Boston Bruins 2023-24 Roster and Salary Cap Discussion VII

[dugg133]

Forbort skating for the first time since getting put on LTIR. Think most people on here are kinda on the same page, but you can't send Lohrei down to make room for him when he's healthy, right? With the way Lohrei is playing, the best version of our lineup has him in it right now. It'd be very hypocritical of Monty to pull the whole "we're paid to win games" card when it comes to benching Poitras in close games, only to turn around and send Lohrei down when he's performing well and contributing to wins.

 

[CDJ]

Not sure why folks are freaking out about Beecher. For all we know he's a little dinged up and the team feels like they are in a spot where they can give him a few extra days rest to get back to 100%.

Wouldn’t say anybody is freaking out

I think it’s justified curiosity

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

I heard Montgomery’s comments this morning on Toucher & Hardy when Jaffe was on. Sounds as if Jaffe had previously asked him the question. Montgomery mentioned something along the lines of “learned a lesson last playoffs regarding the goalies, if it worked during the season…..”

Basically he insinuated he’d be sticking to the goalie rotation in the playoffs this time around.


Gross

Thanks!

Though I don't know how anyone can plan on what to do in playoffs now.

Don't know if either guy will be injured or if one is not playing well.

 

[bob77]

Forbort skating for the first time since getting put on LTIR. Think most people on here are kinda on the same page, but you can't send Lohrei down to make room for him when he's healthy, right? With the way Lohrei is playing, the best version of our lineup has him in it right now. It'd be very hypocritical of Monty to pull the whole "we're paid to win games" card when it comes to benching Poitras in close games, only to turn around and send Lohrei down when he's performing well and contributing to wins.

Lohrei is competing for offensive ice time. Forbort competes for defensive ice time. Forbort kills PK. Ok at 3rd pair. Lohrei won’t kill penalties once Forbort is put back in. So, Lohrei is really competing for the “no special teams” LD first pairing slot against Gryz. This isn’t about Forbort.

 

[UncleRico]

When did he say that?

And why would Swayman be fuming?

On toucher and rich this morning.

And swayman is fuming because in previous years it’s been best goalie gets the start. Now he is the best goalie and the methodology gets switched.

Hes just can’t seem to get a series to his own no matter how well he plays.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

On toucher and rich this morning.

And swayman is fuming because in previous years it’s been best goalie gets the start. Now he is the best goalie and the methodology gets switched.

Hes just can’t seem to get a series to his own no matter how well he plays.

Though we don't really know yet who will be the best goalie when the playoffs roll around.

I really don't think that would bother Swayman, anyway.

 

[sarge88]

The craziest trade that will never happen, but makes the most sense is one that revolves around Nylander and Ullmark.

If Toronto were logical, they’d realize that it’s crazy for them to sign Nylander, given what he’ll likely make and their needs in goal and on defense.

The Bruins can keep the rotation going until the deadline, then ride Swayman through the playoffs, and improve their forward production via Nylander.

Again, it won’t happen.

But both teams fill a need.

 

[dangermike]

Wouldn’t say anybody is freaking out

I think it’s justified curiosity

like 50% curiosity and the other 50% of the fanbase looooove a good bruins soap opera

 

[sarge88]

like 50% curiosity and the other 50% of the fanbase looooove a good bruins soap opera

The soap opera aspect is bound to happen.

Imagine either guy pitching a 39 save shutout in a pivotal game 6 only to be told….

“Thanks, I hope you get the chance to play in game 1 of the next series”.

 

[JAD]

The craziest trade that will never happen, but makes the most sense is one that revolves around Nylander and Ullmark.

If Toronto were logical, they’d realize that it’s crazy for them to sign Nylander, given what he’ll likely make and their needs in goal and on defense.

The Bruins can keep the rotation going until the deadline, then ride Swayman through the playoffs, and improve their forward production via Nylander.

Again, it won’t happen.

But both teams fill a need.

Nylander is a luxury, would be nice to have, but a luxury. Boston has a more pressing need in that of an established true number 1 center. Having such a center would allow the other centers to then slot into roles that they are better suited for. The current centers, while playing well, are playing rolls above where they should ideally play. The team may continue to get away with this during the regular season, but in a playoff series where match ups and depth are critical they could very well be exposed.
If Boston is going to spend assets it needs to be focused primarily on acquiring a legitimate number 1 center and if possible another top 4 defenseman. Then afterwards address scoring depth and brusing minute eating defenseman.
It will all come down to the cost to aquire ... and because of that Sweeney may be forced to just focus on the defenseman and hope that defense and goaltending will be enough to compensate for the lack of proper forward depth.

 

[sarge88]

Nylander is a luxury, would be nice to have, but a luxury. Boston has a more pressing need in that of an established true number 1 center. Having such a center would allow the other centers to then slot into roles that they are better suited for. The current centers, while playing well, are playing rolls above where they should ideally play. The team may continue to get away with this during the regular season, but in a playoff series where match ups and depth are critical they could very well be exposed.
If Boston is going to spend assets it needs to be focused primarily on acquiring a legitimate number 1 center and if possible another top 4 defenseman. Then afterwards address scoring depth and brusing minute eating defenseman.
It will all come down to the cost to aquire ... and because of that Sweeney may be forced to just focus on the defenseman and hope that defense and goaltending will be enough to compensate for the lack of proper forward depth.

Agreed….with one caveat.

If they can get a bottom 6 guy who is great at faceoffs, then maybe they could go with a Nylander to play LW on one of the top 2 lines.

Again. It has about a .05% chance of happening, but I’d do it.

 

[Kegs]

Lohrei is competing for offensive ice time. Forbort competes for defensive ice time. Forbort kills PK. Ok at 3rd pair. Lohrei won’t kill penalties once Forbort is put back in. So, Lohrei is really competing for the “no special teams” LD first pairing slot against Gryz. This isn’t about Forbort.

I dunno. Lohrei has been killing penalties. His long reach is pretty good on the pk. Forbort and lohrei are both going to be killing penalties if they don’t sent lohrei back down.

 

[Dellstrom]

Thanks!

Though I don't know how anyone can plan on what to do in playoffs now.

Don't know if either guy will be injured or if one is not playing well.

Yup. I read that more as trying to “keep the mojo going” with Linus even though he was hurt and struggling was a risk that didn’t pay off when he had to put Sway in an elimination game cold and lost (not suggesting it was Sway’s fault). Monty’s winning record here is incredible and our two elite goalies are a big reason why. It absolutely should be on the table unless there’s a far and away #1 guy, which I really doubt there will be.

 

[Kegs]

Nylander is a luxury, would be nice to have, but a luxury. Boston has a more pressing need in that of an established true number 1 center. Having such a center would allow the other centers to then slot into roles that they are better suited for. The current centers, while playing well, are playing rolls above where they should ideally play. The team may continue to get away with this during the regular season, but in a playoff series where match ups and depth are critical they could very well be exposed.
If Boston is going to spend assets it needs to be focused primarily on acquiring a legitimate number 1 center and if possible another top 4 defenseman. Then afterwards address scoring depth and brusing minute eating defenseman.
It will all come down to the cost to aquire ... and because of that Sweeney may be forced to just focus on the defenseman and hope that defense and goaltending will be enough to compensate for the lack of proper forward depth.

Which centres do you think they should target? Maybe some free agents? Trade options?

 

[Sheppy]

I hate the idea of rotating the goalies in the post season.

 

[UncleRico]

Though we don't really know yet who will be the best goalie when the playoffs roll around.

I really don't think that would bother Swayman, anyway.

I think any normal person with a competitive edge would be bothered by this.

Considering his reaction to being pulled after two goals earlier this year I imagine he wouldn’t be happy.

 

[dugg133]

Beecher is playing tonight after all. Coming in for Lauko, gonna be a Beecher-Merk-Steen 4th line

 

[BruinsJoe]

Beecher is playing tonight after all. Coming in for Lauko, gonna be a Beecher-Merk-Steen 4th line

He need to bring energy hard tough game, he s to passive and completly non physical, he s a big dude need to check people on hard forecheck...but it s not in his nature

 

[BruinsJoe]

Freddy price looks like its gonna be a all time high. Hate to part with him but if we can package him for elias lindholm I'm doing it.

So the 11 is the only Bruins who can bring some physical toughness and you want to package him for a soft towel who who s gonna be overpaid

 

[8thRoundPick]

Glad to see Beecher getting back in there. Just glad to see him getting NHL games this year - in previous years, I never had faith our young, drafted players would ever get a meaningful cup of coffee in Beantown.

Maybe today I'm just looking at glasses half full, but I was looking at Cap Friendly and more than HALF of our current active roster players were drafted by the B's. That's more than both Toronto and Montreal.

 

[xjoeyc23x]

Yes 1C is something we should be focusing on...but what happens to the center depth chart if they get someone?

Zacha to LW? Coyle not on line 2 anymore? Pawtwahhh? I agree the team needs more goalscoring, but if its not broke....don't fix it

 

[Dizzay]

Yes 1C is something we should be focusing on...but what happens to the center depth chart if they get someone?

Zacha to LW? Coyle not on line 2 anymore? Pawtwahhh? I agree the team needs more goalscoring, but if its not broke....don't fix it

If Debrusk is staying put on the right side, I would shift my focus to a#1LW to play with Zacha and Pasta

 

[PB37]

I'm hoping he surprises me as gets more NHL XP but to me, Merk's best attribute is his shot with the rest of the physical package still very much a work in progress. Skills and IQ seem fine - Good hands, awareness of where to be, but as an average/below average sized kid, he doesn't have that extra giddy-yup in his skating stride that makes him stand out on the ice nor does he seem slippery enough to evade defenders. It's what eventually doomed Andy Hilbert's career. His shot is a legit weapon though and what will keep him as a tantatlizing prospect.

 

[bob77]

So the Bs have played 12 in a row without Forbort, and have 5 regulation wins. Arizona, Buffalo, NJ, Detroit, and Columbus. Hardly convincing that the current lineup is doing fine without him. I’m not saying it would have been any different if he had been in, but some posts want to believe the team has been world beaters without him, and I just don’t see it.

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

So the Bs have played 12 in a row without Forbort, and have 5 regulation wins. Arizona, Buffalo, NJ, Detroit, and Columbus. Hardly convincing that the current lineup is doing fine without him. I’m not saying it would have been any different if he had been in, but some posts want to believe the team has been world beaters without him, and I just don’t see it.

You could easily reword that to:

"So the Bs have played 12 in a row without Forbort, and have 3 regulation losses. Buffalo, at Minnesota, at Winnipeg. Hardly convincing that the current lineup desperately needs him. I’m not saying it would have been any different if he had been in, but some posts want to believe the team needs him for truculence and the PK, and I just don’t see it"