Boston Bruins 24-25 Roster/Cap thread XIV

[ON3M4N]

11 more games until the TDL, and those 11 games are:

NYR
MIN
NYR
VGK
ANH
TOR
NYI
PIT
MIN
NSH
CAR

The only teams the Bruins haven't faced yet on this or ANH & MIN. Against the remaining teams the Bruins are 2-6-1 this season. There are 4 more games before the 4 Nations break and once you return you have 2 weeks until the TDL. I already am in the sell camp, but these next 4 games should solidify that.

Here's how each of the teams we have coming up has done so far in the month of January

That's an ugly picture for the Bruins, REALLY UGLY.

I'd go to Marchand and ask him what he wants to do. If he wants to stay, great love to keep him. If he wants to explore other opportunities then I'll explore trades, but I'm not going to trade him just to trade him.

Kids aside, I have maybe 7-8 players that I'd want to 100% keep around for a re-tool.

 

[the negotiator]

After sleeping on it in order to avoid overreacting in the shadow of last nights debacle….I’ve come to this.

There are 2 players who I will be upset if they trade….Pasta and Kastelic.

Pasta because he’s elite as a player and Kastelic because he’s elite as a teammate.

This doesn’t mean that I want everyone else to be moved, but depending on the player and return I can do anything from “accept it” to “be overjoyed” to see them go.

It’s coming up on the silly season…where GM’s tend to pay market value to market value +++.

We have players, who, in the right situation it wouldn’t surprise me to see them make an impact in the playoffs.

Move them! And then move the flotsam and jetsom that shouldn’t be part of the future (Beecher, Koepke, etc.) for whatever you can get.

Go into the off season loaded for bear and hope Sweeney or whoever is in charge by then somehow makes the right moves.

Agree completely.....and think the chances of this happening are about 30%......the front office will make a move or two at the trade deadline ( and of course we will complain the trades didn't fetch enough) then fire Sacco after the season ends

I do not see this as an organization that has the intestinal fortitude to complete the major tear down that is needed -----would love to be wrong

 

[HustleB]

Please just give Lindholm the playoffs before you all write him off 4 months into a 7 year deal. He was underwhelming in the regular season for four months in Vancouver then was a huge clutch player for them in the playoffs. His game really translated to the playoff style of scoring and play.

If he struggles then, go ahead and judge year 1 of 7 as a whole.

It's Sweeney's job to find a 1st line C or legit top 6 scoring help, not the current roster. Pastrnak is scoring and setting up 2nd and 3rd liners.

I don't disagree but I'm not sure we are going to see this team in the playoffs this year, which makes the proposition a bit harder to swallow. Not all his fault, he is just one of MANY underperforming assets this year. He's probably top 3 on that list which for me includes, Lindholm, Swayman and McAvoy (Possibly injury related).

 

[TCB]

11 more games until the TDL, and those 11 games are:

NYR
MIN
NYR
VGK
ANH
TOR
NYI
PIT
MIN
NSH
CAR

The only teams the Bruins haven't faced yet on this or ANH & MIN. Against the remaining teams the Bruins are 2-6-1 this season. There are 4 more games before the 4 Nations break and once you return you have 2 weeks until the TDL. I already am in the sell camp, but these next 4 games should solidify that.

Here's how each of the teams we have coming up has done so far in the month of January

View attachment 970194

That's an ugly picture for the Bruins, REALLY UGLY.

I'd go to Marchand and ask him what he wants to do. If he wants to stay, great love to keep him. If he wants to explore other opportunities then I'll explore trades, but I'm not going to trade him just to trade him.

Kids aside, I have maybe 7-8 players that I'd want to 100% keep around for a re-tool.

Nice post, but I would move Marchand and not look back. Players have all the leverage these days with all the NMC and NTC they have. Salary caps make it even harder to make a deal when you need, even money coming, and going for the most part. Why lose any leverage you may have. This Bruin team needs a re-tool and to not use one of their best chips to help turn them in that direction, is well for a loss of better words a total mismanagement of assets. I know what Marchy has done for this organization and someday his number will be hanging from the rafters, but no player should be put in front of the team.

 

[The Hockey Tonk Man]

It blows my mind they still run the same hunk of junk roster out game after game with the same results.

I'd be happy to never see Carlo or Coyle in a B's jersey ever again.

Give the kids you've developed a shot. It can't be any worse than any of these vets that are out there playing pond hockey

 

[TCB]

Only 20 so he should be ok once he gets more experience and man strength.Far bigger worries then him at the moment..This is a train wreck they built.

They really do, and from management down. I watched the Wings, Blue-jackets games last night after the bruins game was over, and those two teams have so much more Skill, Speed and overall compete level than this current Bruin team. The team hunger by those two teams of battling for a playoff spot was at a much higher level than this Bruins team, who is battling for the same playoff spots. it wasn't even close.

 

[Hookslide]

It blows my mind they still run the same hunk of junk roster out game after game with the same results.

I'd be happy to never see Carlo or Coyle in a B's jersey ever again.

Give the kids you've developed a shot. It can't be any worse than any of these vets that are out there playing pond hockey

I get what you are saying, and other than Pasta, I would move almost anyone out, that makes this team better, but do we have the right guy to make this team better, I honestly don't think so. You can play the kids like you say, but to be honest, I am not sure any of them are NHL caliber talent, at least high level and that is what they need.

 

[The Hockey Tonk Man]

I get what you are saying, and other than Pasta, I would move almost anyone out, that makes this team better, but do we have the right guy to make this team better, I honestly don't think so. You can play the kids like you say, but to be honest, I am not sure any of them are NHL caliber talent, at least high level and that is what they need.

I'd also bail on 90% of the roster, but can't see that happening.

And, you never know. This team is filled with 'lunch pail' hard workers w/ not a lot of skill & they aren't even working hard.

Pasta is playing with guys that should be in a third line role on any contending team. We could all go on and on about the teams issues which is why I don't understand why they're not at least giving their 'top prospects' a cup of coffee. Even send Poitras back down and call up Merk. Not like Poitras looks ready for a full time gig anyway.

 

[mjhfb]

It blows my mind they still run the same hunk of junk roster out game after game with the same results.

I'd be happy to never see Carlo or Coyle in a B's jersey ever again.

Give the kids you've developed a shot. It can't be any worse than any of these vets that are out there playing pond hockey

They also have to consider whether it makes sense to throw a prospect into this mess, or let them develop and gain confidence where they are for now.

 

[ON3M4N]

Nice post, but I would move Marchand and not look back. Players have all the leverage these days with all the NMC and NTC they have. Salary caps make it even harder to make a deal when you need, even money coming, and going for the most part. Why lose any leverage you may have. This Bruin team needs a re-tool and to not use one of their best chips to help turn them in that direction, is well for a loss of better words a total mismanagement of assets. I know what Marchy has done for this organization and someday his number will be hanging from the rafters, but no player should be put in front of the team.

Its a double edge sword. Let says Marchand tells management he doesn't want to be traded and really wants to only play for one team in his career.....but they trade him anyways. What kind of message does that send to the rest of the team? To your point, Marchand likely has his # in the rafters at some point. He's done a lot for the organization, and yet for all he's done, at the end of the day management didn't care what he wanted. Don't think that it stops just in the Bruins locker room either. Players talk, players take notice when things like this happen. Look at all the shit that's been going on with the Rangers and how Drury has handled players. Don't you think it hurts NYR chances of signing good players in the future if they have a bad reputation amongst players because of how they handle things?

What does Boston gain by trading Marchand against his wishes? a pick and a prospect? those are nothing more than scratch tickets with a low probability of being anything significant. To me the risk outweighs the reward if you trade Marchand against his wishes.

 

[dugg133]

Its a double edge sword. Let says Marchand tells management he doesn't want to be traded and really wants to only play for one team in his career.....but they trade him anyways. What kind of message does that send to the rest of the team? To your point, Marchand likely has his # in the rafters at some point. He's done a lot for the organization, and yet for all he's done, at the end of the day management didn't care what he wanted. Don't think that it stops just in the Bruins locker room either. Players talk, players take notice when things like this happen. Look at all the shit that's been going on with the Rangers and how Drury has handled players. Don't you think it hurts NYR chances of signing good players in the future if they have a bad reputation amongst players because of how they handle things?

What does Boston gain by trading Marchand against his wishes? a pick and a prospect? those are nothing more than scratch tickets with a low probability of being anything significant. To me the risk outweighs the reward if you trade Marchand against his wishes.

If Tampa can move on from Stamkos because it's in the best interest of the team then we can move on from Marchand. It's time for this front office to put on it's big boy pants and be a little ruthless, stop catering to the players' every whim.

 

[Hookslide]

I'd also bail on 90% of the roster, but can't see that happening.

And, you never know. This team is filled with 'lunch pail' hard workers w/ not a lot of skill & they aren't even working hard.

Pasta is playing with guys that should be in a third line role on any contending team. We could all go on and on about the teams issues which is why I don't understand why they're not at least giving their 'top prospects' a cup of coffee. Even send Poitras back down and call up Merk. Not like Poitras looks ready for a full time gig anyway.

Right, give Merkolov, at this time it is a need to find out what you have with him, although I already think I know what that is, but you never know, I would welcome being wrong. They really don't have many skilled players after Pasta, and ones that can be productive, maybe you are right they are a lunch bucket team and don't want to accept that's what they are and if they did, they should play like it. I think any deals that they make to improve this team, should not be for 30 plus players that just will fill a spot. Bring in some young players that have shown some talent and maybe needs a new start. Maon McTavish type, not saying he is the one but just an example.

 

[Tbaybruin]

Last night sums up where we are at. We get blown out by Win. Ott beats Wash, Columbus beats Vegas, Det beats the Oilers andTampa beats LA. We can’t beat good teams,the teams we are battling can. Hard for me to admit we just aren’t a very good team.

 

[Bmessy]

Can't pro scout, can't amateur scout. Owner's got the president and GMs back. Ruh roh this could get bad quick. This feels different than 14/15

 

[PlayMakers]

McAvoy has been propped up by Chara early in his career and Bergeron later in his career. The tell was when Bergeron tried to play through a career ending injury and couldn't do it effectively against Florida. McAvoy was outplayed by Brandon Montour in '23, with McAvoy playing poorly in G7. Last year e got outplayed by Montour but that was to be expected with the difference in talent if the teams.

McAvoy, since #37 retired, has had 1 dominant top 10 D man type game in his last
20 PO games (G5 FLA last year). Nowhere good enough for a top 10 D (He is
actually closer to 20 than 10 and drifting towards 25 top D).

IMO McAvoy propped up Chara early in his career. He was 40 years old when McAvoy got here and was off the team 3 years later. McAvoy also didn't have Chara or Bergeron last year and was still dominant.

I agree he could have been better in the playoffs.

 

[BruinDust]

After sleeping on it in order to avoid overreacting in the shadow of last nights debacle….I’ve come to this.

There are 2 players who I will be upset if they trade….Pasta and Kastelic.

Pasta because he’s elite as a player and Kastelic because he’s elite as a teammate.

This doesn’t mean that I want everyone else to be moved, but depending on the player and return I can do anything from “accept it” to “be overjoyed” to see them go.

It’s coming up on the silly season…where GM’s tend to pay market value to market value +++.

We have players, who, in the right situation it wouldn’t surprise me to see them make an impact in the playoffs.

Move them! And then move the flotsam and jetsom that shouldn’t be part of the future (Beecher, Koepke, etc.) for whatever you can get.

Go into the off season loaded for bear and hope Sweeney or whoever is in charge by then somehow makes the right moves.

With the complete logjam that is the Eastern Conference, there is a part of me that feels that if the Bruins management just accept this team doesn't have it this year, they could really take advantage of the market as it will be a seller's market not a buyers.

Its a double edge sword. Let says Marchand tells management he doesn't want to be traded and really wants to only play for one team in his career.....but they trade him anyways. What kind of message does that send to the rest of the team? To your point, Marchand likely has his # in the rafters at some point. He's done a lot for the organization, and yet for all he's done, at the end of the day management didn't care what he wanted. Don't think that it stops just in the Bruins locker room either. Players talk, players take notice when things like this happen. Look at all the shit that's been going on with the Rangers and how Drury has handled players. Don't you think it hurts NYR chances of signing good players in the future if they have a bad reputation amongst players because of how they handle things?

What does Boston gain by trading Marchand against his wishes? a pick and a prospect? those are nothing more than scratch tickets with a low probability of being anything significant. To me the risk outweighs the reward if you trade Marchand against his wishes.

I think there is a massive difference between how the Ranger's basically strong-armed Goodrow and Trouba vs. the Bruins trading Marchand to one of the 23 teams he can be traded to without his consent. Ranger players aren't pissed either guy got moved, they are pissed about the round-about unconventional way the Rangers went about it.

I'm confused as to how this is Brad Marchand's call. He's done a lot for the organization, they've done a lot for him, provided him a great life. It's a two-way street. He signed that 8-year deal knowing the trade protection whittled down over time, made a lot of money over those 8 years.

The mistake here is asking him what he wants to do to begin with. If the Bruins want him back, then make him a contract offer to stay. Show him they want him here as part of the solution moving forward. Marchand is free at that point to decide to sign his extension offer if his true desire is to continue playing pro hockey for the Boston Bruins, or not.

Or tell him that they've decided to part ways as they feel that is best for the organization, and if he wants, they can keep him and his camp in the loop in case an offer comes in from one of the 7 teams on his no-trade list the Bruins management feel is worth pursuing.

Ultimately this is management's call. What kind of message does it send the rest of the team? How about one where the management team isn't going to bend to the will of one player over the rest of the group, some of whom will be here next year and the years moving forward. This is a UFA player with minimal trade protection for a non-contending team and should be treated as such, not a special case because he's been here a long time.

All the Bruins need to do here is be upfront and honest. A) We want you here and here is an extension offer or B) we feel it's best to move on and we'll contact you if we get an offer from a team on your no trade list we are strongly considering. Don't play the dirty poker that the Rangers played and they will be fine.

 

[TCB]

Its a double edge sword. Let says Marchand tells management he doesn't want to be traded and really wants to only play for one team in his career.....but they trade him anyways. What kind of message does that send to the rest of the team? To your point, Marchand likely has his # in the rafters at some point. He's done a lot for the organization, and yet for all he's done, at the end of the day management didn't care what he wanted. Don't think that it stops just in the Bruins locker room either. Players talk, players take notice when things like this happen. Look at all the shit that's been going on with the Rangers and how Drury has handled players. Don't you think it hurts NYR chances of signing good players in the future if they have a bad reputation amongst players because of how they handle things?

What does Boston gain by trading Marchand against his wishes? a pick and a prospect? those are nothing more than scratch tickets with a low probability of being anything significant. To me the risk outweighs the reward if you trade Marchand against his wishes.

If a GM is worried about what so and so might think if I trade Marchand, who's on the decline and on an expiring contract, in a year where your more than likely not making the playoffs. Point blank, thats the wrong guy Managing your team.


Obviously it all depends on the return if you move him. Id want a near NHL ready prospects. looking at Carolina, Colorado and Dallas as possible destinations, as they have some pretty nice prospects, package a Carlo or Frederic with him, and whats stopping Marchand from coming back in the off season, you always keep that door open.

 

[PlayMakers]

If Tampa can move on from Stamkos because it's in the best interest of the team then we can move on from Marchand. It's time for this front office to put on it's big boy pants and be a little ruthless, stop catering to the players' every whim.

Different scenarios though. Stamkos wanted to get paid first and play for Tampa second. He was going to get his money. Period.

Marchand is (presumably) willing to play here for a discount. In addition to everything he's done for this team, he could be really valuable as a leader/mentor and most importantly, 25 goal scorer playing for a fraction of what he's worth.

 

[TCB]

With the complete logjam that is the Eastern Conference, there is a part of me that feels that if the Bruins management just accept this team doesn't have it this year, they could really take advantage of the market as it will be a seller's market not a buyers.


I think there is a massive difference between how the Ranger's basically strong-armed Goodrow and Trouba vs. the Bruins trading Marchand to one of the 23 teams he can be traded to without his consent. Ranger players aren't pissed either guy got moved, they are pissed about the round-about unconventional way the Rangers went about it.

I'm confused as to how this is Brad Marchand's call. He's done a lot for the organization, they've done a lot for him, provided him a great life. It's a two-way street. He signed that 8-year deal knowing the trade protection whittled down over time, made a lot of money over those 8 years.

The mistake here is asking him what he wants to do to begin with. If the Bruins want him back, then make him a contract offer to stay. Show him they want him here as part of the solution moving forward. Marchand is free at that point to decide to sign his extension offer if his true desire is to continue playing pro hockey for the Boston Bruins, or not.

Or tell him that they've decided to part ways as they feel that is best for the organization, and if he wants, they can keep him and his camp in the loop in case an offer comes in from one of the 7 teams on his no-trade list the Bruins management feel is worth pursuing.

Ultimately this is management's call. What kind of message does it send the rest of the team? How about one where the management team isn't going to bend to the will of one player over the rest of the group, some of whom will be here next year and the years moving forward. This is a UFA player with minimal trade protection for a non-contending team and should be treated as such, not a special case because he's been here a long time.

All the Bruins need to do here is be upfront and honest. A) We want you here and here is an extension offer or B) we feel it's best to move on and we'll contact you if we get an offer from a team on your no trade list we are strongly considering. Don't play the dirty poker that the Rangers played and they will be fine.

Outstanding well thoughtout post as Usual!

 

[BruinDust]

Different scenarios though. Stamkos wanted to get paid first and play for Tampa second. He was going to get his money. Period.

Marchand is (presumably) willing to play here for a discount. In addition to everything he's done for this team, he could be really valuable as a leader/mentor and most importantly, 25 goal scorer playing for a fraction of what he's worth.

Then offer him that discounted contract before the deadline and have Marchand sign it. No more of this bullshit where they'll take care of all other business first and then see where they can fit him in sometime in August.

This is an A or B scenario that needs to be resolved before 3 PM Eastern on trade deadline day.

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

Then offer him that discounted contract before the deadline and have Marchand sign it. No more of this bullshit where they'll take care of all other business first and then see where they can fit him in sometime in August.

This is an A or B scenario that needs to be resolved before 3 PM Eastern on trade deadline day.

Was there not a report this season they had not even begun to discuss extension with Marchand? Assume Sweeney is going to continue his miserable trend of failure. Can Marchand save him from himself? Demand a trade or extension now.

 

[Dr Hook]

After sleeping on it in order to avoid overreacting in the shadow of last nights debacle….I’ve come to this.

There are 2 players who I will be upset if they trade….Pasta and Kastelic.

Same here. I finished the stream kind of late last night and refrained from posting about it. I wasn't even upset, really, more like "oh well." I foolishly allowed myself to hope with that EL shortie and that lasted as long as it took to walk into the kitchen for a beverage lol.

Pasta, Kastelic are probably the only two I 100% want to keep as well, but even Kastelic, as much as I love the guy, if he is part of a bigger deal that is good for the Bruins, you have to let him go. Pasta I believe is going nowhere, nor should he. And 2/3 of this roster will be going nowhere either, because that is not how things work in pro sports, as much as we'd sometimes like to see a giant player turnover. Whichever 1/3 goes, I am fine with whatever that looks like outside of Pasta.

I think they need to clean out the pro coaching staff outside of Essensa, too.

 

[22Brad Park]

Same here. I finished the stream kind of late last night and refrained from posting about it. I wasn't even upset, really, more like "oh well." I foolishly allowed myself to hope with that EL shortie and that lasted as long as it took to walk into the kitchen for a beverage lol.

Pasta, Kastelic are probably the only two I 100% want to keep as well, but even Kastelic, as much as I love the guy, if he is part of a bigger deal that is good for the Bruins, you have to let him go. Pasta I believe is going nowhere, nor should he. And 2/3 of this roster will be going nowhere either, because that is not how things work in pro sports, as much as we'd sometimes like to see a giant player turnover. Whichever 1/3 goes, I am fine with whatever that looks like outside of Pasta.

I think they need to clean out the pro coaching staff outside of Essensa, too.

The G M should be going somewhere fast .Sweeney replacing another coach is laughable.Time to replace him.

 

[BruinDust]

Was there not a report this season they had not even begun to discuss extension with Marchand? Assume Sweeney is going to continue his miserable trend of failure. Can Marchand save him from himself? Demand a trade or extension now.

Sure sounded to me like if they had made him a reasonable offer, he'd of signed it already.

The ball is in management's court but I'd have no problem if Marchand's camp approached them asking what the plan is here, asking should they expect a contract extension offer prior to the deadline or not.

 

[Dr Hook]

The G M should be going somewhere fast .

I do not disagree, but I also don't think he will be going anywhere just yet, so I left him off.