Boston Bruins 24-25 Roster/Cap thread XI

[veganbruin]

I would love to find a way to move on from McAvoy and Swayman. I know it is very unlikely either of them move. but a guy can dream right?

 

[TCB]

That's an interesting setup. I think you'd need a Bergeron / O'Reilly / Larkin type #1c to play with Marchand and Pasta, but I like the idea of building a 2nd line around Poitras. I don't know if he's ready for that, but that's where he'll end up eventually.

I also think you have E.Lindholm appropriately slotted, unfortunately that makes for the most expensive 3rd line in hockey. Folks here complain about Coyle at $5m and that's pretty much the going rate for a "good" free agent 3c (Pageau, Kotkaniemi, Lundell all make $5m). Spend almost $8m on that spot and folks heads will explode. If the Bruins had some ELC's in the top6 maybe they could swing it but I'm not sure they can fill out a top6 with that much money on the 3rd line.

I see you kept Carlo too. I get that. He's struggled mightily this season, but he's been a solid #2RD his whole career. I had him on my trade bait list because I think he could fetch some value back in the form of a top6 player. I know moving him creates a hole now, but my thinking was maybe that's a spot you fill with a cheap UFA vet in the off-season.

I appreciate the different outlook. Have you thought about how. you'd fill three top6 spots? Marchand and Geekie probably eat up $9m of the $21m we have projected. The cap could go to $95m so I guess you'd have between $11m and $16m to get 3 top6 forwards and a 4th line RW.

Good question.Cap wise you'd have to move players out to fill the need of a two 6 forwards. Realistically its not going to happen, we'd be lucky if one top 6 forward came aboard. Really think they should start a re-tool. Id see whats out there for McAvoy, if he can bring back a true number one Center I'd do it, but it'd be like robbing peter to pay Paul. I really think a change at the top needs to be done, before any re-tooling begins, but I don't see it happening.

I think if the Bruins are to make the playoffs this year Sweeney will have to trade more futures and I really think thats the last thing he wants to do, and the longer he waits the more difficult it will be to make the playoffs. Not much between a lot of the teams, Bruins could be one big acquisition from being real competitive or maybe not. If the Blue Jackets, wings ,Penguins, Flyers,Hell even the Habs make a great deal they could be right there or maybe not. In other words imo Sweeney between a rock and a hard place, hopefully he goes the right way whatever way that is.

 

[Coach Parker]

What does your core team look like next year? Who do you want to see back, and where do you want to see guys slotted?

I think it's an important excercise to do pre-deadline because it kind of sheds light on who's expendable both on the team and in the minors.

I think mine looks like...

#1LW/C - Zacha - Pasta
Marsh - Lindholm - #2RW/C
#3LW - Poitras - Geekie or Brazeau
Koepke - Kastelic - #4RW

Zadorov - McAvoy
Lindholm - #2RD
Lohrei - Peeke

#1G - Korpisalo

That leaves Coyle, Frederic, Carlo and possibly Swayman (although extremely unlikely as it makes no sense to trade Sway when his value is so low).

I also don't really know how to fit Lysell in. Maybe he'd work on the Lindholm line, but then who plays against top lines? Poitras shouldn't have to handle that load. Pasta can't do it.

Ungh. As if watching them this year wasn't hard enough, this lineup is paint-dry.

 

[4ORRBRUIN]

Playoffs are far from a certainty partially do to his meager performance to dat

yup

 

[4ORRBRUIN]

What does your core team look like next year? Who do you want to see back, and where do you want to see guys slotted?

I think it's an important excercise to do pre-deadline because it kind of sheds light on who's expendable both on the team and in the minors.

I think mine looks like...

#1LW/C - Zacha - Pasta
Marsh - Lindholm - #2RW/C
#3LW - Poitras - Geekie or Brazeau
Koepke - Kastelic - #4RW

Zadorov - McAvoy
Lindholm - #2RD
Lohrei - Peeke

#1G - Korpisalo

That leaves Coyle, Frederic, Carlo and possibly Swayman (although extremely unlikely as it makes no sense to trade Sway when his value is so low).

I also don't really know how to fit Lysell in. Maybe he'd work on the Lindholm line, but then who plays against top lines? Poitras shouldn't have to handle that load. Pasta can't do it.

Better be adding young all-star forwards to that group in those empty spots you have.

Same core a year older, Brad can hardly string two good games togather as it is. Lindholm looks to be trending way down, Zacha is Zacha.

I bet we dont see half this current roster in a Bruin uniform when its all settled

 

[NeelyDan]

This place is such a reflection of modern society in that people can rarely respond to a different or unique opinion without being condescending, belittling and just needlessly mean.

Things would likely go much differently if these conversations took place at a pub like they used to.

 

[smithformeragent]

If someone knows a way out of this, something that will spark the Bruins out of their midseason malaise, well, enter and sign in, please.

The bedraggled Black and Gold, in their longest winless streak of the season (0-3-1), and with the Cup-contending-woke-again Oilers here on Tuesday night, appear to be poised to ride out 2024-25 with status quo the way to go.

If there is a trade to be made, the front office is shopping at Trader No’s.

If there is a warm, viable, potentially productive body to call up from Providence (good morning, Matt Poitras), Cam Neely and Don Sweeney have their cellphones switched to OFF.

If there is some secret sauce for interim coach Joe Sacco to ladle over what is believed to be the weakest power play since the pre-Bobby Orr days, it remains on a back burner at the Garden’s Iron Horse test kitchen. (Note: the NHL only has power-play stats dating to 1977-78)

Watching Chapter 42 of the regular season play out Sunday night, a 5-4 overtime loss to the Islanders at the Garden, brought back memories of the late-November 2005 Bruins. Specifically, Nov. 29, in New Jersey, where a 3-2 loss to the Devils dropped that one-win-a-week iteration of the Bruins to 8-13-5.

Not even 24 hours later, after having been hosed on a faceoff vs. John Madden that led to Alex Mogilny’s game-winner with 32 seconds to go, Bruins captain Joe Thornton was summarily shipped to the Sharks. What had been a slow drip of a season suddenly cascaded with Niagara Falls force.

It remains, arguably, the NHL’s biggest trade of the 21st century, particularly from the Sharks’ perspective. They landed a franchise center, one who is now poised to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Oh, how the January 2025 Bruins could use a bona fide No. 1 pivot right about now. Spoiler: Elias Lindholm isn’t that guy.

In the wake of the ill-fated Jumbo Joe trade, the Bruins plummeted, with Mike O’Connell dismissed as general manager the following spring, and legendary team boss Harry Sinden shoved deeper into the front office broom closet. By late spring, Peter Chiarelli was installed as the clerk of the works and the franchise was on to a new era.

Change, forever slow to happen on Causeway Street … until it isn’t.

The current Bruins aren’t as bad as the ones on which Thornton made his last stand. The record (20-17-5) alone tells us that. With a .536 points percentage, No. 7 in the East, they remain in the playoff picture, though expecting anything other than a Round 1 knockout would be a flight of fancy incapable of getting off the ground.

It’s also possible the Bruins miss the playoffs outright, though for that to happen, two of the following sorry lot would have to eclipse them in the also-ran category: Ottawa, Pittsburgh, Columbus, and Montreal. Possible, but not practical.

It’s that low risk of a DNQ, something that hasn’t happened here since 2016, that plays into the status quo posture. Neely and Sweeney acted when the record stood 8-9-3 (.475), cashing out Jim Montgomery as coach Nov. 19 with a playoff berth about to slip out of the picture. Under Sacco, they’ve gone 12-8–2 and now the hope (and prayer?) is that a finish somewhere around 88-92 points will be sufficient to clinch a playoff berth.

Meanwhile, the waiting continues.

Because of contract restrictions written into most of the pricey deals on the roster, there really isn’t a shock trade to make on the magnitude of the Thornton deal. The need may be there, to shake the lethargy, but the biggest names are protected.

For instance, David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy, still have years of “no move” protection. Ditto for newcomer Elias Lindholm and the injured Hampus Lindholm. Brad Marchand can be dealt, but Sweeney and Neely aren’t about to swap out their captain, who, by the way, remains on course to be an unrestricted free agent July 1.

Forwards Charlie Coyle and Pavel Zacha, along with veteran defenseman Brandon Carlo, can be dealt, though all three have varying ability to govern what teams they would accept in trade.

Franchise goaltender Jeremy Swayman, signed on the eve of the season for eight years/$66 million, is the one gemstone who can be dealt. Because of his age (25 when he signed the deal), his “no move” clause won’t trigger until the start of 2026-27, which would have been the season he bridged into unrestricted free agency.

Realistically, dealing Swayman is absolutely, positively, 99 percent out of the question, which is another way of saying anything can happen (see: Wayne Gretzky, age 27, Edmonton to Los Angeles, Aug. 9, 1988).

Just keep in mind, Thornton was fresh from signing a three-year/$20 million package with the Bruins when he pulled on that teal Sharks sweater. Neither the front office nor Bruins ownership was happy about the price.

A No. 1 pick (1997), Jumbo Joe’s profile in the Hub of Hockey at the time was larger than that of Swayman today. We can argue whether a No. 1 center or a No. 1 goaltender plays a bigger role in a franchise’s fate, but all the ballyhoo around the Thornton draft and his eight years/532 games in residence, along with the captain’s “C” on his sweater, gave him a unique standing on the roster. Until, it didn’t.

For now, no one is going anywhere, be it framed by personnel or wins, losses, and league standings.

The beat goes on. No trades, no call-ups, and no discernible form of life to be found on planet power play.

There’s no need for me to post any more between now and the end of the season.

KPD literally said it all here.

 

[Coach Parker]

This place is such a reflection of modern society in that people can rarely respond to a different or unique opinion without being condescending, belittling and just needlessly mean.

Things would likely go much differently if these conversations took place at a pub like they used to.

Agreed.

And you and I would still be sitting there trying to watch this team, then starting to talk about ANYTHING else, then asking the bartender to mute the game, then asking him to put something else on so we don't fall asleep in our Guiness'.

 

[PlayMakers]

Ungh. As if watching them this year wasn't hard enough, this lineup is paint-dry.

? That lineup is incomplete. Insert your preferred 'big name players' and punch it up.

 

[PlayMakers]

Better be adding young all-star forwards to that group in those empty spots you have.

Same core a year older, Brad can hardly string two good games togather as it is. Lindholm looks to be trending way down, Zacha is Zacha.

I bet we dont see half this current roster in a Bruin uniform when its all settled

I'm hoping they focus on guys under 24 at the deadline. Someone like Dylan Cozens. Then sign Ehlers and you've added two top6 guys under 27. One is a former 30 goal guy, the other a point per game guy.

I'd be shocked if they turned out more than half the roster. When was the last time a team, any team, turned over more than half their roster in one off-season? Even the worst of the worst don't turn over half the roster.

 

[smithformeragent]

"Not in their DNA" - Elliotte Friedman issues clear message to Boston Bruins over rebuild dilemma

Hockey analyst Elliotte Friedman discussed the Boston Bruins' uncertain form during his weekly podcast on Monday.

www.sportskeeda.com

“Boston has some elite players," Friedman said. "Look at Pittsburgh. They have the elite of the elite. But it catches up with you eventually. Eventually, you hit that cycle where you have to decide, are we going to rebuild and tear down? And you and I have talked a lot about the rebuild and the teardown and how hard they are. ... I think Boston, to me, like rebuilding is not in their DNA.”

 

[PB37]

What does your core team look like next year? Who do you want to see back, and where do you want to see guys slotted?

I think it's an important excercise to do pre-deadline because it kind of sheds light on who's expendable both on the team and in the minors.

I think mine looks like...

#1LW/C - Zacha - Pasta
Marsh - Lindholm - #2RW/C
#3LW - Poitras - Geekie or Brazeau
Koepke - Kastelic - #4RW

Zadorov - McAvoy
Lindholm - #2RD
Lohrei - Peeke

#1G - Korpisalo

That leaves Coyle, Frederic, Carlo and possibly Swayman (although extremely unlikely as it makes no sense to trade Sway when his value is so low).

I also don't really know how to fit Lysell in. Maybe he'd work on the Lindholm line, but then who plays against top lines? Poitras shouldn't have to handle that load. Pasta can't do it.

The top 6 needs a speedy goalscorer. I like Geekie, I like Brazeau, and I even like Frederic when he's not playing like ass. But the lack of footspeed on them is noticeable, especially when we hear about how the Bruins coaching staff wants them to play with pace. Brazeau hustles and his smarts put him in the right place, same with Geekie, and when Frederic isn't loafing, his top end speed is solid. But they're still heavy guys who aren't going to be confused with being fast skaters. Then they throw a guy who's probably the most leaded footed of them all out there in Wahlstrom, which boggles my mind.

 

[4ORRBRUIN]

I'm hoping they focus on guys under 24 at the deadline. Someone like Dylan Cozens. Then sign Ehlers and you've added two top6 guys under 27. One is a former 30 goal guy, the other a point per game guy.

I'd be shocked if they turned out more than half the roster. When was the last time a team, any team, turned over more than half their roster in one off-season? Even the worst of the worst don't turn over half the roster.

Maybe not half but the guys I see as possible movers one way or another are

Carlo
Coyle
TF
Beecher
koepke
Wotherspoon
Oesterle
Korpo
McLaughlin
Wahlstrom

​

Out of left field
Brad retires or signs somewhere else (Pens)

 

[TCB]

"Not in their DNA" - Elliotte Friedman issues clear message to Boston Bruins over rebuild dilemma

Hockey analyst Elliotte Friedman discussed the Boston Bruins' uncertain form during his weekly podcast on Monday.

www.sportskeeda.com

“Boston has some elite players," Friedman said. "Look at Pittsburgh. They have the elite of the elite. But it catches up with you eventually. Eventually, you hit that cycle where you have to decide, are we going to rebuild and tear down? And you and I have talked a lot about the rebuild and the teardown and how hard they are. ... I think Boston, to me, like rebuilding is not in their DNA.”

The exact reason Sweeney needs to go. Well maybe not just that reason alone.

 

[TCB]

Maybe not half but the guys I see as possible movers one way or another are

Carlo
Coyle
TF
Beecher
koepke
Wotherspoon
Oesterle
Korpo
McLaughlin
Wahlstrom

​

Out of left field
Brad retires or signs somewhere else (Pens)

Let’s say the Bruins continue to struggle and by the time the 4 nations tourney comes around their on the outside looking in, and MacKinnon and Marchand form an incredible chemistry on the ice at the 4 nations, enough where Nate says hey Brad come on over and help us win another Cup in Colorado.

I think he’s gone if that’s the case. Not to far out of the realm of possibility.

 

[Absurdity]

What does your core team look like next year? Who do you want to see back, and where do you want to see guys slotted?

I think it's an important excercise to do pre-deadline because it kind of sheds light on who's expendable both on the team and in the minors.

I think mine looks like...

#1LW/C - Zacha - Pasta
Marsh - Lindholm - #2RW/C
#3LW - Poitras - Geekie or Brazeau
Koepke - Kastelic - #4RW

Zadorov - McAvoy
Lindholm - #2RD
Lohrei - Peeke

#1G - Korpisalo

That leaves Coyle, Frederic, Carlo and possibly Swayman (although extremely unlikely as it makes no sense to trade Sway when his value is so low).

I also don't really know how to fit Lysell in. Maybe he'd work on the Lindholm line, but then who plays against top lines? Poitras shouldn't have to handle that load. Pasta can't do it.

Bruins need to try Poitras and Lysell in the top 6.

 

[PlayMakers]

The top 6 needs a speedy goalscorer. I like Geekie, I like Brazeau, and I even like Frederic when he's not playing like ass. But the lack of footspeed on them is noticeable, especially when we hear about how the Bruins coaching staff wants them to play with pace. Brazeau hustles and his smarts put him in the right place, same with Geekie, and when Frederic isn't loafing, his top end speed is solid. But they're still heavy guys who aren't going to be confused with being fast skaters. Then they throw a guy who's probably the most leaded footed of them all out there in Wahlstrom, which boggles my mind.

That group of players is very similar. Lots of big and heavy. I think Sweeney was picturing a team that ground down other teams with heavy board play and greasy goals. Maybe that's what we'll see in the playoffs, if we make the playoffs, but there is definitely a lack of creativity and skill. Outside of Pasta and Marchand, none of the other forwards beat their man 1on1, nobody makes passes that outsmart everyone.

 

[GordonHowe]

 

[4ORRBRUIN]

Let’s say the Bruins continue to struggle and by the time the 4 nations tourney comes around their on the outside looking in, and MacKinnon and Marchand form an incredible chemistry on the ice at the 4 nations, enough where Nate says hey Brad come on over and help us win another Cup in Colorado.

I think he’s gone if that’s the case. Not to far out of the realm of possibility.

And I would welcome that, Brad has earned that right. Be interesting what his value would be to the Colorado

That group of players is very similar. Lots of big and heavy. I think Sweeney was picturing a team that ground down other teams with heavy board play and greasy goals. Maybe that's what we'll see in the playoffs, if we make the playoffs, but there is definitely a lack of creativity and skill. Outside of Pasta and Marchand, none of the other forwards beat their man 1on1, nobody makes passes that outsmart everyone.

Geekie, has set up Pasta with some amazing passing

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

I think the top line needs someone on the left who can distribute the puck. Geekie has been great at creating space and lining up on his off-hand has given him a more consistent, better shooting angle. But he doesn’t own very good vision/creativity and he’s not great at getting the puck to his linemates.

With that assertion in mind, I will propose making a play at getting Matias Maccelli out of Utah. He’s been relegated to the fourth line recently, but last season put up 17 and 40 and at 24, is the right age for guys the Bruins should be looking at.

I don’t know what the pieces of a deal could be. And (believe me) I’d rather have someone with physicality to their game in that spot. But Maccelli brings a lot of skill to the table and I imagine his game gelling with Pastrnak and Zacha.

 

[shelbysdad]

If we end up with let's say 15

That's an interesting setup. I think you'd need a Bergeron / O'Reilly / Larkin type #1c to play with Marchand and Pasta, but I like the idea of building a 2nd line around Poitras. I don't know if he's ready for that, but that's where he'll end up eventually.

I also think you have E.Lindholm appropriately slotted, unfortunately that makes for the most expensive 3rd line in hockey. Folks here complain about Coyle at $5m and that's pretty much the going rate for a "good" free agent 3c (Pageau, Kotkaniemi, Lundell all make $5m). Spend almost $8m on that spot and folks heads will explode. If the Bruins had some ELC's in the top6 maybe they could swing it but I'm not sure they can fill out a top6 with that much money on the 3rd line.

I see you kept Carlo too. I get that. He's struggled mightily this season, but he's been a solid #2RD his whole career. I had him on my trade bait list because I think he could fetch some value back in the form of a top6 player. I know moving him creates a hole now, but my thinking was maybe that's a spot you fill with a cheap UFA vet in the off-season.

I appreciate the different outlook. Have you thought about how. you'd fill three top6 spots? Marchand and Geekie probably eat up $9m of the $21m we have projected. The cap could go to $95m so I guess you'd have between $11m and $16m to get 3 top6 forwards and a 4th line RW.

So the choice will be a high end center and play the kids
Or
Sign more players like jvr, Geekie, heinen which is already what we have too much of

 

[bruinmann77]

keep that 1st

 

[DKH]

I’m hopeful for 8th seed and not trading first

After 10 years (2013-14 to 2022-23) of the most points, three President Trophies, losing in the 7th game I’m out on trying to build the super team, trading firsts.

Seriously, burned out from the expectations and disappointments

You get the 8th seed no expectations, no ridiculous costs for a potential extra game (yah that’s about me), you advance it’s an upset everyone is excited, you lose you pick 17-20 which is about area Connor, Barzal, Norris, and Thomas went after Boston took Sensyshyn & Vaakanainen.

The losses don’t move the needle for me anymore - i obviously want them to win and I’m going next 3-4 games but just get 8th and be the spoiler

Just under no circumstances trade that first for any rentel the odds are it’s just a loss of future

Honestly if they sneak in last week I’ll be happy I’m interested in what’s going on

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

That group of players is very similar. Lots of big and heavy. I think Sweeney was picturing a team that ground down other teams with heavy board play and greasy goals. Maybe that's what we'll see in the playoffs, if we make the playoffs, but there is definitely a lack of creativity and skill. Outside of Pasta and Marchand, none of the other forwards beat their man 1on1, nobody makes passes that outsmart everyone.

With my proposed acquisition of Maccelli:

Maccelli - Zacha - Pastrnak
Geekie - Poitras - Frederic/Lysell
Marchand - Lindholm - Coyle
Koepke - Kastelic - Brazeau
Beecher, Etcetera

Inject some creativity and skill into the lineup with the new acquisition, Poitras and (perhaps) Lysell. Keep that Marchand line together against other teams’ best. And (I think) it’s doable, feasible.

 

[PlayMakers]

Maybe not half but the guys I see as possible movers one way or another are

Carlo
Coyle
TF
Beecher
koepke
Wotherspoon
Oesterle
Korpo
McLaughlin
Wahlstrom

​

Out of left field
Brad retires or signs somewhere else (Pens)

I think a lot of those names are definitely on the block.

For me, Carlo and Coyle fall under the big shakeup type trade that KPD is talking about. It's a long shot but it could be what they need to add some talent to the top6.

I think Frederic is a goner. I like the player (especially the previous two years) but I want all our cap space going to add top6 talent, and we have several of the big/heavy types in Geekie and Brazeau.

I think they re-sign Koepke, he's been a very good 4th liner.

Beecher... if they could get a decent pick or prospect for him in trade they should do it, but you don't see a lot of deals for 4th liners, and since he's an RFA I expect him to come back as the 9th/10th forward.

McLaughlin may not re-sign even if offered. He's a UFA and he looks to me like a good, energetic 4th liner. If the Bruins aren't going to give him a spot someone will.

Wotherspoon and Oesterle are just organizational depth. If they don't come back someone just like them will take their place (so I don't see why they wouldn't be back if the money works).

If Wahlstrom doesn't start producing I could see them not tendering him as well. He's played better of late, he's competing, but he's got to produce if his main attribute is offense.