Boston Bruins 24-25 Roster/Cap thread VIII

[LSCII]

Sure, I mean, adding a big D-man is essentially all they did? I still don't hate it.

Kastelic has been great, and he's one of the "grittier" guys added. He's playing his game well.

Adding size and toughness is fine. It's the high end players playing like AHLer's that's been the issue.

How has Coyle been? Zacha? Marchand? McAvoy? Swayman? - I'm not blaming the size on the fact these guys haven't even played even half the way they're capable of.

When was Coyle ever a high end player? He's had one anomalous season but has failed multiple times when they've attempted to use him as a 2C. Zacha too. I mean can you really call a guy that has never had 60 points in a season "high end"? Marchand is 35 coming off multiple surgeries with a lot of miles. He's not a high end player at this point. He's winding down. McAvoy being asked to play with the stiff du jour over multiple seasons looks kind of broken. As for Swayman, we'll see if it was a lack of camp or playing behind a really suspect defensive squad that has his game off.

In reality, they added plenty of bigger tougher guys and have looked significantly worse. Seems like the idea of getting grittier was misguided to me because all they've done is played terribly.

 

[Sheppy]

When was Coyle ever a high end player? He's had one anomalous season but has failed multiple times when they've attempted to use him as a 2C. Zacha too. I mean can you really call a guy that has never had 60 points in a season "high end"? Marchand is 35 coming off multiple surgeries with a lot of miles. He's not a high end player at this point. He's winding down. McAvoy being asked to play with the stiff du jour over multiple seasons looks kind of broken. As for Swayman, we'll see if it was a lack of camp or playing behind a really suspect defensive squad that has his game off.

In reality, they added plenty of bigger tougher guys and have looked significantly worse. Seems like the idea of getting grittier was misguided to me because all they've done is played terribly.

Seems like you have an excuse for every player I've listed underachieving. Do you think the pace those guys are scoring at is where they should be? If so, that's an issue.

Who are the gritty guys they've added that have made this team worse?

 

[Nothingbutglass]

Zacha and Coyle were the top #2 Cs as recently as last year and we surprisingly kept afloat. What were the options to upgrade besides what we did?

 

[goldenblack]

I get it, trades are hard…

Actually they are. And the second Sweeney does one, people cry like the Linus trade. And then they usually cry wrong.

 

[LSCII]

Seems like you have an excuse for every player I've listed underachieving.

Who are the gritty guys they've added that have made this team worse?

Excuses? Not at all. It's simply reality. I've been consistent here for years saying they don't have enough high end talent, which has been proven all season long. Coyle is not a top six player despite one good year last season. You don't become a different player in year 11 of your career, FFS. Zacha was drafted to be a high end player but again, he doesn't have the production to actually be called that. Even playing with Pasta when that dude was putting up 113 and 110 points, Zacha didn't break 60 points. That's not elite or high end at all.

I mean. I get it. When you have a bunch of shit you pick the best turd and polish it up nice, but at the end of the day, slotting stiffs up hasn't worked. And why? Because they were inconsistent bottom 6 players to start with. But thank god they got Zaddy and grossly overpaid for him because those 3 hits a game he throws are crucial...

 

[Sheppy]

Excuses? Not at all. It's simply reality. I've been consistent here for years saying they don't have enough high end talent, which has been proven all season long. Coyle is not a top six player despite one good year last season. You don't become a different player in year 11 of your career, FFS. Zacha was drafted to be a high end player but again, he doesn't have the production to actually be called that. Even playing with Pasta when that dude was putting up 113 and 110 points, Zacha didn't break 60 points. That's not elite or high end at all.

I mean. I get it. When you have a bunch of shit you pick the best turd and polish it up nice, but at the end of the day, slotting stiffs up hasn't worked. And why? Because they were inconsistent bottom 6 players to start with. But thank god they got Zaddy and grossly overpaid for him because those 3 hits a game he throws are crucial...

You typed a lot without really saying anything.

 

[LSCII]

Zacha and Coyle were the top #2 Cs as recently as last year and we surprisingly kept afloat. What were the options to upgrade besides what we did?

Just because Sweeney was caught unaware that Bergeron and Krejci weren't long for this game, that's acceptable to you? I mean, how does that happen? LOL

You typed a lot without really saying anything.

I get it. You have no leg to stand on because your argument all these years has been shown to be incorrect. Has to be rough.

 

[Nothingbutglass]

Excuses? Not at all. It's simply reality. I've been consistent here for years saying they don't have enough high end talent, which has been proven all season long. Coyle is not a top six player despite one good year last season. You don't become a different player in year 11 of your career, FFS. Zacha was drafted to be a high end player but again, he doesn't have the production to actually be called that. Even playing with Pasta when that dude was putting up 113 and 110 points, Zacha didn't break 60 points. That's not elite or high end at all.

I mean. I get it. When you have a bunch of shit you pick the best turd and polish it up nice, but at the end of the day, slotting stiffs up hasn't worked. And why? Because they were inconsistent bottom 6 players to start with. But thank god they got Zaddy and grossly overpaid for him because those 3 hits a game he throws are crucial...

What was your plan for getting this high end talent we lack?

 

[Sheppy]

Just because Sweeney was caught unaware that Bergeron and Krejci weren't long for this game, that's acceptable to you? I mean, how does that happen? LOL


I get it. You have no leg to stand on because your argument all these years has been shown to be incorrect. Has to be rough.

Why are you so upset? Jesus.

Bro is suddenly coming at me with a sword for some reason.

 

[goldenblack]

Why are you so upset? Jesus.

Bro is suddenly coming at me with a sword for some reason.

Usually it's insufficient romantic release, in my life experience. Not saying that's the case here. But often, it is.

 

[LSCII]

What was your plan for getting this high end talent we lack?

Not trading for a healthy scratch dman that’s making $2.75 mill per year is step one, step two is not paying a bottom pairing depth dman $5 mill per. That’s nearly 8 mill they’ve allotted to depth players when they have massive holes in the top 6

 

[Sheppy]

Not trading for a healthy scratch dman that’s making $2.75 mill per year is step one, step two is not paying a bottom pairing depth dman $5 mill per. That’s nearly 8 mill they’ve allotted to depth players when they have massive holes in the top 6

So who should they have got?

 

[GordonHowe]

I was a big Marc McLaughlin fan when he was up here before.

It's only taken forever, but very pleased for him.

From what I have heard from ProJo's Mark Divver, McLaughlin puts in the work, has a good head on his shoulders, and is a really good team guy.

Sounds like someone they could use.

Which brings to mind other musings:

Whatever happens relative to Sacco, I expect player movement, ingress and egress, going forward.

Sweeney being Sweeney, he won't do anything drastic, and probably not for a while. He's only got a few bullets left and he knows it.

The sharp criticism dirrected his way this time has been more intense, sustained and credible than at any time prior.

The record at this point is mixed, at best.

It is perhaps not be too much to say that the Smartest Guy in the Room is on thin ice, and the ice may finally be cracking underneath him.

I feel a level of exhaustion with this guy. He has worn out whatever welcome he had.

Neither Don nor Cam handled the Swayman negotiation well. Rather, Sweeney (and Neely) appeared to be affronted by Jeremy's insolence.

And Swayman's very public airing of his displeasure was, in my opinion, immature, misplaced and ultimately damaging to the team.

Because of his intransigence, Swayman missed training camp (critical for goaltenders) in its entirety. It shows.

On top of that, Swayman appears unable to let go of his sense of grievance. Apparently, in private, he continues to whine about his ill treatment at the hands of Bruins management. Like, he still bitches about the arbitration thing. Which, recall, he requested.

My sense is that none of this sits well in the room. The vibe, as the kids say, is off. It may have even turned sour.

Given the way Jeremy and his camp conducted themselves during contentious dealings with management, it likely would have been best to trade him while his value was sky high.

Needless to say, that is no longer the case.

Finally, of course, Swayman is now locked up for the foreseeable future and management is stuck with his inflated contract.

I suspect there are other malcontents in the Boston dressing room as well.

Some of the same players who agitated for Cassidy's firing and then quit on Sunny Jim when matters went south are still around.

It won't happen, because he is their most talented, popular player (merch sales are important to the old man) but at this point, I would trade David for what would surely be good return.

I have rambled off topic. My apologies.

In the event, we shall see.

 

[bbfan419]

Same feeling about Lohrei the guy just refuse to hit i really dont like that kind of soft player


Stop that Mason Lohrei dont have the Zagras value, does he have value?

Zegras is making way too much and has not produced, he makes almost $6m per year, is a soft player and not producing, he would get eaten alive in Boston.

 

[wintersej]

I like Viel but I agree. He's a call up at best. With Kastelic in, I don't think you'll see Viel in the lineup.

They have a mean forward playing the best hockey of his career and a big, mean D-man back there too.

If only Frederic could find his balls.

What they really need is someone in the top six that can bring that. Easier said than done in 2024z

 

[Guelph Bruin]

Regarding Mclovin.... It's a good message to send the providence boys ....we need scoring...score in the AHL and you'll get a look this year...hopefully light a fire for others ...but let's be honest...we're looking to catch lightening in a bottle

 

[Sheppy]

What they really need is someone in the top six that can bring that. Easier said than done in 2024z

Yeah, exactly. The unfortunate thing is those guys are unicorns in this league.

 

[Hookslide]

Zacha and Coyle were the top #2 Cs as recently as last year and we surprisingly kept afloat. What were the options to upgrade besides what we did?

Good point, and the option they chose has not by any means been able to make us forget Zacha, and Coyle's contribution. oh and he makes almost as much as those two players combined.

 

[BigGoalBrad]

The only Zegras hope is that if he came here and turned into an actual complete hockey player, do want to make that trade on "HOPE" and is 5.25-million-dollar contract, just asking.

We don't have to live with the ups and downs of a player like that's first 300 NHL games and wed move some dead salary like Coyle. No real downside even if he stinks.

I'm sure he'll get moved in a deal we would have done.

 

[4ORRBRUIN]

Good point, and the option they chose has not by any means been able to make us forget Zacha, and Coyle's contribution. oh and he makes almost as much as those two players combined.

Actually over 2m less, Far for almost the same. Coyle and his cap hit need to go

 

[Hookslide]

We don't have to live with the ups and downs of a player like that's first 300 NHL games and wed move some dead salary like Coyle. No real downside even if he stinks.

I'm sure he'll get moved in a deal we would have done.

So you want to move Coyle, to bring in Zegras. Sorry my friend Coyle brings a lot more to the rink than Zegras.

 

[GordonHowe]

Amid Other Issues, Has Jeremy Swayman Lost the Bruins Locker Room?

The Boston Bruins’ sluggish start to the season has raised eyebrows, with speculation about what might be behind their struggles. Among the potential factors is Jeremy Swayman’s recent contract saga and its possible effects on team chemistry.

www.yardbarker.com

 

[Nothingbutglass]

If that's accurate, the other players need to get over it. It's done, can't change it. They win more if Swayman plays good.

 

[GordonHowe]

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.

OT: Burn It Down Edition: don't want soft, immature Zegres on my team. However talented.

They have enough character problems with Swayman, and possibly others, as it is.

I would trade Frederic if I could.

At this point, I would trade Pastrnak if I could.

I would even consider trading Charlie McAvoy. Never mind Charlie Coyle. Hampus? It goes without saying, unfortunately.

As much as I like Brad, I would trade him too. He is 36, has been through multiple surgeries and is clearly not the player he once was.

If the Bruins could get something from a club wanting to add to a Cup ready roster, I would do it.

If I could trade Swayman, bidding adeau to his apparently overweaning narcissism, I would.

With the top heavy, apparently terrible contracts they have, and the character issues they must address, I would clean house.

And that's from someone who still believes the roster is much better than it has performed.

I had high hopes for this team before the season began. They aren't as bad as they seem, but for various reasons, they are far from contending for a Stanley Cup.

If Lindholm #28 & Zadorov prove two more free agency whiffs in a long line of them (want a list?) amid all the rest, it would be best to dismantle the current, flawed unit and look forward.

Finally, I want Sweeney and Neely axed, at long last.

Past time.

It is a legitimate question to ask what might come afterward, in their place.

I don't know. But I would like to find out.

Which means, ultimately, it comes down to Charlie...

 

[easton117]

Looking down the road a bit. And assuming the Bruins tread water till the deadline.

Is there anything they could feasibly offer to get Nelson out of Long Island? Assuming Coyle would have to go the other way with something the Isles would actually want. Also assuming the Isles would be out of it by then which may or may not be a thing.