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

[TCB]

What role would you give Coyle on the powerplay?

Bench support

 

[LSCII]

He lost the chance to become a second line center once already. Haula had to take over the reigns. I get about giving guys a chance, but to me Coyle has already proven he can’t handle being more offensive. Got to remember he will be going against stronger players, as he will become a focus. Same thing with Zacha, I give him a bit more leeway as he hasn’t proven he can’t handle top center position as a Bruin. However in his previous 6 years in NJ he failed to become a top 6 center and it’s not like they had world class centers either.

I get this season is pretty much a reset with cap, 1 year deals, and throwing career third liners into top 6 roles. As long as Sweeney is clear about this and not blowing smoke up our butts about it then I am cool because I understood this is consequences of going all in.

However it doesn’t excuse the poor drafting though. It’s been pretty bad. Surprised there hasn’t been much turnover in the scouts department.

I fully agree, but this take is what has people telling me I'm rooting against the team, so get ready for the Sweeney apologists to attack. LOFL

 

[Blowfish]

What role would you give Coyle on the powerplay?

Seeing his F/O stats were running 62% critical situations and top line success while Bergeron was out this most recent playoffs. He replaces Bergeron.

 

[LSCII]

All about his role and coach deployment of players.

Give him pp time with the likes of Pasta, Debrusk, Marchand, McAvoy and top line minutes "for extended period of time" the points would be there.

I don't know...to me it's not rocket science. He was more valuable to the team "Bergeron era" playing defensive/checking role. Now it's his time to put up some points.


Like I said above...He plays pp and top line he gets the points and we can see the skills/puck possession/strength to create scoring opportunities.

I get what you're saying, I just don't think it's within his realm of abilities. I think putting him in too many key spots against better players will result in him being further exposed, like he was 2 years ago. He's a great 3C. The problem is they need him to be a 1C or 2C

 

[Kegs]

Serious question, Coyle has now been in the league 11 years, in that time he has scored 50 points once and has broken 20 goals once with 21, (both more than 7 years ago) why do you think that he has shown no offensive ability up to this point and it will just suddenly blossom at 31 years old and as an 11 year veteran? Did no other coach see offensive potential in him? How many 31 year old, 11 year veterans have career years at this point?
Because they are paying him like a tp 2 center does not make him one.

still waiting for the list of centres who are better and cheaper than coyle. I think everyone is being way too hard on coyle. He drives the third line to damn near perfection but we are crying because he makes 5 million? Did everyone expect players like coyle for less? I’ve been looking for comparable contracts and most centres around his level make more or are way younger so they still haven’t earned the big bucks.

yeah but we have 3 first line wingers, 2 No1A Dmen and 2 No1A Goalies.

I love the defence and the goalies. This fan base is sleeping on this team. I think they will be very competitive.

 

[Mainehockey33]

Seeing his F/O stats were running 62% critical situations and top line success while Bergeron was out this most recent playoffs. He replaces Bergeron.

Why on earth would they put a guy that averages 16 goals a season in the bumper? They put Zacha there before Coyle in the playoffs last year and he was pretty great. Zacha is more skilled, better shot and plays with much faster pace than Coyle. Zero chance the bumper goes to Coyle over Zacha.

 

[mar2kbos]

I fully agree, but this take is what has people telling me I'm rooting against the team, so get ready for the Sweeney apologists to attack. LOFL

I get it, there could be some potential breakouts or they could drive off a cliff who knows! It’s the glass half full/half empty stance. As it stands today with the players they have, the bunch of one year deals, and their histories so far is betting against them at the moment. It’s going to be a very curious year though. Kind of curious how Marchand handles the post Bergeron era.

 

[Blowfish]

I fully agree, but this take is what has people telling me I'm rooting against the team, so get ready for the Sweeney apologists to attack. LOFL

He had his chance playing 2nd line center narrative!!!! Exactly how many minutes did Coyle get playing pp and 2nd line center? and who were the skilled line-mates he had the pleasure playing with during this 2nd line regular season stint? The narrative he had his chance is such a crock of poo.

Why on earth would they put a guy that averages 16 goals a season in the bumper? They put Zacha there before Coyle in the playoffs last year and he was pretty great. Zacha is more skilled, better shot and plays with much faster pace than Coyle. Zero chance the bumper goes to Coyle over Zacha.

Either or works for me...1st pp or 2nd pp unit. Whatever meshes/works best.

Read the following article and get back to me. BTW Bergeron and Krecji were missing but the bruins won the game.
----------


BRUINS

Charlie Coyle’s ‘monster’ performance made life miserable for the Panthers in Game 3​

"When he puts his body into guys, there's not anybody in the league that can defend him."​

Charlie Coyle played a

SUNRISE, Fla. — An Aleksander Barkov shift is often where opposing scoring chances go to die down in South Florida.
The Florida Panthers’ captain is the complete package as a two-way anchor down the middle. Equipped with a sharp hockey IQ, active stick, and a 6-foot-3, 215-pound frame, the 2021 Selke Award winner is a matchup nightmare for most rival skaters.

Of course, Charlie Coyle isn’t built like most skaters.

The Weymouth product’s game may not be cut from the same cloth as a bruising power forward like Tom Wilson or Josh Anderson.

But Coyle — clocking in at 6-foot-3 and 223 pounds — doesn’t need to impact games by way of bone-crunching checks. Not when he’s sapping the energy and will of opponents on draining O-zone shifts.
Count Barkov as the latest in a long line of foes left sucking wind and shaking their head following a net-front battle with Boston’s homegrown pivot.
Coyle’s tip tally off a Brad Marchand wrister during Friday’s Game 3 victory over the Panthers was a testament to the 31-year-old forward’s hand-eye talents.
But it was Coyle’s tug-of-war in the crease with Barkov in the seconds leading up to that goal that drew most of the praise in Boston’s dressing room.

“He’s just a man. It’s a weird compliment, but it is,” Nick Foligno said of the issues Coyle’s frame presents to opponents. “He’s a beast. He’s so lanky and long, but also strong. When he puts his body into a puck or into another body, you’re not getting it. He really drives our team that way, when he plays like that.”

The Bruins needed a play driver down in the middle on Friday, given the absence of both Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci as the team’s potent 1-2 punch at the pivot position.

Coyle may not have the playmaking poise of a Krejci, nor the two-way mastery that Bergeron wields on every shift. But when every inch of Grade-A ice is shored up come the postseason, having a human battering ram like Coyle tends to come in handy.

“He just seemed like he was a monster,” Jim Montgomery said of Coyle following Boston’s 4-2 victory at FLA Live Arena. “He was a man possessed out there with the way he just took pucks to the net.”

Fighting inside stood as one of Montgomery’s primary mandates after his skaters failed to pepper Alex Lyon with high-danger looks in a lopsided Game 2 loss.

On Friday night, the Bruins generated 10 high-danger scoring chances at 5v5 play. Coyle accounted for six of those quality looks in and around the paint.

“That’s just playoffs,” Foligno said of bringing pucks down low. “Look at [Florida], they’re trying to get to the inside. That’s just that’s where things happen. That’s where you’re gonna have success — whether in your end or on their end.”

Coyle’s ability to wear down teams by way of his patented game of “keep-away” translates down the other end of the frozen sheet.

Whether it be trying to knock the biscuit loose off an O-zone board battle or hem him along the end boards in Boston’s own end, most fruitless shifts against Coyle often end in the same result.
Those taxing seconds spent trying to corral a horse like Coyle siphon whatever spark is stored in one’s legs. Over a seven-game series, Coyle exacts a heavy toll.

“When he puts his body into guys, there’s not anybody in the league that can defend him,” Foligno said of Coyle. “We’re privileged to have him on the team. A guy that’s a big-minute player for us and he really stepped up tonight for us.”

 

[Mainehockey33]

Exactly how many minutes did Coyle get playing pp and 2nd line center? and who were the skilled line-mates he had the pleasure playing with during this 2nd line regular season stint? The narrative he had his chance is such a crock of poo.


Either or works for me...1st pp or 2nd pp unit. Whatever works best.

He could have been the go to bumper guy on the 2nd pp since he got here. I’d say I’m a little skeptical a guy that’s 31 can go from very little power play time to being relied on for points when you still have more talented guys like Zacha ahead of him.

 

[mar2kbos]

Exactly how many minutes did Coyle get playing pp and 2nd line center? and who were the skilled line-mates he had the pleasure playing with during this 2nd line regular season stint? The narrative he had his chance is such a crock of poo.


Either or works for me...1st pp or 2nd pp unit. Whatever meshes/works best.

Dude they gave him full chance to be a second line center and he lost it to Haula. He also got PP opportunities as well. He didn’t last because it wasnt working. Trying to blame it on his line mates it’s a cop out since Haula did a better job with them than Coyle did.

Maybe he surprises, but at this point I rather try friggin Frederic first since he did score 17 goals and hasn’t every played with top line players

 

[BMC]

I get what you're saying, I just don't think it's within his realm of abilities. I think putting him in too many key spots against better players will result in him being further exposed, like he was 2 years ago. He's a great 3C. The problem is they need him to be a 1C or 2C

As I've said about 1,000,000 times before nobody is a bigger fan of Charlie Coyle than me (hell, I named my cat after him!!!) but even I see him as the best 3C in the NHL. He can do spot duty at 1C or 2C but that's it.

Of course this discussion of Coyle at 1C or 2C wouldn't be happening if Sweeney had done a better job of acquiring or developing replacements for Bergeron & Krejci. Zacha may be the answer at 1C or 2C, jury is still out IMO. That still leaves one center spot open & nobody to fill it unless they make a trade, I don't think there is anyone in Providence ready/able to move up.

 

[Blowfish]

Dude they gave him full chance to be a second line center and he lost it to Haula. He also got PP opportunities as well. He didn’t last because it wasnt working. Trying to blame it on his line mates it’s a cop out since Haula did a better job with them than Coyle did.

Maybe he surprises, but at this point I rather try friggin Frederic first since he did score 17 goals and hasn’t every played with top line players

Dude tell me who he played with and how many 2nd line/pp minutes he had during this CHANCE. But first read the bruin/panther playoff article I just posted above.

Nothing more infuriating and annoying someone sharing an opinion starting with "DUDE" . Should be a banned word in this forum.

 

[LSCII]

As I've said about 1,000,000 times before nobody is a bigger fan of Charlie Coyle than me (hell, I named my cat after him!!!) but even I see him as the best 3C in the NHL. He can do spot duty at 1C or 2C but that's it.

Of course this discussion of Coyle at 1C or 2C wouldn't be happening if Sweeney had done a better job of acquiring or developing replacements for Bergeron & Krejci. Zacha may be the answer at 1C or 2C, jury is still out IMO. That still leaves one center spot open & nobody to fill it unless they make a trade, I don't think there is anyone in Providence ready/able to move up.

Spot on Betsy! As a fill in when needed, sure. As an everyday top two center? Nope.

 

[Blowfish]

He could have been the go to bumper guy on the 2nd pp since he got here. I’d say I’m a little skeptical a guy that’s 31 can go from very little power play time to being relied on for points when you still have more talented guys like Zacha ahead of him.

He did just fine game 3 playoffs didn't he? coach decided to change it up and things didnt go so well thereafter.

 

[LSCII]

Dude they gave him full chance to be a second line center and he lost it to Haula. He also got PP opportunities as well. He didn’t last because it wasnt working. Trying to blame it on his line mates it’s a cop out since Haula did a better job with them than Coyle did.

Maybe he surprises, but at this point I rather try friggin Frederic first since he did score 17 goals and hasn’t every played with top line players

That’s the irony of this revisionist history by the Sweeney apologists here. Its not that Coyle was bad, apparently he was the awesomest. It’s not that he lost the job to Haula, they just decided to elevate a guy from the third line that sucked to get him going. Lol

And when the switch happened, Haula out produced Coyle in all phases of the game. And for the advanced stats fans here, he did that with no PP toi and two and a half less minutes per night.

 

[Mainehockey33]

Dude they gave him full chance to be a second line center and he lost it to Haula. He also got PP opportunities as well. He didn’t last because it wasnt working. Trying to blame it on his line mates it’s a cop out since Haula did a better job with them than Coyle did.

Maybe he surprises, but at this point I rather try friggin Frederic first since he did score 17 goals and hasn’t every played with top line players

They’ve given Coyle plenty of opportunities to take the 2C but you’re right, he loses it every time. Haula is put on the second line and he’s around a PPG, last year it was Zacha that was the go to for 2C with Bergeron or Krejci out. Give Geekie those opportunities.

 

[Fenian24]

Dude tell me who he played with and how many 2nd line/pp minutes he had during this CHANCE. But first read the bruin/panther playoff article I just posted above.

Nothing more infuriating and annoying someone sharing an opinion starting with "DUDE" . Should be a banned word in this forum.

 

[Mainehockey33]

He did just fine game 3 playoffs didn't he? coach decided to change it up and things didnt go so well thereafter.

One game where he had one goal doesn’t convince me he’s a top 6 center.

 

[mar2kbos]

Dude tell me who he played with and how many 2nd line/pp minutes he had during this CHANCE. But first read the bruin/panther playoff article I just posted above.

Nothing more infuriating and annoying someone sharing an opinion starting with "DUDE" . Should be a banned word in this forum.

DUDE, DUDE DUDE, first stop the whine about what should be allowed on a message board that’s just ridiculous.

The fact you literally post a story about a few games Coyle had at center and using that as justification he can do it while ALSO saying the quarter of season he had a second line center before Haula took it from him is not enough time is mind boggling. You blame it all on linemates yet Haula did better there did he not. Telll me why?

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

DUDE, DUDE DUDE, first stop the whine about what should be allowed on a message board that’s just ridiculous.

The fact you literally post a story about a few games Coyle had at center and using that as justification he can do it while ALSO saying the quarter of season he had a second line center before Haula took it from him is not enough time is mind boggling. You blame it all on linemates yet Haula did better there did he not. Telll me why?

Haula had different linemates? Why are you ignoring that? And I’m not advocating for Coyle as 2C.

 

[Yeti34]

Why on earth would they put a guy that averages 16 goals a season in the bumper? They put Zacha there before Coyle in the playoffs last year and he was pretty great. Zacha is more skilled, better shot and plays with much faster pace than Coyle. Zero chance the bumper goes to Coyle over Zacha.

Agreed if you are playing Coyle on the PP he’s the net front presence because of his size.

 

[Blowfish]

Ha! Oh my! Love it Fenian. Now added to my Spotify playlist.

Thanks for sharing...btw read that article above. It's your kinda player! Perfect!

One game where he had one goal doesn’t convince me he’s a top 6 center.

I give up...you guys are right. Waste of cap space and Bruins are F#$d.

 

[mar2kbos]

Haula had different linemates? Why are you ignoring that? And I’m not advocating for Coyle as 2C.

What are you talking about, he was with the same people that Haula was with. They literally moved Haula up from third line to second line. No linemates we’re changed.

 

[Blowfish]

DUDE, DUDE DUDE, first stop the whine about what should be allowed on a message board that’s just ridiculous.

The fact you literally post a story about a few games Coyle had at center and using that as justification he can do it while ALSO saying the quarter of season he had a second line center before Haula took it from him is not enough time is mind boggling. You blame it all on linemates yet Haula did better there did he not. Telll me why?

Sure.

 

[Mainehockey33]

Haula had different linemates? Why are you ignoring that? And I’m not advocating for Coyle as 2C.

Compare Coyle and Haula’s PPG when they played with Pastrnak that season. Haula was around a ppg, pretty sure Coyle was around.5 ppg.