Boston Bruins 2023-24 Roster and Salary Cap Discussion VI

[GordonHowe]

Yeah, I'd much rather put the 5m towards a legit star than dumping $ on a consistently inconsistent JDB.

Jake's primary role is to score goals.

He's not doing that for whatever reason.

My sense, and that's all it is, is that DeBrusk will be dealt, at a loss, as his stock has fallen.

It's too bad all the way around. I like Jake.

The Geek Is Chic

Bruins’ Morgan Geekie could be in line for a larger role down the middle

If Boston's top-six pivot is on the shelf for an extended stretch, Geekie stands as an intriguing contingency plan down the middle.

www.boston.com

 

[Colt.45Orr]

Jake's primary role is to score goals.

He's not doing that for whatever reason.

My sense, and that's all it is, is that DeBrusk will be dealt, at a loss, as his stock has fallen.

It's too bad all the way around. I like Jake.

The Geek Is Chic

Bruins’ Morgan Geekie could be in line for a larger role down the middle

If Boston's top-six pivot is on the shelf for an extended stretch, Geekie stands as an intriguing contingency plan down the middle.

www.boston.com

He's Never been consistent going back to his w h l days. There is not a guy at his age that I would be less interested in extending long term.

 

[GordonHowe]

He's Never been consistent going back to his w h l days. There is not a guy at his age that I would be less interested in extending long term.

I understand. It's unfortunate, though. And the Bruins are not going to get very much for Jake when he's on a 13-goal pace. I hate those stats but that's one of them.

 

[Dizzay]

RNH for Jake
Jake re-ups with Edmonton as part of the deal.

Zacha-Poitras-Pasta
Marchy-RNH-Merkulov
JVR-Coyle-Freddy
Geekie-Beecher-Heinen
Lauko

 

[UncleRico]

I dunno if I would call Krejci elite, he was a low end #1C for most of his career. And DeBrusk had Kuhlman/Spooner/Backes on the other side. DeBrusk is a top 6 complimentary winger. Streaky, but he plays a 200 foot game and doesn’t need primo PP time to get his points. Guys that can drive a line make 9 million now. DeBrusk is 80-85th in the league in goals since he got to the show. Including the bad times. I was hoping he had that 1st liner level in him. He doesn’t. At least without a lot of help. But 1st liners make 9.

I can hear putting DeBrusk’s money toward one of those 9 million guys, but for 5-6m I don’t think you are getting a better player than the one we already have.

Debrusk averages

67 gp / 20g / 19/ 39p per season before this season started.

That’s not $6m a year worthy. That offensive production is easily replaceable and they can find someone to take his PK minutes.

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

Jake has been very Chuck Kobasew this season. Can’t fault the effort. Excellent defensively. Non-factor on the scoresheet.

That’s fine if you’re making league average. But I’m concerned as many are that a long-term commitment has become more risk than cinch.

 

[Gonzothe7thDman]

Idk if I’m buying this narrative that all of a sudden JDB is a much improved “200 ft player” . I think he’s always been a decent player on both sides of the puck and he’s not any better this season than any other. I think his defensive ability is being overblown now by his supporters to distract from the fact that he’s on his 2nd lowest ppg pace of his career.

 

[dugg133]

Idk if I’m buying this narrative that all of a sudden JDB is a much improved “200 ft player” . I think he’s always been a decent player on both sides of the puck and he’s not any better this season than any other. I think his defensive ability is being overblown now by his supporters to distract from the fact that he’s on his 2nd lowest ppg pace of his career.

Poitras' GA/60 in 127 minutes with Jake: 0.94

Poitras' GA/60 in 179 minutes without Jake: 2.68

Marchand's GA/60 in 60 minutes with Jake: 1.01

Marchands's GA/60 in 260 minutes without Jake: 2.72

Zacha and Pasta's GA/60 in 60 min with Jake: 1.18

Zacha and Pasta's GA/60 in 207 minutes without Jake: 2.32

It's definitely frustrating that Jake isn't scoring rn, but literally every line he plays on has been better with him than without him, by a pretty decent margin too. His 2-way play is legitimately very good.

 

[wintersej]

Debrusk averages

67 gp / 20g / 19/ 39p per season before this season started.

That’s not $6m a year worthy. That offensive production is easily replaceable and they can find someone to take his PK minutes.

Replaceable where? Not internally.

 

[Hookslide]

RNH for Jake
Jake re-ups with Edmonton as part of the deal.

Zacha-Poitras-Pasta
Marchy-RNH-Merkulov
JVR-Coyle-Freddy
Geekie-Beecher-Heinen
Lauko

Pass on that lineup.

 

[wintersej]

Zuccarello, Palat, Hall, Nelson, William Karlsson, Atkinson, Henrique, Trocheck, Copp, Burakovsky, Bertuzzi, Schwartz, Anderson, Hyman, Kuzmenko, Danault, Eberle

I think this is the list of players signed for between 5.5-6 AAV that signed their deal as a UFA. All these guys signed their deals under a lower cap ceiling.

 

[Gonzothe7thDman]

Poitras' GA/60 in 127 minutes with Jake: 0.94

Poitras' GA/60 in 179 minutes without Jake: 2.68

Marchand's GA/60 in 60 minutes with Jake: 1.01

Marchands's GA/60 in 260 minutes without Jake: 2.72

Zacha and Pasta's GA/60 in 60 min with Jake: 1.18

Zacha and Pasta's GA/60 in 207 minutes without Jake: 2.32

It's definitely frustrating that Jake isn't scoring rn, but literally every line he plays on has been better with him than without him, by a pretty decent margin too. His 2-way play is legitimately very good.

Unfortunately statistics like these don’t tell the whole story a little past a quarter of the way into the season.

If this trend continues as the season progresses I could be convinced he has improved defensively but the sample sizes aren’t big enough at this point in time for me. To me comparing it to what I actually see this seems more like a statistical anomaly. But we will see as time goes by

 

[UncleRico]

Replaceable where? Not internally.

Externally. It’s an easy walk away from a guy who averages 67 games played and 39 points if he’s asking for $6m

 

[Patdud]

Just sign him to 5.5 Mill for 4 years, I dont see how thats bad value.

RNH for Jake
Jake re-ups with Edmonton as part of the deal.

Zacha-Poitras-Pasta
Marchy-RNH-Merkulov
JVR-Coyle-Freddy
Geekie-Beecher-Heinen
Lauko

trading for RNH on this team is dumb, either ride your rookies or get an impact player.

 

[wintersej]

Externally. It’s an easy walk away from a guy who averages 67 games played and 39 points if he’s asking for $6m

So in the UFA market (who?) or are you giving up assets instead of keeping the guy that costs no assets?

Edit: to be clear I’m no JBD fanboi, and understand the concerns, but it’s a team really lacking forward talent and the plan can’t just be “let him go and find a replacement somehow” when they already need more top 6 guys.

 

[HustleB]

Yeah, I'd much rather put the 5m towards a legit star than dumping $ on a consistently inconsistent JDB.

Well Stars don't come for 5 million often anymore. There is a place on NHL roster's for players that are core contributors but not stars. You can take a different approach, but hitting on one like JVR is alot harder then relying on 3-4 which in this case would be, JVR, Brown, Boquist and Richard. Put all the stars out there you want, it is certainly entertaining, but I do not think it is a championship formula. Just loook at Toronto.

 

[Absurdity]

I think the Bruins should still try Geekie, Frederic, and Heinen with Zacha and Pastrnak to find a fit.

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

So in the UFA market (who?) or are you giving up assets instead of keeping the guy that costs no assets?

Edit: to be clear I’m no JBD fanboi, and understand the concerns, but it’s a team really lacking forward talent and the plan can’t just be “let him go and find a replacement somehow” when they already need more top 6 guys.

Yeah full context is important. Unless you think Reinhart, Nylander, or even Stamkos makes it to UFA (and recent history shows they won’t), who is left that will be money better spent than Debrusk? Maybe people want Bertuzzi - and that’s a reasonable position, though he’s a more flawed player than many seem to remember. But you still need one more top-six forward after that. There’s room for signing Jake AND Bertuzzi and then some.

He’s certainly cost himself money by not putting up points through the first quarter of the season. But people seem to be minimizing how hard it is to replace a player like that through UFA. And if your idea is to trade Debrusk for a Lindholm or similar - if his value has cratered so badly, how is that possible? Can’t have it both ways.

Look at the top contracts given out to UFA forwards last year for evidence.

 

[Kegs]

Just saw a junk site making a big deal of benching 51 in third periods. (I don't like his decision making either.) I doubt we can trade JDB for an adequate center, but it makes me wonder. I know Zacha is out, but between this and the Hanifin rumors, I think JDB is on the block.

There is zero reason for Calgary to add debrusk if that’s what you’re implying.

 

[wintersej]

Yeah full context is important. Unless you think Reinhart, Nylander, or even Stamkos makes it to UFA (and recent history shows they won’t), who is left that will be money better spent than Debrusk? Maybe people want Bertuzzi - and that’s a reasonable position, though he’s a more flawed player than many seem to remember. But you still need one more top-six forward after that. There’s room for signing Jake AND Bertuzzi and then some.

He’s certainly cost himself money by not putting up points through the first quarter of the season. But people seem to be minimizing how hard it is to replace a player like that through UFA. And if your idea is to trade Debrusk for a Lindholm or similar - if his value has cratered so badly, how is that possible? Can’t have it both ways.

Look at the top contracts given out to UFA forwards last year for evidence.View attachment 781653

Yeah, I'm just really worried about the market reseting in UFA with every team getting an extra 4+ million dollars and itching to spend it. Especially if a lot of guys don't make it to UFA. What seems expensive now might seem cheap a few days into July. If Reinhart and Nylander are off the market (likely), DeBrusk is probably the best forward out there under 29 years old. And teams will have a lot of cash to spend.

 

[Kegs]

Jake's primary role is to score goals.

He's not doing that for whatever reason.

My sense, and that's all it is, is that DeBrusk will be dealt, at a loss, as his stock has fallen.

It's too bad all the way around. I like Jake.

The Geek Is Chic

Bruins’ Morgan Geekie could be in line for a larger role down the middle

If Boston's top-six pivot is on the shelf for an extended stretch, Geekie stands as an intriguing contingency plan down the middle.

www.boston.com

His primary goal is to make this team better every game. I do not agree with you. Jake debrusk will not be moved. He isn’t on the trade block imo. I guess time will tell

 

[CellyHard]

Well Stars don't come for 5 million often anymore. There is a place on NHL roster's for players that are core contributors but not stars. You can take a different approach, but hitting on one like JVR is alot harder then relying on 3-4 which in this case would be, JVR, Brown, Boquist and Richard. Put all the stars out there you want, it is certainly entertaining, but I do not think it is a championship formula. Just loook at Toronto.

I think it’s tough to compare it to Toronto because they committed to 4 stars at forward, while simultaneously neglecting their defense and goaltending.

Bruins are in the opposite position. They have a #1 defenseman in McAvoy, one of the best goalscorers in the league in Pasta, and a #1 goalie in Swayman all under team control.

With the loss of Bergeron, Marchand getting older and almost 30 million in cap space they are in an IDEAL position to add a star at forward/defense. Lindholm and Hanifin make a ton of sense and you round out the rest of the roster from there.

 

[quietbruinfan]

There is zero reason for Calgary to add debrusk if that’s what you’re implying.

Calgary stinks and has very average wingers. I would say that is reason enough.

 

[Number8]

They aren’t dealing a goalie on their roster

Look at last night games

The Flyers are ahead of Carolina

The Sharks are winning

The swagger is their GM but you are living like you have a Jimmy Paige poster bought in the record department at Ann & Hope

Open your eyes and realize bench clearing brawls and bell bottoms are gone - the Bruins are Sweeney & Neely.

Open your heart and let Donny in

I was going to get the Jimmy Paige poster with the double neck guitar at A&H in Seekonk. But then the Cheryl Tiegs in the pale pink bikini poster caught my eye and "Stairway to Heaven" meant something completely different. Jimmy who?

 

[easton117]

Yeah full context is important. Unless you think Reinhart, Nylander, or even Stamkos makes it to UFA (and recent history shows they won’t), who is left that will be money better spent than Debrusk? Maybe people want Bertuzzi - and that’s a reasonable position, though he’s a more flawed player than many seem to remember. But you still need one more top-six forward after that. There’s room for signing Jake AND Bertuzzi and then some.

He’s certainly cost himself money by not putting up points through the first quarter of the season. But people seem to be minimizing how hard it is to replace a player like that through UFA. And if your idea is to trade Debrusk for a Lindholm or similar - if his value has cratered so badly, how is that possible? Can’t have it both ways.

Look at the top contracts given out to UFA forwards last year for evidence.View attachment 781653

Based on that list alone I’d have a hard time arguing Debrusk is owed more than Compher. Especially if he continues to struggle putting up numbers.