Boston Bruins 2023-24 Roster and Salary Cap Discussion VIII

[NeelyDan]

I like middleton’s willingness more than I like his actual performance in fights - poor balance, fights relatively afraid - but nowadays, willingness is about all that matters. Gone are the days where a tough guy can actually frighten another team.

 

[sarge88]

Wasn’t Lucic supposed to have a hearing sometime this week?

Juat curious.

 

[BruinDust]

Excellent answer, thank you. Might not agree on all of it ( I always will want a tough forward or two in the bottom six) but your argument against spending on Lindholm was excellent. I'd buy a Middleton 100th anniversary jersey

I'd like a tough forward added too but I'd like for that player to be an everyday player and push guys down (and in some cases out of the line-up). If they coughed up a pick from Duhaime I wouldn't complain that being said.

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

Calgary hit a rough patch recently. I wonder if there is any chance, any at all, the Bruins could bring him in.

My guess is no.

Even so, Sweeney should be able to find what I want: two bangers, one on D, one up front.

Clearly, there's a need, especially on defense.

I’d argue that the biggest need on D is someone to play with McAvoy in the playoffs, not a third pair “banger”.

 

[DKH]

Why is it so hard to process that using the word “terrible” to describe a player who has produced at a better rate than another player makes it really difficult to give credibility to your assessment?

No goals aren’t all that matters…..but they do matter.

And I’ve never said anything about him going to the finals.

All I’ve really said is that it’s hypocritical to have been on team Heinen when he signed his PTO here, while asserting that you know for sure that Anderson wouldn’t do well here.

I’m a big Anderson fan - he looked good against Bruins and has scored all 7 of his goals I think this month

But term & salary are bad

2 at $3 M as about where I’m at

Tough to play a rambunctious style but for playoffs can

If I had him I’d tell him play hard but don’t blow yourself or others up - just be strong on puck and focus on winning battles and going North

However in the playoffs he becomes a weapon - I would unleash him and tell him to wreck the Montours of the league

montreal would have to eat 1/2 his contract because it’s to long

 

[Kegs]

didn’t mean to come off as mad at you. I was supporting your argument.

It’s like watching my dad and his best friend argue violently even though they both have the same point

 

[DKH]

I’d argue that the biggest need on D is someone to play with McAvoy in the playoffs, not a third pair “banger”.

Yeh it’s like worrying if the broccoli is overcooked at Capital Grille

Hanifin & Mcavoy would be like the movie Speed

they got the centers, goalies, two elite wingers

Hanifin makes them monstahs

 

[DKH]

Sweeney isn’t trading debrusk. Zero reason to do this. None of his top players will be moved. This is one of the best teams in the nhl. They will probably add a rental or two. Probably a centre that can win face offs. If any Montreal Canadian gets traded here it won’t be anderson. It will be Monahan.

agree on DeBrusk

Never underestimate Sweeney - no one had last yr deadline

Marchand elite and 100 years they want this

I don’t see any rentel but long term more likely

 

[goldnblack]

GF/G: 6TH
EV GF/G: 5TH
GA/G: 4TH
PK: 6TH
PP: 5TH
HITS/60: 9TH

Penalties drawn/60: 14TH
Giveaway/60: 13TH
Blocks/60: 17TH
FO%: 19TH

Seems like we're a balanced elite team. I think the penalties and giveaways is remedied with coaching to some extent. Let's see where those ranks are the night of the deadline, and game 82.

The blocks I think is surprising, but also makes some sense. That's an area we can trade for. Same with FO. I think to when Pageau was first traded. That kind of guy (in his prime) changes a lot for the team.

 

[DiggityDog]

I like the idea of Hanifin joining this group, what I’m torn on is how.

On one hand you give up assets to acquire for this year and beyond.

The other is he seems (based on rumblings) to want to sign here in the offseason. So is patience more appropriate?

I honestly don’t know the right answer.

 

[Over the volcano]

I like the idea of Hanifin joining this group, what I’m torn on is how.

On one hand you give up assets to acquire for this year and beyond.

The other is he seems (based on rumblings) to want to sign here in the offseason.

So do you wait and get him for free, or give up assets for him for a third of the season and potentially a run?

I honestly don’t know the right answer.

It sure seems like defensemen take a while to fit into a new system and rarely live up to expectations as rentals. Giving up big assets to throw him into a playoff push just doesn't make sense to me. Get him in the off season for just his contract, give him a full training camp, build a roster with him in mind and reap the rewards.

 

[Hookslide]

Quite the opposite.

Well that makes me feel better.....haha

I’d argue that the biggest need on D is someone to play with McAvoy in the playoffs, not a third pair “banger”.

I would not mind both.

 

[sarge88]

It’s like watching my dad and his best friend argue violently even though they both have the same point

You know my wife?

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

Yeh it’s like worrying if the broccoli is overcooked at Capital Grille

Hanifin & Mcavoy would be like the movie Speed

they got the centers, goalies, two elite wingers

Hanifin makes them monstahs

How so? Unstoppable?

 

[BruinsJoe]

Also 6.03 - 225 lbs vs 6.01 - 190 lbs
averages 170 hits/year compared to 77 hits/year

Can see great thinks in this line proposition

Marchy Coyle Anderson...

Anderson is a big speedy physical power forward with a great shot, but his contract is horrible, he s an injury prone guy...this trade s not happening

 

[AngryMilkcrates]

I’m a big Anderson fan - he looked good against Bruins and has scored all 7 of his goals I think this month

But term & salary are bad

2 at $3 M as about where I’m at

Tough to play a rambunctious style but for playoffs can

If I had him I’d tell him play hard but don’t blow yourself or others up - just be strong on puck and focus on winning battles and going North

However in the playoffs he becomes a weapon - I would unleash him and tell him to wreck the Montours of the league

montreal would have to eat 1/2 his contract because it’s to long

I'd rather have Cam Atkinson for the same role, imo. Articles mentioning flyers might be listening to offers for him. I think they know they are.more sellers than buyers.

How so? Unstoppable?

Liable to blow up at any moment?

 

[goldnblack]

Btw do we just need one more Wotherspoon? And is our Wotherspoon's games played lining up pretty well with our best hockey of the year?

Seems like sound D, smart passes, blocks and hits is a real recipe for depth for us. That guy with a bit of snarl would be amazing.

 

[Gonzothe7thDman]

I like the idea of Hanifin joining this group, what I’m torn on is how.

On one hand you give up assets to acquire for this year and beyond.

The other is he seems (based on rumblings) to want to sign here in the offseason. So is patience more appropriate?

I honestly don’t know the right answer.

If you get Hanifin on the roster prior to the passing of the trade deadline, you can re-sign him to an 8 year deal. That would mean lower AAV compared to a 7 year deal in FA.

If the deadline passes and Hanifin is elsewhere, you are then looking at a sign and trade to get him on that 8 year contract which means you are paying another team assets for them doing you that favor.

Or, just wait til UFA, sign him to 7 years at a higher AAV. Idk the specifics of what he's looking for but long term it may be worth it to get him before FA if its a decent difference in AAV.

 

[Joseph Nathan]

Serious question who do you want them to add as a number one center next year? Lindholm is the best center available and barring another Covid level virus the cap should continue to go up.

Personally I talk to Guerin in Minnesota and ask what it take for Eriksson Ek and Middleton. Number 1 center, top 4 physical D and they can send Maroon or Duhaime with them.

Eriksson ek will never ever get traded by Minnesota. Besides Minnesota not rebuilding, eriksson ek is on long term contract and their only good C besides Rossi. So no, he’s not getting traded. Middleton value alone is a 1st

 

[Joseph Nathan]

I mean thats fair overall, personally what drives me away is his injury history...he's been much healthier these last few seasons, but has still missed games the past two and has a lot of miles on his body for a guy who plays a pretty fast and reckless game...he's likely going to drop off a cliff very soon.


I would love Eriksson Ek but he's kind of a unicorn, I'd be surprised if they let him go, and if they did it would take a massive overpayment IMO. Maybe you entice them starting with Poitras?

Portrais is nothing to Minnesota with a crappy Center situation. They aren’t rebuilding and eriksson ek is their next Mikko join but better. They will not trade him short of 1C coming back on long term contract. You’re talking about a player who was not available for Eichel.

Why is it so hard to process that using the word “terrible” to describe a player who has produced at a better rate than another player makes it really difficult to give credibility to your assessment?

No goals aren’t all that matters…..but they do matter.

And I’ve never said anything about him going to the finals.

All I’ve really said is that it’s hypocritical to have been on team Heinen when he signed his PTO here, while asserting that you know for sure that Anderson wouldn’t do well here.

 

[Fenian24]

I'd rather have Cam Atkinson for the same role, imo. Articles mentioning flyers might be listening to offers for him. I think they know they are.more sellers than buyers.


Liable to blow up at any moment?

Atkinson? Let's not get smaller and softer please. Philly is dealing I would take Seeler

 

[Gee Wally]

As Bruins hit All-Star break, the question remains what they might do before the trade deadline - The Boston Globe

The front office has the next month-plus to decide whether the roster needs reinforcing for a long playoff run.

www.bostonglobe.com

With 33 games to go in the regular season — and the March 8 trade deadline lurking low in the slot — the focus for coach Jim Montgomery, captain Marchand, & Co. becomes maintaining their recent standard.

The front office, meanwhile, has the next month-plus to decide if this is a roster capable of locking down what would be only a second Stanley Cup in the last 52 years. General manager Don Sweeney historically has been active around the deadline, when convinced there’s a reasonable shot at a long playoff run.

The standings would suggest Dealin’ Don will be at it again.

“We still need to get better at boxing out around our net and covering the slot, because our goaltenders are being asked to make too many good saves,” Montgomery said as his charges headed for the team bus following Saturday’s 6-2 win in Philadelphia. “Besides that, just continue to build on our offensive game.”

That hardly provides a template, or even hint, at how Sweeney might look to get his assets in a row in the coming days, though added heft on the backline has been an obvious need all season. The defensemen have increased their offensive contribution of late — they’re at 21-79—100 for the season — but they’ve been short on the thump factor ever since free agents Connor Clifton and Dmitry Orlov departed in July.

In-season call-up Parker Wotherspoon has added some moxie back there, Montgomery frequently lauding the journeyman’s willing spirit. That helps. Yet there’s added concern about No. 3 left D Derek Forbort, who again exited the lineup Saturday amid concern that his lingering groin injury could lead to more time on the sideline. Forbort’s size, reach, and penalty-killing skills have made him a valued six-packer.

Rookie Mason Lohrei, back to building his game in AHL Providence, no doubt will be added to the varsity playoff roster. He shows a lot of promise, but his skills don’t address the lack of smack factor back there.

Last year’s moves look only more poignant at the moment because it is again a roster, backed by exceptional goaltending by Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman, that is capable of a long run.

The net, the most critical position of all, is covered. David Pastrnak, with more goals (94) the last season-and-a-half than anyone in the league, is their game-breaker. Coyle and Pavel Zacha have proven to be surprisingly solid 1-2 top-six pivots in the post-Patrice Bergeron-David Krejci era.


It could be asking too much of Sweeney to come up with the 2024 version of his Orlov-Bertuzzi-Hathaway haul, but it’s undoubtedly a roster worthy of sacrificing some draft capital and maybe a prospect or two for a chance to win that elusive Stanley Cup shaker of salt.

“You always want to get better,” mused Marchand as he walked to the bus at Wells Fargo Center. “Our game is nowhere near perfect. You still see a lot of times in games where we can be better, and I think we have to continue to be better for 60 minutes — be aware of time and score, first five minutes and last five minutes of the game. Puck play.”

Cutting back on penalties, said the captain, is another priority.

“From where we were at the start of the year to where we are now, we’ve made tremendous leaps,” said Marchand, “and if we can continue to do that and continue to build, we’re going to be a really good team.”

 

[HustleB]

As Bruins hit All-Star break, the question remains what they might do before the trade deadline - The Boston Globe

The front office has the next month-plus to decide whether the roster needs reinforcing for a long playoff run.

www.bostonglobe.com

With 33 games to go in the regular season — and the March 8 trade deadline lurking low in the slot — the focus for coach Jim Montgomery, captain Marchand, & Co. becomes maintaining their recent standard.

The front office, meanwhile, has the next month-plus to decide if this is a roster capable of locking down what would be only a second Stanley Cup in the last 52 years. General manager Don Sweeney historically has been active around the deadline, when convinced there’s a reasonable shot at a long playoff run.

The standings would suggest Dealin’ Don will be at it again.

“We still need to get better at boxing out around our net and covering the slot, because our goaltenders are being asked to make too many good saves,” Montgomery said as his charges headed for the team bus following Saturday’s 6-2 win in Philadelphia. “Besides that, just continue to build on our offensive game.”

That hardly provides a template, or even hint, at how Sweeney might look to get his assets in a row in the coming days, though added heft on the backline has been an obvious need all season. The defensemen have increased their offensive contribution of late — they’re at 21-79—100 for the season — but they’ve been short on the thump factor ever since free agents Connor Clifton and Dmitry Orlov departed in July.

In-season call-up Parker Wotherspoon has added some moxie back there, Montgomery frequently lauding the journeyman’s willing spirit. That helps. Yet there’s added concern about No. 3 left D Derek Forbort, who again exited the lineup Saturday amid concern that his lingering groin injury could lead to more time on the sideline. Forbort’s size, reach, and penalty-killing skills have made him a valued six-packer.

Rookie Mason Lohrei, back to building his game in AHL Providence, no doubt will be added to the varsity playoff roster. He shows a lot of promise, but his skills don’t address the lack of smack factor back there.

Last year’s moves look only more poignant at the moment because it is again a roster, backed by exceptional goaltending by Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman, that is capable of a long run.

The net, the most critical position of all, is covered. David Pastrnak, with more goals (94) the last season-and-a-half than anyone in the league, is their game-breaker. Coyle and Pavel Zacha have proven to be surprisingly solid 1-2 top-six pivots in the post-Patrice Bergeron-David Krejci era.


It could be asking too much of Sweeney to come up with the 2024 version of his Orlov-Bertuzzi-Hathaway haul, but it’s undoubtedly a roster worthy of sacrificing some draft capital and maybe a prospect or two for a chance to win that elusive Stanley Cup shaker of salt.

“You always want to get better,” mused Marchand as he walked to the bus at Wells Fargo Center. “Our game is nowhere near perfect. You still see a lot of times in games where we can be better, and I think we have to continue to be better for 60 minutes — be aware of time and score, first five minutes and last five minutes of the game. Puck play.”

Cutting back on penalties, said the captain, is another priority.

“From where we were at the start of the year to where we are now, we’ve made tremendous leaps,” said Marchand, “and if we can continue to do that and continue to build, we’re going to be a really good team.”

Seems like a year of opportunity. If the prices are low and I feel they might be, then buy. Otherwise sit tight and spend wisely in the off-season.

I also agree that recently they’ve played more detail oriented hockey. With more consistency we should start to see our game approach playoff level.

 

[bruinmann77]

I think it be on the cheaper side

 

[Shaun]

it be nice if the hanifin rumors were true and he forced his way here for a 2nd like the great taylor hall