I think this Bergeron groin thing is going to be a season-long maintenance issue. IIRC, surgical repair is a season-ender.
2019-2020 Bruins
- Thread starter RedOctober3829
- Start date
The reported plan for Studnicka was to get the Debrusk treatment (one full year) but hes been really great lately in Providence. He's got 9G, 9A in 21 games after a slow start and he plays a responsible game. I'm excited to see him. Gaunce is also intriguing. He could be a post hype sleeper type after taking what appears to be a step forward through 15 games in the A and also survived an assault. He could be a good 4th liner late bloomer type.
Sucks to lose Bergy but its nice to be able to fill in with some players that have legitimate upside.
FWIW, Ryan Whitney says the B’s are very close to extensions with Coyle and Wagner. 6-years for Coyle, 3 for Wagner. I wouldn’t love a Wagner extension.
View: https://twitter.com/ryanwhitney6/status/1199697977234907141?s=21
View: https://twitter.com/ryanwhitney6/status/1199697977234907141?s=21
Might not mean anything, but Whit is definitely close with the local guys and their families. I wouldn't say this is baseless.
View: https://twitter.com/ryanwhitney6/status/1199697977234907141
View: https://twitter.com/ryanwhitney6/status/1199697977234907141
Unless Wagner is willing to take something between $1.5-$2 million AAV to play at home for the next 3 years, they shouldn’t do that deal. They have plenty of potential bottom 6 forwards in the pipeline. They should never overpay those guys. And I like Wagner’s game a lot. He just has a replaceable skill set.
I'd say Acciari's 3/$5m is the best case scenario for a Wagner extension
Would absolutely love to keep Coyle in the fold
Would absolutely love to keep Coyle in the fold
Anything over $1.5 for Wagner is an overpay IMO, I really like him but he’s easily replaceable. The bruins have done a great job developing those types of players recently, Kuraly, Acciari, Schaller. Even signing Nordy for cheap shows it’s easy to find them. And while they might be disappointments, Frederic and Senyshyn seem like they’ll be able to step in as 4th liners next year.
Sweeney has been pretty good about not over extending for the bottom 6 guys, even ones with local roots like Schaller and Acciari. Missed on Jimmy Hayes early on, but has been very disciplined in this area. If Whit is right, and he probably is, my guess is they traded term for little to no cap hit raise. Kuraly is the only bottom 6 guy they have given 3 years to. 3/$1.5-$1.75 AAVis my guess.
Coyle is an important one, probably moreso than Krug.
Coyle is an important one, probably moreso than Krug.
I'd be really interested to see the numbers on a potential Coyle extension. There is so much untapped potential there, but a 6-year contract at age 27 for a guy who has only topped 50 points once would worry me a little bit. I don't know if it's feasible to get down to these numbers, but I think I'd stick with $4.75/yr as my top-end with Coyle. Is that even realistic for signing him? I don't know what the market for borderline-2nd-line centers is these days.
Just for the record/reference:
Chris Wagner signed a 2 year / $2,500,000 contract with the Boston Bruins, including $2,500,000 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $1,250,000. In 2019-20, Wagner will earn a base salary of $1,250,000, while carrying a cap hit of $1,250,000.
Charlie Coyle signed a 5 year / $16,000,000 contract with the Minnesota Wild, including $16,000,000 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $3,200,000. In 2019-20, Coyle will earn a base salary of $4,250,000, while carrying a cap hit of $3,200,000.
Chris Wagner signed a 2 year / $2,500,000 contract with the Boston Bruins, including $2,500,000 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $1,250,000. In 2019-20, Wagner will earn a base salary of $1,250,000, while carrying a cap hit of $1,250,000.
Charlie Coyle signed a 5 year / $16,000,000 contract with the Minnesota Wild, including $16,000,000 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $3,200,000. In 2019-20, Coyle will earn a base salary of $4,250,000, while carrying a cap hit of $3,200,000.
I think Coyle is a pretty underrated player. His lack of PP time has always hurt his point totals but he’s a beast at 5v5 and they’re going to need another top 6 center soon. Anything under $6m/yr I’m happy with, and I suspect given his lack of point totals and possible hometown discount it might be closer to 5.
The most recent comparables for Coyle are probably Kevin Hayes, Brayden Schenn, Brock Nelson. Those 3 all signed recently as UFA’s or entering the last year before UFA in Schenn’s case. All 3 score more than Coyle. Hayes for $7.14 AAV over 7 years because Philly is going to Philly. Schenn got $6.5 AAV over 8 years, Nelson $6 AAV over 6 years.
I’d hope they could get Coyle under $6 million but the shorter term may nudge the cap hit up a bit. He seems to enjoy playing here in his home town, so perhaps there’s a true hometown discount to be had. He’s very important to them as a bridge from Bergy and Krejci to the next wave of centers, hopefully Studnicka and Beecher.
Yeah that's what I worry about. I do see him as that potential bridge to the next wave of young guys, and they don't really have any other options in-house, so maybe you h ave to pay a bit more. But that's a big chunk to a guy who hasn't proven he can be that guy consistently at that level. I'd feel comfortable with the higher AAV in a shorter term deal, but there don't seem to be many deals with those cap hits that are 3-4 years. It's tough, because I do like Coyle's game and think he's a monster in puck possession and going after pucks, but the production has lagged. It's a tough case.
This is what I'd like to dive into. I'm not sure it's 100% that Coyle is more important than Krug. Both are important, and both obviously depend on term/AAV, but I think i might rather have Krug back than Coyle, only because Krug is elite at a skillset that is very hard/expensive to replace. He is 6th in the NHL in total points and points/game by defensemen in the last 4 seasons. Their PP is unequivocally one of the best in the league, and he plays a huge part. I think he's going to get PAID, but I think the Bruins would miss him dearly if he's gone, with no real replacement in the wings. The guy is a points machine. He's also a leader in the room and on the D core, and will be needed when Chara leaves. Crazy that he was a 3 year captain in college, that seems almost unheard of. I think if the Bruins can get him for under $8m AAV they have to do it, and term is the only concern. I'm curious what others thing. I'd hate to lose out on an elite player for a 2nd/3rd line center (obviously I'd prefer to keep both).
Warning: I'm a full fledged Krug stan.
With all the caveats about "depends on the terms," I agree. I think the Bruins are/were hoping that Grzelcyk could give them 80% of Krug's offense for less than half the money. I love Grz, and at one time I thought it possible, but Krug has continued to improve beyond what I thought likely. McAvoy might possess the skill to do what Krug does, but he also carries the #1 defense load. I dont think having him play 30 MPG is an answer.
Grz and Krug are different players. Short and lefty is where their comparisons end. Grz is a better defender and skater, Krug obviously is better offensively. I think Grz has room to grow offensively but I don’t think he’ll ever be a true offensive guy. Over the past 2 seasons, with Krug on the ice, the PP scores 11.8 goals per 60 which is elite. With Grz it drops to 7.8, McAvoy 5.2. Now some caveats are apply here as Krug plays with the horses on the first unit while Grz and Krug get the slim leftovers. I think the bigger question would be if McAvoy could give them something approaching Krug’s power play prowess, not Grz. It is hard to find out though because McAvoy’s a righty and dropping him in is fairly significant change to their structure (which is why Grz got those minutes when Krug was out).
Coyle v. Krug is tough. Krug is the best at what he does but it’s at a position the Bruins are deep at. Coyle is good plus gives them cover for Bergy and Krejci declining. Let’s just sign both.
Coyle v. Krug is tough. Krug is the best at what he does but it’s at a position the Bruins are deep at. Coyle is good plus gives them cover for Bergy and Krejci declining. Let’s just sign both.
Penciling in $6.5m for Coyle and $1.5m for Wagner...
Marchand - Bergeron - Pastrnak
DeBrusk - Krejci - Kuhlman
Bjork - Coyle - Heinen
Lindholm - Kuraly - Wagner
Studnicka
Backes
Chara - McAvoy
Grzelcyk - Carlo
Moore - Clifton
Kampfer
Rask
Backup
Italics indicate RFA status (Grz is arb-eligible)
Assumptions:
Marchand - Bergeron - Pastrnak
DeBrusk - Krejci - Kuhlman
Bjork - Coyle - Heinen
Lindholm - Kuraly - Wagner
Studnicka
Backes
Chara - McAvoy
Grzelcyk - Carlo
Moore - Clifton
Kampfer
Rask
Backup
Italics indicate RFA status (Grz is arb-eligible)
Assumptions:
- Chara re-signs for $2m
- DeBrusk re-signs for $5m AAV
- Grzelcyk re-signs for $3m AAV bridge deal
- Bjork signs a $900k AAV short-term deal
- Backes gets moved with a pick attached (no more NMC)
- Backup makes $900k, likely Vladar or Legace
Backes is owed $4 million actual salary and bonus in his last year (next year). If they buy him out of that last year this June, would the cap hits be $1.3 million in 20-21 & 21-22? If that’s correct, wouldn’t that be a better option than carrying the full $6 million on the cap next year or trading a first to get out of it?
I think if he ends the year healthy and on the team, Backes get bought out. $4 million cap hit next year which saves them $2 million, then an inconsequential $1 million in 22/22. The healthy part, who knows. Can’t buy him out if he is injured. He’s resumed skating and appears to want to soldier on so we’ll have to see how things go. If he ends up injured and calls it a career he probably winds up on Ottawa’s payroll.
There is also the possibility they have to carry over Chara’s bonus.
There is also the possibility they have to carry over Chara’s bonus.
Not that there was any reason to doubt Whit, but Jaffe is confirming his Coyle/Wagner intel.
View: https://twitter.com/bjaffe/status/1199769712407797761?s=21
View: https://twitter.com/bjaffe/status/1199769712407797761?s=21
That would be fabulous. Wags brings a lot to the table for a 4th line guy. 20-52-14 together and operating well is huge for the team.
haha. I would have beaten Whitney to it but I was on the golf course when I got the text!
Hopefully not far, but I'll never be the source for anything Torey Krug related.
Studnicka only played 9:45 today which is a little surprising because I feel like I was constantly noticing him, and not in a negative way. He looks like a completely different player than he did in the preseason.
I'd like to see him stay up for a while even when Bergeron comes back. He's a right shot, they need right handed forwards. A month of playing 10 minutes a night at RW isn't going to kill his development, and is probably good for him in some ways to get exposed to a higher level of competition.
I'd like to see him stay up for a while even when Bergeron comes back. He's a right shot, they need right handed forwards. A month of playing 10 minutes a night at RW isn't going to kill his development, and is probably good for him in some ways to get exposed to a higher level of competition.
Regarding Studnicka’s PT: They were killing penalties a good chunk of the 2nd period, and then had a 4:00 kill in the 3rd. Cassidy also had some shuffling to do almost the entire game: Coyle (took a shot off his lower leg), Marchand (concussion test), and Heinen and Bjork (coach’s decision) all missed shifts for various reasons. And he may have been sheltered a bit given the fact the B’s started the 3rd period trailing by a goal.
I agree that having him play some wing would be fine for his development.
They could even keep Studnicka at center when Bergeron returns and move Coyle to RW.
DeBrusk - Krejci - Coyle
Bjork - Studnicka - Heinen
Heinen is dependable defensively and Bjork has improved a lot in that area so I don’t think they’d be a huge liability. They could also flip Heinen and Coyle which would give Studnicka more of a veteran as well as someone who could step in and play C if things get dicey for Studnicka.
DeBrusk - Krejci - Coyle
Bjork - Studnicka - Heinen
Heinen is dependable defensively and Bjork has improved a lot in that area so I don’t think they’d be a huge liability. They could also flip Heinen and Coyle which would give Studnicka more of a veteran as well as someone who could step in and play C if things get dicey for Studnicka.
Bergy is not practicing today so it would seem he won’t play tomorrow. This feels like it is a little more than precautionary load management.
Marchand is not practicing either. Some are speculating he could be under the weather, but I guess it is notable given the incident yesterday.
Backes is back in a regular full contact jersey.
Marchand is not practicing either. Some are speculating he could be under the weather, but I guess it is notable given the incident yesterday.
Backes is back in a regular full contact jersey.
Does it make sense to just rest Bergeron until they lose a game or two? If it is more than load management and something IS tweaked/wrong-ish, why not rest him until the team hits a bump?
Is there a downside?
Studnicka sent back to Providence. John Moore also headed down on a conditioning loan.
View: https://twitter.com/nhlbruins/status/1201161870268358662?s=21
Clifton loses his waiver exemption in the next NHL game he plays in. I would assume they play Kampfer tonight and then make a Moore/Clifton swap this week. They have some cap hurdles here when Moore gets activated. Backes is cleared to play too.
View: https://twitter.com/nhlbruins/status/1201161870268358662?s=21
Clifton loses his waiver exemption in the next NHL game he plays in. I would assume they play Kampfer tonight and then make a Moore/Clifton swap this week. They have some cap hurdles here when Moore gets activated. Backes is cleared to play too.
Some fun for a crappy weather Monday. LeBrun has the B’s listed as a potential landing spot for Taylor Hall.
View: https://twitter.com/pierrevlebrun/status/1201307437120266240?s=21
Not sure Hall makes 100% sense for the Bruins (need RW more than LW), but rolling out Hall behind the big line would be pretty sweet. The trade template here would be last years Mark Stone to Vegas deal which boiled down to Erik Brannstrom and a 2020 2nd round pick for a signed Stone. Brannstrom was considered one of the top defensive prospects outside the NHL. The Bruins don’t have a prospect of Brannstrom’s caliber, but they could put an enticing package on the table and Sweeney and Shero do have a trade history (Johansson and Stempniak). Maybe something like Miller (cap filler if he ever gets healthy), Bjork, AHL prospect or two, picks?
View: https://twitter.com/pierrevlebrun/status/1201307437120266240?s=21
Not sure Hall makes 100% sense for the Bruins (need RW more than LW), but rolling out Hall behind the big line would be pretty sweet. The trade template here would be last years Mark Stone to Vegas deal which boiled down to Erik Brannstrom and a 2020 2nd round pick for a signed Stone. Brannstrom was considered one of the top defensive prospects outside the NHL. The Bruins don’t have a prospect of Brannstrom’s caliber, but they could put an enticing package on the table and Sweeney and Shero do have a trade history (Johansson and Stempniak). Maybe something like Miller (cap filler if he ever gets healthy), Bjork, AHL prospect or two, picks?
As LeBrun says, how much of Hall's salary would Shero be willing to eat? 50%? If it's 50%, could they do Backes as cap filler (if the Devils aren't on his modified NTC) or Miller, Bjork, Trent Frederic, and a future 1st? If they get a signed Hall, does that mean Krug is gone as they'll have anywhere between $8-$10 million less in cap space and 3 big RFA guys to sign?
Moore is activated, Gaunce sent down to Providence per team Twitter.
View: https://mobile.twitter.com/NHLBruins/status/1201569273992425472
View: https://mobile.twitter.com/NHLBruins/status/1201569273992425472
Moore is what he is, but I'll never have another bad word to say about the guy after he played effectively in a physical Finals with a broken(?) shoulder.
A trade for Hall would be massive, especially considering NJ would have to retain a lot of salary. The Bruins don't have the high end prospect I think it would take, so it'd have to either be a large package of prospects or someone on the NHL roster.
Probably *at least* Studnicka/Vaak, another good prospect (Beecher/Keyser), and a 1st. If we're talking strictly prospects...
Here's a crazy idea that could make sense for both teams: DeBrusk 1 for 1.
edit: FWIW, my money is on Colorado. They have the cap space and prospects
Probably *at least* Studnicka/Vaak, another good prospect (Beecher/Keyser), and a 1st. If we're talking strictly prospects...
Here's a crazy idea that could make sense for both teams: DeBrusk 1 for 1.
edit: FWIW, my money is on Colorado. They have the cap space and prospects
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