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

[UncleRico]

Wonder what a Grizz, Frederic, and _____ trade gets you?

I was actually wondering something similar.

1) Ullmark moved for the Darcy kuemper deal
- 1st, mid prospect, 3rd

Then would Calgary accept frederic, gryz and ullmarks return for Elias lindholm

 

[BruinDust]

Scheifele isn't the only option, but we likely aren't getting the perfect candidate.

Lindholm is great, much better fitting to that prototype, but I think Scheifele has better offense.

I'd personally love to grab Hertl somehow, I just don't see how.

Whichever team ends up signing Mark Scheifele to a long-term extension that will kick in at 31 years old will regret it.

That Hertl contract won't age much better.

I think both are already too old to be considered long-term solutions to the Bruins center-ice position.

Lindholm is the best bet by far given his age and skill-set (strong two-way game that should age better). Even then, I'd have concerns long-term.

Has a team ever won a cup by going out an signing or trading for a 30-something year-old player to be their No.1 C?

 

[WhalerTurnedBruin55]

Whichever team ends up signing Mark Scheifele to a long-term extension that will kick in at 31 years old will regret it.

That Hertl contract won't age much better.

I think both are already too old to be considered long-term solutions to the Bruins center-ice position.

Lindholm is the best bet by far given his age and skill-set (strong two-way game that should age better). Even then, I'd have concerns long-term.

Has a team ever won a cup by going out an signing or trading for a 30-something year-old player to be their No.1 C?

Ok, well are you ok with growing pains and the draft/develop path? I'm literally talking about guys on the block. I'm not seeing any other 1C's on the block.

Lindholm would be good, I agree, his two-way game is close as we can get of guys available, I just state Scheifele's offense is better.

Which comes down again, if 30 yr old guys on the block aren't the answer. Who is? I'm more than happy to explore those possibilities, I'm just talking about the names that are rumored to be available. Realistically not the long term, but a medium (4-5 years vs 8).

I know each has pros/cons, but it's either get #1C with those flaws, wait and draft/develop, or find another one that can be traded for. Which we don't particular have the trade ammo to go for unless said player has their downside/risks.

PLD was the closest that hit the market. Eichel was available a couple seasons ago. We can hold out and hope for another situation like that, but we better not use our trade ammo on short term help again for a bit.

 

[AngryMilkcrates]

What, you don't want a $50m defense by 2025? Are you some kind of crazy person?

The Reverse Toronto

 

[WhalerTurnedBruin55]

I was actually wondering something similar.

1) Ullmark moved for the Darcy kuemper deal
- 1st, mid prospect, 3rd

Then would Calgary accept frederic, gryz and ullmarks return for Elias lindholm

That would probably be the best we could do.

The thing I'm worried about and have yet to see Sweeney come out on top yet. Multiple part trades that work out in succession.

Ie. Trade player X, get assets, use assets+current assets to acquire Player Y.

Most of Sweeneys returns have had depreciating value, and honestly lack of playoff success to be worth what we sent out. Outside of Lindholm and Zacha, I can't see anyone on the roster that was acquired by trade that is in a key spot.

And we are missing a pipeline or usable pool to acquire players without really crippling the pipeline even more.

 

[BruinDust]

Ok, well are you ok with growing pains and the draft/develop path? I'm literally talking about guys on the block. I'm not seeing any other 1C's on the block.

Lindholm would be good, I agree, his two-way game is close as we can get of guys available, I just state Scheifele's offense is better.

Which comes down again, if 30 yr old guys on the block aren't the answer. Who is? I'm more than happy to explore those possibilities, I'm just talking about the names that are rumored to be available.

I know each has pros/cons, but it's either get #1C or wait and draft/develop. Or find another one that can be traded for. Which we don't particular have the trade ammo to go for unless said player has their downside/risks.

I think it is what it is at this point. I'm fine with draft and develop growing pains. What I don't want to see any more are long-term contracts that become albatross contracts that need to be bought out or a 1st rounder attached to get them off the books. If I'm an NHL GM, I'm doing everything in my power to avoid either scenario as much as possible moving forward. I'll save my few long-term contracts into a player's 30s for my handful of truly elite players like a Pasta or McAvoy.

 

[WhalerTurnedBruin55]

The Reverse Toronto

Bruins defense with Toronto's offense would actually be deadly. And cap incompliant.

 

[WhalerTurnedBruin55]

I think it is what it is at this point. I'm fine with draft and develop growing pains. What I don't want to see any more are long-term contracts that become albatross contracts that need to be bought out or a 1st rounder attached to get them off the books. If I'm an NHL GM, I'm doing everything in my power to avoid either scenario as much as possible moving forward. I'll save my few long-term contracts into a player's 30s for my handful of truly elite players like a Pasta or McAvoy.

My concern with that...

Are Pastrnak and McAvoy gonna stick around or be as effective by the time that happens?

Poitras/Harrison/anyone else in the system that has top 6 potential? How many years are they out?

In terms of albatross contracts, I am 100% with you. But given the nature of recent signings, I wonder if the landscape is setting up for less albatrosses, higher value, short term AAV. (See Orlov signing for 2, Bertuzzi signing for 1 year). Even a guy like Scheifele, let's say, a 3-4 year deal even at a higher AAV may be more palatable for both sides than an 8 year at a slightly lower AAV. I mean, there could a team that throws a stupid contract out, that's always a possibility.

It will be interesting how things play out overall around the league

 

[BlackFrancis]

Whichever team ends up signing Mark Scheifele to a long-term extension that will kick in at 31 years old will regret it.

That Hertl contract won't age much better.

I think both are already too old to be considered long-term solutions to the Bruins center-ice position.

Lindholm is the best bet by far given his age and skill-set (strong two-way game that should age better). Even then, I'd have concerns long-term.

Has a team ever won a cup by going out an signing or trading for a 30-something year-old player to be their No.1 C?

Didn't succeed, but one team that gave a good run at it was when the Bruins got Oates.

 

[BruinDust]

My concern with that...

Are Pastrnak and McAvoy gonna stick around or be as effective by the time that happens?

Poitras/Harrison/anyone else in the system that has top 6 potential? How many years are they out?

In terms of albatross contracts, I am 100% with you. But giving the nature of recent signings, I wonder if the landscape is setting up for less albatrosses, higher value, short term AAV. (See Orlov, Bertuzzi signing for 1 year). Even a guy like Scheifele, let's say, a 3-4 year deal even at a higher AAV may be more palatable for both sides than an 8 year at a slightly lower AAV. I mean, there could a team that throws a stupid contract out, that's always a possibility.

It will be interesting how things play out overall around the league

Hard to predict really.

I do think the landscape has changed. The lack of cap space league-wide is putting a squeeze on a lot of players. They are getting contracts, but not of the value and term I think they expected.

As time goes on, I think the 7-8 year deals for a star players "3rd contract" in their late 20s/early 30s are going to be found less and less and saved for those truly elite guys. GMs are wising up. and I think the trend will head in that direction. Every year the number of players in that 35-39 age range will compose a progressively smaller portion of the NHL population.

 

[BruinDust]

Didn't succeed, but one team that gave a good run at it was when the Bruins got Oates.

And not surprisingly, Oates is like a Bergeron or Pavelski in that neither had their game based on tremendous foot-speed, but are truly elite hockey minds and their reads are so much better than everyone else's it compensates for their lack of skating ability.

If they are gonna chase a middle-age top centerman, I think it's Lindholm all day long if I'm trying to predict how their performance will translate as they get older.

 

[xjoeyc23x]

What's the _____?

McAvoy?
Pastrnak?
DiPietro?
Forbort?

Beecher?

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

Hard to predict really.

I do think the landscape has changed. The lack of cap space league-wide is putting a squeeze on a lot of players. They are getting contracts, but not of the value and term I think they expected.

As time goes on, I think the 7-8 year deals for a star players "3rd contract" in their late 20s/early 30s are going to be found less and less and saved for those truly elite guys. GMs are wising up. and I think the trend will head in that direction. Every year the number of players in that 35-39 age range will compose a progressively smaller portion of the NHL population.

On the flip side, if we get back into a mode where the cap is rising a decent amount every season, there’s less incentive for the top guys to sign 8 year deals. Matthews is already there now. I’ll be shocked if McDavid signs an 8 year deal.

Players have finally wisened up to using their power when they have it - like the relatively new phenomenon of RFAs forcing trades a year ahead of time by declaring they won’t sign. Tkachuk, DuBois, Debrincat, etc. I would expect we’ll have more top players available coming up then in the past several years, though most will need to be acquired via trade.

 

[BigBadBruins7708]

My concern with that...

Are Pastrnak and McAvoy gonna stick around or be as effective by the time that happens?

Poitras/Harrison/anyone else in the system that has top 6 potential? How many years are they out?

In terms of albatross contracts, I am 100% with you. But given the nature of recent signings, I wonder if the landscape is setting up for less albatrosses, higher value, short term AAV. (See Orlov signing for 2, Bertuzzi signing for 1 year). Even a guy like Scheifele, let's say, a 3-4 year deal even at a higher AAV may be more palatable for both sides than an 8 year at a slightly lower AAV. I mean, there could a team that throws a stupid contract out, that's always a possibility.

It will be interesting how things play out overall around the league

I mean, if the Bruins attack it right they only need to wait 1 season.

2024 free agent centers (as of today): Matthews, Aho, Lindholm, Scheifele, Duchene, Stamkos, Stephenson

 

[Kegs]

With that lineup fight for a 8th spot finish me thinks .

Even with that elite defence and 1a and 1b goalies? I have a hard time thinking that this team has slipped that far just because they traded away hall.

I’m expecting Bergeron back. I think this teams good to go. Not as good as last year but who knows. Maybe they are. The entire defence is in their prime. The wings are in pretty good shape. Bruins have one of the best goal scorers in the world (pasta). Sweeney added shattenkirk to make the power play better. He added some plugs that are real good in front of the net. Added speed with the boqvist signing.

Don’t get me wrong. I do think they need another high end centre but if Bergeron signs then they are a contender. Without him I think they are still a good team and with the right deadline addition this team can compete.

Maybe I’m just bias…

 

[BruinDust]

On the flip side, if we get back into a mode where the cap is rising a decent amount every season, there’s less incentive for the top guys to sign 8 year deals. Matthews is already there now. I’ll be shocked if McDavid signs an 8 year deal.

Players have finally wisened up to using their power when they have it - like the relatively new phenomenon of RFAs forcing trades a year ahead of time by declaring they won’t sign. Tkachuk, DuBois, Debrincat, etc. I would expect we’ll have more top players available coming up then in the past several years, though most will need to be acquired via trade.

This is an excellent point.

It's a bit like a no-trade clause. Star potential RFAs are basically saying "trade me to either X, Y or Z because I'm only signing with an extension with X, Y, and Z. So you hope your one of those teams and are able to make a trade to get a star in their prime.

What is scary for a team like the Bruins is how to you become one of those teams that players want force deals to? Winning is one way obviously, but your not always going to be winning. As those southern, no-state tax, franchises get stronger and more established, they become more palatable options for players. More traditional northern teams have benefitted from the likes of Arizona and Florida's on-ice struggles for the better part of 2 decades. But the tide has shifted. While there will always be the allure of Original 6 franchises, this will wane over time.

They said during the playoffs that when Calgary visited Florida last year that Tkachuk had the entire team over to his place for dinner. I would not be surprised if more than a few Flames looked at his lifestyle in FLA and said "I could used to this".

 

[Kegs]

Bruins defense with Toronto's offense would actually be deadly. And cap incompliant.

It’s an all star team.

 

[DominicT]

What do you think their arbitration awards would be?

I don't know. I'd want to hear both sides argument and I'm not privy to that.

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

This is an excellent point.

It's a bit like a no-trade clause. Star potential RFAs are basically saying "trade me to either X, Y or Z because I'm only signing with an extension with X, Y, and Z. So you hope your one of those teams and are able to make a trade to get a star in their prime.

What is scary for a team like the Bruins is how to you become one of those teams that players want force deals to? Winning is one way obviously, but your not always going to be winning. As those southern, no-state tax, franchises get stronger and more established, they become more palatable options for players. More traditional northern teams have benefitted from the likes of Arizona and Florida's on-ice struggles for the better part of 2 decades. But the tide has shifted. While there will always be the allure of Original 6 franchises, this will wane over time.

They said during the playoffs that when Calgary visited Florida last year that Tkachuk had the entire team over to his place for dinner. I would not be surprised if more than a few Flames looked at his lifestyle in FLA and said "I could used to this".

Bruins will do well in that position. Canadian teams will get killed, as will California teams. The cruddy US hockey markets/franchises (CBJ/BUF/AZ etc) will continue to struggle.

 

[BruinDust]

Bruins will do well in that position. Canadian teams will get killed, as will California teams. The cruddy US hockey markets/franchises (CBJ/BUF/AZ etc) will continue to struggle.

Small market/Northern climate/high tax locals will take the brunt of it no doubt.

 

[dugg133]

Bruins will do well in that position. Canadian teams will get killed, as will California teams. The cruddy US hockey markets/franchises (CBJ/BUF/AZ etc) will continue to struggle.

Canadian markets and smaller US markets are gonna have to start locking up their best young players early and hope for the best, like what the Sens and Devils have done. Like where would the Flames be right now if they had given Tkachuk an 8 year deal rather then a 3 year bridge deal in 2019? Maybe the players underperform and it cripples you, or maybe you end up with Jack Hughes signed long term at 8mil AAV. Worth the risk.

 

[EverettMike]

I don't see how team's that are only planning to roll out a single 4th line will be able to compete with us when we have three of them.

#AdvantageSweeney

 

[sarge88]

Whichever team ends up signing Mark Scheifele to a long-term extension that will kick in at 31 years old will regret it.

That Hertl contract won't age much better.

I think both are already too old to be considered long-term solutions to the Bruins center-ice position.

Lindholm is the best bet by far given his age and skill-set (strong two-way game that should age better). Even then, I'd have concerns long-term.

Has a team ever won a cup by going out an signing or trading for a 30-something year-old player to be their No.1 C?

I don't know the answer to your last question, but I'd really, really like to see Hertl and Pasta play together for the next 5 years --- at that point Hertl will only be 34.

 

[Shaun]

i am starting to brace myself for lucic playing with pasta

 

[EverettMike]

i am starting to brace myself for lucic playing with pasta

I'm already scoping out my spot along the parade route.