Boston Bruins 2023-24 Roster and Salary Cap Discussion VII

[Mick Riddleton]

Third-line guys like Trenin and Johnson are no better than Coyle and Geekie. All these small moves get them nowhere. Wait till next summer and see what the kids can do. Give Merkulov a shot and use the expanding cap next year. Zacha will be a decent 2nd line pivot and Geekie or Poitras in the 3rd centerman spot. A #1 pivot should be the target.

 

[GordonHowe]

Third-line guys like Trenin and Johnson are no better than Coyle and Geekie. All these small moves get them nowhere. Wait till next summer and see what the kids can do. Give Merkulov a shot and use the expanding cap next year. Zacha will be a decent 2nd line pivot and Geekie or Poitras in the 3rd centerman spot. A #1 pivot should be the target.

The bottom line is that the Bruins simply don't have the roster assets or draft selections to be a credible candidate for the services of Elias Lindholm. Other clubs have the goods.

Also, Calgary is rebuilding. They want young roster players that can be signed long term for reasonable dollars.

Does that sound like Linus Ullmark, Matt Gryzlick or Jake DeBrusk?

As Shifty notes above, the Bruins are better served bringing up Georgi, continuing to foster the development of Poitras, Lohrei and Beecher, and targeting a legitimate #1C in the offseason, when they'll have the $$$ to do so.

 

[dugg133]

Third-line guys like Trenin and Johnson are no better than Coyle and Geekie. All these small moves get them nowhere. Wait till next summer and see what the kids can do. Give Merkulov a shot and use the expanding cap next year. Zacha will be a decent 2nd line pivot and Geekie or Poitras in the 3rd centerman spot. A #1 pivot should be the target.

Agreed on all this. I think we need to remember that coming into this season most people were viewing this as a bridge year. The plan was to hopefully develop some youth at the NHL, use cheap vets to ride out the cap overages, and just get into the playoffs and see what happens. Just cause we're in first place doesn't mean we should abandon that, if we're being honest this team is more then an Elias Lindholm away from being ready for a legit long playoff run barring one of the goalies going nuclear and dragging us deep.

Get guys like Merkulov (and Lysell imo) looks in the NHL, continue that development, and then be really aggressive filling the holes in the offseason where you need to be.

 

[Mick Riddleton]

The bottom line is that the Bruins simply don't have the roster assets or draft selections to be a credible candidate for the services of Elias Lindholm. Other clubs have the goods.

Also, Calgary is rebuilding. They want young roster players that can be signed long term for reasonable dollars.

Does that sound like Linus Ullmark, Matt Gryzlick or Jake DeBrusk?

As Shifty notes above, the Bruins are better served bringing up Georgi, continuing to foster the development of Poitras, Lohrei and Beecher, and targeting a legitimate #1C in the offseason, when they'll have the $$$ to do so.

Agreed on all this. I think we need to remember that coming into this season most people were viewing this as a bridge year. The plan was to hopefully develop some youth at the NHL, use cheap vets to ride out the cap overages, and just get into the playoffs and see what happens. Just cause we're in first place doesn't mean we should abandon that, if we're being honest this team is more then an Elias Lindholm away from being ready for a legit long playoff run barring one of the goalies going nuclear and dragging us deep.

Get guys like Merkulov (and Lysell imo) looks in the NHL, continue that development, and then be really aggressive the holes in the offseason where you need to be.

Agreed, I mean look at last year, it was a better team and we added the kind of guys that we pine for now. Where did it get them, it was nice to see them go for it and they were one guy away. This year they are 3 or 4 guys away. This had to eventually happen, one step back and hopefully 2 steps forward next year.

 

[The Andrew Peeke Fan]

Poitras, Merkulov, and Lysell added to the lineup would at least make the team more enjoyable and worthwhile to watch.

 

[SwayHeyKid]

I understand they are struggling but I thought I was on the Senators board for a bit. They might not be cup favorites but they aren’t the poverty franchise some are making them out to be.

 

[Gonzothe7thDman]

I understand they are struggling but I thought I was on the Senators board for a bit. They might not be cup favorites but they aren’t the poverty franchise some are making them out to be.

Hampus (and McAvoy to be honest) finding last seasons form would go a long way towards improving the direction this team is headed this season and beyond imo.

They also need a legitimate top line center.

I do also believe they need to pick a goaltender and move the other for assets to fill out the rest of the team.

They’ve got holes but they also have core pieces other teams would kill for.

 

[Fenian24]

Moving some of the soft 3rd and 4th liners for guys like Trenin, Smith, Kunin would make them a tougher out on the playoffs.

Give Merulov a look, it can't hurt. Lysell I would try in very protected minutes and then use as trade bait. He seems unengaged, indifferent and not listening to his coach in Providence, any of that is true move on before he joins Spooner, Koko and Senyshyn in the long list of failed speed and skill picks. Maybe he can be used on a package to get a solid number 4 D

 

[smithformeragent]

Hampus (and McAvoy to be honest) finding last seasons form would go a long way towards improving the direction this team is headed this season and beyond imo.

They also need a legitimate top line center.

I do also believe they need to pick a goaltender and move the other for assets to fill out the rest of the team.

They’ve got holes but they also have core pieces other teams would kill for.

Yeah, it’s got to be Swayman for the present and future and you move Ullmark.

Whatever and whenever that looks like is TBD.
They have little else of value to deal, so even if you move him this year you’re not bringing back enough to make this team a Cup contender.

16 club no trade list becomes a 15 team list next year.

Or you simply let him finish out the deal if you don’t find the right return.

Thank You - CapFriendly - NHL Salary Caps

Thank you for the amazing 9 years

www.capfriendly.com

 

[GordonHowe]

Poitras, Merkulov, and Lysell added to the lineup would at least make the team more enjoyable and worthwhile to watch.

Yes to Matt & Georgi.

No to Lysell. From what I gather recently, he is not a team player. Rather, an obstinate and perhaps selfish one. Whose stock continues to fall.

Unacceptable.

 

[goldnblack]

I got a funny feeling this team is due for an upswing, which includes an upswing for Poitras.

I like how they've set this up.

 

[NeelyDan]

I got a funny feeling this team is due for an upswing, which includes an upswing for Poitras.

I like how they've set this up.

despite a fair amount of doom and gloom making the rounds, i tend to agree with you ultimately

 

[goldnblack]

So Elias Lindholm turned down the Flames 9M, and is gonna be a UFA in the offseason.

Lindholm has the same agent as Marchy and Carlo.

And we have Linus, Hampus, Oscar all Swedes. Hampus and Elias would know each other decently well from their J20 season in 2011-2012.

Bruins piggybank for a #1C this offseason has to be as wide open as anyone. I'm not suggesting I know anything. But we simply have to be in the top 5 possible choices for this. The chance to have Pasta on your wing too? Come on...

 

[xjoeyc23x]

Is this season just a weird stop gap until next year? If we aren't considering any moves to help this team and we are loading up for next season, we should be moving pieces now. Grizz, Debrusk....Ullmark?

 

[HustleB]

Is this season just a weird stop gap until next year? If we aren't considering any moves to help this team and we are loading up for next season, we should be moving pieces now. Grizz, Debrusk....Ullmark?

I would take the middle path. I don't want to trade first round picks, Poitras, Lohrei or Merkulov though I'd be flexible on Merkulov if he represents the value of a first to the other team. I don't expect other teams value Merkulov at that level. It would also be a shame if we don't get to see him with a shot this season on the Bruins. The kid is playing lights out based on all reports.

I also don't want to trade DeBrusk or Ullmark especially.

Gryz I'd trade but I wouldn't give him away. He could be a cap casualty and our D could use a influx of talent if we could afford anything. We desperately need a Dennis Seidenberg. I don't know if there is anything like him out there anymore. If there is it would cost way too much for my budget constraints. I'd trade Lysell but I don't know if his value could be any lower so why sell low.

Things change, if someone is knocking down the door for DeBrusk but I don't see that being the case. Maybe he's the Apple of Calgary’s eye and they could sign a long term contract. That would open a hockey deal for Hanifin or Lindholm. We add Lysell and a third asset below Merkulov on the depth chart. That seems like the sweet spot. Sweeney usually does try to spend on long-term assets like Lindholm. Hall and Nash didn't end up long termpieces but that was the intent.

 

[Hookslide]

Poitras, Merkulov, and Lysell added to the lineup would at least make the team more enjoyable and worthwhile to watch.

And how long will that shinney new penny last?

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

So Elias Lindholm turned down the Flames 9M, and is gonna be a UFA in the offseason.

Lindholm has the same agent as Marchy and Carlo.

And we have Linus, Hampus, Oscar all Swedes. Hampus and Elias would know each other decently well from their J20 season in 2011-2012.

Bruins piggybank for a #1C this offseason has to be as wide open as anyone. I'm not suggesting I know anything. But we simply have to be in the top 5 possible choices for this. The chance to have Pasta on your wing too? Come on...

Is EL really worth more than $9 mil?

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

Is this season just a weird stop gap until next year? If we aren't considering any moves to help this team and we are loading up for next season, we should be moving pieces now. Grizz, Debrusk....Ullmark?

Why is that?

There is no benefit to making the team worse now.

 

[BamBamCam]

So Elias Lindholm turned down the Flames 9M, and is gonna be a UFA in the offseason.

Lindholm has the same agent as Marchy and Carlo.

And we have Linus, Hampus, Oscar all Swedes. Hampus and Elias would know each other decently well from their J20 season in 2011-2012.

Bruins piggybank for a #1C this offseason has to be as wide open as anyone. I'm not suggesting I know anything. But we simply have to be in the top 5 possible choices for this. The chance to have Pasta on your wing too? Come on...

Do you have a Link?

 

[dugg133]

I'm excited

 

[wintersej]

Is EL really worth more than $9 mil?

No, I think the price for him to stay in Calgary is higher than it is in other places.

 

[CellyHard]

I'm excited

FINALLY

 

[wintersej]

Zacha Geekie Pastrnak
Marchand Merkulov DeBrusk
JVR Coyle Frederic
Lauko Beecher Heinen

 

[KrugAvoy]

We're going to have a logjam up the middle of guys . If Merkulov did get the call up he's likely fitting in at 3C. 2C would be Coyle, so that means either Zacha or Poitras move to wing?

 

[goldnblack]

Is EL really worth more than $9 mil?

The first question is WHEN is EL worth more than 9M. Look at the cap projections for the league. 9M is about to become the new 6.5M.

If he wants to come to a good market for 10M for 6 years and he turns us into a team where Zacha is the 2C and Coyle is the 3C and Poitras plays the wing for 2 more years, I'm in.