Proposal: All Bruins rumors/proposals: 16/17 Part II

[Glove Malfunction]

True.

And maybe in this case "proven" is too strong a word.

I'll bring it down a notch to "shown enough" to believe that he could do the job of being an effective winger on a scoring line and not drag that line down being out of place is not unrealistic.

But as far as a "proven" NHL guy, then your probably right.

I guess I'm just trying to take a more realistic (God, I sound like Lonnie here, don't hate me!) view on what to expect when Frankie comes back. I think too many people here are viewing him as some sort of savior, and I'm just trying to take a more measured approach...

 

[BruinDust]

I guess I'm just trying to take a more realistic (God, I sound like Lonnie here, don't hate me!) view on what to expect when Frankie comes back. I think too many people here are viewing him as some sort of savior, and I'm just trying to take a more measured approach...

Nothing wrong with that.

I think at some point he will help this team this season, but he probably isn't about to dramatically change this teams fortunes either.

 

[JoeIsAStud]

Except that he was one of the better players on the ice last night, not sure waht you were watching.

He hasn't been great, but I'm not ready to give up on him yet.

Yeah, not sure what game I watched apparently. I saw Krug basically put the team on his shoulders last night in the 3rd and just dominated for a stretch where he brought the team back from the dead into a tie. Just a couple of brilliant shifts where he set up both goals

 

[JRull86]

Yeah, not sure what game I watched apparently. I saw Krug basically put the team on his shoulders last night in the 3rd and just dominated for a stretch where he brought the team back from the dead into a tie. Just a couple of brilliant shifts where he set up both goals

People are quick to write him off, but he showed what he can do in the 3rd last night. Easily the best player on the ice for a few shifts, and it showed.

 

[Absurdity]

The Bruins should definitely go after Alzner in the offseason:

11...Nick Kypreos reported last weekend Alzner is asking between $5.5M-$6M from the Capitals. I do think they [Capitals] value Alzner — a lot — but don’t see how they could get there without a major corresponding move. Could see Western Canada’s teams throwing themselves at him.

There's also this:

 

[SpitfireIX]

I guess I'm just trying to take a more realistic (God, I sound like Lonnie here, don't hate me!) view on what to expect when Frankie comes back. I think too many people here are viewing him as some sort of savior, and I'm just trying to take a more measured approach...

Your not off base. The fact that Vatrano is viewed by some as a savior shows how much trouble we are in. He still needs to grow into a consistent player at the NHL level and he is coming off of a lengthy injury.

If we had a player similar to the guy in your avatar pic coming back in full health that would be savior worthy. We have no depth. Our prospects are still too green and our mid-level players are simply not good enough. A cast-off from the 2015-2016 Sabres is playing on our 3rd line. A cast-off who's highest scoring season in the NCAA was 23 points in 38 games. Schaller didn't even score a ppg in High School! Krejci is probably feeling like he took Michael Ryder for granted as a line mate at this point. This is the worst Bruins team on paper since Chiarelli's first year.

 

[CDJ]

Please trade Krug. Package him up with whatever it takes and send him to Winnipeg for Trouba. Painful to watch him play on the top D pairing. He got turned inside out last night.

Strong, strong disagree


I think he's been great the last couple of games

 

[PlayMakers]

I think if they did that ice time would be split a bit more evenly, and I see where you are coming from but well it wouldn't be the end of the world to try it for a bit and with scoring such an issue Claude may be more willing to try something different. Pittsburgh even showed last year that splitting scoring like that can be a successful platform.

I agree. It wouldn't be the end of the world to try it. And when they had Savard, Bergeron and Krejci down the middle, they didn't split the ice time evenly but Krejci was young then. They might change that approach if it were three experienced centers like we're talking about now. I think Bergeron and Backes would have to see their ice time cut but like you said, Pittsburgh certainly showed that it can be done and that it can be highly effective.

 

[Pia8988]

I agree. It wouldn't be the end of the world to try it. And when they had Savard, Bergeron and Krejci down the middle, they didn't split the ice time evenly but Krejci was young then. They might change that approach if it were three experienced centers like we're talking about now. I think Bergeron and Backes would have to see their ice time cut but like you said, Pittsburgh certainly showed that it can be done and that it can be highly effective.

If they do go with Krejci Backes Bergeron down the middle. I think all 3 lines should probably get a base line on 5 on 5 time and whichever of the 3 is playing the best that night gets the extra minutes.

 

[PlayMakers]

Can't argue with that at all.

I can't see this team maintaining that terrible shooting % the entire year. Stranger things have happened but I can't see it.

The improvement in the team's possession game is impressive.

Agreed on both counts.

 

[PlayMakers]

I would have also said Bergeron, but he's earned a break IMO. I'm not worried that he won't return to form. The other two worry me. Krejci seems like he's always hurt or coming back from injury, and Krug really looks like a shell of himself. Both can blame injury and maybe they're right, but we are a day from December. I'm not seeing many signs that they're on the doorstep to full recovery. And I can appreciate Krejci's points have ramped up lately, but the eyeball test tells me he's a 2nd/3rd line center out there. Can't buy himself much space, can't create great chances, he gets pressured now by PK units because they know it, etc. He's a real problem if he doesn't turn this around.

I agree that Bergeron gets a pass in terms of any hostility we might feel towards him but in terms of trying to figure out why this team is having trouble scoring you have to call a spade a spade and admit that's one of the reasons. That's a guy you expect to score at a significant clip, and it's not happening. Yet.

As for Krug and Krejci, I don't share your view. Like with the defense, your outlook is a little darker than mine. Time will tell I guess but I'm seeing signs they're rounding into form. That said, I don't expect to see the best of Krejci until that line gets it's third musketeer.

 

[PlayMakers]

The Bruins should definitely go after Alzner in the offseason:

There's also this:

I don't know. Spending $6m for a defensive defenseman gives me pause. I know they need to replace Chara eventually... I don't know.

 

[Ice Nine]

I don't know. Spending $6m for a defensive defenseman gives me pause. I know they need to replace Chara eventually... I don't know.

Your caution is well placed. $6m is far too much for Alzner, and most defensive defensemen like that.

This is pretty clear when you look at the contracts being signed by young arguably present #1Ds are getting paid:

- Ristolainen signed a 6 year deal with an average salary of $5.4 million/year.
- Lindholm signed a 6 year, $31.5m deal, with an avg 5.25m salary/year.

Yes they were RFAs, but still: There's no way I'm paying Alzner or a stay at home $6m with top young D like that signing long term deals for less. Just not worth it.

 

[Pia8988]

Your caution is well placed. $6m is far too much for Alzner, and most defensive defensemen like that.

This is pretty clear when you look at the contracts being signed by young arguably present #1Ds are getting paid:

- Ristolainen signed a 6 year deal with an average salary of $5.4 million/year.
- Lindholm signed a 6 year, $31.5m deal, with an avg 5.25m salary/year.

Yes they were RFAs, but still: There's no way I'm paying Alzner or a stay at home $6m with top young D like that signing long term deals for less. Just not worth it.

I agree on Alzner. He would certainly help improve the Bruins and would help at least partially fill the shut down side of Chara, just not worth that money unless it's a short deal. TBH, I'm wary of most deals for UFA defensemen. I'm sure the Caps would love to just give Orpik's money over to Alzner and call it a day.

The list for upcoming UFAs in their late 20's on defense:

Shattenkirk
Alzner
Kulikov
Stone
Franson
Smith
Del Zotto

Not a real inspiring list after Shattenkirk.

 

[JoeIsAStud]

I just can't see the Bruins adding a 6-8 million dollar guy for next year. Not with McAvoy coming in and potentially other young players breaking in.

Stone would be interesting in the 3-4 year 4 million per year range range, but I suspect, he'll get closer to 6 years and 5.5 million, and I cant do that. I definitely can't do Alzner at 6 million for 7 years.

 

[BruinDust]

Some team is going to seriously over-pay for Alzner this summer if Washington doesn't lock him up (which I'd be surprised if they let him walk). Washington is probably going to overpay as well.

And I like the player but when you hear numbers like 6 million per, I'm not interested.

 

[BruinDust]

Your not off base. The fact that Vatrano is viewed by some as a savior shows how much trouble we are in. He still needs to grow into a consistent player at the NHL level and he is coming off of a lengthy injury.

If we had a player similar to the guy in your avatar pic coming back in full health that would be savior worthy. We have no depth. Our prospects are still too green and our mid-level players are simply not good enough. A cast-off from the 2015-2016 Sabres is playing on our 3rd line. A cast-off who's highest scoring season in the NCAA was 23 points in 38 games. Schaller didn't even score a ppg in High School! Krejci is probably feeling like he took Michael Ryder for granted as a line mate at this point. This is the worst Bruins team on paper since Chiarelli's first year.

They actually have plenty of depth, problem being it's quantity and not quality.

And why does what Schaller did in high school matter? I'm not about to proclaim him the next great power forward, but the guy can play, and he's producing. Seems like Buffalo staff missed the boat here. Development curves are not all the same.

 

[smack66]

Some team is going to seriously over-pay for Alzner this summer if Washington doesn't lock him up (which I'd be surprised if they let him walk). Washington is probably going to overpay as well.

And I like the player but when you hear numbers like 6 million per, I'm not interested.

Leafs will be all over Alzner if he hits FA.

 

[bob27]

I'd be happy to see Spooner traded for a winger at this point. It is nonsensical to keep a player of his value as a 4th line winger. It's clear that he isn't going to be a fit for this team in the long term, so might as well move him for something as long as he still holds some value. Good player, but there's just no future with him here since he can't play wing and won't replace either Bergeron or Krejci.

 

[kdog82]

I'd be happy to see Spooner traded for a winger at this point. It is nonsensical to keep a player of his value as a 4th line winger. It's clear that he isn't going to be a fit for this team in the long term, so might as well move him for something as long as he still holds some value. Good player, but there's just no future with him here since he can't play wing and won't replace either Bergeron or Krejci.

I'd trade him straight up for E. Kane and I don't really care if he's an a-hole.

A line of Kane-Krejci-Backes can be very very good.

 

[DominicT]

I wonder how many people are going to tell Santa "All I want for Christmas is for the Bruins to acquire........"

You may just get a lump of coal

I'd be surprised if anything happened before the holiday break

 

[pierre gagnon*]

I'd be happy to see Spooner traded for a winger at this point. It is nonsensical to keep a player of his value as a 4th line winger. It's clear that he isn't going to be a fit for this team in the long term, so might as well move him for something as long as he still holds some value. Good player, but there's just no future with him here since he can't play wing and won't replace either Bergeron or Krejci.

He does not fit into Claudes world but who says he will be the coach in a few years. If they go on a 10 game skid again, pressure heats up. If the Isles, Flyers, Wings, Canes, Sabres heat up even if only one does and the Leafs get a deeman it could get tense. Chara may never be the same if its the same knee, Rask could stop stealing games. Could end up with a different coach and different path for the team. Depends if everything goes back to being the way it was before which was the perfect scenario. Plus notes Krech and Krug have been better. Colin and Morrow trend up and Carlo is stable so far, Kevan looks good on the off side. The big guys have to get going, Bergy, Marchand and Backes.

 

[Ratty]

I'd be happy to see Spooner traded for a winger at this point. It is nonsensical to keep a player of his value as a 4th line winger. It's clear that he isn't going to be a fit for this team in the long term, so might as well move him for something as long as he still holds some value. Good player, but there's just no future with him here since he can't play wing and won't replace either Bergeron or Krejci.

Phoenix reportedly willing to move Anthony Duclair for a young centre. Anthony had 20-24-44 numbers in his first full season in 2015-2016 but is off to a bad start so far this year. He's a LW, though, a position of some potential on Bruins. But he does have speed and a goal scoring acumen.

 

[DKH]

I just can't see the Bruins adding a 6-8 million dollar guy for next year. Not with McAvoy coming in and potentially other young players breaking in.

Stone would be interesting in the 3-4 year 4 million per year range range, but I suspect, he'll get closer to 6 years and 5.5 million, and I cant do that. I definitely can't do Alzner at 6 million for 7 years.

What does Pasta get? Bridge deal?

 

[DKH]

I'd trade him straight up for E. Kane and I don't really care if he's an a-hole.

A line of Kane-Krejci-Backes can be very very good.

What does Kane's contract look like