2019-2020 Bruins

RedOctober3829

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 19, 2005
55,299
deep inside Guido territory
All info per CapFriendly.
Players Under Contract
Marchand($6.125)-Bergeron($6.875)-Pastrnak($6.666)
DeBrusk($863,333)-Krejci($7.25)-Kuhlman($750,000)
Backes($6.0)-Kuraly($1.275)-Coyle($3.2)
Nordstrom($1.0)-Wagner($1.25)-

Chara($2.0)-Miller($2.5)
Krug($5.25)-Moore($2.75)
Grzelcyk($1.4)-Clifton($725,000)

Rask($7.0)
Halak($2.75)

Buyouts/Retained Salary on 2019-2020 Cap
Matt Beleskey($1.9)
Dennis Seidenberg($1.16)

UFA
Marcus Johansson
Noel Acciari
Steve Kampfer
Zane McIntyre

RFA
Charlie McAvoy
Brandon Carlo
Danton Heinen(arbitration eligible)

Cap Space: $14.3 million

2019 Draft: #30 1st round, 3rd(#93), 5th(#155), 6th(#186),
(2nd rd pick given to NJ for MoJo, original 4th rd pick given to Chicago for Tommy Wingels, Rangers 4th rd pick acquired in McQuaid trade was traded to Wild for Coyle, 7th rd pick traded to Rangers in Nash deal)

Needs/Questions
--RFA deals for McAvoy and Carlo
--2nd line RW. Johansson seems to be a fit here but if not they need someone to play alongside Krejci. Seems to be an ongoing issue.
--Make a decision on Backes. Probably not worth it to buy him out.
--Is Torey Krug a candidate for a trade? Money for McAvoy/Carlo is going to be big so can they afford 3 defensemen at big money long term?
--Will Acciari price himself out of a 4th line role?
--With 2 years left on his deal, is a trade of Krejci a possibility? I don't think so, but it's a way to shed salary and make adjustments to the roster.
 
Last edited:

Salem's Lot

Andy Moog! Andy God Damn Moog!
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
14,465
Gallows Hill
Krug is absolutely a trade candidate. His no trade drops to 8 teams on 7/1, they could get a top six wing for him, and he’s going to price himself out of town with his next deal. They will surely miss what he does on the power play but he’s the obvious candidate to get moved for value/cap reasons. I still don’t think anyone is biting on Krejci at $7 million and he has a full no move clause that I doubt he’d wave.
 

burstnbloom

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 12, 2005
2,761
Could someone explain why it's not worth it to buy out Backes?
It only saves them a small amount (less than $1m) because his salary is low but he's got a big bonus due on July 1. He is a trade candidate after July 1 to a cap floor team, though because he'd have a $6m cap hit for 2 years and only $5m total cash due. Hed have to waive a ntc for most of those teams, presumably.
 

Eddie Jurak

canderson-lite
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 12, 2002
44,477
Melrose, MA
Krug is absolutely a trade candidate. His no trade drops to 8 teams on 7/1, they could get a top six wing for him, and he’s going to price himself out of town with his next deal. They will surely miss what he does on the power play but he’s the obvious candidate to get moved for value/cap reasons. I still don’t think anyone is biting on Krejci at $7 million and he has a full no move clause that I doubt he’d wave.
And this sucks. They lost a series in large part because the key offensive players (top line + Krejci) were mostly MIA, and the shoe that may drop may very well be getting rid of the guy who showed up, produced, and did all he could to keep them in it, even though the team has nothing even close to a replacement for what he brings.

I agree it may well be necessary to do, but it makes the team worse.
 

BaseballJones

ivanvamp
SoSH Member
Oct 1, 2015
24,376
Even with the likely/possible changes, we're all agreed that the 2019-20 Bruins should be pretty damned good, right? Good enough to possibly make another run?
 

Boston Brawler

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 17, 2011
9,757
Even with the likely/possible changes, we're all agreed that the 2019-20 Bruins should be pretty damned good, right? Good enough to possibly make another run?
Yeah. We saw this year, just make the playoffs and anything can happen. Hard to imagine them not at least making the playoffs.
 

Lose Remerswaal

Experiencing Furry Panic
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
It only saves them a small amount (less than $1m) because his salary is low but he's got a big bonus due on July 1. He is a trade candidate after July 1 to a cap floor team, though because he'd have a $6m cap hit for 2 years and only $5m total cash due. Hed have to waive a ntc for most of those teams, presumably.
Ahhh. I saw the $6 million above, and wrongly assumed that was salary, not cap hit. Makes sense.
 

cshea

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 15, 2006
36,047
306, row 14
Here’s what a Backes buyout would look like:

2019-2020: $5,666,667 Cap hit
2020-2021: $3,666,667
2021-2022: $667,667
2022-2023: $667,667

So yeah, not really all that palatable this year or next. It doesn’t even free up enough cap space to fit in his replacement either on an ELC or minimum salary. One potential wrinkle is they may get a second buyout window after 6/30 if Heinen goes to arbitration. That opens up a second buyout window. I’m not sure how the math works on the buyout once the $3 million bonus is paid 7/1. Anyways, a post 7/1 trade seems like the best for both parties but there are hurdles. As burstnbloom said, after 7/1, the financial commitment is 2-years $5 million a $6 million cap hit. That isn’t too terrible for a get 4th line guy with leadership qualities, and that kind of contract would be appealing to cap floor teams. The hurdle here is his NTC, where he OK’s 8 teams. I don’t think he would OK Ottawa, for instance. They are going to have to work with him to find out where he’d like to go. I’m guessing he’d prefer a contender, which makes it tough, but maybe some team values him at $3 million if the Bruins retain half. My other thought is maybe Minnesota. It is his home state, maybe he has interest in going back. Minnesota has been weird lately with their roster decisions, but maybe the Bruins can attach a puck or prospect to unload Backes.
 

Smiling Joe Hesketh

Throw Momma From the Train
Moderator
SoSH Member
May 20, 2003
35,734
Deep inside Muppet Labs
Krug is absolutely a trade candidate. His no trade drops to 8 teams on 7/1, they could get a top six wing for him, and he’s going to price himself out of town with his next deal. They will surely miss what he does on the power play but he’s the obvious candidate to get moved for value/cap reasons. I still don’t think anyone is biting on Krejci at $7 million and he has a full no move clause that I doubt he’d wave.
He's going to be traded, of that I have no doubt, and Donnie will point to the Blues' physical defensemen as an example of what they need to do, and it's back to the stone ages for us.

I pray they don't learn the wrong lesson from this series.
 

Jed Zeppelin

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 23, 2008
51,291
Really hate the idea of losing Krug, who I think would be missed even more than anticipated, though I’m not overly familiar with the blueline prospects that might step up to replace him. But if you can get a cheaper top-6 for him you probably have to swallow that pill. Another season of guess who on Krejci’s wing won’t do, especially with MoJo leaving and Heinen firmly settling into solid but unspectacular territory. Maybe Senyshyn gets his shot and/or Bjork gets back in the mix.

The Krejci/Backes money is a real kick in the teeth if they can’t unload the latter. The Artist Formerly Known as God had a strong season but he was always going to have a rough go with the pressure and physicality of a team like StL, especially carrying Backes for 5 games. How they redeploy that $ when it ultimately comes off the books will go a long way toward keeping good times rolling as the D hits its prime with the guys we know and the guys we don’t yet like Urho and Lauzon.

Feels almost mandatory that Studnicka fulfills his promise. We got there with the Coyle acquisition but center depth was a bit hairy this season and none of the prospects popped.

Just keep drafting well and making good decisions.
 

lexrageorge

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2007
18,099
And this sucks. They lost a series in large part because the key offensive players (top line + Krejci) were mostly MIA, and the shoe that may drop may very well be getting rid of the guy who showed up, produced, and did all he could to keep them in it, even though the team has nothing even close to a replacement for what he brings.

I agree it may well be necessary to do, but it makes the team worse.
A trade of Krug doesn't have to make the team worse if done right. They already have McAvoy, Carlo, and Grz on the blue line, and so they would be dealing from a position of strength. The problem you cited indicates that their top 6 forward depth is lacking. The Blues were able to shut down the B's top line, and Krejci's line just doesn't have the talent to take over when that happens. Plus Krejci, Bergeron, and Marchand aren't getting any younger.

Trade Krug for a highly skilled winger or 2C to bump Krejci down and the team could very well improve. Trade Krug for a checking forward to make KPD happy and, yes, we'll be looking at a long season next year.

My biggest concern is that Neely and Sweeney learn the wrong lesson from these playoffs and opt for the latter.
 

DJnVa

Dorito Dawg
SoSH Member
Dec 16, 2010
53,850
My biggest concern is that Neely and Sweeney learn the wrong lesson from these playoffs and opt for the latter.
Do you really learn the wrong lessons from a playoffs where you were essentially one REALLY REALLY shitty game away from winning the Cup? That doesn't scream overhaul.
 

lexrageorge

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2007
18,099
Do you really learn the wrong lessons from a playoffs where you were essentially one REALLY REALLY shitty game away from winning the Cup? That doesn't scream overhaul.
I'm not worried about an overhaul.

I'm worried in that they do have some difficult roster decisions to make due to some important RFA's that need to be signed while they are snug against the cap. And the irrational side in me recalls that the last time they lost in the Finals, they traded Seguin for hot garbage.
 

Smiling Joe Hesketh

Throw Momma From the Train
Moderator
SoSH Member
May 20, 2003
35,734
Deep inside Muppet Labs
That trade was a disaster no matter what the intentions. Loui getting concussed to shit was bad luck but like the Thornton trade they dealt a horse for 3 ponies. They misread their window and rushed to get a player they perceived as a problem out of town.

Any trade this summer won't be nearly as large in scope, but they have to be very, very careful about a possible return for Krug. if they get another John Moore type I'm going to smash things.
 

lexrageorge

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2007
18,099
Loui Eriksson is not hot garbage.
Well, he has been his last 3 years, but that's not relevant now.

Seguin was a highly sought after top line forward that was under team control for 5 more seasons. The return for trading a guy like that is supposed to be much, much more than Eriksson and the truly cold garbage that came along with him.

That trade was a disaster no matter what the intentions. Loui getting concussed to shit was bad luck but like the Thornton trade they dealt a horse for 3 ponies. They misread their window and rushed to get a player they perceived as a problem out of town.

Any trade this summer won't be nearly as large in scope, but they have to be very, very careful about a possible return for Krug. if they get another John Moore type I'm going to smash things.
This is exactly my fear. I mean, a reasonable argument can be made that they could have used a healthy Kevan Miller in this round. But, they will have Miller again next year, and they can always find guys like that on the cheap if needed. They may not have much of choice when it comes to trading Krug, but they certainly will have lots of options in terms of what they get back. Second line scoring should be a priority this offseason, and they can then fill the lunch pail roles with ELC and vet min players as needed. If they screw it up, it could be another long and disappointing stretch similar to the one that followed 2013, except that the Bergeron/Chara window will be closed for good.
 
Last edited:

BaseballJones

ivanvamp
SoSH Member
Oct 1, 2015
24,376
I think the idea here is: now's not the time to screw up a trade. This team is *right there* in the NHL's elite. You don't want to mess this up. I think they'll make the right moves.
 

Zososoxfan

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 30, 2009
9,209
South of North
Really hate the idea of losing Krug, who I think would be missed even more than anticipated, though I’m not overly familiar with the blueline prospects that might step up to replace him. But if you can get a cheaper top-6 for him you probably have to swallow that pill. Another season of guess who on Krejci’s wing won’t do, especially with MoJo leaving and Heinen firmly settling into solid but unspectacular territory. Maybe Senyshyn gets his shot and/or Bjork gets back in the mix.
A trade of Krug doesn't have to make the team worse if done right. They already have McAvoy, Carlo, and Grz on the blue line, and so they would be dealing from a position of strength. The problem you cited indicates that their top 6 forward depth is lacking. The Blues were able to shut down the B's top line, and Krejci's line just doesn't have the talent to take over when that happens. Plus Krejci, Bergeron, and Marchand aren't getting any younger.

Trade Krug for a highly skilled winger or 2C to bump Krejci down and the team could very well improve.
Trade Krug for a checking forward to make KPD happy and, yes, we'll be looking at a long season next year.

My biggest concern is that Neely and Sweeney learn the wrong lesson from these playoffs and opt for the latter.
Bingo. After 2013, I thought the core couldn't climb the mountain again, but this club has done an outstanding job at identifying and developing (I think?) DMen. The goal for the offseason should be taking all of those great assets on D and getting some top 6 talent and depth into the squad. I'm ecstatic that Coyle will be on this team again - he's such a well-rounded player.

A quick look at the UFA pool and the names that jump out as realistic possibilities are Dzingel and old friend Brett Connolly. Probably a pipe dream but Gustav Nyquist, Anders Lee, and Duchene are also UFA.
 

lexrageorge

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2007
18,099
Bingo. After 2013, I thought the core couldn't climb the mountain again, but this club has done an outstanding job at identifying and developing (I think?) DMen. The goal for the offseason should be taking all of those great assets on D and getting some top 6 talent and depth into the squad. I'm ecstatic that Coyle will be on this team again - he's such a well-rounded player.

A quick look at the FA pool and the names that jump out as realistic possibilities are Dzingel and old friend Brett Connolly. Probably a pipe dream but Gustav Nyquist, Anders Lee, and Duchene are also FA.
What about Panarin?
 

cshea

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 15, 2006
36,047
306, row 14
The draft is a week from tomorrow, so things are likely to move quick. Here’s my take on the state of the team and an offseason plan.

Forwards

Marchand - Bergeron - Pastrnak
DeBrusk - Krejci - Backes
Heinen - Coyle - Kuhlman
Nordstrom - Kuraly - Wagner

UFA: Acciari, Johansson
RFA: Heinen

I’d let Acciari walk. They have options on that spot. I’d love to keep Johansson, but his strong playoff performance might make him too expensive. Heinen should be signed, $3 million or so? Hopefully they can clear out Backes. Top 6 RW is really their biggest need. They’ve spent the last 2 years cycling through options with nothing sticking. The UFA market for RW is Eberle, Pavelski, Pominville, Nyquist, Johansson, Simmonds. Nothing jumps out, and those guys will probably be out of their price range. Internally, they don’t have too much. There are rumblings of Anaheim buying out Corey Perry. He had an awful season, but on a 1-year for cheap money deal maybe they could look at him as a throw shit against the wall and see what sticks type. Anders Bjork will forever be my prospect binky but two major shoulder injuries has taken the shine off him. I think he could be an OK 3rd line wing option, but he’ll need to show there before considering him for the top 6. A wrinkle here could be if Studnicka, Frederic or a wild card like Steen show up to camp and prove they can handle the 3rd line center role. That would free them up to move Coyle to RW. Acquiring someone via trade feels like the best bet here. I don’t think they need to do much else with the forwards. Cliff notes: Trade Backes, sign Heinen, find too 6 RW.

Defense

Chara - McAvoy
Krug - Carlo
Grzelyck - Miller
Moore - Clifton

UFA: Kampfer
RFA: McAvoy, Carlo

First and foremost is getting a McAvoy deal done. I think we’re looking at $8 million or so AAV. Next is Carlo. I haven’t a clue on what he’ll get. There aren’t many comparable for him. Or at least more accurately, I haven’t dug in enough to pick them out. I’ll try and do that. Assuming those 2 get signed, they’ll have 7 NHL D, 8 including Clifton. 9 if they think Vaakanainen is ready. Lauzon and Zboril are 10-11. So they are deep. Clifton and Vaak can be stashed in Providence if they bring the whole gang back, but I think they’ll move someone. I think it will be Krug. I’m 51/49 towards trading him. He’s the reason their PP has been so damned good. I also think it is going to be very hard to extend him. They have a huge contract to do this year, and 2 middle contracts to do (Carlo, Heinen), and then next year Grzelyck and DeBrusk are among those needing new contracts. Krug could probably get north of $7million, which is hard to squeeze in. It will definitely take a hit if he does get moved, but the hope is McAvoy can shoulder some of the burden on the PP, with guys like Vaakanainen and Grzelyck work their way up the ladder and shoulder more 5x5 time. Trading Krug also presents an opportunity to inject some new life into the farm system, or use some of the assets acquired to find that elusive RW. Krug has an 8-team no list, shouldn’t be too hard to work with that. A year of Erik Karlsson got 2 young roster players, an unsigned NCAA top prospect, an AHL prospect, 1st and a 2nd plus other conditional picks. Obviously Krug wouldn’t get that much, but I think he’d fetch a few of those elements and a ballpark package is a 1st and a good prospect or two.

Goalies

Rask
Halak

The NHL level is set. McIntyre is UFA. Vladar will likely get the bulk of the work with Keyser easing into his pro career. At some point they need to sign someone to expose in the Seattle expansion draft, but that can wait until after next year when Halak is up.

So I guess that’s my current take. The biggest takeaway for me is that the contributors from the past few seasons that were on ELC’s will no longer be on ELC’s. That is going to force tough decisions and they’ll need to find new ELC contributors.
This is probably long, rambling and incoherent post. But screw it. Last night sucked and I wanted to move on.
 

Eddie Jurak

canderson-lite
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 12, 2002
44,477
Melrose, MA
A trade of Krug doesn't have to make the team worse if done right. They already have McAvoy, Carlo, and Grz on the blue line, and so they would be dealing from a position of strength.
Krug is a more important contributor to the team’s offense than a second line caliber wing would be. And his skillset is not redundant with Carlo or Grzelcyk. Maybe McAvoy, but he will increasingly fill a different role on the team (picking up the #1 mantle held by Chara for so many years).

Krug is a more valuable contributor than a second line wing, and his skillset won’t be replaced if he is moved.

Meanwhile, Backes is going to pull in a lot of money for a contribution that can best be described as ‘zero’.

Regarding Seguin, the problem there was not necessarily in moving him, but in moving him for a tiny fraction of his value as a player. There needs to be a strong rationale for dealing anyone of the return is pennies on the dollar.

Now we’re again on the position of moving a guy who isn’t easily replaceable in part because we have a highly paid guy who doesn’t contribute. It’s not good.
 

Salem's Lot

Andy Moog! Andy God Damn Moog!
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
14,465
Gallows Hill
The number one priority of the offseason should be to find a way out of that Backes deal. He only has a 15 team no trade list starting 7/1, and Sweeney should try everything he can to move it. It’s not impossible since the actual cash left on the deal is only $8 million vs the $12 million cap hit.
 

BaseballJones

ivanvamp
SoSH Member
Oct 1, 2015
24,376
I think the idea here is: now's not the time to screw up a trade. This team is *right there* in the NHL's elite. You don't want to mess this up. I think they'll make the right moves.
 

Carmine Hose

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 2, 2001
5,046
Dorchester, MA
It seems we should also be focusing a little more on the longer term than the just the shorter term, given the +30 age of 3 of the top forwards and the goalie. The shocking Tampa Bay flameout is unlikely to replicate, and the Leafs likely only get better. If they had to survive 7 against Toronto and then face the Lightning, they are probably already several weeks onto the golf course.
 

Salem's Lot

Andy Moog! Andy God Damn Moog!
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
14,465
Gallows Hill
It seems we should also be focusing a little more on the longer term than the just the shorter term, given the +30 age of 3 of the top forwards and the goalie. The shocking Tampa Bay flameout is unlikely to replicate, and the Leafs likely only get better. If they had to survive 7 against Toronto and then face the Lightning, they are probably already several weeks onto the golf course.
Keep in mind that the salary cap is about to hit those teams hard in the next year or two. For as big of an opportunity as the Bruins wasted last night, they’re still building towards their window. Tampa is about to see theirs shut. Especially with Yzerman gone now.
 

Smiling Joe Hesketh

Throw Momma From the Train
Moderator
SoSH Member
May 20, 2003
35,734
Deep inside Muppet Labs
That's what makes last night such a kick in the balls, because this is a team on the older side and they just blew a chance to win with this core. I'm unsure if they'll ever have a better chance with these guys.
 

lexrageorge

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2007
18,099
Krug is a more important contributor to the team’s offense than a second line caliber wing would be. And his skillset is not redundant with Carlo or Grzelcyk. Maybe McAvoy, but he will increasingly fill a different role on the team (picking up the #1 mantle held by Chara for so many years).

Krug is a more valuable contributor than a second line wing, and his skillset won’t be replaced if he is moved.

Meanwhile, Backes is going to pull in a lot of money for a contribution that can best be described as ‘zero’.

Regarding Seguin, the problem there was not necessarily in moving him, but in moving him for a tiny fraction of his value as a player. There needs to be a strong rationale for dealing anyone of the return is pennies on the dollar.

Now we’re again on the position of moving a guy who isn’t easily replaceable in part because we have a highly paid guy who doesn’t contribute. It’s not good.
Part of the calculation with Krug is the fact that some GM is likely to wildly overpay him when he hits UFA. Paying McAvoy top dollar is a no-brainer. Whether it makes sense to do the same for Krug is less so, IMO. And there is the fact that a Krug trade should net a very solid player in return. Those factors are far more important than Backes, who I believe can be bundled with a prospect or pick relatively easily.
 

cshea

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 15, 2006
36,047
306, row 14
Toronto is going to dump Marleau and Zaitsev and be fine. Tampa will jettison Callahan and maybe another guy like JT Miller. I don’t think those cap situations are as bad as they are made out to be.

I also disagree about the Bruins building towards their window. I think it is closing.
 

Salem's Lot

Andy Moog! Andy God Damn Moog!
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
14,465
Gallows Hill
That's what makes last night such a kick in the balls, because this is a team on the older side and they just blew a chance to win with this core. I'm unsure if they'll ever have a better chance with these guys.
Probably not. The road opened right up for them and their forward group that was great all season couldn’t close the deal. However management should have the same plan going into this offseason that they would’ve had had Pietrangelo and O’Reilly hit posts in the first and Marchand’s shot on the power play didn’t get stopped by the jersey in the armpit of the goalie and they won.

I have faith that Sweeney won’t base decisions on small sample sizes, and base them on the direction that the game is heading in and contractual realities of the roster. However if we start hearing rumors of them shopping Pastrnak for a big veteran forward with “jam”, then it’s back to the Stone Age and the whole FO should get canned.
 

Salem's Lot

Andy Moog! Andy God Damn Moog!
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
14,465
Gallows Hill
Toronto is going to dump Marleau and Zaitsev and be fine. Tampa will jettison Callahan and maybe another guy like JT Miller. I don’t think those cap situations are as bad as they are made out to be.

I also disagree about the Bruins building towards their window. I think it is closing.
Maybe I’m just overly bullish on their ability to draft and develop young defensemen under Sweeney. They need a couple of potential top 2 center prospects in the organization absolutely, but I like where they’re going at the other positions.
 

RIFan

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 19, 2005
3,087
Rhode Island
The number one acquisition target for this team has to be a new ice plant and/or ice supervisor. If the NHL can make a suitable sheet in the middle of Dodger Stadium, the Garden can keep an NHL quality sheet in a building. It was embarrassing and ultimately costly that the ice was so consistently garbage through the whole season and especially the playoffs. It at best neutralized their skating and pass handling advantages against STL and at worst was a major factor in losing the cup. They need to figure that out and get it fixed this summer.

I understand the Krug trade talk, but if they really want to maximize the window they hang on to him. He really rounded out his defensive game and the chemistry he's developed with Carlo make them a real 1A pairing. I expect Carlo to really step up his game with the confidence he's gained through the playoff run. Krug's offensive side is honestly irreplaceable. No one, not even Charlie, has a ceiling of where Krug is now with his breakout abilities and vision. That is not a slight on Charlie. He was an absolute beast all playoffs. I'm calling it now, he's going to be a Norris finalist as soon as the upcoming season.

The Krejci line is where they need to focus. I think Debrusk is the type of kid that his lack of performance in the playoffs is going to eat at him and really push him hard to get to the next level. They need to be clear to Backes that the expected role for him next year is as the 13th forward and that money makes a trade unlikely. I doubt that his pride will get him to retire and walk away from the money, but I imagine there is some very small chance. It's too bad the expansion draft wasn't next year. He'd be a perfect candidate to work out something with Seattle. They have to solve the 2RW position. Hopefully one of the kids steps up and shows they can handle the 3C or 4C position (depending on how they slot Kuraly). That would allow them to keep Coyle on the 2RW.

I don't think they need to do anything major with the roster and there isn't a major "missing piece". I do think the window is only a season or two. I hate to say it, but I expect the cliff to come up soon for Bergeron. He was probably dealing with some type of groin or leg issue. The years are taking their toll. He can't really afford to lose much foot speed and remain close to the level he is. I also have a slight concern for Pastrnak. Maybe we find out he's suffering some effects from the thumb injury and will have surgery fix it. My concern is that it isn't injury related and he has some type of hockey 'yips'. For a guy that relies on feel and his hands he had way too many wiffs on passes and shots.


I'm looking forward to training camp. Competition is going to be intense. They have a number of NHL ready players both forwards and D. Some deserving players are going to get sent to Providence.
 

lexrageorge

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2007
18,099
Sweeney signed Backes. That alone makes me very wary.
Backes was a fairly consistent 50+ point producer and typically got a number of Selke votes to boot. The issue is that his game did not age well, and the cliff occurred at age 32. But Sweeney should also get credit for walking away from Eriksson, who's been even worse for the Canucks.
 

Eddie Jurak

canderson-lite
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 12, 2002
44,477
Melrose, MA
It seems we should also be focusing a little more on the longer term than the just the shorter term, given the +30 age of 3 of the top forwards and the goalie. The shocking Tampa Bay flameout is unlikely to replicate, and the Leafs likely only get better. If they had to survive 7 against Toronto and then face the Lightning, they are probably already several weeks onto the golf course.
Interesting. I think Krug’s contract situation being what it is, there may be 3 time frames: next season, where they return the whole core unless they trade some like Krug. The next year or two after that, at which point Krug is gone (either traded now or as UFS later). Then there is a longer term where Bergeron, Krejci are not the elite players they are now and rebuilding is necessary.

I don’t think Krug’s trade value will be all that high as guy about to hit UFS anyway, so I think my plan would be to run it back this year and plan on some of the younger forwards stepping up. Then Krug walks and there are decisions to make for the next year.
That's what makes last night such a kick in the balls, because this is a team on the older side and they just blew a chance to win with this core. I'm unsure if they'll ever have a better chance with these guys.
Yes. And another argument for running it back.
Part of the calculation with Krug is the fact that some GM is likely to wildly overpay him when he hits UFA. Paying McAvoy top dollar is a no-brainer. Whether it makes sense to do the same for Krug is less so, IMO. And there is the fact that a Krug trade should net a very solid player in return. Those factors are far more important than Backes, who I believe can be bundled with a prospect or pick relatively easily.
The problem with a Krug deal is first, judging from here (which may not be fair) he seems underrated and his particular skill set isn’t replaceable. Second, his impending UFA is a double-edged sword. It limits his value to Boston, but it also limits his value to an acquiring team. In effect they would be trading a year of Krug, so the return would be a player of equal value who will also be UFA in a year or a lesser player with more years of team control. (I assume the ‘futures’ route is off the table). No team is going to make a move it sees as weakening itself.
 

PedroSpecialK

Comes at you like a tornado of hair and the NHL sa
SoSH Member
Dec 12, 2004
27,164
Cambridge, MA
Shortlist of things to do this summer:
  • Gauge Krug's extension demands - $6.5-7.2m AAV and I try to keep him at or under 6 years, but he's rightly going to want (and likely get) more than that on the open market
  • Pay Backes his $3m 7/1 bonus, try to move him for a song, waive him if he doesn't accept a move to a cap floor team - he'll get picked up
  • Back up the truck for McAvoy ($8m AAV) and Carlo ($5.75m AAV) estimated
  • Re-sign Heinen ($2.5m AAV estimated)
  • If Acciari wants $1m+ AAV, let him walk
Cap situation with these moves and anticipated callup replacements (Bjork, Steen) spoilered below



 

RIFan

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 19, 2005
3,087
Rhode Island
Is Kevan Miller movable at $2.5 million? Or is that just sunk cost with the injury at this point?
They moved McQuaid at $2.75 last year, so Miller is definitely movable. I'm not sure I see that happening as they have no one that could fill his particular role, which was definitely missed against STL. The direction they go with D with Vak, Lauzon, and Clifton all vying for a spot will be interesting.
 

cshea

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 15, 2006
36,047
306, row 14
He is totally moveable. He’d probably fetch a McQuaid type return, maybe a slightly higher draft pick.

The issue isn they are light on right defensemen.
 

Salem's Lot

Andy Moog! Andy God Damn Moog!
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
14,465
Gallows Hill
They moved McQuaid at $2.75 last year, so Miller is definitely movable. I'm not sure I see that happening as they have no one that could fill his particular role, which was definitely missed against STL. The direction they go with D with Vak, Lauzon, and Clifton all vying for a spot will be interesting.
They just have too many NHL or NHL ready defensemen. I would love to see them be able to keep Krug, but to do so and pay McAvoy and Carlo, someone has to go. Miller is the obvious guy. Sure they missed him in a finals series against a heavy western conference team, but they still have to play out of the east and they would be better served with more mobile guys back there against those teams without Miller. And if it comes down to Krug or Miller, one of them has to go, that’s a no brainer.
 

Carmine Hose

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 2, 2001
5,046
Dorchester, MA
I think you need to move Krug now at his highest value for a cheaper option on the wing and give the money saved in a McAvoy deal. Make do with Grz moving up to pair with Carlo. He improved all year. No he's not where Krug is offensively now, but at his price, it's a worthy tradeoff.
 

TheRealness

Member
SoSH Member
Feb 8, 2006
11,694
The Dirty Shire
I don't think they have to do a lot. They have three quality centers in Bergeron, Krejci and Coyle, a great goaltender in Tuukka, and one of the better all around defenses in the game.

From a cap standpoint they have to look at moving Krug, but I would only be doing so if it added a winger to the top 6 or some real elite prospect depth. The latter would be harder for me to swallow.

I think their window is closing, but they have I think at least two more years before Bergeron and Krejci start sliding. Studnicka looms large as their center of the future. If he doesn't pan out, the Bruins are looking at some real tough years in 3-5 years.