Proposal: Bruins Off-Season Talk

[Greek_physique]

On the flip side, can Marchand keep up the torrid scoring pace he had going last year? Can he behave himself all season long knowing that if he so much as looks at someone the wrong way, he's looking at a multi-game suspension?

What if Chara hits the wall? What if Tuukka goes down?

What if Cassidy gets figured out by the league now that the league has the entire summer to go over the film on his system.....and he can't adjust?

For every player that COULD grow and improve, there are just as many on the other side of the coin that may regress.

Considering the way the team is currently structured, I think it’s highly unlikely that all those happen…and if they do, you think someone like Bergeron won’t be better this year than last year considering how much he struggled with his injury?

With anything someone will impress and someone will regress...but Im not worried about our big guns.

 

[Dr Quincy]

This is his third July and the first one was full of fireworks

Not sure they are done

I'd stay tuned

Vesey signing soon E5

Kidding.

I don't see any major moves at this point, but you never know I guess.

 

[JAD]

Hey, it's not all negative because of a lack of immediate moves to address needs - this team is trending upwards.
There is good news ...
Be thankful, at least we are not Montreal fans - that team appears to be a mess.

 

[Seidenbergy]

Considering the way the team is currently structured, I think it’s highly unlikely that all those happen…and if they do, you think someone like Bergeron won’t be better this year than last year considering how much he struggled with his injury?

With anything someone will impress and someone will regress...but Im not worried about our big guns.

You're essentially agreeing with my point.

 

[ashnathan]

he's Neely's mouthpiece, no surprise there.

Are you out of your mind ? Probably the opposite.

 

[Bmessy]

he's Neely's mouthpiece, no surprise there.

Pretty sure Neely wanted to rip Felger's head off live on air last year. Felger was, thankfully, grilling him hard after Julien got fired. Neely looked flustered and horrible with his answers.

 

[Hali33]

Feels like the bar is being set very low.

Folks are "happy" he didn't make a bad signing or execute a bad trade. What happened to being excited about making a good signing, or executing a good trade?

He can't. Hard to make a deal. The cap... Well, at this point, the cap problems they're having are their own doing. Beleskey's deal. Buyouts and then not using that cap space. Maybe they could have cleared some cap by exposing Kevan and McQuaid instead of Colin Miller...


Last thing I'm going to say on this and then I'm going all positive for the rest of the summer...

I don't know if you read DKH's post about what he thinks is the "THE plan." It was a few pages back and was very good. Draft a certain type of defenseman. Draft a certain type of C. Draft a certain type of winger. Develop and prosper.

My issue is that that is not a plan, it's a draft strategy. Don't get me wrong, it's a good draft strategy and what's more I think they're doing a good job of executing it, but to me, a draft strategy should just be one tool in the team building tool box. I guess if you're the Vegas Golden Knights that would be enough but this is a team with a 4 time Selke Winner, a Vezina winner, a Norris winner, a two-time playoff scoring champ, the NHL's 3rd leading goal scorer... they're not starting from nothing.

So Sweeney gets an A for his drafting and the future is bright (and that's going to be my focus for the rest of the summer because dwelling on the negatives bums me out), but like BP13 and others have said a few times, the trades and free agents, his ability to address weaknesses on the NHL roster... not as strong and that part has been disappointing and is a little worrisome because chances are, they're going to eventually need something they don't have in-house and they're going to need a Horton/Wideman type trade to get there.

Alright, I'm done. Flipping the switch in 5, 4, 3, 2...

Excellent post.

 

[s3antana5757]

Feels like the bar is being set very low.

Folks are "happy" he didn't make a bad signing or execute a bad trade. What happened to being excited about making a good signing, or executing a good trade?

He can't. Hard to make a deal. The cap... Well, at this point, the cap problems they're having are their own doing. Beleskey's deal. Buyouts and then not using that cap space. Maybe they could have cleared some cap by exposing Kevan and McQuaid instead of Colin Miller...


Last thing I'm going to say on this and then I'm going all positive for the rest of the summer...

I don't know if you read DKH's post about what he thinks is the "THE plan." It was a few pages back and was very good. Draft a certain type of defenseman. Draft a certain type of C. Draft a certain type of winger. Develop and prosper.

My issue is that that is not a plan, it's a draft strategy. Don't get me wrong, it's a good draft strategy and what's more I think they're doing a good job of executing it, but to me, a draft strategy should just be one tool in the team building tool box. I guess if you're the Vegas Golden Knights that would be enough but this is a team with a 4 time Selke Winner, a Vezina winner, a Norris winner, a two-time playoff scoring champ, the NHL's 3rd leading goal scorer... they're not starting from nothing.

So Sweeney gets an A for his drafting and the future is bright (and that's going to be my focus for the rest of the summer because dwelling on the negatives bums me out), but like BP13 and others have said a few times, the trades and free agents, his ability to address weaknesses on the NHL roster... not as strong and that part has been disappointing and is a little worrisome because chances are, they're going to eventually need something they don't have in-house and they're going to need a Horton/Wideman type trade to get there.

Alright, I'm done. Flipping the switch in 5, 4, 3, 2...

Might be the post of this thread. The cap management has been below average, the FA signings have been horrendous and provided no value, and the trades(for NHL talent) have been average at best.

 

[Alberta_OReilly_Fan]

Did actually making the playoffs for the 1st time in 3 seasons give any indication this team is getting better?

I can't speak for all, but I think some are just a little bit tired of the constant negativity.

Tim Schaller signs a one-year deal for under 800k, and folks are upset at Sweeney because they don't see where he fits into their little roster puzzle.

Most here would like to see more help brought in, Sweeney would too.

But he doesn't NEED to bring help in, he has WANTS like every GM.

And because he doesn't NEED to bring in help, he doesn't NEED to over-pay the likes of Joe Sakic for help either.

on paper were better... and we wernt that bad before... 95, 93, 96 points. no team has ever missed the playoffs with as many points as us.

once in the playoffs we got destroyed by injuries. remember im talking on paper. we werent that bad on paper and now where do we stand?

marchand had career year... he might fall off
but bergeron played with a hernia all season
pastrnak is still young enough hes improving

krejci didnt play amazing last year
backes also didnt play amazing
spooner was a below average winger

belesky was a mess
hayes was a mess
nash was in over his head

moore is our only real loss up front
accairi should be as good/better
schaller is same
we got agostino to probably grab hayes spot
vatrano cant be much worst
and with so many kids around theres reason to believe a couple of them will help

other than marchand no one played that much better than expected.

our defense is even better

chara might struggle more but he struggled when inured in previous seasons. is he still counted on to be number 1

krug had his best year ever last season... but sucked first 20 games when injured. can he be more healthy and even better?

miller was 3 on depth chart last year... now 5

carlo looked legit

mcquaid hasnt shown signs of getting worst

our big upgrade is mcavoy over chiller/liles

postma feels like an upgrade over liles or morrow too

on paper our forwards and defense have improved

goaltending is same... but didnt have career years last season

and of course we have a new coach. most the 'bruins suck crowd' here blamed half it on julien. our guys played great after the coach change last year

in fact only historic collapses the 2 previous years kept us out of playoffs and only devastating injuries slowed down our late season roll this year

on paper we are better but it was alot of bad luck that cost us to underachieve the last 3 years

im not saying we are immune to bad luck this year too... but on paper we are a better team than the one that averaged 95 points the last 3 years

 

[Alberta_OReilly_Fan]

has boston sucked the last couple years?

with 188 points we are 6th in the conference only behind washington, pittsbugh, rangers all over 200... and islanders and tampa both in low 190s

despite everything we want to complain about... julien... refs out to get us... chara miscast... belesky/hayes... the incompetence of sweeny and chiarelli before him...

still 6th best record in east over last 2 seasons.

 

[EverettMike]

has boston sucked the last couple years?

with 188 points we are 6th in the conference only behind washington, pittsbugh, rangers all over 200... and islanders and tampa both in low 190s

despite everything we want to complain about... julien... refs out to get us... chara miscast... belesky/hayes... the incompetence of sweeny and chiarelli before him...

still 6th best record in east over last 2 seasons.

Where do they rank in playoff wins over those two years? I know they are tied for last in series wins.

Also, I think the Colts once hung a banner that read "6th Best Record in the Conference Over the Last Two Seasons."

 

[DitClapper]

How high does MIN value Jordan Greenway? Spooner for him seems fair.
Big and tough LW and BU alumni with McAvoy.

 

[JoeIsAStud]

How high does MIN value Jordan Greenway? Spooner for him seems fair.
Big and tough LW and BU alumni with McAvoy.

I don't think Boston values Greenway as much as you do. They knew as much about him in the 2017 draft as anyone, and they passed him 5 times and I am quite sure they would have passed him a 6th time if he dropped 2 more spots.

Greenway is big and tough, and maddeningly inconsistent.

Honestly if they move Spooner they need to bring in another NHL player not yet another prospect who may not be ready yet, the Bruins are loaded with those.

 

[BruinDust]

How high does MIN value Jordan Greenway? Spooner for him seems fair.
Big and tough LW and BU alumni with McAvoy.

Better question is how high does Minny value Spooner.

Given Sweeney's attempts to pry both Brodin and Scandella out of Minny if reports are to be believe, I'm guessing Minny doesn't value Spooner all that much.

 

[Alberta_OReilly_Fan]

Where do they rank in playoff wins over those two years? I know they are tied for last in series wins.

Also, I think the Colts once hung a banner that read "6th Best Record in the Conference Over the Last Two Seasons."

looks like 12 teams won a playoff round... 18 didnt including chicago and los angeles the 2 teams we were all complaining were better than us over the past decade. i wonder if its above or below average to be a winner of a playoff round every season? i guess we got through the first round 4 times in last 9 years?

hmmm... interesting?

as for banners our rafter is full of them but alot of fans here give them as much respect as a 6th place one anyhow so honestly whats the difference? some fans are way more determined to ***** than try to find something to be happy about

 

[Gordoff]

Better question is how high does Minny value Spooner.

Given Sweeney's attempts to pry both Brodin and Scandella out of Minny if reports are to be believe, I'm guessing Minny doesn't value Spooner all that much.

They don't live in a cave, they know what you, me and the man on the moon know about him. Stays out of the hot spots where he'll get roughed up, doesn't like the 200 ft game, thinks that he's a center but the coaches know that he isn't an NHL center. He's today's version of Zach Hamill and that isn't currency to trade with.

 

[KrejciMVP]

Where do they rank in playoff wins over those two years? I know they are tied for last in series wins.

Also, I think the Colts once hung a banner that read "6th Best Record in the Conference Over the Last Two Seasons."

Lol correct, let's not be indy

 

[dredeye]

Where do they rank in playoff wins over those two years? I know they are tied for last in series wins.

Also, I think the Colts once hung a banner that read "6th Best Record in the Conference Over the Last Two Seasons."

perfect

 

[BruinDust]

They don't live in a cave, they know what you, me and the man on the moon know about him. Stays out of the hot spots where he'll get roughed up, doesn't like the 200 ft game, thinks that he's a center but the coaches know that he isn't an NHL center. He's today's version of Zach Hamill and that isn't currency to trade with.

Pretty much spot on, except for the Zach Hamill comparison....oooo.. that's harsh Strafer. I wouldn't compare my worst enemy to Zach Hamill.

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

They don't live in a cave, they know what you, me and the man on the moon know about him. Stays out of the hot spots where he'll get roughed up, doesn't like the 200 ft game, thinks that he's a center but the coaches know that he isn't an NHL center. He's today's version of Zach Hamill and that isn't currency to trade with.

He's Hamill now? Wow. Holy hell.

 

[Dellstrom]

They don't live in a cave, they know what you, me and the man on the moon know about him. Stays out of the hot spots where he'll get roughed up, doesn't like the 200 ft game, thinks that he's a center but the coaches know that he isn't an NHL center. He's today's version of Zach Hamill and that isn't currency to trade with.

Averaging 44 points over 2 seasons is nowhere close to Hamill territory. Everything you said was right but there's no doubting he's a talented player who, if some of his weak spots (although extremely weak) are fixed, could have a pretty big impact.

He won't succeed on his own, you have to actively try to make him succeed and there's no guarantee he will. But on the right team in the right role I can see him being a 55-60 point guy. That team just won't win. I think most teams see that and don't value him too highly, but for 2.5-3m I think he's worth the gamble. Worst case scenario you get a great PP specialist.

He's an extremely frustrating player but he's being treated like dog **** on your shoes.

 

[Alberta_OReilly_Fan]

He's Hamill now? Wow. Holy hell.

hamil never got close to 3 mill per year... when spooner is at 900k hes a good young talent that might get better and is worth giving a chance too.

sadly he has just enough talent to notch a 50 point season... and arbitration rules turn 50 point guys into 3 million dollar players.

at 3 mill, spooner excites me about as much as zach hamil did

 

[Gordoff]

Averaging 44 points over 2 seasons is nowhere close to Hamill territory. Everything you said was right but there's no doubting he's a talented player who, if some of his weak spots (although extremely weak) are fixed, could have a pretty big impact.

He won't succeed on his own, you have to actively try to make him succeed and there's no guarantee he will. But on the right team in the right role I can see him being a 55-60 point guy. That team just won't win. I think most teams see that and don't value him too highly, but for 2.5-3m I think he's worth the gamble. Worst case scenario you get a great PP specialist.

He's an extremely frustrating player but he's being treated like dog **** on your shoes.

With so many good kids coming up and the system so full it's up to him to perform or get left behind. That's just how it is. He got on Claude's bad side and after a few games Butch didn't think that he was up to what he expected of him too. Time to say bye bye, it's best for the team and best for him.

 

[BruinDust]

With so many good kids coming up and the system so full it's up to him to perform or get left behind. That's just how it is. He got on Claude's bad side and after a few games Butch didn't think that he was up to what he expected of him too. Time to say bye bye, it's best for the team and best for him.

Deep down I think Sweeney would prefer to move him.

But I think he only wants to move him for someone who will help the Bruins right now.

Even as a PP specialist, the 2017-18 Boston Bruins are better off with Spooner than they are 2018 or 2019 draft pick.

 

[b in vancouver]

Thought Sweeney was going to do something significant by now.
Write down your line-up only using players who've played over an 82 game season.

Marchand - Bergeron - Backes
x - Krejci - Pastrnak
x - x - x
x - x - Nash

Chara - x
Krug - x
K.Miller - McQuaid

Rask
Khudobin

- Spooner (not signed)

Seriously? Get these guys some help.
Or next year are we just supposed to cheer on 'the kids might become good' and 'Chara's farewell tour'?