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

[mar2kbos]

I don't hate Sweeney. I think he's a good GM who has made some great moves. He's also made some bad moves. But overall, he's very good.

Don't see the need to try and absolve him of every bad decision.

He also inherited a good roster already. It’s not like he rebuilt this team, it already had stars and cup winners on it. So he has always been tinkering with what he has and adding complementary players, but the core was mostly there.

He is now in a position when that star Core is almost gone. Who did he add as the new core? MacVoy, Swayman and traded for Lindholm. Marchy and even Pasta is part of the old core though Pasta came in much later as a young gun, but he wasn’t drafted by Sweeney. Another guy handed to him by the previous GM and lucky for him that he is part of the new core or it could have been worse. Marchy is all but done probably will finish off his contract and set sail.

Now you are going to see what Sweeney is made of. He’s got a lot of “what ifs” this season with career third liners and one year dealers now playing important roles. It may work, it may not but this is the most he has gambled because frankly he has no choice with the cap space. I am fine with this season because you knew this was going to happen. My interest is next 2 seasons and what Sweeney manages to rebuild in that time.

 

[bruinsfan1968]

He also inherited a good roster already. It’s not like he rebuilt this team, it already had stars and cup winners on it. So he has always been tinkering with what he has and adding complementary players, but the core was mostly there.

He is now in a position when that star Core is almost gone. Who did he add as the new core? MacVoy, Swayman and traded for Lindholm. Marchy and even Pasta is part of the old core though Pasta came in much later as a young gun, but he wasn’t drafted by Sweeney. Another guy handed to him by the previous GM and lucky for him that he is part of the new core or it could have been worse. Marchy is all but done probably will finish off his contract and set sail.

Now you are going to see what Sweeney is made of. He’s got a lot of “what ifs” this season with career third liners and one year dealers now playing important roles. It may work, it may not but this is the most he has gambled because frankly he has no choice with the cap space. I am fine with this season because you knew this was going to happen. My interest is next 2 seasons and what Sweeney manages to rebuild in that time.

He didn't herit anything, he already had a job on the team as Director of Player Development and then Asst. GM. This is all easy to find out.

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

He also inherited a good roster already. It’s not like he rebuilt this team, it already had stars and cup winners on it. So he has always been tinkering with what he has and adding complementary players, but the core was mostly there.

He is now in a position when that star Core is almost gone. Who did he add as the new core? MacVoy, Swayman and traded for Lindholm. Marchy and even Pasta is part of the old core though Pasta came in much later as a young gun, but he wasn’t drafted by Sweeney. Another guy handed to him by the previous GM and lucky for him that he is part of the new core or it could have been worse. Marchy is all but done probably will finish off his contract and set sail.

Now you are going to see what Sweeney is made of. He’s got a lot of “what ifs” this season with career third liners and one year dealers now playing important roles. It may work, it may not but this is the most he has gambled because frankly he has no choice with the cap space. I am fine with this season because you knew this was going to happen. My interest is next 2 seasons and what Sweeney manages to rebuild in that time.

Sweeney is a top 5 GM in the league and everyone knows it except Bruins fans. Go look at what these other teams have done to put it in perspective. Especially the last 5 years.

 

[KnightofBoston]

Yes, and Jamie Raskin wants it back,

View attachment 733957

Cancer so I’ll give him a pass

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

Sweeney is a top 5 GM in the league and everyone knows it except Bruins fans. Go look at what these other teams have done to put it in perspective. Especially the last 5 years.

Sweeney has had two seasons as a top 5 GM and the rest where he is close to Chiarelli post 2011 tier.

 

[The don godfather]

I cant believe Donny might run with Zacha and Coyle as 1 and 2 I'm shocked he didnt plug something there so far.

 

[WhalerTurnedBruin55]

Sweeney is a top 5 GM in the league and everyone knows it except Bruins fans. Go look at what these other teams have done to put it in perspective. Especially the last 5 years.

Perspective, look what Chiarelli did the last 5 years before he got fired from the Bruins. (Not saying it wasn't time, because I think it was)

All it took was one DNQ, and the guy that had actually won the cup was fired in under 4 off seasons.

GM life spans are typically short. And quite honestly, I don't think Sweeney's GM resume is better than Chia's up to that point.

That said, post Bruins Chia was god awful. So thank God he wasn't here.

 

[Bruinswillwin77]

I cant believe Donny might run with Zacha and Coyle as 1 and 2 I'm shocked he didnt plug something there so far.

 

[Gee Wally]

I cant believe Donny might run with Zacha and Coyle as 1 and 2 I'm shocked he didnt plug something there so far.

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

Sweeney has had two seasons as a top 5 GM and the rest where he is close to Chiarelli post 2011 tier.

I don’t know how you could possibly make that distinction

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

I don’t know how you could possibly make that distinction

Come on.

Does he have to outline every lousy deal, every hesitancy, every bad contract he's had to sacrifice draft capital to get out of, etc?

Of course to you, every single thing Sweeney does is "Sweenius", so you wouldn't listen to any dissenting opinion anyway.

Why can't you just accept that not everyone is going to slobber over every move like you do?

 

[CellyHard]

Minnesota has snuck in to the playoffs the last two years with Eriksson Ek, Hartman and Gaudreau.

Is it that much better than Zacha, Coyle, Frederic/Geekie?

Time will tell. I think they could make the wild card just based on how deep their defense and goaltending is.

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

Come on.

Does he have to outline every lousy deal, every hesitancy, every bad contract he's had to sacrifice draft capital to get out of, etc?

Of course to you, every single thing Sweeney does is "Sweenius", so you wouldn't listen to any dissenting opinion anyway.

Why can't you just accept that not everyone is going to slobber over every move like you do?

Well that’s aggressive. But ok I guess.

 

[EverettMike]

Come on.

Does he have to outline every lousy deal, every hesitancy, every bad contract he's had to sacrifice draft capital to get out of, etc?

Of course to you, every single thing Sweeney does is "Sweenius", so you wouldn't listen to any dissenting opinion anyway.

Why can't you just accept that not everyone is going to slobber over every move like you do?

Had arguably the three best contracts in the league all playing on the best line in the league. Had the ultimate cheat code and wasted it for years by leaving giant holes in the lineup while using all that bonus cap space on horrific free agent signings some of us hated immediately (only mentioning that so no one plays the MMQB card).

Squandered years of an amazing opportunity and now that those great contracts are gone he's about to roll out a team with Coyle and Zacha as their top two centers while the organization's prospect pool is abysmal and they don't have any draft picks and have won 3 playoff rounds in 5 years without making it out of the second.

But great f***ing GM. We're lucky to have him.

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

Had arguably the three best contracts in the league all playing on the best line in the league. Had the ultimate cheat code and wasted it for years by leaving giant holes in the lineup while using all that bonus cap space on horrific free agent signings some of us hated immediately (only mentioning that so no one plays the MMQB card).

Squandered years of an amazing opportunity and now that those great contracts are gone he's about to roll out a team with Coyle and Zacha as their top two centers while the organization's prospect pool is abysmal and they don't have any draft picks and have won 3 playoff rounds in 5 years without making it out of the second.

But great f***ing GM. We're lucky to have him.

Also... Mitch Miller.

 

[WhalerTurnedBruin55]

Also... Mitch Miller.

Luckily the team set a record and made most of the world forget about that whole catastrophe.

Neatly swept under the rug.

/s

 

[goldnblack]

Had arguably the three best contracts in the league all playing on the best line in the league. Had the ultimate cheat code and wasted it for years by leaving giant holes in the lineup while using all that bonus cap space on horrific free agent signings some of us hated immediately (only mentioning that so no one plays the MMQB card).

Squandered years of an amazing opportunity and now that those great contracts are gone he's about to roll out a team with Coyle and Zacha as their top two centers while the organization's prospect pool is abysmal and they don't have any draft picks and have won 3 playoff rounds in 5 years without making it out of the second.

But great f***ing GM. We're lucky to have him.

I'm gonna do it in code:

(1007*2)+1

 

[Patdud]

lets set the record straight.

Sweeney= Not as bad as some think
Sweeney= Not as good as others think

GMs in the NHL= Largely trash

thanks for listening

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

Had arguably the three best contracts in the league all playing on the best line in the league. Had the ultimate cheat code and wasted it for years by leaving giant holes in the lineup while using all that bonus cap space on horrific free agent signings some of us hated immediately (only mentioning that so no one plays the MMQB card).

Squandered years of an amazing opportunity and now that those great contracts are gone he's about to roll out a team with Coyle and Zacha as their top two centers while the organization's prospect pool is abysmal and they don't have any draft picks and have won 3 playoff rounds in 5 years without making it out of the second.

But great f***ing GM. We're lucky to have him.

Another way to look at it - and bear with me, we’re talking about the GM and not the coach or the players…

- Retool on the fly 15-17
- Game 7 of the Cup Finals in 2019
- Runaway Presidents Trophy team with Tampa having Stamkos out and Vasi on fumes until Covid hit and rescued them
- Best regular season team in history last year. If you want to put that choke on Sweeney I don’t know what to tell you

If you can get past the 15 draft - and it’s readily apparent many can’t - and you get Carlo in the second, McAvoy at 14, Swayman in the 4th, etc…plus trades for Lindholm, Coyle, and Zacha…

It’s like people don’t follow the league and think that there are these infallible GMs out there. To put it a different way….what GMs have done a better job the last 8 years, much less the last 5?

How’s Yzerman doing with his Yzerplan now that the horseshoe isn’t up his ass anymore and hasn’t found a Point, a Kucherov, a Cirelli or a Palat yet (not to mention getting to start things with Hedman and Stamkos)? How’s Dubas doing? Rutherford? Guerin? Armstrong? Everyone’s favorite Gorton? Can’t pick Fitzgerald since he hasn’t won anything. So…Yzerman but only when he was in Tampa? Brisebois but doing it with Yzerman’s guys? You’re left with…Sakic. Or someone tell me who else.

How’s Tampa’s young group coming along that will replace Hedman and Stamkos? How’s Pittsburgh’s young top 6 centers to get the torch from Sid and Geno? Capitals have a good young group to build around? Toronto have a great group of prospects knocking on the door?

If you want to only give just rewards to GMs whose teams have won Cups in that time…ok. Guess there’s no argument. But GMs don’t win cups as evidenced by last year. If anything - and I firmly believe this - Sweeney’s most egregious error this side of Senyshyn is blowing up the chemistry in that room last year. But mostly I blame the players and especially the coach.

 

[mar2kbos]

Sweeney is a top 5 GM in the league and everyone knows it except Bruins fans. Go look at what these other teams have done to put it in perspective. Especially the last 5 years.

Didn’t say he wasn’t a good GM, but he did start at a good spot, no? He inherited a lot of good players instead of a team rebuilding. So now he is getting a chance to build his own future core now. Let’s see how good he is with that which is why I said next two years. If I thought he was so crappy wouldn’t I want him fired instead of saying curious what he does in next two years.

 

[The don godfather]

Minnesota has snuck in to the playoffs the last two years with Eriksson Ek, Hartman and Gaudreau.

Is it that much better than Zacha, Coyle, Frederic/Geekie?

Time will tell. I think they could make the wild card just based on how deep their defense and goaltending is.

They will get in and hope linus turns into the hulk.

 

[rocketdan9]

Bruins Announce New Numbers​

The Bruins also announced new numbers for several players for the 2023-24 season. These players include offseason additions and prospects. They are as followed:

• Mason Lohrei, No. 6
• Ian Mitchell, No. 14
• Jayson Megna, No. 20
• Fabian Lysell, No. 23
• Parker Wotherspoon, No. 29
• Brandon Bussi, No. 30
• Jesper Boqvist, No. 70
• Alec Regula, No. 75
• Anthony Richard, No. 90

Bruins News & Rumors: Krejci, Forbort, Geekie, New Numbers - The Hockey Writers Boston Bruins Latest News, Analysis & More

David Krejci's retirement announcement could be coming soon, while Derek Forbort is standing out as a trade candidate for the Boston Bruins.

thehockeywriters.com

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

Another way to look at it - and bear with me, we’re talking about the GM and not the coach or the players…

- Retool on the fly 15-17
- Game 7 of the Cup Finals in 2019
- Runaway Presidents Trophy team with Tampa having Stamkos out and Vasi on fumes until Covid hit and rescued them
- Best regular season team in history last year. If you want to put that choke on Sweeney I don’t know what to tell you

If you can get past the 15 draft - and it’s readily apparent many can’t - and you get Carlo in the second, McAvoy at 14, Swayman in the 4th, etc…plus trades for Lindholm, Coyle, and Zacha…

It’s like people don’t follow the league and think that there are these infallible GMs out there. To put it a different way….what GMs have done a better job the last 8 years, much less the last 5?

How’s Yzerman doing with his Yzerplan now that the horseshoe isn’t up his ass anymore and hasn’t found a Point, a Kucherov, a Cirelli or a Palat yet (not to mention getting to start things with Hedman and Stamkos)? How’s Dubas doing? Rutherford? Guerin? Armstrong? Everyone’s favorite Gorton? Can’t pick Fitzgerald since he hasn’t won anything. So…Yzerman but only when he was in Tampa? Brisebois but doing it with Yzerman’s guys? You’re left with…Sakic. Or someone tell me who else.

How’s Tampa’s young group coming along that will replace Hedman and Stamkos? How’s Pittsburgh’s young top 6 centers to get the torch from Sid and Geno? Capitals have a good young group to build around? Toronto have a great group of prospects knocking on the door?

If you want to only give just rewards to GMs whose teams have won Cups in that time…ok. Guess there’s no argument. But GMs don’t win cups as evidenced by last year. If anything - and I firmly believe this - Sweeney’s most egregious error this side of Senyshyn is blowing up the chemistry in that room last year. But mostly I blame the players and especially the coach.

Exactly what I mean. You champion Sweeney then criticize the team with back-to-back-to-back Finals appearances and two Cups in the same five year window you want to limit this exercise to. Dishonest at best.

Truth of the matter is, all of the stuff that Mike is critical of - valid. All of the stuff you mention as positives? Also valid. (Although you can't really laud Sweeney for the Cup Final in 2019 and then let him off the hook for 2023).

I could mention a ton of positives and a ton of frustrations. It's a mixed bag. But I don't have a problem calling it great when it's great and shit when it's shit. It's been a lot of both.

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

Exactly what I mean. You champion Sweeney then criticize the team with back-to-back-to-back Finals appearances and two Cups in the same five year window you want to limit this exercise to. Dishonest at best.

Truth of the matter is, all of the stuff that Mike is critical of - valid. All of the stuff you mention as positives? Also valid. (Although you can't really laud Sweeney for the Cup Final in 2019 and then let him off the hook for 2023).

I could mention a ton of positives and a ton of frustrations. It's a mixed bag. But I don't have a problem calling it great when it's great and shit when it's shit. It's been a lot of both.

Where did I criticize? Yzerman lit it up by going against the grain with his later round picks and it paid off. But he started with 1OA Stamkos and 2OA Hedman before he took the job. Not a bad couple guys to inherit on a rebuild. He didn’t draft either of them.

Every GM is a mixed bag. But given a long enough timeline, the only way one would consider Sweeney as anything but a very good GM is to ignore what other GMs have done over the same time period.

So I’ll ask - other than Yzerman and Sakic - which is hilarious for all the heat he took until they won but ok - what GMs do you think have done a better job?

 

[RHR37]

Sweeney is a top 5 GM in the league and everyone knows it except Bruins fans. Go look at what these other teams have done to put it in perspective. Especially

Come on.

Does he have to outline every lousy deal, every hesitancy, every bad contract he's had to sacrifice draft capital to get out of, etc?

Of course to you, every single thing Sweeney does is "Sweenius", so you wouldn't listen to any dissenting opinion anyway.

Why can't you just accept that not everyone is going to slobber over every move like you do?

Because Matty Gryz is the #1 D in all the NHL because analytics proves it.