Boston Bruins 24-25 Roster/Cap thread XII

[The don godfather]

For anyone wondering what Jacobs thinks of Sweeney, listen to his interview on the subject from last night...

(Don't let Bob Sweeney's ugly face deter you, you can skip his part.)


I started that video 2 minutes in, but Jacobs has some great answers about what it means to own the team in the first 2 minutes and for folks thinking he's in it for the money, it's worth a listen.

Also, Cam Neely chimes in at the 10:36 mark and I think his response will make a lot of folks happy too, in that he talks about having two options moving forward, a plan to improve at the deadline but also a Plan B to re-tool if they're out of the playoff picture.

Edit: Sorry, didn't realize there was a whole thread devoted to these interviews. Still, it seems appropriate for this thread since it touches on Jacobs view of Sweeney and if he'd consider firing him (no chance) and Neely's approach to the trade deadline.

Basically Don and Cam show continues. Let's hope they get it right.

 

[AngryMilkcrates]

The thing that worries me about McQueen is that right now in junior his size is a big part of what helps him get by, but his skating is very slow and labored, if I could pick at 4 or 5 , I would take Misa over him easily. We already have a big guy in Letourneau that will be hit or miss

Good point!

I'm just trying not to get my hopes up for snagging a talent like Misa. Unless we trade up I don't see us getting him. But time will tell.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

Team he inherited missed the playoffs, and then missed again the following year.

Marchand took suspensions both those DNQ years totaling 7 games, decent possibility that may have cost them PO spot at least in 2016.

8th place or bust

I’ll grudgingly do 7th but soooooooo done with trying to build a super team

They trade for a rental I’m bringing a Bruins cake into the Pro Shoppe for Gordon Howe with a ‘you were right’ across the top

Can u fit in voice to text also?

 

[KillerMillerTime]

Where's Coyle at?

Turning the puck over inside the blue line?

 

[Gordoff]

So, I appreciate your point and put some thought into it. I looked at all the drafts since Sweeney took over, and from what I can see, there really weren't a lot of opportunities to draft top6 centers.

From 2018 to 2021 there were no top6 centers taken immediately after or in the round after the player we chose (if at all). In 2022 we picked Poitras. That covers 5 of his drafts. It's too early to tell what will become of the last 3 drafts but he did pick 8 centers including Dean Letourneau who's top6 or bust.

In 2017 they picked Vaakanainen and a promising center in Studnicka, but they could have picked Josh Norris.

In 2016 Frederic was picked 29th and he is the 23rd highest scorer from his draft year, but Kyrou was taken in the 2nd round so they could have picked him.

And of course we know he struck out in 2015.

So there is truth to what you're saying, at least in those first 3 drafts. On the other hand, he did come away with 9 NHL players in those 3 drafts. He hit on 41% of his picks, which blows the NHL average (19%) out of the water, and 2 of those 9 players were franchise cornerstones McAvoy and Swayman.

You mentioned Bergeron and Krejci being 30 when he got them, well Chara was 38 and Rask was 27 which isn't old but Swayman's first full season turned out to be Rask's last.

So yeah, the center issue wasn't addressed but the franchise G and D were. It sucks that he couldn't get a franchise C in there but I think this is where I fundamentally disagree with all the draft haters. Nobody drafts the "right guy" all the time. In fact, most teams draft the wrong guy 81% of the time.

I mentioned they could have taken Kyrou instead of Frederic. Here's a list of the busts who were taken before Kyrou: Puljuarvi, Jost, Brown, Kunin, Gauthier, Rubtsov, Borgstrom, Jones, Tufte, Howden, Steel, Korshkov, Benson, Asplund... and that's just the forwards. Jake Bean was taken right before McAvoy. Frederic was drafted after 11 of the guys I just listed.

So I guess what I'm saying is, yes he failed to draft a franchise center, but failures and misses are a fact of life with the draft. And he succeeded in drafting two franchise players in those 3 early years. After that, they took a swing on Studnicka and missed. 2018 to 2021 there are no centers taken at our spot or later that turned into top6 centers. In 2022 they got Poitras.


You think he's bad at hockey trades? He got two firsts for Lucic, he got a 1st and two 2nd's for Hamilton, he got a 1st for Ullmark, he got Zacha for Haula, he got Peeke for a 3rd round pick. Those seem like pretty good deals for Boston.

What's his plan now? I think he does what he's always done, try to make this team better. I guarantee he adds a top6 forward before the deadline. My guess is it will be someone who fits in long term. I think they'll need to move some money to make that addition work so that exchange could change the team dynamic but I don't think I'd go so far as to say it's a re-tool. I think Lohrei and Poitras take steps next season, and I think Sweeney adds another UFA for scoring depth on July 1st.

I also think players learn their lesson from this season and have more of a sense of urgency from the start of camp. I think Swayman rebounds, I think Pasta is fully recovered and comes out of the gates firing, I think Marchand starts off much stronger than he did this year... I think there is the potential for this team to be much better next season, but you're right, there is a lot of work to be done to get there.

Tufte eh? I guess Sweeney wanted him so badly he got him in free agency. Mmm Hmm

 

[Gordoff]

Neely: "We certainly don’t want to jeopardize getting out of the playoffs because we made some moves that may be good for the future but not good for the present.”

Yeah Cam, to heck with the future! I (you) want it now lol.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

So, I appreciate your point and put some thought into it. I looked at all the drafts since Sweeney took over, and from what I can see, there really weren't a lot of opportunities to draft top6 centers.

From 2018 to 2021 there were no top6 centers taken immediately after or in the round after the player we chose (if at all). In 2022 we picked Poitras. That covers 5 of his drafts. It's too early to tell what will become of the last 3 drafts but he did pick 8 centers including Dean Letourneau who's top6 or bust.

In 2017 they picked Vaakanainen and a promising center in Studnicka, but they could have picked Josh Norris.

In 2016 Frederic was picked 29th and he is the 23rd highest scorer from his draft year, but Kyrou was taken in the 2nd round so they could have picked him.

And of course we know he struck out in 2015.

So there is truth to what you're saying, at least in those first 3 drafts. On the other hand, he did come away with 9 NHL players in those 3 drafts. He hit on 41% of his picks, which blows the NHL average (19%) out of the water, and 2 of those 9 players were franchise cornerstones McAvoy and Swayman.

You mentioned Bergeron and Krejci being 30 when he got them, well Chara was 38 and Rask was 27 which isn't old but Swayman's first full season turned out to be Rask's last.

So yeah, the center issue wasn't addressed but the franchise G and D were. It sucks that he couldn't get a franchise C in there but I think this is where I fundamentally disagree with all the draft haters. Nobody drafts the "right guy" all the time. In fact, most teams draft the wrong guy 81% of the time.

I mentioned they could have taken Kyrou instead of Frederic. Here's a list of the busts who were taken before Kyrou: Puljuarvi, Jost, Brown, Kunin, Gauthier, Rubtsov, Borgstrom, Jones, Tufte, Howden, Steel, Korshkov, Benson, Asplund... and that's just the forwards. Jake Bean was taken right before McAvoy. Frederic was drafted after 11 of the guys I just listed.

So I guess what I'm saying is, yes he failed to draft a franchise center, but failures and misses are a fact of life with the draft. And he succeeded in drafting two franchise players in those 3 early years. After that, they took a swing on Studnicka and missed. 2018 to 2021 there are no centers taken at our spot or later that turned into top6 centers. In 2022 they got Poitras.


You think he's bad at hockey trades? He got two firsts for Lucic, he got a 1st and two 2nd's for Hamilton, he got a 1st for Ullmark, he got Zacha for Haula, he got Peeke for a 3rd round pick. Those seem like pretty good deals for Boston.

What's his plan now? I think he does what he's always done, try to make this team better. I guarantee he adds a top6 forward before the deadline. My guess is it will be someone who fits in long term. I think they'll need to move some money to make that addition work so that exchange could change the team dynamic but I don't think I'd go so far as to say it's a re-tool. I think Lohrei and Poitras take steps next season, and I think Sweeney adds another UFA for scoring depth on July 1st.

I also think players learn their lesson from this season and have more of a sense of urgency from the start of camp. I think Swayman rebounds, I think Pasta is fully recovered and comes out of the gates firing, I think Marchand starts off much stronger than he did this year... I think there is the potential for this team to be much better next season, but you're right, there is a lot of work to be done to get there.

Who is saying Steel or Kunin are busts? Those two don't belong in that list.

 

[4ORRBRUIN]

Turning the puck over inside the blue line?

Stick waiving at apposing players and chewing his gum angrily and have Brickly tell us when does something good a few times in a game.

 

[22Brad Park]

Bruins president ready to prepare for 2 paths ahead of trade deadline

The NHL trade isn’t until March 7, but the Boston Bruins must decide whether they’ll be buyers or sellers.

www.masslive.com

Because of where the Bruins are in the standings, the team must weigh all options.



“We’d certainly like improve. ... president Cam Neely told reporters at the 2025 Black and Gold Gala in Boston on Wednesday night. “We’ve got to look at two path. One that we’re buying. One that we may be retooling a little bit. We still feel like we’ve got a playoff team here. We certainly don’t want to jeopardize getting out of the playoffs because we made some moves that may be good for the future but not good for the present.”



Neely added that he doesn’t have the “appetite” for a roster retool, but noted they’ll be smart when it comes to what they need to do.



“If you do it again, you’ve got to know that you’re a team that has a good chance to have a deep run,” Neely said about being buyers. “You don’t want to go all-in and then not really feel confident that you’re going to have a deep run.”

Not sure how I feel hearing Neely say this.I am scared they are going to set this franchise back further chasing a playoff gate .Rather build a team that fans feel is legit Cup threat ,but I guess we will have to ride out the wait b4 we know.Whats the deadline early March?

For me, there are no untouchables on this roster, as my overall wish is to change the core and complexion of the team.

My further wish is to move on from SweeNeely.

I doubt either will occur.

In the event, my third wish in this unlikely scenario would be to keep certain players. Mathew and Mason are two of them.

Finally, my pipe dream desire would be handing the management reigns to newly minted GM Zdeno Chara and Bruins team President, Patrice Bergeron.

Neither will climb aboard any time soon, if ever.

One can dream.

I would be happy if Bruins retire their numbers soon

 

[DKH]

What did Sweeney have to show for those deals?

Love when newbies weigh in

 

[22Brad Park]

So, I appreciate your point and put some thought into it. I looked at all the drafts since Sweeney took over, and from what I can see, there really weren't a lot of opportunities to draft top6 centers.

From 2018 to 2021 there were no top6 centers taken immediately after or in the round after the player we chose (if at all). In 2022 we picked Poitras. That covers 5 of his drafts. It's too early to tell what will become of the last 3 drafts but he did pick 8 centers including Dean Letourneau who's top6 or bust.

In 2017 they picked Vaakanainen and a promising center in Studnicka, but they could have picked Josh Norris.

In 2016 Frederic was picked 29th and he is the 23rd highest scorer from his draft year, but Kyrou was taken in the 2nd round so they could have picked him.

And of course we know he struck out in 2015.

So there is truth to what you're saying, at least in those first 3 drafts. On the other hand, he did come away with 9 NHL players in those 3 drafts. He hit on 41% of his picks, which blows the NHL average (19%) out of the water, and 2 of those 9 players were franchise cornerstones McAvoy and Swayman.

You mentioned Bergeron and Krejci being 30 when he got them, well Chara was 38 and Rask was 27 which isn't old but Swayman's first full season turned out to be Rask's last.

So yeah, the center issue wasn't addressed but the franchise G and D were. It sucks that he couldn't get a franchise C in there but I think this is where I fundamentally disagree with all the draft haters. Nobody drafts the "right guy" all the time. In fact, most teams draft the wrong guy 81% of the time.

I mentioned they could have taken Kyrou instead of Frederic. Here's a list of the busts who were taken before Kyrou: Puljuarvi, Jost, Brown, Kunin, Gauthier, Rubtsov, Borgstrom, Jones, Tufte, Howden, Steel, Korshkov, Benson, Asplund... and that's just the forwards. Jake Bean was taken right before McAvoy. Frederic was drafted after 11 of the guys I just listed.

So I guess what I'm saying is, yes he failed to draft a franchise center, but failures and misses are a fact of life with the draft. And he succeeded in drafting two franchise players in those 3 early years. After that, they took a swing on Studnicka and missed. 2018 to 2021 there are no centers taken at our spot or later that turned into top6 centers. In 2022 they got Poitras.


You think he's bad at hockey trades? He got two firsts for Lucic, he got a 1st and two 2nd's for Hamilton, he got a 1st for Ullmark, he got Zacha for Haula, he got Peeke for a 3rd round pick. Those seem like pretty good deals for Boston.

What's his plan now? I think he does what he's always done, try to make this team better. I guarantee he adds a top6 forward before the deadline. My guess is it will be someone who fits in long term. I think they'll need to move some money to make that addition work so that exchange could change the team dynamic but I don't think I'd go so far as to say it's a re-tool. I think Lohrei and Poitras take steps next season, and I think Sweeney adds another UFA for scoring depth on July 1st.

I also think players learn their lesson from this season and have more of a sense of urgency from the start of camp. I think Swayman rebounds, I think Pasta is fully recovered and comes out of the gates firing, I think Marchand starts off much stronger than he did this year... I think there is the potential for this team to be much better next season, but you're right, there is a lot of work to be done to get there.

I respect the hell out of you for taking time to research it all .We do not have to agree on everything, but we can agree you put some effort and thought into explaining your side of it.Job well done

 

[Over the volcano]

Marchand took suspensions both those DNQ years totaling 7 games, decent possibility that may have cost them PO spot at least in 2016.

Yeah he inherited that too.

 

[LouJersey]

Only if you believe that the only reason that Chiarelli was fired was because they missed the playoffs once.

Is this another one of those "If we didn't take Sensyhyn at 15 he wouldn't be there when we moved down", or "we heard the Ducks were taking Frederic if the Bruins didnt"?

Regardless, whatever reason it was he had a much shorter leash and greater success then the current one

A playoff DNQ this season and they will be on the hot seat

Last year was the "retool" and this year was the build another juggernaut, or have we changed the rules on that as well I wonder

 

[PlayMakers]

I respect the hell out of you for taking time to research it all .We do not have to agree on everything, but we can agree you put some effort and thought into explaining your side of it.Job well done

Thanks I appreciate that. I think I'm going to bow out of the Sweeney discussion for now. I've said my piece. Folks are welcome to agree or disagree, c'est la vie.

I'd rather get back to talking about potential trades, roster construction, lines, etc.

 

[GordonHowe]

Your passion for this team is unquestioned, so I have to ask why would you want to hand the reigns over to a guy who has no experience at all of being on the managerial side of hockey ops. Although as we all know Chara is brilliant, but to just throw him right in with no experience, could be asking a bit too much. Imo at this point and time,there are a whole lot more qualified and prominent options out-there.

Yes.

I believe both Z and Patrice could handle taking charge immediately. However, I understand they need training, and in any case, I rather doubt either already to step back in at this point or anytime soon.

It's a pipe dream of mine, that's all.

PS I don't know who you bring in per management, but I keep harpng on Joe Quennville as head coach. There are problems with that. To underestimate matters considerably. Those two would never bring Joel in simply because they are allergic to criticism and bad PR.

Pie in the sky or realistic replacements please,

 

[LouJersey]

So, I appreciate your point and put some thought into it. I looked at all the drafts since Sweeney took over, and from what I can see, there really weren't a lot of opportunities to draft top6 centers.

From 2018 to 2021 there were no top6 centers taken immediately after or in the round after the player we chose (if at all). In 2022 we picked Poitras. That covers 5 of his drafts. It's too early to tell what will become of the last 3 drafts but he did pick 8 centers including Dean Letourneau who's top6 or bust.

In 2017 they picked Vaakanainen and a promising center in Studnicka, but they could have picked Josh Norris.

In 2016 Frederic was picked 29th and he is the 23rd highest scorer from his draft year, but Kyrou was taken in the 2nd round so they could have picked him.

And of course we know he struck out in 2015.

So there is truth to what you're saying, at least in those first 3 drafts. On the other hand, he did come away with 9 NHL players in those 3 drafts. He hit on 41% of his picks, which blows the NHL average (19%) out of the water, and 2 of those 9 players were franchise cornerstones McAvoy and Swayman.

You mentioned Bergeron and Krejci being 30 when he got them, well Chara was 38 and Rask was 27 which isn't old but Swayman's first full season turned out to be Rask's last.

So yeah, the center issue wasn't addressed but the franchise G and D were. It sucks that he couldn't get a franchise C in there but I think this is where I fundamentally disagree with all the draft haters. Nobody drafts the "right guy" all the time. In fact, most teams draft the wrong guy 81% of the time.

I mentioned they could have taken Kyrou instead of Frederic. Here's a list of the busts who were taken before Kyrou: Puljuarvi, Jost, Brown, Kunin, Gauthier, Rubtsov, Borgstrom, Jones, Tufte, Howden, Steel, Korshkov, Benson, Asplund... and that's just the forwards. Jake Bean was taken right before McAvoy. Frederic was drafted after 11 of the guys I just listed.

So I guess what I'm saying is, yes he failed to draft a franchise center, but failures and misses are a fact of life with the draft. And he succeeded in drafting two franchise players in those 3 early years. After that, they took a swing on Studnicka and missed. 2018 to 2021 there are no centers taken at our spot or later that turned into top6 centers. In 2022 they got Poitras.


You think he's bad at hockey trades? He got two firsts for Lucic, he got a 1st and two 2nd's for Hamilton, he got a 1st for Ullmark, he got Zacha for Haula, he got Peeke for a 3rd round pick. Those seem like pretty good deals for Boston.

What's his plan now? I think he does what he's always done, try to make this team better. I guarantee he adds a top6 forward before the deadline. My guess is it will be someone who fits in long term. I think they'll need to move some money to make that addition work so that exchange could change the team dynamic but I don't think I'd go so far as to say it's a re-tool. I think Lohrei and Poitras take steps next season, and I think Sweeney adds another UFA for scoring depth on July 1st.

I also think players learn their lesson from this season and have more of a sense of urgency from the start of camp. I think Swayman rebounds, I think Pasta is fully recovered and comes out of the gates firing, I think Marchand starts off much stronger than he did this year... I think there is the potential for this team to be much better next season, but you're right, there is a lot of work to be done to get there.

What am I missing here? Lucic since they weren't going to re-sign him I get...Hamilton deal was awful. First for Ullmark? That's a win? Zacha yes. Coyle yes. Peeke?

The funniest part about the Lucic and Hamilton deals was he got 4 picks in a draft "he had no time to study for"... made sense.

 

[PlayMakers]

This is a good resource to look at when thinking about trades and team needs...

Eastern Conf Deadline Objectives

2025 Eastern Conference team-by-team Trade Deadline objectives

Identifying the buyers, sellers and everyone in between leading up to March 7.

www.dailyfaceoff.com

Western Conf Deadline Objectives

2025 Western Conference team-by-team Trade Deadline Objectives

Breaking down the West into buyers, sellers and… stuff

www.dailyfaceoff.com

 

[22Brad Park]

Thanks I appreciate that. I think I'm going to bow out of the Sweeney discussion for now. I've said my piece. Folks are welcome to agree or disagree, c'est la vie.

I'd rather get back to talking about potential trades, roster construction, lines, etc.

I just got an update saying Canucks trading Boeser.Probably another false update

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

Is this another one of those "If we didn't take Sensyhyn at 15 he wouldn't be there when we moved down", or "we heard the Ducks were taking Frederic if the Bruins didnt"?

Regardless, whatever reason it was he had a much shorter leash and greater success then the current one


Last year was the "retool" and this year was the build another juggernaut, or have we changed the rules on that as well I wonder

No it’s the Chiarelli wanted to do stupid stuff and clashed with Cam over control so he got booted.

 

[PB37]

What am I missing here? Lucic since they weren't going to re-sign him I get...Hamilton deal was awful. First for Ullmark? That's a win? Zacha yes. Coyle yes. Peeke?

The funniest part about the Lucic and Hamilton deals was he got 4 picks in a draft "he had no time to study for"... made sense.

If I remember the story right, Bruins thought they had a deal in place to move the picks for a top ( 5? ) pick, but the other team backed out on draft day.

 

[LouJersey]

If I remember the story right, Bruins thought they had a deal in place to move the picks for a top ( 5? ) pick, but the other team backed out on draft day.

That's kind of my point, there is always a story with these guys and just not them saying "we f***ed up"

 

[Over the volcano]

Just a bit of trivia on the Lucic trade back in 2015.

Since that deal they've never had a pick as low as the 13th overall they got from LA and used on "consensus pick" Zboril.

Colin Miller was poached by Vegas in their expansion draft.

Martin Jones was flipped for the 2016 1st rounder they used to select current fan favorite Trent Frederic.

 

[Raleighfern]

Just a bit of trivia on the Lucic trade back in 2015. Since that deal they've never had a pick as low as the 13th overall they got from LA and used on "consensus pick" Zboril. Colin Miller was poached by Vegas in their expansion draft and the pick Martin Jones was flipped for ended up being used to select current fan favorite Trent Frederic in 2016.

sean kuraly was involved as well, iirc

 

[Over the volcano]

sean kuraly was involved as well, iirc

Oh yeah he was. What a haul all together.

 

[PlayMakers]

A Vancouver fan on the main board suggested...

Zacha, Zadorov and a protected 1st for JT Miller.

For folks saying Carlo, Zacha and a 1st doesn't get the conversation started, this was coming from one of their fans and nobody really pushed back on him.