2021-22 Goalie

jk333

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Halak and Rask contracts are both up after this season.

Swayman has played well in 9 games this year. Vladar has been mediocre in 4 games. Booth is available for the expansion draft while Keyser looks ready for seasoning in the AHL.

In a perfect world, the Bruins could sign Rask to a 1 year contract at a few million dollars and pair him with Swayman next season with Keyser and Vladar waiting in Providence.

What are others thoughts? How does it change the Bruins plans if Rask is ready to retire?

Is there a veteran that you would like to see at big $$ or a low priced journeyman?

Are you willing to roll the dice on a Vladar/Swayman pair?
 

Smiling Joe Hesketh

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I would go with Rask/Swayman. Let Halak walk, dangle Vladar in expansion draft.

This is assuming Rask doesn't retire. And I don't think he does. I'd resign him and have him split time with Swayman 60/40, keeping him fresh for the playoffs.
 

burstnbloom

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Ideally they re-sign rask for a couple years and put Swayman in the old Rask role to see if he really is the guy he appears to be. The new NHL is a 2 goalie league so you'd need a second guy anyway. Rask still has a fair amount left in the tank, though I don't get the sense he wants to play until he is 40 yo. If he retires, I'd look at one of Driedger, Ulmark or Mrazek as the successor because I wouldn't want to tie up huge money in a number 1 goaltender with a team that plays this well on defense.
 

Dduncan6er

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Hopefully Rask will take a bit of a home town discount given that he's been on record saying he's not interested playing anywhere else. I'd like to see him re-signed to something like 2 years at $4 million per. This would give Swayman a couple years to get ready to be the primary starter.
 

cshea

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Rask/Swayman in Boston and Vladar/Keyser in the AHL Vladar gets protected in the draft.

I think it's unfair to call Vladar "mediocre." He had a .922 in 4 starts then had to take the 8-1 beating against Washington when the Bruins were decimated, on the 2nd end of a back to back and 5th game in 7 days. He's also posted a .923 for Providence this year.
 

lexrageorge

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I'm with the majority that we can let Halak walk if Rask comes back. Best case scenario is Rask & Swayman w/ Vladar starting in Providence. Trying to get Rask on a 1 or 2 year deal would be great.

If Rask does retire (which remains a real possibility given the fact he battled a back injury this season), the B's will need to find a veteran backstop; betting a late-career Bergeron season on a rookie goalie tandem is risky. Halak would probably be my first choice in that case, but they may be able to upgrade there, depending upon who's available.
 

Ferm Sheller

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I would go with Rask/Swayman. Let Halak walk, dangle Vladar in expansion draft.

This is assuming Rask doesn't retire. And I don't think he does. I'd resign him and have him split time with Swayman 60/40, keeping him fresh for the playoffs.
No need to expose Vladar as they can expose Booth instead. I'd look to keep Vladar as Swayman's back up if Rask retires, stash him back in the AHL if Rask comes back on a short contract, or trade him if they end up signing Rask to a longer deal.

Rask back on a discount (as others have said) with Swayman the #2 and heir apparent to the #1 is the ideal scenario.

If Rask retires, then I'd go with Swayman with Vladar backing up. I don't see a scenario in which they keep Halak.
 

Ferm Sheller

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Rask/Swayman in Boston and Vladar/Keyser in the AHL Vladar gets protected in the draft.

I think it's unfair to call Vladar "mediocre." He had a .922 in 4 starts then had to take the 8-1 beating against Washington when the Bruins were decimated, on the 2nd end of a back to back and 5th game in 7 days. He's also posted a .923 for Providence this year.
Right. He's one of the better goaltending prospects and has much value.

EDIT: For example, this article from last September has him rated sixth: https://thehockeywriters.com/the-top-10-goalie-prospects-in-the-nhl/
 

Salem's Lot

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It all comes down to what kind of contract that Rask is willing to take. I would walk away from anything over 2 years or 5.5 million AAV for him. Same goes for Krejci.
 

Dduncan6er

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It all comes down to what kind of contract that Rask is willing to take. I would walk away from anything over 2 years or 5.5 million AAV for him. Same goes for Krejci.
I wonder if Krejci would be willing to take less if it means Hall comes back. Seems like having Hall on his wing has rejuvenated him. The Bruins definitely took care of him with his last deal so maybe he returns the favor a bit. Probably wishful thinking though.
 

burstnbloom

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It all comes down to what kind of contract that Rask is willing to take. I would walk away from anything over 2 years or 5.5 million AAV for him. Same goes for Krejci.
Krejci is a different problem all together. There are zero options on the UFA market to replace him. I think they need him coming back but it presents a real issue with the 2022 UFA class being loaded with center talent and a huge organizational need. Krejci is by far the best UFA center available this offseason and punting on him means punting the last year on Bergeron's contract.
 

Salem's Lot

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Krejci is a different problem all together. There are zero options on the UFA market to replace him. I think they need him coming back but it presents a real issue with the 2022 UFA class being loaded with center talent and a huge organizational need. Krejci is by far the best UFA center available this offseason and punting on him means punting the last year on Bergeron's contract.
I want to bring back Krejci, but what if he goes to market and gets 3 years $8 million from someone? I would rather play Coyle with Hall & Smith then be committed to Krejci unless it’s a discount from his current AAV and short term.
 

jk333

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I think it's unfair to call Vladar "mediocre." He had a .922 in 4 starts then had to take the 8-1 beating against Washington when the Bruins were decimated, on the 2nd end of a back to back and 5th game in 7 days. He's also posted a .923 for Providence this year.
Very good point. I guess, between the playoffs and a couple games this year, he can get ugly at times. Edit: and I had to watch that awful Washington game!

You’re right that we do need to watch the larger sample and if it stays good, as Providence and his early stint for the Bruins shows, great! Just wonder how he looks long term with the degree to which he got blown up, 2x in 6 nhl games. But true that both (playoffs and 4/11) were very very tough spots, we need to see more, and the AHL results do look promising.
 

burstnbloom

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I want to bring back Krejci, but what if he goes to market and gets 3 years $8 million from someone? I would rather play Coyle with Hall & Smith then be committed to Krejci unless it’s a discount from his current AAV and short term.
I don't think he will get that kind of term and money because he has to sign a 35+ contract. That said, if that happens, I would go with what you're talking about here. I just don't think they have a chance of winning anything without a second line center given Bergeron will be playing his age 36 season. Teetering on the edge of center depth destruction here!
 

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FYI, Vladar is out of options, so if Rask is re-signed next year Vladar would need to get through waivers before being sent to Providence. And he would definitely be claimed.
 

kenneycb

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Interesting. That means he's either on the B's or is traded. I can't imagine his value is too high in a trade right now so it probably makes more sense to keep him on board. Given Swayman's play, it sounds like he's earned the opportunity to stay up as well, which may leave Tuukka as the odd man out if they go with two goalies. I know the Rangers did it recently but do teams often keep three goalies around? Given their combined cost is around $1.5M it's certainly tenable but may probably isn't the best use of cap space.
 

The Napkin

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I can't remember how it worked with Vegas, can they trade him to Seattle with a wink/wink don't take (this guy) type thing? I have a faint glow in the back of my head that they're not allowing that to happen this time around?
 

McDrew

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Vegas was allowed to agree to select a player as a result of traded assets. Seattle is allowed to do that too.
 

kenneycb

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I don't know if it's so much as they're not allowing it or that most of the teams made horrible deals so they're going to be more gun shy this time around.
 

cshea

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They could put Swayman in Providence too. It may be unlikely given his play and run up to #2 on the depth chart, but it's one way to manage the assets if Rask comes back.

I think the original long term plan was to bring Rask back for 1-2 years, Vladar backing up in Boston and Swayman in Providence carrying the bulk. When that Rask deal ran out, they'd turn it over to Vladar/Swayman. Obviously Swayman's performance has thrown a wrench into things in a good way. I think we do still have to caution that he's played 10 NHL games and 9 AHL games in his pro career so he's still an infant in terms of pro hockey. Goalies are fickle creatures.
 

Frisbetarian

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FWIW, it takes ~2500 shots before a goalie's SV% stabilizes. In other words, mathematically, you would have to add ~2200 shots at league average SV% to find Swayman's current true talent level. Now I would bet big $$$ he's better than what that will show, but cshea is correct in that his incredible start is a SSS.
 
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jk333

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Yeah, great info frisbiterian!

So first the Bruins have to figure out what Rask is asking for on a contact; considering he won’t leave the area, they likely only need to go year to year on term.

Then, if Rask wants a 1 year deal, it’s a matter of what can you get for Vladar versus keeping both young goalies and watching their performances.
 

Ferm Sheller

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Yes, interesting. 2500 shots is what, about a full season's (82 games) worth of shots? Seems a little high, but that's only a gut feeling.
 

lexrageorge

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2500 shots seems about right given the number of young goalies that have a hot half-season and are then never heard from again. Carter Hart of the Flyers looked good as a part time player his first year, followed that up with a solid second year, and saw his save percentage plummet this season. He is now at 2532 career saves, giving him a 0.905 save percentage. Closer to home, Hannu Toivonen looked like a keeper after his first 500 or so saves.

As I doubt that the B's will want to start a season as two unproven goaltenders as their #1 and #2, I wouldn't be surprised if either Vladar is traded or Swayman starts next season in Providence.
 

BigMike

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It is an interesting debate, as of course, if you go with Vladar/Swayman, you save 4+ million dollars most likely which combined perhaps with letting a mediocre type of player go (say Ritchie), can be combined to make 6+ million in cap money, and bring in a legit top 4 defenseman, or another strong winger.
 

Salem's Lot

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2500 shots seems about right given the number of young goalies that have a hot half-season and are then never heard from again. Carter Hart of the Flyers looked good as a part time player his first year, followed that up with a solid second year, and saw his save percentage plummet this season. He is now at 2532 career saves, giving him a 0.905 save percentage. Closer to home, Hannu Toivonen looked like a keeper after his first 500 or so saves.

As I doubt that the B's will want to start a season as two unproven goaltenders as their #1 and #2, I wouldn't be surprised if either Vladar is traded or Swayman starts next season in Providence.
Toivonen isn’t really a good comp for SSS bias. He suffered a severe high ankle sprain that effectively ruined his chances to be an effective NHL goaltender in 2006.
 

cshea

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Carter Hart was the cautionary name that jumped in my mind. He's a Philly goaltender though and Philly goaltenders are cursed.

Another option that was mentioned above is carrying all 3 (Rask, Vladar, Swayman). From a cap perspective, it's not that bad. Swayman + Vladar is still cheaper than Halak or a veteran backup. The Rangers carried 3 goalies last season with Lundqvist, Georgiev and Shesterkin but that's not ideal and a headache to manage.
 

Dummy Hoy

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FWIW, it takes ~2500 shots before a goalie's SV% stabilizes. In other words, mathematically, you would have to add ~2200 shots at league average SV% to find Swayman's current true talent level. Now I would bet big $$$ he's better than what that will show, but cshea is correct in that his incredible start is a SSS.
Thanks Chuck...that's good info to have
 

lexrageorge

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Toivonen isn’t really a good comp for SSS bias. He suffered a severe high ankle sprain that effectively ruined his chances to be an effective NHL goaltender in 2006.
I am still traumatized by Let Em In Lacher to look up his stats.
 

yeahlunchbox

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I am still traumatized by Let Em In Lacher to look up his stats.
I'm convinced Lacher was never the same after this game:

https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/199502110BOS.html

when he was in a split position and a scrum landed on top of him. Before the injury he had a .911 save percentage, sat the following four games after this one, then had an .899 save percentage the rest of the regular season and was out of the league after the next season. Maybe it's just coincidence, the first games were lightning in a bottle and it was going to happen sooner rather than later no matter what, but I've always convinced myself the injury he sustained in this game did him in.

I'm just happy to be alive to talk about it after Ray Bourque almost killed 14 year old me at that game.
 

Salem's Lot

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Yup, an absolute screaming line drive I didn't even really have time to process. I was sitting right on side of the scoreboard above the Bruins tunnel and it missed my head by inches.
I’m honestly surprised there weren’t more injuries from pucks in the seats in the old building. There were a lot of spots that the glass didn’t cover.
 

TheRealness

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I'm convinced Lacher was never the same after this game:

https://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/199502110BOS.html

when he was in a split position and a scrum landed on top of him. Before the injury he had a .911 save percentage, sat the following four games after this one, then had an .899 save percentage the rest of the regular season and was out of the league after the next season. Maybe it's just coincidence, the first games were lightning in a bottle and it was going to happen sooner rather than later no matter what, but I've always convinced myself the injury he sustained in this game did him in.

I'm just happy to be alive to talk about it after Ray Bourque almost killed 14 year old me at that game.
Somewhere deep in the bowels of my Basement is a Bruins bear with "Lacher" and "31" written in marker on the back. I loved that guy. Even made me a Lake Superior State Fan for a while.
 

5dice

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Somewhere deep in the bowels of my Basement is a Bruins bear with "Lacher" and "31" written in marker on the back. I loved that guy. Even made me a Lake Superior State Fan for a while.
I'll do you one better. I had Blaine himself write on the back of this with a marker at the Arsenal mall.

41033
 

Smiling Joe Hesketh

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I thought Lacher was a flash in the pan with a donut problem. He came from a very good college program and had terrible fundamentals and mechanics. Sinden dumped Casey and simply handed Lacher the starting job (admittedly, the only other goalie on the roster was Riendeau).

Once they moved to the new Garden with its bigger ice surface he struggled, and consistent rumors about his lack of conditioning surrounded him.

He was a never-was.
 

Gammon_Clark

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I hope this is received well, I just wanted to share this with the community.
My son is a young goalie and is all in, absolutely loves it. We read about Jeremy Swayman long before his first start with the Bruins and had some affinity for him based off of what we read, basically that he’s a good dude, humble human being, excellent work ethic, etc… all the things you’d want your son’s sports hero to embody.
I invite you to watch the message to my son below. In my opinion, Jeremy went way beyond what could have been expected and I hope one day I can meet him and shake his hand and tell him about the impact his message had on my son.

Thank you Jeremy.

https://www.cameo.com/recipient/61fc59e2bf3acae91414ffe0?giftId=620196573972b533e76cbc63&utm_source=SMS&utm_campaign=ViewCameoGiftRecipientSMS&utm_medium=system&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXL9NLTsxNzddLzs/VT9X3ywuzTClw8S/OSwIAxAQJ+iEAAAA=&$web_only=true&_branch_match_id=916467768428647561
 

Over Guapo Grande

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That is awesome, @Gammon_Clark . Thanks for sharing. Jeremy seemed to go totally above and beyond what was required, as you said. It could have been the whole intro, then the outro, without all the jelly in the middle of the donut (Sorry, still have Blaine Lacher on my mind). Once again shows how great, in general, hockey players are.
 

Gammon_Clark

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Yep, couldn't agree more. I never played (one of my bigger life regrets) and this is Pierce's first year playing and hockey culture has proven to be awesome. I'm really glad he found the game and loves it.
 

burstnbloom

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I hope this is received well, I just wanted to share this with the community.
My son is a young goalie and is all in, absolutely loves it. We read about Jeremy Swayman long before his first start with the Bruins and had some affinity for him based off of what we read, basically that he’s a good dude, humble human being, excellent work ethic, etc… all the things you’d want your son’s sports hero to embody.
I invite you to watch the message to my son below. In my opinion, Jeremy went way beyond what could have been expected and I hope one day I can meet him and shake his hand and tell him about the impact his message had on my son.

Thank you Jeremy.

https://www.cameo.com/recipient/61fc59e2bf3acae91414ffe0?giftId=620196573972b533e76cbc63&utm_source=SMS&utm_campaign=ViewCameoGiftRecipientSMS&utm_medium=system&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXL9NLTsxNzddLzs/VT9X3ywuzTClw8S/OSwIAxAQJ+iEAAAA=&$web_only=true&_branch_match_id=916467768428647561
Thanks for sharing and happy belated to Pierce. My son is in his 3rd year and wants to play goal too. I'm making him alternate. We'll see though!
 

LogansDad

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Yep, couldn't agree more. I never played (one of my bigger life regrets) and this is Pierce's first year playing and hockey culture has proven to be awesome. I'm really glad he found the game and loves it.
Not sure how old you are, but I took a learn to play (and skate) class when I was 38, and it was awesome even then. You should totally try it out.
 

The Mort Report

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Not sure how old you are, but I took a learn to play (and skate) class when I was 38, and it was awesome even then. You should totally try it out.
Agreed. I played in a draft town league in CO where one team had a guy who played in the NHL and a guy in his 50’s who had never skated. One game the good guy told him just stand by the net and angle your stick to it. The newbie “scored” of a slap from the other guy. Never seen someone so happy. Also hockey seems to be a sport you can excel at into your 60s fairly easily. Its the best sport in the world. Plus locker room beers
 

Salem's Lot

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Also hockey seems to be a sport you can excel at into your 60s fairly easily. Its the best sport in the world. Plus locker room beers
I would disagree with “easily”. I think you can play hockey at a recreational level into your 60’s if you stay reasonably active (skate a couple times a week, hit a treadmill once in awhile) and avoid chronic pain in the knees, hips, ankles, etc. Both of these conditions get get considerably harder to meet as you get older. Most of the guys I play with are usually done playing regularly by their mid 50’s. Personally, I hope I can play until I’m 55, anything after that is gravy.
 

catomatic

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I would disagree with “easily”. I think you can play hockey at a recreational level into your 60’s if you stay reasonably active (skate a couple times a week, hit a treadmill once in awhile) and avoid chronic pain in the knees, hips, ankles, etc. Both of these conditions get get considerably harder to meet as you get older. Most of the guys I play with are usually done playing regularly by their mid 50’s. Personally, I hope I can play until I’m 55, anything after that is gravy.
I’m 57 and trying to decide whether or not to hang them up after 3 concussions and two pretty serious knee injuries in the last 8 years. Really agonizing about it, frankly. I can see why there’s a cut off around my age though.
 

The Mort Report

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I would disagree with “easily”. I think you can play hockey at a recreational level into your 60’s if you stay reasonably active (skate a couple times a week, hit a treadmill once in awhile) and avoid chronic pain in the knees, hips, ankles, etc. Both of these conditions get get considerably harder to meet as you get older. Most of the guys I play with are usually done playing regularly by their mid 50’s. Personally, I hope I can play until I’m 55, anything after that is gravy.
15ish years ago I would play net in an older men's night in Southie that had a couple guys in their 50's and 60's that still could get after it pretty good. Same in my time in Colorado. It might also be I played with a lot of D1 and up guys who were probably monsters when they were in their 20's and are probably outliers
 

Salem's Lot

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15ish years ago I would play net in an older men's night in Southie that had a couple guys in their 50's and 60's that still could get after it pretty good. Same in my time in Colorado. It might also be I played with a lot of D1 and up guys who were probably monsters when they were in their 20's and are probably outliers
Yes those guys are definitely outliers. And one of the reasons that guys at my skill level (C-Level Rec league) stop playing in their mid 50s is because the only options are either stay in all ages leagues and have to keep up with guys in their 20s & 30s, or go to the over 50 leagues where the majority of those guys that are still playing played in the ECAC in the 80s. It’s hard for a lot of guys to justify the late nights/early mornings and dealing with the chronic pain that comes with that age when you’re getting skated around.