Providence Bruins General Discussion thread ‘24-‘25

[BiteThisBurrows]

I can see that, but with a few caveats. The first is that I would definitely not consider their D set going forward. There is one borderline top D in McAvoy, and as most players this year is not bringing his A game IMO.

I know trades can take a lot of give and take and a willing partner with a decent return, but I would hope they could move at least 2 (if not 3) players by the deadline. Frederic would be #1 given his contract being up and lack of production.

Also, keeping the status quo could potentially result in them missing the playoffs totally, or probably at best being eliminated in round 1. I don’t see much value in either of those scenarios. I

I guess I’d rather miss the playoffs and get the youngsters some quality experience and see how to build off of that going into next year, than to maybe scrape in with no real chance for any type of run.

Lastly, who knows? IF some, or all 3 were brought up who’s to say they might provide a spark this team is currently lacking.

To be clear, I totally understand your point and you are probably right. I just don’t share that approach given what I’ve seen this season

By "set" I just meant the main players on D are signed for several years. The bottom pairing can change and Lohrei's development obviously factors in but unless they do a big hockey trade most of the D is as it is now.

As for the playoffs, well, if we get in we could still knock off the Leafs in the first round and have the Toronto media go crazy. It's far from impossible. Other than that, yes, probably won't go far and might not even beat the Laughs this time, that's true.

We will see how Lettieri does and maybe Whalstrom can slowly start scoring but I do think the plan for the kids is to stay in the AHL this year unless there really is no choice. We might disagree, but slow and careful development might benefit them in the long term.

 

[BlackFrancis]

By "set" I just meant the main players on D are signed for several years. The bottom pairing can change and Lohrei's development obviously factors in but unless they do a big hockey trade most of the D is as it is now.

As for the playoffs, well, if we get in we could still knock off the Leafs in the first round and have the Toronto media go crazy. It's far from impossible. Other than that, yes, probably won't go far and might not even beat the Laughs this time, that's true.

We will see how Lettieri does and maybe Whalstrom can slowly start scoring but I do think the plan for the kids is to stay in the AHL this year unless there really is no choice. We might disagree, but slow and careful development might benefit them in the long term.

Slow and careful can turn your prospects into group 6 UFAs. Two edges to the development blade.

 

[BiteThisBurrows]

Slow and careful can turn your prospects into group 6 UFAs. Two edges to the development blade.

True, but you also have to consider that these guys haven't exactly overly impressed in their small opportunities. They called up the team's leading scorer. Why isn't Lysell at this point the AHL team's leading scorer? If he's that good shouldn't he be? Poitras has shown us a little but he comes up I can almost guarantee he gets hurt. Kid still has growing to do. Merkulov a better 2 way player than Lysell but not overly impressive in the few games he was up.
I'm fine with letting these guys develop myself and next year if they are good enough great, play them in Boston, if they aren't good enough then they might never be.

 

[Dr Hook]

True, but you also have to consider that these guys haven't exactly overly impressed in their small opportunities. They called up the team's leading scorer. Why isn't Lysell at this point the AHL team's leading scorer? If he's that good shouldn't he be? Poitras has shown us a little but he comes up I can almost guarantee he gets hurt. Kid still has growing to do. Merkulov a better 2 way player than Lysell but not overly impressive in the few games he was up.
I'm fine with letting these guys develop myself and next year if they are good enough great, play them in Boston, if they aren't good enough then they might never be.

What is often frustrating as a fan without inside connections, is the whys of things that we never hear about. We see a young player come up, play decently, then get sent back down seemingly without a proper shot at sticking (i.e. a solid multi-game run). It often makes me wonder what they want from these guys and what they aren't getting that doesn't immediately stick out when watching. Of course most of us don't see the practices, and there is always cap minutiae at work as well.