Boston Bruins 24-25 Roster/Cap thread VIII

[BruinDust]

I think that with Pasta's salary you just can't have off-year.

It hurts. All I'm saying is I have no idea what is causing his drop in production.

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

I actually like Zegras and he COULD help here. But why in the world would you have to give up your best young D-man to find out?

That contract kills Zegras's trade value, if the Ducks are looking to move on, whomever takes him and that deal is doing them a favor.

The contract isn't hurting the Ducks though. They're $25M under the cap right now.

So the question becomes: Why trade him when his value is so low? What would be gained?

Only answer here is you do it to get another young struggling player in hopes that the change of scenery benefits them. Otherwise you just ride it out with Zegras and hope that he can get back to form at some point.

Which makes the Bruins especially bad trade partners. Lohrei is as close as they have (perhaps Lysell is in that category too) but the Bs also have to move salary out in order to accommodate. There is no buy-low option here.

 

[quietbruinfan]

How many offensive defensemen hit? If you don't want that type of player on the roster I get it, but that will forever leave a gap on the roster

Most at least shove or take a hit to make a play. He is very hesitant about doing this.

 

[BruinDust]

The contract isn't hurting the Ducks though. They're $25M under the cap right now.

So the question becomes: Why trade him when his value is so low? What would be gained?

Only answer here is you do it to get another young struggling player in hopes that the change of scenery benefits them. Otherwise you just ride it out with Zegras and hope that he can get back to form at some point.

Which makes the Bruins especially bad trade partners. Lohrei is as close as they have (perhaps Lysell is in that category too) but the Bs also have to move salary out in order to accommodate. There is no buy-low option here.

Other than real money, not much at this juncture. I do think that the fact he's arbitration eligible in 2026 as an RFA and needs to be qualified at a big number relative to his current production to hurt his value, but really no reason for Anaheim to make that decision right now. A bridge to be crossed later.

Reality is, with the Bruins cap crunch and Zegras's current salary, there really isn't a fit there trade-wise IMO.

Given Sweeney's track record with his own drafted players, I'd put the odds of him moving out any of Lohrei, Poitras, Lysell, Beecher, etc. for Zegras to be extremely low. That's never been his MO.

 

[Over the volcano]

Most at least shove or take a hit to make a play. He is very hesitant about doing this.

He's built like a pool noodle. Not sure throwing his body around will be all that successful. He isn't afraid of contact though and used to invite it to let his reach protect the puck. Probably worked wonders for him against other kids.

 

[GordonHowe]

Bruins Might Attempt to Trigger Team with a Trade

NHL insider Pierre LeBrun made an appearance on SC with Jay Onrait to discuss what might come next for the Boston Bruins. When asked if he thought GM Don

www.yardbarker.com

Struggling Bruins could turn to trade market for spark

The Bruins have finally acknowledged how underwhelming their season has been, becoming the first team to fire a head coach this season when they let go of Jim Montgomery.

www.yardbarker.com

*Sara Civian nails it,*

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10144187-dont-blame-jim-montgomery-for-don-sweeneys-failures-with-the-bruins

Bruins GM Sweeney Holds Flame To Players After Firing Montgomery

BRIGHTON — Don Sweeney couldn’t stand by any longer. The Boston Bruins have wallowed through a disparaging first month and a half of their season, and the general manager couldn’t let it continue, bringing him to what he called a “difficult decision” by firing Jim Montgomery as the team’s head...

bostonhockeynow.com

 

[LSCII]

I think that with Pasta's salary you just can't have off-year.

I don't know, what's worse to you? Paying a dude 165K a point when he's having an off year and is still on pace to put up 68 points, or paying a dude 265K a point when he's on pace to put up 20 points?

At least with Pasta, there's a chance he gets hot. With Coyle? Yeesh.

 

[PlayMakers]

Good they should be getting pp time if they are supposed to be part of Bruins future.Let them gain confidence.

PP1 had Pasta & Zacha on the elbows, Lindholm in the bumper and Marchand down low, Mac up top.

PP2 had Merkulov and Geekie on the elbows, Coyle in the bumper, Brazeau in front and Lohrei up top. Brazeau to Coyle connected on a few.

 

[LSCII]

PP1 had Pasta & Zacha on the elbows, Lindholm in the bumper and Marchand down low, Mac up top.

PP2 had Merkulov and Geekie on the elbows, Coyle in the bumper, Brazeau in front and Lohrei up top. Brazeau to Coyle connected on a few.

That second pp unit is why this team struggles to score in a nutshell. None of those players is someone that should be getting pp toi. Lohrei may become that kind of player but he’s not that now. The rest is just bottom 6 trash.

 

[Hookslide]

It hurts. All I'm saying is I have no idea what is causing his drop in production.

My guess is injury, and team distractions, adding to his frustration.

 

[4ORRBRUIN]

Plus the Canes are loaded with winners and Stanley Cup champions

Well ,we had a few cup winners when he played here. Maybe it rubbed off on him

 

[BergyWho37]

I honestly think that is Pasta’s default setting but here he needs to score goals because no one else can. Him being a facilitator to Zacha and Geekie…well…that ain’t gonna work.

I personally wanted to see Poitras hitched to Pasta and Zacha maybe let Zacha take draws occasionally but then float back to LW allowing the kid to distribute the pucks so those two shoot more.

IF this happened give them 3 games at least and I think you’d see results.

 

[bp14]

PP1 had Pasta & Zacha on the elbows, Lindholm in the bumper and Marchand down low, Mac up top.

PP2 had Merkulov and Geekie on the elbows, Coyle in the bumper, Brazeau in front and Lohrei up top. Brazeau to Coyle connected on a few.

Mac up top is a problem they or HE has to solve. And if he can’t solve it, he becomes not worth his contract IMO.

 

[22Brad Park]

Mac up top is a problem they or HE has to solve. And if he can’t solve it, he becomes not worth his contract IMO.

He is no Ray Bourque He better start shooting more though for sure.

 

[Hookslide]

That second pp unit is why this team struggles to score in a nutshell. None of those players is someone that should be getting pp toi. Lohrei may become that kind of player but he’s not that now. The rest is just bottom 6 trash.

None of them, on 2nd PP, not sure about that, but I would say the same about the first PP.

 

[shelbysdad]

One big problem I see on our PP is passes to the wrong side....all set up for a one timer and the pass is behind the shooter.... details

Same as breakouts....passes hitting people in the skates instead of on the stick

 

[bp14]

One big problem I see on our PP is passes to the wrong side....all set up for a one timer and the pass is behind the shooter.... details

Same as breakouts....passes hitting people in the skates instead of on the stick

And Mac is a guilty party there too. Too many passes in Pastas feet. If you’re never willing to shoot your passes better all be perfect.

I wonder if they need to consider a forward up top. Anything to change things up.

 

[PlayMakers]

Mac up top is a problem they or HE has to solve. And if he can’t solve it, he becomes not worth his contract IMO.

Yeah, he has to be better, but I also think they can build the PP around him better too.

I mean, we know what McAvoy is. He's a pass-first D, it's his instinct to make the extra pass when everyone expects a shot. I don't know that you can change that. It would be like telling Krejci to switch from being a playmaker to being a shoot-first goal scorer. It's part of their DNA.

So, one way you could scheme for that tendency is to flank McAvoy with another shooter. Don't create an umbrella where the only threat to shoot is Pasta. So far, the two right elbows have been Marchand and Lindholm. Now, I don't know if they have that guy or not (a guy like Vatrano could be a low cost option in that role), but I know it would be harder to defend if they had two threats to score on each flank, and it would make McAvoy's passes more effective because right now he makes the extra pass, then Marchand makes the extra, extra pass and the scoring chance is gone.

To that point, Sacco had Zacha on the right elbow at practice yesterday. I don't know if that was the theory behind it, but Zacha's can really shoot, he doesn't hit the net enough, but he's got a rocket when he uses it.

 

[BruinDust]

Yeah, he has to be better, but I also think they can build the PP around him better too.

I mean, we know what McAvoy is. He's a pass-first D, it's his instinct to make the extra pass when everyone expects a shot. I don't know that you can change that. It would be like telling Krejci to switch from being a playmaker to being a shoot-first goal scorer. It's part of their DNA.

So, one way you could scheme for that tendency is to flank McAvoy with another shooter. Don't create an umbrella where the only threat to shoot is Pasta. So far, the two right elbows have been Marchand and Lindholm. Now, I don't know if they have that guy or not (a guy like Vatrano could be a low cost option in that role), but I know it would be harder to defend if they had two threats to score on each flank, and it would make McAvoy's passes more effective because right now he makes the extra pass, then Marchand makes the extra, extra pass and the scoring chance is gone.

To that point, Sacco had Zacha on the right elbow at practice yesterday. I don't know if that was the theory behind it, but Zacha's can really shoot, he doesn't hit the net enough, but he's got a rocket when he uses it.

Swap McAvoy with Lohrei. Keep the rest of Unit 1 the same.

Put McAvoy out on Unit 2 with Zadorov and invert them on the blue-line. Can Zadorov hammer a one-timer from the point? I would think he can guy with his size and strength. And fire away. Zacha/Coyle/Brazeau crash the net.