I agree with your point and think it’s a very good that the Bruins should approach. I do think that you may be downplaying the hype around Hall though. There was a ton of hype for him in 2010. I actually think it’s very comparable to Bedard.
Bruins Offseason
- Thread starter MiracleOfO2704
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I don't think Chicago makes much sense for Hall. First, I'm fairly confident they would be on his 10-team no list. He's 31 years old and seems to have prioritized winning. I know he chose Buffalo in free agency but he did so on a short term basis with some leverage to get out and to winner if it didn't work out. Willingly going to a full on rebuild in Chicago doesn't strike me as the type of move he'd be willing to make at this stage or his career. And I honestly don't think Chicago would have much interest. They've got cap space and picks to burn and obviously need a lot of good hockey players but I suspect, given just how much they've torn this ting down to the studs, they're going to be willing to build it up with the kids. Also, there seemed to be the general perception around the league that Hall wasn't a great leader, at least at the time he left Edmonton. I'm not sure if that perception is still around, he was captain in NJ and here in Boston he's mostly been a follower but sometimes it's hard to shake that kind of reputation. Chicago could probably find a cheaper veteran mentor type than Hall.
If we are making space to resign one of the rentals I'd much rather keep Orlov over Bertuzzi. Bert seemed to be a product of playing with Pasta and while he is technically younger than most of the forwards he already skates like he's 5yrs older and don't think that is going to improve in the coming years. He is also quite poor defensively.
He was a useful pickup but I wouldn't want to be paying him for past production as I don't think he ages well. If you can move some combo of Forbort (wishful thinking) Gryz, maybe Carlo, and bring back Orlov for 3yrs then sign me up.
He was a useful pickup but I wouldn't want to be paying him for past production as I don't think he ages well. If you can move some combo of Forbort (wishful thinking) Gryz, maybe Carlo, and bring back Orlov for 3yrs then sign me up.
This is probably a little outside the box but I think an interesting idea may be moving Ullmark to LA.
LA just cleared out Cal Peterson's contract. Their goalie depth chart right now is Phoenix Copeley and UFA Joonas Korpisalo. LA has about $7.3 million in cap space with minimal work to do this summer in terms of RFA's and filling out a roster. They're light on draft picks but have a deep and well thought of prospect pool. Ullmark has a full no-move until 7/1, then in drops to 16 teams. No clue if LA is desirable to Ullmark but it's a team that will be in the market for a goalie, has the room and may be able to give us something decent.
It's putting all the eggs in Swayman's basket but it may be a way to shed salary and receive something decent in return.
Edit: Also, if NHL GM's weren't babies, the Bruins would be very vulnerable to a Swayman offer sheet, though there is also an argument that if one came through you take the picks and run with Ullmark.
LA just cleared out Cal Peterson's contract. Their goalie depth chart right now is Phoenix Copeley and UFA Joonas Korpisalo. LA has about $7.3 million in cap space with minimal work to do this summer in terms of RFA's and filling out a roster. They're light on draft picks but have a deep and well thought of prospect pool. Ullmark has a full no-move until 7/1, then in drops to 16 teams. No clue if LA is desirable to Ullmark but it's a team that will be in the market for a goalie, has the room and may be able to give us something decent.
It's putting all the eggs in Swayman's basket but it may be a way to shed salary and receive something decent in return.
Edit: Also, if NHL GM's weren't babies, the Bruins would be very vulnerable to a Swayman offer sheet, though there is also an argument that if one came through you take the picks and run with Ullmark.
They do really like Brandon Bussi as well. I’m sure that they would love to give him another year as the primary starter in Providence, but if the cap necessitated moving on from Ullmark or Swayman, I think they would feel comfortable with him as a backup. His numbers were pretty good in 32 AHL regular season, and he started all 4 playoff games.
Is Swayman really ready to be a number 1? That's an honest question. Ullmark out played him this year and while Sway only got the one playoff game, he lost it and now has two Game 7 playoff losses on his resume. I'm simply not sure that he can carry the load of a number 1 goaltender right now. Ullmark has 2 more year to go on his deal and while that may make him appealing to other teams, I'm not sure it's a good idea to move him.
It is an honest question, and something that I don’t think we’re sure of yet. That being said, some money has to move out to make the cap work for this season, and that’s a potential place to look given Ullmark’s possible current value in a trade, and the perceived depth at that position in the system.
If someone at the draft would be willing to give the Bruins a 2nd rounder and take his entire $5 million AAV, I would be all over that if I were Sweeney.
Yes, I would as well.
I don't envy Sweeney this summer. He put together a team that was supposed to make a Cup run, they choked badly and now he has to partially tear it down without the afterglow of a Cup win to soothe the sting. That's uncomfortable.
I don't envy Sweeney this summer. He put together a team that was supposed to make a Cup run, they choked badly and now he has to partially tear it down without the afterglow of a Cup win to soothe the sting. That's uncomfortable.
And currently no 1st round picks until 2025 (unless they finish in the bottom 10 in the league this year) and no 2nd’s until 2026. They really went all in this year, and the bill is really not going to come due until about 2028/2029. Sweeney’s job is going to be incredibly difficult.
Oh, it’s due. It’s just that, with the interest ($4.5m in dead cap in the last stagnant cap year, we hope), that bill won’t be paid until 2028.
It’s under that banner that I think it’s as good a time as any to take stock and jettison anyone you don’t think will be good for this team in 2025-26. Not a full rebuild, but since 2023-24 is going to be heaps of pain anyway, get it over with and start looking for what goes around Zacha/Pastrnak/DeBrusk/McAvoy/Lindholm/Swayman for the next Cup contender. Not a full tear down as opposed to accepting the reality that building a bottom 6 with league-minimum guys probably doesn’t make a team built for May.
Do the two Game 7 playoff losses count more than Game 1, 2, 2, 5, and 6 playoff losses?
Swayman’s younger, likely to be cheaper, and has been almost as good over a similar number of games with the Bruins.
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That’s probably what they should do. First thing is I would see if DeBrusk is interested in a longer deal. If he’s intent on getting to UFA, then trade him at the draft and try to recoup a pick or two. Don’t just dump him obviously since his $4 million isn’t exactly a cap problem, but if a team gets nuts and offers a 1st or a 2nd and decent prospect take that and run.
I don’t see anyone other than Ullmark or DeBrusk that would return value and clear all of their money.
The core going forward is Pastrnak, McAvoy, Lindholm, Swayman, Zacha. Obviously those guys are staying put.
Everyone else wouldn’t net much of a return, and the other club probably wouldn’t do the deal anyway unless the Bruins retained money or took a contract back.
Absolutely yes they do, particularly since he hasn't played all that well in either of them.
Dumping DeBrusk now would make my head explode, since one of the big reasons they fired Cassidy was his inability to motivate or get along with DeBrusk. If they fire a coach who's good enough to win a SC in order to keep a player, they cannot be immediately dumping said player the following year.
They've made their bed and now they must sleep in it, and that means keeping DeBrusk around. I'm fine with that as I think DeBrusk is a good player, but damn if they move him now I will be pretty disgusted.
I would rather sign DeBrusk long term. I was saying that if he’s not interested in signing early, they should explore what he would return.
I also forgot to include Carlo & Grzelcyk in the list of guys that could return some value if dealt.
Another option is trading Swayman. He's younger, controllable and projectable to an acquiring team. The closest comp I can think of is Jake Oettinger who signed a 3-year, $4 million AAV extension prior to this season. At the time, Oettinger had 77 NHL games and a .912 save percentage. Swayman is 89 games .920 save percentage and is arbitration eligible so my guess is he comes in north of Oettinger.
The more I think about it, the more I think a goalie has to go. I'm not sure they can commit ~$10+ million in cap space to the position. IMO, pick one and move the other. From an on ice standpoint you can only play one at a time anyways. It's nice having a good backup but they've had some success in the free agent market finding these guys (Halak) plus they have some depth in the prospect pool (Bussi, Keyser, Svedeback).
The other notable RFA is interesting too, Frederic. The qualifying offer is $1.15 million. There's been some chatter that ne could be a non-QO candidate. I would think he has enough trade value that they wouldn't have to go that route, but we'll see.
The more I think about it, the more I think a goalie has to go. I'm not sure they can commit ~$10+ million in cap space to the position. IMO, pick one and move the other. From an on ice standpoint you can only play one at a time anyways. It's nice having a good backup but they've had some success in the free agent market finding these guys (Halak) plus they have some depth in the prospect pool (Bussi, Keyser, Svedeback).
The other notable RFA is interesting too, Frederic. The qualifying offer is $1.15 million. There's been some chatter that ne could be a non-QO candidate. I would think he has enough trade value that they wouldn't have to go that route, but we'll see.
I would think if they kept only one of the goalies it would be Swayman since he is younger and cheaper. I'm not sure anyone would argue that.
If I'm evaluating the two players head to head, sure, I prefer Swayman long term. The trade return has to be accounted for. It may be that Ullmark + whatever they could get for Swayman is more valuable than Swayman + return for Ullmark.
That's a very good point. I don't know enough about what they might get back but if Swayman brought back more than they'd have to do that.
Yeah, I have no idea what the market would be. The closest comparable I can think of is Corey Schneider traded from Vancouver to New Jersey in 2013. Schneider was older and under contract at the time of the deal but his NHL resume to that point was roughly equivalent to what Swayman has done in Boston. New Jersey gave up the 9th overall pick for Schneider.
I really want to get into this conversation, but I'm still annoyed at what happened. Then to see the team they lost to get completely obliterated by their ex-coach in the finals was the icing on the cake.
I might not recover
I might not recover
It's going to be an interesting offseason.
The quality of UFAs available is mostly terrible.
Bergeron and Krejci are in the top 5 among UFA scorers, and they aren't signing with other teams.
Alex Killorn is the top scorer among UFAs.
Several teams, and the Bruins are near the top of the list, have serious cap issues.
There are going to be a lot of creative trades this summer - it'll be entertaining to see how things play out.
The quality of UFAs available is mostly terrible.
Bergeron and Krejci are in the top 5 among UFA scorers, and they aren't signing with other teams.
Alex Killorn is the top scorer among UFAs.
Several teams, and the Bruins are near the top of the list, have serious cap issues.
There are going to be a lot of creative trades this summer - it'll be entertaining to see how things play out.
I predict the first shoe to drop will be Mike Reilly’s contract being bought out.
Buyout window is 2 weeks and starts on Friday.
Cap hit will be $333K this year and $1.333M next year.
Ideally he’s traded for a bag of pucks but I doubt it.
Buyout window is 2 weeks and starts on Friday.
Cap hit will be $333K this year and $1.333M next year.
Ideally he’s traded for a bag of pucks but I doubt it.
In a sense, having 2 goalies good enough to be #1 for more than a GFIN year is a partial waste of an asset.
My guess is the own goal gets posted on the scoreboard today and Mitch Miller is the first buyout today, especially since it'd be a Friday afternoon news dump. That'll add to the cap.
Unless they believe they've exhausted all trade options, I'm guessing Reilly doesn't get bought out until the last possible moment. No reason to do it on day 1.
Unless they believe they've exhausted all trade options, I'm guessing Reilly doesn't get bought out until the last possible moment. No reason to do it on day 1.
Something to keep an eye on this off-season and that (maybe) has gotten lost in the wake of the Bs early playoff exit is whether Jack Edwards will be back next year. I assume that he will be because there haven't been any rumblings to the contrary, but they must be thinking they'll need a replacement soon.
I know he's been around doing various things forever, but I'm shocked that he's 65 or 66. Fred Cusik went to 79, but I can't see Edwards going near that long.
With the Bruins in such a tight cap situation, wouldn't they be better off just burying his contract in the minors for 2 more years and not have it count against the cap?
A buyout is only $215K against this year's cap, but that space could still come in handy.
I understand that a buyout does save the team actual $$ and, I assume, clears space on the 50 player contracts, so maybe?
The $215k is, in my book, the price of doing the right thing now rather than 6 months ago. All I care about is that it’s done. The longer he’s still there, even if just on paper, the more likely my cynical mind goes to them deciding to wait out the outrage and quietly slip him onto the Maine roster.
Agreed, unless whatever issue he had this year is remedied (and I of course hope that it is).
I'd like to see him disappear as well but if the B's buy him out, we'll be seeing him listed on CapFriendly for the next 4 years.
I'd rather not see any reference of him after 2 more years, and hope that they just continue to pay him to not play anywhere.
Either way they're going to be paying him not to play. Whichever option is the cheapest is the route they'll go. I think from a cash standpoint it's actually cheaper to keep him burried in the AHL. His AHL salary is $82,500. If they buy him out I believe they pay 1/3 of his NHL salary ($872,000). Of course the ramification for this is he eats up a contract for 2 more years.
I did see this the other day. Faust is a Northeastern alum and did a lot of work with NESN prior to getting hired by the Kings.
View: https://twitter.com/peteblackburn/status/1665791275935707138?s=46&t=maKAX0PnmH697FOv1x7kUg
It was inevitable but the OEL chatter has begun. When he went through the trade saga with the Coyotes he had 2 teams he was willing to waive his no trade clause for- Vancouver and Boston. So, enter the Bruins again. Marek and Friedman have already tied him to Boston as a free agent. Basically they can get him as a cheap replacement if they have to move 1 or a combo of Grzelyck/Forbort/Reilly due to the cap.
He's certainly not worth $8.5 million or whatever he was getting but may not be a bad buy-low as a 3rd pairing dude at around a minimum salary. The data says his defense and transition have really fallen off so who knows.
He's certainly not worth $8.5 million or whatever he was getting but may not be a bad buy-low as a 3rd pairing dude at around a minimum salary. The data says his defense and transition have really fallen off so who knows.
So, it's silly season. Here's a dumb idea I've been kicking around.
Jeremy Swayman for Pierre-Luc Dubois.
Plus the usual fillers on either side to balance the scales, though I don't feel that straight up it's a bad deal either way. A young #1 goalie for a young #1/2 center. Dubois wants out of Winnipeg and it seems he's going to be dealt within the week. He's an unsigned RFA and has told the Jets he will not sign long term. He's a 24-year old center, something the Bruins are in need of. Word is the Jets aren't necessarily looking for futures for Dubois and are trying to thread the needle and remain competitive while retooling..which also includes dealing Hellebuyck in the coming days and weeks as well since he too will not be signing an extension with the Jets. Enter Jeremy Swayman, a 24-year old unsigned RFA starting calibur goalie. The Bruins may not be able to afford two goalies making nearly $10 million against the cap.
One potental hurdle is Dubois being willing to extend in Boston. He has apparently given the Jets a list of 5 or 6 teams for which he'd be willing to do so, and the plan is a Tkachuk style sign-and-trade. He's from Quebec and through his many trade saga's the Canadiens are almost certainly at the top of his wish list. If that hurdle gets cleared (and the Jets Athletic people think Boston would be on his OK list) then it's the contract. Obviously the Bruins do not have a lot of cap space to work with. This isn't really solving the cap dilema as it is re-allocating cap space (plus additional cap space) from goalie to a potential future first line center. Not easy, but if they get creative it might be something they could pull off.
Like I said, silly season.
Jeremy Swayman for Pierre-Luc Dubois.
Plus the usual fillers on either side to balance the scales, though I don't feel that straight up it's a bad deal either way. A young #1 goalie for a young #1/2 center. Dubois wants out of Winnipeg and it seems he's going to be dealt within the week. He's an unsigned RFA and has told the Jets he will not sign long term. He's a 24-year old center, something the Bruins are in need of. Word is the Jets aren't necessarily looking for futures for Dubois and are trying to thread the needle and remain competitive while retooling..which also includes dealing Hellebuyck in the coming days and weeks as well since he too will not be signing an extension with the Jets. Enter Jeremy Swayman, a 24-year old unsigned RFA starting calibur goalie. The Bruins may not be able to afford two goalies making nearly $10 million against the cap.
One potental hurdle is Dubois being willing to extend in Boston. He has apparently given the Jets a list of 5 or 6 teams for which he'd be willing to do so, and the plan is a Tkachuk style sign-and-trade. He's from Quebec and through his many trade saga's the Canadiens are almost certainly at the top of his wish list. If that hurdle gets cleared (and the Jets Athletic people think Boston would be on his OK list) then it's the contract. Obviously the Bruins do not have a lot of cap space to work with. This isn't really solving the cap dilema as it is re-allocating cap space (plus additional cap space) from goalie to a potential future first line center. Not easy, but if they get creative it might be something they could pull off.
Like I said, silly season.
Fluto:
https://theathletic.com/4629890/2023/06/21/bruins-offseason-bergeron-krejci-cap-space/?source=user_shared_article
- B’s “pounding the phone for trades”
- Grz probably gone
- Other teams wondering about the goalies
- A current Bruin thinks Bergy and Krejci are done
https://theathletic.com/4629890/2023/06/21/bruins-offseason-bergeron-krejci-cap-space/?source=user_shared_article
- B’s “pounding the phone for trades”
- Grz probably gone
- Other teams wondering about the goalies
- A current Bruin thinks Bergy and Krejci are done
Here’s another C option as a trade candidate, Elias Lindholm.
View: https://twitter.com/frank_seravalli/status/1671898356191297537?s=46&t=23orJRFkAhpzRtm4p3-oEw
He probably makes a little more sense for the Bruins than Dubois because he is signed for this year at $4.85 million AAV. That’s a little easier to fit in for this season then any extension would kick in when the Bruins have some more breathing room cap wise.
Problem here will be the trade package. Calgary probably isn’t interested in a goalie since they have Markstrom and Vladar under contract for multiple season. The Bruins are short on futures. Apparently Hanifin won’t sign in Calgary either (WTF is up with everyone wanting out of CGY) so maybe Grz is a fit but he would also be a flight risk for CGY.
View: https://twitter.com/frank_seravalli/status/1671898356191297537?s=46&t=23orJRFkAhpzRtm4p3-oEw
He probably makes a little more sense for the Bruins than Dubois because he is signed for this year at $4.85 million AAV. That’s a little easier to fit in for this season then any extension would kick in when the Bruins have some more breathing room cap wise.
Problem here will be the trade package. Calgary probably isn’t interested in a goalie since they have Markstrom and Vladar under contract for multiple season. The Bruins are short on futures. Apparently Hanifin won’t sign in Calgary either (WTF is up with everyone wanting out of CGY) so maybe Grz is a fit but he would also be a flight risk for CGY.
Haha, that's true. Same goes for the guys who don't want to stay in Winnipeg either (Dubois, Hellebuyck) I suppose.
It's getting out of hand though, nobody wants to stay. Gaudreau and Tkachuk last year. Hanifin, Backlund (who has been there for 15 years) and maybe Elias Lindholm this year with Tyler Toffoli an unknown. You'd figure one or two of them would want to stay but nope.
It's getting out of hand though, nobody wants to stay. Gaudreau and Tkachuk last year. Hanifin, Backlund (who has been there for 15 years) and maybe Elias Lindholm this year with Tyler Toffoli an unknown. You'd figure one or two of them would want to stay but nope.
I agree. It is sad to see this kind of (proposed) exodus. Winterpeg and Calgary (+Edmonton) are such phenomenal Canadian hockey towns, and I'd contend without the media scrutiny one faces in Montreal or Toronto. Outside of high income taxes (perhaps that is the issue?), I would have thought those would be a highly desired hockey environment to be in.
...Or I guess you can just goto Columbus and rot.
The big issue is that it’s very cold in Alberta and Manitoba during the hockey season. And it’s not just the players that have to live there. These guys have wives that have a say in where they would rather live. In a league with a hard cap, it’s a big disadvantage to be in a market with that kind of climate.