Boston Bruins 24-25 Roster/Cap thread XVI

[PB37]

I’m dropping Coyle to where he excels - L3 Jack of all trades

He’s still a heck of a bottom 6 pillar and good mentor/support for Poitras

- I want Boeser and Macelli for a revamped the 2nd line

- Drop Marchand to the third line as your Poitras mentor

- Keep Brazeau for the 3rd line RW'er

- Swing a trade of Olivier


Geekie -- Zacha -- Pasta

Maccelli -- Lindholm -- Boeser

Marchand -- Poitras -- Brazeau

Kopeke -- Kastelic -- Olivier

A bit more balanced lineup with more skill and a little bit quicker.

 

[Bad Hat Harry]

He’s a great guy - lives near me. He’s got a newborn so he will be in Pro Shop getting stuff at some point. I’ll bring him by - I’ve told him Sweeney hate aside (and he bashes him as well so you guys will have something in common) you are a very nice and intelligent/interesting guy which dwarfs what we think of GMs

I gotta grab that pups Calendar hope they got one

Dan is just buttering me up because he wants me to trade him Brady Tkachuk in our sim league

 

[neelynugs]

I am not worried about what the players around the league think, I think many of them understand it is a business, that should have no effect on them. I also could give a shit less about Sam Bennett.

you may be the only person who feels that way. some of these guys aren't the sharpest tools in the shed, but they all talk, and they absolutely keep an eye on this type of stuff.

 

[Tbaybruin]

So I’m GM

1. Marchand - need an extension should be easy enough ~ Bergeron took 5 M no ego wanted to win. Where is he here

2. I would like to deal Korpi and bring up a Providence G

3. Coyle - I’m keeping and having him play RW and available to play C

If I get overwhelmed obviously would but I need a lot - can’t see him wanting to go and don’t blame.

4. Carlo same as Coyle ~ have to get a bounty

5. Frederic trade

6. Braz trade

7. Beecher - I’m listening and I might be at where Farinacci gets chance - looks legit

8. Multi year deal for Geekie

Agree on all. I would eat 1/2 of Coyle deal for a bigger return. I want big deals to start tonight so teams need to make reactionary trades and drive up prices. If Boston is comfortable with Connolly in Vegas I make the move. O Reilly and Savoie out of Edmonton would be nice.

 

[Kegs]

DS going to have to work some magic

How many players (if any) do you think the Bruins move by the TDL? There are lots of candidates mentioned here and in other media: Frederic, Coyle, Carlo, Geekie, Brad, Brazeau, Wotherspoon, Korpi et al. I am guessing no more than one or two and the rest, should there be more, come during the summer.

I can see most the expiring contracts being moved. They will move Carlo in a hockey trade possibly. Geekie I hope they can get signed. I also hope they can sign Fredric but he might get moved too.

 

[DavidK]

Marchy's assessment: “I still believe we have a group that can do some damage. We get in the playoffs and we get through there, I like the way we’re built. We haven’t played our best yet. When we do, we can play with any team. We’ve already shown that. There really hasn’t been many teams I’ve looked at this year and been like, ‘Wow, they’re so much better than us.’ Any team that is a contending team, we’ve beat or we’ve been right there with."

Do folks here beg to differ? When you watch the games do you think, "Wow, the other team is so much better than us"?

 

[Sheppy]

Marchy's assessment: “I still believe we have a group that can do some damage. We get in the playoffs and we get through there, I like the way we’re built. We haven’t played our best yet. When we do, we can play with any team. We’ve already shown that. There really hasn’t been many teams I’ve looked at this year and been like, ‘Wow, they’re so much better than us.’ Any team that is a contending team, we’ve beat or we’ve been right there with."

Do folks here beg to differ? When you watch the games do you think, "Wow, the other team is so much better than us"?

I don't like that first sentence.

In no way can you seriously, truly believe that this team can do some damage in the playoffs. They've given zero indication of this.

I can understand if they fought hard every game, but they just don't. I've watched this team get its doors blown off and they go down without a whimper. Years past if they went down a goal or two they'd battle back and give a full 60 minute effort trying to get back into it. Not this team.

I've also watched them score the first goal and then take a collective dump on the ice after.

I feel they allow more short handed goals than they score on the powerplay, too.

 

[GordonHowe]

Haha love it - I think you should have been a writer for Rolling Stone (I gotta see if I have my 1977 Aerosmith cover copy still)

I am a freelance writer by trade, and occasionally reviewed concerts for the now defunct "Improper Bostonian,"

Mark Gerard Mantho

Current events, domestic & foreign affairs; domestic & foreign policy; American history, world history; arts, literature, culture; metaphysics, philosophy; Boston Bruins & the NHL; Boston, Massachusetts, and New England.

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PS Boy was I wrong about the Seguin deal.

 

[easton117]

Marchy's assessment: “I still believe we have a group that can do some damage. We get in the playoffs and we get through there, I like the way we’re built. We haven’t played our best yet. When we do, we can play with any team. We’ve already shown that. There really hasn’t been many teams I’ve looked at this year and been like, ‘Wow, they’re so much better than us.’ Any team that is a contending team, we’ve beat or we’ve been right there with."

Do folks here beg to differ? When you watch the games do you think, "Wow, the other team is so much better than us"?

I don’t think they’re bottom 5 in talent but they need help.

I do think their attention to detail, general game shape and overall drive to do what is necessary to be consistently competitive has been lacking all season long.

Which is odd because those things have been staples of their organization for some time.

 

[Bruin4]

I am not worried about what the players around the league think, I think many of them understand it is a business, that should have no effect on them. I also could give a shit less about Sam Bennett.

lol

I agree and they do especially with Marchands situation their well aware of what’s going on around the league and if it’s justifiable or not, and in Marchand situation you don’t need to be rocket scientist to realize it is.

Also on Bennett Someone is going to over pay for his services just hope it’s not the Bruins and I highly doubt Marchy and Bennett all of a sudden became best of friends just because they played at 4 nations together. That cheap shot that he gave Marchy won’t be easily forgotten.

 

[LouJersey]

Marchy's assessment: “I still believe we have a group that can do some damage. We get in the playoffs and we get through there, I like the way we’re built. We haven’t played our best yet. When we do, we can play with any team. We’ve already shown that. There really hasn’t been many teams I’ve looked at this year and been like, ‘Wow, they’re so much better than us.’ Any team that is a contending team, we’ve beat or we’ve been right there with."

Do folks here beg to differ? When you watch the games do you think, "Wow, the other team is so much better than us"?

I 100% think they could do something on Swayman's back, but I still would try to move Freddy, Marchand and Coyle.

 

[Bruin4]

The only thing on your list that pushes me toward moving him is if you know you can re-sign him in July. If he gets hurt at some

Let me flip this thinking on you...

What if you deal Marchand against his wishes, and it really resonates negatively with players around the league and Boston loses it's allure as a destination for players.

What if a promising UFA, let's use Sam Bennett as an example, was planning to sign here to play with Marchy because he had chemistry and they really got along off the ice but now he's not interested because Marchand isn't here and he doesn't really know anyone else.

I think you’re grasping at straws with this one. Players covet playing in Boston and just because and if the Bruins trade Marchand on a year where they more than likely aren’t making the playoffs and Marchand at 37 you decide to part ways with and bld for the future. Players aren’t all off a sudden going to take Boston off their list because of this.

That’s so far fetched. All the years the Bruins management went all in, sends a loud message to everyone as would this, that they want to win and some times it takes a management group who can make hard decisions.

As far as Marchand and Bennett becoming best buds, that’s about as likely a scenario as players not wanting to come here because Sweeney traded a 37 year old on an expiring contact in a non playoff year.

With that said. My money is on Marchand staying because of who he is and been, but other players aren’t going to take Boston off their preferred destination if Marchand is dealt.

 

[NDiesel]

I don't like that first sentence.

In no way can you seriously, truly believe that this team can do some damage in the playoffs. They've given zero indication of this.

I can understand if they fought hard every game, but they just don't. I've watched this team get its doors blown off and they go down without a whimper. Years past if they went down a goal or two they'd battle back and give a full 60 minute effort trying to get back into it. Not this team.

I've also watched them score the first goal and then take a collective dump on the ice after.

I feel they allow more short handed goals than they score on the powerplay, too.

Did you think the 2019 Blues sitting in last place could seriously do some damage in the playoffs? Or the 2012 Kings before the deadline? I'm sure those teams believed in themselves more than the fans did.

On the flip side, did you think we could do some damage last year? 2023? 2022?

I'm not hanging onto the fact that we are going to go on some miracle run, but truthfully there is always a chance to do some damage, especially when you have, what should be, an elite goalie.

Go check out the 2014 Kings regular season stats. They may have been more starved for offense than this team, with only one guy over 50 points/2 guys over 20 goals, but offense/goalie getting hot at the right time won it for them too, as well as being a big team who could grind it out in the playoffs.

I like the belief from Brad, I just hope they don't trade assets to try and make it.

 

[BlackFrancis]

Marchy's assessment: “I still believe we have a group that can do some damage. We get in the playoffs and we get through there, I like the way we’re built. We haven’t played our best yet. When we do, we can play with any team. We’ve already shown that. There really hasn’t been many teams I’ve looked at this year and been like, ‘Wow, they’re so much better than us.’ Any team that is a contending team, we’ve beat or we’ve been right there with."

Do folks here beg to differ? When you watch the games do you think, "Wow, the other team is so much better than us"?

I think they've got the 8th worst goal differential in the NHL - one blowout away from being a bottom 5 team in that category. Their current record and spot in the standings is actually better than the team's actual performance, mainly due to divisional opponents being very unlucky according to PDO.

The Bruins are living in the Philly, Anaheim, Montreal neighborhood right now. They just haven't coughed up that final hairball to ornament the unmowed lawn.

 

[Kegs]

Drafting a center is their best bet.

Other than that I’d inquire about Shane Wright who is Seattle’s 3C. Beniers & Stephenson are locked in as 1-2. Wright is 21 years old. He has potential. Time for Sweeney to get creative. He doesn’t have many assets.

Bruins best trade chips?
Lohrei
Poitras
Lysell*
Merkulov*

I wouldn’t trade poitras or lohrei for wright. You’re valuing draft position over actual play.

 

[Number8]

So I’m GM

1. Marchand - need an extension should be easy enough ~ Bergeron took 5 M no ego wanted to win. Where is he here

2. I would like to deal Korpi and bring up a Providence G

3. Coyle - I’m keeping and having him play RW and available to play C

If I get overwhelmed obviously would but I need a lot - can’t see him wanting to go and don’t blame.

4. Carlo same as Coyle ~ have to get a bounty

5. Frederic trade

6. Braz trade

7. Beecher - I’m listening and I might be at where Farinacci gets chance - looks legit

8. Multi year deal for Geekie

I’m with you here with a few comments. Mostly on our boy Marchy.

1). Agreed. I think only issue is Bergie had real chance to win the Cup. Marchy, in fairness, wouldn’t be re-upping to anywhere near Bergie’s last lineup. Is that a factor with Marchy? It would be for a lot of players.
2) Agree. Big yes on Korpi v youths.
3).Agree. Trading Coyle for a second - as some have spitballed - would be height of stupidity.
4) Agree. Same as Coyle. Some here think he’d be addition by subtraction. I would politely say ……………………………….NO.
5) Agree. Ship Freddie
6) Agree.Barz trade.
7) Agree. Return would so small.
8) Agree. Keep Geekie.

All of that changes if a big, legit Center became available. For me that makes me think of a lot of guys that id move in that case.

 

[Number8]

Cassidy team wins game 7 in 2019 probably still here

That is like a swift kick to the balls. Of course that doesn’t make it untrue - quite the contrary. It’s just…….f*** me, that hurts!!!!

 

[PlayMakers]

I think you’re grasping at straws with this one. Players covet playing in Boston and just because and if the Bruins trade Marchand on a year where they more than likely aren’t making the playoffs and Marchand at 37 you decide to part ways with and bld for the future. Players aren’t all off a sudden going to take Boston off their list because of this.

That’s so far fetched. All the years the Bruins management went all in, sends a loud message to everyone as would this, that they want to win and some times it takes a management group who can make hard decisions.

As far as Marchand and Bennett becoming best buds, that’s about as likely a scenario as players not wanting to come here because Sweeney traded a 37 year old on an expiring contact in a non playoff year.

With that said. My money is on Marchand staying because of who he is and been, but other players aren’t going to take Boston off their preferred destination if Marchand is dealt.

I don't know. Marchand isn't exactly a quiet personality. He's been really vocal and everyone knows he desperately wants to stay. If the Bruins show him the door and there are hurt feelings I think that will be heard loud and clear across the league. And like others have said, players notice that stuff. Especially if it happens to a player as well liked and respected as Marchand.

Players covet playing here because the team is always good, how they treat players is second to none and the city is great. Well, the team is bad, and if Marchand leaving hurts their image then you've lost two of the reasons you draw people. Players didn't covet playing in Boston in the 90's when Sinden/MOC were in charge.

The Bennett thing was just an example. The point being that good players attract good players. We let Marchand go and we're left with just 1 top6 forward. Why would anyone want to sign with a team that has no top6 talent?

 

[Sheppy]

Did you think the 2019 Blues sitting in last place could seriously do some damage in the playoffs? Or the 2012 Kings before the deadline? I'm sure those teams believed in themselves more than the fans did.

On the flip side, did you think we could do some damage last year? 2023? 2022?

I'm not hanging onto the fact that we are going to go on some miracle run, but truthfully there is always a chance to do some damage, especially when you have, what should be, an elite goalie.

Go check out the 2014 Kings regular season stats. They may have been more starved for offense than this team, with only one guy over 50 points/2 guys over 20 goals, but offense/goalie getting hot at the right time won it for them too, as well as being a big team who could grind it out in the playoffs.

I like the belief from Brad, I just hope they don't trade assets to try and make it.

Yes, in fact when I was leaving Vegas I was going to put what I had left on St Louis to make the playoffs. That team was far better than their record at the time. Really should have done that now that I'm looking back on it. Story of my life...

St. Louis went on an absolute tear. They started like 6-15 and were dominant from that point forward.

Lets look at that Kings team:
They ended with 100 points.
Their 3 centers were Kopitar, Carter and Richards. Pretty dynamite up the middle.
HOF goalie
Muzzin, Doughty, Voynov & Martinez as your top 4 d-man was pretty damn solid back then.

Do you think this team can do damage in the playoffs based on what we’ve seen? The Bruins 1 & 2 d-men are out, one likely done for the season.

This current Bruins team can barely string two straight wins together. There’s a difference.

 

[DKH]

Agree on all. I would eat 1/2 of Coyle deal for a bigger return. I want big deals to start tonight so teams need to make reactionary trades and drive up prices. If Boston is comfortable with Connolly in Vegas I make the move. O Reilly and Savoie out of Edmonton would be nice.

I’m a Connelly guy - he was dumb but who isn’t but who owns it and learns is what’s important

I think he does

He would be fantastic ~ he’s yards from the Dunk or whatever you call it

Dan is just buttering me up because he wants me to trade him Brady Tkachuk in our sim league

im ready to deal

 

[DKH]

I think that lineup/approach would be a HUGE risk for Sweeney to take.

Geekie-Zacha-Pasta is not a first line IMO. It's a good second line. I don't think they can outscore or outdefend really good first lines.

Penciling in Lindholm at 2c is asking for trouble. If he doesn't get it back, you're right back to where you are now. With the Zacha line scoring against bad teams but struggling against good teams, and no supporting offense to pick up the slack.

I would much rather see Lindholm be our 3c. Then if he doesn't get his offensive game back, he's still a really good defensive center who gives you 40 points, and if he does get his offensive game back he gives you a big mismatch. Now you're talking about the kind of depth real contenders have. Like when we had Hall on the 3rd line.

Yeh I think the Zacha line can be a one but I believe Geekie is legit 30+ goal guy

Lindholm has been on a 50+ point pace since Monty left

Where they getting a 1C they don’t exist or are available

Pastrnak was crap till that line materialized

i don’t see where we get guys

 

[Hookslide]

you may be the only person who feels that way. some of these guys aren't the sharpest tools in the shed, but they all talk, and they absolutely keep an eye on this type of stuff.

He is not being missed treated, his contract is running out and if they cannot resign him, they deal him. What would you say if they keep him and then he walks, what are your thoughts ?