Boston Bruins 24-25 Roster/Cap thread XIV

[bruinmann77]

One Guy also can't make the Other 20 Play better he can Lead but it looks like most don't follow. I also don't think he has the support system like others had

The Bruins by all account should look to be sellers and while keeping that first rounder.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

McAvoy played 25 minutes a game last year and finished 13th in Norris voting. That's pretty dominant IMO.

Dominant dmen don't play just 1 dominant game in 20 two years of the SCPO.

 

[bruinmann77]

I bought tickets for my dad and two sisters to the Colorado game as a Christmas present, and with added fees, the tickets were close to $2,000. Granted they were 1st floor seats, but paying for parking and food, it was pretty much $2,000.

Thank god they ended up winning that game because after the first two periods, it felt like I paid two grand to torture my family.

I told the wife we are cancelling our Yearly trip up there to see the b's play live just can't justify the expense

 

[TCB]

I bought tickets for my dad and two sisters to the Colorado game as a Christmas present, and with added fees, the tickets were close to $2,000. Granted they were 1st floor seats, but paying for parking and food, it was pretty much $2,000.

Thank god they ended up winning that game because after the first two periods, it felt like I paid two grand to torture my family.

That is just absurd. I go to the Sens games because their only an hour an a half away, me and my wife, your looking at 200-250 or so for good seats and parking. Unless its Toronto, which I refuse to pay.

 

[PlayMakers]

Really ?

Even with the cap rising, it will be easier to hide a bad contract, so to speak but I wouldn't call it the norm or at least I hope it doesn't become one. I more so seeing your top players reaping the benefits of the upgrade in cap space. Your top 6 wingers and top 4 d-men as well, but not your 3rd and 4th liners, sure it will go up, but to extent where your paying them 8 mil per ? I wouldn't think so, unless it was a previous bad contract, ala Lindholm.

Yeah, I think so. There are several 3c's making $5m that were signed to that deal in the last 4 years (like Coyle). GM's are starting to use percentage of the cap as their basis for contract negotiations and $5m when Coyle signed would be $7m in just two years. Add to that the fact that most teams are going to have most players signed to lower cap hits from the flat cap era (and therefore will have lots of money to spend) and I think we're going to see a lot of loose purses in free agency.

 

[TCB]

One Guy also can't make the Other 20 Play better he can Lead but it looks like most don't follow. I also don't think he has the support system like others had

The Bruins by all account should look to be sellers and while keeping that first rounder.

I agree, Although its sounding like its bad timing for them as far as the draft year. On the point on NHL Radio were just saying that this year could be the worst draft year since 1999.

 

[Coach Parker]

FWIW...

This is great news and helps put things into perspective for Bruins fans and the Evan Gold idea.

Next year and beyond, the average price for a 2nd line C will be 7-8 million and a 3rd line C 4.5-6.5 million.

When you consider that McDavid is going to be paid double Lindholm and Miller (or both combined) it starts to balance out having 2nd line (and top line talent) that are on existing contracts now for the long-term.

I liked Lindholm's game (screens, face-offs, goals) last night offensively and just really want to strike while the iron is hot and the chance to trade for a C is out there.

Otherwise, you're signing a guy like Lindholm (of his calibre) to 10+ million in UFA moving forward.

 

[sarge88]

True, but that's a backwards way of thinking that's always drove me nuts. This came up a lot during the Swayman contract negotiations. The whole "overpay now because the Cap's gonna increase and the contract will be at market value in a few years" argument is just ass-backwards in my opinion.

The whole point of giving additional term (from a club's point of view) is to lock in value. It SHOULD be "Pay Market NOW, and lock in value when the Cap increases in future years". Its a subtle difference, but an important one that adds up over time.

Recently, we've been doing too much of the former, and not enough of the latter.

I’m of the mindset that you should identify about five or six guys who you think will be integral in leading you to a cup, pay them what they’re worth and then round out your roster based on who they are and how much they cost, because to me, 55/60% of the league is interchangeable.

I think this years Bruins are a prime example. At their best at this point in their careers, Swayman, Pasta, McAvoy and maybe H. Lindholm and Marchand could be those guys…..but clearly only Pasta (and only recently) have performed at the level needed to contend.

Beyond those guys, even if the next 5 guys in the talent/productivity pecking order played over their heads….Zacha, Coyle, Carlo, Geekie, Frederic? It Isn’t going to push you over the top.

But, put any of those guys on NJ, Edmonton, Toronto, Washington, etc. and their contributions would likely be far more impactful.

This is why, I rarely fret when a pick is moved for a proven player. It’s also why I think with the right moves this team can get back to contender status, as I can’t imagine Swayman and McAvoy having worse seasons than this and Pasta struggling as much as he did early on.

That’s three big, legitimate pieces toward establishing a quality team. Get 2-3 more and do what 75% of the rest of the league does, and hope someone steps up to the next level….like Geekie becoming a 25-28 goal guy, or Lohrei cutting down on the defensive mistakes and putting up 50 points.

 

[TCB]

This is great news and helps put things into perspective for Bruins fans and the Evan Gold idea.

Next year and beyond, the average price for a 2nd line C will be 7-8 million and a 3rd line C 4.5-6.5 million.

When you consider that McDavid is going to be paid double Lindholm and Miller (or both combined) it starts to balance out having 2nd line (and top line talent) that are on existing contracts now for the long-term.

I liked Lindholm's game (screens, face-offs, goals) last night offensively and just really want to strike while the iron is hot and the chance to trade for a C is out there.

Otherwise, you're signing a guy like Lindholm (of his calibre) to 10+ million in UFA moving forward.

So your saying Pettersson, get it done!

I do wonder though if the Canucks finally do something given the Flames trade has clearly made them better.

 

[Hookslide]

But he’s a third liner today.

So, in two years what would Sweeney pay for Lindholm, who he, and the scouting staff considered a #1C, my uneducated guess would be 11 mil.

 

[Coach Parker]

Fair point, and for EP I guess it should be on the table, though with the recent reports coming out about him being lazy (!! and who the hell knows what's true with any of this anymore) it has to give a GM pause with that size of a contract. Miller I am a hard pass on because of age and cap hit because I don't think the Bruins are in any shape to make the most of whatever JT has left in the tank over the next couple of seasons.

I’m interested to see what happens before the “soft deadline”.

My guess, the Vancouver saga is resolved before the break. Otherwise, they'll have their two assets facing off in Boston as USA facecs Sweden and one injury along the way ruins a trade (Pettersson could get injured during the Sweden games and then untradable until his NMC kicks in.

 

[Coach Parker]

Yeah, I think so. There are several 3c's making $5m that were signed to that deal in the last 4 years (like Coyle). GM's are starting to use percentage of the cap as their basis for contract negotiations and $5m when Coyle signed would be $7m in just two years. Add to that the fact that most teams are going to have most players signed to lower cap hits from the flat cap era (and therefore will have lots of money to spend) and I think we're going to see a lot of loose purses in free agency.

Believe it or not, Zacha and Coyle's deals just got a lot more attractive on the trade market moving forward.

 

[TCB]

My guess, the Vancouver saga is resolved before the break. Otherwise, they'll have their two assets facing off in Boston as USA facecs Sweden and one injury along the way ruins a trade (Pettersson could get injured during the Sweden games and then untradable until his NMC kicks in.

Great promotional job there

 

[Coach Parker]

My God, does Jack Hughes' contract look amazing right now. Tage Thompson, wow.

Great promotional job there

I've been jealous of any Bruins fans who managed to get tickets to that game. Best game of the tournament.

 

[easton117]

Even Lindholm. In 2 years there are going to be 3rd liners who are paid $8m.

This may be true. But I would’ve preferred it if Boston wasn’t leading the charge two years early on it

 

[JHockey14]

If I know the Bruins way, in time we’ll move out Coyle, Geekie, Zacha, Brazzeau, Frederic, etc. for some scoring power. Then we won’t be able to get over the hump because we don’t have any character and we’ll go out looking for Coyle, Geekie, Zacha, Brazzeau, and Frederics. Repeat cycle. Those guys are important players on winning teams. The problem is you can’t make up half your roster of them. Thats how you end up with 3 third lines and a fourth line.

 

[22Brad Park]

If the season ended today, the Bruins would be picking 13th. If they traded off some key players, it doesn't look like it would be very hard to fall into the top10.

My question to all the draft fans is this: Is there a clear top10 in this draft?

Yes,they would get a solid player top 10.

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

McAvoy played 25 minutes a game last year and finished 13th in Norris voting. That's pretty dominant IMO.

Even the most pessimistic Bruins fan needs to realize McAvoy is an elite defenseman. Still top 10, on a good team with any system and talent.

He simply doesn't need to run the PP. Find a different option. He also needs support. He tries to do too much. Pastrnak can do that as a top 5 NHLer. Few others can. When was the last McAvoy hit?

Being the reverse of Karlsson is a fine option. Points are not everything even in the modern artificially driven offense era.

 

[TCB]

My God, does Jack Hughes' contract look amazing right now. Tage Thompson, wow.


I've been jealous of any Bruins fans who managed to get tickets to that game. Best game of the tournament.

Pasta's will look pretty sweet after you see what Marner and Rantanen signs for.

 

[sarge88]

Believe it or not, Zacha and Coyle's deals just got a lot more attractive on the trade market moving forward.

I’m not saying Coyle has been great…..but if he were ugly and from Nova Scotia, I don’t think he’d get 1/2 the flack he does.



Put him on the Devils and let him play his puck possession/PK/grinding game for 12/14 minutes a night on the third line and IMO he helps them notably.

Same if he went to Toronto or several others.

Relying on him to offensively (and defensively) be an impactful top 6 guy at this point in his career is asking too much.

Like he was here in 2023, him on line three is an advantage, and if a team is at certain place cap-wise and in their cup contending trajectory, he’s an asset.

 

[22Brad Park]

Even the most pessimistic Bruins fan needs to realize McAvoy is an elite defenseman. Still top 10, on a good team with any system and talent.

He simply doesn't need to run the PP. Find a different option. He also needs support. He tries to do too much. Pastrnak can do that as a top 5 NHLer. Few others can. When was the last McAvoy hit?

Being the reverse of Karlsson is a fine option. Points are not everything even in the modern artificially driven offense era.

People are never going to stop if he is making most on that backend and not running top powerplay

 

[KillerMillerTime]

Believe it or not, Zacha and Coyle's deals just got a lot more attractive on the trade market moving forward.

Agree on #18 but not #13.

 

[BruinDust]

Even the most pessimistic Bruins fan needs to realize McAvoy is an elite defenseman. Still top 10, on a good team with any system and talent.

He simply doesn't need to run the PP. Find a different option. He also needs support. He tries to do too much. Pastrnak can do that as a top 5 NHLer. Few others can. When was the last McAvoy hit?

Being the reverse of Karlsson is a fine option. Points are not everything even in the modern artificially driven offense era.

I'd much rather McAvoy play to his strengths and just be really solid defensively in the neutral zone and defensive zone and strong at transitioning the puck up ice like an Alex Pietrangelo than him out there doing this PK Subban impression like he is now. Any points are a bonus.

 

[RoccoF14]

I’m not saying Coyle has been great…..but if he were ugly and from Nova Scotia, I don’t think he’d get 1/2 the clack he does.



Put him on the Devils and let him play his puck possession/PK/grinding game for 12/14 minutes a night on the third line and IMO he helps them notably.

Same if he went to Toronto or several others.

Relying on him to offensively (and defensively) be an impactful top 6 guy at this point in his career is asking too much.

Like he was here in 2023, him on line three is an advantage, and if a team is at certain place cap-wise and in their cup contending trajectory, he’s an asset.

He's also incredibly versatile, and you can use him in just about any situation. Something that is often overlooked on this board. He's a jack of all trades type of player and he's always in the lineup. That's got some value to a lot of teams, including us.

 

[TCB]

If I know the Bruins way, in time we’ll move out Coyle, Geekie, Zacha, Brazzeau, Frederic, etc. for some scoring power. Then we won’t be able to get over the hump because we don’t have any character and we’ll go out looking for Coyle, Geekie, Zacha, Brazzeau, and Frederics. Repeat cycle. Those guys are important players on winning teams. The problem is you can’t make up half your roster of them. Thats how you end up with 3 third lines and a fourth line.

The projected rise in the cap should make it a lot easier to move those guys out as well. If there ever was a good time to become sellers, now appears to be the time.