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

[smithformeragent]

The biggest non-roster asset the Bruins will have in one year's time is cap space. If they are willing to take their medicine this season rather than trade those few non-roster assets they can avoid creating one hole while filling another. What good is a zero-sum tradeoff?

Now, that's both good and bad because fewer and fewer players worth signing to big free agents deals are hitting the market. (FA is always a risky proposition under the best of circumstances, anyway.) But that might really be their only choice if they want to avoid a long stretch of mediocrity. Bad drafting followed by trading away all your draft picks is how a team ends up sucking for a long time. Do they want to make that future more likely by also trading additional picks and prospects to make the 2023/24 team better? I can't see why that would be worth it.

Now if they can do it for a cost-controlled top-line player? Yeah, probably, almost certainly, but how likely is that?

Yep.

The days of guys like Chara and Savard hitting the summer market appear to be long gone.

With the cap in place, teams are either locking guys up long term or dealing them to a team that will then lock them up before they can hit the market.

With the cupboards pretty bare, you may have to deal a player of multiple players from positions of strength to acquire the necessary assets to go out and fill higher priority needs.

Who are your trade chips in such a scenario?

Marchand
Debrusk
Ullmark
Lindholm

 

[EverettMike]

Yep.

The days of guys like Chara and Savard hitting the summer market appear to be long gone.

With the cap in place, teams are either locking guys up long term or dealing them to a team that will then lock them up before they can but the market.

With the cupboards pretty bare, you may have to deal a player of multiple players from positions of strength to acquire the necessary assets to go out and fill higher priority needs.

Who are your trade chips in such a scenario?

Marchand
Debrusk
Ullmark
Lindholm

They struggle this year and most of our threads will be debating what Marchand trade should get them at the deadline.

I want them to figure out the DeBrusk stuff now, one way or another.

 

[missingchicklet]

Since we're on the topic: I wonder if the Flames would be inclined to trade Huberdeau? They seem intent on keeping some of their guys, but this is a player they were decidedly unhappy with last year and likely vice versa. Just a thought.

Not sure there is a team in the league that would want to take on that $10.5M AAV contract until 2031 for a 30 year old winger who just had a pretty bad season.

 

[smithformeragent]

They struggle this year and most of our threads will be debating what Marchand trade should get them at the deadline.

I want them to figure out the DeBrusk stuff now, one way or another.

I can stomach a reset year.

The Centennial will serve as a decent enough distraction if the on ice product slides significantly.

Heck, Pittsburgh and Washington have slid into mediocrity. You don’t want to be them.

You avoid purgatory at all costs.
This whole “We just need to get in as WC2 and we can go on a run. Just look at the Panthahs.” Is foolish.

At this point, your core pieces are Pastrnak and McAvoy. Every other piece is tertiary.

 

[Mainehockey33]

"We'll do whatever we can to bolster that position" is vague? Timeline is vague but to me seems pretty obvious it's this season.

That’s about as vague as you can get. I would bet money they’re not going to trade for a 1C this summer.

 

[LSCII]

@Shoebottom88

Intellectual dishonesty is saying he couldn’t buy a win at the dot while at the same time saying he practically won half his face offs (49%). Seems like he bought a bunch of wins. BTW the +\~ stat is very flawed as well.

If you don't think faceoff win percentage is part of what they look at in the center position, I don't know what to tell you bro. Of course it is. If you have a key faceoff are you going to send out Coyle with a less than 50% chance to win the draw or someone that wins far more draws? Seriously. It's insane you'd suggest this to me.

As for the plus minus, you are correct it's not a great stat without context. Which is why I provided it by stating how Coyle was literally the only minus player on the team from the top 9. Think about what that says. He alone was the only guy without a positive plus minus. On the flip side, Haula was a plus 19.

But regardless, if you don't like the stats view, what did your eyes say? I know I watched and I know the overwhelming response here about Coyle on the second line was not a positive one at all. He was out of place and looked awful. And there were people absolutely crowing about what a steal Haula was at the time, hence why I called the claim that @KillerMillerTime was making revisionist history. But like I said, don't take me word for it. Go back and read for yourself. Coyle was getting crucified when he was the 2C. Would people have really been doing that if he was playing well?

Either way, to each their own. You want or need to hear that Coyle is capable of playing more than a 3C role mainly because Sweeney shit the bed in finding any decent replacements for Bergeron or Krejci, while I'm simply calling it the way it was. Coyle failed badly in that role. He is not that guy. He will struggle again next year because the team is asking him to play above his capabilities. That's not a knock on him either. It's a knock on Sweeney for failing over the last 6-7 years to fill a need on the roster. But the best part is, we can always revisit this during and after the season and see how it shook out. If Coyle elevates and plays well, I'll be happy to say I'm wrong. I don't believe he will, but I hope he does. They need it.

 

[Blowfish]

That’s about as vague as you can get. I would bet money they’re not going to trade for a 1C this summer.

I think it's point blank response they will address the center position. No vagueness there.

 

[smithformeragent]

You just don’t know what the domino effect of the roster attrition looks like in practicality.

It’s not as simple as subtracting Bergeron, Krejci, Hall, Bertuzzi etc.’s production and adding in JVR, Geekie, Lucic and so on.

We don’t know what Marchand, a year older and a year further removed from double hip surgery looks like without Bergeron riding shotgun.

What kind of dip, if any, does Pastrnak’s production take?

They have talent left on this roster, but are they so flawed at the center position that the bottom completely falls out?

I honestly don’t know.

 

[Mainehockey33]

@Shoebottom88

If you don't think faceoff win percentage is part of what they look at in the center position, I don't know what to tell you bro. Of course it is. If you have a key faceoff are you going to send out Coyle with a less than 50% chance to win the draw or someone that wins far more draws? Seriously. It's insane you'd suggest this to me.

As for the plus minus, you are correct it's not a great stat without context. Which is why I provided it by stating how Coyle was literally the only minus player on the team from the top 9. Think about what that says. He alone was the only guy without a positive plus minus. On the flip side, Haula was a plus 19.

But regardless, if you don't like the stats view, what did your eyes say? I know I watched and I know the overwhelming response here about Coyle on the second line was not a positive one at all. He was out of place and looked awful. And there were people absolutely crowing about what a steal Haula was at the time, hence why I called the claim that @KillerMillerTime was making revisionist history. But like I said, don't take me word for it. Go back and read for yourself. Coyle was getting crucified when he was the 2C. Would people have really been doing that if he was playing well?

Either way, to each their own. You want or need to hear that Coyle is capable of playing more than a 3C role mainly because Sweeney shit the bed in finding any decent replacements for Bergeron or Krejci, while I'm simply calling it the way it was. Coyle failed badly in that role. He is not that guy. He will struggle again next year because the team is asking him to play above his capabilities. That's not a knock on him either. It's a knock on Sweeney for failing over the last 6-7 years to fill a need on the roster. But the best part is, we can always revisit this during and after the season and see how it shook out. If Coyle elevates and plays well, I'll be happy to say I'm wrong. I don't believe he will, but I hope he does. They need it.

I think you guys are both right, Coyle isn’t a 2C and wasn’t great in that position and Haula was awful to start the year until he was put on the second line with Pastrnak and Hall. I kind of wish that 3C was a spot to give younger players a chance like Geekie or one of the Providence guys. Either way Coyle is here next year like you said so hopefully he plays well.

 

[Dr Quincy]

"We'll do whatever we can to bolster that position" is vague? Timeline is vague but to me seems pretty obvious it's this season.

Remember, the team has known this since at least April, and likely, well before that.

Since the end of the playoffs the following Centers have been traded(not counting 4th line guys)

Ross Colton
Yegor Sharangovich (has played C but likely is better at W)
Pierre Luc Dubois
Alex Newhook (has played C but likely is better at W)
Kevin Hayes
Ryan Johansen
Gabe Vilardi

The following Cs have signed during Free agency:
Alex Kerfoot (can play all 3 F positions)
JT Compher
Nick Bjugstad
Matt Duchesne
Ryan O'Reilly


So have they done everything they can to bolster the position? Sure some of those guys are 3rd liners. Some had big salaries, which make them hard for the B's to fit in.

But anything they do NOW is likely going to be for a 3rd liner or for a C with a big salary that's hard to fit in.

I'm really not sure what the strategy of waiting until after Bergeron annoucned his retirement to start addressing it.

 

[Mainehockey33]

I think it's point blank response they will address the center position. No vagueness there.

Right but he’s not going to say we’re all good at center with no true number 1 center. If you’re an NHL GM you’re always looking to improve your roster any way you can, that doesn’t mean they’re going to trade for Lindholm next month.

 

[missingchicklet]

1Cs are few and far between. Available 1Cs even more scarce. The Bs don't have a 1C any more. If the Bs can work out a deal for Lindholm that would be great. Waiting for FA to get a 1C is really rolling the dice. Lindholm would be about as good a fit to replace Bergy as could be reasonably expected. Would likely cost the Bs quite a bit, but 1C is such a crucial position that I'd risk making a hole somewhere else in the lineup if need be in order to bring in Lindholm.

 

[LSCII]

1Cs are few and far between. Available 1Cs even more scarce. The Bs don't have a 1C any more. If the Bs can work out a deal for Lindholm that would be great. Waiting for FA to get a 1C is really rolling the dice. Lindholm would be about as good a fit to replace Bergy as could be reasonably expected. Would likely cost the Bs quite a bit, but 1C is such a crucial position that I'd risk making a hole somewhere else in the lineup if need be in order to bring in Lindholm.

That’s where planning accordingly 5-6 years ago would have given you time to draft and develop a top 6 center. Instead they burned first round picks on things like dumping the salary of the corpse that was David Backes.

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

Not sure there is a team in the league that would want to take on that $10.5M AAV contract until 2031 for a 30 year old winger who just had a pretty bad season.

I think you're right.

I think it would take some serious negotiation. And likely some retention on the Flames end.

Difference being (potentially) that Lindholm is a guy they want to keep long term, they've already mentioned how jaded they are about players leaving for free and the cost it would take to acquire him. Versus a player they may like to "get out from under of" giving them more cap flexibility to keep the guy they want.

I don't love the idea of Huberdeau and that atrocious contract. But he's an example of a high-end three-zone center who could be available without having to move high-end assets to acquire.

 

[Kegs]

I think you're right.

I think it would take some serious negotiation. And likely some retention on the Flames end.

Difference being (potentially) that Lindholm is a guy they want to keep long term, they've already mentioned how jaded they are about players leaving for free and the cost it would take to acquire him. Versus a player they may like to "get out from under of" giving them more cap flexibility to keep the guy they want.

I don't love the idea of Huberdeau and that atrocious contract. But he's an example of a high-end three-zone center who could be available without having to move high-end assets to acquire.

I’d take huberdeau happily. Would have to be a hockey trade with roster players going the other way. I’m sure Calgary isn’t trying to sell him for pennys on the dollar though. Bad time to trade him I’d say.

 

[Smitty93]

Remember, the team has known this since at least April, and likely, well before that.

Since the end of the playoffs the following Centers have been traded(not counting 4th line guys)

Ross Colton
Yegor Sharangovich (has played C but likely is better at W)
Pierre Luc Dubois
Alex Newhook (has played C but likely is better at W)
Kevin Hayes
Ryan Johansen
Gabe Vilardi

The following Cs have signed during Free agency:
Alex Kerfoot (can play all 3 F positions)
JT Compher
Nick Bjugstad
Matt Duchesne
Ryan O'Reilly


So have they done everything they can to bolster the position? Sure some of those guys are 3rd liners. Some had big salaries, which make them hard for the B's to fit in.

But anything they do NOW is likely going to be for a 3rd liner or for a C with a big salary that's hard to fit in.

I'm really not sure what the strategy of waiting until after Bergeron annoucned his retirement to start addressing it.

Duchene's a W at this point too. He's probably the most interesting name on that list because you would have thought he would have been all over the possibility of playing with Pastrnak and Marchand to put up big points and turn it into another contract next offseason.

So either Sweeney knows he's not a C and didn't go after him, they went too cheap with their offer, or Duchene knows it's a sinking ship and would rather play middle 6 wing in Dallas.

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

"We'll do whatever we can to bolster that position" is vague? Timeline is vague but to me seems pretty obvious it's this season.

It is vague, yes. Because it doesn't leave him open and accountable to execution. It doesn't set a bar, a timeframe or an expectation. It's no different than the "we're always looking at ways to improve the team" that literally every management spokesperson for every professional sports team has always said to the press.

I don't want to harpoon your hopes. You do you as a fan. I've just heard enough of these statements in my time to know how meaningless they are. I'll save my anticipation for if they actually do anything.

 

[missingchicklet]

I don't love the idea of Huberdeau and that atrocious contract. But he's an example of a high-end three-zone center who could be available without having to move high-end assets to acquire.

He's not a center, though. He plays wing.

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

He's not a center, though. He plays wing.

F***, you're probably right.

I f***ed up and assumed that he had played C at times in the NHL. But you're right, he's exclusively played the wing.

Well piss on that thought!

 

[Sheppy]

It is vague, yes. Because it doesn't leave him open and accountable to execution. It doesn't set a bar, a timeframe or an expectation. It's no different than the "we're always looking at ways to improve the team" that literally every management spokesperson for every professional sports team has always said to the press.

I don't want to harpoon your hopes. You do you as a fan. I've just heard enough of these statements in my time to know how meaningless they are. I'll save my anticipation for if they actually do anything.

This. So much this.

 

[BruinDust]

He's not a center, though. He plays wing.

If this was 25 years ago, Huberdeau is no question playing up the middle with his skillset.

But now, guys like him are on the wing. That's where you offensive drivers are now outside of a few truly elite centermen. The centers now have too much defensive responsibility and wingers are doing more and more of the puck-carrying and play orchestrating.

They have talent left on this roster, but are they so flawed at the center position that the bottom completely falls out?

Are they flawed at the center ice position though?

Because when I look to my centers, I want them to have decent size, strength and reach, good on both sides of the puck, defensively responsible, solid enough on face-offs, well-rounded. They are basically half D-men/half forwards at this point in the sport for the most part. With Zacha, Coyle, Geekie and Frederic, they check most of those boxes. I don't need them to be offensive wizards, I need them to hold their own at both ends of the ice and support both the two D and the two W.

I think we are just spoiled here having enjoy 15+ years of two of ten best two-way centers of their generation in 37 and 46. A wonderful toy to have, but not the only way to skin a cat.

 

[PB37]

It is vague, yes. Because it doesn't leave him open and accountable to execution. It doesn't set a bar, a timeframe or an expectation. It's no different than the "we're always looking at ways to improve the team" that literally every management spokesperson for every professional sports team has always said to the press.

I don't want to harpoon your hopes. You do you as a fan. I've just heard enough of these statements in my time to know how meaningless they are. I'll save my anticipation for if they actually do anything.

I think they'll roll with what they have currently in-house ( because they're forced to ). They just don't have the cap or the players to make a trade for Lindholm.

 

[DKH]

Regular season means squat

Just get in

Teams good enough grab a playoff spot

 

[CellyHard]

I think you're right.

I think it would take some serious negotiation. And likely some retention on the Flames end.

Difference being (potentially) that Lindholm is a guy they want to keep long term, they've already mentioned how jaded they are about players leaving for free and the cost it would take to acquire him. Versus a player they may like to "get out from under of" giving them more cap flexibility to keep the guy they want.

I don't love the idea of Huberdeau and that atrocious contract. But he's an example of a high-end three-zone center who could be available without having to move high-end assets to acquire.

Huberdeau isn't a center though? I do like the idea of acquiring him to mitigate the cost of Lindholm...if you can get somewhere from 20-25% retained he would come around 8x8. Risky move from Sweeney but I'm sure Calgary would love getting out from under that.

Huberdeau (20-25% retained) + Lindholm in
Ullmark, Coyle, Gryz out

Contracts would just about match up

Marchand Lindholm Debrusk
Huberdeau Zacha Pastrnak

 

[DKH]

Huberdeau 0.0
Lindholm 95%