Boston Bruins 24-25 Roster/Cap thread XV

[NeelyDan]

I've been saying this for a month. People have very different definitions of "retool."

I think the standard definition of re-tool means hockey trades. It does not mean selling, which is what I think most here, and it seems most in the local media want it to mean. Selling = rebuilding and rebuilding takes a really long time.

The Bruins aren't interested in selling because they're not interested in wasting Pasta's window. That doesn't mean the Bruins can't retool with an eye towards the future. In fact, that's what I'm expecting them to do at the deadline. Carlo out and Cozens in. Coyle out and Seamus Casey in. Probably not those exact names but those types of exchanges.

I think they're going to try to use this deadline to try to put themselves in a good position to add this summer, so they can get back in contention next year.

My favourite take

 

[The don godfather]

My favourite take

I'll take cozens yes.

 

[Juniper]

Trade away a couple pieces for picks or prospects . Keep most of the core especially zacha, the lindholms, lohrei, poitras, swayman, mcavoy, Carlo and pastrnak.

I can see them moving Carlo and coyle. I consider them both core pieces but if they can return some firsts it might be worth exploring.

L

 

[Hookslide]

Sell Swayman (NTP)high. Sell now

Not really unless a number one center comes back.

If you trade Swayman, and get a #1 center back that would be fine, if you trade him, and don't get one back you can use that cap space to sign one. Many more options, but does the management team, have the know-how and the guts to do some real positive, and must needed moves. I am skeptical, what do you say.

 

[Kalus]

This team is in a tough spot to “retool on the fly”. They just don’t have much of value that they can trade for younger players with upside / good draft pick positioning. The last retool, they had some real pieces in Hamilton and Lucic that yielded, if memory serves, three first rounders and I think 3 second rounders plus some players that appeared to have upside like Colin Miller. Those were mostly mid first round picks, not end of the round ones. Just because the team made bad decisions with a lot of those picks doesn’t make the pick positioning and potential any less valuable.

This team doesn’t have players like that that would make sense to trade if they are trying to retool on the fly and remain competitive. The Coyles and the Carlos of the world are probably bringing back 3rd rounder-type returns. Frederic might get you a late 2nd since physical players do well at the deadline. Marchand would only make sense to go to a top contender, so you’re looking at around the 30th pick or whatever. And then you need to fill all those slots with something next year, with a barren pipeline, they’d likely have to overpay mediocre UFAs.

Tough spot.

 

[Bruin4]

If you trade Swayman, and get a #1 center back that would be fine, if you trade him, and don't get one back you can use that cap space to sign one. Many more options, but does the management team, have the know-how and the guts to do some real positive, and must needed moves. I am skeptical, what do you say.

I agree a new management team is needed

 

[Hookslide]

I'll take cozens yes.

Don, I am just throwing this out there, not sure how it could be done, but if you are right about Cozens, and you might be, but would adding Tuch, to any such deal have more of a impact, and I am not sure of the pieces going back. Whay do you think?

 

[DKH]

Caught Fluto on 98.5 a few minutes ago

Expects low returns for UFAs

2 for Frederic
2 & decent prospect not elite for Marchand

Yeeeeeeehawwwwww

 

[goldenblack]

Caught Fluto on 98.5 a few minutes ago

Expects low returns for UFAs

2 for Frederic
2 & decent prospect not elite for Marchand

Yeeeeeeehawwwwww

Suddenly a lot of sellers this year. So I'd agree.

 

[Bruin4]

Caught Fluto on 98.5 a few minutes ago

Expects low returns for UFAs

2 for Frederic
2 & decent prospect not elite for Marchand

Yeeeeeeehawwwwww

Granlund and Ceci went for a 1st and a 3rd.

Pettersson and O’Conner went for Heinen, Desharnais, prospect Melvin Fernstrom and a 1st.

In no world would Marchand go for less than a first +.

 

[Number8]

Caught Fluto on 98.5 a few minutes ago

Expects low returns for UFAs

2 for Frederic
2 & decent prospect not elite for Marchand

Yeeeeeeehawwwwww

I hope Fluto is wrong. That's a pretty dreadful return.

If I were Boston I'd:

- assess the 2025 and 2026 draft class to identify if there are any strong candidates in #1 Center role - and if so, how many.

- target what pick(s) in 2025 or 2026 leave you a good prospect of getting one of those top Centers.

- do my absolute best to identify who will likely have one of those picks.

- do a lot to try and get one of those picks - including overpaying if necessary.

If there aren't any strong candidates then adopt a different strategy.

Regardless, any re-tool or re-build or whatever we want to call it has to focus first and foremost on getting a #1Center in the relative short-term.

 

[wintersej]

Id say trade for futures but idk if I trust this management with the future.

Team needs an overhaul like the Patriots
New coach
New GM
New president

Wont happen tho. Patriots and Bruins are 2 different animals.

Yes the patriots would never hire a bunch of former players from the good old days to run things .

I really think you can build around Pasta, Swayman, McAvoy and to a lesser extent H. Lindholm.

Those are 4 very, very solid pieces of a foundation….none perfect, of course…but I think that while neither route provides a guarantee, re-tooling/re-stocking with those guys in the fold is a better plan than a total rebuild.

I think that’s a great start. The rub is that you really need another high end forward to pair with Pasta and someone to anchor the other line in the top 6 and I dunno where those come from.

 

[LouJersey]

I really think you can build around Pasta, Swayman, McAvoy and to a lesser extent H. Lindholm.

Those are 4 very, very solid pieces of a foundation….none perfect, of course…but I think that while neither route provides a guarantee, re-tooling/re-stocking with those guys in the fold is a better plan than a total rebuild.

The defense is locked up pretty long term. When all healthy and playing at their peak they are very good. Swayman and Korpi should be fine.

The forwards are the major issue. Do you win a cup with Zacha and Elias Linbdholm as your top 2? Pasta is your only legit top 6 skill wise if you deal / don't reup with #63.

 

[Number8]

What does Calgary need to get into the playoffs? And does the #8 (current) they have in 2025 from Montreal get us in the range to pick a top Center?

 

[Bruin4]

Delete

 

[BruinDust]

Caught Fluto on 98.5 a few minutes ago

Expects low returns for UFAs

2 for Frederic
2 & decent prospect not elite for Marchand

Yeeeeeeehawwwwww

Sounds like something Fluto was fed from Bruins management when they try to explain on deadline day why they didn't move pending UFA Marchand.

 

[DKH]

Only way to get a top #1 is pick in top two

Or

Get lucky as shit

Bruins fans need to get in reality

They want a magical GM & #1 center to appear

Best to take a half dozen years off learn to play an instrument, volunteer at a shelter, get off their parents phone plan, check in each June and see if Bruins are picking 1 and there is a McDavid, Crosby, Matthews and not a Yakamov, Slafkovsky, Power, or Bedard are there

Sounds like something Fluto was fed from Bruins management when they try to explain on deadline day why they didn't move pending UFA Marchand.

They hate Fluto

 

[DKH]

Bruins Receiving Trade Interest on Brad Marchand, Final Decision Yet To Be Taken

Brad Marchand trade rumors are intensifying as the Bruins listen to offers. Will the captain be moved before the NHL trade deadline?

rg.org

“They’re getting calls on [Marchand], and teams are wondering what they’re going to do here, but, at this point, I think they’re just listening,” an NHL executive source told RG. “Still, the fact that the Bruins or Marchand haven’t come right out and squashed this like they have in the past is telling. With things also being so quiet on contract talks, it tells you this is getting real.”

“The fact they’re listening, though, means that, if they can’t find common ground over this break, it becomes more than listening when they return from break.”

Another source, even closer to the situation, confirmed this on Tuesday night.

“There’s players they’re shopping and he’s not one of them right now,” the source told RG.

The opinions varied. The source above expects Sweeney to ask for a first-round pick and top prospect, and believes he can get that. Meanwhile, another NHL source wasn’t so sure and believes it all depends on whom the acquiring team is.

“I honestly think it will be very situational,” this source opined to RG. “For instance, I keep hearing that Colorado is very interested in him. Well, they don’t have a first-round pick this year. Of course, Sweeney could ask for a 2026 pick, or he and [Chris] MacFarland (Avalanche GM) can get creative. Is Marchand, at this point, coming off of surgery and a strange season, even worth a first-round pick right now? I don’t know. It’s all about the team that wants him and the market the Bruins are able to build.”

On top of the Avalanche, the Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota Wild, and Dallas Stars are all teams that have been mentioned to RG as interested parties to any potential Marchand trade.

Also, on Monday, a well-placed source confirmed that the Vegas Golden Knights will be another serious trade suitor for Marchand. The Knights are said to be awaiting word from Boston before engaging in any serious trade talks, but an answer is expected soon.

I want Marchand on Vegas

An 80 degree June day

Hit the beach, stop off at the Boat House & Down River ice cream stand on way home

Maybe cut the grass - hit the deck and get some cold beers and watch Eichel hand the Cup to Brad under the stars

See Bruce & Brad after covered with champagne say this could have happened in Boston but Sweeney screwed up

What a time to be alive

 

[ON3M4N]

Thompson had a far superior year as a true Frosh than Letourneau is having and made the USA Jr Team his last year eligible D+2. It does take really big kids time to grow into their body but Letourneau doesn't posses Thompson's shooting ability at
D+1. He played with more purpose the Beanpot games, but this has been a bit of a disappointing year for him.

He did have a superior season. My point was more so to the bolded.

 

[Bruin4]

Sounds like something Fluto was fed from Bruins management when they try to explain on deadline day why they didn't move pending UFA Marchand.

Bruins management needs to accept the reality that more than likely they won’t make the playoffs and do what’s right for the future by acquiring assets instead of letting players simply walk away in free agency, but there are multiple reports out there that they are shopping players, so thats a good sign, I think.

 

[JoeIsAStud]

If you trade Swayman, and get a #1 center back that would be fine, if you trade him, and don't get one back you can use that cap space to sign one. Many more options, but does the management team, have the know-how and the guts to do some real positive, and must needed moves. I am skeptical, what do you say.

But that assumes a #1 center gets to FA. Currently the only one for this summer is Crosby, and I don't think they are looking for a 37 year old.

 

[SPLBRUIN]

Caught Fluto on 98.5 a few minutes ago

Expects low returns for UFAs

2 for Frederic
2 & decent prospect not elite for Marchand

Yeeeeeeehawwwwww

Marchand easily gets a first in a weak draft year, Fluto is crazy if he thinks otherwise.

 

[CDJ]

If it ain’t a 1st I’m not moving Brad

 

[Bruin4]

If it ain’t a 1st I’m not moving Brad

All depends, I'd actually prefer an NHL ready top prospect or two, but the bruins need to hit on them.

 

[bp14]

This team is in a tough spot to “retool on the fly”. They just don’t have much of value that they can trade for younger players with upside / good draft pick positioning. The last retool, they had some real pieces in Hamilton and Lucic that yielded, if memory serves, three first rounders and I think 3 second rounders plus some players that appeared to have upside like Colin Miller. Those were mostly mid first round picks, not end of the round ones. Just because the team made bad decisions with a lot of those picks doesn’t make the pick positioning and potential any less valuable.

This team doesn’t have players like that that would make sense to trade if they are trying to retool on the fly and remain competitive. The Coyles and the Carlos of the world are probably bringing back 3rd rounder-type returns. Frederic might get you a late 2nd since physical players do well at the deadline. Marchand would only make sense to go to a top contender, so you’re looking at around the 30th pick or whatever. And then you need to fill all those slots with something next year, with a barren pipeline, they’d likely have to overpay mediocre UFAs.

Tough spot.

Agree with the view but I think you’re underestimating returns on those players. Marchand I think gets you the first and more, and I could see more than just a late 2nd for Frederic, and 3rd for Carlo and Coyle. Those guys are top half or middle of the roster players for competitive teams - they’d get more than that IMO.

Anyway the retool on the fly idea is nice but I agree it’ll be hard without a lucky draft or a huge signing. And Sweeney absolutely sucks at UFA signings.

It makes you wonder whether they need to consider moving a big piece instead.

Marchand easily gets a first in a weak draft year, Fluto is crazy if he thinks otherwise.

Totally agree. Marchand gets you a first plus.