Bruins Offseason Roster Thread

Haunted

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Not much you can do if Rask retires, but I think it's folly to trade him. What kind of return would you get for a "will he or won't he retire" goalie? Other teams would know they have the Bruins over a barrel.

And ugh with Chara returning.

Double ugh with "they have to get bigger", since that's code for "we need guys with more hahhhht!"
 

RedOctober3829

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Not much you can do if Rask retires, but I think it's folly to trade him. What kind of return would you get for a "will he or won't he retire" goalie? Other teams would know they have the Bruins over a barrel.

And ugh with Chara returning.

Double ugh with "they have to get bigger", since that's code for "we need guys with more hahhhht!"
Not sure that's what it means when he says they need to get bigger. He explained that the defense was just too small and hasn't been able to hold up in front of the net against bigger teams the past couple of years.
 

lexrageorge

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If Chara leaves, they may want to get bigger on defense. Miller is likely done, and Moore is useless . And a big forward that can score is an asset any team would love to have.

But, yeah not a fan of people saying they need to get "bigger", as that is code for "trade a good player for someone that can hit but is otherwise too slow", which simply does not work in this league this day and age.
 

RedOctober3829

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If Chara leaves, they may want to get bigger on defense. Miller is likely done, and Moore is useless . And a big forward that can score is an asset any team would love to have.

But, yeah not a fan of people saying they need to get "bigger", as that is code for "trade a good player for someone that can hit but is otherwise too slow", which simply does not work in this league this day and age.
Even if Chara stays, they may want to replace Krug with somebody who is more of a 2-way guy. The stats have shown that Krug has been the most protected defenseman in the league when it comes to being an offensive zone guy.
 

Haunted

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Not sure that's what it means when he says they need to get bigger. He explained that the defense was just too small and hasn't been able to hold up in front of the net against bigger teams the past couple of years.
I hope that's what they mean, definitely.
 

Salem's Lot

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The timing on Rask’s decision is extremely important as well. If he is going to retire, hopefully he does it before free agency starts and not right around or during camp. That could really screw them next year.
 

Maximus

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Not sure that's what it means when he says they need to get bigger. He explained that the defense was just too small and hasn't been able to hold up in front of the net against bigger teams the past couple of years.
This is clearly an issue. The D needs to get bigger, we've seen what those D corps look like in the past couple of years vs. Tampa and the Blues. I'm a big advocate of signing Pietrangelo and letting Krug get his payday elsewhere. McAvoy or P can replace Krug on the PP. I also think Rask retires so a goalie to share time with Jaro will most likely be on Donny's to do list. A sizable forward who has skill on Coyle or Krejci's line would be a big help. The 4th line should be Kuraly, Wagner and couple of kids (Kuhlman, Studnicka) rotating in.
 

Salem's Lot

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I would love Pietrangelo on this team but I think it’s a pipe dream. It would be difficult to make the cap work long term.

Also, why would he want to sign here? If he wants the most money, someone like a Detroit, which is close to where he grew up could give him $10 million if they wanted too. If he wants to win, why would he go to a team with an aging roster and uncertainty in net?

I just don’t see it happening.
 

kenneycb

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The biggest issue with a Pietrangelo-like contract (or even a Krug contract) is he takes up money when the McAvoy and Carlo bridge deals come due. Though if Carlo plays like he did in the playoffs...
 

cshea

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Pietrangelo is also a righty and the Bruins need a lefty in all likelyhood.

If we want a wild, long shot scenario I think Taylor Hall makes more sense as a top tier UFA than Pietrangelo. Then they could dangle DeBrusk for a similarly aged LHD coming out of an ELC.
 

RIFan

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If Krug stays, and I hope he does, they're going to continue to have problems with size on D. I don't see a good D construction that features potentially 4 guys 6' or under. 2 years in a row they missed having someone like Kevan Miller to help clear out the front and provide a physical presence down low. Chara was often a shell of himself but he did offer some size and reach. Whether he comes back or not, they need to get bigger on D. As much as I love Chara, I think he should hang it up. Worst case re-up with the full understanding he is going to be a 40-45 game player at 15 min/ game (basically a player coach). Pass the C onto Bergy. If I'm Sweeney I package Grzy and some combo or Studnicka, Bjork, or Kase to get a legit top pair D with size. Sub Clifton, Urho, or Lauzon if necessary depending on who is coming back. Teams are going to be very budget conscious due to the Covid effect so some of those cost controlled guys might have higher value than they otherwise would. They are at the point where they need to address an ongoing weakness while window stays open even if that means mortgaging the future by giving up someone like Studnicka.
 

RedOctober3829

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If Krug stays, and I hope he does, they're going to continue to have problems with size on D. I don't see a good D construction that features potentially 4 guys 6' or under. 2 years in a row they missed having someone like Kevan Miller to help clear out the front and provide a physical presence down low. Chara was often a shell of himself but he did offer some size and reach. Whether he comes back or not, they need to get bigger on D. As much as I love Chara, I think he should hang it up. Worst case re-up with the full understanding he is going to be a 40-45 game player at 15 min/ game (basically a player coach). Pass the C onto Bergy. If I'm Sweeney I package Grzy and some combo or Studnicka, Bjork, or Kase to get a legit top pair D with size. Sub Clifton, Urho, or Lauzon if necessary depending on who is coming back. Teams are going to be very budget conscious due to the Covid effect so some of those cost controlled guys might have higher value than they otherwise would. They are at the point where they need to address an ongoing weakness while window stays open even if that means mortgaging the future by giving up someone like Studnicka.
I do like your idea of Grz and prospects for a big time defensemen. Who do you think will be available in a trade?
 

RIFan

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I do like your idea of Grz and prospects for a big time defensemen. Who do you think will be available in a trade?
Off the top of my head if STL brings back Pietrangelo they'll have to move salary. Parayko might be available, although I think the B's would have trouble fitting his salary in if Krug comes back.
 

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Off the top of my head if STL brings back Pietrangelo they'll have to move salary. Parayko might be available, although I think the B's would have trouble fitting his salary in if Krug comes back.
He's also a RHD so it may have to be done in conjunction with moving Carlo.
 

cshea

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I’d be more interested in Vince Dunn from STL than Parayko. Not really big but can bring some offense/transition to the table. He’s an RFA. He did make TSN’s trade board they released yesterday.

https://www.tsn.ca/trade-bait-winnipeg-jets-sniper-patrik-laine-on-the-board-1.1517697
FWIW, the other LHD’s to make the board are Ghostisbehere and OEL. Ghost kinda stinks. OEL has 7 years left at $8.25 million. Could be somewhat intriguing but that’s probably a tough trade for the Bruins to make. Arizona traded a lot of the farm for Hall, then had the league take 2 high picks away. Bruins don’t have their first this year and a meh system. Hard to see much of a match.
 

cshea

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Cassidy doing a wrap up:

- Pastrnak had an LBI throughout the playoffs.
- Acknowledged that Pasta and Kase’s conditioning level wasn’t high enough due to both missing camp.
- Rask had a finger injury. Kuraly LBI. Ritchie and Wagner undisclosed.
 

Dummy Hoy

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Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek we’re talking about OEL, and how people around the league think he just needs a change of scenery to blow up. His ticket is silly, and he’d be a big cost, but I know Boston was big on him when he was RFA and he’d help lock down that back end for a long time. As long as we’re dreaming
 

cshea

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Hoffman is a UFA and that contract would scare me. He’s probably the best fit among the 3 Ryan mentioned. Shoot first, goal scoring LW. He’d be a bit more consistent than DeBrusk. Palmieri has 1-year at $4.65 left, and NJ has oodles of cap space left do they could retain. He may make the most sense in terms of cap and fit. Johnny Hockey is probably a pipe dream scenario. Maybe Calgary pushes the panic button, but it’d be selling low. He’s gotten some heat in Calgary after a bad playoffs last year and then a down season this year, 58 points in 70 games. He had a career low 8.6% shooting percentage so I’d expect him to bounce back with some better puck luck next year. $6.75 million for 2 more years. I’d love to explore it but I don’t really see a fit. I’m guessing they would want D with Hamonic and Brodie UFA’s. The Bruins don’t have an obvious match given the uncertainty around Krug and Chara.

OEL is interesting. They just signed him prior to this season but maybe some financial pressures from COVID might make a trade plausible. He fits as a step back from Krug offensively but much better 2-way D at 5x5. As I said earlier, it might be a tough trade to make. Arizona spent a ton of futures on Hall and then got docked 2 additional pick. So if Arizona’s goal is to shed money and recoup some of those assets it might be tough for the Bruins to match up. What can we offer? Moore, Vaakanainen, Bjork and picks?
 

veritas

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Just catching up on this thread. Much of this has been said and sorry for not quoting everyone I'm repeating, but some thoughts:
  • I hope Krug gets paid, and not by the Bruins. I love the guy, but small, slow defensemen do not age well.
  • I think Pastrnak and Marchand have been covering up some of Bergeron's decline. The drop off from one of the few best players in the league to borderline all-star is significant, even if he's still a very good player.
  • OEL is very overrated IMO. People have been making excuses for him for years because he's been on a bad team, but Arizona was good this year and he still wasn't.
  • I think their F group is just fine, and they really need another top pair defensemen.
  • Kase had some bad luck but if he's healthy, he's a force.
  • Hoffman is an interesting player but I don't see him fitting in. He's all offense, no defense.
  • Hall is intriguing if he would be interested in a 1-year deal. It's a terrible time to be a UFA, maybe he signs 1x11m or something like that?
  • Might be a hot take, but I think in general their forwards sacrifice a lot of offense to cover up for their defensemen not being very good 5v5.
    • McAvoy is an absolute stud. If he's on PP 1 he's in the Norris discussion
    • Chara is just not very good anymore. McAvoy has been carrying him.
    • Krug is fine at 5v5 but most of his value is on the PP
    • Grz is very good when sheltered some.
    • Carlo is such a frustrating player. He's just so bad with the puck and I think overall he's a net negative. Way less valuable than Grz IMO.
    • John Moore should not be in the NHL.
    • Cliffy hockey is fun...he's extreme chaotic neutral though
    • Lauzon seems like a nice 6/7 guy who could have some more value if he takes another step
  • Don't know what they do if Rask doesn't come back. Even if he does, he's 34.
  • Overall, I don't think the sky is falling. They were the best team in the NHL this year and lost to the 2nd best team in the playoffs. Bergeron and Krejci declining is a big risk, and goalie is certainly a concern.
 

RedOctober3829

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This doesn't sound like a player who is interested in taking any kind of discount to stay with the Bruins. I think he's out the door.
Torey Krug said contract talks with the Bruins was “few and far between” during the season and that he was opposed to taking a one year deal: “This is my time in terms of my value at its peak. I need to make the most of it”

View: https://twitter.com/HackswithHaggs/status/1301528677176541184

Sure sounds like a goodbye to me
View: https://twitter.com/HackswithHaggs/status/1301531373514219523
 
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cshea

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I think the Coyle extension kind of sealed his fate. Right or wrong, they decided to prioritize Coyle of Krug. They don’t let players they want to keep get this close to free agency. Even going year to year with Chara they would typically get him done in April. The only significant re-signing they’ve done this late prior to UFA was the McQuaid contract in 2015.
 

Dummy Hoy

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Man, I love Krug, but he is not the guy you give that kind of deal to. I'm pumped for him that hes going to get paid, and I hope it's out west or in Detroit where he won't come back to haunt us.
 

TFP

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Man, I love Krug, but he is not the guy you give that kind of deal to. I'm pumped for him that hes going to get paid, and I hope it's out west or in Detroit where he won't come back to haunt us.
This is where I fall too. I love him, think he's incredibly underrated, but would not back up the truck for him. Hope he gets paid every dollar he's asking for.
 

Maximus

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I think the Coyle extension kind of sealed his fate. Right or wrong, they decided to prioritize Coyle of Krug. They don’t let players they want to keep get this close to free agency. Even going year to year with Chara they would typically get him done in April. The only significant re-signing they’ve done this late prior to UFA was the McQuaid contract in 2015.
It was the right decision to prioritize Coyle, a no brainer for me. Krug will get a long term contract from someone but he is not worth $7M+/year, IMO.
 

The Napkin

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Yeah, would love to have Krug on a hometown "I love it here with these guys" contract but on a market one? That needs to be someone else's problem.
 

ColdSoxPack

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Per today's Globe Chara wants to play next year for the Bruins.

ooops sorry RedOctober had this above.
 
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mwonow

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Chara as a third pairing D/PP2, or Chara as a 1st pair/PP1? I'd react pretty differently to the Globe article depending on which it was...
 

cshea

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Chara hasn’t played the PP in years. He’d basically just a defensive specialist now. He played on the “top” pair with McAvoy, but for OZone starts they would put Grz or Krug with McAvoy.
 

TFP

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He's also paid like a 3rd pairing D. He can come back for as long as he wants in my book. He's got too much pride and is too good of a leader to hang on past the point where he's blatantly hurting the team.
 

Haunted

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I'm generally against bringing Chara back but if they actually just used him on the third pair as a sort of player-coach at 12-15 minutes per game, I could get behind that. He's a glacier out there.
 

RedOctober3829

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He's also paid like a 3rd pairing D. He can come back for as long as he wants in my book. He's got too much pride and is too good of a leader to hang on past the point where he's blatantly hurting the team.
But when he's out there he's hurting the team especially against top competition. This is going to be a tough decision for Sweeney.
 

The B’s Knees

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If you include his performance bonus ($1.5M) mostly achieved by playing just 10 games, plus his $2M salary, he was paid $3.5M this year which is more like 3-4 pairing money. But I'm still fine with him coming back, if even just for the leadership he brings.
 

Salem's Lot

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I am strongly against paying Torey Krug a market rate contract into his 30’s, complete non starter if I were Sweeney. Assuming Krug walks, which it sounds like that is going to happen, they already need 1 LHD. So it would make sense to bring Chara back on a minimum deal unless they think that Vaakanainen or Zboril can come in and play that 3rd pair left D spot. They would still need a top 4 LHD in free agency or through a trade to replace Krug.
 

cshea

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But when he's out there he's hurting the team especially against top competition. This is going to be a tough decision for Sweeney.
He can still defend. In the playoffs he was on the ice for only 8 goals against at 5x5. That was the fewest among the regular defensemen. Considering the matchups he was given, that’s pretty good. His reach and size still make him a pain to play against. He’s done bringing anything to the table offensively but I think he still has value as a 3rd pair, PK specialist.
 

TFP

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If you include his performance bonus ($1.5M) mostly achieved by playing just 10 games, plus his $2M salary, he was paid $3.5M this year which is more like 3-4 pairing money. But I'm still fine with him coming back, if even just for the leadership he brings.
Good point - I was going off base salary only.
 

IdiotKicker

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He can still defend. In the playoffs he was on the ice for only 8 goals against at 5x5. That was the fewest among the regular defensemen. Considering the matchups he was given, that’s pretty good. His reach and size still make him a pain to play against. He’s done bringing anything to the table offensively but I think he still has value as a 3rd pair, PK specialist.
It’s interesting that you bring up the PK. One of my issues with Chara is actually on the PK. Between this year and last postseason, I have haunting memories of so many failed clears from him with weak attempts where he should have been able to just ice the puck, but was a step slow and got stick-checked or just didn’t get good wood on it. I feel like he’s valuable because of the amount of ice he covers with just his presence, but he gives a decent bit of that back by not being able to ice the puck consistently when he does win a puck battle.
 

Cotillion

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It’s interesting that you bring up the PK. One of my issues with Chara is actually on the PK. Between this year and last postseason, I have haunting memories of so many failed clears from him with weak attempts where he should have been able to just ice the puck, but was a step slow and got stick-checked or just didn’t get good wood on it. I feel like he’s valuable because of the amount of ice he covers with just his presence, but he gives a decent bit of that back by not being able to ice the puck consistently when he does win a puck battle.
This... there were several times a game where Chara couldn't clear the puck even with no one on him and it led to long extended time in the Bruins zone.

There were a couple where you could tell he tried to lift or shoot it past a Tampa player and got nothing on it and went right onto their stick.
 

Scoops Bolling

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Chara has clear weaknesses at this point, and I think folks in this thread have pointed them out well. That said, his size and ability to clear space around the net is something the Bruins simply do not have an internal replacement for at the moment, and it's a role Chara can continue to play. If he's willing to take 3rd pair money and play reduced minutes, having Chara around is a net positive. I actually think Krug's production is a much simpler problem to solve, as a Krecji-McAvoy pairing on the powerplay should be nearly as effective, and while we'll lose Krug's offensive capabilities on 5v5 those are offset by a likely improvement on the defensive end. With the forwards being pretty well set if DeBrusk is retained (although I'd have no problem firing Ritchie into the sun and replacing him with Frederic), I'm with PSK in that I think the best course of action is going for a better 2nd pairing D-man. If you get someone with a bit more heft, you can avoid scenarios we saw (repeatedly) in these playoffs where there are two defenders out on the ice who are simply incapable of keeping players out of the crease.

That said, if we're firing people into the sun, I'd strap Connor Clifton to Ritchie. Vaak, Zboril, or someone needs to step up and take his job, because he really shouldn't be anything more than a 7th or 8th defenseman.
 

BostonFanInCanesLand

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“Chara has clear weaknesses at this point, and I think folks in this thread have pointed them out well. That said, his size and ability to clear space around the net is something the Bruins simply do not have an internal replacement for at the moment, and it's a role Chara can continue to play.“ (SNIP)
Now that Chara has indicated he wants to be back I’d be surprised if Sweeney doesn’t ink him to another 1 year deal. And it’ll be up to Cassidy to use this version of Chara appropriately (Limited minutes, 3rd pairing, PK). But that takes away 1 spot for the younger players.

Zboril was supposed to be the modern-day Seidenberg - tough, a bit of snarl, willing to clear the crease, but better on breakouts and better on offense.

Carlo, Lauzon and Zboril should be able to grow into Chara’s role of clearing space around the net. Will they?

What the team needs is better 2 way play - and that includes both the defensemen and the forwards.

I‘d like to see the team bring in a bona fide goal scorer for the 2nd line. But a 2-way D-Man for the 2nd pairing is probably a better investment.

(Edited to replace an errant capital letter, and to note that if Krug moves on then the Bruins will have reduced their D spending by between 8-9 million - Krug, Miller, Seidenberg + Grizz raise and the Cliffy and Lauzon extensions).
 
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kenneycb

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I think they need better one way play on offense. They have plenty of guys that are defensively responsible and basically 5 that are offensively responsible. Kase seems like he has potential there but I’m not sure he can finish. Hope he becomes something more than a more skilled Paille-like player
 

Jordu

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DeBrusk is an RFA. He’s been on an entry-level contract at $863,000. I’m not willing to trade a forward of his age with his skills. He’s 23 and he still has room to grow as a player.

What do the Bruins offer him in years and AAV? Would he take 7/$5.5m?
 

PedroSpecialK

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I think the tact they've taken of late is prudent (Carlo, McAvoy) - short term bridge deal. I'm penciling DeBrusk in at $3-3.5m AAV for two years.
 

McDrew

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As I understand it, DeBrusk has 1 year before he is Arb eligible and 3 more RFA years. He'll get a raise, but I don't think that much.
 

Zososoxfan

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Chara has clear weaknesses at this point, and I think folks in this thread have pointed them out well. That said, his size and ability to clear space around the net is something the Bruins simply do not have an internal replacement for at the moment, and it's a role Chara can continue to play. If he's willing to take 3rd pair money and play reduced minutes, having Chara around is a net positive. I actually think Krug's production is a much simpler problem to solve, as a Krecji-McAvoy pairing on the powerplay should be nearly as effective, and while we'll lose Krug's offensive capabilities on 5v5 those are offset by a likely improvement on the defensive end. With the forwards being pretty well set if DeBrusk is retained (although I'd have no problem firing Ritchie into the sun and replacing him with Frederic), I'm with PSK in that I think the best course of action is going for a better 2nd pairing D-man. If you get someone with a bit more heft, you can avoid scenarios we saw (repeatedly) in these playoffs where there are two defenders out on the ice who are simply incapable of keeping players out of the crease.

That said, if we're firing people into the sun, I'd strap Connor Clifton to Ritchie. Vaak, Zboril, or someone needs to step up and take his job, because he really shouldn't be anything more than a 7th or 8th defenseman.
I really disagree about Clifton. As others have mentioned, this team is excellent defensively, but they need to get bigger on D (thank you Krug, I hope you get paid big dollars elsewhere) to become more matchup-proof. But they also need to find some more offense. Cliffy isn't big, but he isn't as small as Krug either, and he definitely brings offensive skills. Moreover, he's young, on an ELC, and signed thru '23.

Looking at the LD UFA list, Gustafsson, Edmunson, and Hutton look interesting to me. Edmunson is your Chara size facsimile at 6'4'', 215 but probably brings the least offensively and will probably get a AAV salary increase on his $3.1M, Gustafsson has the ceiling with his insane 18-19 season certainly enticing but he's also the smallest of the 3 (6'0'' 197), and Hutton seems like a really nice player that can probably be had for a reasonable price and is big but not gargantuan at 6'2'' 206. I don't know these guys well enough to say whether they could slot in as the LD in the top pair with Mac, or give the 2nd pair some real quality.

I love Krejci but he hasn't provided good enough ROI during the term of this contract. He's only cracked 60 points twice in 5 years and he's definitely towards the bottom end of point production for players earning $7M-$8M. He's only signed thru next season, but I think that will be an opportunity to start building a new salary structure, with Bergy only signed for another season after Krejci allowing a pretty serious reconfig if Donny wants to.

If the Broons want to get more goals from the forwards, I'd rather see them build from the top and see if the kids can provide some energy and quality in the bottom 6. It's not ideal, but the Panthers likely won't resign both Dadonov and Hoffman. A high AAV, shorter years contract could definitely work really well for 2 years before decline kicks in. I haven't followed him much recently, but what kind of salary will Taylor Hall command this offseason? He made $6M this year, so probably too rich for us, but he would certainly move the needle.

Then there's Rask. That changes things immensely, as his leaving would free up salary but would immediately make our D look worse.
 
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