Boston Bruins 2023 Off-Season CAP, Trade Rumors and Free Agent Talk IX

[DiggityDog]

So say they re-sign JDB 6M and and 1st line center another 6M at least . Now add Sway 3M and TFred 2M . That will leave 13M for 9 players. That leaves you 1.44 per player and that's if Bergy doesn't come back otherwise there will be overages like this year.

That’s all true. I think they will have the benefit of having some youth being ready to step into the lineup then as well. We could potentially see Merkulov, Lysell, Lohrei, and even Beecher challenge for spots this season, with it being more likely they become regulars the following year.

I’ve also been a staunch advocate of retaining Ullmark for this year, but I believe he will be a much easier asset to move next offseason given the newfound flexibility of a lot of clubs. Whether is is to bring in some draft capitol or another impact player is yet to be determined.

It’s also expected that the cap could grow as high as 4.5-5 million. Forgive me if you include this in your initial numbers.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

The line that Hall spent the most ice time this season was with Coyle and Frederic.

Agree to disagree then. I think they have a much better chance at doing anything next season with Hall+Swayman than JVR+ Ullmark

As stated before, Hall assisted on 2 Frederic goals all season.

Frederic assisted on 2 Hall goals.

Really seems unlikely that was the line Hall was on the most.

 

[Hookslide]

Nobody wanted to lose Hall, it was a tough pill to swallow.

Having said that it was their best option to clear the $6 million in cap space they needed without losing more picks to move bad contracts, utilizing one of their two buyouts, or having to take money back, and lastly giving another player away for nothing.

There are consequences for going all in. They used bonuses to fit two guys we all love and wanted back.

The Bruins had nearly no space to start the offseason with a ton of holes to fill. Something had to give. Sucks it was Hall, but again, if given the choice between losing Hall for nothing or the reigning Vezina trophy winner, I thinks it’s a pretty easy decision to make.

Yes , you are right it was an easy decision ............but why did they not make the right one......

 

[GoBs]

How's the goalie trade market been working? How's the trade market been in general? Would giving Ullmark away for nothing make sense when you are a year away from a cap increase, and he just won the Vezina? And that's assuming you could find a team not on his no trade list who wants to take on $5M in cap. The whole NHL needs an enema right now - the shortsighted decision of the owners to go flat this year has had huge repercussions.

If Swayman is doing a split in games played during the season maybe Ullmark will be worth more to the team around the trade deadline. But I agree trading Ullmark now is ridiculous.

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

As stated before, Hall assisted on 2 Frederic goals all season.

Frederic assisted on 2 Hall goals.

Really seems unlikely that was the line Hall was on the most.

It was. Hall-Coyle-Frederic was 189 mins

Hall-Krejci-Pasta was 157 mins

But as show earlier, Hall with Frederic performed about as well as Frederic with everyone else

If Swayman is doing a split in games played during the season maybe Ullmark will be worth more to the team around the trade deadline. But I agree trading Ullmark now is ridiculous.

Maybe but netminders rarely move at the deadline.

The difference of Ullmark to Bussi (or whatever other scrap heap you can get for $1M or less) is far greater than the difference between Hall and JVR/Merkulov in terms of wins. And it’s not particularly close.

Do people forget Ullmark just put up a 40-6-1/1.89/.938?

 

[DiggityDog]

Yes , you are right it was an easy decision ............but why did they not make the right one......

You’re entitled to feel that way. I don’t.

I like both players, but I choose to move the winger in this case. Even if I’m not happy about it.

 

[UncleRico]

And now its about age,

Yes age is absolutely a factor. How have Marchand, JVR and lucic numbers held up from from their prime?

The further away they get the more diminished the returns. Do you honestly expect them to turn the clock back?

It was. Hall-Coyle-Frederic was 189 mins

Hall-Krejci-Pasta was 157 mins

But as show earlier, Hall with Frederic performed about as well as Frederic with everyone else


Maybe but netminders rarely move at the deadline.

The difference of Ullmark to Bussi (or whatever other scrap heap you can get for $1M or less) is far greater than the difference between Hall and JVR/Merkulov in terms of wins. And it’s not particularly close.

Do people forget Ullmark just put up a 40-6-1/1.89/.938?

No we don’t forget, just like we don’t forget the 3.54 GAA and .888 save percentage in his playoff career.

As opposed to hall who elevates his game in the playoffs and Ullmark falls flat on his face.

So now it's strictly based on playoffs.

I never said strictly, but yes the playoffs matter much more than the regular season. Is that even up for debate?

 

[Hookslide]

We can arm chair GM forever. What we do not know, is was there any team that has any interest in either Gryz or Forbert . Hall may have been the only player DS could find a market for that did not further diminish our already very thin prospect pool. I strongly feel if DS can move either Forbert or Gryz for any kind of a return he will. This may have to wait to far closer to the season.

Well I am getting a mixed message here , I am not sure who said it but that Sweeney was getting calls on Gryz , But Sweeney gives the impression that he does not want to move Gryz..........not sure that is the right approach to be taking with a player the coach kept out the lineup during the playoffs.......Power struggle that is not being reported..........

You’re entitled to feel that way. I don’t.

I like both players, but I choose to move the winger in this case. Even if I’m not happy about it.

You choose to move the winger , with no replacement , Ullmark could be replaced........

 

[DiggityDog]

Well I am getting a mixed message here , I am not sure who said it but that Sweeney was getting calls on Gryz , But Sweeney gives the impression that he does not want to move Gryz..........not sure that is the right approach to be taking with a player the coach kept out the lineup during the playoffs.......Power struggle that is not being reported..........


You choose to move the winger , with no replacement , Ullmark could be replaced........

Again, if you think a goaltender who just won the Vezina and the goaltending triple crown is easy to replace then I can’t do much to change your mind.

To each their own.

 

[goldnblack]

ITT the vezina winner was the better trade than Hall. I mean, ok?

 

[Guelph Bruin]

My wife gave me a Hall Pass but I couldn't get my stick down in time to tap it in

 

[Hookslide]

My wife gave me a Hall Pass but I couldn't get my stick down in time to tap it in

Cute......

 

[BlackFrancis]

#TryHardHurricanes

You know what they say about donkeys - you can have one on the team, no problem, but if you have more than one, they'll breed you a locker room full of them.

 

[DKH]

I am a Sens fan too. My take is Brown is viewed as a 4th liner at best. No Sens HF poster has said they will miss him on the Sens roster. I was surprised Boston signed him for 2 years.

Actually it’s a very good move and if the Bruins fans weren’t crying about Carlo & Frederic they’d realize the Brown signing is a message - we ain’t cheap

It’s good for Brown because he gets $1.6 M over next 2 years whether he plays in Boston or Providence

It’s good for Boston because he will clear waivers and he is depth

His skillset is a bottom 6 and as someone who’s wife went to BC and follow I am familiar with him. He’s a smart guy and son of an NHL player - wouldn’t surprise me if he’s working for nhl ream after

I like it because he’s a clear upgrade in an important game over some kid - at least to me

 

[DKH]

Unless a right handed rookie makes the team (Lysell/McLauglin) we’re going to to have at least two left handed RW’s. Of all the options, JVR has the most experience there.

Won’t JVR play LW ?

Here is my lineup depending when Bergeron plays

Marchand - Bergeron- DeBrusk
JVR- Zacha- Pastrnak
Frederic- Coyle - GEEKIE

Basically same top 9 less Krejci & Hall

 

[Gee Wally]

Let's see no news is good news.

still time.
last year he re-signed on August 8.

 

[GloveSave1]

Yes age is absolutely a factor. How have Marchand, JVR and lucic numbers held up from from their prime?

The further away they get the more diminished the returns. Do you honestly expect them to turn the clock back?



No we don’t forget, just like we don’t forget the 3.54 GAA and .888 save percentage in his playoff career.

As opposed to hall who elevates his game in the playoffs and Ullmark falls flat on his face.



I never said strictly, but yes the playoffs matter much more than the regular season. Is that even up for debate?

Linus really looked hurt in the playoffs…I haven’t heard anything…but it looked obvious…

Maybe it was all mental. That’s possible. It spiraled on him. Bad goals and horrible losses add up.

I was all about trading Linus, but it does seem tough now, and best to wait until the deadline…but I wouldn’t stop working the phones…

I am shocked that some team in “go for it mode” didn’t pay up for Linus. Sure, there were a lot of goalies out there…but I didn’t see many with truly elite ceiling. Most were more “won’t be a problem” level.

 

[DKH]

still time.
last year he re-signed on August 8.

He’s too good to retire - lives minutes from both rinks, he’s captain and it’s a good team

Don’t do it Patrice

He returns they basically have the same team pre deadline that was 44-8-5

February 23 2023 Bruins win 6-5 at Seattle

Top 9F 4D and 2G for that game

Marchand- Bergeron - DeBrusk
Zacha - Krejci- Pastrnak
Hall- Coyle- Frederic

Grzelcyk- McAvoy
Lindholm- Carlo

Ullmark
Swayman

Bergeron returns

Marchand- Bergeron- DeBrusk
JVR- Zacha - Pastrnak
Frederic- Coyle- Geekie

Grzelcyk- McAvoy
Lindholm- Carlo

Ullmark
Swayman

13 of 15 that was 44-8-5

 

[PlayMakers]

Bruins Sign Marc McLaughlin To One-Year Contract | Boston Bruins

North Billerica native has 3 goals in 13 career NHL games

www.nhl.com

The kids are all taking team friendly deals to try to get into the lineup.

 

[DKH]

still time.
last year he re-signed on August 8.

Bergeron comes back Sweeney is basically running it back

He would pretty much have the foundation of the team that was heading into trade deadline

Krejci likely gone which I think he expected and Hall move with 2/12 was the luxury he could afford

His top 4 D and both G bxck

Clifton gone from third pair but Monty scratched 4 of last 5 playoffs one game played Cost them and Monty had no faith

I like this years 4th line options because merkulov should get a look

Bergeron the key once again / he’s like the oil that allows it to run high performance. Without him call dad ‘gee I don’t know what happened ? It started smoking and I was able to pull into Applebees parking lot and it died’

Hes back 110-120 points he’s out 91-100

It’s appropriate it’s his 20th season because He’s worth 20 points

 

[CellyHard]

Bergeron returns

Marchand- Bergeron- DeBrusk
JVR- Zacha - Pastrnak
Frederic- Coyle- Geekie

Grzelcyk- McAvoy
Lindholm- Carlo

Ullmark
Swayman

13 of 15 that was 44-8-5

This is exactly what I'm pencilling in for the top nine forwards and the top four defenseman.

I think your 4th line is going to be Lucic - Brown - Lauko with opportunities for McLaughlin, Beecher and Merkulov to beat out Brown. I hope one of them does...

Forbort and Shattenkirk is more than likely the bottom pair but I'm not ruling out Forbort being waived and given the "Mike Reilly" treatment if he isn't claimed. I guess that all depends if Zboril impresses.

I'm keeping my eye on Winnipeg, I think they need to move a defenseman they have Capobianco, Stanley and Chisholm as their 7-9. Logan Stanley requested a trade and so I think he could be on the move soon unless they feel like they can slip him through waivers...he'd provide some much needed physicality and toughness

 

[UncleRico]

Linus really looked hurt in the playoffs…I haven’t heard anything…but it looked obvious…

Maybe it was all mental. That’s possible. It spiraled on him. Bad goals and horrible losses add up.

I was all about trading Linus, but it does seem tough now, and best to wait until the deadline…but I wouldn’t stop working the phones…

I am shocked that some team in “go for it mode” didn’t pay up for Linus. Sure, there were a lot of goalies out there…but I didn’t see many with truly elite ceiling. Most were more “won’t be a problem” level.

Mental or injured it doesn’t matter to me. The end result is the same unfortunately. Two years in a row now with a combined 3.54 GAA and .888. It’s a small sample, but the big reason it’s a small sample is because his performances have been a big factor in why they haven’t made it out of the first round the last two years.

I’m not even convinced of swayman either, I’ve been on the trade Ullmark and find swayman his version of halak as the backup just for that added insurance.

I just don’t know how many more years you can roll out Ullmark in the playoffs the way he’s crumbled.

 

[JOKER 192]

That’s all true. I think they will have the benefit of having some youth being ready to step into the lineup then as well. We could potentially see Merkulov, Lysell, Lohrei, and even Beecher challenge for spots this season, with it being more likely they become regulars the following year.

I’ve also been a staunch advocate of retaining Ullmark for this year, but I believe he will be a much easier asset to move next offseason given the newfound flexibility of a lot of clubs. Whether is is to bring in some draft capitol or another impact player is yet to be determined.

It’s also expected that the cap could grow as high as 4.5-5 million. Forgive me if you include this in your initial numbers.

Well that's exactly what has to happen. If all those 4 can hit and maybe even Mclaughlin, that would go a long way .

However past experience with prospects suggests otherwise. Though i have a good feeling about this bunch , fingers crossed.

If Bussi can play like he did last year and perhaps they can give him a handful of NHL starts just to see where he's at, then it may be time to cut Ullmark loose for an upgrade elsewhere.

Sadly , yes, there is 4M already added to that. I got it from Capfriendly and they have already included it.

 

[smithformeragent]

Anyone know if @EverettMike is a large?

 

[dangermike]

Mental or injured it doesn’t matter to me. The end result is the same unfortunately. Two years in a row now with a combined 3.54 GAA and .888. It’s a small sample, but the big reason it’s a small sample is because his performances have been a big factor in why they haven’t made it out of the first round the last two years.

I’m not even convinced of swayman either, I’ve been on the trade Ullmark and find swayman his version of halak as the backup just for that added insurance.

I just don’t know how many more years you can roll out Ullmark in the playoffs the way he’s crumbled.

I just can't co-sign this type of thinking. His movements after game 3 this year were super stiff and he didnt look right again - and then they mention an injury weeks later.

...and then last year...

are we forgetting the absolute dog water performance we put on throughout the season vs the canes and then the first two games in carolina??? we got stomped heartily in all facets and it was open season on ullmark. by the time sway made it into the series, the boys got parts of their heads out of their butts but putting the first couple games on linus seems like rewriting history to me.