Boston Bruins 24-25 Roster/Cap thread XIII

[bp14]

I'd say Taylor Hall fits that bill, and probably Bertuzzi- he put up some points for us. Outside of those two, I can't think of anyone. It's most often been the Stempniak, Stafford, Hayes variety.

Hall, Bertuzzi, Rick Nash, Pavel Zacha, Charlie Coyle, Hampus Lindholm.

All either top 6 forwards or top 3dmen acquired in trade.

 

[TCB]

Thats really not true though. An Eichel or a Rantanen, no of course not. But he’s made plenty of impact acquisitions.

At the Trade deadline sure, he's made but some real nice deals, but anything long term for the future or in season deal thats been impactful, hasn't happen.

 

[Dr Hook]

Hall, Bertuzzi, Rick Nash, Pavel Zacha, Charlie Coyle, Hampus Lindholm.

All either top 6 forwards or top 3dmen acquired in trade.

I think the original post was about impact offensive players. Nash I would say was a try, but a fail because of the concussion, and Lindholm wouldn't count in that conversation (but a good trade). Coyle was a really good trade, but I am not sure he quite fits- ymmv with him. He is on the line for me as a top 6/middle 6 guy. Still, all in all, Don's record in trades is not awful.

 

[yazmybaby]

Short term the Canes won this trade, MR is the best player in the deal, by far. He is a consistent 35-40 goal guy, 90-95 points.
Avs get a 4th liner in Drury, two years of Necas / some draft picks.
Canes will def. be a favorite to make it to the Conference finals now.
Their top 6 forwards are as good as any team in the NHL now.

 

[mjhfb]

I think the original post was about impact offensive players. Nash I would say was a try, but a fail because of the concussion, and Lindholm wouldn't count in that conversation (but a good trade). Coyle was a really good trade, but I am not sure he quite fits- ymmv with him. He is on the line for me as a top 6/middle 6 guy. Still, all in all, Don's record in trades is not awful.

We can dissect individual moves all we want but Sweeney isn't going anywhere. Sure, if Canada is embarrassed in 4 nations, the Bruins tank, and then he also badly screws up the trade deadline, then perhaps. But how likely is that.

 

[LouJersey]

Avs still looking for forwards.... Marchand...Coyle....Get Ritchie back in any deal

 

[Dr Hook]

We can dissect individual moves all we want but Sweeney isn't going anywhere. Sure, if Canada is embarrassed in 4 nations, the Bruins tank, and then he also badly screws up the trade deadline, then perhaps. But how likely is that.

They could sack him. I try to never make pronouncements as if I can see the future but you are right, I don't think it is likely. Anyway, this conversation thread was not really about sacking Sweeney, but more responding to the Rantanen trade and the assertion that Sweeney doesn't really make trades for impact offense players.

 

[Helsinki city boy]

I think the original post was about impact offensive players. Nash I would say was a try, but a fail because of the concussion, and Lindholm wouldn't count in that conversation (but a good trade). Coyle was a really good trade, but I am not sure he quite fits- ymmv with him. He is on the line for me as a top 6/middle 6 guy. Still, all in all, Don's record in trades is not awful.

Kind of agree. Sweeney is good with trades when it comes to depth, maybe he overpays a bit. He sucks with contract and cap management and trading top tier quality. He just doesnt have the guts to move critical assets to bring more quality. I would have traded Marchand after his career season and now I would have tested what markets offer for McAvoy. Both players are replacable assets.

 

[Dr Hook]

Kind of agree. Sweeney is good with trades when it comes to depth, maybe he overpays a bit. He sucks with contract and cap management and trading top tier quality. He just doesnt have the guts to move critical assets to bring more quality. I would have traded Marchand after his career season and now I would have tested what markets offer for McAvoy. Both players are replacable assets.

I don't really get where the "Sweeney doesn't have the guts" or "Sweeney doesn't have the balls" to do XYZ comes from like it's some kind of character flaw or deficiency. He is a fairly conservative hockey GM, working for a fairly conservative President, in a fairly conservative organization. I think at times many of us would like to see a bit more high risk/high reward moves, but that's not generally the Bruin way.

 

[DKH]

I can’t access the Bruins site

Anyone have their record in last 6 games?

 

[Dr Hook]

I can’t access the Bruins site

Anyone have their record in last 6 games?

Zero-shit and shittier. That about sums up the HFBruins consensus I think.

 

[Tbaybruin]

We were told by some that big trades never happen mid season so stop and De Angelo will never get signed.

 

[Dr Hook]

We were told by some that big trades never happen mid season so stop and De Angelo will never get signed.

It's probably a good policy to never make blanket pronouncements like that.

 

[Tbaybruin]

No #1 C or even close, very mid #2 C. Inconsistent goaltending, under performing D that doesn’t transition well with the offence, underwhelming offence and doesn’t help with the overall defensive play. Terrible PP AND PK. For me we need more than Mac and Lindholm back. We need Lindholm the old Mac and#1 C. Good news is Pasta is back and Sway has had some good games.

 

[Oates2Neely]

Good call on those- I had forgotten. Add Bert and Hall to that list and it's solid. For some reason it's easier to remember the shitty ones.

Those are trade deadline acquisitions where picks are moved out. And Hall forced his way to Boston. I’m trying to think of an in season hockey trade that Sweeney has made for an impact player. It’s not the only way to build a roster but it’s certainly a skill set he lacks. Colorado has swapped out both of their goaltenders and now traded a 28 year old 100 point top line forward and is reportedly STILL looking to make another impact trade. Yet Sweeney will cling to Frederic & Brazeau because of their “potential”.

He’s made good trade deadline moves, however they haven’t resulted in a Cup, and those 1st round picks moved out have left his prospect pool ranked close to last in the league. He’s made some solid offseason acquisitions but none of the caliber of a Rantanen Eichel Stone. I don’t think Sweeney stinks as a GM but he plays it safe more often than not and has a bit of Chiarelli in him as far as clinging to his players. His drafting is his achilles heel imo.

 

[TCB]

Avs still looking for forwards.... Marchand...Coyle....Get Ritchie back in any deal

They have a Russian defenseman they drafted a few years back in the first round would be a nice get as well.

 

[Oates2Neely]

No #1 C or even close, very mid #2 C. Inconsistent goaltending, under performing D that doesn’t transition well with the offence, underwhelming offence and doesn’t help with the overall defensive play. Terrible PP AND PK. For me we need more than Mac and Lindholm back. We need Lindholm the old Mac and#1 C. Good news is Pasta is back and Sway has had some good games.

Chicago just ate 50% of Rantanens salary, AND moved out Taylor Hall, all for a 3rd round pick. Are you telling there is zero chance they wouldn’t take Charlie Coyle on? Clear some cap and make a bigger move elsewhere. Coyle is local kid so Sweeney won’t move him. When the analytics said Grezlyk was a solid dman Sweeney should’ve moved him out for a pick. Instead he let him walk as a UFA and got nothing for him. Wasted asset. He’ll do the same with Coyle

 

[BigGoalBrad]

Why can't we have a GM that makes trades. I hate Sweeney.

 

[Dr Hook]

I don’t think Sweeney stinks as a GM but he plays it safe more often than not

I think this is the salient point here: as I said above, he is a pretty conservative hockey GM, working for a pretty conservative franchise. I don't know what he would do if he were with a different org that had a higher tolerance for high risk, high reward moves. The Bruins are not that org. On one hand, you could make a strong case that the conservative approach has produced consistently good teams for a very long time. On the flip side, it has produced very few great teams. We may agree to disagree on the draft record. I don't think it's poor. It's not as good as it could have been, but no one's ever is.

 

[Blowfish]

Why can't we have a GM that makes trades. I hate Sweeney.

Why can’t we have a GM who has had as much post season Success as that Bruin GM ?

 

[GordonHowe]

It will always be relevant as long as Sweeney is the GM and the topic shifts towards rebuild/retool via draft. Nor does he deserve to be protected from it. Much as some of his prowess with contract extensions of own players (excluding free agency) is a major part of his tenure, so too is that draft, and others.

We should be terrified of what a rebuilding Sweeney might attempt.

Sweeney can handle a "retool," meaning moving out several roster players and bringing in new ones.

He is clearly not the manager to place in charge of an actual rebuild. (Of which, more later.)

A rebuild does not necessarily mean tearing everything down and beginning from scratch. There's no reason to do that.

However, what we are talking about in this case is, fundamentally, changing the complexion and character of this team.

If that is what you want to do, and that is not what they're going to do as long as Sweeney and Neely are here (and as long as Charlie is in love with both of them), then every player on this roster has to be on the table.

Especially McAvoy, Swayman and Pastrnak.

I don't see that happening.

But, dear reader, ask yourself:

*Are these three truly leaders, are they capable of maintaining and growing the lauded Bruins culture, and are they worthy of building a team around?

The answer for me is no on all counts.

For different reasons, which are certainly debatable.

Leadership of the kind exemplified by Zdeno Chara, Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand is simply not in their DNA.

From my perspective, Jeremy Swayman, young as he is, has proven immature, selfish and willing to damage room/culture in service of his own ends, whether financial or, if you will, ideological.

His behavior during the holdout and the unwelcome distraction it created could not, one assumes, have gone down well in the locker room. Especially with the Captain.

(It is perhaps no coincidence that Don Sweeney cited a team wide training camp malaise as an early red flag of what was to come in the regular season. It is safe to say that Jeremy's conspicuous absence did not help matters.)

Jeremy is very bright, very articulate, and when he is on his game, an exceptional No. #1 goaltender, easily one of the best in the league.

The fact remains that Swayman placed himself above the team, demonstrated bad form by speaking out in the media, was apparently willing to hold out until December 1st, and missed the entirety of training camp.

Training camp may not be that big a deal for, say, Elias Lindholm, who took a pass on his first training camp with Boston to nurse an old Army injury. (Maybe he regrets that decision now. But that's another thread.)

Training camp for goaltenders, on the other hand, is very important.

The repetitions, positioning, angle work, etcetera are vital to an NHL goaltender's preparation, physically and mentally, for the upcoming regular season.

Needless to say, Jeremy's play through much of this season's first half was poor or mediocre at best.

Swayman has a major chip on his shoulder, never a bad thing in sports, and appears to be the decent sort.

He may well put the preseason unpleasantness behind him and, eventually, grow up. He probably will.

But the whole business left a sour taste for many. He has some repair work to do.

I like Charlie McAvoy very much, as a player, and as a person who wants to do the right thing. However, as noted previously, my dime store psychology tells me that he has struggled to live up to a $9.5 million contract.

He has tried to do too much, and much that is beyond his talents as a player. Ultimately, this has limited his effectiveness.

Specifically and obviously, McAvoy's attempt to quarterback the power play's first unit has produced little more than frustration and meager results.

Charlie has tried to be Raymond Bourque.

He is not Raymond Bourque.

And he doesn't need to be.

I suspect that the contract and expectations from management, fans, media and not least, himself, have led to overthinking and befuddlement.

At the very least, McAvoy should be moved to the second power play group. Less responsibility and attendant pressure would likely free up his mind, and thus his game.

David Pastrnak is a superstar, a great guy in the room, a reliable production machine, and a creative, dynamic presence other teams must plan for and respect.

He has expanded his game in recent years to include exceptional playmaking and passing as well as that wicked wrister from the dot we have come to know and love.

David can and does lead by way of a loose, happy-go-lucky personality that lightens the mood in the room, and more importantly, through his offensive skill and production.

It is not his forte to speechify or cajole. These qualities are not in his nature nor necessary to strong leadership. Again, his leadership derives from what he does, reliably, on the ice: score oodles of goals and pass like a thief.

Yet, though stapled to Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand for years, two of the greatest three zone players ever, David has not developed his defensive game much. At all.

Too often, at least for my liking, he makes careless, low percentage plays that can and do come back to bite the Bruins in the ass. I've seen him casually fling the puck out of the defensive zone up the middle of the ice. I've seen him fling the puck out of the defensive zone on his backhand, without looking. Who does that? Use the boards David, they are your friends. Chip it out. It's not rocket science.

One wonders why this is the case. And my answer is that, evidently, David isn't interested in developing his defensive capabilities.

A hallmark of athletic greatness is a commitment and follow through to improve on the weakest elements of your game.

My eyes tell me that David has not done that. And that it is unlikely he ever will. This isn't leadership.

So, you know, here we are.

Sadly, I continue to hope my Boston Bruins fail to make the 2025 playoffs. "Then and only then" will real change become a *possibility.*

I actually believe change of a significant order is in the offing.

A confluence of unhappy events -- the Swayman holdout, the Montgomery fiasco (by these lights, from start to finish), poor performance in almost every statistical category, cries of "Fire Sweeney!" (a first, as far as I can recall), et. al. -- tell me change of whatever kind is coming.

"Of whatever kind" can mean many things, good or ill.

Stay tuned (just crop Monty out, which might give you ideas),

 

[slim399]

Lysell two goals last night for providence. I’m ready to see him up and playing with Lindholm.

 

[the negotiator]

Sweeney can handle a "retool," meaning moving out several roster players and bringing in new ones.

He is clearly not the manager to place in charge of an actual rebuild. (Of which, more later.)

A rebuild does not necessarily mean tearing everything down and beginning from scratch. There's no reason to do that.

However, what we are talking about in this case is, fundamentally, changing the complexion and character of this team.

If that is what you want to do, and that is not what they're going to do as long as Sweeney and Neely are here (and as long as Charlie is in love with both of them), then every player on this roster has to be on the table.

Especially McAvoy, Swayman and Pastrnak.

I don't see that happening.

But, dear reader, ask yourself:

*Are these three truly leaders, are they capable of maintaining and growing the lauded Bruins culture, and are they worthy of building a team around?

The answer for me is no on all counts.

For different reasons, which are certainly debatable.

Leadership of the kind exemplified by Zdeno Chara, Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand is simply not in their DNA.

From my perspective, Jeremy Swayman, young as he is, has proven immature, selfish and willing to damage room/culture in service of his own ends, whether financial or, if you will, ideological.

His behavior during the holdout and the unwelcome distraction it created could not, one assumes, have gone down well in the locker room. Especially with the Captain.

(It is perhaps no coincidence that Don Sweeney cited a team wide training camp malaise as an early red flag of what was to come in the regular season. It is safe to say that Jeremy's conspicuous absence did not help matters.)

Jeremy is very bright, very articulate, and when he is on his game, an exceptional No. #1 goaltender, easily one of the best in the league.

The fact remains that Swayman placed himself above the team, demonstrated bad form by speaking out in the media, was apparently willing to hold out until December 1st, and missed the entirety of training camp.

Training camp may not be that big a deal for, say, Elias Lindholm, who took a pass on his first training camp with Boston to nurse an old Army injury. (Maybe he regrets that decision now. But that's another thread.)

Training camp for goaltenders, on the other hand, is very important.

The repetitions, positioning, angle work, etcetera are vital to an NHL goaltender's preparation, physically and mentally, for the upcoming regular season.

Needless to say, Jeremy's play through much of this season's first half was poor or mediocre at best.
Swayman has a major chip on his shoulder, never a bad thing in sports, and appears to be the decent sort.

He may well put the preseason unpleasantness behind him and, eventually, grow up. He probably will.

But the whole business left a sour taste for many. He has some repair work to do.


I like Charlie McAvoy very much, as a player, and as a person who wants to do the right thing. However, as noted previously, my dime store psychology tells me that he has struggled to live up to a $9.5 million contract.

He has tried to do too much, and much that is beyond his talents as a player. Ultimately, this has limited his effectiveness.

Specifically and obviously, McAvoy's attempt to quarterback the power play's first unit has produced little more than frustration and meager results.

Charlie has tried to be Raymond Bourque.

He is not Raymond Bourque, and he doesn't need to be.

I suspect that the contracts and expectations from management, fans, media and not least, himself, have led to overthinking and befuddlement.

At the very least, McAvoy should be moved to the second power play group. Less responsibility and attendant pressure would likely free up his mind, and thus his game.

David Pastrnak is a superstar, a great guy in the room, a reliable production machine, and a creative, dynamic presence other teams must plan for and respect.

He has expanded his game in recent years to include exceptional playmaking and passing as well as that wicked wrister from the dot we have come to know and love.

David can and does lead by way of a loose, happy-go-lucky personality that lightens the mood in the room, and more importantly, through his offensive skill and production.

It is not his forte to speechify or cajole. These qualities are not in his nature nor necessary to effective leadership. Again, his leadership derives from what he does, reliably, on the ice: score oodles of goals and pass like a thief.

Yet, though stapled to Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand for years, two of the greatest three zone players ever, David has not developed his defensive game much. At all.

Too often, at least for my liking, he makes careless, low percentage plays that can and do come back to bite the Bruins in the ass. I've seen him casually fling the puck out of the defensive zone up the middle of the ice. I've seen him fling the puck out of the defensive zone on his backhand, without looking. Who does that? Use the boards David, they are your friends. Chip it out. It's not rocket science.

Hence, one wonders why this is the case. And my answer is that, evidently, David isn't interested in developing his defensive capabilities.

A hallmark of athletic greatness is a commitment and follow through to improve on the weakest elements of your game.

My eyes tell me that David has not done that. And that it is unlikely he ever will. That isn't leadership.

So, you know, here we are.

Sadly, I continue to hope my Boston Bruins fail to make the 2025 playoffs. "Then and only then *might* change occur.

I actually believe change of a significant order is in the offing.

A confluence of unhappy events -- the Swayman holdout, the Montgomery fiasco (by these lights, from start to finish), poor performance in almost every statistical category, cries of "Fire Sweeney!" (a first, as far as I can recall), et. al. -- tell me change of whatever kind is coming.

"Of whatever kind" can mean many things, good or ill.

Stay tuned (just crop Monty out, which might give you ideas),


View attachment 966938

A tremendous post that gets to an underlying concern- great players don't always make great leaders. I like all three players you spotlight and want to see all three on the Bs.

That said- the Bs greatly need a different voice in the locker room -as I have written before this is primarily a team of "nice" guys who don't exhibit the edge this team needs so badly. The retirement of past leadership has taken a while to have an impact - but this year we are seeing the delayed effects of that attrition

 

[GordonHowe]

Let's start the rumor mill of Nescas -Marchand as the potential starting- point for a trade

Colorado isn't done, the Bs need to make changes and the deal unites buddies in both cities

Likely- no.....but at least it gets us off the Miller discussion for a while

Hard pass on Miller.

Nope.

 

[Tbaybruin]

Lysell two goals last night for providence. I’m ready to see him up and playing with Lindholm.

Please don’t play him with Lindholm. Thank you.