Bruins Trade Rumors/Targets

cshea · Dec 19, 2014

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/30-thoughts-cory-sarich-wants-one-more-shot-at-nhl/

Friedman's weekly 30 thoughts column, the first 2 deal with the Bruins. More of the same- Oshie, Berglund, Kassian (although he added a note after the fact saying the Bruins have cooled on Kassian). Says the problem for the B's is that Berglund and Oshie are signed for 2 more years, while Loui only has a year left.

RedOctober3829 · Dec 19, 2014

Heard Elliotte Friedman audio on F&M saying one option is a Loui-for-TJ Oshie swap straight up. I'd do that in a heartbeat. Would anybody else?

FL4WL3SS · Dec 19, 2014

Honestly, probably not. Loui and Oshie are comparable players and I'd rather have them both then either/or; and since we already have Loui, it would be a lateral move at best. Even though Loui hasn't blossomed in Boston yet, he's shown more offensive talent in the past than Oshie and I think is perfect on Soderberg's wing. I expect that line to do big things in the second half of the season.

The salaries work out, though.

TheRealness · Dec 19, 2014

RedOctober3829 said:
Heard Elliotte Friedman audio on F&M saying one option is a Loui-for-TJ Oshie swap straight up. I'd do that in a heartbeat. Would anybody else?

In a vacuum, yes. But it's a pretty lateral move, no? It closes one hole, and opens another on the 3rd line.

NYCSox · Dec 19, 2014

TheRealness said:
In a vacuum, yes. But it's a pretty lateral move, no? It closes one hole, and opens another on the 3rd line.

Yeah and of course the Blues have the same calculus on their side as well.

cshea · Dec 19, 2014

Loui Eriksson is a better player than TJ Oshie, and Loui has the better contract. I wouldn't do that straight up.

The Kassian idea intrigues me a bit even with the injury. I'm not sure he'll ever be a top 6 player, but he's only 23 and under control for 3 more seasons. I think he'd be worth a roll of the dice and the acquisition cost shouldn't be too high. Maybe something like Trotman/Miller and picks? Benning knows the Bruins well enough, I'm sure they could find something acceptable.

FL4WL3SS · Dec 19, 2014

cshea said:
Loui Eriksson is a better player than TJ Oshie, and Loui has the better contract. I wouldn't do that straight up.

The Kassian idea intrigues me a bit even with the injury. I'm not sure he'll ever be a top 6 player, but he's only 23 and under control for 3 more seasons. I think he'd be worth a roll of the dice and the acquisition cost shouldn't be too high. Maybe something like Trotman/Miller and picks? Benning knows the Bruins well enough, I'm sure they could find something acceptable.

How is Loui's contract better? He gets paid more. Oshie has an extra year, but he's also 2 years younger.

cshea · Dec 19, 2014

Eriksson makes less than $100K more than Oshie. I like the shorter term since it allows for more flexibility.

FL4WL3SS · Dec 19, 2014

cshea said:
Eriksson makes less than $100K more than Oshie. I like the shorter term since it allows for more flexibility.

Not trying to be difficult, but what flexibility do they gain? After next season, they have exactly 7 guys under contract.

Edit: It's really 6, Savard doesn't count.

cshea · Dec 19, 2014

Those 6 players account for $36 million in cap space. Say the cap is $75mm in 3 years, that leaves 39 million to fill out the rest of the roster, which is ~$2.5 million per player for the 16 vacancies. They have a lot committed already and I think having options, flexibility and cap space is a good thing.

Reardon's Beard · Dec 28, 2014

FWIW evidently the Blues media guy tweeted out late last night that a trade is coming for them. Supposedly if he says something it's usually accurate - but no details on what it's going to be.

Only bringing it up as there's been quite a bit of organizational scouting of St. Louis and vice versa.

cshea · Jan 5, 2015

http://www.nicholsonhockey.com/worthreading/2015/1/5/friedman-on-bruins-coyotes-vermette-lucic-eriksson-blues-oshie

Trade winds blowing a bit. According to Friedman they were trying to close on Vermette last night, Eriksson for Oshie may have been discussed and someone has kicked tires on Lucic.

Reardon's Beard · Jan 5, 2015

cshea said:
http://www.nicholsonhockey.com/worthreading/2015/1/5/friedman-on-bruins-coyotes-vermette-lucic-eriksson-blues-oshie

Trade winds blowing a bit. According to Friedman they were trying to close on Vermette last night, Eriksson for Oshie may have been discussed and someone has kicked tires on Lucic.

OK let's roll with this and see if we can predict a Vermette matchup. 3.75M cap hit supposedly and the B's have 1.75M free at the moment.

How does this work for Boston? I would think they try to match salaries and include a prospect or future pick without touching the core of the team.

cshea · Jan 6, 2015

Vermette's a weird fit. He's got the Ottawa connection so I can see Chiarelli's interest. Vermette's a left shot center/wing. He's a faceoff wizard and would be a nice upgrade offensively if he was in Kelly's spot on the 3rd line, but that isn't really an area of concern right now. It doesn't really fill a need.

Reardon's Beard · Jan 7, 2015

Kassian makes more sense than Vermette, but trading Loui breaks up arguably their best line right now. Although it also frees up cap space if I read his salary accuately as 1.5M. Have to think there's more moving parts if that's what they're talking about.

cshea · Jan 7, 2015

Loui for Kassian would be terrible, but I do like Kassian. Benning obviously knows the Bruins system inside and out- maybe he has a binky prospect (Koko? His son?) he likes? Prospect plus a draft pick for Kassian seems reasonable.

And yeah, TSC, the Vermette thing is a bit mystifying.

FL4WL3SS · Jan 7, 2015

TheShynessClinic said:
Loui for Kassian straight up is a bad deal. Wasn't there some smoke linking the Bruins to Edler though?

Is Kassian/Edler for Loui + (Caron, Cunningham, someone of that ilk) more reasonable?

I don't see how that makes the team better. You're weakening the offense, which is where I think they need to improve. Edler would be a nice addition, though - if they could get Edler without giving up Loui, that would be ideal.

TFP · Jan 7, 2015

At $5M AAV for Edler, the math doesn't add up without someone going the other way, not sure who would make sense other than Loui. I wouldn't do Loui for the deal above though, so it's back to square one.

There really aren't a ton of deals that make sense out there unless it turns into a big blockbuster with either someone like Lucic being traded or multiple people.

FL4WL3SS · Jan 7, 2015

The Four Peters said:
At $5M AAV for Edler, the math doesn't add up without someone going the other way, not sure who would make sense other than Loui. I wouldn't do Loui for the deal above though, so it's back to square one.

There really aren't a ton of deals that make sense out there unless it turns into a big blockbuster with either someone like Lucic being traded or multiple people.

Great point, I wasn't even taking salaries into consideration.

What about Lucic+ in an Edler+Kassian deal?

cshea · Jan 7, 2015

Edler's also signed for 4 more seasons. Between Edler, Chara and Seidenberg the B's would have $16.5 million tied up in that aging trio. That's and awful lot, especially with Hamilton and Krug needing raises in the near future.

FL4WL3SS · Jan 7, 2015

cshea said:
Edler's also signed for 4 more seasons. Between Edler, Chara and Seidenberg the B's would have $16.5 million tied up in that aging trio. That's and awful lot, especially with Hamilton and Krug needing raises in the near future.

Edler is 28.

I don't even know why I'm talking about it anyway - why would Vancouver trade their top defenseman when they're second in their division.

BoSoxFink · Jan 7, 2015

What is the infatuation with Zach Kassian? He's another version of Milan Lucic but with even less scoring touch. The Bruins need someone who can score, not another Grinder.

FL4WL3SS · Jan 7, 2015

BoSoxFink said:
What is the infatuation with Zach Kassian? He's another version of Milan Lucic but with even less scoring touch. The Bruins need someone who can score, not another Grinder.

He's only 23, signed to a very nice contract (4.5M less than Lucic) and showed a good knack for scoring in the OHL. There's a lot to like.

EDIT: He put up 14 goals in his first full season (73 games) as a 22 year old. That's pretty good. Lucic is on pace for right around that number this season.

cshea · Jan 7, 2015

TheShynessClinic said:
Edler is only 28. He'd be 32/33 at the end of this deal. That's really not bad.

Yeah, you and FL4WL3SS are right. I shouldn't have lumped him in with Chara and Seidenberg age wise.

TheRealness · Jan 7, 2015

TheShynessClinic said:
He's Milan Lucic when Milan Lucic was hungry, still had potential to get better, and made almost no money. Now - there's no guarantee that he reaches Lucic's offensive output - but put him with Krejci and who knows.

It's possible that the Kassian thing is in case they trade Lucic in a blockbuster, but unless Edmonton is involved and giving up Hall, I don't want them trading Lucic. But who knows.

The Vermette thing is somewhat interesting. Maybe Kelly's list on his NMC doesn't include Arizona? One can dream, as otherwise it doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

Reardon's Beard · Jan 7, 2015

Kassian sounds like a potential Horton-lite in the sense he's a power forward that plays hard, but hasn't reached his potential in the systems he's played in. He's also a young guy and you have to figure could gel and excel playing Bruins hockey. If they can get him without moving Loui, I'm all for it. More favorable than Stewart in age/cost/control too.

cshea · Jan 7, 2015

I think Kassian would be more of a compliment for Lucic than a replacement. Lucic and Krejci have had their most success playing with big, rugged right wingers. Kassian's body type and size are similar to Horton and Iginla's. Kassian obviously doesn't have anywhere close to the same offensive track record as Horton/Iginla, but he's still young and controllable and may develop a better offensive game playing with a guy like Krejci. I think it's worth a roll of the dice. Maybe one of Spooner/Koko and a draft pick would be appealing to Vancouver and is a reasonable give from a Bruins perspective.

Toe Nash · Jan 7, 2015

TheShynessClinic said:
He's Milan Lucic when Milan Lucic was hungry, still had potential to get better, and made almost no money. Now - there's no guarantee that he reaches Lucic's offensive output - but put him with Krejci and who knows.

At Kassian's age Lucic already had 2 25+ goal seasons. I think the chances of Kassian even getting close to that are pretty minimal.

He may still be valuable at that salary, but the Lucic comparisons are a big stretch IMHO.

FL4WL3SS · Jan 7, 2015

Toe Nash said:
At Kassian's age Lucic already had 2 25+ goal seasons. I think the chances of Kassian even getting close to that are pretty minimal.

He may still be valuable at that salary, but the Lucic comparisons are a big stretch IMHO.

Lucic already had 3 full seasons in the NHL when he was 22. Kassian has one full season and 14 goals as a 22 year old is nothing to sneeze at. Though, admittedly, he's not doing much this season, but he's only played 19 games so far. He had an impressive 15.4 shot percentage last season.

PedroSpecialK · Jan 7, 2015

Best comp I can think of for Kassian is Darren McCarty. A guy you'd love to have in your top 9, will likely never be a first line winger, but is still valuable.

FL4WL3SS · Jan 7, 2015

PedroSpecialK said:
Best comp I can think of for Kassian is Darren McCarty. A guy you'd love to have in your top 9, will likely never be a first line winger, but is still valuable.

I think Kassian is already better than McCarty ever was offensively. I don't like that comp.

Toe Nash · Jan 7, 2015

FL4WL3SS said:
Lucic already had 3 full seasons in the NHL when he was 22.

Yes, this is a major point in Lucic's favor. It's not like they kept him up in the NHL for no reason.

PedroSpecialK · Jan 7, 2015

FL4WL3SS said:
I think Kassian is already better than McCarty ever was offensively. I don't like that comp.

Kassian's OHL career: 213 GP, 51 G, 114 A, 165 P (0.77 PPG), 358 PIM
McCarty's OHL career: 188 GP, 97 G, 124 A, 221 P (1.18 PPG), 470 PIM

Kassian, NHL career to date (through age 23): 175 GP, 27 G, 28 A, 55 P (0.31 PPG), 254 PIM
McCarty, NHL career through age 23 (through '95): 98 GP, 14 G, 25 A, 39 P (0.40 PPG), 269 PIM

I don't see a huge difference there in Kassian's favor through age 23. OHL competition was not nearly as robust back in McCarty's day so I don't want to put too much stock into those #s

McCarty also did not come up playing on lines with Yzerman or Fedorov, IIRC he played with Draper most of the time; Kassian's had some time with the Sedins.

In his four subsequent seasons, McCarty put up the following lines, something I think can be expected of Kassian (15-25 goals, heavy game, solid playmaking ability but not an offensive force):

Murby · Jan 15, 2015

Two tweets from @HockeyyInsiderr from about an hour ago:

"Received confirmation that Kassian to #Bruins trade is "quite imminent". Hearing Bartkowski could be 1 of the pieces involved. Being told that on #Bruins side Caron and Bartkowski 2 of the names linked to Kassian negotiations. 2 sides very close per #Canucks source."

The Napkin · Jan 15, 2015

Please don't use hockeyyinsiderr as a source
http://deadspin.com/5934256/hockeyy-insiderr-everyones-favorite-twitter-rumormonger-is-probably-a-17-year-old-kid

Murby · Jan 15, 2015

The Napkin said:
Please don't use hockeyyinsiderr as a source
http://deadspin.com/5934256/hockeyy-insiderr-everyones-favorite-twitter-rumormonger-is-probably-a-17-year-old-kid

Ouch! Noted. *wipes egg off face*

The Napkin · Jan 15, 2015

No worries, happens every year. Probably won't be the last time this year either.

Reardon's Beard · Jan 16, 2015

With the announcement that Pastrnak is staying, that answers that. I have little doubt they have the talent and momentum (when healthy) to have a strong finish to the year. I am less certain they have the depth to make a deep run in the playoffs, as I would say they are a veteran winger and (more importantly) a defenseman light. I don't think they have to go out and get first line guys, but the instances where Krug or McQuaid are missing rotations or coverage seems to be a glaring issue.

In light of the kid staying and the recent run, what's the view on SoSH regarding team composition the rest of the way?

NYCSox · Jan 16, 2015

It might change the priority but I still think there are two gaps that need to be closed.

1) Top 4 defenseman - ideally either McQuaid or Miller would play (paired with Krug) but not both as neither really should get second pairing minutes.

2) Third line LW - would like someone better than Kelly to play with Yeti and Eriksson which would allow Kelly to be bumped down to fourth line. Also can serve as insurance in case Pastrnak struggles or there is an injury to anyone on the first two lines.

RedOctober3829 · Jan 16, 2015

Would Yandle fit in a pairing with Krug?

kenneycb · Jan 16, 2015

Maybe on the PP. I wouldn't trust that at all 5 on 5.

cshea · Jan 16, 2015

Pastrnak's arrival at least buys them some time. Adding a right shot winger is no longer an immediate concern, though I do think they should be active in trying to find a top-9 guy before the deadline as an insurance policy. A guy like Chris Stewart would be a more reasonable get now as a hedge for Pastrnak. Buffalo would still have to eat a lot of salary.

On D, they need someone to fill the gap on the right side. Right now the Bruins have Adam McQuaid as the 2nd pair right D. That's a concern. The internal options aren't all that intriguing. Basically, they need Boychuk.

burstnbloom · Jan 16, 2015

RedOctober3829 said:
Would Yandle fit in a pairing with Krug?

Yandle would be a scary fit with Krug, but he would be good with Seidenberg.

Chara-Hamilton
Yandle - Seidenberg
Krug - McQuaid
Miller

Would be pretty formidable with a legit puck mover on each pair, but the salary issues that pop up with Yandle are significant and the acquisition costs are probably prohibitive.

NYCSox · Jan 16, 2015

Michael Ryder

Right PSK?

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