Proposal: Bruins Off-Season Talk

[Gordoff]

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.

This^^ is right on!

 

[Ratty]

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.

If McAdam, whose opinion I respect, were talking about Dombrowski's bad trades, I'd listen. But his rant over Sweeney's lack of trades, has me convinced he's just like the rest of the talk show hosts proclivity to make bold statements just to stir up interest.

I hardly listen to them anymore, since I got Sirius XM in the car and can hear honest, informed discussion from knowledgeable hockey people on NHL network.

 

[JRull86]

People can whine and moan all they want, but the question remains. Who available should they have signed? This year's UFA class was/is horrid.

 

[Chief Nine]

If McAdam, whose opinion I respect, were talking about Dombrowski's bad trades, I'd listen. But his rant over Sweeney's lack of trades, has me convinced he's just like the rest of the talk show hosts proclivity to make bold statements just to stir up interest.

I hardly listen to them anymore, since I got Sirius XM in the car and can hear honest, informed discussion from knowledgeable hockey people on NHL network.

Amen. Scott Laughlin is one of the best hosts on that network. Love his unbiased insights.

 

[LouJersey]

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.

Nonsense. Bourque had played in over 300 AHL games before the Bruins acquired him. 4 full seasons and had 1 goal in 33 NHL games. Agostino just finished up his third season. Bruins also (thanks to Chiarelli) had zero in house options. The Bruins have plenty of guys capable to take over Agostino's roster spot if he falters.

As for the stars listed, what team does have those generational/all decade type players? Only the teams that tank and win lotteries.

As for the toughness factor, Bruins have theirs on the backend. I'd like a 13th forward that could chuck em, but that just doesn't happen much anymore.

 

[TheBigBadB]

People can whine and moan all they want, but the question remains. Who available should they have signed? This year's UFA class was/is horrid.

They are still a one line team no matter how you slice it. They are going in with a lot of youth that many do not believe have the upside of a top 6 player. This is what they are lacking. No real game changer other than the first line. It's possible they hit on another rookie, but so far none have been all that impressive (forward wise). Not horrible, but no killer offensive instincts either. Seems like we have a bunch of hard workers that lack skill. Hopefully I am wrong though and we are surprised.

 

[Therick67]

People can whine and moan all they want, but the question remains. Who available should they have signed? This year's UFA class was/is horrid.

How about a trade or two? Seems they pretty much want to stand pat, since they made the playoffs last season.

Sweeney and Co are banking on these prospects, they better hope they work out.

 

[LouJersey]

People can whine and moan all they want, but the question remains. Who available should they have signed? This year's UFA class was/is horrid.

When we sign guys, people whine. When we don't people whine. Imagine dealing two firsts or a first, second and Frederic for Brodin, the place would have gone nuts. The Hamonic price was insane.

This offseason was crap. Teams were able to circumvent the expansion rules, Vegas went soft and made side deals, teams made cap dump deals..garbage.

 

[LouJersey]

How about a trade or two? Seems they pretty much want to stand pat, since they made the playoffs last season.

Sweeney and Co are banking on these prospects, they better hope they work out.

There is one spot in the top 9 for prospects and 4th line LW. On defense McAvoy is in for Liles/Chiller. I don't think they are relying on prospects.

 

[northeastern]

There is one spot in the top 9 for prospects and 4th line LW. On defense McAvoy is in for Liles/Chiller. I don't think they are relying on prospects.

Agreed. Giving rookies a shot versus playing a half dozen of them is different. The good thing is they have the system depth to have good competition between the kids.


If the Bruins sign tanner glass ill puke

 

[Fenian24]

Agreed. Giving rookies a shot versus playing a half dozen of them is different. The good thing is they have the system depth to have good competition between the kids.


If the Bruins sign tanner glass ill puke

I have a friend that works for the United and she should be able to get some puke bags, hopefully I can help you out soon.

 

[Fenian24]

Nonsense. Bourque had played in over 300 AHL games before the Bruins acquired him. 4 full seasons and had 1 goal in 33 NHL games. Agostino just finished up his third season. Bruins also (thanks to Chiarelli) had zero in house options. The Bruins have plenty of guys capable to take over Agostino's roster spot if he falters.

As for the stars listed, what team does have those generational/all decade type players? Only the teams that tank and win lotteries.

As for the toughness factor, Bruins have theirs on the backend. I'd like a 13th forward that could chuck em, but that just doesn't happen much anymore.

My comparison with generational players is that they just stepped in and too many people think that the Bruins crop of prospects has players that can just step out of college/juniors and make an impact. Half the line combinations I see on this site have Bjork and JFK in as 3c and 2lw or 3lw, that can't happen and expect to succeed.

Michael Haley, Luke Gazdic, Anthony Peluso, Mike Liambis, Pierre-Cedric Labrie, Brandon Bollig, Jarred Tinordi and Tyler Randell all signed contracts on the first day of free agency, some where two way deals but all were signed, there is still a place for toughness. Never mind that the Cup champions just acquired the best fighter in the league in Ryan Reaves.

 

[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.

Only three players drafted from Chia's entire tenure of ten years with the club.

Pasta, Bjork and Spooner.

 

[LouJersey]

My comparison with generational players is that they just stepped in and too many people think that the Bruins crop of prospects has players that can just step out of college/juniors and make an impact. Half the line combinations I see on this site have Bjork and JFK in as 3c and 2lw or 3lw, that can't happen and expect to succeed.

Michael Haley, Luke Gazdic, Anthony Peluso, Mike Liambis, Pierre-Cedric Labrie, Brandon Bollig, Jarred Tinordi and Tyler Randell all signed contracts on the first day of free agency, some where two way deals but all were signed, there is still a place for toughness. Never mind that the Cup champions just acquired the best fighter in the league in Ryan Reaves.

McQuaid rivals Reaves for best fighter in the league easily. Plus they have Kevan and Chara. Gabrielle is a couple years away, and up front Backes and Beleksey will fight when needed. That's today's toughness. Sadly the designated goon is gone and long forgotten.

As for the kids in the lineup, I only see Bjork top six (I'm sure he got the Vesey promise) and that's playing with Krejci and Pasta. You and I could ride shot gun there and be successful. Third line is still Spooner until further notice.

 

[Therick67]

There is one spot in the top 9 for prospects and 4th line LW. On defense McAvoy is in for Liles/Chiller. I don't think they are relying on prospects.

So wait, draft and develope isn't how they plan on building this team?

I look at those 3rd and fourth lines and can't imagine someone couldn't force themselves onto this team.

 

[bp13]

When we sign guys, people whine. When we don't people whine. Imagine dealing two firsts or a first, second and Frederic for Brodin, the place would have gone nuts. The Hamonic price was insane.

This offseason was crap. Teams were able to circumvent the expansion rules, Vegas went soft and made side deals, teams made cap dump deals..garbage.

This may all be true. It really may.

However it should be noted that we heard excuses last summer when he couldn't trade for a dman despite the urgency at the time. People claimed top 4 dmen didn't really get traded (which if you look over the last 3-4 years is completely false) and that the free agents were quickly gobbled up or overpaid (Goligoski, Yandle, are a few who come to mind). But could Sweeney have made a deadline deal to get a pending UFA dman to get a jump on signing him? Sure, but he didn't. Then this season the deadline passed with very little, which was fine considering their position, but we all convinced ourselves the Bruins' cap space, protection spots and prospects would mean real opportunity for trades. Guess what? Nothing.

So yeah, it COULD be that all these market factors are conspiring against OUR GM, all the while some other GM's are making moves to improve their team. And you can go through the list and claim Player A or B was overpaid or the price to get so and so was too high, but these are all just excuses. End of the day if he doesn't improve this team in the next couple years and/or they fail to make the playoffs I bet he's on thin ice or gone. And he should be. you don't get an eternity in this job. You don't get a full prospect cycle to show you can handle all the facets of this job. He's got the D&D down, seemingly, but trades and UFA signings? Not even close to good enough.

To be clear, I'm not clamoring for free agency signings. I saw the list and was underwhelmed, and I saw the Beleskey and Backes signings...if the scouts who recommended those two are still here, better we stay out of free agency. But the lack of trades, to me, is another matter entirely.

 

[Therick67]

Amen. Scott Laughlin is one of the best hosts on that network. Love his unbiased insights.

I love Laughlin also, I just don't understand how McAdam all of a sudden isn't credible because he dared criticize Don Sweeney.

 

[Tim Vezina Thomas]

I'm not necessarily irked that Sweeney didn't sign any UFAs, but I am irked that no trades have been made. The phrase "maybe there were no trades to be made" is seeming beginning to lose its luster. You mean to tell me Sweeney had no opportunity to make a favorable trade in the last three years? Hard to believe imo.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

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 don get WBZ in Western MA, but have heard McAdam talk hockey before on EEI and he is actually pretty knowledgeable.

That being said, I think he's wrong in this case.

I said it when it happened and will repeat now. The only FA signing or trade that has happened so far this offseason that I wish Sweeney had made was for Johansson.

Other than that, zip, zero, zilch, nada.

I like Duchene and Landeskog, but it appears as if Sakic's asking prices are crazy high, and not worth it (particularly in MD's case when he can walk in two seasons).

 

[Coach Parker]

How about a trade or two? Seems they pretty much want to stand pat, since they made the playoffs last season.

Sweeney and Co are banking on these prospects, they better hope they work out.

2018-2019. The plan.

 

[Coach Parker]

I'm not necessarily irked that Sweeney didn't sign any UFAs, but I am irked that no trades have been made. The phrase "maybe there were no trades to be made" is seeming beginning to lose its luster. You mean to tell me Sweeney had no opportunity to make a favorable trade in the last three years? Hard to believe imo.

Same. Poor Krejci.

 

[Coach Parker]

People can whine and moan all they want, but the question remains. Who available should they have signed? This year's UFA class was/is horrid.

I would have taken the Marleau contract for three years at 6.25. 27 goals last year on Krejci's wing.

 

[Coach Parker]

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.

Is anyone else scared that 8 of the 16 you listed are these guys and Bjork who might not even make the team?

 

[KrejciMVP]

They are still a one line team no matter how you slice it. They are going in with a lot of youth that many do not believe have the upside of a top 6 player. This is what they are lacking. No real game changer other than the first line. It's possible they hit on another rookie, but so far none have been all that impressive (forward wise). Not horrible, but no killer offensive instincts either. Seems like we have a bunch of hard workers that lack skill. Hopefully I am wrong though and we are surprised.

this seems like the cold bitter reality we are facing.

 

[LouJersey]

So wait, draft and develope isn't how they plan on building this team?

I look at those 3rd and fourth lines and can't imagine someone couldn't force themselves onto this team.

Absolutely, but as for this year, the team is pretty veteran no? You may if lucky get two more kids to stake a claim like Carlo and McAvoy have.

Fourth line you will have Kuraly and Accairi fighting with Agostino and Schaller for time. Nash is the 4C

Third line, Beleksey-Spooner-Vatrano. Beleksey will be given the chance to rebound, as nobody obviously wanted him. Spooner, the same, and with arbitration he will be a Bruin. Vatrano has no options to get sent down, so do you give up on him already?

It's a long season, things change over the course of it, but to start, I don't see many options.