Bruins Offseason Roster Thread

McDrew

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Holtby, Markstrom, Blackwood*, Murray*, Jarry*, Lehner, Smith, Ullmark*, Georgiev*, Crawford, Greiss, Khudobin, and Elliot (* = RFA) are all free agents this offseason. Losing Rask would be bad, but there is a replacement available at a cost the B's can afford.
 

FL4WL3SS

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Bergeron, Marchand, Coyle, Krejci, DeBrusk, Kuraly, Kase, Studnicka, Kuhlman. None of these guys are outmatched physically on offense. And Pasta gets his own space with his skill and by playing with Marchand and Bergeron.

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

Their defense worries me. They're going to need to replace a lot of minutes and points with Chara and Krug both likely gone. I don't want to see Grzlyck playing 20 mins/game.
I think they need to entertain some trades focused heavily on defense. I don't know where to start, but they absolutely need to replace some offense on the back end and get someone that plays nice with McAvoy.
 

cshea

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I agree, but finding top 4 defensemen on the trade market is very difficult. It usually takes extenuating circumstances, like an unhappy player (Trouba) or large salary for a declining player (Subban) for impact defensemen to hit the trade market. On top of that, the Bruins don't have a lot of assets to work with. No first round pick this year, limited farm system. I don't think you'd get anything of note for a Bjork and a pupu platter of mid-level prospects and picks.
 

Lupe Whalewatch

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Wagner finally finished up all his tests and met with cardiologist today. He was given a clean bill of health and is good to go. Sounded like more of a fluke, one time thing.
 

The Napkin

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Wagner finally finished up all his tests and met with cardiologist today. He was given a clean bill of health and is good to go. Sounded like more of a fluke, one time thing.
That'd be great for him if so. I carry around a pill for mine but I've never had it happen again after that one time and surely I'm just like a professional athlete.
 

FL4WL3SS

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Also, I hope Chara
I agree, but finding top 4 defensemen on the trade market is very difficult. It usually takes extenuating circumstances, like an unhappy player (Trouba) or large salary for a declining player (Subban) for impact defensemen to hit the trade market. On top of that, the Bruins don't have a lot of assets to work with. No first round pick this year, limited farm system. I don't think you'd get anything of note for a Bjork and a pupu platter of mid-level prospects and picks.
They don't need a prototypical top 4 defenseman, just someone they think can mesh well with McAvoy. I don't think you're looking for a major impact player.
 

cshea

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Sweeney wrapping this up today. Nothing really earth shattering.

-- They will have meetings with Chara and Krug over the next few days/weeks. Says they haven't found a landing spot with Krug.

- Called Chara “iconic” but didn’t tip his hand either way on if he’ll be back.

- Trade market is active. Any Bruins activity in free agency will likely depend on trades.

- Confident Rask will be back.
 

RedOctober3829

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Sweeney wrapping this up today. Nothing really earth shattering.

-- They will have meetings with Chara and Krug over the next few days/weeks. Says they haven't found a landing spot with Krug.

- Called Chara “iconic” but didn’t tip his hand either way on if he’ll be back.

- Trade market is active. Any Bruins activity in free agency will likely depend on trades.

- Confident Rask will be back.
That quote about Chara was very non-commital. Didn't give me any more confidence that he'll be back honestly.
 

Salem's Lot

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Sweeney wrapping this up today. Nothing really earth shattering.

- Trade market is active. Any Bruins activity in free agency will likely depend on trades.
I’m legitimately petrified by this. Please no reactionary trade a dollar to try to get 5 quarters type trades. Because those quarters almost always end up turning into nickels.
 

kenneycb

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Who do they have to give up in a 5 quarters trade? They're not trading McAvoy. Krejci and Tuukka have modified NTCs. Bergeron, Pasta and Marchand aren't going anywhere on their contracts. I guess that leaves Carlo but hard to see why they would give him up. I could see them moving DeBrusk, which I'm not fully against, but that would probably be more in a 1:1 trade and it's not like DeBrusk has a super high market value anyways. They just don't have a lot of high-end, easily tradeable talent.
 

McDrew

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DeBrusk(with extension) + another asset for Dumba (3 years@6M cap per left)? B's and wild had a good trade for both sides last time.
 

cshea

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Wild have a new GM, so there isn't much history. Guerin has only made 2 trades since taking over, the Zucker trade and a minor league deal. I'm also not sure how they would view the Coyle trade. Donato was in and out of the lineup during the regular season and RTP.

I'm not really opposed to the concept of trading DeBrusk for D help, but doing so opens up a gaping hole at LW. Ritchie and Bjork would be the LW's behind Marchand. I don't think anyone is looking for that. I mentioned it before, but a super crazy idea here would be to sign Taylor Hall and then trade DeBrusk for a similarly aged and priced LHD to replace Krug. No idea who that player is yet, but I think DeBrusk would have some real value. Sweeney is among the most conservative GM's in the league so this is more of a fantasy idea. It'd probably depend on the quality of player they could get back for DeBrusk, but I think it works. They'd also need to shed salary elsewhere, like maybe Moore and Ritchie/Bjork.
 

TheRealness

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Wild have a new GM, so there isn't much history. Guerin has only made 2 trades since taking over, the Zucker trade and a minor league deal. I'm also not sure how they would view the Coyle trade. Donato was in and out of the lineup during the regular season and RTP.

I'm not really opposed to the concept of trading DeBrusk for D help, but doing so opens up a gaping hole at LW. Ritchie and Bjork would be the LW's behind Marchand. I don't think anyone is looking for that. I mentioned it before, but a super crazy idea here would be to sign Taylor Hall and then trade DeBrusk for a similarly aged and priced LHD to replace Krug. No idea who that player is yet, but I think DeBrusk would have some real value. Sweeney is among the most conservative GM's in the league so this is more of a fantasy idea. It'd probably depend on the quality of player they could get back for DeBrusk, but I think it works. They'd also need to shed salary elsewhere, like maybe Moore and Ritchie/Bjork.
Signing Hall isn’t that crazy. Theyhave liked him for years but couldn’t afford him. I read the active in FA answer based on trades to be a dog whistle to Hall, but I may be projecting. Add in Hall’s seeming willingness to shave off a little money for a winning situation, and signing him isn’t just a pipe dream.
 

FL4WL3SS

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Unfortunately, it's another off-season where the Bruins can't make any meaningful upgrades and need to look at adding at the fringes. It's been working for the past few years, but they will need to blow it up at some point.
 

kenneycb

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Usually that means you're a good team with a solid, established core in place. The Bruins have probably had the most stability in the league, at least at par with Pittsburgh, with Bergeron, Krejci, Marchand, Rask, and Chara over the last decade. It's not the worst thing in the world.
 

FL4WL3SS

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The 'unfortunately' was pointed at this particular off-season where I think they actually need to make meaningful upgrades, but otherwise totally agree.

I do think it has prevented them from winning another cup though. While I think generally they've been unlucky with injuries, they have also been missing another piece to get them over the top.

It's a weird spot to be, just great enough to not need change, but have just enough flaws to not be able to get over the hump.
 

Reggie Hammond

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It really seems like they are going to try and get "bigger" and "grittier" up front. I hope they continue to stay the course and look for players who bring more speed and skill. They need to find an appropriate D partner for Chuckie Hockey. And then, if they elect to bring Chara back, tell him he's going to be a third-pairing d-man who is going to play 12-15 minutes and work the PK.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/09/10/sports/bruins-president-cam-neely-says-he-will-take-hard-look-our-roster/
 

lexrageorge

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It really seems like they are going to try and get "bigger" and "grittier" up front. I hope they continue to stay the course and look for players who bring more speed and skill. They need to find an appropriate D partner for Chuckie Hockey. And then, if they elect to bring Chara back, tell him he's going to be a third-pairing d-man who is going to play 12-15 minutes and work the PK.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/09/10/sports/bruins-president-cam-neely-says-he-will-take-hard-look-our-roster/
That's KPD's annual diatribe about the need for "grit". Of course, when he always conveniently forgets that when the B's do get "grittier", it doesn't usually work out.

There is a true issue raised in that article; it's the fact that the Bruins were badly outscored by Tampa during 5v5 play. The same thing happened in the Finals last year. From the article, my guess is that is the issue that Neely was referring to when he said they will take a hard look at the roster.
 

Hendu4Kutcher

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That trade just secures negotiating rights with Edmunson before he hits UFA, which he will probably do unless Montreal overwhelms him with an offer
 

Hendu4Kutcher

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Also the Bruins only have a second (#47) and a third round pick (#88) this year that would be better than the pick Montreal traded (#140).
 

TFP

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And with their lack of picks they shouldn’t be trading them just for negotiating rights.
 

Scoops Bolling

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Think Detroit would consider Grzelcyk for Bertuzzi?
No. Bertuzzi is a much better player, the Red Wings have plenty of cap space, and with Seider coming up and DeKeyser coming back, their defense will improve. Why give up one of their few good forwards for an undersized defenseman when they could sign someone just as good (if not better) without giving up one of their better players?
 

veritas

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Assuming Krug is leaving, Grz becomes basically untouchable. Not in literal sense, but he’s way more important to the Bruins than any return they could get for him. Losing 2/3rds of their puck movers would be crippling to this team I think. And leave them with only one injury-prone defenseman who can play on the PP.


I don't ever root for someone to lose their job. But fuck that guy.
+1
 

RedOctober3829

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From Friedman's 31 thoughts: Boston is among the teams that have checked in on Oliver Ekman-Laarson. He specifically mentioned Calgary and Edmonton as other teams that have done the same.

Link to column was not showing up.
 

TheRealness

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From Friedman's 31 thoughts: Boston is among the teams that have checked in on Oliver Ekman-Laarson. He specifically mentioned Calgary and Edmonton as other teams that have done the same.

Link to column was not showing up.
I saw that too. I think they can afford him money wise, but I don’t see them putting enough assets in the deal to get past what those other teams can offer.

I would very much like them to bring OEL in and give him Krug’s salary slot. I just don’t think it’s realistic.
 

BostonFanInCanesLand

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I saw that too. I think they can afford him money wise, but I don’t see them putting enough assets in the deal to get past what those other teams can offer.

I would very much like them to bring OEL in and give him Krug’s salary slot. I just don’t think it’s realistic.
OEL is precisely the type of defenseman to pursue but 8.25 Million AAV over 7 years for a 29 year old gives me pause (plus acquisition cost). That could end up handcuffing the team down the road.

I wonder how the FA market will settle out this year, particularly for contract lengths. Maybe there are defensemen who will end up with more cost-effective terms and allow the team to splurge on a top six sniper.
 

Haunted

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Is that a sell high situation? Or are they trying to be active and indicating their seriousness by dangling a young player who hasn’t realiEd his potential (unless he has)?
 

cshea

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Yeah, I'd say it's probably a sell low. When Jake's on he's awesome, but I find he's a little too inconsistent for my liking. He gets hot for 20 games and then goes missing for 20. I'd like someone a bit more consistent.

Presumably they'd be dangling him for a defenseman. He may be of some interest to Arizona if they're losing Hall if we're going after OEL. Carolina also has a bevvy of D, mabe Hayden Fleury?
 

Jordu

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I agree. Cassidy has often said publicly that when DeBrusk isn’t scoring he gets down on himself and (I‘m paraphrasing here) gets lazy.

With Studnicka in the NHL, I don’t see any top six forwards in the Bruins pipeline anywhere close to being NHL ready. DeBrusk is 24. Yes, he needs to improve his game when he’s not on a scoring run, but he’s still got upside. The Bruins can’t spare any finishers.
 

veritas

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DeBrusk is a good player but I don’t really see a ton of upside with him. We know what he is at this point right? He’s a good second line winger, not someone who should be untouchable.

Jake for Dougie, get it done Donnie.
 

FL4WL3SS

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DeBrusk is a good player but I don’t really see a ton of upside with him. We know what he is at this point right? He’s a good second line winger, not someone who should be untouchable.

Jake for Dougie, get it done Donnie.
He's the kind of player that you need to fill out your roster though. He's young and inexpensive, why trade him?