Boston Bruins 24-25 Roster/Cap thread XVI

[PlayMakers]

Since Pionk is a free agent this summer, moving Carlo would free up a spot on the roster and some cap room if they decided to go this route.

Personally I think Pionk is one of the most underrated defenders in the league.

I don't get to see Pionk much. I know, from what I have seen, that he's a lot better offensively than Grzelcyk, but like Gryz he's been a minus player in every playoff he's been in. 22 playoff games over 4 years, and a -16 (despite putting up 16 points).

Any thoughts on that? Is he a guy who can't handle the physical play in the post season or just the team struggling?

 

[Alan Ryan]

Moving Carlo at this time of year would be a pretty stong indicator that we are throwing the towel in on 2024/25 post season. I think, until anything becomes clear, it's fair to question whether ownership will greenlight that strategy or not.

This should be interesting as we're accustomed to the Bruins as buyers at the deadline.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

If ownership were involved and against a rebuild/retool behind the scenes?

I don't think ownership overrides any decisions Sweeney makes concerning player movement.

And even if they did, trading Carlo is hardly a move that signals a rebuild.

 

[The Andrew Peeke Fan]

Fwiw, I was kidding. I went back and put an emoji on it to clear up any confusion.

Someone is going to give him too long

 

[goldenblack]

Not my favourite selection. I would have taken mark sheifele.

Sheifele, the proven winner!

I don't mind that they added some more guys who have won big games tbh

 

[GordonHowe]

This fool has never had a rumor go his way. Absolute troll.

Carlo with his position, contract... he is a premium asset for a contender. Easily a 1st round pick and prospect.

Question is if Sweeney is allowed to and if he has the fortitude to make any major changes.

Probably not on both counts, given the bottom line.

($)

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

I don't get to see Pionk much. I know, from what I have seen, that he's a lot better offensively than Grzelcyk, but like Gryz he's been a minus player in every playoff he's been in. 22 playoff games over 4 years, and a -16 (despite putting up 16 points).

Any thoughts on that? Is he a guy who can't handle the physical play in the post season or just the team struggling?

His physical play (from what I’ve seen) is actually elevated come playoff time. He’s pretty physical anyway, despite his size. Not your typical offense-first defenseman. But when it matters most is when he’s giving it the hardest.

Now that’s not to suggest that there’s nothing to what you’re asking. If I had a suspicion, it may be that he tries to do too much come post-season and it gets him into trouble. Perhaps?

But overall, I’d suggest that his goaltending has let him down hard most of the time and considering his ice time, it would stand to reason that his +\- would suffer along with it. Like you said, the Jets (for some damned reason) are playoff duds despite having a perennially strong roster.

 

[GordonHowe]

Did Murphy really say a "2nd round 2025 pick" or a top prospect?

That is the dumbest thing I've ever heard.

People can slag off Carlo all they want, but if he gets you a 2nd round pick in what is supposed to be a pretty weak draft then I give up.

If those are the prices, then Bruins should just turn in all their scrabble tiles and select a whole new set.

And since when did Murphy pulling shit out of his ass translate into "...Bruins officially reveal their asking price......"

I swear to God, the dumbness on the planet is growing at an alarming rate.

It does appear to multiply exponentially of late, doesn't it?

Twas ever thus.

Twill ever be.

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

This should be interesting as we're accustomed to the Bruins as buyers at the deadline.

I think both Neely and Sweeney have been attempting to soften the blow of a seller’s strategy this season via their public remarks on the subject. I’d personally be very surprised if it went any other direction.

What I hope we could see? A combination of buyer/seller. If they can make a move or two that helps change some of the chemistry on the team, it will help make the rest of the season more interesting to watch and would also make their jobs in free agency a little easier with what’s sure to be inflated prices.

For example: they may move on from someone like Carlo and (say) Frederic and Brazeau for nothing but picks. But then make a play for a Cozens (or something adjacent) and/or some youth struggling to fit in their current situation.

 

[bruinmann77]

I wonder what will Don put on the trading block. Please keep that 1st

 

[Shaun]

whoever replaces sweeney needs to do everything in their power to bring eichel home

 

[CellyHard]

Pass on Pionk

Kovacevic is an easy Carlo replacement. Would probably cost the same in FA. I can see something like the Will Borgen deal

Add the return you get from Carlo and it makes all the sense in the world.

 

[Gordoff]

No need to retain and should not be part of any deal.

It's just the Sweeney reality. Get the least for the most.

 

[4ORRBRUIN]

Pass on Pionk

Kovacevic is an easy Carlo replacement. Would probably cost the same in FA. I can see something like the Will Borgen deal

Add the return you get from Carlo and it makes all the sense in the world.

We need to build up the forward group over D, even if Carlo is traded

 

[Tbaybruin]

No need to retain and should not be part of any deal.

Yes but the return will be so much higher. That’s why teams retain.

 

[GordonHowe]

I wonder what will Don put on the trading block. Please keep that 1st

Playoff gate uber alles!

 

[22Brad Park]

Pass on Pionk

Kovacevic is an easy Carlo replacement. Would probably cost the same in FA. I can see something like the Will Borgen deal

Add the return you get from Carlo and it makes all the sense in the world.

Devils got him from habs for a 4th rd pick

It's just the Sweeney reality. Get the least for the most.

He definitely has a reputation of paying more getting less if I had to guess

 

[GordonHowe]

Can I have Bennett AND another scoring forward.

No. No you can't.

 

[AngryMilkcrates]

If Sam Bennett makes it to July 1st I find it hard to believe that Don Sweeney won't take a run at him. And he should.

I hope by run you mean beat the tar out of him...

 

[Dizzay]

If I was in the GM seat, I would look to trade prior to Deadline day:
1. Charlie Coyle
2. Brandon Carlo
3. Justin Brazeau
4. Joonas Korpisalo
5. John Beecher


Coyle, with the salary cap rise next season and beyond shouldn't be difficult to move to a team wanting a dependable 3C with size for a playoff run. I'd say a 2nd round pick and maybe B prospect. Carlo gets you a 1st, no question. Top 10 RD shutdown guy in the league. Brazeau and Beecher are throw ins to some deal. Korpisalo at 3 million is a safety blanket for a team looking to have some stability incase a starter falters/injures in the playoffs.

Potential Assets collected:
1. 2nd rounder + Prospect
2. 1st rounder
3. 3rd rounder
4. Additional cap space

Call up from the baby Bruins:
1. Lysell
2. Merkulov
3. DiPietro
4. Viel

Geekie-Zacha-Pasta
Marchy-Lindholm-Lysell
Frederic-Poitras-Merkulov
Koepke-Kastelic-Viel
Wahlstrom

Lohrei-McAvoy
Lindholm-Peeke
Zadorov-Wortherspoon
Callahan/Oesterle

Swayman
DiPietro

1. Sink or swim time for Lysell and Merkulov to show they belong in the NHL. Give them the last 2.5 months of the season with the big boys to see how they fair out with NHL competition every game.
2. Freddy needs to show he's going to deserve his next contract. I still want him here. He's the type of guy you win with.
3. Let Viel make the last two months of our season entertaining at least.
4. DiPietro is a free agent at year's end, let's see how he fairs against NHL players. He's looked awesome in the A this season.
5. Go into the offseason knowing where some of the players/prospects fit, ton of cap space, additional draft capital. Have the ability to compete in 25-26. This year is simply a write off.

 

[Dr Quincy]

If I was in the GM seat, I would look to trade prior to Deadline day:
1. Charlie Coyle
2. Brandon Carlo
3. Justin Brazeau
4. Joonas Korpisalo
5. John Beecher


Coyle, with the salary cap rise next season and beyond shouldn't be difficult to move to a team wanting a dependable 3C with size for a playoff run. I'd say a 2nd round pick and maybe B prospect. Carlo gets you a 1st, no question. Top 10 RD shutdown guy in the league. Brazeau and Beecher are throw ins to some deal. Korpisalo at 3 million is a safety blanket for a team looking to have some stability incase a starter falters/injures in the playoffs.

Potential Assets collected:
1. 2nd rounder + Prospect
2. 1st rounder
3. 3rd rounder
4. Additional cap space

Call up from the baby Bruins:
1. Lysell
2. Merkulov
3. DiPietro
4. Viel

Geekie-Zacha-Pasta
Marchy-Lindholm-Lysell
Frederic-Poitras-Merkulov
Koepke-Kastelic-Viel
Wahlstrom

Lohrei-McAvoy
Lindholm-Peeke
Zadorov-Wortherspoon
Callahan/Oesterle

Swayman
DiPietro

1. Sink or swim time for Lysell and Merkulov to show they belong in the NHL. Give them the last 2.5 months of the season with the big boys to see how they fair out with NHL competition every game.
2. Freddy needs to show he's going to deserve his next contract. I still want him here. He's the type of guy you win with.
3. Let Viel make the last two months of our season entertaining at least.
4. DiPietro is a free agent at year's end, let's see how he fairs against NHL players. He's looked awesome in the A this season.
5. Go into the offseason knowing where some of the players/prospects fit, ton of cap space, additional draft capital. Have the ability to compete in 25-26. This year is simply a write off.

Reasonable returns on most but I just don't see a market for Korpisalo. Of the teams in or near the playoffs there are only 2 teams that I see that could use a backup (unless injuries happen to other teams):
Tampa
Columbus

Koprisalo's extra years on his contract wouldn't make sense for a team like TB who are always near the cap. That pretty much leaves Columbus, who as of right now are right the playoffs. So there's 1 potential buyer.

But you also have to look at other potential sellers for example:
BUF- Reimer has played well for them, makes nothing and is done at the end of the year.
CGY- Vladar also done at the end of the year
CHI- Brossoit is probably their starter but they aren't doing anything next year either so maybe they sell him
PIT- Ned


Given that everyone thought Goalie Bob would make Korpi into a good goalie, and that he hasn't, I don't see why other teams would give up an asset to add him when they either have someone on their team now better, or there are other backups on the market who are better and make more sense cap wise.

 

[chrisab123]

I wonder what will Don put on the trading block. Please keep that 1st

At the very least, the 2nd is gone. I can't see many scenarios where if they're buying the Bruins keep that first. They don't really have much to offer anyone in terms of prospects since the team hasn't been able to draft decently for a long time.

They shouldn't sacrifice that first just to make the first round but its not my team and not my money so who am I to tell a billionaire that he should forgo making a profit off concessions.

 

[bbfan419]

I don’t typically make suggestions because they are often just wishful thinking. If the Bruins do move on from Carlo, I would have a lot of interest in Pionk from Winnipeg.

Speaking of Winnipeg I would also have interest in Ehlers.

Pass on Ehlers, I would want Vilardi in a deal with them.

 

[Bruin4]

Pass on Ehlers, I would want Vilardi in a deal with them.

I’d take either, but I’d be shocked if Winnipeg wasn’t on every Bruins NTC/NMC including Carlo’s

 

[Number8]

Fwiw, I was kidding. I went back and put an emoji on it to clear up any confusion.

I read your post. At first I was . Then I got . I thought, "you know I should challenge him to a ". But rather than react, I went and took a long hot and had a nice warm cup of . After that I realized he was just goofing . That made me and I . A lot.

Then I thought, you know, if @PlayMakers had just used a f***ing emoji in the first place, he could have saved me a lot of effort!

Now I am all over again.

It's a bitch living in this new world, sometimes.