Bruins Offseason Roster Thread

cshea

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A crazy thing that would never happen is throwing a huge offer sheet at Sergachev. They'd either get the player or fuck with a division rivals cap space. Kind of a win-win, and I think Sergachev would be worth the picks. But NHL GM's are baby;s and offer sheets aren't a thing.
 

RedOctober3829

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A crazy thing that would never happen is throwing a huge offer sheet at Sergachev. They'd either get the player or fuck with a division rivals cap space. Kind of a win-win, and I think Sergachev would be worth the picks. But NHL GM's are baby;s and offer sheets aren't a thing.
They’ve already given up 2 1st rd picks in a row. Giving your rival 2 1sts and 4 picks overall(most likely window he’d fall in) is really hard to do.
 

jk333

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A poster said they could be beasts next year. True, but they could also miss the playoffs.

Without an upgrade somewhere or some luck with young players, they are awfully close to that Chicago phase where they’re more of a pretender than contender for a few years.

Edit: no one is to blame for being where they are. Just now they have to figure out what the next best steps are. Gutting the team like Detroit did, isn’t always successful either.
 

cshea

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I don't think Detroit is a great comparison. Detroit held on too long and put themselves in an awful cap situation that they are still digging out of. The Bruins aren't quite there. They aren't in tough shape with the cap. If they go nuts extending the aging vets over the coming years, maybe, but they aren't there. Maybe Chicago is a better analogy, but the Bruins are kind of past where Chicago is. Chicago has aging stars, Toews, Kane and Kieth, and trying to rebuild around them. The Bruins went through this when Sweeney first took over and they had the 2 years where they missed the playoffs (first was under Chiarelli). The Bruins were able to thread the needle (thanks largely to 2 gifts from above, David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy) and extend the window/run to now. They only really have 1-2 more seasons of this run left before they need to really rebuild the core.
 

joe dokes

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What’s interesting is that I don’t think anyone would be surprised to see them once again looking like beasts next season. The trick is making sure they improve what has brought them down the last two years. They have objectively not really done that, but there is still time for more moves and potential for internal improvement. It is also a slight concern that one of the things driving beastly regular season numbers—the power play—has lost its QB.
Isn't it likely that McAvoy is ready to step into that #1 PP role? Seems like the natural progression for a player like him at this stage of his career.
 

cshea

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Isn't it likely that McAvoy is ready to step into that #1 PP role? Seems like the natural progression for a player like him at this stage of his career.
If they don't add someone from outside, it'll be McAvoy and Grzelyck with first dibs, then maybe Zboril or Vaakanainen get a look.
 

joe dokes

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If they don't add someone from outside, it'll be McAvoy and Grzelyck with first dibs, then maybe Zboril or Vaakanainen get a look.
Could Krejci take that role on the top power play?
My only real point is that I don't think they need to "replace" Krug's PP skills. They've been going 1D on the PP for awhile now, and McAvoy and Grz seem perfectly capable. Especially McAvoy. There's no reason a defenseman of his caliber shouldn't be the #1 PP option for the next several years. So while they may feel that they need to add a LH defenseman, I dont think that PP experience is a prerequisite in whoever they might get.
 

cshea

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I agree, but I think ideally they would like an all situations D. Krug's power play prowess is irreplaceable so there is going to be a hit there no matter who fills those minutes.
 

cshea

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That's quite the bomb out of nowhere. Oh hey, btw, 3 of our most important players had major surgery last month. Nothing to see here.

So assuming a Jan 1 season start, best case scenario is Marchand only misses 2-3 weeks, Pastrnak misses a month and a half. Yikes.
 

cshea

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They can add an $8 million AAV and retain Grzelyck and DeBrusk. They'd have to move some guys around the edges, but it's doable. Bjork, Ritchie, Moore, Kuraly, Clifton, etc.

Schmidt may have been traded for pennies on the dollar but Vegas was in a position where they had no choice and Schmidt's contract isn't exactly a bargain. The rest of the cap dumps this offseason have been reasonable returns. Maybe the Bruins would have to add a sweetener to unload Moore, but I think the rest would get commensurate value.
 

TSC

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So, it sounds like Pasta had what I had.

I'd be surprised if he takes the full 5 months. I'm older, also had early oesteoarthritis of the hips which required the doctor to make microfractures in the hip to build up scar tissue, and I don't have world class doctors and athletic trainers rehabbing me.

My surgery was on March 13th, I was back on the ice and skating without pain by early August.
 

cshea

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Friedman's last 31 Thoughts of the year. Littered with B's stuff, mostly whiffs.

View: https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1316392282938118146?s=20


- B's still looking for scoring, either Hoffman or others out there.
- B's "badly" wanted Josh Anderson before he was traded to Montreal.
- With Hall, seems he got a lot of "we have to move money first" type offers from teams and didn't want to wait around. Friedman says a lot of the offers were $3 million less than what Buffalo offered, but he suspects the Bruins were closer to Buffalo and were willing to stretch for him.
- The Marchand and Pastrnak injuries complicate their cap situation but he says he senses the Bruins have been very active trying to do short term things. They know time is running out for the core group, Bergeron/Krejci/Rask/Marchand/Chara.

A lot of talk, but no action for the Bruins. Obviously there is still time to go but it's starting to feel like the usual conservative offseason from Sweeney.
 

RedOctober3829

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Friedman's last 31 Thoughts of the year. Littered with B's stuff, mostly whiffs.

View: https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1316392282938118146?s=20


- B's still looking for scoring, either Hoffman or others out there.
- B's "badly" wanted Josh Anderson before he was traded to Montreal.
- With Hall, seems he got a lot of "we have to move money first" type offers from teams and didn't want to wait around. Friedman says a lot of the offers were $3 million less than what Buffalo offered, but he suspects the Bruins were closer to Buffalo and were willing to stretch for him.
- The Marchand and Pastrnak injuries complicate their cap situation but he says he senses the Bruins have been very active trying to do short term things. They know time is running out for the core group, Bergeron/Krejci/Rask/Marchand/Chara.

A lot of talk, but no action for the Bruins. Obviously there is still time to go but it's starting to feel like the usual conservative offseason from Sweeney.
Also in there is that while Bettman targets Jan 1 for the start of the 20-21 season, Jan 15 and the Vegas owner even says Feb 1 with a 48-56 game season is more realistic. Feb 1 would be crucial for the Bruins given the injuries.
 

TheRealness

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Also in there is that while Bettman targets Jan 1 for the start of the 20-21 season, Jan 15 and the Vegas owner even says Feb 1 with a 48-56 game season is more realistic. Feb 1 would be crucial for the Bruins given the injuries.
I have heard this as well from a sales guy I skated with that works for the Kings (the timing of the season, and a shortened schedule). I have been told they will wait as they want fans, so we shall see. They may be waiting a looong time.
 

cshea

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I mean, every team makes these kinds of back scenes moves.

Maybe they'll even get something from Zboril. Hope springs eternal.
It is kind of a make or break year for Zboril. He's no longer waiver exempt so they run the risk of losing him if he can't make the team out of camp. Of course, if he can't make the team, then maybe he clears, but he's a young former 1st rounder so someone may bite.
 

TheRealness

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With Dadonov off the board for a mere $5m, I am beginning to wonder whether Cam’s protest that they aren’t restricted under the cap isn’t bullshit. Otherwise, WTF are they doing?
 

RedOctober3829

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cshea

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Dadonov is also a right winger which they don't have as much of a need for as a LW. I guess we're on to Hoffman, but I think he's a real lousy fit for the Bruins. No defense, not great at 5x5, needs to be fed a shit ton of PP ice time to produce.

We'll see if they have any sort of plan. Feels like it was Hall or bust. Cam/Sweeney have been super conservative throughout their tenure as President and GM. This is Sweeney's 6th offseason at the helm. His big foray's into free agency have ended in disaster (Beleskey, Backes, Moore). His trades have all been of the buying or selling variety with one exception- Heinen for Ritchie which is a relatively minor move. The players he's acquired in these trades have mostly worked out, especially the Donato for Coyle deal, so he gets credit for that, but It's mostly tinkering around the edges. The core of the team today is still largely the same as what Sweeney inherited in 2015. The only exception is McAvoy (and DeBrusk and Carlo depending on your definition of core).

We'll see if there's anything left to this offseason. I do like the Smith signing but it feels incomplete. I will be disappointed if the plan for next year is Smith and hope the kids can play. Tampa is going to be good. Toronto is good and has improved their weaknesses. Montreal has improved. Buffalo still probably sucks but they are better. I don't think we are in for a cake walk to the post season, especially if we have a short season and Marchand and Pastrnak miss time.
 

cshea

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There was no chance of an offer sheet. Bruins had tons of space to match and if someone did something crazy then they take the picks. Plus offer sheets just don't exist. Montreal had the dumbest one ever last year, but nobody has really tried for years. If Tampa's players going back to Kucherov haven't been offer sheet targets, then it just won't happen. They might as well rip them out of the CBA.

Nice number here for Grz, think he'll be worth it. Less money early on is a COVID thing, the players are looking at almost 30% escrow next season. Push the bigger paychecks out to when things are more normal.
 

cshea

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That leaves DeBrusk, Senyshyn and Cehlarik as the remaining unsigned RFA's. Cehlarik is overseas and won't be signing. Senyshyn will probably be a similar deal as Kuhlman. We'll see what they do with DeBrusk. He does not have arb rights and they usually like to squeeze and bridge those guys. 2-years, $6.5 ($3.25 AAV) is my wild ass guess.

Anyways, the shift to getting RFA's done may be a signal they're "work" is done for the offseason. Grz's arb hearing was supposed to be today so there was a pressure point to get something done with him, so maybe they're still shopping around somewhat, but feels like they're done. Krug out, Smith in, hope for the best with the kids on D. I think this is where we stand today:

Marchand - Bergeron - Pastrnak
DeBrusk - Krejci - Kase
Bjork - Coyle - Smith
Ritchie - Kuraly - Wagner
Lindholm, McKegg

Grzelyck - McAvoy
Moore - Carlo
Zboril - Clifton
Vaakanainen, Kampfer (?), Miller

Rask
Halak

They are banking on a lot of internal improvement which is never an ideal strategy. Obviously we know Marchand and Pastrnak will likely be unavailable to start the season. That'll shuffle the forwards around a bit and may open a window for Studnicka and Senyshyn to get a longer look,. Defense is scary. If they are indeed done looking outside, I see no reason not to bring Chara back. At the very least, he's still a good mentor to the kis and someone who can eat up a lot of PK minutes. I put Moore on the 2nd pairing because he was ahead of Zboril and Vaakanainen on the return to play depth chart. That was also in the playoffs which is do or die so there's some sense in going with a veteran, but maybe in the regular season they'd be more willing to give the kids some rope. I'm sure this will end up being a camp battle. Zboril needs waivers, Vaakanainen is exempt so they could probably start the year with Zboril getting first dibs and see how it goes. Put a question mark with Kampfer, not sure if there will be opt outs for the season.

Smith will help but they need the analytical darlings like him and Kase to turn some of the strong underlying numbers into actual production, particularly with Marchand and Pastrnak out. Someone is going to have to fill the net, otherwise they could be in some trouble. Tampa will be strong, Toronto will be strong, Montreal is better, etc. It could be an uphill climb all year if they get off to a slow start.
 

BostonFanInCanesLand

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Grzelyck - McAvoy
Moore - Carlo
Zboril - Clifton
Vaakanainen, Kampfer (?), Miller
I think they will give Lauzon a shot at the second pair.

They may find a way to get a scoring wing and/or a more experienced D once teams see how their arbitration hearings shake out. We’ll see.

Would love to see what Senyshyn could do with Bergy while the big guns recuperate. (Would be even happier if they find a pure goal scorer to add to the top 6).
 

cshea

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I forgot about Lauzon. I don't think he'll be a 2nd pairing guy, he's not mobile or a transition guy. Lauzon - Carlo would be a nightmare pairing, it'd just be them chipping the puck out all day. Zboril and Vaakanainen profile as better 2-way guys. Lauzon would work better on the 3rd pairing.

That kind of brings up a point though that they have too many bodies. Including Lauzon, that's 9 players. Vaakaninen can be sent to Providence, so for roster management, I bet he starts down there. I guess Kampfer will probably be waived and demoted so that gets them to 8. They've carried 8 before, but that leaves them only 1 spare forward which is doable but with the injuries they might want 2 to rotate guys in and around until they find something that works. I guess they could put Miller on IR or waive him? If they do bring Chara back, they probably have to move a body.

The Miller signing is still pretty perplexing to me. At least the urgency to do so.
 

RedOctober3829

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I forgot about Lauzon. I don't think he'll be a 2nd pairing guy, he's not mobile or a transition guy. Lauzon - Carlo would be a nightmare pairing, it'd just be them chipping the puck out all day. Zboril and Vaakanainen profile as better 2-way guys. Lauzon would work better on the 3rd pairing.

That kind of brings up a point though that they have too many bodies. Including Lauzon, that's 9 players. Vaakaninen can be sent to Providence, so for roster management, I bet he starts down there. I guess Kampfer will probably be waived and demoted so that gets them to 8. They've carried 8 before, but that leaves them only 1 spare forward which is doable but with the injuries they might want 2 to rotate guys in and around until they find something that works. I guess they could put Miller on IR or waive him? If they do bring Chara back, they probably have to move a body.

The Miller signing is still pretty perplexing to me. At least the urgency to do so.
They have a ton of depth guys both up front and on the back end, but are still lacking difference making additions in both areas. I think they are due for a regression this year and will struggle to make the playoffs especially if the season starts in a timeframe where Marchand and Pasta have to miss games.
 

BostonFanInCanesLand

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I forgot about Lauzon. I don't think he'll be a 2nd pairing guy, he's not mobile or a transition guy. Lauzon - Carlo would be a nightmare pairing, it'd just be them chipping the puck out all day. Zboril and Vaakanainen profile as better 2-way guys. Lauzon would work better on the 3rd pairing.

That kind of brings up a point though that they have too many bodies. Including Lauzon, that's 9 players. Vaakaninen can be sent to Providence, so for roster management, I bet he starts down there. I guess Kampfer will probably be waived and demoted so that gets them to 8. They've carried 8 before, but that leaves them only 1 spare forward which is doable but with the injuries they might want 2 to rotate guys in and around until they find something that works. I guess they could put Miller on IR or waive him? If they do bring Chara back, they probably have to move a body.

The Miller signing is still pretty perplexing to me. At least the urgency to do so.
Yeah, signing Miller this early is perplexing (and he’ll likely start on IR/LTIR). I can absolutely see them putting Lauzon on the 2nd pair with Carlo and having a big “tough to play against” pair that has logged enough minutes to be steady. The problem, as you point out is that it’ll tend towards plodding. I’d really like to see Zboril there, but I’m not sure they’ll throw him in the deep end that early.

Moore is a solid 3rd pair D-man who can play up in a pinch. Uninspiring but better than his current reputation.

Makes me pine for a big mobile transition guy to play with Carlo, giving Zboril a chance to get his feet wet on the third pair.

Griz-McAvoy
Unicorn-Carlo
Zboril-Lauzon
Cliffy Hockey, Moore.

There’s been a little smoke around Weegar (who shoots R but plays left), Dunn and Fleury.
 

veritas

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I'm a lot more comfortable if they find someone even above-average to play with McAvoy. As it stands now, defense is a huge weakness, while that forward group (when healthy) is as good and deep as anyone. I've been wondering about Hjalmarsson for a while as he seems like an obvious trade candidate and perfect fit, but apparently he has a full NMC and has told Arizona he's not willing to waive it.

Looking at upcoming FAs, I don't see many rentals at LD. Maybe Jake McCabe? Hampus Lindholhm has 2 years left, I'm guessing his price tag would be pretty huge, but that would be a huge add for the B's.