Boston Bruins 24-25 Roster/Cap thread XV

[DKH]

It would be nice if they gave him a shot the rest of the season to see if he can be a top 6 solution.

I think he gets last month

 

[Absurdity]

Looking at next year top 6

Geekie - Zacha- Pastrnak
Marchand - Lindholm- ?

Coyle I would not mind playing RW on third line with Poitras

Like to see Sweens work his magic and get another Geekie/Zacha gem for 2nd line RW

Give Lysell a shot ?

Bruins should give Lysell a shot at RW this season. I also wouldn't mind seeing Poitras between Marchand and Lindholm or Zacha and Pastrnak.

Geekie - Zacha - Pastrnak is a good enough first line for the remainder of this season, but it needs to be improved to get the most out of Pastrnak.

 

[GordonHowe]

I don’t disagree with this.

But to me it comes down to this: What is your plan from here? How do you get back to competitive? And if Sweeney doesn’t have the answer, then he has to go. Just like when Julien was fired. And just like Cassidy. And hell, just like Montgomery. You’ve been good (more or less), but what do we do from here? That’s your answer? Bye bye.

And I think we’ll know our answer by the deadline this year. If Sweeney doesn’t sell off their UFAs and/or doesn’t move players like Brandon Carlo - it’s time to move on. And the reason I say this is this.

If they keep UFAs it means one of two things:
1) That they’re losing these players for nothing in the off-season and for no reason.
Or
2) They plan on re-signing these players and running the roster back again next season

And NEITHER of those outcomes should be palatable for anyone.

You took some swings this year. It didn’t work out. That happens. The only thing that angers me is that they’ve made zero effort to turn it around during the year and the season slipped away without resistance. But I can deal with a bad year. That’s okay.

What is your plan to fix it?

Let me tell you, if they can make the playoffs with one or two rentals, and offload a few bodies, that is what they will do. That is the quote unquote plan.

Sweetie is not the manager to retool the Boston Bruins.

But I have to say, unfortunately, he will probably be back next year. And it will be the same f*cking thing all over again.

 

[Over the volcano]

He played in the EJHL, which at the time was a "decent" US Jr league.
In his draft year, Zemgus Girgensons (also a 1st rd pick) and Chris Wagner played in the same league.

That's 2 1st rounders and a 5th rder drafted out of that league.

Letourneau was the only player drafted out of the U18AAA league this year. I've only checked the last 3 drafts, but Letourneau was the only player taken from that league over that span. Not the only 1st rd pick... the only pick.

Also, Coyle in his D+1 year had 26 pts in 37 games as a freshman at BU.

Oh yeah, I remember the story about he and Wagner playing together back then.

Girgensons Is a funny one, looking now he was 15 when he played in that league, had teammates who were 5 years older. Coyle was 17, Wagner 18

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

Greentree I kept saying get him . Anyways let's hope leternaeu turns into brian boyle.

I pray for far more than Brian Boyle.

 

[DKH]

Bruins should give Lysell a shot at RW this season. I also wouldn't mind seeing Poitras between Marchand and Lindholm or Zacha and Pastrnak.

Geekie - Zacha - Pastrnak is a good enough first line for the remainder of this season, but it needs to be improved to get the most out of Pastrnak.

I am really good with that line ~ I would not touch it

Geekie just scratching surface - Zacha a heck of a player 3 zones

they need a RW

I had Necas all but signed until that trade

He’s my guy until signed

 

[The don godfather]

I pray for far more than Brian Boyle.

Its not looking good. Very early though hes just a kid never know.

 

[DKH]

It’s not looking good. Very early though hes just a kid never know.

Haha

Don’t drink what they are selling here

Here is something to cheer you up

The chemistry and different skills of Geekie- Zacha- Pastrnak is outstanding

Geekie & Pastrnak hang around off the ice even - wives are close and children same age

The line is young - and its legit first line quality

 

[4ORRBRUIN]

Can you bring this back in 5-6 years

If Im still alive I will try to remember

 

[bruinmann77]

I still think the team should be sellers and keep that 1ST

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

Let me tell you, if they can make the playoffs with one or two rentals, and offload a few bodies, that is what they will do. That is the quote unquote plan.

Sweetie is not the manager to retool the Boston Bruins.

But I have to say, unfortunately, he will probably be back next year. And it will be the same f*cking thing all over again.

If not Sweetie then who?

Honey Bunny? Sugarlumps?

 

[wintersej]

Letourneau would have been a great pick if you have a deep prospect pool and don't have to worry about a little gamble. In the state the Bruins pool is it wasn't the right pick but there is still time and next season will say more about the kind of prospect he is. Right now the with the season he is having the hand is a little bit on the bust side

You have people complaining in this thread that they take too many low ceiling safe bets. And you have people complaining when they take a swing at a guy that if he hits, he can hit big. Tough job.

 

[RiverbottomChuck]

Top 10 Center? As in top 10 in the NHL??? What lists or evaluators had him listed like that?

Potential top 10 center in the draft, the answer was based off the opinion of posters in here at the time not any list I found.

 

[Absurdity]

I am really good with that line ~ I would not touch it

Geekie just scratching surface - Zacha a heck of a player 3 zones

they need a RW

I had Necas all but signed until that trade

He’s my guy until signed

I like Geekie. In my opinion, ever since he was benched earlier in the season, he has been the Bruins' most consistent forward this season. With that said, with a majority of 1st line minutes this season, he's only on pace for 3 more points than his projected points last season (projected 42 last season in 82, projected 45 this season in 82).

I think Geekie is a great top 9 option, but the Bruins need more talent in their top 6.

 

[Bruin4]

I like Geekie. In my opinion, ever since he was benched earlier in the season, he has been the Bruins' most consistent forward this season. With that said, with a majority of 1st line minutes this season, he's only on pace for 3 more points than his projected points last season (projected 42 last season in 82, projected 45 this season in 82).

I think Geekie is a great top 9 option, but the Bruins need more talent in their top 6.

I think any top 9 player who plays with Pasta for any amount of time will be productive. He’s a very very special player, Sweeney needs to get some more talent to surround him with.

 

[BruinDust]

Is that a good thing or a bad thing in your mind?

I think it's a good thing. At the end of the day, so few players end up big time offensive producers at the NHL level. If you get a 6'7 two-way center who is strong and consistent without the puck at that pick, that's probably a decent outcome. Probably keeps expectations in check, I don't expect a No.1 center or elite forward here.

If one major issue with the pick, it's how long it may take to get him to that point. In a cap system, ideally your 1st rounders don't take a long time to break your line-up, say maximum 3-4 years. They kinda knew when they took him Letourneau would be a long-term project coming from St. Andrew's, he might be 24-25 before we see any contribution out of him to the parent club. I guess we'll see, I would of said the same thing about Lohrei and he arrived well ahead of schedule IMO.

 

[GordonHowe]

If not Sweetie then who?

Honey Bunny? Sugarlumps?

That was speech to text.

Sugarlumps.

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

That was speech to text.

Sugarlumps.

Are you flirting with me?

 

[KillerMillerTime]

Development.

Stiga played 2 years with the NTDP with better coaching, skills coaches nutritionists, trainers and more.

Letourneau played Canadian high school hockey that couldn't possibly afford the type of coaching Stiga had.

Stiga was so much further in Development.

That doesn't guarantee Letourneau will get there at all. But he deserves a chance.

True, however Stiga put himself in the position to make the NTDP from his pre NTDP hockey.

 

[GordonHowe]

I think it's a good thing. At the end of the day, so few players end up big time offensive producers at the NHL level. If you get a 6'7 two-way center who is strong and consistent without the puck at that pick, that's probably a decent outcome. Probably keeps expectations in check, I don't expect a No.1 center or elite forward here.

If one major issue with the pick, it's how long it may take to get him to that point. In a cap system, ideally your 1st rounders don't take a long time to break your line-up, say maximum 3-4 years. They kinda knew when they took him Letourneau would be a long-term project coming from St. Andrew's, he might be 24-25 before we see any contribution out of him to the parent club. I guess we'll see, I would of said the same thing about Lohrei and he arrived well ahead of schedule IMO.

Good post.

DL is certainly a project.

He's going to require a lot of time and seasoning.

I would be quite pleased if, eventually, he becomes a 6'7" approximation of Charlie Coyle.

 

[GordonHowe]

His style only works when he has a winning roster. Helps to overlook his drafting flaws as well as the comfort in wasting years of Krejci with only one top 6 winger.

Otherwise that arrogance where he is the smartest in any room. The media and fans are mere peasants in his presence.

He's not Harry in the contempt department.

But then, who is?

The arrogance thing is probably overblown by fans like me.

There's definitely a prickliness in Sweeney's demeanor, a displeasure with being questioned by the rabble.

On a related note, I'm delighted Ty Anderson continues to perform the role of thorn in the side on my behalf.

 

[GordonHowe]

That Beanpot final was my first time watching Letourneau in a broadcasted game. I was on the lookout for #20 every time he stepped onto the ice.

For a 6'7 player, I felt his skating was by far his biggest asset. Very agile and able to get up to speed quickly with the ability to make tight turns. Doesn't look un-coordinated or raw at all in his movements. In that regard he reminded me of Blake Wheeler.

My question is will he ever be a big point producer? His future might end up as big strong two-way 3rd line center rather than some dynamic offensive player.

Thank you for the encouraging report.

Letourneau may not become a scoring machine, but like most centers, he'll post his share of assists.

"A big strong two-way 3rd line center"?

I would be well satisfied with that.

 

[quietbruinfan]

He's not Harry in the contempt department.

But then, who is?

The arrogance thing is probably overblown by fans like me.

There's definitely a prickliness in Sweeney's demeanor, a displeasure with being questioned by the rabble.

On a related note, I'm delighted Ty Anderson continues to perform the role of thorn in the side on my behalf.

I think Neely is worse in his way.

 

[GordonHowe]

His style only works when he has a winning roster. Helps to overlook his drafting flaws as well as the comfort in wasting years of Krejci with only one top 6 winger.

Otherwise that arrogance where he is the smartest in any room. The media and fans are mere peasants in his presence.

You know, peasants were often land owners of modest means.

Stalin referred to them as "Kulaks," which turned out to be an unfortunate designation. "Dekulakization" was a thing, and not a pleasant one.

I suggest you use the term rabble, as in a pitchfork bearing mob, out for blood.

This is the proper term.

Don't wear it out.

 

[BruinDust]

Good post.

DL is certainly a project.

He's going to require a lot of time and seasoning.

I would be quite pleased if, eventually, he becomes a 6'7" approximation of Charlie Coyle.

Thank you for the encouraging report.

Letourneau may not become a scoring machine, but like most centers, he'll post his share of assists.

"A big strong two-way 3rd line center"?

I would be well satisfied with that.

Another comparison that's a blast from the past. Joel Otto. Maybe not as tough as Joel, but Otto wasn't a big point producer when he played Minnesota high school at age 19 (16 points in 23 games). But just got better and better and eventually a Hobey Baker finalist then getting a chance to play in the NHL.