Boston Bruins 2023-24 Roster and Salary Cap Discussion VII

[BigGoalBrad]

I think it was because Ullmark was clearly injured and they didn't shut down Lindholm and allowed him to play a month on a broken foot before the playoffs even started.

I hate the idea of a goalie posting a 30 save shutout in game 1 and not going back to the same guy for game two.

This. Play until you lose w two number ones. Alternating after a great performance is completely ridiculous.

And don’t wait to play Swayman until the other team has 3 wins.

 

[Number8]

After taking a look at their cap situation, this actually makes a lot more sense to me now.

$63M (roughly after this contract is signed) for 8F, 3D and no goaltenders. Leaving like $24M to fill in the holes.

Compare to us: $60M for 9F, 4D and 1G. But with FA Swayman and DeBrusk to concern ourselves with. It’s widely considered that we will be out of cap hell.

Similar boats. If I were the Leafs, I’d be making this deal too.

I agree in terms of pure money and slots. And also, assuming that Toronto moves someone else.

I say that because for me it's the quality of the slots and distribution of same. Maybe this is the plan, but if I were Toronto I would sign Nylander but then trade Marner for D.

Signing and keeping Matthews, Marner, and Nylander (assuming they let Tavares walk) at something like $35M but continuing to ignore defense is a huge mistake. One they never ever seem to learn from.

 

[Number8]

Werent you the one who posted after 3 games without Forbort that they hadnt let in a goal on the PK yet? Just curious were you familiar with hockey at that point or just now when you decided to be condescending? If you thought that sample size was appropriate why now is it potentially a coincidence 8 games later?

When is it no longer a coincidence, or will it always be because Forbort is so disliked? Another coincidental 2 PP goals against and 6 GA tonight....

The guy oozes arrogance.

Last year he told another poster that I was "pulling it out of my ass" that Florida would play hard and chippy in PO's. Never owned up to it, never acknowledged he was being arrogant, and certainly never owned up to the fact that he was entirely wrong.

Same exact playbook he's using here. My advice? Don't expect much humility from this one.

 

[Hookslide]

To Philly:
Matt Grzelcyk

To Boston:
Gritty

How much does Philly retain on Gritty?

 

[Sheppy]

True. But I think our goalies are conditioned not to play every game.

Well if they aren't, I'll be very hesitant to give Swayman $7M+ per season on his next deal.

 

[NeelyDan]

Well if they aren't, I'll be very hesitant to give Swayman $7M+ per season on his next deal.

This is an interesting point - if sway is the future, are you introducing risk by not seeing him handle a full workload before extending him

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

I agree in terms of pure money and slots. And also, assuming that Toronto moves someone else.

I say that because for me it's the quality of the slots and distribution of same. Maybe this is the plan, but if I were Toronto I would sign Nylander but then trade Marner for D.

Signing and keeping Matthews, Marner, and Nylander (assuming they let Tavares walk) at something like $35M but continuing to ignore defense is a huge mistake. One they never ever seem to learn from.

That’s assuming they continue to ignore defense. Which is a fair assumption I suppose, given their history.

But the thing is, signing Nylander doesn’t mean they can’t improve their defense and goaltending. Not anymore than the Bruins can’t improve their scoring.

Nylander at $11M is still an asset. And they are fine shape with their cap even after the signing (which surprised me). Which makes signing Nylander the right move.

If they’re smart, they’ll do something like you suggest to help balance their roster. Theoretically though, they wouldn’t necessarily have to subtract in order to add.

 

[Bruin4]

This is an interesting point - if sway is the future, are you introducing risk by not seeing him handle a full workload before extending him

Bussi been outstanding down in Providence. I think he easily could handle 35 -40 games at the NHL level or even sign a vet back-up. I feel the bruins are in a unique situation where they have two top tier NHL caliber goalies and a guy down in the minors whos more than capable. I'd like to Sweeney pull off a Ron Grahame type deal.

Greedy I know but imo I think he needs to move his assets, while their still assets.

 

[Number8]

That’s assuming they continue to ignore defense. Which is a fair assumption I suppose, given their history.

But the thing is, signing Nylander doesn’t mean they can’t improve their defense and goaltending. Not anymore than the Bruins can’t improve their scoring.

Nylander at $11M is still an asset. And they are fine shape with their cap even after the signing (which surprised me). Which makes signing Nylander the right move.

If they’re smart, they’ll do something like you suggest to help balance their roster. Theoretically though, they wouldn’t necessarily have to subtract in order to add.

Absolutely. Totally agree that signing Nylander is the right move.

 

[NDiesel]

This is an interesting point - if sway is the future, are you introducing risk by not seeing him handle a full workload before extending him

Lots of vet goalies out there on the market every year that are able to take some pressure off the workload of the starter, such as Quick and Martin Jones. Spend 7ish mil on Sway, sub 2 mil on a backup spending under 10 mil on the tandem and you still have DiPietro/Bussi as fall back options if the vet Goalie plays poorly. A good vet could keep Sway to a 60-40 split and let you worry a bit less about that increased workload

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

Lots of vet goalies out there on the market every year that are able to take some pressure off the workload of the starter, such as Quick and Martin Jones. Spend 7ish mil on Sway, sub 2 mil on a backup spending under 10 mil on the tandem and you still have DiPietro/Bussi as fall back options if the vet Goalie plays poorly. A good vet could keep Sway to a 60-40 split and let you worry a bit less about that increased workload

Issue is both Dipietro and Bussi require waivers next year. Bussi in particular could and probably would get claimed

 

[NDiesel]

Issue is both Dipietro and Bussi require waivers next year. Bussi in particular could and probably would get claimed

But if they send them down before the season they don't have to go through waivers right, or am I remembering that incorrectly

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

But if they send them down before the season they don't have to go through waivers right, or am I remembering that incorrectly

No that’s incorrect.

 

[NDiesel]

No that’s incorrect.

Okay thanks, then I guess their best option is ride with one of those two as a backup and sign a vet for Providence maybe, like Jones this year.

 

[Dizzay]

Bruins one stop shopping trip goes through Calgary. Lindholm and Hanifin.

Question is, what does that cost? Well, 2025 1st, Lysell, Merkulov, Gryz, and Poitras likely is a base. Calgary would have to retain 50% for both players to make the cap work. I'd say most people will argue Freddy would have to be included as well.

Zacha-Lindholm-Pasta
Marchy-Coyle-Debrusk
JVR-Freddy-Geekie
Lauko-Beecher-Heinen

Hanifin-McAvoy
Lindholm-Carlo
Forbort-Shatty
Lohrei

1. Calgary either flips Gryz or tries to resign him
2. Poitras, Lysell, Merkulov all make that team next season,
3. Bruins prospects are few and far between after this deal but there's a window and we have the funds to lock up both Hanifin and Lindholm

 

[JoeIsAStud]

Bruins one stop shopping trip goes through Calgary. Lindholm and Hanifin.

Question is, what does that cost? Well, 2025 1st, Lysell, Merkulov, Gryz, and Poitras likely is a base. Calgary would have to retain 50% for both players to make the cap work. I'd say most people will argue Freddy would have to be included as well.

Zacha-Lindholm-Pasta
Marchy-Coyle-Debrusk
JVR-Freddy-Geekie
Lauko-Beecher-Heinen

Hanifin-McAvoy
Lindholm-Carlo
Forbort-Shatty
Lohrei

1. Calgary either flips Gryz or tries to resign him
2. Poitras, Lysell, Merkulov all make that team next season,
3. Bruins prospects are few and far between after this deal but there's a window and we have the funds to lock up both Hanifin and Lindholm

The only thing in that deal that is remotely hard to give up is Poitras, and that would be extraordinarily hard to do . If you were to add Frederick, then that would be very difficult to do

Of course that probably means Boston is not giving up nearly enough

 

[BlackFrancis]

Bruins one stop shopping trip goes through Calgary. Lindholm and Hanifin.

Question is, what does that cost? Well, 2025 1st, Lysell, Merkulov, Gryz, and Poitras likely is a base. Calgary would have to retain 50% for both players to make the cap work. I'd say most people will argue Freddy would have to be included as well.

Zacha-Lindholm-Pasta
Marchy-Coyle-Debrusk
JVR-Freddy-Geekie
Lauko-Beecher-Heinen

Hanifin-McAvoy
Lindholm-Carlo
Forbort-Shatty
Lohrei

1. Calgary either flips Gryz or tries to resign him
2. Poitras, Lysell, Merkulov all make that team next season,
3. Bruins prospects are few and far between after this deal but there's a window and we have the funds to lock up both Hanifin and Lindholm

What is there in a player who turned down an 8x9 extension and has since produced at a 54 point rate that you find so irresistible?

I know that no one has been successful in talking down the allure of a $40m defense, so I won't even try there.

 

[Dizzay]

What is there in a player who turned down an 8x9 extension and has since produced at a 54 point rate that you find so irresistible?

I know that no one has been successful in talking down the allure of a $40m defense, so I won't even try there.

I'm not friends with Lindholm so I don't know why he turned down the extension. If I were to GUESS, I'd say it has something to do with wanting out of Calgary and playing for a contender. I also have zero concern about Lindholm producing with Zacha and Pasta.

McAvoy-Hanifin-Carlo-Lindholm would be the best defensive top 4 in the NHL. You add in Swayman + Ullmark and that makes you able to live with the forwards we have currently. We are not going to be able to outscore many of the good teams in the NHL come playoffs but with that top 4 and those two goalies, I like our chances of being in most if not all games.

Just my two cents obviously

 

[Kegs]

I'm not friends with Lindholm so I don't know why he turned down the extension. If I were to GUESS, I'd say it has something to do with wanting out of Calgary and playing for a contender. I also have zero concern about Lindholm producing with Zacha and Pasta.

McAvoy-Hanifin-Carlo-Lindholm would be the best defensive top 4 in the NHL. You add in Swayman + Ullmark and that makes you able to live with the forwards we have currently. We are not going to be able to outscore many of the good teams in the NHL come playoffs but with that top 4 and those two goalies, I like our chances of being in most if not all games.

Just my two cents obviously

I agree. Adding hanifin would make this teams back end ridiculous. I don’t recall ever having a better d core.

I feel like hanifin is an off-season signing though.

I also doubt the bruins can win the bidding war for lindholm. We shall see. I wouldn’t give up poitras in that deal that’s for sure. Poitras will probably be better than lindholm.

 

[ON3M4N]

What is there in a player who turned down an 8x9 extension and has since produced at a 54 point rate that you find so irresistible?

I know that no one has been successful in talking down the allure of a $40m defense, so I won't even try there.

Could be that Lindholm isn't only worried about the money

 

[Mione134]

To Philly:
Matt Grzelcyk

To Boston:
Gritty

He's more physical. So I'd do it

 

[HustleB]

I agree. Adding hanifin would make this teams back end ridiculous. I don’t recall ever having a better d core.

I feel like hanifin is an off-season signing though.

I also doubt the bruins can win the bidding war for lindholm. We shall see. I wouldn’t give up poitras in that deal that’s for sure. Poitras will probably be better than lindholm.

I’d make the trade with Poitras as the primary chip, but adding Merkulov and a 1st seems like just selling it all for a B+/A- window. I would like to hold off unless we are able to get a sweetheart deal akin to the Hall trade. Then I would be in.

 

[Sheppy]

He's more physical. So I'd do it

He's probably just... better too.

 

[Number8]

He's probably just... better too.

I would just like to raise the issue of odor. Call me judgy, but to me Gritty just looks like he smells. Would Flyers pick up dry cleaning tab?

 

[veganbruin]

Time to fix the face-off issue and we can do so for next year as well. Nic Dowd from the Caps should be available and won’t cost the farm. Watching everyone get dusted last night by the pukey boys of Pittsburgh made me want to put my head through a wall.