Boston Bruins 24-25 Roster/Cap thread XII

[Coach Parker]

If I were to build the perfect center for David Pastrnak, it would look a lot like JT Miller. He's big, fast and physical. He forechecks hard and is a play driver who wins battles and sets up scoring chances out of the corners. He's a playmaker first, but he also has a wicked shot and can beat goalies clean from distance. He's good on face-offs. He back checks hard and he's fast enough to catch guys. He's a left shot who plays the opposite elbow on the power play and has a good 1-timer. He's intense and plays with fire which I'd like to think would help keep Pasta engaged. I think he could be our Sam Bennett.

My reservations are his age, his off-ice issues and the fact that it is exceedingly rare for a team with two top6 centers over 30 to win a Cup.

Maybe that last reservation has already been solved, if Lindholm sticks on the 3rd line. Either way, I've decided that's not really JT Miller's problem. If you can add a 100 point center, you do it. You can always figure out what to do with the other guy afterwards.

The off-ice issues are scary too, but as others have mentioned, they have two guys who played with him. I could see a scenario where the Bruins ask for their input and are satisfied that whatever happened in Vancouver won't happen here.

Lastly, the age is an issue. Age declining curves are real, as are the handful of the guys who beat them. Miller is 31 and will be 36 on the last year of his deal. I think it's safe to say he won't be a point per game center by the end of it, but he probably doesn't have to be. The core of this team is 26-28 so their window is probably the next 2-3 years, and I do think Miller can give you top6 center for at least 2 of those years. If he starts to fade in year 3 or 4 he has a game that will translate further down the lineup and he can play any position so there should still be utility there, and an $8m cap hit with a $125m cap is probably going to be 3rd liner money by then.

So, long story short (too late) I would take a chance on Miller. I can see why some people love the idea and I can see why some people hate the idea. I don't think either side is 'wrong' but for me, I think the potential negatives can be overcome, and I fully expect him to spark some bubble team to an amazing second half, and be a driver for them again next year. If the price is right, why not us?

Perfectly said.

For me, the window is only open 2-3 years with or without a Miller trade. That's it folks, and we've already stretched it almost a half decade longer than I thought they would (2019 to now). That's impressive.

For people worrying about Miller's $8,000,000 in 2029 and 2030 I want you to picture a $110,000,000 Salary Cap. Miller could be paid and the cap % be exactly lined up with a 3rd line C.

Now add in that Marchand will be long gone and Pastrnak 33, McAvoy 32, Swayman 31, Lindholm 35 and the Bruins will be moving players out along he way.

Finally, look at what the Bruins got out of Krejci, Marchand, Chara and Bergeron 30-35. Miller is currently outscoring all their paces leading into these next five years and is the fastest of all of them on his skates.

Worry about 2030 is the exact same as worry about which Minor Peewee kid is going in the top ten NHL draft.

Bingo. Add Patrick Laine to that list. Obviously he can't pick up the phone and magically get any player he wants, but you don't even hear a whisper about the Bruins being interested in high-offense players.

Laine will haunt me. Not only was a begging all summer and off-season for the Bruins to get him (people were getting really sick of me writing and posting about him) but he signs in Montreal and does exactly what I thought he would do.

 

[The don godfather]

I don't want jt Miller hes 31 especially giving up zacha who at 4.75 aav and 27 years old. Move on.

 

[GordonHowe]

FWIW,

J.T. Miller Compared to Former Toxic Winnipeg Jets Player by Darren Dreger

Vancouver Canucks forward J.T. Miller was compared to former toxic Winnipeg Jets player Blake Wheeler by insider Darren Dreger. With many reports suggesting the feud between J.T.

www.yardbarker.com

 

[BigGoalBrad]

FWIW,

J.T. Miller Compared to Former Toxic Winnipeg Jets Player by Darren Dreger

Vancouver Canucks forward J.T. Miller was compared to former toxic Winnipeg Jets player Blake Wheeler by insider Darren Dreger. With many reports suggesting the feud between J.T.

www.yardbarker.com

Id rather have an ahole than someone like Carlo or Lindholm who's too passive.

Elias must be open to returning to Vancouver.

I still think TF should go. He is only better because he is getting some top line time, and his improved play will not last. (/you are kidding yourself if you think it will.)

Geekie should stay. He has good chemistry with 88 and is young enough where he won't be too expensive. He is also a consistent player save the first 20 games this year.

Carlo should go, decent rh d man, but one concussion away and just a bad fit here now. He is decent when paired with a quicker d and i would much, much rather move and replace Zadorov, but that is not realistic.

Fredric in a hockey trade when we'd lose him in free agency makes all the sense in the world his contributions the rest of this season won't make or break us getting the 8 seed. Don't let him walk for nothing.

 

[jmon1313]

I wouldn't take JT Miller for free.

Guy is a toxic person and player.

 

[Fenian24]

I'll take an 80-90 point center that plays like a d*** everyday of the week. Miller would give you 4 real top 6 forwards, you can then sign another in the off season.

 

[Dr Hook]

I'll take an 80-90 point center that plays like a d*** everyday of the week. Miller would give you 4 real top 6 forwards, you can then sign another in the off season.

I don't think the issue is that he plays like a dick, but rather that he acts like one to his teammates. Plenty of guys who play that way that don't appear to have issues with teammates and in the room (like Brad, or the Tkachuks, for example).

 

[easton117]

I don't think the issue is that he plays like a dick, but rather that he acts like one to his teammates. Plenty of guys who play that way that don't appear to have issues with teammates and in the room (like Brad, or the Tkachuks, for example).

Think it depends on the room right? Every workplace has an ahole or two. A good room should be able to direct that douchebaggery in the right direction.

Now whether Boston is or is not that place I have no idea. They do seem to be falling in to that country club atmosphere that some teams end up in though.

 

[McGarnagle]

We were incredibly fortunate to have a room run by Chara and Bergeron for nearly two decades. Now we're back to dealing with the kinds of drama that normal teams have to deal with.

 

[quietbruinfan]

I don't think the issue is that he plays like a dick, but rather that he acts like one to his teammates. Plenty of guys who play that way that don't appear to have issues with teammates and in the room (like Brad, or the Tkachuks, for example).

You nailed it. He is known as a hypocrite who rips into teammates then goes out and floats and does the things he did not like in his teammates.

 

[jmon1313]

I'll take an 80-90 point center that plays like a d*** everyday of the week. Miller would give you 4 real top 6 forwards, you can then sign another in the off season.

He plays 0 defense and then screams at his teammates for not playing hard enough.

He's toxic in the locker room.

Oh and ignoring that his contract goes until he's 37, cause we haven't learned the lesson about acquiring older physical players, because they are known to age well.

 

[Dr Hook]

Think it depends on the room right? Every workplace has an ahole or two. A good room should be able to direct that douchebaggery in the right direction.

Now whether Boston is or is not that place I have no idea. They do seem to be falling in to that country club atmosphere that some teams end up in though.

It's happened more than once with him in Vancouver, though. And IIRC, and its going back a bit, so I could be misremembering, that there were some problems with him on the Rangers too. It's already problematic for me (though not others and that's fine) to get an aging high-dollar player and give up what will likely have to be given. That's the shit that keeps getting the Bruins in trouble and it needs to stop. Just my view, and I think there is merit to the argument about getting a player like that. To add the off-ice nonsense on top that, though,just makes it a non-starter for me.

Caveat: if he does come here, I will be 100% behind him as a Bruin and hope that all this locker room cancer stuff was overblown.

 

[4ORRBRUIN]

I wouldn't take JT Miller for free.

Guy is a toxic person and player.

God forbid we add some guys than actually play the game and have a heartbeat.

 

[JCRO]

Like others have said, you approach guys like Zadorov and Lindholm who have both played with Miller and get their feedback. Do the homework. If there is even a whiff of this “locker room cancer” trait everyone is insinuating, then I doubt the Bs shell out to bring him in.

That is the caliber of player they desperately need at center though. And I don’t think EP is moved before Miller.

 

[sarge88]

I don't think the issue is that he plays like a dick, but rather that he acts like one to his teammates. Plenty of guys who play that way that don't appear to have issues with teammates and in the room (like Brad, or the Tkachuks, for example).

Only asking because I don’t know…this isn’t a “gotcha” attempt, but he wasn’t disliked by teammates in TB, was he?

Maybe he’s just one of those guys who are intense and have high expectations and can’t hide it when teammates don’t perform or work hard?

I have no idea, of course….but like some have said….we haven’t won’t with nice guys.

Might as well try something else.

 

[Dr Hook]

Only asking because I don’t know…this isn’t a “gotcha” attempt, but he wasn’t disliked by teammates in TB, was he?

Maybe he’s just one of those guys who are intense and have high expectations and can’t hide it when teammates don’t perform or work hard?

I have no idea, of course….but like some have said….we haven’t won’t with nice guys.

Might as well try something else.

Good question, and I don't know about TB. He wasn't there very long- got him at the deadline and for one full season after that- so maybe he wasn't there long enough to cause problems, or maybe the Stamkos/Hedman et al. room kept him in check They didn't keep him for whatever that's worth, though.

My biggest issue with Miller is the contract and the age, the extra stuff sucks, but as we know, can be overblown by media, and one man's intensity can be another man's dickhead. It's just something on top of being a direction I would prefer the team not to go in. five-hundred time bitten, five-hundred and one times shy I guess

 

[sarge88]

Good question, and I don't know about TB. He wasn't there very long- got him at the deadline and for one full season after that- so maybe he wasn't there long enough to cause problems, or maybe the Stamkos/Hedman et al. room kept him in check They didn't keep him for whatever that's worth, though.

I was thinking he was there longer. Strong locker room with a lot of vets, he probably didn’t get much of a chance to have an effect on their culture.

 

[jmon1313]

God forbid we add some guys than actually play the game and have a heartbeat.

Tell his heartbeat to try backchecking.

 

[DKH]

Let the Geek & perhaps Peeke go. Frederic without question.

Unfortunately, Charlie Coyle & John Beecher, who simply can't find the net, as much as I've rooted for him.

A "mid" prospect, as Evan Marinofsky might say. They should, uh, figure out what they have in Lysell & Merkulov and get on with it.

Poop or get off the pot, to paraphrase Nixon in another context.

If they defer, they defer. I would investigate, confirm in preliminary fashion and go from there.

I don't want to trade Brando. Many do. Most don't quite understand how good he is, in his quiet way. You can't make a player something they're not, generally speaking, as Butch observed when speaking of Carlo. He's not a bruiser. He's an intelligent, conservative, solid D with a long reach and a disruptive stick.

Keep him if you can. If not, not.

Tootles,









Not Mason, not Mathew.

Let the Geek & Peeke go?

Said by a guy who is working in the pro shop during games and doesn’t watch - TV is your enemy

 

[Mick Riddleton]

I do not see any news on Miller and Boston. Jersey, the Rags and maybe Dallas are mentioned a lot.

 

[bbfan419]

Only way I take Miller, Coyle has to be part of it going the other way.

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

God forbid we add some guys than actually play the game and have a heartbeat.

See that’s the motte and Bailey argument. “He just wants to win and he plays hard why wouldn’t you want guys like that?”

It’s completely inaccurate. Sweeney doesn’t even need to talk to Elias and Zad - everyone in the league knows the guy is an asshole.

 

[Tbaybruin]

If I were to build the perfect center for David Pastrnak, it would look a lot like JT Miller. He's big, fast and physical. He forechecks hard and is a play driver who wins battles and sets up scoring chances out of the corners. He's a playmaker first, but he also has a wicked shot and can beat goalies clean from distance. He's good on face-offs. He back checks hard and he's fast enough to catch guys. He's a left shot who plays the opposite elbow on the power play and has a good 1-timer. He's intense and plays with fire which I'd like to think would help keep Pasta engaged. I think he could be our Sam Bennett.

My reservations are his age, his off-ice issues and the fact that it is exceedingly rare for a team with two top6 centers over 30 to win a Cup.

Maybe that last reservation has already been solved, if Lindholm sticks on the 3rd line. Either way, I've decided that's not really JT Miller's problem. If you can add a 100 point center, you do it. You can always figure out what to do with the other guy afterwards.

The off-ice issues are scary too, but as others have mentioned, they have two guys who played with him. I could see a scenario where the Bruins ask for their input and are satisfied that whatever happened in Vancouver won't happen here.

Lastly, the age is an issue. Age declining curves are real, as are the handful of the guys who beat them. Miller is 31 and will be 36 on the last year of his deal. I think it's safe to say he won't be a point per game center by the end of it, but he probably doesn't have to be. The core of this team is 26-28 so their window is probably the next 2-3 years, and I do think Miller can give you top6 center for at least 2 of those years. If he starts to fade in year 3 or 4 he has a game that will translate further down the lineup and he can play any position so there should still be utility there, and an $8m cap hit with a $125m cap is probably going to be 3rd liner money by then.

So, long story short (too late) I would take a chance on Miller. I can see why some people love the idea and I can see why some people hate the idea. I don't think either side is 'wrong' but for me, I think the potential negatives can be overcome, and I fully expect him to spark some bubble team to an amazing second half, and be a driver for them again next year. If the price is right, why not us?

Well said. The guy scores over a point a game since he joined Vancouver. Over 100 points last year. He is not slowing down.

 

[Blowfish]

Only way I take Miller, Coyle has to be part of it going the other way.

What exactly does Miller bring other than costing the team goals and being a malcontent?

 

[Gordoff]

View attachment 963501
Potentially 26.5m in cap space next summer

For them to BLOW.