Boston Bruins 2024-2025 Roster & Salary Cap Discussion IV

[GoBs]

Report: Ducks listening on Zegras offers

Anaheim Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek is listening to trade offers for star forward Trevor Zegras, sources told The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun. Verbeek reportedly brought up Zegras in trade talks this season, and discussions have resurfaced with the offseason around the corner, LeBrun...

www.thescore.com

Verbeek is reportedly listening to offers for Zegras.

As one of the many broken records on this board, I must opine that this would be a great idea.

This will be his lowest value (IMO) for the rest of his career. Time to get a young and extremely talented center back on this team Donny. Ride with Zegras/Poitras as your future top six centermen and fill the gap!

Zegras to learn from some of the veterans here he would turn into good all around player

 

[Dizzay]

I will say this only once until Sweeney makes his changes......our team is soft as puppy shit and we lack two top 6 forwards. Solve as you may......I prefer to leave the moves to the hired professionals vs having the posters here send laughy faces at proposals or others tell me how far I'm off.

 

[AngryMilkcrates]

Have the Laine trade proposals started yet?

 

[Number8]

Martin Popisil, thoughts on that guy for a 4th line role? Guy has some asshole in him. He's a guy I'd love here, honestly.

He most certainly has some asshole in him.

I’m a laundry guy. Unless you are a dick off the ice in real life, I can take just about anyone in black and gold.

Hell, I loved Kenny the Rat Linesman in Boston.

Of course there are a few exceptions where it wouldn’t have mattered if they were Mother Theresa off the lice. Guys like Cooke, Summuellson (hate that POS too much to even try to spell his scummy name right), and Ribeiro (of course he was a dick on and off the ice, so a non starter).

My $.02

The Bruins didn’t lose to FLA because of a lack of toughness, they lost because of a lack of offense. I thought we matched them in the physicality department, we actually outhit them in the series, but they have two really dangerous lines while we were easy to shut down.

I think Maurice deserves a lot of credit too, for his systems. The systems they use are a perfect fit for the personnel they have.

People talk about trying to ‘copy their blueprint’ but what is that exactly? Their second most physical D is OEL. Do the people who want to see a more physical D think signing him would address that need? No. What makes FLA special is Barkov, Bennett and Tkachuk, and you can’t copy that. Everyone would love a point per game, Selke winning #1 center, but they’re not available. Everyone would love a point per game power forward, but again, not available. Even Bennett brings a rare combination of dirty/talented that’s extremely hard to find. I don’t really think that’s a model you can copy. At least, it’s not something you can build in a year or two, it would take years of drafting, developing and praying you get extremely lucky.

People want a tougher D, but the Rangers have a big, tough D and FLA handled them easier than they handled us. People want better centers but EDM has the two best centers on the planet and for 2 games at least, Florida has handled them easily as well.

Maybe we should stop trying to be a pale imitation of Florida and instead try to be a high-test version of the Bruins. Lean into our strengths instead of trying to copy their strengths. Figure out how to support and enhance Pasta and Marchand, find the ‘right’ partner for McAvoy, crack the code on the Panthers systems and break out of the old mode on the power play.

Excellent post.

Tom Wilson is a perfect example. In his prime, not a team in the League that didn’t hate him but also didn’t want him on their team. Same as our boy Marchand.

 

[TCB]

 

[Number8]

Bruins out hit the panthers because panthers had nearly a 2:1 puck possession lead in the series. Tough to out hit a team when you are consistently the team with the puck for an overwhelming amount of time.

But fair is fair. On paper the NYR are a fairly tough physical team. FLA out possessed them as well but the Rags didn’t do much of anything physically. Only Rempe threw the body with any conviction.

Also, their star forward was an embarrassment in terms of production and his constant shying away from contact was embarassing.

Bottom line, the Rangers were a cake walk for Florida. For a team that is regarded by many as “soft” we played a physical series against Florida and the players should get credit for that at least.

 

[Number8]

Pretty sure they extended him

Might be the dirtiest player in the league tbh- he also refuses to back up his actions due to prior injury history ala Emelin (concussions is his excuse). Didn’t drop them a single time this year

I wouldn’t cry if he was here, it would be entertaining. I just don’t see it happening

It’s funny to me we yearn for a guy like this who is “nasty” and “tough” yet all he does is intentionally try to hurt people while being a giant p***y about it when the opponent responds, and then we turn around and bag on a guy like Frederic who actually does drop them and is an honest player

With all due respect, according to Habs fans “Emelin could die if he got in a fight”. I was deathly afraid whenever the poor man got on the ice. What a brave and courageous warrior he was.

 

[SPV]

If Pageau is bought out, I still think he could be a good third line center on the cheap, between Geekie and Frederic. Wins a bunch of faceoffs and hits

 

[Fenian24]

Pretty sure they extended him

Might be the dirtiest player in the league tbh- he also refuses to back up his actions due to prior injury history ala Emelin (concussions is his excuse). Didn’t drop them a single time this year

I wouldn’t cry if he was here, it would be entertaining. I just don’t see it happening

It’s funny to me we yearn for a guy like this who is “nasty” and “tough” yet all he does is intentionally try to hurt people while being a giant p***y about it when the opponent responds, and then we turn around and bag on a guy like Frederic who actually does drop them and is an honest player

Frederic is one of my favorite Bruins. Popisil would be my winger opposite Maroon or Duhaime. Need to wake the team up (they sleep through way to many games currently) send Popisil and Duhaime out and tell them to not worry about the puck.

 

[Fenian24]

NO

 

[KillerMillerTime]

The rangers panthers series featured 3 overtime games and 5 one-goal games. It’s hard to get tighter than that in a 6 game series.

Bruins had the single best game against florida in game one, but then got blown out back to back games in game 2 and 3

Idk how anyone could think the bruins/panthers series was closer.

Said it several times already, Bruins were outscored over 4 periods in G2 and G3 10-0. That was a message sending run that ended any hope.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

My $.02

The Bruins didn’t lose to FLA because of a lack of toughness, they lost because of a lack of offense. I thought we matched them in the physicality department, we actually outhit them in the series, but they have two really dangerous lines while we were easy to shut down.

I think Maurice deserves a lot of credit too, for his systems. The systems they use are a perfect fit for the personnel they have.

People talk about trying to ‘copy their blueprint’ but what is that exactly? Their second most physical D is OEL. Do the people who want to see a more physical D think signing him would address that need? No. What makes FLA special is Barkov, Bennett and Tkachuk, and you can’t copy that. Everyone would love a point per game, Selke winning #1 center, but they’re not available. Everyone would love a point per game power forward, but again, not available. Even Bennett brings a rare combination of dirty/talented that’s extremely hard to find. I don’t really think that’s a model you can copy. At least, it’s not something you can build in a year or two, it would take years of drafting, developing and praying you get extremely lucky.

People want a tougher D, but the Rangers have a big, tough D and FLA handled them easier than they handled us. People want better centers but EDM has the two best centers on the planet and for 2 games at least, Florida has handled them easily as well.

Maybe we should stop trying to be a pale imitation of Florida and instead try to be a high-test version of the Bruins. Lean into our strengths instead of trying to copy their strengths. Figure out how to support and enhance Pasta and Marchand, find the ‘right’ partner for McAvoy, crack the code on the Panthers systems and break out of the old mode on the power play.

They didn't handle Edmonton easily in G1. Who Bob being outstanding that game was over by the 10 minute mark of P2.

also in terms of physicality, Ekblad, Montour and Kulikov are more physical the OEL.

 

[BruinsJoe]

Ok! You got my attention, how do you go about making it happen.

Same for me, how? I think Bruins are in position for only buy players via ufa market and maybe trade Linus for picks and add 5mill to signe some quality players, 2 players at 8mil, 1 player at 6mil and another at 2mil...

 

[KillerMillerTime]

It pains me to see traditional "Bruins hockey" reduced to being a mere imitation of Florida. They should've never abandoned it.

That aside, weren't last year's Bruins a better version of these Bruins? What Florida did to them, Tampa did to them, and the Islanders did to them, they pin their ears back on the forecheck and keep them from breaking out, and if they don't force a turnover they punish the D retrieving the puck. By game *3*, Charlie McAvoy looked like a boxer who went 12 rounds and lost. It's not just the pressure, it's the degradation of defensemen over the course of a series. Vegas beat them with defensemen who are big, mobile, and defend well, Pietrangelo, Martinez, Theodore, Hague, McNabb, with strong possession forwards like Eichel and Stone at the top, and with physical forwards lower in the lineup like Barbashev and Kolesar who can turn the tables on Florida. Outside of Ekblad and Montour their D is nothing special and doesn't need to be, they can be taken advantage of. The Rangers have a healthy mix of big strong D who can't defend, with small skilled D who can't defend, and Edmonton wishes they could defend like the Rangers.

The "Florida" model is probably not achievable for the Bruins right now, but the Vegas model is. They need serious help at center, their middle/bottom forwards need to play a much more physical game AND get in on the forecheck, but their defense might not be that far off if they can add one good piece, provided that their forwards can give them *some* relief. There's no Selke winner available, but there is a Selke runner up who plays the bumper on the PP. That would be a decent start.

How can you ignore Forsling? He would be the #2 by a considerable amount.

 

[JoeIsAStud]

I'm good with him coming back. He really looked solid with Pasta and Zacha.

That said, I'd like it relatively cheap. $4-4.5M

I can't envision Bertuzzi taking a 25% Pay cut in an offseason where the are hundreds of millions teams are going to be desperate to find someone willing to take

He will be looking to cash in, and get that last big contract for 5-7 years

 

[BamBamCam]

I don't see us having the value to match others in a bidding war for Zegras but dammit I hope we give it our best shot. I'd put any prospect or pick on the table for him and that includes Poitras.

What about something around Coyle?

 

[dafoomie]

How can you ignore Forsling? He would be the #2 by a considerable amount.

Forsling is a little like Grzelcyk in that he's a good player who benefits from playing with great forwards and a great partner. Grzelcyk would actually be a good fit for Florida. If they switched places Forsling would struggle nearly as much vs Florida's forecheck.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

Forsling is a little like Grzelcyk in that he's a good player who benefits from playing with great forwards and a great partner. Grzelcyk would actually be a good fit for Florida. If they switched places Forsling would struggle nearly as much vs Florida's forecheck.

Forsling is much better than #48.

 

[dafoomie]

Forsling is much better than #48.

No one said he wasn't.

 

[Son of Donegal]

Forsling is a little like Grzelcyk in that he's a good player who benefits from playing with great forwards and a great partner. Grzelcyk would actually be a good fit for Florida. If they switched places Forsling would struggle nearly as much vs Florida's forecheck.

Hmmm. Any D would struggle against FLA, but the gap between Forsling and Grzelcyk is pretty wide at this point. He’s excelling in the postseason against the NHl’s best. Grizz really struggled in the post season over his career.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

No one said he wasn't.

He would be #2 d man on Boston and is right there with Montour or Ekblad. You are way underating him.

 

[dafoomie]

Hmmm. Any D would struggle against FLA, but the gap between Forsling and Grzelcyk is pretty wide at this point. He’s excelling in the postseason against the NHl’s best. Grizz really struggled in the post season over his career.

Again, my comparison was not of how good each of them is but of their similar situations and usage, at least at even strength. Forsling is without a doubt better than Matt Grzelcyk.

 

[JoeIsAStud]

If Pageau is bought out, I still think he could be a good third line center on the cheap, between Geekie and Frederic. Wins a bunch of faceoffs and hits

Add to the collection of 3rd line Centers. I like Pageau, but he isn't what this team needs

If you tell me they add 2 top 6 players, and still add Pageau for depth, sure maybe.

 

[Mione134]

Have the Laine trade proposals started yet?

Noooooooo

 

[Number8]

I will say I’m excited about this off season. We make smart moves and use the cap wisely, we could come out of this pretty well over next two years. Don’t think with UFAs available it all needs to be done this season.

Hope I’m not disappointed.