Boston Bruins 24-25 Roster/Cap thread XVII

  • Xenforo Cloud will be upgrading us to version 2.3.5 on March 3rd at 12 AM GMT. This version has increased stability and fixes several bugs. We expect downtime for the duration of the update. The admin team will continue to work on existing issues, templates and upgrade all necessary available addons to minimize impact of this new version. Click Here for Updates
I know but many of the fine folks here think otherwise

I’m 99% confident Zacha & Lindholm will be the top 2 centers (I’m good with it but I’m going to still make a call about Eichel if the GM and see is there any chance he’s going to FA)

Poitras is my 3C but I want Coyle next to him

I realize pretty much everyone hates this post, however, this is how I would proceed at C


I drop Coyle to 3RW

Korpi not sure back
Without a doubt a reasonable view in the sense it’s very likely. My main concern however is that if that’s your top 6, you aren’t very good.

But specifically, wouldn’t we better off giving Poitras a top 6 spot and letting him play with more skill? He has some promise, and we don’t have a ton of talent up front. Why stick him with third line guys on a mediocre forward roster? I might sooner try Zacha back on the wing and slide Poitras up.
 
@NeelyDan "Frankly, because the situation we're in now forces our hand to a degree. Of course you always want a guy like pasta - but pasta can't do it alone, and what I'm questioning is that in light of the bare cupboard and the lack of a sufficiently equipped supporting cast to surround him with coupled with the lack of ability to (quickly) re-establish that (worsening daily) supporting cast, it's not a matter of preference but a necessity that's derivative of the bigger picture."

To continue from the last thread: looking at the bigger picture, is it harder to build a supporting cast around Pasta or to find another guy like him?

Even if you are hell bent on tearing down this entire squad, wouldn't you rather have a piece like Pasta to build around, instead of hoping a guy is drafted and developed into someone as good as him?

I think people advocating trading him are simply forgetting how rare it is to get a player of his caliber at all.
That don’t have a bare cupboard and they need 1-2 F and that’s it

They got a top G and a strong D with Lohrei a good to eventual star

It’s all about the top 9 F and they have minimum 7 legit now

Why are they tearing this down ?

Pretty confident a healthy D gets 4 not 1 point

What the Bruins need is health and a preseason where Swayman, McAvoy, Elias Lindholm, and Pastrnak - Marchand start on time
 
Merk is a 24 year old UDFA with a handful of NHL games played, he has no value in a trade and nothing he could do in the next 4 games will really change that. I think they're just calling him up because this team is dogshit offensively and had Riley Tufte in the top 9.
 
That don’t have a bare cupboard and they need 1-2 F and that’s it

They got a top G and a strong D with Lohrei a good to eventual star

It’s all about the top 9 F and they have minimum 7 legit now

Why are they tearing this down ?

Pretty confident a healthy D gets 4 not 1 point

What the Bruins need is health and a preseason where Swayman, McAvoy, Elias Lindholm, and Pastrnak - Marchand start on time
Here are my concerns and I share these not because of the current run but because whenever you match this team up vs a playoff contender, they're showing they're not on the same level.

1. You don't have enough cost controlled talent to be able to splurge on acquisitions in the top 6 and where we've spent that top end money isn't necessarily paying off.
2. The top 6 haven't necessarily shown that they can get it done together. We've seen more sparks recently with parts of it, but not enough where I'm confident that this team could get over strong playoff competition.
3. Marchand is showing his age. I hate to say it but you need to have added depth that can fill that scoring role if he gets worn down going into a long playoff run.
4. Swayman is feeling like a really good goalie that plays well when the system is working. The system clearly isn't working right now and it's making him I think play even worse. Having the D core back to healthy next year I think alleviates this a lot but it also means that coaching wise, they need to get people to be sharp. Too many late period goals this year. (this though isn't a reason to burn down the team, just likely change coaching or give your goaltending plans a hard look)
5. Our special teams aren't that special this year. Part of this is system, part of this is talent. I do think Lohrei could be a key contributor to running the PP but would love more certainty here or a 2nd QB option.

Personally, I think the best option is for the team to look 3 years out. Your current core is still in its prime, you've ideally sold off some talent now to restock the pool so that you do have some cost controlled options, and can be in a spot where you have picks/talent to move at the deadline to fit needs.
 
Seems like Allred knows something. It also sounds like somebody likes Merk more than the Bruins or I do.
Edit: It is probably just because he played at Ohio State, but something tells me CBJ is interested-just a hunch/gut feeling.
Nay doesn’t make sense. Bruins are selling and Columbus if they’re buying it’s not going to be Merkulov.
IMO Aldred is way off here and Mitchell is up to replace a Carlo and merk a tfred or someone else being shipped out.
 
Here are my concerns and I share these not because of the current run but because whenever you match this team up vs a playoff contender, they're showing they're not on the same level.

1. You don't have enough cost controlled talent to be able to splurge on acquisitions in the top 6 and where we've spent that top end money isn't necessarily paying off.
2. The top 6 haven't necessarily shown that they can get it done together. We've seen more sparks recently with parts of it, but not enough where I'm confident that this team could get over strong playoff competition.
3. Marchand is showing his age. I hate to say it but you need to have added depth that can fill that scoring role if he gets worn down going into a long playoff run.
4. Swayman is feeling like a really good goalie that plays well when the system is working. The system clearly isn't working right now and it's making him I think play even worse. Having the D core back to healthy next year I think alleviates this a lot but it also means that coaching wise, they need to get people to be sharp. Too many late period goals this year. (this though isn't a reason to burn down the team, just likely change coaching or give your goaltending plans a hard look)
5. Our special teams aren't that special this year. Part of this is system, part of this is talent. I do think Lohrei could be a key contributor to running the PP but would love more certainty here or a 2nd QB option.

Personally, I think the best option is for the team to look 3 years out. Your current core is still in its prime, you've ideally sold off some talent now to restock the pool so that you do have some cost controlled options, and can be in a spot where you have picks/talent to move at the deadline to fit needs.
I’m honored you replied to me - one of best posters ever here

Love the take- yes on Lohrei, depth F, and Marchand

Definitely need another young F

Sweeney did basically hit big with Zacha & Geekie

He needs another through trade or FA

Poitras & Lohrei are solid adds to top 13 (9 F 4 D)

I’m very satisfied with 100 foot defense side the offense needs another player to supplement and take over Marchand

I’m hoping Geekie hits for 30 and is accepted into legit club here
 
Nay doesn’t make sense. Bruins are selling and Columbus if they’re buying it’s not going to be Merkulov.
IMO Aldred is way off here and Mitchell is up to replace a Carlo and merk a tfred or someone else being shipped out.
I think Mitchell is there to replace Callahan to ATTEMPT to get some sort of offence from the d-men.

Can't have Lohrei being the only one and I doubt it will work, but Mitchell can bring what Callahan (and the others) couldn't. Theoretically .
 
Merk is a 24 year old UDFA with a handful of NHL games played, he has no value in a trade and nothing he could do in the next 4 games will really change that. I think they're just calling him up because this team is dogshit offensively and had Riley Tufte in the top 9.

Yeah I'm not a believe in Merk's game at the NHL level, and I don't think the bruins are as well, but maybe there is someone else who would like to give a mid round pick to find out. As we have talked about mid round picks are extreme long shots to ever play 100 games at the NHL level, so i don't think teams are overly concerned about giving one up.

I would be surprised if someone trades for Merk in the next week, but if someone wants him, sure let him go. And if not, then let him play LW at the NHL level and see if he can make it work
 
Nay doesn’t make sense. Bruins are selling and Columbus if they’re buying it’s not going to be Merkulov.
IMO Aldred is way off here and Mitchell is up to replace a Carlo and merk a tfred or someone else being shipped out.
Package deal of some sort. Carlo and Merk for Provorov and a second...something like that. CBJ is definitely buying last I read.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bbfan419
Merk is a 24 year old UDFA with a handful of NHL games played, he has no value in a trade and nothing he could do in the next 4 games will really change that. I think they're just calling him up because this team is dogshit offensively and had Riley Tufte in the top 9.
this... call him up and let him play if anything they should be moving on from lethargic, complacent nobodies like Coyle and Zacha.
 
I could see that, give Pastrnak the C over the summer before the draft then re-sign Brad July 1st for Coyle's money.
This is what I hope. I think only Keith Tkachuk has done something like that in the past. In my mind, that would raise him up to legendary Bruins status. He could no longer say he played his whole career with the Bruins, but it would show his unbending loyalty to the Bruins.
 
Seems like Allred knows something. It also sounds like somebody likes Merk more than the Bruins or I do.
Edit: It is probably just because he played at Ohio State, but something tells me CBJ is interested-just a hunch/gut feeling.
I’m not saying it’s not. But this team is on a 5 game slide and can’t score for **it. Have injuries. Seems like they’re trying fix that problem internally.

I personally want to see some Merk-Poitras magic. Let them have PP2 as well
 

NHL insider Shayna Goldman of The Athletic, lists division rival Tampa Bay Lightning as a potential trade destination for Marchand if the Bruins trade him.

“What is one thing the Lightning and Marchand have in common? Both failed to get past the Panthers last season. That is who the Lightning are on track to face in Round 1. So, the pesky winger could help address their biggest area of need,” Goldman wrote. “The Lightning’s most pressing need is forward depth. Tampa Bay is a top-heavy team, management can approach it two ways. Shopping on a budget to add quantity over quality or taking a big swing at an all-situation forward such as Marchand.”

Although Goldman thinks the Lightning could look to acquire Marchand, it would be a hard trade to pull off.

“Marchand can elevate the Lightning in any situation; it would just take some creativity to make a deal,” Goldman added. “Either the Bruins would have to retain salary, or a third-party broker would have to get involved. The Lightning’s prospect pool is pretty thin. But the team has two seconds in 2025 (from the Kings and Maple Leafs) and all of its 2026 picks.”
 
  • Like
Reactions: JCRO and DominicT

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad