Boston Bruins 2024-25 Roster and Salary Cap Discussion

[JoeIsAStud]

Most likely he will look for a home-run. And he will likely find it. 4-5 year contract. I'd be OK 1-2 (not saying for the Bruins just in general).

It's like Elias Lindholm. A 4-5 year deal. I don't love it but I can live with it. Honestly if his agent called and drew a hard line in the sand at 7 years, I'd probably hang up the phone on him.

Yeah I get it, at least Lindholm has a history of being an absolute workhorse who is on the ice almost every night for the last decade

 

[Bruinfanatic]

Frank Seravalli's projected UFA contract amounts. I disagree with quite a few but wanted to put it here as some sort of reference for what player may be expecting to get paid. I think he is low pretty much across the board. The Bruins should have 22M in cap space before dealing Ullmark and signing Swayman. I am basing this on a 88m cap. Ullmark dealt for picks and Swayman at 8m the Bruins should have 19m to sign players. I bolded names I think would fit with that money available.
Not listed is Brandon Duhaime who I would also sign. Underlined players would be secondary choices

Rank	Player	Pos	Age	Team	Cap Hit	GP	G	PTS	AFP Proj*
1	Sam Reinhart	RW	29	FLA	$6.5M	82	57	94	8 x $10.2M
2	Jake Guentzel	LW	30	CAR	$6M	67	30	77	6 x $8M
3	Steven Stamkos	LW/C	34	TBL	$8.5M	79	40	81	3 x $6.3M
4	Patrick Kane	RW	36	DET	$2.75M	50	20	47	2 x $5.5M
5	Joe Pavelski	RW	40	DAL	$5.5M	82	27	67	1 x $4M
6	Brady Skjei	LD	30	CAR	$5.25M	80	13	47	6 x $7.4M
7	Jonathan Marchessault	RW	34	VGK	$5M	82	42	69	3 x $6.25M
8	Elias Lindholm	C/RW	30	VAN	$4.85M	75	15	44	7 x $8M
9	Brandon Montour	RD	30	FLA	$3.5M	66	8	33	7 x $8.7M
10	Matt Duchene	C/RW	33	DAL	$3M	80	25	65	3 x $6.5M
11	Matt Roy	RD	29	LAK	$3.15M	81	5	25	4 x $5.5M
12	Brett Pesce	RD	30	CAR	$4.03M	70	3	13	6 x $6.7M
13	Teuvo Teravainen	LW	30	CAR	$5.4M	76	25	53	5 x $6.3M
14	Tyler Bertuzzi	LW	29	TOR	$5.5M	80	21	43	5 x $6M
15	Nikita Zadorov	LD	29	VAN	$3.75M	75	6	20	4 x $5M
16	Chandler Stevenson	C	30	VGK	$2.75M	75	16	51	5 x $5.7M
17	Tyler Toffoli	RW	32	WPG	$4.25M	79	33	55	5 x $6.5M
18	Jonathan Drouin	LW	29	COL	$825K	79	19	56	4 X $4.5M
19	Max Domi	RW	29	TOR	$3M	80	9	47	3 x $4.2M
20	Sean Walker	RD	30	COL	$2.65M	81	10	29	4 x $4.8M
21	Oliver Ekman-Larsson	LD	33	FLA	$2.25M	80	9	32	3 x $3.7M
22	Dakota Joshua	LW	28	VAN	$825K	63	18	32	3 x $3M
23	Vladimir Tarasenko	RW	33	FLA	$5M	76	23	55	3 x $5.6M
24	Jalen Chatfield	RD	28	CAR	$763K	72	8	22	3 x $2.7M
25	Jake DeBrusk	LW	28	BOS	$4M	80	19	40	5 x $6M
26	Alexandre Carrier	RD	30	NSH	$2.5M	73	4	20	3 x $2.7M
27	Shayne Gostisbehere	LD	31	DET	$4.13M	81	10	56	3 x $4.4M
28	Sean Monahan	C	30	WPG	$2M	83	26	59	3 x $2.9M
29	Anthony Duclair	LW	29	TBL	$3M	73	24	42	3 x $3.25M
30	Yakov Trenin	LW/C	28	COL	$1.7M	76	12	17	3 x $3.3M
31	Alex Nedeljkovic	G	29	PIT	$1.5M	38	2.96	0.902	2 x $2M
32	David Perron	RW	36	DET	$4.75M	76	17	47	2 x 2.8M
33	Viktor Arvidsson	RW	31	LAK	$4.25M	18	6	15	n/a
34	Brenden Dillon	LD	34	WPG	$3.9M	77	8	20	2 x $3.9M
35	Ian Cole	LD	35	VAN	$3M	78	2	11	2 x $3M
36	Tyler Myers	RD	34	VAN	$6M	77	5	29	2 x 2.7M
37	Jason Zucker	LW	32	NSH	$5.3M	69	14	32	3 x $5.4M
38	Matt Dumba	RD	30	TBL	$3.9M	76	4	12	3 x $3.7M
39	Alex Wennberg	C	30	NYR	$4.5M	79	10	30	4 x $4.2M
40	Dylan DeMelo	RD	31	WPG	$3M	82	3	31	4 x $5M
41	Matt Grzelcyk	LD	31	BOS	$3.7M	63	2	11	3 x $4M
42	Chris Tanev	RD	35	DAL	$4.5M	75	2	19	3 x $4.7M
43	Erik Gustafsson	LD	32	NYR	$825K	76	6	31	3 x $5M
44	Daniel Sprong	RW	27	DET	$2M	76	18	43	3 x $3.8M
45	Kaapo Kahkonen	G	28	NJD	$2.75M	37	3.64	0.898	2 x $3M
46	Teddy Blueger	C	30	VAN	$1.9M	68	6	28	2 x $2.6M
47	Jordan Martinook	LW	32	CAR	$1.8M	82	14	32	2 x $2.8M
48	Ilya Samsonov	G	27	TOR	$3.55M	40	3.13	0.89	2 x $3.25M
49	T.J. Brodie	LD	34	TOR	$5M	78	1	26	3 x $4.8M
50	Vincent Desharnais	RD	28	EDM	$763K	78	1	11	2 x $1.4M

So does the 19 million also have to include resigning DeBrusk or a replacement

 

[BruinDust]

Yeah I get it, at least Lindholm has a history of being an absolute workhorse who is on the ice almost every night for the last decade

I'm not totally against a Lindholm signing (I expect them to go after him hard), but the term and AAV need to be right. I like his durability as you point out.

 

[Patdud]

I'm not totally against a Lindholm signing (I expect them to go after him hard), but the term and AAV need to be right. I like his durability as you point out.

Hes the better bergeron successor at least being a killer 2 way forward who wins faceoffs and plays the bumper. Bruins need a center who can play on a 1st line and win matchups. Coyle has brought it this year but he caps at 2, not fair to him to rate him against something he isnt capable or paid to do (be a 1st line forward).


Zacha isnt a Center in the NHL, to be frank, hes barely playing like a third line wing these playoffs and thats a red flag. use him in a trade and clear space. Let DeBrusk walk and get a big time LW and Lindholm at center. the Defense is set and the net is Swayman's, Ullmark and Zacha are your trade bait.

 

[BruinDust]

Hes the better bergeron successor at least being a killer 2 way forward who wins faceoffs and plays the bumper. Bruins need a center who can play on a 1st line and win matchups. Coyle has brought it this year but he caps at 2, not fair to him to rate him against something he isnt capable or paid to do (be a 1st line forward).


Zacha isnt a Center in the NHL, to be frank, hes barely playing like a third line wing these playoffs and thats a red flag. use him in a trade and clear space. Let DeBrusk walk and get a big time LW and Lindholm at center. the Defense is set and the net is Swayman's, Ullmark and Zacha are your trade bait.

Losing that option in the bumper destroyed their PP this year, became far too predictable. The bumper opens up passing lanes east-west for the main weapon, Pasta's one-timer.

I'm find moving Zacha as long as they have something else to use his cap space on.

Debrusk I'm 50/50. He brings elements I want more of (speed, shooting). This forward group is slow enough now as it is.

 

[DKH]

Bruins should inquire about Lundell if they sign Reinhart

Montour likely going to FA so maybe they can squeeze him in but Forsling just signed 8 years for around 6 M not sure how it works looking over

 

[ON3M4N]

I’m jealous.

You shouldn't be. Florida going into next season has $19 million in cap space with 14 guys under contract and the following guys needs deals:

Reinhart
Okposo
Tarasenko
Cousins
Lorentz
Stenlund
Lomberg
Montour
OEL
Kulikov
Mahura

Next year they have Bennet, Verhaeghe & Ekblad who needs deals. They're window is this year and maybe next year. After that they're going to take a step back. They also have no 1st rounder the next two years and their prospect pool is ok, but nothing great.

 

[DKH]

Losing that option in the bumper destroyed their PP this year, became far too predictable. The bumper opens up passing lanes east-west for the main weapon, Pasta's one-timer.

I'm find moving Zacha as long as they have something else to use his cap space on.

Debrusk I'm 50/50. He brings elements I want more of (speed, shooting). This forward group is slow enough now as it is.

DeBrusk should be with Pastrnak

Pasta wants to play with him - took way to long to get here

You shouldn't be. Florida going into next season has $19 million in cap space with 14 guys under contract and the following guys needs deals:

Reinhart
Okposo
Tarasenko
Cousins
Lorentz
Stenlund
Lomberg
Montour
OEL
Kulikov
Mahura

Next year they have Bennet, Verhaeghe & Ekblad who needs deals. They're window is this year and maybe next year. After that they're going to take a step back. They also have no 1st rounder the next two years and their prospect pool is ok, but nothing great.

There f***ed

I want Lundell

Doubtful they move him but he’s a RFA and I’m him even a bridge I want 5 M up from 925 K

 

[UConn126]

If Reinhart is a free agent on July 1st, we should do everything we can to try to bring him on as our #1 center.

I'm all in on Reinhart but he's a RW. Still would bring some much needed scoring punch. Best free agent available.

 

[Hookslide]

You are also looking at probably a 3-4 million difference in their AAVs. Maybe more. Reinhart had more goals this year than Lindholm had points. He almost had as many goals (57) as Lindholm had points the year prior (64).

You might be looking at 10-11 million per to pry Reinhart out of South Florida and it's no-state tax situation.

Forget about it.

 

[Comedy of Errors]

Most opinions are trying to improve the Bruins by addition and subtraction, looking to resemble a realistic chance at a cup.

I don't share that opinion. Looking at how they squeaked by in the 1st round and the total domination by the Panthers in the 2nd round the Bruins need a full blowup from management to the team.

That said, no matter the heartstrings they may pull on, every player should be assessed based on value and performance. Value as to marketable assets and performances in the playoffs. The Panthers barely made the playoffs last year and went to the Stanley Cup finals, precisely because of their talent depts.

If the blowup choice is made every player must be on the block. It makes no sense to pay wheel barrels of cash for 2-4 seasons and play at the league's bottom. If a blowup choice isn't made, the fans should expect another 10-20 years as the ugly bridemaid who catches the bouquet only to turn around and see a room emptied of men.

 

[Patdud]

I'm all in on Reinhart but he's a RW. Still would bring some much needed scoring punch. Best free agent available.

Just go get guentzel, logical replacement of Marchand at LW

 

[zaYG]

Slept on it and I’m coming around on Lindholm although he scares me as potentially being a dud signing. I think he just fits a need if he lives up to his contract but that’s a big if. If you sign him I think you need to move forward with trading Zacha.

I also fully want them to sign Debrusk. The worry is that he’ll ask for too much and get it. He shouldn’t be paid like a great offensive player. There’s no more potential there. He is what he is. However, his defensive play, general energy, and willingness to be the only skater showing up every game in these playoffs makes him a keeper.

 

[JRull86]

I'm not sure moving Zacha is the play for this group.

Cheap contract given what he brings. 57, and 59 points in two years with BOS making 4.75m? That's solid ROI in a cap league.

Absolutely should not be playing C next year.

 

[Fenian24]

So does the 19 million also have to include resigning DeBrusk or a replacement

Replacement

 

[JoeIsAStud]

I'm not sure moving Zacha is the play for this group.

Cheap contract given what he brings. 57, and 59 points in two years with BOS making 4.75m? That's solid ROI in a cap league.

Absolutely should not be playing C next year.

I agree. I am not opposed to moving Zacha if necessary in a deal where a better player comes back. But I wouldn't move him for picks (you aren't getting a better player in FA for the same price, you aren't getting a top 6 guy for close to that price)

Replacement

good luck finding a players as good or better for a similar price in FA. Sure you can spend millions more per year and go get Reinhart or Guentzel, but those will both likely cost 60% more than DeBrusk will. And of course Jake is again one of the guys who has shown up in the postseason.

The Bruins have a lot of cash, but that goes away very quickly if you are lucky enough to get one of the top 3-4 guys on the market.

Once you get down the the Debrusk price range you are talking about similarly flawed players. Maybe some are more consistent offensively, but have big gaps in their defensive game.

 

[Bruinfanatic]

Replacement

So the 19 million has to go towards replacing him

 

[Absurdity]

I'm not sure moving Zacha is the play for this group.

Cheap contract given what he brings. 57, and 59 points in two years with BOS making 4.75m? That's solid ROI in a cap league.

Absolutely should not be playing C next year.

He can score points during the regular season all he wants. His actions speak louder than his words this playoff run, and he has been a complete dud.

 

[JRull86]

He can score points during the regular season all he wants. His actions speak louder than his words this playoff run, and he has been a complete dud.

Sure he's been poor, I don't think anyone will dispute that. But find me a guy whose going to give you 50+ points for what he makes as a FA. You probably aren't.

He's not someone I'm looking to deal just to deal.

 

[Shaun]

i see zacha as debrusk's replacement on LW once edmonton overpays him

 

[kdog82]

Watching the Canucks in the playoffs. E. Lindholm fits this Bruins team like a glove. Its a no brainer imo.

We knew the Bruins weaknesses heading into the post season and is now more clear than ever. This team needs to upgrade the C position immediately. In a perfect world I would go after both Lindholm and Stephenson. Move Poitras to RW for now or send him to Providence to get the ice time required.

Probably can't fit both in unless Debrusk walks.

Lindholm
Coyle/Stephenson
Stephenson/Coyle
Beecher

That looks far better than the current day centre group.

This was always a transition year for the Bruins and although its not officially over, well it looks over.

 

[Absurdity]

Sure he's been poor, I don't think anyone will dispute that. But find me a guy whose going to give you 50+ points for what he makes as a FA. You probably aren't.

He's not someone I'm looking to deal just to deal.

I think he should be moved in the right deal. If no one is offering anything good, then keep him.

 

[stungun54]

He can score points during the regular season all he wants. His actions speak louder than his words this playoff run, and he has been a complete dud.

absolutely. we need to purge the no heart players. I add Lindholm and Coyle to this group to. Zacha Coyle Lindholm should be moved and replaced with younger players or free agents. Its amazing how weak willed this team is compared to the Bertuzzi Hathaway Orlov additions last year. Those players have the drive to win. This team seems to generally not care that they will be golfing on Wed. could care less about regular season stats if you turtle in the playoffs its time this franchise realized that.

 

[Oates2Neely]

Our favorite hockey teams matched up with their equals (wins/ points %) in the other 3 major sports:

 

[Fenian24]

So the 19 million has to go towards replacing him

yes