Boston Bruins 24-25 Roster/Cap thread XIV

[NeelyDan]

Who we get for Swayman ?

Chicago I’d want a G & Oliver Moore

I don’t see it happening but I would be if the G I’m getting has to have a lot of ability

This place is rough - it swallowed Jim Carey, Blaine Lachter, Jon Casey etc

I remember when they heckled Eddie Johnston

9 months ago Swayman was the savior now he’s showing up everywhere as a guy to move

I mean sway definitely understands the business side of the sport, he went to school for it

 

[DKH]

Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov cost the Bruins a lot in free agency, and so far they’re not paying off - The Boston Globe

The Bruins doled out an annual cap hit of $12.75 million for the pair, and a combined price tag of $82.25 million.

www.bostonglobe.com

Elias Lindholm had a productive night Thursday at TD Garden.

For just the fifth time in 53 games this season, the Bruins center registered at least 2 points — orchestrating Brad Marchand’s power-play tally before snapping a shorthanded strike past Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck.

The Bruins, however, left the ice with 0 points for the standings.
It’s been that type of season for Lindholm and his new team, with Boston’s offseason spending spree doing little to move the needle.

Several factors have contributed to the rudderless Bruins — be it regression from key cogs, injuries, and a knack for letting go of the rope in critical situations.

But the offseason efforts to build upon an overachieving bunch in 2023-24 has compounded the Bruins’ woes — hampering the organization’s efforts to retool on the fly, and saddling a depth chart with players that are shrinking this team’s ceiling.

Entering last summer with $25 million in cap space after dealing Linus Ullmark to Ottawa, the Bruins allocated most of their fiscal flexibility toward Lindholm and defenseman Nikita Zadorov — doling out an annual cap hit of $12.75 million and a combined price tag of $82.25 million.

That steep commitment — coupled with Jeremy Swayman’s eventual $66 million deal — hindered Boston’s ability to retain fleet-footed Jake DeBrusk, or at the very least replace him with other middle-six scorers.

But in Lindholm and Zadorov, Don Sweeney, Cam Neely, and the top brass believed they found and 200-foot centerman and the bruising blue liner required for the playoffs after being knocked out by the Panthers in back-to-back years.

“Elias, I mean, his 200-foot game is remarkable,” Neely said in late September. “I don’t want to put him in the Patrice [Bergeron] category, but he’s Patrice-like. And Zadorov, I mean, a big back end like that, it just solidifies our back end. Our back end is big, and they’ve got some beef to them, which I think bodes well in the playoffs. You’ve got to get to the playoffs, but I think we’re built a little bit stronger for the playoffs.”

Those playoff hopes are dwindling, with MoneyPuck now tabbing the Bruins with just a 19.1 percent chance.

The inability of Lindholm and Zadorov to elevate Boston’s lineup also has been reinforced. Lindholm has been solid on faceoffs (54.7 percent) and defensive assignments, while ranking fourth among Bruins forwards in shorthanded ice time per game (1:41).

That’s suitable for a defensive-minded, third-line center — which has been Lindholm’s primary role for the last few weeks. But the Bruins aren’t paying him close to $8 million a year to be a defensive stopgap.

Lindholm may not be a net negative, but he’s far from a play-driver, especially at his price tag.

Zadorov has been as advertised when it comes to his sandpaper style of play. But his propensity for landing in the penalty box (league-leading 115 minutes) and occasional D-zone lapses have put his team behind the eight-ball — with the Bruins’ own scoring woes giving them little margin for error when those breakdowns end with pucks sailing past Swayman.

Embracing a retool this season could see the Bruins net future assets by moving pending UFAs such as Trent Frederic or even Marchand. Players with term such as Brandon Carlo or Charlie Coyle might also be coveted by teams.

But moving players such as Lindholm and Zadorov — fresh off of inking those hefty contracts — feels futile.

With long-term deals involving franchise fixtures Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy primed to age well, the Bruins should have the means to aggressively add talent in the coming years.

But orchestrating a successful retool via a free agent spending spree is risky. The Bruins don’t have to look back very far to heed those hard truths.

Lindholm is a younger, better Coyle

He’s not going anywhere- Coyle can be moved

Coyle
Marchand *
Frederic **
Carlo ***
Korpi

Here is where you go

 

[TCB]

Concentrate on Rantanen, not Marner. Yes, I have stated my interest in McTavish. Crazy idea, but if the Bruins offered a team Poitras, and maybe Loheri, or another piece but they must take Elias, would you, do it?

All depends on who was coming back

 

[Hookslide]

Better chance the Rock really is the tooth fairy

0.0 they are getting Rantinen

He’s probably going to resign with Carolina and play with Aho his buddy

Lets get to trade deadline

I am not going to dispute you, but I would still go hard after him, until Carolina locks him up, if nothing else drive the price up.

 

[Hookslide]

Lindholm is a younger, better Coyle

He’s not going anywhere- Coyle can be moved

Coyle
Marchand *
Frederic **
Carlo ***
Korpi

Here is where you go

I am not so sure he is better, and he doesn't play like he is younger, everything about Coyles contract is better, less money, and expires 5 years sooner. If you are being honest Lindholm's, contract is a massive mistake.

 

[PlayMakers]

Instead of arguing over whether McAvoy is top10 or top20 or whatever, the fact remains he's still one of the best defensemen in the game. Seems like a more productive discussion, given the Bruins impending re-tool, would be to figure out what kind of partner he needs to maximize his ability.

He's played with... and xG%
2018 Chara-McAvoy... 56.6%
2019 Chara-McAvoy... 54.9%
2020 Chara-McAvoy... 50.8%
2021 Gryz-McAvoy... 64.9%
2022 Gryz-McAvoy... 68.8% (best in the league)
2023 Lindholm-McAvoy... 58.2% (Orlov-McAvoy was 59.3 but small sample)
2024 Lindholm-McAvoy... 57.3%

2025 Lindholm-McAvoy 53.5%
2025 Zadorov-McAvoy 52.7% (most minutes of the 3 pairs)
2025 Lohrei-McAvoy 49.0%

McAvoy's best season was in 2021-22. He set a career high with 56 points. That was also the highest plus/minus of his career at +31, and he finished 4th in Norris voting.

It certainly seems to me that McAvoy had his best seasons with guys who could move the puck. Looking forward that would suggest Lindholm as his best partner but
it's also worth noting that Lindholm-Carlo is 61.1% this year, and Carlo has really struggled with the other options; he's 41% with Zadorov and 31% with Lohrei.

Bottom line is the chemistry on the D is off. The only combination where all three D pairs are close to or above 50% are Z-Mac, Lindy-Carlo, Lohrei-Peeke (49.6%), but you're not getting the most out of your best players in those combinations. I think the team needs to trade in a defensive minded guy for a defenseman who is more of a transition/two-way guy.

 

[smithformeragent]

Let’s keep this thread focused on the Bruins’ roster and move the Miller talk to the out of town thread.

Thanks.

NHL Post in thread '2024- 2025 Out of Town II: JT Miller to Rangers'

Today at 7:10 PM

Miller to Rags

• HooperDrivesTheBoat

• 

 

[PlayMakers]

I wonder if Calgary would be interested in a Carlo for Andersson swap. They're the same age, same cap hit, same position, same role. Andersson wants out of Calgary.

My thinking for Boston is that Zadorov was Andersson's best partner in 2023. He played better with Z than anyone else, they had a 55.6% xG together. Actually, Zadorov was in 3 of Calgary's 4 best pairs. He also played well with Tanev, Gilbert, and Weegar, but Andersson is the only one who has publicly stated he'd "welcome a trade out of Calgary" or so says the social media link on the trade board.

Lindholm-McAvoy
Zadorov-Andersson
Lohrei - Peeke

Andersson can score goals too. He's got 27 in the last 2.5 years.

 

[NDiesel]

I wonder if Calgary would be interested in a Carlo for Andersson swap. They're the same age, same cap hit, same position, same role. Andersson wants out of Calgary.

My thinking for Boston is that Zadorov was Andersson's best partner in 2023. He played better with Z than anyone else, they had a 55.6% xG together. Actually, Zadorov was in 3 of Calgary's 4 best pairs. He also played well with Tanev, Gilbert, and Weegar, but Andersson is the only one who has publicly stated he'd "welcome a trade out of Calgary" or so says the social media link on the trade board.

Lindholm-McAvoy
Zadorov-Andersson
Lohrei - Peeke

Andersson can score goals too. He's got 27 in the last 2.5 years.

Andersson has a nasty shot, I like it. Good option to replace Mac on PP1 too if they insist on a RHD on the point

 

[CellyHard]

Here are some of the #1 centers drafted outside of the top ten-ish over the last 10 years. I get there are question marks on some, mostly the younger players (Zegras for sure) but I think it just goes to show how rare it is to find one. The two drafts were you could find one had a good reputation for being strong (2015 and 2017)

2014: Larkin (15)
2015: Barzal (16), Aho (35), Hintz (49)
2016: Tage Thomson (26)
2017: Necas (12), Suzuki (13), Robert Thomas (20)
2018:
2019: Zegras (9)
2020: Rossi (9), Lundell (12)
2021: Wyatt Johnston (23)

I feel like it makes the most sense to use that 1st for a proven talent. In a weak draft, there might be one but what are the chances you pick the right one? It's really slim. By the time they even become a #1 center, how old is Pasta and McAvoy by then? and how much of a window do you have left? It's tough to say.

 

[neelynugs]

Lindholm is a younger, better Coyle

He’s not going anywhere- Coyle can be moved

Coyle
Marchand *
Frederic **
Carlo ***
Korpi

Here is where you go

maybe LA wants korpi back. bruins probably have to retain a bit to move him out.

with marchand i'd love to see him pull a keith tkachuk and get bruins a nice return...then circle back and re-sign

 

[GordonHowe]

I think you are over-valuing Trent Frederic's value on the market. If he brought back anything better than a 3rd round pick, I'd be doing cartwheels.

I think you are undervaluing Trent Frederic:s value on the market.

For some reason, you're all in love with his particular "skill set." Never mind that it disappears every other week.

They should be able to get a second round pick and maybe something more.

 

[The don godfather]

I am not so sure he is better, and he doesn't play like he is younger, everything about Coyles contract is better, less money, and expires 5 years sooner. If you are being honest Lindholm's, contract is a massive mistake.

Let's see lindholm is kinda heating up now. He could have a point a game if his wingers could finish.

 

[PlayMakers]

Here are some of the #1 centers drafted outside of the top ten-ish over the last 10 years. I get there are question marks on some, mostly the younger players (Zegras for sure) but I think it just goes to show how rare it is to find one. The two drafts were you could find one had a good reputation for being strong (2015 and 2017)

2014: Larkin (15)
2015: Barzal (16), Aho (35), Hintz (49)
2016: Tage Thomson (26)
2017: Necas (12), Suzuki (13), Robert Thomas (20)
2018:
2019: Zegras (9)
2020: Rossi (9), Lundell (12)
2021: Wyatt Johnston (23)

I feel like it makes the most sense to use that 1st for a proven talent. In a weak draft, there might be one but what are the chances you pick the right one? It's really slim. By the time they even become a #1 center, how old is Pasta and McAvoy by then? and how much of a window do you have left? It's tough to say.

You make good points. The odds are really against you, especially in a weak draft.

If the Bruins are sellers (including Marchand) I think there is a good chance they could drop into the top10. They're drafing 13th right now and the Rangers, Red Wings and Islanders all looked poised to pass them.

I'm far from an expert on draft eligible prospects, but there are 5 centers listed on most of the top10 lists...

Hagens
Misa
Frondell
McQueen
Desnoyers

Hagens and Misa are having the kinds of seasons you'd expect from a future #1c, but they're expected to be gone by the 3rd pick. The top-end potential of the other guys seems a bit murkier (to me) for one reason or another. There's also a kid named Carter Bear who is ranked in the middle of the draft who looks promising, but again, if his upside was obvious as a #1C then he'd be ranked higher.

I guess the question becomes, who's the player you trade the pick for?

(Feel free to move to the draft thread if there is one.)

 

[PlayMakers]

maybe LA wants korpi back. bruins probably have to retain a bit to move him out.

with marchand i'd love to see him pull a keith tkachuk and get bruins a nice return...then circle back and re-sign

I don't think the Bruins can retain. Like a lot of teams, they used their 3 retention slots.

I'm with you on Marchand. If they can get Calum Ritchie for him and then re-sign Marchy in July well... that would be nice.

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

I don't think the Bruins can retain. Like a lot of teams, they used their 3 retention slots.

I'm with you on Marchand. If they can get Calum Ritchie for him and then re-sign Marchy in July well... that would be nice.

The Bruins haven’t used a single slot of retention. They have all three available.