233 replies to this topic

[FL4WL3SS]

Doan is more than a 3rd line player.

[BostonFanInCanesLand]

Doan is more than a 3rd line player.

Agreed and like I said I'd like to have him on the Bruins. The spot up for grabs right now appears to be 3rd line wing (as long as Horton makes it back to the 1st line) but you're right, they could switch the lines around.

[Manzivino]

Doan is the perfect addition to the roster precisely because it would result in a top 6 wing playing on the third line; adding any top 6 forward would for that matter. The thought of a Peverley-Kelly-Doan/Horton/"Top 6 wing X line" going up against bottom pair defensemen every night is a six-to-midnighter. Then you carry Caron as the 13th forward and let him force Paille to the pressbox ala 2010-11 Marchand, sign a Mottau on the cheap as the 7th D, and pray for good health as you roll to a top-2 seed.

[FL4WL3SS]

I like the cut of your jib.

[j44thor]

Doan is more than a 3rd line player.

Doan is also a 35+ and will probably not be signing a 1-2yr deal. I like him a lot don't get me wrong but not at 3+yrs with an unmovable hit.
I'd rather take a chance on Rolston for 1yr 1-2M (doubt he gets any other offers) and conserve cap space to extend Marchand/Seguin and to a lesser extend Lucic next season.
This would also give the B's plenty of flexibility in terms of deadline moves in the event Horton needs to be replaced mid-season.

Rolston is not the sexy pick but he might just be the ideal fit. Someone cheap who knows the system and can play well in it and will likely need a breather at some point allowing Caron and possibly even Knight time. This of course assumes you get him on a 1yr deal which I don't think will be hard.
Plus he can play the point on the PP allowing you to ease Hamilton in that roll since we know Claude does not like to play rookies on PP and you have limited options back there otherwise.

[cshea]

http://www.boston.co...ndex_BruinsBlog

Before accepting Minnesota’s contract, Parise received a significant offer from the Bruins, according to a source familiar with the negotiations. It is unknown how closely Boston’s bid approached Minnesota’s.

Nothing earth shattering here, but I find it somewhat interesting they made a "significant" offer to Parise.

[FL4WL3SS]

Hey, maybe they now make the smarter deal and sign Doan.

[RedOctober3829]

Hey, maybe they now make the smarter deal and sign Doan.

Doan is on record saying he wants to stay out West. Whether that means what it says or if that signals he needs to be overpaid to come East is another issue.

[FL4WL3SS]

Yeah, I get the deck is stacked against the Bruins, but sometimes all it takes is a phone call to get a guy to reconsider.

Just letting a guy know how much you really want him on the team is enough for them to feel like it's the right move.

[AMcGhie]

Cool little infographic (via Puck Daddy) of goals/penalites during the postseason.

[OldSaintJohn]

Doan isn't making a decision until an update regarding the Coyotes ownership situation. If he likes what he hears (I think the update is coming on the 7th or 9th), he'll be back in Phoenix. If he doesn't, he'll go somewhere else. I expect one of the teams that whiffed on Parise (particularly Pittsburgh) to make a huge offer, but damnit would I love him on the Bruins.

[PedroSpecialK]

The Bruins are in a catch-22 for signing any $3-4m+ AAV UFA.

If they can't move Thimas before the dust has settled (highly likely), major targets like Doan will be gone. If they're proactive in signing a UFA like Doan and utilizing the 110% offseason salary cap, a floor team can put them over a barrel by requiring a decent pick to take Thimas's cap hit as opposed to simply signing an older UFA and inflating his cap hit with bonuses.

The trade prospect of Iginla seems unlikely given Feaster's moves, so the primary trade option for a top-9 forward may be Ales Hemsky if Chiarelli isn't confident with going in-house. That he went after Parise tells me they're certainly in the market for another top-9 body, which makes me question why he'd so readily deal a $1.8m, soon-to-be 26-year-old Pouliot for a 5th.

[lexrageorge]

The Bruins are in a catch-22 for signing any $3-4m+ AAV UFA.

If they can't move Thimas before the dust has settled (highly likely), major targets like Doan will be gone. If they're proactive in signing a UFA like Doan and utilizing the 110% offseason salary cap, a floor team can put them over a barrel by requiring a decent pick to take Thimas's cap hit as opposed to simply signing an older UFA and inflating his cap hit with bonuses.

The trade prospect of Iginla seems unlikely given Feaster's moves, so the primary trade option for a top-9 forward may be Ales Hemsky if Chiarelli isn't confident with going in-house. That he went after Parise tells me they're certainly in the market for another top-9 body, which makes me question why he'd so readily deal a $1.8m, soon-to-be 26-year-old Pouliot for a 5th.

You're overthinking this. There's a huge difference between a Parise and the constant tease that is Pouliot, who I don't think will ever be any better than he was last season. When a guy like Parise comes around, you at least make the inquiry, and figure out how to dump the Thomas contract later. Otherwise, you hold tight with Plan B, which is to build from within for the upcoming season, realizing that the team's cap situation should improve dramatically one year down the road.

[j44thor]

At what point does Semin become a reasonable option. He was miserable last year, got his lowest ice time since his rookie year and still put up 21G 54pts in a defensive system.

I think he gets a bad rap and will end up being one of the best FA signings this off-season. He isn't a complete player but I think his defensive shortcomings are grossly exaggerated and he is still an elite sniper who instantly improves the biggest weakness the team has which is the PP.

If you can get him for between 5-6M for 2-3yrs I think that is a risk worth taking. 28yo 30G scorers don't come on the FA market often. There is enough leadership in the locker room to keep him in check. Just seems like the perfect change of scenery candidate. Last year seems to be his floor so if you can buy low I think he is worth a look.

[Spaulding Smails]

Haha.

Jimmy Murphy ‏@MurphysLaw74

Some rumours floating around that Flames interested in Tim Thomas but not sure I see how that makes sense for Flames crease and cap

In Feaster we trust.

[PedroSpecialK]

Ditto Murphy. Comedy.

[PedroSpecialK]

Time to cry, FL4WL3SS

Doan not considering Boston

The thirty-something captain of the Coyotes was waiting until this week to begin fielding offers elsewhere. He's considered a valuable commodity on the market given his leadership and an ability score 20-plus goals while playing with toughness at both ends of the ice.

Unfortunately for the Bruins, Doan isn't considering Boston as a potential landing spot, according to a source with knowledge of his situation.

Instead, Doan is looking to stay in the Western Conference to be close to his family. The San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles Kings and Vancouver Canucks have been mentioned as possible landing spots for Doan.

The stalwart winger still has plenty left in the tank, and is seeking a four-to-five-year deal that should take him to the end of his career.

Thomas and picks for Iginla [/Murphy]

[FL4WL3SS]

I will weep slowly and tenderly into my pillow tonight.

[Haunted]

So TSH has been a-flutter with "trade for Bobby Ryan". They've discussed Krejci+Caron+1st, Krejci+1st, Krejci+two 2nds, Lucic+...

Is there anything to this or is it just a "it's the All Star Break and there's absolutely nothing else to talk about" situation? I see some talk on a few (non-Eklund) rumor sites but nothing solid beyond Ryan's desire to leave Anaheim.

[TheRealness]

So TSH has been a-flutter with "trade for Bobby Ryan". They've discussed Krejci+Caron+1st, Krejci+1st, Krejci+two 2nds, Lucic+...

Is there anything to this or is it just a "it's the All Star Break and there's absolutely nothing else to talk about" situation? I see some talk on a few (non-Eklund) rumor sites but nothing solid beyond Ryan's desire to leave Anaheim.

I've seen very little reports on Ryan from the typical NHL sources, so I imagine it's a lot of bluster. I know Ryan wants out, but given his reasonable contract, steady goal totals, young age, and high level of skill, Anaheim would want a pretty crazy haul to get rid of him.

[Spaulding Smails]

The DA show had a Ducks beat writer on there last night and he said something along the lines of Krejci + 1st would probably be a top offer and would make Anaheim think, FWIW. The Ducks #1 goal is to get a second line center in the fold.

[cshea]

I'd probably do Krejci and a 1 for Ryan. Ryan's 25, has 4 straight 30 goal seasons on his resume, and is signed to a reasonable $5.1 million cap hit through 2014-2015. Ryan would give the B's more goal scoring from the wing, and be somewhat of a hedge for Horton's health. The center depth would be somewhat compromised, but they can still get by. Seguin slides to center, but if he struggles they'd still have Peverley available to move to the middle.

Lucic - Seguin - Ryan
Marchand - Bergeron - Horton
Caron - Kelly - Peverley
Paille - Campbell - Thornton
Bourque/Hanson/Spooner/Knight

[Dummy Hoy]

Krejci and a first is a no brainer.

I think Ryan is a legit 30+ goal scorer, the Bruins would be trading from a position of strength to one that has questions (Horton injury, true ceiling for Looch and Marchand), and as much as you hate to lose a #1, the draft is a crapshoot, the pick won't be that high (hopefully), and the Bruins have some good talent in their system to where missing one draft wouldn't crush them..

Edited by Dummy Hoy, 16 July 2012 - 04:40 PM.

[cshea]

According to Haggs, old friend PJ Axelsson is looking to come back to the NHL.

Claude is already drawing up PP opportunities for PJ!

[Spaulding Smails]

I will never forget his goal getting waived off in OT against the Caps in '98 (infamous Tim Taylor skate in the crease, my god what a horrid rule that was). I'm surprised he is only 37 I figured he would be 40 by now, I hope some team (not the Bruins) gives him a shot.

[Eddie Jurak]

According to Haggs, old friend PJ Axelsson is looking to come back to the NHL.

Claude is already drawing up PP opportunities for PJ!

If the Bruins had a place for him, I'd be thrilled to have him back.

[FL4WL3SS]

Really? At who's expense? I'm genuinely curious. There's not one person in the lineup I'd want to replace with PJ Axelsson.

EDIT: Sorry, misread your post, you said "if they had a place for him". Still, I don't know that I'd sign a 37 year old Axelsson over some of the FA available to fill that 3rd or 4th line spot that he'd take up.

Edited by FL4WL3SS, 18 July 2012 - 07:02 AM.

[Eddie Jurak]

Yeah, they clearly don't have room. (Other than maybe press box forward who rarely dresses, but that's probably not the job PJ is looking for.) Always liked him as a player despite offensive skills that are a step down from Dan Paille.

[FelixMantilla]

Why would anyone think PJ could come back and contribute after three years away? The guy was cooked when he left.

[FL4WL3SS]

http://espn.go.com/b...gh-on-ryan-nash

Glad to see that Chiarelli is being sensible in his offseason approach. Unlike most people here, I don't want to trade Krejci. I think he's important to the core of this team and love the flexibility that Chiarelli has built into the lineup.

[Tyrone Biggums]

http://espn.go.com/b...gh-on-ryan-nash

Glad to see that Chiarelli is being sensible in his offseason approach. Unlike most people here, I don't want to trade Krejci. I think he's important to the core of this team and love the flexibility that Chiarelli has built into the lineup.

Wouldn't it make sense to trade Krejci for Ryan though? Eventually Seguin would move back to Center which is his natural position. Granted I like Krejci a lot but if this team isn't going to be starting the season with Horton this makes too much sense not to do.

[cshea]

A few items of interest from the Julien press conference today:

- The roster today is likely what they go into camp with.

- Horton has been cleared for contact, and should be good to go at camp.

- 2 teams around them got better, they know it. Will take that into consideration down the road.

[erfus]

- 2 teams around them got better, they know it. Will take that into consideration down the road.

I really hope they don't back themselves into a corner at the trade deadline. I would really prefer they be more proactive about improving the team during the summer. They've made a concerted effort to build defense depth with Exelby and Johnson, and should have some lottery ticket kids that could surprise at forward, but I wouldn't mind Bobby Ryan "parachuting" into the top 6. Maybe they have bad reports on his makeup or something, but the stand pat stuff is uninspiring.

[PedroSpecialK]

IMO if Thomas were back this year, they'd have made more of a splash - with this current crop of players, they know they can afford to go 2-3 years at a time rather than a go-for-it-all campaign on Thomas/Horton's last years. At this point, they have the luxury of playing out the year and evaluating whether one of Spooner/Knight/Caron can approach Horton's value, and if not, what Krejci's trade value is midseason or next summer as they attempt to re-sign Seguin, Lucic, and Marchand.

It makes for a frustrating summer to be sure, but given the team's makeup I'm not disappointed at all with a stand-pat approach. I'm imagining there will be a training camp invitation for someone like Rolston, Jason Blake, or even Eric Fehr as a 3rd line insurance policy.

edit - heck, maybe Sturm would be up for one

Edited by PedroSpecialK, 24 July 2012 - 05:31 PM.