Boston Bruins 24-25 Roster/Cap thread XX

[Oates2Neely]

Agree. Pass on Bennett at big $$. There needs to be a trade in the works for a Matty Beniers/ Shane Wright type young center.

I was hoping Mittlestadt would come here and score some points to increase his trade value this summer

 

[Absurdity]

Doing the exercise of "who is penciled in" next year and woof is this roster wide open:

Geekie - Lindholm - Pasta
Xxxx - xxxx - xxxxx
xxxx - Minten - xxxx
xxxx - Kastellic - xxxx

Lindholm - McAvoy
Zadorov - xxxx
Lohrei - Peeke

Swayman
Korpisalo


The only one I'm going out on a limb for is Minten because I think he's passed the eye test of being a NHLer and I like his size. I want to see a full season of him at 3C and see what that looks like. I hope Khusnutdinov and Lysell could capture 3rd line roles as well, but they haven't done enough to be given a spot next year. Lindholm is just locked into that line because of his contract for better or for worse.

Everything else I'm open too any guy capturing a spot on this roster in camp. Get the highest pick you can and only target impact guys in free agency (IE Marner or Ehlers). Don't care about anyone else in Free Agency really.. If Hall or Marchand want to come back for the right price.. Sure I guess. This roster needs to find younger, impact players and move forward though.

I think the Bruins play it safe next season and have Mittelstadt be the #2C, Poitras at #3C, and Minten at #4C. If Poitras and Minten progress, that would let them potentially move Mittelstadt at the trade deadline or next offseason, and those two move up the lineup. It gives Farinacci more ice time in the AHL before he potentially makes the leap. With a weak free agency for centers, Zacha may be in demand this offseason, so if the Bruins can upgrade on wing with him in a package, I think the Bruins should entertain a deal. Bruins could also use a few more veteran voices in the room.

 

[McBrom7]

I think the Bruins play it safe next season and have Mittelstadt be the #2C, Poitras at #3C, and Minten at #4C. If Poitras and Minten progress, that would let them potentially move Mittelstadt at the trade deadline or next offseason, and those two move up the lineup. It gives Farinacci more ice time in the AHL before he potentially makes the leap. With a weak free agency for centers, Zacha may be in demand this offseason, so if the Bruins can upgrade on wing with him in a package, I think the Bruins should entertain a deal. Bruins could also use a few more veteran voices in the room.

Yeah, the more I went through the exercise and looked at what's available on the free agent market, I think they take your approach next season. Unless they go on a mad spending spree which I would highly advise against them to do.

Outside of pure hockey trades that make sense, I'm a little bearish on this forward group next year. Pure hockey trades that work out are so few and far in between these days and I think they would need to make a couple to a few of them to get back to relevancy.

Assuming they take a guy who isn't NHL ready in the draft, I just think there's too many holes in the middle 6 to fix the forward group in one year. Lindholm and McAvoy should turn some of these losses into wins, but they would still lack scoring depth outside of Geekie and Pasta. And is Geekie even a lock to score at the rate he is? I'm not so sure.

 

[Bruin4]

Why on earth would you think Lohrei would get $3 mil?

Lauko, Beecher, Khusnutdinov and Merkulov should take whatever they are offered.

Too low?

 

[Hookslide]

I think the Bruins play it safe next season and have Mittelstadt be the #2C, Poitras at #3C, and Minten at #4C. If Poitras and Minten progress, that would let them potentially move Mittelstadt at the trade deadline or next offseason, and those two move up the lineup. It gives Farinacci more ice time in the AHL before he potentially makes the leap. With a weak free agency for centers, Zacha may be in demand this offseason, so if the Bruins can upgrade on wing with him in a package, I think the Bruins should entertain a deal. Bruins could also use a few more veteran voices in the room.

I am still on the fence with Mittlelstadt, to be honest, Zacha I would keep over him, although you are right Zacha might draw more interest. My money is on Minten for third line. You might have something in getting some vets in the room, but I do not want to get locked in with a bad contract, especially a long term deal. A player that might interest me because he only has one year left on his contract, Anders Lee, the money might be a little high, but you need to see where you are with the roster.

 

[Absurdity]

I am still on the fence with Mittlelstadt, to be honest, Zacha I would keep over him, although you are right Zacha might draw more interest. My money is on Minten for third line. You might have something in getting some vets in the room, but I do not want to get locked in with a bad contract, especially a long term deal. A player that might interest me because he only has one year left on his contract, Anders Lee, the money might be a little high, but you need to see where you are with the roster.

I personally would prefer the Bruins rip the band-aid a bit more and have Poitras and Minten as their middle 6. It also depends who they draft too.

 

[PB37]

I personally would prefer the Bruins rip the band-aid a bit more and have Poitras and Minten as their middle 6. It also depends who they draft too.

Poitras ascending to the 2nd line center spot next year would help fix a lot... we just don't know if he's there yet. There's a lot of unknown variables with this team heading into next season, the biggest one being " are the kids ready to be full time pros" ? I'm hoping that with a good offseason and surrounded by the right players, Poitras shows that he's here to stay.


UFA Signing -- Lindholm -- Pasta

Zacha -- Poitras -- Geekie

Mittlestadt -- Minten -- Lysell

Khusy -- Kastelic -- Lauko


Lindholm -- McAvoy

Zadorov - UFA Signing

Lohrei -- Joker

 

[Hookslide]

Seriously, Lohrei was on a whole different level of awful this season.

it is a concern

 

[Hookslide]

Poitras ascending to the 2nd line center spot next year would help fix a lot... we just don't know if he's there yet. There's a lot of unknown variables with this team heading into next season, the biggest one being " are the kids ready to be full time pros" ? I'm hoping that with a good offseason and surrounded by the right players, Poitras shows that he's here to stay.


UFA Signing -- Lindholm -- Pasta

Zacha -- Poitras -- Geekie

Mittlestadt -- Minten -- Lysell

Khusy -- Kastelic -- Lauko


Lindholm -- McAvoy

Zadorov - UFA Signing

Lohrei -- Joker

Why are you splitting up Pasta and Geekie, they are the two with chemistry, Lindholm is a long for the ride. I could live with the 4th line there would be a lot of energy. Not sure with everything else, who is you FA signing.

 

[Bruin4]

it is a concern

It is a concern, but the kids offensive talent is off the charts and the Bruins have so many greater concerns than Mason Lohrei play.

 

[DKH]

After Marner he is the first UFA I would want Boston to sign. David Backes was poorly handled by Cassidy here and if he played in game 7 of the 19 finals I think the Bruins win.

Bennett's contract will age badly if it is a seven year deal, which I would expect. He will be 35 when it is done and he plays very physical but for the first 4 years you have a second line center/left wing who will score 50/55 points and drag this team into the fight, something they desperately needed at points this season.

This is why you are one of the best posters here
Bang on as usual

 

[PB37]

Why are you splitting up Pasta and Geekie, they are the two with chemistry, Lindholm is a long for the ride. I could live with the 4th line there would be a lot of energy. Not sure with everything else, who is you FA signing.

I've been over this before. I'd like to see at least the top two lines able to ice a shooter/goal scorer that they can put out to keep the other team honest.

Pasta has shown he can play with just about anyone and help push them offensively. If Geekie can replicate just some of what he's doing on line 2 ( 25ish goals with a better team PP isn't out of the realm of conversation ) that's a win for the lineup, especially if Pasta gets a better player offensive player from it from free agency. They always have the option to go back to Geekie/Pasta if they so choose but I want to see them at least try to find another goal scorer for the health and balance of the top 2 lines.

All this is moot if the Bruins can't find a better top 4 option than Peeke/Joker though.

 

[Sheppy]

It is a concern, but the kids offensive talent is off the charts and the Bruins have so many greater concerns than Mason Lohrei play.

I wouldn't say it's off the charts at all, honestly. It's decent, but off the charts I'm thinking Lane Hutson.

 

[pucksindeep92]

Poitras ascending to the 2nd line center spot next year would help fix a lot... we just don't know if he's there yet. There's a lot of unknown variables with this team heading into next season, the biggest one being " are the kids ready to be full time pros" ? I'm hoping that with a good offseason and surrounded by the right players, Poitras shows that he's here to stay.


UFA Signing -- Lindholm -- Pasta

Zacha -- Poitras -- Geekie

Mittlestadt -- Minten -- Lysell

Khusy -- Kastelic -- Lauko


Lindholm -- McAvoy

Zadorov - UFA Signing

Lohrei -- Joker

Agree on Poitras rising, that would be terrific for us, and some summer bulk could help that happen. Don’t agree with Geekie move though…what if you go:

Geekie - Lindholm - Pasta
Zacha - Poitras - Marner/UFA
Mittelstadt - Minten - Roslovic/Lysell

 

[Sheppy]

Poitras has to show me something I haven't seen if he's our second line C next year.

 

[Bruin4]

I wouldn't say it's off the charts at all, honestly. It's decent, but off the charts I'm thinking Lane Hutson.

I watched the last devils game and the worst defenseman on the ice was Luke Hughes, he was absolutely atrocious and so were the Devils in that game. I just can't get on a young defenseman who's playing for this version of the 2025 Boston Bruins. you switch Hughes and Lohrei around and you'd have similar results imo.

Hutson is great offensively, but his hockey IQ defensively needs work as well, last night he was terrible on the hawks last goal, chasing down the player, while leaving all kinds of open ice and the eventual goal scorer wide open.

i guess im just willing to be patient with lohrei, as I see a kid who can be a 50-60 point defenseman. Right now I feel his confidence is shot, and that says a lot, because I think he has tons of it. Bruins did a terrible job of protecting him, but with all the injuries and lack of depth on the backend they had very little choice but to throw him to the wolves. I'm expecting a near plus player or better next year if the Bruins d-crops are healthy.

 

[Hookslide]

It is a concern, but the kids offensive talent is off the charts and the Bruins have so many greater concerns than Mason Lohrei play.

If McAvoy and Lindholm have health problems next year it is a concern

 

[Hookslide]

Poitras has to show me something I haven't seen if he's our second line C next year.

Big order to start counting him in as your second line center.

 

[Bruin4]

If McAvoy and Lindholm have health problems next year it is a concern

Draft Schaefer and move Lohrei to 2nd line LW

 

[Hookslide]

Draft Schaefer and move Lohrei to 2nd line LW

Oh stop that crap.

 

[Dr Hook]

Bennett's contract will age badly if it is a seven year deal, which I would expect. He will be 35 when it is done and he plays very physical but for the first 4 years you have a second line center/left wing who will score 50/55 points and drag this team into the fight, something they desperately needed at points this season.

It probably wll age badly, but then again, Marchand was able to sustain it through age 35 and I don't think he plays any softer a style than Bennett. Yeah, Brad is probably a big outlier, but Bennett may end up doing well for most, if not all, of a seven year deal. It is worth looking at for sure even just for four years of strong play, but I would not count him out for more than that.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

I watched the last devils game and the worst defenseman on the ice was Luke Hughes, he was absolutely atrocious and so were the Devils in that game. I just can't get on a young defenseman who's playing for this version of the 2025 Boston Bruins. you switch Hughes and Lohrei around and you'd have similar results imo.

Hutson is great offensively, but his hockey IQ defensively needs work as well, last night he was terrible on the hawks last goal, chasing down the player, while leaving all kinds of open ice and the eventual goal scorer wide open.

i guess im just willing to be patient with lohrei, as I see a kid who can be a 50-60 point defenseman. Right now I feel his confidence is shot, and that says a lot, because I think he has tons of it. Bruins did a terrible job of protecting him, but with all the injuries and lack of depth on the backend they had very little choice but to throw him to the wolves. I'm expecting a near plus player or better next year if the Bruins d-crops are healthy.

Something tells me Hutson will be on the ice with Demidov a lot next year. Teams are going to have a tough time getting the puck. Would love to have that problem.

 

[PB37]

Poitras has to show me something I haven't seen if he's our second line C next year.

He's killing it right now in the AHL and still super young having just turned 21. There's some hope there. There's a few players you can point to and wonder if the Bruins should let them progress further in the NHL or find NHL proven guys. Really fascinating offseason coming up.

 

[KillerMillerTime]

I watched the last devils game and the worst defenseman on the ice was Luke Hughes, he was absolutely atrocious and so were the Devils in that game. I just can't get on a young defenseman who's playing for this version of the 2025 Boston Bruins. you switch Hughes and Lohrei around and you'd have similar results imo.

Hutson is great offensively, but his hockey IQ defensively needs work as well, last night he was terrible on the hawks last goal, chasing down the player, while leaving all kinds of open ice and the eventual goal scorer wide open.

i guess im just willing to be patient with lohrei, as I see a kid who can be a 50-60 point defenseman. Right now I feel his confidence is shot, and that says a lot, because I think he has tons of it. Bruins did a terrible job of protecting him, but with all the injuries and lack of depth on the backend they had very little choice but to throw him to the wolves. I'm expecting a near plus player or better next year if the Bruins d-crops are healthy.

I don't think the B's will have enough firepower upfront for Lohrei to get near 60 the next 2 years.

 

[quietbruinfan]

I think the Bruins pursue Boeser, and I would rather they pursue Ehlers and his speed, or they even stand pat. Boeser is a legit 35-40 goal scorer on many teams, ones that have speed and playmaking centers. That obviously is not the Bruins.