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

[The Andrew Peeke Fan]

I know it's a stretch but I hope he shows well enough to slot into 1C. He would be out of place but at least he would be the only one out of place.

I watched 9 games, and talked with a guy I know who watched him all year, and for me it's like I referenced with Coyle. He definitely has it to be a 3, if he's your 2, prob bad.

 

[CDJ]

I know it's a stretch but I hope he shows well enough to slot into 1C. He would be out of place but at least he would be the only one out of place.

The point per minute production is there, just gotta see what happens when we give him more minutes

I reckon the production probably falls and he shows up as a good middle 6 center but stranger things have happened

 

[Guelph Bruin]

Be a windfall if Zacha and Coyle do look like a serviceable 1C/2C at their price point ....saves a lot of $$ for other positions (and Debrusk) in the next 3 years if Sweeney can stop himself from giving JAGs $3M contracts

 

[Donnie Shulzhoffer]

I still don't understand how some think that a 31 year old Coyle who has never been a number one center can this coming season become one.

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

I still don't understand how some think that a 31 year old Coyle who has never been a number one center can this coming season become one.

I haven’t seen a single person say that Coyle can become a 1C

 

[Absurdity]

I'm mostly interested in seeing how Geekie and Merkulov do at camp. The Bruins don't have many options in the top 6C spot, but I feel like if the Bruins could keep Coyle as the shutdown #3C, the lineup will flow a lot better.

 

[HustleB]

I still don't understand how some think that a 31 year old Coyle who has never been a number one center can this coming season become one.

Is your theory that Coyle has to be a top 32 Center for this team to have a successful season?

We have a Norris candidate and another No. 1 caliber defenseman. We also have an elite goaltending duo. Something else is going to add up short. Right now we are rolling with no number 1 center. We have 3 capable top 9 centers and we are going to try to support them with a Rocket Richard candidate, DeBrusk and Marchand. I think we have potential, even without a number 1 center. This works out best if these guys elevate their games with the opportunity presented. Still at the end of the day, we could have a successful season, make the playoffs, win a round or more and still have no number 1 center. We will see.

At some point it would be better to fill that hole, but I sure do love having the guys we have. You have to be patient if you do not want to overpay and there is noone I am looking to ship out for a quick fix. Lindholm is off the table. If we want Scheifele I assume the cost is sky-high. If we can play good hockey early in the year carrying the slugs we have at Center then it generates more leverage for us when we get back to Free Agency with our bucket of cash.

 

[Hookslide]

Way back when I used to see things that way. However now I want all of the best talent. The fact is when going through a transition phase giving the kids competition is the best thing for them. If Lauko/Lysell/Steen/Mcaughlin can’t beat out Boquist/Richards/JVR/ and other fringe guys then they don’t deserve it.

Despite all that I think we have found guys all over the place and we have setup a good competition already. I won’t be disappointed if we go to camp with the current guys. If there is a PTO thrown in at the end, then that’s fine too.

I am in agreement with you I want the best talent out there , the problem is no cap space to work with and no assets to move to move to obtain some talent unless it it too move someone off the present roster like Carlo, DeBrusk types but that weakens you rather than improves your team.........I think it is time we see something out of these kids Steen, Mc Laughlin and others this is their chance step up now and make a impression or move on from them . I also want to give Bogvist , Geekie and you brought up Richards , who I did not think of that have NHL time a chance to show something , some of these signings could workout and remember they are young and have some talent and did not cost any assets off the present roster , no draft picks , and did not need too sign a 7- 8 year multi million dollar contracts ............Is it a perfect position to be in I would say not but lets see how it plays out before panic sets in and more costly moves are made...........

 

[The don godfather]

I still don't understand how some think that a 31 year old Coyle who has never been a number one center can this coming season become one.

Yep were screwed and I'm mister optimistic here. Please Dk dont retire yet.

 

[Sheppy]

Yep were screwed and I'm mister optimistic here. Please Dk dont retire yet.

Dude. Enough.

 

[Sturm und Drang]

I haven’t seen a single person say that Coyle can become a 1C

Really? There was a a whole thread about it in which PlayMakers made the case that Coyle would be effective in the role. According to the poll, 21 people thought he could be serviceable or better as 1C.

Player Discussion - Charlie Coyle #1 center predictions

 

[Beesfan]

I would prefer not to go back in time , and I would prefer go with the kids, give them a shot ......

Me too. I'm actually more excited for the season running the younger lineup with a bunch of new faces. Last year was amazing and historic, but we didn't get over the hump (or out of the first round). Time to turn the page and move forward with a new group of leaders. At a minumum, it keeps things fresh and interesting.

I'm most interested in Geekie, Swayman, Lauko, Beecher, McLaughlin, Boqvuist, Lohrei, Merkulov and Lysell. I think all of them have the potential to add an x-factor to this group this year.

 

[ON3M4N]

Really? There was a a whole thread about it in which PlayMakers made the case that Coyle would be effective in the role. According to the poll, 21 people thought he could be serviceable or better as 1C.

Player Discussion - Charlie Coyle #1 center predictions

There's a difference between becoming a legit #1C vs playing in a 1C role.

 

[EverettMike]

There's a difference between becoming a legit #1C vs playing in a 1C role.

This is literally the 4th post in that thread:

This is the year for Coyle, no more being held back by Bergeron, Krejci, Haula or Zacha.

25-47-72

So yes, some are saying he can be. #1C.

 

[UncleRico]

Really? There was a a whole thread about it in which PlayMakers made the case that Coyle would be effective in the role. According to the poll, 21 people thought he could be serviceable or better as 1C.

Player Discussion - Charlie Coyle #1 center predictions

Define better as a 1C. More points? I think by default that would happen just with more ice time and PP time. But how will he stack up against other top lines compared to how he stacked up against lesser competition on the 3rd line?

Also I personally don’t even think he will be the 1c. I think Zacha will, but regardless it should be interesting. Seems like all three top 9 centers for the bruins will be playing on an higher line and in an elevated role compared to that than they’ve played before.

 

[Ratty]

Me too. I'm actually more excited for the season running the younger lineup with a bunch of new faces. Last year was amazing and historic, but we didn't get over the hump (or out of the first round). Time to turn the page and move forward with a new group of leaders. At a minumum, it keeps things fresh and interesting.

I'm most interested in Geekie, Swayman, Lauko, Beecher, McLaughlin, Boqvuist, Lohrei, Merkulov and Lysell. I think all of them have the potential to add an x-factor to this group this year.

I’m just concerned that Sweeney will bring in more underperforming, cheap players like Patrick Brown to block opportunities for youngsters.

 

[Dizzay]

Zacha is our #1 center
Coyle/Geekie will battle it out for 2C with the other becoming 3C
I see Freddy playing the wing

With Pasta, I think Zacha can put up 55-60 points
With Debrusk and Marchy, I can see Coyle putting up 50+ points


Between the loss of Hall, Bergy, and Krejci, we need to find 59 Goals 91 Assists 150 Points

Marchy and Debrusk, assuming 75-80 games played each, eats into that by 20G 20 Assists 40 Points

Lucic- 10 Goals 10 Assists 20 Points
JVR- 15 Goals 15 Assists 30 Points
Geekie 10Goals 20 Assists 30 Points

That's 120 points net new replacing the 150 we lost with Bergy, Krejci, Hall

Shattenkirk should help out as well and out produce Clifton from last season. Boqvist will add a bit of scoring. Merkulov, Lauko, Lysell, Beacher, Poitras etc whoever make the squad should be able to contribute 15-20 points.

I think we'll be fine. Won't set NHL records but the scoring will be good enough to get us to the TDL which we can address then.

 

[UncleRico]

Is your theory that Coyle has to be a top 32 Center for this team to have a successful season?

We have a Norris candidate and another No. 1 caliber defenseman. We also have an elite goaltending duo. Something else is going to add up short. Right now we are rolling with no number 1 center. We have 3 capable top 9 centers and we are going to try to support them with a Rocket Richard candidate, DeBrusk and Marchand. I think we have potential, even without a number 1 center. This works out best if these guys elevate their games with the opportunity presented. Still at the end of the day, we could have a successful season, make the playoffs, win a round or more and still have no number 1 center. We will see.

At some point it would be better to fill that hole, but I sure do love having the guys we have. You have to be patient if you do not want to overpay and there is noone I am looking to ship out for a quick fix. Lindholm is off the table. If we want Scheifele I assume the cost is sky-high. If we can play good hockey early in the year carrying the slugs we have at Center then it generates more leverage for us when we get back to Free Agency with our bucket of cash.

Regardless they are relying on a #1 center in Zacha who is never been a #1 center, a #2 center in Coyle who spent one year in Minnesota as a #2 center and a #3 center in Geekie who has only been a #4 center.

Then they are relying on two 34+ year old LWs in their top 6. Then a lot of uncertainty in their 3rd pairing D

 

[ON3M4N]

I'm kind of interested to see how this roster shakes out. Right now per CF the Bruins have 22 on the roster with $429k in cap space. Their 22 players are broken out into 12 forwards, 8 defensemen and 2 goalies. I don't see them rolling out with no extra forward so a d-man is going to have to move via trade or be sent through waivers. The bottom 4 d-men would be:

Forbort - $3,000,000
Zboril - $1,137,500
Shattenkirk - $1,050,000
Mitchell - $775,000

I don't see Shattenkirk getting waived or traded. Unless Zboril come into camp and can show he can handle Forbort's role, I don't see Forbort moving. Mitchell could likely clear waivers, but you're still only going to have space to run a 22 man line-up. Waiving and or trading Zboril however could open up enough cap space to make a 23 man roster.

 

[Hookslide]

I know it's a stretch but I hope he shows well enough to slot into 1C. He would be out of place but at least he would be the only one out of place.

Put Geekie between Marchand and DeBrusk 2nd line ,1st line Mr. X ,Zacka and Pasta maybe Bovist , 3rd line Coyle ,Freddy and I am not loving it and I hope I am wrong JVR.....4th line Luccic , Beecher , Lauko ............If a change needs to be made next man up Richards after Richards next man up MR. Desperation............the only thing else I can offer is names I have put out there get moved around to different lines , thats all I got..........Defense that will be for another time...............I just too tired and depressed to tackle that now.........

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

Put Geekie between Marchand and DeBrusk 2nd line ,1st line Mr. X ,Zacka and Pasta maybe Bovist , 3rd line Coyle ,Freddy and I am not loving it and I hope I am wrong JVR.....4th line Luccic , Beecher , Lauko ............If a change needs to be made next man up Richards after Richards next man up MR. Desperation............the only thing else I can offer is names I have put out there get moved around to different lines , thats all I got..........Defense that will be for another time...............I just too tired and depressed to tackle that now.........

 

[The don godfather]

Put Geekie between Marchand and DeBrusk 2nd line ,1st line Mr. X ,Zacka and Pasta maybe Bovist , 3rd line Coyle ,Freddy and I am not loving it and I hope I am wrong JVR.....4th line Luccic , Beecher , Lauko ............If a change needs to be made next man up Richards after Richards next man up MR. Desperation............the only thing else I can offer is names I have put out there get moved around to different lines , thats all I got..........Defense that will be for another time...............I just too tired and depressed to tackle that now.........

Geekie as a 1c we in serious dung if that happens.

 

[Hookslide]

Geekie as a 1c we in serious dung if that happens.

I didn't say he was the 1C , playing between Marchand and DeBrusk is not the worse thing that could happen ...........

 

[Skelen]

I think if they don't focus on a traditional 1-4 lineup they'll be fine. Focus on pairs
Zacha-Pasta
Marchand-Coyle
x-x
x-x

Just balance the minutes based on matchup and where the game is at

 

[Beesfan]

I’m just concerned that Sweeney will bring in more underperforming, cheap players like Patrick Brown to block opportunities for youngsters.

I am going to give Sweeney more credit and guess that he brought in at least one forward (Brown) and one defenseman (Mitchell) at just about the bare league minimum so that the press box guys on the roster are consuming as little cap as possible.

If my theory is correct, then Beecher could actually be ahead of Brown on the depth chart, and would be called up and go into the lineup ahead of Brown if there was an injury.