BruinDust
Registered User
- Aug 2, 2005
- 25,293
- 24,189
Excellent post. I would not mind keeping McQuaid over Kevan but as a 3rd pairing PK guy. I was shocked Sweeney resigned Kevan. Keep Liles as an extra, run Morrow and Chiller in the rotation. I agree Spooners value has been squandered, he could be a poor mans Skinner, RNH type of player in any other system. Now his value is like Cody Hodgson. All the people pining for Barzal as a pick we missed out, just look at what happened to Koko and Spooner. It would be the same scenario, another offensive smallish center not great in his own end. Krech is the only guy that is slight of size and creative that is trusted. Claude still rolls Bergy as the top center, because he is defensive. Backes should center the 3rd line or even take the top spot.
I am watching the Spengler cup and Campbell is playing decent. I could see him coming back on the cheap. I would not like that but it would not surprise me at all. Mason Raymond is the best forward for Team Canada and is a free agent. Raymond could take Spooners spot as he is a real LW. A combo of Kevan, Hayes, Spooner, a pick and prospect can maybe get us a decent dee or a good RW.
-Backes at center on the 3rd, should have been done a long time ago. (Although Martin Hanzal could do the same job at half the price, younger and bigger)
-Move Spooner/package for a dee or a good RW
-Raymond for cheap to replace Spooner as a real LW with speed and good hands
-Dee will have to wait for the deadline or next year
Maybe they will be sellers if they are out of the playoff picture. I am not opposed to moving some unmentionables. Teams may come asking about Krech, Bergy or Chara for the playoff push. If it makes the team stronger and younger worth a listen. Leafs did it and got Matthews and are 3 pts behind us with 3 games in hand with basically an AHL roster. I say it worked out pretty damm good for them.
If the Leafs are running an AHL roster is what the Bruins running any better? Especially considering this "AHL roster" came into Boston a month ago and handled the Bruins quite easily from the start of the 2nd period onward.
Because I see a pile of AHL talent on this Bruins team. Moreso than Toronto has.
That being said, I think your underrating the Leafs roster with this comment.
If Sweeney brings back Campbell he should be fired.
An interesting take on the removal of Campbell (and Campbell-types) and the success of CBJ in the 1st half of this season.
"For the Blue Jackets, that light bulb moment came when they realized they were essentially throwing away shifts whenever they were using the likes of Jared Boll and Gregory Campbell as part of their fourth line. Without much actual on-ice utility, their main selling point was that they looked the part of what we’ve been told those types of players should be (grinders or face-punchers).
Which is why it’s somewhat ironic that a modern day fourth liner like Gagner is far more likely to actually swing the outcome or change the momentum of a game with a goal than a player like Boll ever would’ve been able to with a big hit or fight."
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets-case-study-modern-player-usage/
Bruins need to take a page out of this approach.