Boston Bruins 2023-24 Roster and Salary Cap Discussion XIII: On the eve of the trade deadline

[CellyHard]

My concern with moving DeBrusk is we have nobody under 30 that has the talent to play as a top 6 LW scorer. I think if he's moved for a center who can play here for the next 5+ years and they move Zacha to the LW, that offsets some of that.

However, they'll need to hit on Lysell and another winger from the farm soon with Marchand going into his +35 years.

Totally agree with this. Saw a lot of proposals with Debrusk + Lysell going out and it doesn’t make much sense IMO.

If JD is going it’s for a top six center, Zacha to left wing and Lysell to right wing. He’s the only guy that can replace his skill set.

Poitras should be 3C next year with Lohrei as a regular. Bussi as the backup.

Beecher, Kuntar, Regular battling for depth roles

Merkulov is the odd guy out the way I see things

 

[Fenian24]

This team is going nowhere in the playoffs. Keep working on the rebuild. Do not give up assets. Sell the UFA's if you can, they aren't worth much if anything.

That's a good argument, I would just like to see some of the UFA's or lesser prospects (which I include Lysell and Merkulov) moved to add some toughness on D and at forward. Worry about the top line center in the off season.

I don't buy into the "get them for free in the off season" for Hanafin or Lindholm, if they wanted to be in Boston they would have come here already, I expect Hanafin to stay in Vegas or Tampa/Fla and Lindholm to go to the highest bidder in free agency, which is rarely the Bruins.

 

[Shoebottom88]

As much as I’d like to move Debrusk, he will do well in playoffs, especially vs the Leafs. Just get a Dman that can run a pp like Chychrun and we’ll beat TO

 

[KnightofBoston]

Totally agree with this. Saw a lot of proposals with Debrusk + Lysell going out and it doesn’t make much sense IMO.

If JD is going it’s for a top six center, Zacha to left wing and Lysell to right wing. He’s the only guy that can replace his skill set.

Poitras should be 3C next year with Lohrei as a regular. Bussi as the backup.

Beecher, Kuntar, Regular battling for depth roles

Merkulov is the odd guy out the way I see things

in an ideal world, merkulov should be the answer to a top 6 C long term. He's top 3 in scoring in the AHL last I checked. Takes some time to put it all together (didnt krejci go a pretty long time before recording his first point in the NHL?) but if he can't put it together after this upcoming year I'd like to trade him at next year's deadline. He doesn't need to stick but he needs to show us glimpses. The 19 year old showing him up should be motivating.

 

[sarge88]

As much as I’d like to move Debrusk, he will do well in playoffs, especially vs the Leafs. Just get a Dman that can run a pp like Chychrun and we’ll beat TO

My only worry is losing JDB for nothing this summer.

My bigger worry is re-signing him for a bad deal.

 

[4ORRBRUIN]

As much as I’d like to move Debrusk, he will do well in playoffs, especially vs the Leafs. Just get a Dman that can run a pp like Chychrun and we’ll beat TO

What makes you think Chychrun will run a better power play than Charlie? Besides we need toughness on D not an offensive minded player

 

[JAD]

I expect Sweeney to add at least a defenseman. He loves defensive depth going into the playoffs. May not be anyone spectacular but it will be a warm body with experience.

 

[Over the volcano]

They should only deal him for what nobody's offering is the refrain with Ullmark and JDB

 

[chizzler]

My only worry is losing JDB for nothing this summer.

My bigger worry is re-signing him for a bad deal.

Damned if you do and damned if you don’t eh?

 

[yazmybaby]

Totally agree with this. Saw a lot of proposals with Debrusk + Lysell going out and it doesn’t make much sense IMO.

If JD is going it’s for a top six center, Zacha to left wing and Lysell to right wing. He’s the only guy that can replace his skill set.

Poitras should be 3C next year with Lohrei as a regular. Bussi as the backup.

Beecher, Kuntar, Regular battling for depth roles

Merkulov is the odd guy out the way I see things

You forgot Lysell, he should be in the mix for a full time spot next year.

 

[dugg133]

Emily Kaplan also wrote in her article this morning that she's "hearing the Bruins are plotting something big" but didn't specify what that could mean. So truly anything could happen between now and the deadline tomorrow.

 

[TobanWest]

Emily Kaplan also wrote in her article this morning that she's "hearing the Bruins are plotting something big" but didn't specify what that could mean. So truly anything could happen between now and the deadline tomorrow.

Part of me is holding out hope that there has to be something planned. This is the 100th anniversary. Celebrations and tons of hype only to grab a depth player seems odd. I know they are handcuffed but after last years failure they need to save face a bit

 

[Fenian24]

Part of me is holding out hope that there has to be something planned. This is the 100th anniversary. Celebrations and tons of hype only to grab a depth player seems odd. I know they are handcuffed but after last years failure they need to save face a bit

The plan was enacted, raising season ticket prices.

 

[JAD]

The plan was enacted, raising season ticket prices.

That would happen regardless

 

[Gee Wally]

 

[lopey]

If Bertuzzi and Domi get hot in the playoffs they may already have it ,and they got better goaltending than Tampa did last year in the playoffs,and let’s face it neither of our goalies have been very good in playoffs so far.

Conversely if Debrusk and Freddy get hot and our goalies play like they should we will beat them. Playoff a crap shoot

 

[Alicat]

Great minds think alike @Gee Wally

 

[Babajingo]

That would happen regardless

 

[lopey]

I actually think the Leafs are the best possible matchup for Boston in the first round....and I still think we beat them.

The party ends after that, however.

Bruins have like $50,00 in cap space they aren’t even getting a 6-7 defenceman unless they move a contract.

They would have to have some team hold salary

 

[nickyb]

Is it over yet?

 

[Alicat]

Is it over yet?

Baby it hasn't even started yet. Buckle up.

 

[HustleB]

So for Lohrei, Boquist or anyone else if they don't get sent down they are with us for the duration. I hope both stay up.

 

[Therick67]

I'm not expecting anything. Donny took his shot last year and the coach and players screwed it up.

It's going to be difficult to do anything with 50K in cap space..

 

[lopey]

Emily Kaplan also wrote in her article this morning that she's "hearing the Bruins are plotting something big" but didn't specify what that could mean. So truly anything could happen between now and the deadline tomorrow.

Would not mind a shakeup at all

 

[dugg133]

Part of me is holding out hope that there has to be something planned. This is the 100th anniversary. Celebrations and tons of hype only to grab a depth player seems odd. I know they are handcuffed but after last years failure they need to save face a bit

I don't think just adding depth players really does much for them tbh. They need a 5v5 difference maker to help swing play, either on offense or defense. Right now they tend to get out shot and out chanced every game and rely on the goaltending to save them way too often.

Either swing big for that kind of difference maker, or make a small move to give cap flexibility and use the last 18 games to see what you can get from some internal guys.