Bruins in 18-19
- Thread starter RedOctober3829
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I don’t know why any great player would ever want to play in Toronto. Especially a local guy. Quality of life matters and I don’t know how anyone would want to live in that fishbowl.
Grabner's probably going to get significantly more than Riley Nash in term and money. That's definitely not a choice I'd make.
Yeah I’d much prefer circling back to Rick Nash. Better player, would probably come with less term.
They seemed to really want Kovalchuk and wouldn’t commit 3 years to him so I’m not worried about a multi year deal for Grabner. They probably made a phone call to see what his ask was, and any good agent is going to leak that that team is interested to elicit other teams into the bidding.
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Kicking the tires on a scoring right winger is not the worst use of this pre-FA period. Rick Nash hasn't committed to even playing next season, and Riley Nash is likely going to be seriously overpaid as it is by one of the teams with gobs of cap space.
Edited. Thank you. I should finish my coffee before I post in the morning.What if you want to do it legally?
Grabner is 5 years younger, he'll be looking for 4-5 years.
Grabner is going to get a lot more than Riley Nash
Hearing Don Sweeney, Cam Neely and Bruce Cassidy will be making the pitch to Tavares today in LA. #NHLBruins
I wish they would’ve had a guy like Bergeron in on the recruiting pitch. I know it’s tough with a short offseason but another great player like that could really speak to a lot of the quality of life stuff that players care about that I think makes Boston great for NHL players. It’s a passionate fan base, but people aren’t up in you business all the time. You can actually go to restaurants and places with your family without being hounded. It’s a big city but it’s very walkable and everything is close. Brand new practice facility. Things like that another player can bring to the table.
Who knows...maybe they have a video presentation that includes current players. Tavares and Bergeron have played together for Team Canada for a while so I'm sure they have a good relationship.
I’m sure Sweeney has had some members of the leadership group reach out to Tavares. Tavares obviously knows Bergeron and Marchand from various Team Canada’s over the years so I’d be stunned if they haven’t already talked to him in some capacity. Chara’s probably reached out too, maybe dropped some of his IG wisdom on JT.
I don’t think the players need to be in the meeting. They have 2-3 hours to sell the organization, spend most of it on hockey. Bruce needs to sell him on fit/playing style and Don on the multi-year roster and plan with Tavares in the mix. Cam on the organization/city.
I still think their best bet is selling him on the Bergeron, Marchand, Pastrnak core locked up long term at under market value. They can offer being a contender with reasonable roster stability for the next several years. McAvoy is a big one, but they can do Charlie and Tavares without taking a major knife to the roster. Some of the other teams meeting with JT have more cap gymnastics ahead to make it work.
I don’t think the players need to be in the meeting. They have 2-3 hours to sell the organization, spend most of it on hockey. Bruce needs to sell him on fit/playing style and Don on the multi-year roster and plan with Tavares in the mix. Cam on the organization/city.
I still think their best bet is selling him on the Bergeron, Marchand, Pastrnak core locked up long term at under market value. They can offer being a contender with reasonable roster stability for the next several years. McAvoy is a big one, but they can do Charlie and Tavares without taking a major knife to the roster. Some of the other teams meeting with JT have more cap gymnastics ahead to make it work.
I don't have a lot to add, other than if the Bruins somehow find a way to make this work (which I highly doubt, and am trying not to get excited about, but... well, that's the way it goes), I would need to find a way to flip to calendar to October tomorrow.
Surprised nothing has been posted on the B's signing defenseman Olivier Galipeau, and right out from under our archrival Canadians! Would seem that he jumps right into the mix with our better young prospects on D. Good size and sounds solid in all phases:
https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-bruins/2018/06/28/olivier-galipeau-bruins-canadiens
And here's an older scouting report from a few years back:
Olivier Galipeau captained the Foreurs this past season and also led their defencemen in scoring, putting up 9 goals and 37 points in 56 regular season game. More impressively, he led the entire team in scoring in the playoffs, scoring one goal and nine points in just six games.Teams tend to like a player that produces in the playoffs, but Galipeau had scouts attention well before that. Galipeau was ranked as high as 59th by Central Scouting among North American skaters heading into the 2015 draft, but fell to 142nd in the final rankings when his offence didn’t materialize. He improved his offence this season, but he’s still known more for his physical defensive game. He makes strong outlet passes, with Future Considerations praising his passing and his ability to make simple, smart decisions and play a calm, smooth game, something that not all physical defenders can manage. While his skating was previously an issue, Future Considerations describes him as a “good skater with decent footspeed.” Future Considerations ranked him 151st overall for this year’s draft despite his age. Galipeau’s strengths are mostly in his own end: “Galipeau plays a solid shutdown game in his own end, using his strength and stick to force players wide and eliminate players along the boards. He makes smart reads and isn't overly aggressive with his positioning.” They suggest Galipeau has potential as a middle-pairing defenceman. If the Canucks agree, they might add him to a system that could use another young right-shooting defenceman.
https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-bruins/2018/06/28/olivier-galipeau-bruins-canadiens
And here's an older scouting report from a few years back:
Olivier Galipeau captained the Foreurs this past season and also led their defencemen in scoring, putting up 9 goals and 37 points in 56 regular season game. More impressively, he led the entire team in scoring in the playoffs, scoring one goal and nine points in just six games.Teams tend to like a player that produces in the playoffs, but Galipeau had scouts attention well before that. Galipeau was ranked as high as 59th by Central Scouting among North American skaters heading into the 2015 draft, but fell to 142nd in the final rankings when his offence didn’t materialize. He improved his offence this season, but he’s still known more for his physical defensive game. He makes strong outlet passes, with Future Considerations praising his passing and his ability to make simple, smart decisions and play a calm, smooth game, something that not all physical defenders can manage. While his skating was previously an issue, Future Considerations describes him as a “good skater with decent footspeed.” Future Considerations ranked him 151st overall for this year’s draft despite his age. Galipeau’s strengths are mostly in his own end: “Galipeau plays a solid shutdown game in his own end, using his strength and stick to force players wide and eliminate players along the boards. He makes smart reads and isn't overly aggressive with his positioning.” They suggest Galipeau has potential as a middle-pairing defenceman. If the Canucks agree, they might add him to a system that could use another young right-shooting defenceman.
I think it needs to be noted that the report is that Galipeau is signing with the Providence Bruins, not the Boston Bruins. The NHL is a little different than other sports, if he is indeed signing an AHL deal, the Boston Bruins will not hold any of Galipeau’s rights. A good year in Providence could lead to a NHL deal next year or further on down the road, but he’s not exactly a prospect at this point.
It’s awesome that he told the Habs to fuck off, but the odds of him reaching the NHL are very slim.
It’s awesome that he told the Habs to fuck off, but the odds of him reaching the NHL are very slim.
So now that we don't have Tavares and have made a couple signings, what do the lines look like next season?
Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak
Debrusk-Krejci-Donato
Heinen-????-Backes/Bjork
Nordstrom-Kuraly-Acciari/Wagner?
Chara-McAvoy
Moore-Miller
Krug-Carlo
Grz
That 3C position is still a huge concern IMO. Wagner, Nordstrom, and Kuraly are all 4th liners. Everyone is talking about getting a winger, but they need to do something about their center depth. Contending teams don't have players of that caliber centering their 3rd lines. Not to mention Krejci is a huge injury risk, and Bergeron missed time last year and is getting older.
I don't get signing 2 replacement level guys like Wagner and Nordstrom when you have a bunch of AHL players that you're hoping can contribute in your bottom 6.
Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak
Debrusk-Krejci-Donato
Heinen-????-Backes/Bjork
Nordstrom-Kuraly-Acciari/Wagner?
Chara-McAvoy
Moore-Miller
Krug-Carlo
Grz
That 3C position is still a huge concern IMO. Wagner, Nordstrom, and Kuraly are all 4th liners. Everyone is talking about getting a winger, but they need to do something about their center depth. Contending teams don't have players of that caliber centering their 3rd lines. Not to mention Krejci is a huge injury risk, and Bergeron missed time last year and is getting older.
I don't get signing 2 replacement level guys like Wagner and Nordstrom when you have a bunch of AHL players that you're hoping can contribute in your bottom 6.
I would guess that Kuraly is probably the favorite for the 3c spot. Not ideal for a contender, but I value him somewhat similarly to Riley Nash. JFK, Frederic, Donato and likely Studnicka are all potential youth fits.
I don’t hate it, but they seem clearly fighting for third place given the rosters of the Leafs and Bolts. The Leafs now remind me a lot of the way the Penguins are constructed, but that defense is going to hurt them come playoff time. Tavares going to Toronto really hurt the Bruins long term in the division the way the NHL playoffs are seeded. Wouldn’t be as much of an issue but getting through both teams is a tall order.
I don’t hate it, but they seem clearly fighting for third place given the rosters of the Leafs and Bolts. The Leafs now remind me a lot of the way the Penguins are constructed, but that defense is going to hurt them come playoff time. Tavares going to Toronto really hurt the Bruins long term in the division the way the NHL playoffs are seeded. Wouldn’t be as much of an issue but getting through both teams is a tall order.
I’d have rather signed Riley Nash to the deal he got in CBJ than divide it up between Nordstrom and Wagner. I know we hope the team doesn’t fall in love with the depth guys and extend them for too long, but that Nash deal ended up being way more reasonable than I anticipated. He was very useful in his role, he will be missed. I’d say right now we are looking at:
Marchand - Bergeron - Heinen
DeBrusk - Krejci - Pastrnak
Bjork - Donato - Backes
Nordstrom - Kuraly - Acciari
Wagner
Chara - McAvoy
Krug - Carlo
Moore - Miller
Grzelcyk - McQuais
Rask
Halak
They are better on D and in net, but I still think there is another shoe dropping. I can’t see them beginning the year with those 8 D. I do like Moore as a player, but the 5 year term is crazy unnecessary. They have to move a D for a winger or C. Plopping JFK/Donato/Frederic in as 3C seems risky, and Kuraly is a 4C, I don’t love him in any role higher than the 4th line. Toronto now has Matthews/Tavares/Kadri down the middle and the Bolts can role out Stamkos/Miller/Point. Matching up with those guys is a big ask of the young kids.
Marchand - Bergeron - Heinen
DeBrusk - Krejci - Pastrnak
Bjork - Donato - Backes
Nordstrom - Kuraly - Acciari
Wagner
Chara - McAvoy
Krug - Carlo
Moore - Miller
Grzelcyk - McQuais
Rask
Halak
They are better on D and in net, but I still think there is another shoe dropping. I can’t see them beginning the year with those 8 D. I do like Moore as a player, but the 5 year term is crazy unnecessary. They have to move a D for a winger or C. Plopping JFK/Donato/Frederic in as 3C seems risky, and Kuraly is a 4C, I don’t love him in any role higher than the 4th line. Toronto now has Matthews/Tavares/Kadri down the middle and the Bolts can role out Stamkos/Miller/Point. Matching up with those guys is a big ask of the young kids.
In an ideal world, yes. Trying to lengthen the lineup and spread out the scoring. 63-37-88 will always be in their back pocket.
Why would that be ideal? That seems ridiculous to me. If you have the best line in hockey, you keep it intact and figure out the other lines separately.
As much as I would love for Krejci and Pasta to have chemistry, the short answer is they don't. Krejci can't skate with him, and their timing often looks off together. I just don't see them figuring it out as they have never looked good together.
That being said, the Bruins are going to have to rely on one of Donato, Heiden and Bjork to keep a top 6 role. I think Donato may be that guy, but I could also see him on the third to start things out.
While a trade of Krug seems viable with the Moore signing, I don't know that there is a team out there ready to take him on and give us a younger top six forward back. My gut tells me this is basically the team they will have all year. I don't see a big market for Krug as much as I like him as a player. Columbus doesn't seem like a fit as a trade partner, and I really don't know who else would be available for them.
You could put a cone with Bergeron and Marchand and they would still end up as a top 5 line.
Maybe saying “ideally” was the wrong way to put it, but they need a top 6 right wing to play either with Bergeron or Krejci. It is why they traded for and tried to re-sign Rick Nash, and lusted after Kovalchuk.
Maybe saying “ideally” was the wrong way to put it, but they need a top 6 right wing to play either with Bergeron or Krejci. It is why they traded for and tried to re-sign Rick Nash, and lusted after Kovalchuk.
That's all well and good, but you don't break up that line to do it. You figure out the second line separately.
Yeah agree with cshea, the first line with someone like Heinen/Bjork is still a top 5-6 line in the league. Pasta is good enough at this point in his career that he should be able to carry a line. At least I think they need to give him a chance to do that. He should be able to improve the 2nd line much more than the dropoff from his absence on the first.
And they can/should mix and match based on matchups. For a team with one shutdown pairing, it probably makes sense to break up the first line.
There has to be another shoe to drop. The Moore signing and the depth forwards tells me they are looking to create a package for a wing somewhere and Krug is likely a part of it. Otherwise, they will have at least $4m in the press box every night with their 7th and 8th D. I think the only way to match the other 2 teams in the division up the middle is if one of the 3 center prospects has a big summer and camp. Frederic, JFK or Donato could all have the kind of impact they need on that line but a million things have to break their way for that to happen. I would not want to hang my hat on it, but we might be stuck with that.
Panarin has to be the number one target. His cost will be very high and you with either lose him in a year, or pay him top of the market money until he is 36. He is the only top 10 wing available and a perfect fit next to either center.
Marchand - Bergy - Pasta
Debrusk - Krejci - Panarin
is a top 6 that would scare anyone in the league. Simmonds and Skinner are also options but they will also be expensive and less likely to be anywhere near as good. Simmonds is older (will play this year at 30) and gets banged up alot since he is so physical and Skinner would have to play is offwing and has been dealing with concussion issues.
Backes is likely the odd man out to clear cap room. He has a very tradeable contract for a cap floor team. He's owed $11 million over the next 3 years and his cap hit is more than double that. He just needs to waive his pesky NMC...to go to a cap floor team. Shit.
Panarin has to be the number one target. His cost will be very high and you with either lose him in a year, or pay him top of the market money until he is 36. He is the only top 10 wing available and a perfect fit next to either center.
Marchand - Bergy - Pasta
Debrusk - Krejci - Panarin
is a top 6 that would scare anyone in the league. Simmonds and Skinner are also options but they will also be expensive and less likely to be anywhere near as good. Simmonds is older (will play this year at 30) and gets banged up alot since he is so physical and Skinner would have to play is offwing and has been dealing with concussion issues.
Backes is likely the odd man out to clear cap room. He has a very tradeable contract for a cap floor team. He's owed $11 million over the next 3 years and his cap hit is more than double that. He just needs to waive his pesky NMC...to go to a cap floor team. Shit.
Backes isn’t going anywhere, but his NMC loosens up after next year. He can submit a list of 8 teams he will accept a trade to. Doesn’t help much, but it’s better. He’s likely here through the next two years. Krejci’s is a little better after next year as he submits a list of 15, but I don’t see him getting moved now.
Simmonds is a guy I would love to have here, but after the ROR cost I’m more inclined to let the season play out. Panarin would be awesome, but the King’s ransom for him would be a crazy price to pay with no guarantee he stays.
Simmonds is a guy I would love to have here, but after the ROR cost I’m more inclined to let the season play out. Panarin would be awesome, but the King’s ransom for him would be a crazy price to pay with no guarantee he stays.
They are said to want a top 6 forward a 1st and another asset. So Heinen or Debrusk a 1st and probably a Bjork or Zboril and they wont let teams talk to his agent.
I think Backes has a very attractive contract for a cap floor team, I just don't think he will waive. there aren't many $3 mil cap surplus contracts out there for multiple years.
I think Backes has a very attractive contract for a cap floor team, I just don't think he will waive. there aren't many $3 mil cap surplus contracts out there for multiple years.
Panarin is tricky to do. He’s a left winger, Bruins need a right winger. I guess if you acquire him DeBrusk goes back to CBJ in a trade. Not having a first round pick in back to back years can lead to trouble, so I’d prefer not to deal that away. DeBrusk and a 1st seems steep to me, unless they get assurances that Panarin will sign. I guess CBJ lost Johnson and Cole so maybe they’d be interested in a LHD as part of the package, but it just doesn’t seem like the teams match up all that well. He’s a heck of a player but my worry is you deal DeBrusk, Panarin leaves after the year, and now you are left with LW and RW holes.
Simmonds is probably the best fit out there for what the Bruins need. Right shot power winger, plays a style that would fit well with Krejci. Krejci’s best years have come with a right shot power forward type (Horton, Iginla, Ryder...less so on the power forward with him, but still). Simmonds would be excellent on Krejci’s wing, and net-front on the PP. He is about to turn 30 and has a lot of mileage on him, which is a concern. I’d only want him for the 1-year, whatever extension he gets will likely be a regrettable one for the team. But if he could be had for a reasonable price (2nd round pick and a Cehlarik type prospect?) then I’d listen.
Skinner is interesting. Lefty, but can play the right side. He was a monster 2 years ago, then had his ice time cut by a minute this year and a dip in shooting percentage led to a perceived down year. Curious to see the price for him. He could be squeezed out a bit with the arrival of Svechnikov.
Simmonds is probably the best fit out there for what the Bruins need. Right shot power winger, plays a style that would fit well with Krejci. Krejci’s best years have come with a right shot power forward type (Horton, Iginla, Ryder...less so on the power forward with him, but still). Simmonds would be excellent on Krejci’s wing, and net-front on the PP. He is about to turn 30 and has a lot of mileage on him, which is a concern. I’d only want him for the 1-year, whatever extension he gets will likely be a regrettable one for the team. But if he could be had for a reasonable price (2nd round pick and a Cehlarik type prospect?) then I’d listen.
Skinner is interesting. Lefty, but can play the right side. He was a monster 2 years ago, then had his ice time cut by a minute this year and a dip in shooting percentage led to a perceived down year. Curious to see the price for him. He could be squeezed out a bit with the arrival of Svechnikov.
Panarin is a right shot though and has played the right side internationally. He is also the kind of guy you move some stuff around for if he's on your team. I wouldn't love giving up Debrusk for him unless he were signed but there is almost any other combo of young guys I would give up.
I love Simmonds but he is either going to be just a rental or an albatross. His next contract is not going to age well at all. If the return is what you're talking about, then I'm all in but I don't trust Sweeney to walk away.
To be honest, the Tavares pursuit has me itching to figure out the "next core" and how this group works as Bergeron ages. RNH is an interesting idea to me as well. 3 more years at $6 mil and he'd be a nice little second line center who could continue to blossom but he makes the cap a little fuzzy with all the RFA's coming up.
I agree with this 100%. The problem with acquiring a wing is that all their prospects who can have a top 6 impact the next two years (Bjork, Donato, Heinen) are wings. They have 3 of their top 4 wing spots filled, so that’s actually okay. Center is their biggest hole, in that they have no 3rd line center and their top 2 centers are both older and to some extent injury prone.
I would do Krug and minor piece for RNH. I say this as someone who thinks Krug is undervalued and that New Jersey’s improvement and Anaheim’s collapse last season were largely impacted by evaluators not properly assessing for the impact Vatanen has. I’m concerned Krug could be similarly missed. However, having a 3rd center is probably worth that risk given their defense.
I wish they would have resigned Riley Nash instead of Wagner and Nordstrom for the contract that Riley got. Halak and Moore are good additions and upgrades. RNH, Panarin and Simmonds would all be good options for RW on Krejci's line as long as Simmonds is for 1 year. Panarin's cost would be considerable and I don't want to part with Debrusk.
I'm still so frustrated that they traded Seguin 2 days after the return policy on his jersey expired. I think I've worn that thing once.
Edit: Compared to my Wakefield away jersey that I wear constantly.
Edit: Compared to my Wakefield away jersey that I wear constantly.
Speaking of jerseys, the Bruins’ NHL shop is selling off the remaining Reebok stock for $49.99, I just happened to notice because I was looking at the sweater from the last Winter Classic. Blanks, Tuukka and Krejci (and Beleskey if for some reason you’d want one if those), a few ladies’ models up there too.
Cassidy did a Q&A with the Globe last week, talking mostly about the upcoming season.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/bruins/2018/08/21/with-bruins-coach-bruce-cassidy/i4IJIVI50oZXWbLdSyTMmK/story.html
Seems the plan at forward (top 9, at least) headed into camp is:
Marchand - Bergeron - Bjork
DeBrusk - Krejci - Pastrnak
Donato - JFK/Studnicka/Frederic - Heinen?
At this point, the plan appears to be to give one of the kids the 3C spot, with the fall back options being Kuraly and Wagner. The original plan last year was to split Pastrnak off of the Bergeron line, but that got tossed once they hit injuries. Cassidy mentions Bjork specifically as an option for that line, which is how they broke camp last year.
Defensivel, Cassidy’s not sure where Moore will fit in. He knows they have 8 NHL D, 7 of which are returning and already have chemistry so he has to figure out where Moore fits. They also may have 2 NHL D in the press box every night. There could be a trade if it makes sense, but also says the past 2 years they have been hit with D injuries at playoff time, so you can never have enough depth.
Edit: I left out Heinen.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/bruins/2018/08/21/with-bruins-coach-bruce-cassidy/i4IJIVI50oZXWbLdSyTMmK/story.html
Seems the plan at forward (top 9, at least) headed into camp is:
Marchand - Bergeron - Bjork
DeBrusk - Krejci - Pastrnak
Donato - JFK/Studnicka/Frederic - Heinen?
At this point, the plan appears to be to give one of the kids the 3C spot, with the fall back options being Kuraly and Wagner. The original plan last year was to split Pastrnak off of the Bergeron line, but that got tossed once they hit injuries. Cassidy mentions Bjork specifically as an option for that line, which is how they broke camp last year.
Defensivel, Cassidy’s not sure where Moore will fit in. He knows they have 8 NHL D, 7 of which are returning and already have chemistry so he has to figure out where Moore fits. They also may have 2 NHL D in the press box every night. There could be a trade if it makes sense, but also says the past 2 years they have been hit with D injuries at playoff time, so you can never have enough depth.
Edit: I left out Heinen.
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Wither Backes? Will he be competing with Donato/Henien? Sunday's Globe just had an article about him, and it sounds like he had a productive offseason and is entering training camp healthy.
I think cshea took out Backes and put in Heinen. Backes seems a lock for that 3rd line RW spot. Without him, that becomes a very defensively shaky young speed line.
The confidence in Bjork is interesting. He was my binky last year, but we really forgot about him with DeBrusk having the huge playoff run he had, and Donato's olympic magic. The fact they have him penciled in on the 1st line to start says a lot about their confidence. Assuming they stay true to it, I think the lines may be similar to what cshea posted, only Heinen and Donato would be battling out for the LW spot on the 3rd line.
Yeah, I have Backes on the 4th line. Maybe that 3rd line is a little too green if they have a rookie C, Donato, and say, Heinen.
There’s going to be some musical chairs amongst the F, particularly the wingers. It is hard to fit everyone in, inevitably someone feels left out or lower on the depth chart than they deserve to be. Not a bad problem to have. Donato, Bjork and DeBrusk are the only wingers waivers exempt. DeBrusk is a lock. Wonder if they break camp with one of Donato/Bjork on the first line and the “loser” in Providence.
Marchand - Bergeron - Donato
DeBrusk - Krejci - Pastrnak
Heinen - Rookie C - Backes
Wagner - Kuraly - Acciari
Nordstrom
That may make more sense to break camp with from a roster/depth preservation perspective.
There’s going to be some musical chairs amongst the F, particularly the wingers. It is hard to fit everyone in, inevitably someone feels left out or lower on the depth chart than they deserve to be. Not a bad problem to have. Donato, Bjork and DeBrusk are the only wingers waivers exempt. DeBrusk is a lock. Wonder if they break camp with one of Donato/Bjork on the first line and the “loser” in Providence.
Marchand - Bergeron - Donato
DeBrusk - Krejci - Pastrnak
Heinen - Rookie C - Backes
Wagner - Kuraly - Acciari
Nordstrom
That may make more sense to break camp with from a roster/depth preservation perspective.
The other interesting thing I took from that Q&A was the fact they were talking about JFK, Studnicka or Federic at Center, and not Donato. There was some chatter he may be tried out at the center spot, but that seems to have gone by the wayside.
I think the short answer is Donato is the one likely bound for Providence, but that depends on how he compares to Bjork. I don't see them risking Heinen by sending him down.
I think the short answer is Donato is the one likely bound for Providence, but that depends on how he compares to Bjork. I don't see them risking Heinen by sending him down.
Cassidy has said a few times that he thinks Donato is best at LW. Donato did play a little C at Harvard, but Bruce is a straight shooterC so I think we can ink him in as a winger.
On one hand, I love the idea of Donato being on the ice for a shit ton of shots on goal, which he obviously would be playing with Bergeron and Marchand. On the other hand, I don't think he's proven good enough defensively to play with those two. The way that line plays, with such an aggressive pressing style, one weak link is going to reduce their effectiveness quite a bit. If you look at the forwards who have played > 100 5v5 minutes in a season with Bergeron over the past five years, they're almost all above average defensive players, with the exception of Brett Connolly and Jimmy Hayes. And the Jimmy Hayes experience was a disaster, even on that line. I guess they were trying to build his confidence or trade value or something? Anyway, 2015-16 was a bizarre year and I don't see Donato playing on that line.
I feel like I say this every year, but it makes a lot of sense to have a heavy forward rotation going into the season. Donato and Bjork haven't played anywhere near an NHL schedule before, Heinen hit a huge wall at the end of last season. Rookie C is going to be in the same boat. The way Acciari and Backes try to play, there's no chance they play 82 games. There will inevitably be unexpected injuries.
There's no way Heinen is going down, that's crazy. But he'd be a valuable trade chip if they wanted to clear their logjam of left handed wingers. And they don't need to send any of the other 3 waiver exempt wingers to Providence unless Rookie C makes the team AND they can't get rid of Backes AND don't want to get rid of Acciari/Nordstrom/Wagner. If all of the young players have good camps and are ready to play in the NHL, I have faith in the organization to make room for them.
I feel like I say this every year, but it makes a lot of sense to have a heavy forward rotation going into the season. Donato and Bjork haven't played anywhere near an NHL schedule before, Heinen hit a huge wall at the end of last season. Rookie C is going to be in the same boat. The way Acciari and Backes try to play, there's no chance they play 82 games. There will inevitably be unexpected injuries.
There's no way Heinen is going down, that's crazy. But he'd be a valuable trade chip if they wanted to clear their logjam of left handed wingers. And they don't need to send any of the other 3 waiver exempt wingers to Providence unless Rookie C makes the team AND they can't get rid of Backes AND don't want to get rid of Acciari/Nordstrom/Wagner. If all of the young players have good camps and are ready to play in the NHL, I have faith in the organization to make room for them.
I wouldn’t move Heinen unless we were robbing someone. I know his ceiling may be a bit lower than some, but I feel supremely confident that he can and will be an effective NHL player with some excellent roster flexibility. I know he’s a legit NHLer, I have yet to see it from some of the others you mention.