the Hayes and Beleskey dead weight. They've got plenty of options internally. The only thing they really lack is a top 6 wing.
I think another top 9, if not 2nd line center is needed. Who knows what Krejci can give you going forward, and I don't think they'd want any part of Backes there for a lot of the season.
 

Jordu

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Yeah, this is where I'm at. I wonder if we'll ever see Krejci at 100% again. Without a full-strength Krejci, this team only has one center who can score.

They're set with 3rd and 4th line centers (Nash, JFK, Kuraly).
 

Eddie Jurak

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They'd be permitted to sign a FA though. Not sure who's available though--someone like Scott Darling maybe? Blackhawks backup is an UFA, went 18-5, 2.38 GAA, .924 save percentage.

But like was said, that position isn't really a problem, so no need to make it one.

Some other potential UFA at other positions: TJ Oshie, Sam Gagner, Nick Bonino, Brett Connolly...
I think that if the Bruins are planning to contend this year, they should not be F'ing around trying to save money at goaltender.
 

jk333

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They'd be permitted to sign a FA though. Not sure who's available though--someone like Scott Darling maybe? Blackhawks backup is an UFA, went 18-5, 2.38 GAA, .924 save percentage.

But like was said, that position isn't really a problem, so no need to make it one.

Some other potential UFA at other positions: TJ Oshie, Sam Gagner, Nick Bonino, Brett Connolly...
They don't have a goalie if they do that, so I doubt it.
Would either of you do a Rask for Hellebucyk swap?

The hope would be to free up money (5M) while Hayes, Beleskey are the third center are taking up cap space.

I'd consider it if my scouts liked the goalie prospect a lot and there was somewhere to spend the 5M in savings. McIntyre was terrible in Boston but he was great in Providence too. The big problem is the lack of a free agent winger who is any good. Oshie is the only real target, so he's probably going to get 7M/yr, or more. That doesn't make you better.

Edit: regarding center, they've made their bed with the Krejci and Backes contracts. To add another center while Krejci is on the team... that puts Krejci as a 7M 3rd line center and Backes as a 2nd line wing? Not good value. They have to hope he's healthy or trade him if they want to sign another center.
 

FL4WL3SS

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Cross posting from the game thread.

Can someone explain to me how this team isn't going to be pretty much the same team again next year? Outside of replacing a few of the middling pieces, praying some team takes McQuaid and praying a few of the kids can contribute in their year one season - I just don't see how we're not looking at basically the same team this time next year.

Maybe I'm just not being creative enough.
 

lexrageorge

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Cross posting from the game thread.

Can someone explain to me how this team isn't going to be pretty much the same team again next year? Outside of replacing a few of the middling pieces, praying some team takes McQuaid and praying a few of the kids can contribute in their year one season - I just don't see how we're not looking at basically the same team this time next year.

Maybe I'm just not being creative enough.
I think some of the improvement of the middling pieces will be a full year of McAvoy, a more experienced Carlo, and hopefully some contributions from some of the college/AHL kids that were signed this year. That could be substantial.

On the downside, Chara and Krejci will both be a year older. Spooner is almost certainly gone (as is Hayes, but that's not a downside). There is a good chance they will lose one of the Millers instead of McQuaid. We still don't have a good feel for what Backes will bring. Beleskey will be around for a very long, long, long time. And we're still hoping that the team can squeeze Pastnak's renewal into the cap.

And, one or two less injured defenseman and we're likely starting to get ready to boo the Rangers.
 

FL4WL3SS

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You don't think 70+ games of McAvoy makes a change?
I mean, yeah, but that wasn't my point. I'm not sure how the roster construction is different than what we saw in the playoffs. I don't see many spots the Bruins can improve dramatically, especially at forward.

I get that there is a promising influx of first year talent, but I'm skeptical whenever the strategy is "let's see how the kids play". The only tradeable talent is talent that we either don't want to trade (Bergeron/Pasta/Marchand/etc) or can't trade (Rask). At this point, Krejci is untradeable and besides replacing a few of the 3rd/4th line guys, I'm not sure how we improve the roster.

Maybe I'm being short sighted, but it's not clear to me.
 

FL4WL3SS

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I think some of the improvement of the middling pieces will be a full year of McAvoy, a more experienced Carlo, and hopefully some contributions from some of the college/AHL kids that were signed this year. That could be substantial.

On the downside, Chara and Krejci will both be a year older. Spooner is almost certainly gone (as is Hayes, but that's not a downside). There is a good chance they will lose one of the Millers instead of McQuaid. We still don't have a good feel for what Backes will bring. Beleskey will be around for a very long, long, long time. And we're still hoping that the team can squeeze Pastnak's renewal into the cap.

And, one or two less injured defenseman and we're likely starting to get ready to boo the Rangers.
This is exactly my point. The strategy seems to be - hope McQuaid gets picked in the expansion draft instead of other, more useful resources, and hope that first year players can fill holes and improve the team.

If this was a starting point to the offseason, I'd be stoked, but it seems to be the finishing point. There is no flexibility with the roster right now, I see that as a problem.
 

Smiling Joe Hesketh

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What are they going to do to address the constant failure of the team to play well at home? Never mind the 0-3 record in the playoffs, they were crap at home all season long. I can't think of a more difficult obstacle in building a foundation for a winner than a bad record at home. It submarines everything they do.
 
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TFP

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What are they going to do to address the constant failure of the team to play well at home? Never mind the 0-3 record in the playoffs, they were crap at home all season long. I can't think of a more difficult obstacle in building a foundation for a winner than a bad record at home. It submarines everything they do.
They were 23-17-1 at home this year and 21-14-6 on the road.
 

j44thor

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They were 23-17-1 at home this year.
That certainly isn't great but weren't most of the home issues early in the season under Claude? Could just as easily be SSS as well.
I do hope they give Cassidy a shot next year. Obv some things to work in like the way too many too many men, and he could tighten up the defensive structure a bit but he seemed to let players play to their strengths instead of shoehorning them into his system.
 

cshea

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This is exactly my point. The strategy seems to be - hope McQuaid gets picked in the expansion draft instead of other, more useful resources, and hope that first year players can fill holes and improve the team.

If this was a starting point to the offseason, I'd be stoked, but it seems to be the finishing point. There is no flexibility with the roster right now, I see that as a problem.
I think this is kind of the begining of what they're trying to do. Sweeney took over and said they want to be a draft and development team. He spent the first offseason nuking the team to acquire a mountain of picks. Those picks are now turning pro, so I feel like they're just at the beginning of something. DeBrusk has had a full season down in Providence and by all accounts has played well. He should be in the mix for a spot coming out of camp. Same goes for Danton Heinen who got a cup of coffee in Boston this year. Kuraly looks like a useful bottom 6 player. Senyshyn will be in the system at the very least and could push for a spot Defensively, we've aleeady got a taste of McAvoy and they'll also be adding Zboril and Lauzon to the organization. We saw them ship out Lucic and Hamilton for futures and now we're seeing the futures arrive in the NHL.

I think Sweeney's primary job this offseason is to trim the fat. Find a way to get rid of Beleskey and Hayes to free up cap space and roster space. I think they need to add a winger and it'll have to be through trade. He's going to need to navigate through that and if it (likely) involves dealing prospects, he needs to be to evaluate his own players and know which to keep and which are tradeable.
 

cshea

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They have Khudobin signed for next year and McIntyre posted a .930 in the AHL. I think they are the backups unless something crazy happens.
 

BigMike

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They'd be permitted to sign a FA though. Not sure who's available though--someone like Scott Darling maybe? Blackhawks backup is an UFA, went 18-5, 2.38 GAA, .924 save percentage.

But like was said, that position isn't really a problem, so no need to make it one.

Some other potential UFA at other positions: TJ Oshie, Sam Gagner, Nick Bonino, Brett Connolly...

See right there is why I don;t trade Rask What good is cap space, when the best thing you can go with it is give TJ Oshie 7 years 45 million, or Kevin Shattenkirk 7 years 53 million? Neither guy are bad players, but at the same time neither guy puts the Bruins at the top tier, and both guys are likely to decline pretty substantially by the middle of their next contract
 

timlinin8th

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Maybe I'm being short sighted, but it's not clear to me.
You're not being short-sighted. This is not a team that is one move away from being a Cup contender. There's a lot of pieces that need to fall before this team is close. The upside is that the youth is starting to come up. What remains to be seen is if this FO stays the course or if they make panic moves and prolong the team's cap hell.
 

Eddie Jurak

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See right there is why I don;t trade Rask What good is cap space, when the best thing you can go with it is give TJ Oshie 7 years 45 million, or Kevin Shattenkirk 7 years 53 million? Neither guy are bad players, but at the same time neither guy puts the Bruins at the top tier, and both guys are likely to decline pretty substantially by the middle of their next contract
Very important point.

I think that what the Bruins need to do is have a few of their young forwards develop into top 6 caliber players. In the meantime, they need to rely on Tuukka and their revamped defense (which is actually looking pretty damned good with the emergence of McAvoy).

McAvoy, Carlo, Krug, Chara, and one of the Millers has the makings of a pretty solid core, and there is some decent youth coming in behond that group (O'Gara, Grzelcyk, Johansson, Lauzon, Zboril, Lindgren).

They also have a strong first line and some decent depth in grinder types.

What's missing is filling out the top 6, and that is something they need to get from within. And they do have a number of candidates: Vatrano, Czarnik, Cehlarik, Heinen, Gabrielle, JFK, Senyshyn, DeBrusk, even Spooner. A number of them are already at the pro level - hopefully there is enough depth there for a good internal competition with a couple of guys emerging.
 

TheRealness

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I mean, yeah, but that wasn't my point. I'm not sure how the roster construction is different than what we saw in the playoffs. I don't see many spots the Bruins can improve dramatically, especially at forward.

I get that there is a promising influx of first year talent, but I'm skeptical whenever the strategoy is "let's see how the kids play". The only tradeable talent is talent that we either don't want to trade (Bergeron/Pasta/Marchand/etc) or can't trade (Rask). At this point, Krejci is untradeable and besides replacing a few of the 3rd/4th line guys, I'm not sure how we improve the roster.

Maybe I'm being short sighted, but it's not clear to me.
I don't understand your point. Are you trying to say they suck? Are you saying they have no direction? Your posts comes across as passive aggressive bitching with no real substance to your point.

What about the roster construction is a problem, specifically? Is it the defense? What positions do you think they need to fix? Do you believe Krejci is done as a player (at least 2nd line caliber)? Do you think they will miss the playoffs next year as currently constructed? Or are you just bitching?
 

timlinin8th

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I think Sweeney's primary job this offseason is to trim the fat. Find a way to get rid of Beleskey and Hayes to free up cap space and roster space. I think they need to add a winger and it'll have to be through trade. He's going to need to navigate through that and if it (likely) involves dealing prospects, he needs to be to evaluate his own players and know which to keep and which are tradeable.
The Vegas draft will help here. If a team is set up to potentially lose a talented player (example: Anaheim could be set to lose Jakob Silfverberg in the draft), the Bruins really have only five forwards which I would say they HAVE to protect (Bergy, Marchand, Pasta, and Krejci and Backes due to NMCs) so they have room to protect a forward if they can put together decent packages of prospects plus shedding fat. Give Team X back a Jimmy Hayes that they won't care if he gets picked, plus the futures.

I will reiterate your point about talent evaluation here though - they have a lot of young talent so they can afford to make these moves, but holding onto or cutting bait on the wrong players will screw them royally. This is an important offseason, and I am uncertain if this FO has what it takes.
 

FL4WL3SS

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I don't understand your point. Are you trying to say they suck? Are you saying they have no direction? Your posts comes across as passive aggressive bitching with no real substance to your point.

What about the roster construction is a problem, specifically? Is it the defense? What positions do you think they need to fix? Do you believe Krejci is done as a player (at least 2nd line caliber)? Do you think they will miss the playoffs next year as currently constructed? Or are you just bitching?
My point is that we're destined to see the same team and same result as we have the last three seasons. I don't see a path for improvement this offseason and it's discouraging to me. I'd like to see some progress, but the makeup of the roster is not going to allow that outside of getting some of the kids ice time.

Not sure why you're being a dick, I was simply sparking some conversation and giving an alternative view.
 

TheRealness

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My point is that we're destined to see the same team and same result as we have the last three seasons. I don't see a path for improvement this offseason and it's discouraging to me. I'd like to see some progress, but the makeup of the roster is not going to allow that outside of getting some of the kids ice time.

Not sure why you're being a dick, I was simply sparking some conversation and giving an alternative view.
You're being obtuse and simplistic. They were missing half of their starting defense, including their best defensemen, and best two penalty killing defenseman. They were also missing their second line center.

The fact you refused to answer any of my questions answers my internal question, which is you are just bitching. Thanks for confirming it.
 

TSC

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Cross posting from the game thread.

Can someone explain to me how this team isn't going to be pretty much the same team again next year? Outside of replacing a few of the middling pieces, praying some team takes McQuaid and praying a few of the kids can contribute in their year one season - I just don't see how we're not looking at basically the same team this time next year.

Maybe I'm just not being creative enough.
I think the biggest thing being missed here isn't what the team next year looks like, it's what the team looks like in 3 years.

As someone else said, this team is not one or two moves from competing for the Cup. The best thing the Bruins can do is not make any moves that will damage the team long term in hopes of being slightly more competitive short term.

If you take the long view, the direction of the team begins to look a bit more clear, and rosey. If you're looking only at next season, yea, the team probably won't be THAT much better.
 

TheRealness

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I think the biggest thing being missed here isn't what the team next year looks like, it's what the team looks like in 3 years.

As someone else said, this team is not one or two moves from competing for the Cup. The best thing the Bruins can do is not make any moves that will damage the team long term in hopes of being slightly more competitive short term.

If you take the long view, the direction of the team begins to look a bit more clear, and rosey. If you're looking only at next season, yea, the team probably won't be THAT much better.
If you want this team to beat Pittsburgh or Washington next year, I don't see a path to that success.

However, if they keep the current team intact (minus a Miller and Spooner), and I think they can beat anybody else. There is no magical move to make them better than those two teams, which I see as the best in the conference.

However, they will have a year of development under DeBrusk and Heinen, two players who showed progress (especially DeBrusk at the end), a lot of organizational depth on defense, and the potential to infuse young players like Senyshyn, Zboril and Gabrielle into the fold in Providence.

They won't get to those teams levels that quick, but they should absolutely be a playoff team and could put a real scare into Pitt or Washington next year, and will likely be favored if they play anyone else in the conference.

I don't understand the doom and gloom. They did better than the past two years, and would be playing the Rangers in a couple days if the grim fucking reaper of injuries didn't try to take out their whole defense.
 

timlinin8th

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I don't see a path for improvement this offseason and it's discouraging to me.
As I posted above, the draft actually may help here. There's room to protect potentially two forwards that you trade for, so Sweeney's offseason to-do list really should be trying to capitalize on what the Vegas draft does to talent moving around the league.

1) Identify which Miller you would leave exposed in the draft and trade him to a team that has the ability to protect him. You probably don't get much back but its better than nothing. It also means if Vegas is going to take one of our D it'll be McQuaid who will be left unprotected, which is doing us a favor.

2) As mentioned above, try to swing futures to a team set to lose a decent forward. Try to package some cap fat with those if at all possible. Odds are Beleskey is unmoveable but you might find someone who takes is willing to gobble up Jimmy Hayes (more likely - Ryan Spooner, which doesn't help the cap as much but at least you sweeten the pot with a guy whos time in Boston is done) and if that other team loses them in the draft so be it.

If you can manage to score two top nine wings in trades, JFKs clock is already started so he should see some time centering some line next season (a revamped fourth line maybe) you have a good foundation set to build and be in good shape in three seasons when you have Bergeron and Marchand ending their primes, Pasta in his prime, McAvoy being god status, and Senyshyn, JFK, Bjork, Frederic, Lauzon, whoever emerging.
 

McDrew

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On just a bunch of subjects that have been brought up.

This team went 44-31-7 (95) and got the 3rd seed in their conference, they lost in the 1st round of the playoffs while fielding a team that was significantly hampered by injury.

I think that the immediate future of this team is better than that. I think that they still have a legit first line in M-B-P. I think that Tuukka is still an elite-level goalie. I think that the additions of (2nd season) Carlo and McAvoy will greatly help a D unit that was hemorrhaging goals at times this season. Every minute that McAvoy plays instead of Morrow or Liles will be an improvement. I don't expect him to be Gostisbehere-esque, but I do expect him to grow to be 1B/2A caliber (much in the same role as 2011 Seids).
I also think that Marchand and Pastrnak can maintain what they had this season. They both really took a step up from good to elite-level, and I think a full season of them with healthy Bergeron (his first 2 months were awful) will also be a further improvement.
The place I think they need to improve is 2nd line wing. Krecji and Backes need a solid winger to compliment them. I'm gonna do some research to find some candidates.
I'm in the "trade Spooner's RFA rights" camp. I'd consider re-signing Dominic Moore. Let Liles/Stafford go.
 

FL4WL3SS

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If you want this team to beat Pittsburgh or Washington next year, I don't see a path to that success.

However, if they keep the current team intact (minus a Miller and Spooner), and I think they can beat anybody else. There is no magical move to make them better than those two teams, which I see as the best in the conference.

However, they will have a year of development under DeBrusk and Heinen, two players who showed progress (especially DeBrusk at the end), a lot of organizational depth on defense, and the potential to infuse young players like Senyshyn, Zboril and Gabrielle into the fold in Providence.

They won't get to those teams levels that quick, but they should absolutely be a playoff team and could put a real scare into Pitt or Washington next year, and will likely be favored if they play anyone else in the conference.

I don't understand the doom and gloom. They did better than the past two years, and would be playing the Rangers in a couple days if the grim fucking reaper of injuries didn't try to take out their whole defense.[
Honestly man, I think you were reading a little more doom and gloom into my posts than was intended (which at this point, I think is starting to be intentional).

I was trying to make the point that while, yes, the medium term future is very bright, we're probably going to be icing a very similar team next year with little improvement outside of a few rookies. Maybe that's enough and maybe I am being obtuse (which I admitted in my first post that I might be).

Anyway, I'm beating a dead horse. My posts weren't meant to be doom and gloom, overall I'm very optimistic about the team's future.

I did want to point out, however, that I agree that Cassidy does deserve another season at minimum. I'd like to see what he does with a full offseason under his belt.
 

RIFan

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Jul 19, 2005
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I think that the additions of (2nd season) Carlo and McAvoy will greatly help a D unit that was hemorrhaging goals at times this season
I agree that a more seasoned Carlo and the addition of McAvoy will help, but don't you think the bolded is hyperbolic? D was not the issue this season.
 

cshea

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Nov 15, 2006
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They gave up the 8th fewest goals so no, D hemorafing goals was an issue. They were also a top 5 penalty kill team. Defending wasn't a problem.

I do think the transition game could be better from the D. McAvoy will help big time. Kevan Miller, if he's still here, seemed to take some strides in that area of his game.
 

lexrageorge

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Jul 31, 2007
18,095
Honestly man, I think you were reading a little more doom and gloom into my posts than was intended (which at this point, I think is starting to be intentional).

I was trying to make the point that while, yes, the medium term future is very bright, we're probably going to be icing a very similar team next year with little improvement outside of a few rookies. Maybe that's enough and maybe I am being obtuse (which I admitted in my first post that I might be).

Anyway, I'm beating a dead horse. My posts weren't meant to be doom and gloom, overall I'm very optimistic about the team's future.

I did want to point out, however, that I agree that Cassidy does deserve another season at minimum. I'd like to see what he does with a full offseason under his belt.
I agree whole heartedly with your last paragraph. Finding a different coach than Cassidy is not going to improve the team's fortunes either short or long term. He did everything that could be expected of him, and so I expect he will be officially named HC of the BB by the time the week is out. He knows what he has, and his evaluation of the talent level of individual players seems to match what most here would believe. Look at the playing time of Hayes and Beleskey during these playoffs.

Quantifying the win total for next season's team is probably a fool's errand at this point. There are too many variables with large error bars. And I agree with you that there is unlikely to be a quick fix from outside the organization. So we'll have to set our sights on the team's younger players and prospects improving enough.

Also, let's not just assume that the Bruins have no hope of getting past the Caps or Pens. Making the playoffs by itself is an accomplishment that should not be discounted. Had the Bruins gotten by Ottawa, which they could have had they been healthy, they would be facing a Rangers team that doesn't seem all that scary. The top 2 seeds (by points) in the West have just been knocked out, as was the Atlantic Division's top entrant. Last season's Capitals did not advance past the 2nd round. The Sharks were hardly a juggernaut last season. More so than any other sport, every team truly starts out at 0-0 when the NHL starts its playoff action.
 

McDrew

Set Adrift on Memory Bliss
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Apr 11, 2006
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I agree that a more seasoned Carlo and the addition of McAvoy will help, but don't you think the bolded is hyperbolic? D was not the issue this season.
Overall, the B's were a top-10 defensive unit and a top 5 PK unit. I'm not trying to say that overall they were bad. They did have times, however, where they played like crap for a period or a game at a time, often with Tuukka saving them. I think a few of Tuukka's stinkers could be attributed to a defense in front of him that just let too many good opportunities for the other team through. I also think there were too many times that the B's gave up huge momentum swings by letting the other team score just after a goal (let's say <1 minute). Whether giving up the counter-equalizer after taking the lead, giving the lead back up after tying, or going from down 1 to down 2 quickly, there were certainly a few games where a quick swing killed momentum and possibly shut the door on the B's chances in the game. I'm hoping a more regular lineup and 1 more year of experience for the young kids helps lessen the occurrences of that. I'll admit that hemorrhage was probably a bit strong of a reference.

Side note, since I want to get facts to validate my memory of things: is there any aggregation of goal-scoring by time-since-the-last-score? I'd really like to see how often the B's gave up a goal within a minute of a goal (for either team) during the season. I'm thinking it has to be in the 10-15 range.
 

reggiecleveland

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I certainly don't have anything to add to the very good analysis done in this thread.

One thing on my mind though, is the Bergy, Marchand window. This is as close as the Bruins have had to an elite line in a long while. As I watch lots of hockey the last two weeks, my eyes tell me the Bruins are not as good as other playoff teams 2nd line through 4th. But the pressure these two guys are special and right there with just about any other combination.

IMHO opinion the NHL does not work as a league where making some GFIN moves really work, but if some of the kids can pan out a bit more quickly than possible there is a chance at one more run.
 

lexrageorge

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Jul 31, 2007
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Side note, since I want to get facts to validate my memory of things: is there any aggregation of goal-scoring by time-since-the-last-score? I'd really like to see how often the B's gave up a goal within a minute of a goal (for either team) during the season. I'm thinking it has to be in the 10-15 range.
I just attempted this.

The Bruins scored 234 regular season goals. Of those, 95 of them were followed by an opponent's goal in regulation (I did not count OT goals or the shootout). The Bruins were 31-26-4 in the 61 games where this occurred (and 13-5-3 in the games where that did not occur). The remaining goals were followed either by another Bruins goal or the end of regulation, or occurred in overtime.

The average time between these goals was 8:48. This includes situations where the Bruins goal and the opponents goal happened in different periods.

60 of those 95 goals were followed by opponents goals in the same period. The Bruins were 22-20-3 in those games where this occurred. Average time between goals when they happened in the same period is 4:53. Not surprising that the average time between goals is lower in this case.

There were 19 instances where a Bruins goal was followed by an opponent's goal in less than 2 minutes, and in 10 of those the gap was less than 1 minute (spot on prediction). What's interesting is that 10 of those 19 goals that were less than 2:00 apart and 6 of those 10 goals that were less than 1 minute apart happened in the final 15 games.

I have no idea how these numbers stack up against the competition. I also did not attempt to track quick-strike goals by the opposition where the opponent scores multiple goals in a short period of time.