Bruins Offseason Roster Thread

RedOctober3829

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$15 million in cap space

Current Roster
Forwards
Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak
OPEN-Krejci-Coyle
Bjork-Studnicka-Kase
Ritchie-Kuraly-Wagner
Nordstrom, Lindholm
RFA: DeBrusk

--Got to put Studnicka in at a center spot. Signing DeBrusk gets him back on that 2nd line. Studnicka at 3rd line C opens up Coyle to play with Krejci and get that line a bit bigger. Studnicka centering Kase and Bjork could be pretty good offensively. Would look to upgrade the 4th line with more offensive punch.

Defensemen
OPEN-McAvoy
OPEN-Carlo
OPEN-Clifton
Lauzon, Moore
UFA: Krug, Chara
RFA: Grz

--No LD's that played tonight are under contract for next season although Grz is restricted so figure he'll be back. Do you really shake things up and let Krug and Chara go and trade Carlo then sign Alex Pietrangelo and Joel Edmundson? Your D-pairings would be Edmundson-McAvoy, Grz-Pietrangelo, and Lauzon-Clifton.

Goalies
Rask
Halak
Vladar
 

PedroSpecialK

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I think you've got two distinct scenarios to work with - one with Rask seeing out the last year of his contract, and one with Rask retiring.

With Rask seeing out the last year of his contract, you've got the following, with estimated RFA AAVs (bridge deals) in parentheses.

Marchand - Bergeron - Pastrnak
DeBrusk ($3) - Krejci - Kase
Bjork - Coyle - Studnicka
Ritchie - Kuraly - Wagner
Lindholm / Kuhlman ($0.8)

Grzelcyk ($2.5) - McAvoy
Lauzon - Carlo
Moore - Clifton

Rask
Halak

Retained: Backes ($1.5)

Total committed: $72.3m ($9.2m cap space)

In this scenario, it's realistic IMO to go after Pietrangelo, but I'm not sure that's the most prudent use of this cap space. In reality, it may be ideal to for a cheaper 2nd pair option like Sekera, and test the Byfuglien waters (my off-the-wall pipedream).

In the situation without Rask, you have an extra $7m to work with, with likely $4-5m going to your 1A/1B Halak partner (Lehner, Greiss, Holtby, Markstrom) and another $2-3m to throw at the blue line.

In any event, unless they fire Ritchie into the sun or don't want to pay DeBrusk on a bridge deal, it feels like the forwards are set.
 

BaseballJones

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I love Z. But it's time. He still takes up a lot of space on the ice (you can't teach his size), but for all that, he doesn't impose his physical will on people as much as guys like Hedman. So he plays smaller than he is (though he still plays bigger than most). He's slow as molasses and more than any other player I can remember, he just struggles to get the puck out of the the defensive zone. I don't know what it is, but he just doesn't do it well and that's a real problem. He's been an all-time great Bruins player, but I think it's best for him to move on. Dude is 43 after all.

Ritchie needs to go. 27 games, 6 points, -3 on the seasons. Terribly inefficient shooter (5.9%). 21 PIM in 27 games - only Marchand has a higher ratio of penalty minutes to games played. So I don't know really what he brings to the table. Due to make $2m next year. I'd trade him for just about anything.

I want DeBrusk back. Might be too expensive. I like Krug but he might be too expensive as well.

I disagree with the notion that this team's window is closing. Lots of really good young talent, and the key core guys - Marchand, Kreji, and Bergeron - aren't yet old men. And obviously they're still very effective players.

Goalie situation needs to be figured out, and key spots on D need to be solved, but there's talent up and down this roster and Cassidy seems to be perfectly fine as a coach. They gotta do something to match up better with Tampa though...they're going to continue to be a problem moving forward.
 

lexrageorge

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The team as constructed does not match up well with Tampa, which is a problem given that the Lightning's roster is fairly well set for the next few seasons. I'd like to see them focus on improving team speed in the middle of the roster. No more Ritchie's.

The window is not yet closed. However, they are also not in position to accommodate a bridge year either.
 

Smiling Joe Hesketh

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I am very leery of trying to build a team to go up against a particular opponent. That approach doesn't often work for winning a Cup.

That being said, overall they need more size on D. And they desparately need to shed this 80s mentality of "needing" a Ritchie type on the team.
 

mwonow

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I know it's unpopular here, but I think this team also needs more snarl. They get pushed around (see last year's SCF or this year's series) and they aren't able to push back - so you see lots of screens and deflections at one end of the ice, fewer at the other.
 

Jordu

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The current Bruins didn’t match up well with Tampa or last year’s St. Louis. Both of those teams had six big, physical, mobile D men.

Krug is not coming back. Chara still has value as a 3rd pair D who comes on for defensive zone draws and plays on the PK. One of the three young D — Lsuzon, Vaak, Zboril — needs to become a top 4 D next year to go with McAvoy, Carlo and Gryz.

Kase is under contract and, given a training camp, will be a contributor next year. I’m not worried about the ages of Bergeron, Krejci and Marchand next year. Locking up DeBrusk is a must.
 

Smiling Joe Hesketh

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I know it's unpopular here, but I think this team also needs more snarl. They get pushed around (see last year's SCF or this year's series) and they aren't able to push back - so you see lots of screens and deflections at one end of the ice, fewer at the other.
They aren't able to push back because the officiating has for years allowed other teams to abuse the Bruins without the Bruins being able to do the same. We saw this exact scenario play out in the SC Final last year and it cost us the Cup. When Acciari is slew footed three feet from an official and there's no call and it leads to the GW goal being scored in a SC Final game, there's nothing the players on the ice can do to overcome that.

It's up to the FO and coaching staff to wear out the lines to Toronto to point out the discrepancies.
 

Haunted

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I don't want to go on the unicorn hunt of "guys with snarl that can actually play". That's what brought us the Ritchie brothers.

The D needs upgrading, and the bottom 3 forwards need upgrading.

And Tuukka needs to decide what he's going to do.
 

mwonow

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They aren't able to push back because the officiating has for years allowed other teams to abuse the Bruins without the Bruins being able to do the same. We saw this exact scenario play out in the SC Final last year and it cost us the Cup. When Acciari is slew footed three feet from an official and there's no call and it leads to the GW goal being scored in a SC Final game, there's nothing the players on the ice can do to overcome that.

It's up to the FO and coaching staff to wear out the lines to Toronto to point out the discrepancies.
No argument, but it's also true that some guys create their own space without asking anyone's permission/relying on the refs. Who on the current Bs can do that?

Edit - fully bought in on the no Ritchies/Rinaldos bit
 

Smiling Joe Hesketh

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No argument, but it's also true that some guys create their own space without asking anyone's permission/relying on the refs. Who on the current Bs can do that?

Edit - fully bought in on the no Ritchies/Rinaldos bit
No one on the current team can do that because the officials won't allow it.

The team needs to make better acquisitions. John Moore has good size and was given a big contract and he's not playing in the playoffs. That's a big waste. If they're going to get bigger defenseman, they have to be good enough to play in the postseason.
 

TFP

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No argument, but it's also true that some guys create their own space without asking anyone's permission/relying on the refs
Bergeron, Marchand, Coyle, Krejci, DeBrusk, Kuraly, Kase, Studnicka, Kuhlman. None of these guys are outmatched physically on offense. And Pasta gets his own space with his skill and by playing with Marchand and Bergeron.

This is a fast league. Getting slower up front does not help them, I'm not really worried about their long term prognosis on offense.

Their defense worries me. They're going to need to replace a lot of minutes and points with Chara and Krug both likely gone. I don't want to see Grzlyck playing 20 mins/game.
 

Smiling Joe Hesketh

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I had blocked him out. Thanks for dredging that up. :confused:
The Rinaldo thing was infuriating because it seemingly showed that the team is still, despite a ton of evidence that Donnie is a very smart guy, stuck in that stupid Big Bad Bruins mentality. "Oh we need to bully teams around." And they keep adding guys like that who never, ever contribute. I mean, Shawn Thornton could actually play hockey a bit and was pretty quick. These "tough" guys don't do much of anything.
 

TFP

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I mean Rinaldo was 4 years ago in Sweeney's first summer, it was clearly a mistake and he learned from it. I'm not going to indict the whole franchise philosophy off that one move when they've clearly moved aggressively toward speed and skill up and down the roster. And been one of the best 2-3 teams in hockey over the last 3 years.

Re-sign DeBrusk, maybe add a body up front, fire Ritchie into the sun, give Studnicka/Frederic/etc some extended looks, then focus your attention on the D and in net. That's about it.
 

Dummy Hoy

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Re-sign DeBrusk, maybe add a body up front, fire Ritchie into the sun, give Studnicka/Frederic/etc some extended looks, then focus your attention on the D and in net. That's about it.
Agree.

Do you not think Gryz can handle a top 4 role? I thought him and Chuckie made a good pair, or maybe he goes with Carlo? He's got some limitations but I think he's smart and can push the puck.
 

TFP

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Agree.

Do you not think Gryz can handle a top 4 role? I thought him and Chuckie made a good pair, or maybe he goes with Carlo? He's got some limitations but I think he's smart and can push the puck.
I don't, I think he'll get exposed. He's a phenomenal bottom pairing defenseman, but I think playing 20+ mins/night on an elite team against the top lines is going to be a lot to ask of him. I'd be happy to be wrong, but I think they'd be foolish to pin their hopes on that. Who knows, maybe I'm wrong, but I'm not as high on his improvement as others. I think what he is now is pretty much what he brings to the table long term.
 

Dummy Hoy

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I don't, I think he'll get exposed. He's a phenomenal bottom pairing defenseman, but I think playing 20+ mins/night on an elite team against the top lines is going to be a lot to ask of him. I'd be happy to be wrong, but I think they'd be foolish to pin their hopes on that. Who knows, maybe I'm wrong, but I'm not as high on his improvement as others. I think what he is now is pretty much what he brings to the table long term.
Fair...I think it's certainly a big question. I'd certainly try to bring in another veteran LHD (not John Moore). The more options we have the better.
 

RedOctober3829

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I like the idea of Edmundson. What do we think it would take?
I think he was making just above $3 million this year. So maybe between 4 and 5? Between him and Pietrangelo, it would be a lot to spend on 2 defensemen while having to sign Grz and DeBrusk but I think both would be worth it. Edmundson-McAvoy and Grz-Pietrangelo would be two formidable pairings even at the expense of Brandon Carlo.
 

Salem's Lot

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I think he was making just above $3 million this year. So maybe between 4 and 5? Between him and Pietrangelo, it would be a lot to spend on 2 defensemen while having to sign Grz and DeBrusk but I think both would be worth it. Edmundson-McAvoy and Grz-Pietrangelo would be two formidable pairings even at the expense of Brandon Carlo.
I was thinking of Edmundson instead of Pietrangelo, because I really don’t think that the cap math would would for Pietrangelo, and definitely not both of them. McAvoy-Grzelcyk, Carlo-Edmundson is still a much improved top 4.
 

RedOctober3829

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I was thinking of Edmundson instead of Pietrangelo, because I really don’t think that the cap math would would for Pietrangelo, and definitely not both of them. McAvoy-Grzelcyk, Carlo-Edmundson is still a much improved top 4.
I think the only way both could work is if you trade Krejci without taking back a lot of salary in return. The Rangers need a center so maybe you flip Krejci for rights to RFA Anthony DeAngelo
Bogosian was a beast last night.
He is available as well. I hate to say it, but Pat Maroon may be a guy I'd target for a cheap 4th line deal.
 

TSC

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I think the only way both could work is if you trade Krejci without taking back a lot of salary in return. The Rangers need a center so maybe you flip Krejci for rights to RFA Anthony DeAngelo
He is available as well. I hate to say it, but Pat Maroon may be a guy I'd target for a cheap 4th line deal.
No.

David Backes redux.
 

Salem's Lot

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I think the only way both could work is if you trade Krejci without taking back a lot of salary in return. The Rangers need a center so maybe you flip Krejci for rights to RFA Anthony DeAngelo
He is available as well. I hate to say it, but Pat Maroon may be a guy I'd target for a cheap 4th line deal.
I want nothing to do with DeAngelo. The kid is a complete asshole.

I would definitely like Maroon on a one year deal.
 

PedroSpecialK

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Yeah I’d probably stop watching games if they acquired DeAngelo. No thanks

I rate Grz more highly than most it seems - I’d have no qualms about him in the top 4.
 

cshea

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I don’t think we’re going to see much movement.

I think they are set at forward, I’d run it back with the same group. I can’t see any scenario where they trade Krejci or anyone significant. It just doesn’t make much sense. In Krejci’s case I think he is more valuable to them than what they’d get back in a trade. They also don’t have a replacement and I think they’re still going to want to try to win. I think you run the contract out with him. Coyle is best suited as super 3C, and I don’t think Studnicka is ready for full time C duty. I’m guessing we’ll just see the RFA’s signed and then some depth pieces like Gaunce, Lindholm and Brett Ritchie from this year brought in. Nordstrom is probably leaving so they’ll have a competition in camp for 4LW. Guys like Blidh, Frederic, will be in the mix.

Defense is a bit of a different story with Krug and Chara UFA’s. I’m not sure what they do with Krug. I think one problem the Bruins have with the defense is that it is composed of specialists. McAvoy, Grzelyck and Clifton to some degree are the only D I would consider 2-way. Charlie has to do all of the work on the top pair for possession and transition. With the 2nd pair, teams can lean on Krug and Carlo becomes helpless breaking the puck out. When things go bad, it’s a never ending string of chipping the puck out off the glass. It tugs on the heart strings a bit, but I think I’d move on from Chara. Not sure if they can gently nudge him towards retirement but I think his day has come. I can’t make up my mind on Krug. Ultimately, I come down on the side of being OK trading some of his offense for a bigger, mobile, 2-way LHD. I just don’t know who that is and if there is one available to acquire (it’s not Joel Edmundson). Maybe it is a role Vaakanainen can fill someday but it is probably not next year. I think they need to try to unload John Moore’s contract. It’s only $2.5 million but it’s eating a roster spot.

Goalies are probably set unless something happens with Rask.
 

EL Jeffe

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Is Trent Frederic in the mix next year? He's big, he's tough, and he can skate. The skill level probably isn't going to ever match up with the 1st round selection, but a big, tough, athletic body for the 4th line?

How far away is Vaakanainen? He doesn't seem to have any standout traits, but solid across the board.
 

Cotillion

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It’s sad to see it finally end, but Chara is cooked. He got handcuffed by simple passes that weren’t right on his tape. He often got bodied off plays by other guys.

He will continue to have flashes of him at good and even an occasional great, but you can't keep running him out there at that price or that many minutes.
 

McDrew

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I'm going to be sad when Seattle takes Grz in the expansion draft. By himself, he's a bottom-pair guy, but with a good partner, he can definitely get middle-pair minutes.

Don't they have to expose a goalie in the expansion draft? Or is that another year away?
IIRC, the 3-year deal Vladar just signed makes him exposable.
 

cshea

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Is it a lack of fit or likely FA cost that is the issue?
I haven’t really scoured for names, but I think it is a tough needle to thread to let Krug go and find someone who actually makes them better. Maybe TJ Brodie could work.
 

RedOctober3829

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I haven’t really scoured for names, but I think it is a tough needle to thread to let Krug go and find someone who actually makes them better. Maybe TJ Brodie could work.
There's a few names available, but after that it's not exactly a star studded FA class. If you don't like Edmundson, Shattenkirk is someone else that is available.
 

begranter

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I posit that if Krug stays, they can still compete largely as built but if he leaves the team will be taking a step back to see what type of growth they can get from the young players in the minors and already on the roster. The reason I think this is Krug is so instrumental on the power play and so much of their offense comes from that first unit that losing him would be a significant blow to their productivity. It'd certainly be nice to see some secondary scoring and if Krug stays that should be the focus. I'm a pass on focusing on adding grit/toughness -- that's just not the league anymore and it really doesn't help you all that much when you're unable to score on lines 2-4.

I'm not as down as it seems many are on Moore -- I think when healthy he's a solid if unspectacular 2nd pairing D-man with the ability to play on the left side. With a whole offseason to build up strength in his injury, I expect him to be able to contribute next year. With continued growth of McAvoy and Carlo and the pipeline of D-men coming through the system, I'd rather they focus their resources on improving their scoring depth than extending for a primo-FA.
 

BostonBrahmin

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I think they almost have to pay Krug, given the loss of Chara (either physically or, y'know, metaphorically) and the fact that there isn't a clear-cut improvement available. I'm less worried about the short term $$ as the length of the deal, he's so undersized that I think his decline in what would be the end of this contract could be dramatic.

I like a top pairing of Grz and McAvoy and Krug-Carlo behind them. I know Grz isn't what would normally be considered a top line defenseman, but I think the pairing is more important. Those two compliment each other well and Carlo allows Krug to jump up in plays more aggressively.
 

Jordu

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My guess is that Krug will want 8 years at around $7m AAV. If I were him, I‘d want years. Someone will give those years to him. Maybe Krug wants to go home and Yzerman will offer him the years he wants. Krug is not going to take a hometown discount in Boston.

I love his game but he’s 29. McAvoy can run the PP.
 

Zososoxfan

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One thing to consider about Krug is that he doesn't log elite TOI numbers for a D man. There are other elite guys who are in the same range, but they're typically much younger or much older than Torey. Pietrangelo is an interesting comp because their point totals and ages are so similar, but P logs over 24 mins/game while Krug is at 20.

@begranter , if the Broons decide to go after P instead of Krug, I wouldn't worry about the offense. The PP may take a step back, but P is about as good as it gets for offensive D men and potted 16 goals with a slightly better point total than Krug.
 

RedOctober3829

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Billy Jaffe on T&R saying he’s not very confident that Rask plays for the Bruins next year. It’s surprising to me that he didn’t come right out and say he’s definitely coming back. Might be something to watch.

Also says they need to get bigger as a group to withstand the rigors of playoff hockey. Says there could be significant changes and they’ll have to get creative to do so based on the cap being flat. Mentions maybe trading an RFA. He does think Z comes back.