Proposal: Bruins Off-Season Talk

[LouJersey]

Roster is pretty much set.

2 goalies- Rask and Dobby

7 defense- Chara, Mac, Carlo, Krug, Miller, McQ and Postma

14 forwards- Marchand, bergy, Backes, Bjork,Krejci, Pasta, Beleskey, Spooner, Vatrano, Kuraly, Nash, Accairi, Agostino and Schaller.

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

Roster is pretty much set.

2 goalies- Rask and Dobby

7 defense- Chara, Mac, Carlo, Krug, Miller, McQ and Postma

14 forwards- Marchand, bergy, Backes, Bjork,Krejci, Pasta, Beleskey, Spooner, Vatrano, Kuraly, Nash, Accairi, Agostino and Schaller.

You're probably right...

And if so, I am pretty disappointed in Sweeney's offseason.

Unlike last year when he seemed to attack areas of need, this offseason comes across as a big ol' shoulder shrug. Yuck.

 

[Gordoff]

I didn't hear the whole show today but on WBZ 98.5 Sean McAdam went off on Donny Sweeney and his lack of moves. From what I did hear he mentioned the fact that Sweeney's free agent signings have been lousy deals for the B's and because of that Sweeney is gun shy. He said something to the effect that B's management knows what they need but lack the **** to get it done. He seemed pretty pissed off about it. Whoever it was that was on with him got kinda breathless IMO and changed the subject asap back to the Sox and Celts. Not sure if it's because he had no idea what Sean was talking about, sad.

 

[KrejciMVP]

I didn't hear the whole show today but on WBZ 98.5 Sean McAdam went off on Donny Sweeney and his lack of moves. From what I did hear he mentioned the fact that Sweeney's free agent signings have been lousy deals for the B's and because of that Sweeney is gun shy. He said something to the effect that B's management knows what they need but lack the **** to get it done. He seemed pretty pissed off about it. Whoever it was that was on with him got kinda breathless IMO and changed the subject asap back to the Sox and Celts. Not sure if it's because he had no idea what Sean was talking about, sad.

Maybe he'll score a big name in the end like Ainge did yesterday. I think we're cap constrained so might as well put those 3 1st rounders in from a few years back and see if we hit the jackpot

 

[Gordoff]

Wonderful. Glad to have him back! Nash, Agostino, Schaller, Kuraly, Blidh, Acciari, Beleskey, Czarnik. Best 4th line depth in the league. Bet other teams are jealous. Championships are built from the 4th line up as they say.

I guess, But when your 3rd and 2nd lines are iffy, worrying about the 4th line is kinda blah.

Why didn't we troll the habs and offer galchenyuk and offer sheet ?

Because then we may have had to take him and give them our picks.

+++

I agree. I'd love to see him take Beleskey's place on the 4th line but that's not likely given his contract situation.

OT: Schaller signing is solid.

I like Schaller, not sure if it's just a (path of least resistance) lazy signing by DS?

 

[DitClapper]

I didn't hear the whole show today but on WBZ 98.5 Sean McAdam went off on Donny Sweeney and his lack of moves. From what I did hear he mentioned the fact that Sweeney's free agent signings have been lousy deals for the B's and because of that Sweeney is gun shy. He said something to the effect that B's management knows what they need but lack the **** to get it done. He seemed pretty pissed off about it. Whoever it was that was on with him got kinda breathless IMO and changed the subject asap back to the Sox and Celts. Not sure if it's because he had no idea what Sean was talking about, sad.

I mean, what exactly did he want Sweeney to do then? Overpay more in FA so he can ***** about that more? McAdam should stick with the Sox. Lose lose for Don.

 

[JOKER 192]

Oh shucks, no shinny new toy this year. We don't need one. What we thought were shinny new toys the last few years turned out to be, rusty , leaky things, no thanks, no more or those. We have enough.

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

I mean, what exactly did he want Sweeney to do then? Overpay more in FA so he can ***** about that more? McAdam should stick with the Sox. Lose lose for Don.

There are options other than those two.

 

[DKH]

I didn't hear the whole show today but on WBZ 98.5 Sean McAdam went off on Donny Sweeney and his lack of moves. From what I did hear he mentioned the fact that Sweeney's free agent signings have been lousy deals for the B's and because of that Sweeney is gun shy. He said something to the effect that B's management knows what they need but lack the **** to get it done. He seemed pretty pissed off about it. Whoever it was that was on with him got kinda breathless IMO and changed the subject asap back to the Sox and Celts. Not sure if it's because he had no idea what Sean was talking about, sad.

I heard Brickley say the opposite today right down to 'the plllllll an'


poor Sean such a good baseball writer glad he's on, he's a very passionate Bruins fan from Bobby Orr generation, Awesome guy worked with his cousin and met him a few times- he knows his stuff usually

 

[PlayMakers]

I like Schaller, not sure if it's just a (path of least resistance) lazy signing by DS?

Moore would have been an easy signing too. I think they legitimately like Schaller. He's got size, above average skill for a 4th liner, local and proud to wear the B (which is big with them), and he's in his mid-20's. All points to just a safe, solid signing and guy to have as your 12th or 13th forward.

 

[DKH]

I mean, what exactly did he want Sweeney to do then? Overpay more in FA so he can ***** about that more? McAdam should stick with the Sox. Lose lose for Don.

We will never win with Tim Thomas

Johnny Boychuk has no hockey sense

Why did we sign that loser Michael Ryder

Chiarelli should be fired for hiring Dave Lewis and trading for Bochenski and Peter Schaefer

We had to buy out that bum Schaefer- worst move evah

Brad Marchand is a poor mans Sean Avery- trade him and a first and whatever else for Chris Drury

I'm so pissed ALL WE GOT AT THE TRADE DEADLINE WAS A FREAKING 41 YEAR OLD SLOW GUY (Recchi)

an impromptu meeting in the Celtics room before a Bruins home game for irate Bruins fans who were pissed all we got was Dennis Seidenberg (whoever that guy is someone said to me who actually asked a question)

this is the common theme of this board most from folks who never admit to it

there is a suprise

different summer different whining

poor Arty just to damn positive couldnt handle living with wolves

 

[BadBruins]

I guess, But when your 3rd and 2nd lines are iffy, worrying about the 4th line is kinda blah.

I was actually being sarcastic. Schaller is a 4th line LW and I honestly don't know why they even bothered qualifying him. Organizationally, possibly the greatest strength.

He's a decent depth piece, but on the left side you have Marchand, Vatrano, Beleskey, Agostino, Bjork, Heinen, Cehlarik, Gabrielle, Kuraly, Blidh....possibly Spooner..... Why? These are the players that actually block prospects. Everyone outside of Marchand is a 3rd/4th line option ideally IMO. Why add to that log jam. But yeah, good soldier and all that.

 

[TheBigBadB]

No more depth signing. I feel like Donnie is just loading up on bargains and hopes that at least one or two become third liners. I am just not seeing the talent of these depth players that can suggest they are better than fourth line duty. Maybe Agostino but that is a big gamble. AHL success doesnt mean NHL success.

 

[Estlin]

There was talk of Philly looking to rebuild/retool on the flyer, potentially get younger. Any chance we could pry Simmonds out of their hands with some prospects+ Spooner +salary dump Beleskey? Grab Thomas Vanek as well. Pretty sick top 6 is you ask me

Marshy-Bergy-Pasta
Vanek-Krejci-Simmonds

Simmonds is probably untouchable. The Flyers traded Schenn; no way do they also unload Simmonds. I think that Giroux would be dealt before Simmonds.

Seriously what league are you watching?

Sure you need a few role players, but the days of 2 scoring lines and 2 lines of grinders/checkers is long gone.

Agreed. However, it appears that Sweeney has not gotten the memo:

Wonderful. Glad to have him back! Nash, Agostino, Schaller, Kuraly, Blidh, Acciari, Beleskey, Czarnik. Best 4th line depth in the league. Bet other teams are jealous. Championships are built from the 4th line up as they say.

Roster is pretty much set.

2 goalies- Rask and Dobby

7 defense- Chara, Mac, Carlo, Krug, Miller, McQ and Postma

14 forwards- Marchand, bergy, Backes, Bjork,Krejci, Pasta, Beleskey, Spooner, Vatrano, Kuraly, Nash, Accairi, Agostino and Schaller.

Assuming that neither of Debrusk or Heinen makes the team, the third and fourth lines will comprise a mix of Blidh, Schaller, Kuraly, Acciari, Beleskey, Agostino, Nash and Spooner/Vatrano. That's two fourth lines. Boston won't go far with five or six grinders/role players in the bottom six.

No more depth signing. I feel like Donnie is just loading up on bargains and hopes that at least one or two become third liners. I am just not seeing the talent of these depth players that can suggest they are better than fourth line duty. Maybe Agostino but that is a big gamble. AHL success doesnt mean NHL success.

Agreed.

 

[GloveSave1]

I don't think Donny is done. Spooner and McQuaid won't make it to the final roster.

McQuaid will probably be replaced in house by a kid...but Spooner clears a spot for Backes to go to his comfortable C3...and opens up a nice wing slot that I hope DS fills with a "good" proven player. Not a "star" player, and the price that would require, a "good" player. Hopefully the guy coming back in the Spooner and or McQuaid deal(s).

 

[bbfan419]

Schaller is just another 4th line/AHL tweener guy, we have a lot of those now with Nash, Acciari, Blidh, Kuraly, so no need to sign Schaller just a waste of roster space and uses up a bit more cap as well.

 

[rudos1]

Not sure I'm glad we didn't go for another too old and pay too much for too long FA like Backes again or wish we really did get some elite FA offensive help. I'm fine with our young D and am hopeful Tuukka will be good this year but I am not feeling good about our scoring...

 

[BruinsPortugal]

Not sure what people expected. Sweeney MO is draft and develop. He drafted plenty of talented kids now we have to wait for that second part to materialize. Like it or not thats where we are.

I for one am glad he didnt do anything stupid in FA, sure would have liked to see some big fish coming in from a trade but yeah, this is what i expected. And trades can still happen anyway.

 

[Oates2Neely]

Any word on Senshyn? Has he progressed and can he be expected to push for a spot in camp?

 

[LouJersey]

Sweeney has learned from some many perceive as mistakes. No giving up many assets at the trade deadline and no long term UFA deals and he should be commended. He didn't pay the 1st and 2 2nds price for a #4 defenseman which is fine by me. He didn't give McAvoy for a guy like Drouin. He didn't give Carlo for a guy who has two years left on his deal in Duchene. I think he's done a very good job holding to plan in this fast food I want it now world.

 

[bbfan419]

Any word on Senshyn? Has he progressed and can he be expected to push for a spot in camp?

I think a year or even two in the AHL would be good for Zach.

 

[Fenian24]

It's pretty hard to peg what the Bruins bottom 2 lines will look like come October. But doubtful it ends up 5-6 rookies.

Acciari I suspect is a lock for a job out of camp. Undersized but very physical

Kuraly fits the mold of a big body who can/will compete physically and I think his game lends well to the current NHL because he's a very good skater and I think he's very likely to make this team next season because he can play C or W, and kill penalties.

Riley Nash may not be a physical force but is the likely 4th line C who can kill penalties, take face-offs, and be defensively responsible.

Belesky if he comes to camp in incredible shape/fitness/conditioning can certainly be the Belesky we saw in 2015-16 as oppose to the guy we saw last year.

Agostino is reportedly a physical player not afraid of the rough stuff. Not a basher, but plays an honest game.

Sprinkle in the likes of Vatrano, Spooner, Cehlarik, Bjork, Heinen, Debrusk, JFK, (obviously not all of them will be in Boston) and you have a nice mix of skill, grit, and role-players.

If anything the bottom 2 lines lacks a Reeves, or a Matt Martin. Problem is those guys are becoming harder and harder to find, because if they can't skate, there is no place for them anymore. And the big tough bodies who can skate aren't numerous by any means.

I hope you are right with the bolded but if you look at half the posts between yesterday and now they are "let the kids play" posts. It's like the Bad News Bears in real life to these people who seem to think that you can just put middle of the road prospects in the line up in numerous position and compete. Reality is you can't. There isn't a Toews, Kane, Crosby, McDavid level player anywhere in the Bruins system. People can complain about Claude but he brought Seguin in the right way for a player at his level, you couldn't send him back to juniors but you could limit his ice time until he learned to play. There isn't a Seguin level player coming up either.

As far as a tough player in the bottom six Ryan White would be fine and is still a UFA as is Tanner Glass, who if people are concerned that a tough guy can't skate, Glass can skate, not a finisher but considering you had 6 forwards who played 49 games or more with less than 7 goals I don't think anyone would complain about his production. The mighty Austin Czarnik had 5 goals, 13 points and was -10 playing over 13 minutes a night. I would still move one of the mid level prospects for Kyle Clifford or Antoine Roussel. Roussel would cost more but his 12 goals would have put him 6th on the team in goals. There are options out there for players who will fight and hit Dealer Donny just needs to go get one.

I like Kuraly's game and Acciari's and hope both make it, The last spot that should be open competition for a rookie is 3rd line LW DeBrusk hopefully gets that spot but any of the prospects who beat him out are welcome to it. A veteran 2nd line LW is desperately needed if they have any interest at all in competing. That is not a position that should be an open try out spot going into camp.

I hope I'm wrong but the Agostino signing reeks of the Chris Bourque experiment in 2013, that went on too long and was never properly addressed that season and was an issue in the playoffs.

Lots of prospects, chance for lots of failures. Move some of them for a young veteran LW or 3rd line center who you know what they are capable of and don't gamble the next 3 or 4 years and the end of Bergeron and Krecji's careers on maybe's, might have beens and never were's. If they have faith in their scouting pick the top 5 forward prospects, top 4 D prospects and start moving the others before they are exposed as not being NHL players.

 

[Gordoff]

I mean, what exactly did he want Sweeney to do then? Overpay more in FA so he can ***** about that more? McAdam should stick with the Sox. Lose lose for Don.

He wanted him to make a hockey trade. He wanted him to make a trade that will upgrade the on-ice product. He is not Haggs but as usual some here don't want to understand that the only thing that Sweeney does well is draft. He's not, and the B's pro scouting are not capable on making the kinds of trade that will make a positive difference but I guess dumping on him here makes some people feel good. HE gets paid big money to share an educated opinion based on the facts that he sees. He makes a living at it he isn't just venting on a blog.

 

[Gordoff]

Not sure what people expected. Sweeney MO is draft and develop. He drafted plenty of talented kids now we have to wait for that second part to materialize. Like it or not thats where we are.

I for one am glad he didnt do anything stupid in FA, sure would have liked to see some big fish coming in from a trade but yeah, this is what i expected. And trades can still happen anyway.

Ever heard of making a hockey trade? That is what he was talking about. He did not say that he wanted him to make another stupid FA signing but it's easy to knock a professional that has a legit point. Many here have said the same thing but as usual many here like to pile on for no good ******** reason.

He also said that it is LATE in the process and the best opportunities for a good trade are around the TIME of free agency, that it is getting late to make a significant move since most teams have set their lineups for the upcoming season.

 

[Fenian24]

I didn't hear the whole show today but on WBZ 98.5 Sean McAdam went off on Donny Sweeney and his lack of moves. From what I did hear he mentioned the fact that Sweeney's free agent signings have been lousy deals for the B's and because of that Sweeney is gun shy. He said something to the effect that B's management knows what they need but lack the **** to get it done. He seemed pretty pissed off about it. Whoever it was that was on with him got kinda breathless IMO and changed the subject asap back to the Sox and Celts. Not sure if it's because he had no idea what Sean was talking about, sad.

Sounds pretty accurate to me.

I look forward to such major deals as another Drew Stafford at the deadline or another Agostino signing

Dealer Donny is in over his head, his "we have nice prospects" line will only work for so long before people realize it's the same old, same old and they don't have a cupboard full of legit prospects, They appear to have done very well with Pastrnak, Carlo and McAvoy, three legitimate NHL players, that's a good decade for the Bruins so I don't really expect many more prospects to make any type of impact.