2021 Trade Deadline

cshea

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We've got some trade deadline strategy discussion in the game thread, so figured we could use a dedicated thread. The deadline is 2 weeks from today.

According to Cap Friendly, the Bruins are projected to have roughly $3.5 million in cap space on that day. The injuries and Covid situation has forced a ton of call-ups that has eaten into what they had banked early in the season. It isn't as much as anticipated but it is enough to do some real business if they wanted to.

In terms of inventory, the Bruins have every one of their picks in the next 3 drafts available plus an extra 7th round pick this year from Toronto. The farm system is bottom 5 in the league. I would say their top prospects in no particular order are currently Studnicka, Vaakanainen, Vladar, Swayman, Lauko, Lohrei.

If they went the selling route, the UFA's are Kuraly, Miller, Krejci, Rask, Halak. Krejci and Rask have some no-trade protection. It looks like for Krejci it's half the league, Rask is 15 teams he'd OK. That said, Rask has threatened retirement if traded so he kind of has a full no-move unless something has changed.

I think at this point I'm in a holding pattern. If Kuraly gets off the Covid list, I'd shop him around for a mid to late round draft pick. I feel like he's the kind of guy that'd be easy to move at the deadline. He's got the intangibles, big goals type label on him. If they start slipping more over the next 7-10 days, I'd put some feelers out on Halak. I'm not sure what the goalie market looks like this season but with Covid hovering over every team, I think they could get a pick for him. That also would free up the net for Vladar to continue getting his feet wet. Then at the end of the year they'd have a better idea if Vladar is in their NHL plans for next season. Between Halak and Kuraly maybe they grab an extra pick or two and head into the offseason with tons of cap space (almost $30 million) and a few extra assets to work with.
 

NYCSox

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That's fine but you have to be mindful of the expansion draft so the ultimate price may be what you give up in the trade plus what you lose in the draft.
 

cshea

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Nashville is 7-3-0 in their last 10 games and is back in a playoff spot. I'm not sure they'll be moving Ekholm anymore.
 

Salem's Lot

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I think this is a great time to sell veterans for future assets. Not only do they have several pieces that other teams could use, but they might even be able to sneak into the playoffs anyway while giving consistent ice time to guys like Studnicka, Frederic, and Senyshyn to determine whether they can play at the NHL level well enough to be in the long term plans.
 

Maximus

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I think this is a great time to sell veterans for future assets. Not only do they have several pieces that other teams could use, but they might even be able to sneak into the playoffs anyway while giving consistent ice time to guys like Studnicka, Frederic, and Senyshyn to determine whether they can play at the NHL level well enough to be in the long term plans.
We've got some trade deadline strategy discussion in the game thread, so figured we could use a dedicated thread. The deadline is 2 weeks from today.

According to Cap Friendly, the Bruins are projected to have roughly $3.5 million in cap space on that day. The injuries and Covid situation has forced a ton of call-ups that has eaten into what they had banked early in the season. It isn't as much as anticipated but it is enough to do some real business if they wanted to.

In terms of inventory, the Bruins have every one of their picks in the next 3 drafts available plus an extra 7th round pick this year from Toronto. The farm system is bottom 5 in the league. I would say their top prospects in no particular order are currently Studnicka, Vaakanainen, Vladar, Swayman, Lauko, Lohrei.

If they went the selling route, the UFA's are Kuraly, Miller, Krejci, Rask, Halak. Krejci and Rask have some no-trade protection. It looks like for Krejci it's half the league, Rask is 15 teams he'd OK. That said, Rask has threatened retirement if traded so he kind of has a full no-move unless something has changed.

I think at this point I'm in a holding pattern. If Kuraly gets off the Covid list, I'd shop him around for a mid to late round draft pick. I feel like he's the kind of guy that'd be easy to move at the deadline. He's got the intangibles, big goals type label on him. If they start slipping more over the next 7-10 days, I'd put some feelers out on Halak. I'm not sure what the goalie market looks like this season but with Covid hovering over every team, I think they could get a pick for him. That also would free up the net for Vladar to continue getting his feet wet. Then at the end of the year they'd have a better idea if Vladar is in their NHL plans for next season. Between Halak and Kuraly maybe they grab an extra pick or two and head into the offseason with tons of cap space (almost $30 million) and a few extra assets to work with.

This. I'd be marketing Kuraly, Wagner and Halak and let Vldar & the kids play. I still think we will make the playoffs as a 4 or maybe 3 seed but I am doubtful that we are getting out of our division vs. the Caps or Islanders. With that said, if we can find a real competent scoring impact RW or LD, I would add, but it has to make sense with the implications for the upcoming draft.
 

Salem's Lot

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This. I'd be marketing Kuraly, Wagner and Halak and let Vldar & the kids play. I still think we will make the playoffs as a 4 or maybe 3 seed but I am doubtful that we are getting out of our division vs. the Caps or Islanders. With that said, if we can find a real competent scoring impact RW or LD, I would add, but it has to make sense with the implications for the upcoming draft.
I would include Krejci & Ritchie in there as well. Some team may overpay for one of them. It would have to be a big overpay for Ritchie given his age and production.
 

cshea

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I think trading Krejci would be extremely difficult. Not impossible, but there are challenges. He has a no-trade (15 teams he would OK). Secondly, his $7.25 million cap hit brings in a lot of hurdles. Currently, there are 14 teams using LTIR which essentially means dollar in, dollar out in trades. Those 14 teams are primarily the contenders. The only non-LTIR team that maybe works is Carolina (Krejci makes his offseason home in South Carolina).They are also budget conscious so adding the actual cash he's owed may not be feasible He's getting paid $7 million in salary this season so it's a sizeable cash commitment to bring him in. A trade with an LTIR team basically means the salary has to match on either side.

If they did sell, I don't think it would go much past Kuraly and maybe Halak. They don't have much else to offer that makes sense.
 

Maximus

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I would include Krejci & Ritchie in there as well. Some team may overpay for one of them. It would have to be a big overpay for Ritchie given his age and production.
Yes, I forgot about Ritchie too. I'm a big Krejci guy, his puck handling, creation and playmaking ability is special. We haven't been able to provide him with a top 6 RW since Nathan Horton. I hope we sign him at a hometown discount contract next year and he finishes his career here.
 
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veritas

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Hampus Lindholm would be an interesting target. He's out for a few more weeks with a broken wrist, but signed through next season, so he would not be a rental. Anaheim is awful, and they could be interested in selling him if they don't have plans on giving him a long term deal.

I'm not as confident as I was in this team earlier in the season, but I still think that a top pair guy to play with McAvoy drastically changes this team and makes them a legit contender. Grz can get softer matchups where he absolutely dominates, and it pushes a bad defenseman to the bench.

As for what it would cost? I have no idea, to be honest. Debrusk and a 1st? I would do that, I'm not sure it's enough.
 

Murby

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I would include Krejci & Ritchie in there as well. Some team may overpay for one of them. It would have to be a big overpay for Ritchie given his age and production.
I have been thinking about Ritchie in terms of what they think of him. Is this the kind of guy you sell high on right now? I'd be curious of what they think long-term with him.
 

The Napkin

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1 goal, 1 assist (both in the Buffalo game), -2, 4 PIM in his last 10. Is that still selling high?
 

cshea

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Ritchie is a 4th line LW, PP specialist. Unfortunately, circumstances have dictated that he be our 2LW all season.
 

durandal1707

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The team's top priority right now should be building around the future of McAvoy and Pastrnak. No short-term trade is going to put this current team over the top and it will only further impoverish the farm system. As much as I'd like to see Patrice Bergeron get another shot at winning the Cup, it's just far too unlikely this year and not worth spending that many draft picks and the lean years that surely result afterward.

Unfortunately, it feels like "a year too late" to sell many of this team's players. Krejci has fallen off a cliff, and DeBrusk has proven that long scoring droughts are just part of his game.

Also, how does the expansion draft figure into deadline deals this year? I have to wonder if it might be better to wait until after the expansion draft to see what the team's needs will be.
 

cshea

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They have to factor the expansion draft ramifications for any player acquired with term. Forecasting as best we can, they probably have slots available for protection at F but not D.
 

FL4WL3SS

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The team is going to be in dark times after this year for a season or two. They have a ton of pending FA and the expansion draft. I think it's best to sell off somd pieces and hope for the best the rest of the way in. After the hot start, this team is exactly who I thought they were.

I don't think Don has it in him to completely rebuild the team. He inherited a really good core and hasn't done much to improve the team overall. With so much cap space next year, it's going to either be a big hit or some very lean years.

Sell for picks.
 

Dummy Hoy

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The team is going to be in dark times after this year for a season or two. They have a ton of pending FA and the expansion draft. I think it's best to sell off somd pieces and hope for the best the rest of the way in. After the hot start, this team is exactly who I thought they were.

I don't think Don has it in him to completely rebuild the team. He inherited a really good core and hasn't done much to improve the team overall. With so much cap space next year, it's going to either be a big hit or some very lean years.

Sell for picks.
You thought they were going to be down to their 11th defenseman?
You thought Rask would be hurt?
You thought Craig Smith (a signing lauded throughout the league) would have 6 points?
You thought Krejci would fall into the hole in the Springfield Mystery Spot?

I'm impressed.
 

NYCSox

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You thought they were going to be down to their 11th defenseman?
You thought Rask would be hurt?
You thought Craig Smith (a signing lauded throughout the league) would have 6 points?
You thought Krejci would fall into the hole in the Springfield Mystery Spot?

I'm impressed.
11 points for Smith (6G, 5A) but your post otherwise holds.
 

Dummy Hoy

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And I'm sorry, I'm not trying to give you shit @FL4WL3SS ...you know I respect your hockey opinions. And you're far from the only one focasting doom around here.

I just think this is a team that when healthy has shown it can play with anyone in the league (yes, the defending Cup champs are a bit of a step up, but that's the case for every team in the league). I'm amenable to selling because I don't think they're going to be healthy this year, and given they're going to have a fairly major restructuring next season, might as well acquire some pieces going forward. I think there's still a group to build a cup contender around for the next couple of years if Rask is back and they get a few more parts (and they'll have the $$).

But at the same time, how do you go to that room and tell Bergeron you're giving up on the season?
 

TSC

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Let's not forget, their projected 2nd line RW has played 1.5 games this year. A lot of people (maybe just me) were expecting a bit of a breakout year for him. Kase is someone who, when healthy, is a 20-25 goal scorer.
 

NYCSox

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Let's not forget, their projected 2nd line RW has played 1.5 games this year. A lot of people (maybe just me) were expecting a bit of a breakout year for him. Kase is someone who, when healthy, is a 20-25 goal scorer.
That part is pretty much in doubt. Now watch him play 80 for Seattle next year.
 

Haunted

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I was a lot more down on the team prior to the beginning than most were, apparently, and I agree more or less with FL4WL3SS.


The prospect cupboard is more or less picked clean, so I'm not sure what they'd reasonably have to offer anyway. I'd rather build around McAvoy, Pastrnak, DeBrusk (I may be on an island here but Id do not want to give up on him yet) and some of the other younger players. Trade away what you can this deadline and see if you can build back up.
 

FL4WL3SS

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You thought they were going to be down to their 11th defenseman?
You thought Rask would be hurt?
You thought Craig Smith (a signing lauded throughout the league) would have 6 points?
You thought Krejci would fall into the hole in the Springfield Mystery Spot?

I'm impressed.
No hard feelings mate. The truth is, and I said it at the beginning of the season, they needed to stay healthy because they had zero margin for error there and it's coming to fruition. The team was just not built for depth. It sucks, but I think they have a really good opportunity to sell a few pieces to help them restock for next year and beyond.
 

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The Flyers waived Shayne Gostisbehere.

He's three years from his breakout 65point season - but he hasn't exactly had great coaches or support around on the Flyers.

No way the Bruins kick the tires, right?
 

cshea

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I don't think it's a bad idea, but they don't really have anything to sell. I think Kuraly is the only realistic option and the most that'll get them is a mid-round pick.

Rask, Krejci and Halak are UFA's. I think Rask is virtually untradeable. He's injured and over the summer made comments suggesting he'd retire if the Bruins traded him. Rask's injury probably means Halak can't go anywhere. They could sell Kuraly but it's not a full on punt job. They aren't going to turn the keys over to Vladar/Swayman so soon if Rask is still injured.

That leaves Krejci. I think there would be a market for him, but it's a tough trade to pull off. He is making $7 million in cash with a $7.25 million cap hit. He also has a 16 team no-trade. Eric Staal just returned a 3rd and a 5th. Krejci's value would probably be somewhere north of that, but not much higher. Moving him would be a complete white flag on the season , IMO. I don't know how they go to the locker room with it. I suppose they could go to Krejci, work with him and let him know they are interested in bringing him back after the season but that feels very, very unlikely.
 

Salem's Lot

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I would claim him. If he plays well, he helps down the stretch, then maybe they can package an asset to get Seattle to take him instead of one of their young guys.
 

cshea

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I would claim him. If he plays well, he helps down the stretch, then maybe they can package an asset to get Seattle to take him instead of one of their young guys.
That seems like bad management. Pick a guy off waivers, hope he plays well enough that an expansion team is interested, then spending an asset to try and get rid of the player. Essentially you're trading something for Gostisbehere.. not picking him up for free.

If they claim him, the worst case scenario (and probably the most likely outcome) is he sucks and they are stuck with him for 2 more years. Between him and Moore, that's $7.25 million in dead cap space for the next 2 years. That's a risk I'm unwilling to take. I'm all for throwing shit against the wall, but this shit would stick and can't be cleaned up easily if it doesn't work.
 

The B’s Knees

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As much as the idea of a deadline trade stirs conversation and rumors, I’m thinking this team should just make a run with what they have.

As it stands now, they are a playoff team (with flaws), but they shouldn’t be selling assets. Any team can win on any given day. Tampa just lost 3 straight, but they are still cup favorites. Earlier in the season this team was perceived as one of the best in the league.

They are a one-line scoring team with steady defense and goaltending. If another line gets hot in the playoffs they can be dangerous. I’m not saying they’ll win it all, but I could still see them coming out of the division on top.
 

lexrageorge

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I honestly don't see Neely allowing Sweeney to sell at the deadline. Even with limited fans, getting a couple of extra home games will mean that it's highly unlikely the people in charge will want to essentially walk away from a playoff spot.
 

The B’s Knees

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Palmieri vs the Bruins: 6 games, 5 Goals, 1 Assist.
vs all other teams: 28 games, 3 Goals, 8 Assists

Not worth a first round pick, but maybe someone coughs up.
Maybe a mid/late 2nd rounder?
 

RedOctober3829

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The Fourth Period's latest on the Bruins activity coming towards the trade deadline.

They are "all-in" on getting a top 6 winger and a defenseman and are currently talking with the Devils about Kyle Palmieri and Dmitry Kulikov.

--The New Jersey Devils got the wheels moving on Sunday when they scratched Kyle Palmieri from the lineup in a move confirmed by his agents meant to keep him from playing to eliminate the risk of getting injured in game action. The Devils took one last stab at trying to get Palmieri signed to an extension, but he seems poised to test the market this July and a move makes sense for both sides.

Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald has accepted his team’s fate and is ready to deal. There are several teams interested in Palmieri, including the Boston Bruins, New York Islanders and Toronto Maple Leafs, and trade talks have picked up since Sunday’s decision. The 30-year-old hopes a deal is ironed out sooner rather than later, so we’ll see if a team steps up to the plate in shorter order.

--The Bruins could be that club, as they have interest in both Palmieri and Devils defenceman Dmitry Kulikov, also set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. Boston is all in, from what I’ve been hearing. They want a mid-six winger and a blueliner by the deadline and could kill two birds with one stone if they can agree to a deal with the Devils. There’s also been some talk the Bruins or another interested club would want to explore an extension with Palmieri before committing, but that’s not presently the case.
There is rumblings out of the Bruins organization that Rask is in his final season and they have poked around on Elvis Merzlikins and Darcy Kuemper.
--We’ll see other names pop up in trade speculation this week – Riley Nash, Michael Del Zotto, Max Domi among them – but don’t be surprised if goalie Elvis Merzlikins is moved. Interest in Merzlikins dates back to last off-season and there has been rising chatter in Columbus lately over a potential departure.

--Merzlikins, who turns 27 on April 13, has one-year left on his contract after this season and comes with a $4 million cap hit. Teams like Chicago, Boston and Buffalo have poked around before and I wonder if any of those clubs have renewed talks with the Jackets. And no, Boston wasn’t a typo. There is some talk out of the Bruins organization that Tuukka Rask is playing in his final NHL season, and that could result in a move at some point. Darcy Kuemper is also on Boston’s radar.


https://www.thefourthperiod.com/pagnotta/activity-heating-up-ahead-of-trade-deadline#.YGyLusjQcIA.twitter
 

Maximus

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Go get Palmieri and an offensively talented LD. Let the kid goalies play so we can see what we have.
 

cshea

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Go get Palmieri and an offensively talented LD. Let the kid goalies play so we can see what we have.
Those directions seem to run counter to one another. "Let's buy, but sink or swim with the kids in net."

I'm still in a holding pattern. I'm not willing to put assets into this team. It feels similar to 2015. That year they spent 3 draft picks on Lee Stempniak and JM Liles. Basically a waste, though I guess Liles stuck around for another season.

If they get healthy and right the ship in some areas, they can do some damage in the post season as currently constructed. I just don't think they are a piece or two away so I'd play the year out and then go to work reshaping the roster in the offseason.
 

burstnbloom

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I'm torn on this roster. I think they are WAY better than they are playing right now but it's hard to want to give up any of the very few assets in the organization to bolster a team that just isn't really good enough, especially with Rask dinged up. That said, this could very likely be the last kick at the can with Bergeron, Krejci and Rask together. They will have upwards of $30m in cap space in the summer to rebuild/retool/whatever but its hard to just accept a bad result in Bergeron's age 35 season.

I don't particularly care for much of their prospect pool so I think I lean towards pushing the chips in. I'd prefer to find a forward with some term like Reinhart. I'd be against trading for a D with term unless they are a significant upgrade on Carlo and I don't think they have the assets to get a player of that caliber anyway. You absolutely cannot risk losing Gryz for nothing. That McAvoy/Gryz pair is god tier and must stay together for a while.
 

TheRealness

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Those directions seem to run counter to one another. "Let's buy, but sink or swim with the kids in net."

I'm still in a holding pattern. I'm not willing to put assets into this team. It feels similar to 2015. That year they spent 3 draft picks on Lee Stempniak and JM Liles. Basically a waste, though I guess Liles stuck around for another season.

If they get healthy and right the ship in some areas, they can do some damage in the post season as currently constructed. I just don't think they are a piece or two away so I'd play the year out and then go to work reshaping the roster in the offseason.
I know they want to make the most out of Bergeron's last years, but I am not on board with them trading first round picks again. If they were able to add someone like Palimieri or Hall without having to trade a 1st or 2nd, I would be open to it (maybe a DeBrusk swap), but I'd almost they rather go forward as it they are, let Krejci go, and use that cap space to make a run at Barkov.
 

FL4WL3SS

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I know they want to make the most out of Bergeron's last years, but I am not on board with them trading first round picks again. If they were able to add someone like Palimieri or Hall without having to trade a 1st or 2nd, I would be open to it (maybe a DeBrusk swap), but I'd almost they rather go forward as it they are, let Krejci go, and use that cap space to make a run at Barkov.
Totally agree, good post.
 

cshea

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Friedman's take on the Bruins in 31 Thoughts

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/31-thoughts-sabres-juggling-multiple-scenarios-ahead-trade-deadline/

He doesn't really know what they do. He said on his podcast the other day, and reiterated it here, that he thinks Rask's health will dictate some of their decision making. They are loyal to the Bergeron core and know they don't have many kicks at the can left with this group. Hears them linked to Palmieri and Hall but may be hesitant to do a rental. Could consider a trade-and-extend or players with term.
 

jk333

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Friedman mentions the Bruins on Hall...

If they trade Debrusk, can’t they protect 4D in the expansion draft? Could be worth it for the right player, someone like Hall could be an addition for this year and next with the expansion draft allowing him to come back afterward.

Debrusk and a second tier asset?
 

Maximus

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Those directions seem to run counter to one another. "Let's buy, but sink or swim with the kids in net."

I'm still in a holding pattern. I'm not willing to put assets into this team. It feels similar to 2015. That year they spent 3 draft picks on Lee Stempniak and JM Liles. Basically a waste, though I guess Liles stuck around for another season.

If they get healthy and right the ship in some areas, they can do some damage in the post season as currently constructed. I just don't think they are a piece or two away so I'd play the year out and then go to work reshaping the roster in the offseason.
Vladdy has been really good while he has been here and Swayman has been getting great reviews in the AHL. Rask would still be solidifying the position this year at a minimum if he is healthy.