Is the Bruins loss the biggest choke job ever?

[ITM]

Easier said than done if all this is true (I didn’t write or research it):

The Bruins really went on a spending frenzy what might be Bergeron's last season. This offseason, the bill is due.

They're walking into the season with 4.5 million in cap penalties from performance bonus overages

Pastrnak and Zacha's extensions kick in, increasing their cap hit by 5.83 million

They have 14 contracts active, and about 6 million in cap space (10.5 mill - 4.5 mill penalties) to work with. They can't even get to a roster of 23 players with 9 league min contracts, and that's assuming all their RFAs/UFAs who want to make above 750k leave.

They obviously will want to keep a few UFA/RFAs who will demand more than 750k, so someone has to leave. Most of their big earners have some sort of NTC or NMC. Debrusk, Zacha, McAvoy, Carlo, and Grzelcyk are the players that can be traded with no restrictions.

Orlov and Bertuzzi cannot no longer be afforded with the salary retention running out

The hardest thing is goaltending. Swayman is a arbitration eligible RFA. Statistically, Swayman was a top-4 goaltender this season, and a lot of teams would love to lock up a player like that with an offer sheet (the Devils are a great example). Arbitration is difficult since players like this are so rare, but if Jack Campbell got 5x5, I can't imagine Swayman would get less. Boston can't afford to pay that - they could probably offer a 2 year cheap bridge deal (depending on who they trade away from the above list). Therefore, Swayman staying would likely require him to be willing to give up 20 million or more in guaranteed money. It's really hard to spend more on goaltending with the penalties and extensions. At that point, the temptation might be to trade Ullmark, but he has a NMC, so it might be hard if he doesn't want to move.

Trent Frederic is arbitration eligible. Using other forwards as a benchmark, he's likely due 1.5 - 3 million, depending on contract term (longer=more money). I would guess shorter term, lower side of that range, but still a bit more than league min.

They have 1 pick in the top 64 in the next 3 drafts, and their prospect pool has been rated as one of the worst in the league.

There is going to be some hard decisions coming before the start of the next season.

Wow. I didn't realize the extent of their off-season challenges. Certainly paints a different picture.

Goaltending I think they've got a probable back-up in Bussi so I don't think both Ullmark and Swayman represent needs to retain, it would just be navigating the best road to maximize their worth and the club's other roster needs.

Have to think McAvoy, DeBrusk and Zach are non-starters. Of those rentals I can see Bertuzzi being prioritized.

I think it's a heavy lift but it's doable. I'm not familiar enough with their farm system apart from Brandon Bussi to slot in likely supplements, but as Leafs fans we know that a wire can be walked.

It's just bloody maddening, lol.

 

[Sheppy]

My favourite part is every panel boasting the absolutely outstanding leadership in the core before the last 3 games.

How did these experts not notice Tim Thomas hasn't been on the team in years?!

They do have great leadership.

 

[KnightofBoston]

I think when we try to label losses in the modern era as the "greatest failure" etc, we really ignore the fact that there is a strong amount of parity in the league, execution and attrition matter more

Bergeron got a herniated disc in a freak play the last game of the season. He plays game 1 healthy and the series likely ends in 5-6. Him being out messed up the lines a bit but more importantly, messed with them more so when he returned.

You take away a lot from the panthers to say it's the greatest failure in NHL history, as if they aren't another NHL team that made the playoffs.

You could say it's one of the biggest upsets, or one of the lowest points for bruins fans, or highest points for panthers fans, but saying one team failed and the other didnt is a very shallow way to look at it

When Tampa lost to Columbus, saying they choked take's away from what Bob did and what they executed as a team. Would the Bruins have beaten Tampa that year? Beaten them in 4? They beat Columbus in 6, does that mean they'd beat Tampa in 4 and even more badly than columbus did? Of course not.

At the end of the day, we all hope our team's win the cup, but only one can. It was never a sure thing for the Bruins even if they didn't lose Bergeron, Krejci, Hall, Foligno etc to injuries down the stretch. They're all healthy they probably beat Florida, but who says they beat Toronto? Who says they beat Carolina? Maybe they run into a white hot Devils goalie? A lot can happen.

 

[llamateizer]

Weren’t there injuries?

As for the record setting season, remember, Bowman’s RedWings did the same thing. Next regular season was much more modest but in turn they won the Stanley Cup.

I could easily see Bergeron saying run it back one more time because of the regular season promise and because the playoffs ended as they did.

tbh, I don't see Bergeron coming back next season.
He has herniated disc. Not sure it's worth risking another season.

Sean Couturier, with same injury, missed the whole season. Last game was Dec 18 2021. (signed 8y/62M aug 2021 )

 

[Ovi895]

-play 37 year old Bergeron in meaningless game 82 in Montreal and break his back
-Up 3-1 against team with biggest negative RS point differential from you in history
-Their winning goalie finishes the series with ALMOST 4.0 GAA
-A top 4 shutdown defenseman of theirs is 2023 Marc Staal
-Have opportunity to pick from 2 #1 goalies, in fact have played them in tandem all season to historic results. Go with the super injured one instead
-Marchand having the series on his stick in dying seconds of game 5 against 2023 BOBROVSKY, gets stoned
-lose 3/3 times in overtime
-lead game 7 after 59 minutes as the best defensive/3rd period team in the NHL this year by a country mile

this is a bigger choke on all levels than the next 3 biggest chokes combined, its like the onion of chokes, there's layers to layers of it

 

[BigEezyE22]

LOL, HOW people are mentioning TBL vs CBJ matchup at all??? Aren't you suppose to have a lead in a first place to choke???

They did...for like a period...

 

[AzHawk]

its like the onion of chokes

the artichoke of chokes

 

[Osmows OReilly]

No, it’s not even the biggest choke in NHL history.

“The 1942 Stanley Cup Finals was a best-of-seven series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Detroit Red Wings. After losing the first three games, the Maple Leafs won the next four to win the series 4–3, winning their fourth Stanley Cup. It was the first Stanley Cup Finals in history to go seven games.”

1942 Stanley Cup Finals - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Detroit blew a 3-0 lead in the finals. That’s never happened in any other sport with a best-of-seven format.

 

[DavidpauseReinbacher]

Most overhyped team... talked about like they were some dynasty. They were playoff ass meat.

 

[I am not exposed]

No.

 

[Sgt Schultz]

No, it’s not even the biggest choke in NHL history.

“The 1942 Stanley Cup Finals was a best-of-seven series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Detroit Red Wings. After losing the first three games, the Maple Leafs won the next four to win the series 4–3, winning their fourth Stanley Cup. It was the first Stanley Cup Finals in history to go seven games.”

Detroit blew a 3-0 lead in the finals. That’s never happened in any other sport with a best-of-seven format.

Good find.

I've been thinking of the '95 Finals. True, the Devils were an emerging powerhouse playing a system that stumped a lot of teams. So, it is tempting to say this was the Devils' coronation among the league's elite in the 90s, but they missed the playoffs the following season.

My leaning in the direction of a candidate for (not winner of) biggest "choke" was that the Wings were barely a factor in that series. They never solved the neutral zone trap, and I think they had 76 shots in 4 games. Brodeur was not yet Brodeur at that point, and his save percentage that year was just a hair over 90% (.902).

The Wings were a team that lost 2 games in the previous 3 rounds. That season only had 48 games due to a lockout, but they were on a pace for about 120 in an 82 game season. Yet, they were outcoached, outplayed, outfought, and outschemed in the Finals.

I think the Bruins loss tops that because of the regular season bulldozing of the league. It does not top the 1942 Finals, either, IMO. But, it is worth mentioning only because of the fact that we all kept waiting to see them get off the snide, and they never did. Give the Devils credit, but it looked like a mutual effort.

 

[BB79]

I think when we try to label losses in the modern era as the "greatest failure" etc, we really ignore the fact that there is a strong amount of parity in the league, execution and attrition matter more

Yeah, like if the shitty Penguins could have beat just 1 of 2 of the worst teams in the league in their final games they would have knocked Florida out of the playoffs and had the Bruins in the first round instead. A much better matchup in favor of the Bruins than the Panthers were.

 

[max21]

 

[Rants Mulliniks]

Wow. I didn't realize the extent of their off-season challenges. Certainly paints a different picture.

Goaltending I think they've got a probable back-up in Bussi so I don't think both Ullmark and Swayman represent needs to retain, it would just be navigating the best road to maximize their worth and the club's other roster needs.

Have to think McAvoy, DeBrusk and Zach are non-starters. Of those rentals I can see Bertuzzi being prioritized.

I think it's a heavy lift but it's doable. I'm not familiar enough with their farm system apart from Brandon Bussi to slot in likely supplements, but as Leafs fans we know that a wire can be walked.

It's just bloody maddening, lol.

To me it’s just funny because every year all you hear is about the hell Toronto is in yet they navigate it just fine. Meanwhile, half the league is against the cap with many in worse shape because unlike Toronto, they have hard to move contracts (by that I mean overpaid low performers).

Reading that makes you appreciate Dubas all the more. Dude would be sitting pretty had that pandemic not hit immediately after the big contracts.

No, it’s not even the biggest choke in NHL history.

“The 1942 Stanley Cup Finals was a best-of-seven series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Detroit Red Wings. After losing the first three games, the Maple Leafs won the next four to win the series 4–3, winning their fourth Stanley Cup. It was the first Stanley Cup Finals in history to go seven games.”

Detroit blew a 3-0 lead in the finals. That’s never happened in any other sport with a best-of-seven format.

While true, add in a 3 goal lead in game 7.

 

[ITM]

To me it’s just funny because every year all you hear is about the hell Toronto is in yet they navigate it just fine. Meanwhile, half the league is against the cap with many in worse shape because unlike Toronto, they have hard to move contracts (by that I mean overpaid low performers).

Reading that makes you appreciate Dubas all the more. Dude would be sitting pretty had that pandemic not hit immediately after the big contracts.

Absolutely.

Don’t get me started on the pre/post pandemic contract argument. Don’t get the myopia from our base on that at all.

 

[rocketdan9]

Yes. Even the Leafs have never choked like this.

Naw they hold the title.. =p

Add a poll. But yes. I thought Tampa losing to the Blue Jackets was up there but this is much worse.

Wait... how many games did TBL win in that series?

 

[LPHabsFan]

It's not even the biggest choke job in Bruins history let alone the entirety of the NHL.

 

[BLONG7]

-play 37 year old Bergeron in meaningless game 82 in Montreal and break his back
-Up 3-1 against team with biggest negative RS point differential from you in history
-Their winning goalie finishes the series with ALMOST 4.0 GAA
-A top 4 shutdown defenseman of theirs is 2023 Marc Staal
-Have opportunity to pick from 2 #1 goalies, in fact have played them in tandem all season to historic results. Go with the super injured one instead
-Marchand having the series on his stick in dying seconds of game 5 against 2023 BOBROVSKY, gets stoned
-lose 3/3 times in overtime
-lead game 7 after 59 minutes as the best defensive/3rd period team in the NHL this year by a country mile

this is a bigger choke on all levels than the next 3 biggest chokes combined, its like the onion of chokes, there's layers to layers of it

This one pretty much nails it...............Coach of the year, was far from the best coach in the playoffs.

Thinking the Bruins were 3-1 without Bergeron in the lineup..........and 0-3 with him in the lineup.....maybe his leadership is a little overstated.....it seems to have waned with the loss of Chara.

Anyhow, it's a huge choke job.....we all know it. The Boston media knows it, and most Boston fans know it...........I can only imagine how Cam Neely feels after this loss.

To top it off, they sold the farm for this year, no picks in the draft this year, or next year....LOL

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

If we follow the Lebron fans logic of beating the "best team ever", does that make MT the GOAT?

 

[GMR]

No, it’s not even the biggest choke in NHL history.

“The 1942 Stanley Cup Finals was a best-of-seven series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Detroit Red Wings. After losing the first three games, the Maple Leafs won the next four to win the series 4–3, winning their fourth Stanley Cup. It was the first Stanley Cup Finals in history to go seven games.”

1942 Stanley Cup Finals - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Detroit blew a 3-0 lead in the finals. That’s never happened in any other sport with a best-of-seven format.

Did anyone care about sports in 1942? There was a World War at the time.

 

[Cromster]

No, it’s not even the biggest choke in NHL history.

“The 1942 Stanley Cup Finals was a best-of-seven series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Detroit Red Wings. After losing the first three games, the Maple Leafs won the next four to win the series 4–3, winning their fourth Stanley Cup. It was the first Stanley Cup Finals in history to go seven games.”

1942 Stanley Cup Finals - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Detroit blew a 3-0 lead in the finals. That’s never happened in any other sport with a best-of-seven format.

2010 playoffs, bruins are up 3 games to none. Flyers battle back to force a game 7. Game 7 bruins lead 3-0 and still managed to lose the series. That may not have been a 65 win bruins, but many of the names are the same. That team chokes man, i dunno what to tell ya.

If Philly has to answer for the broad street bullies 50 years after the fact, Bruins are going to be known as chokers forever lol

 

[southsideIrish]

Who cares if it's the biggest "ever"? Even if it's not, it's still clearly one of the biggest in history, no disrespect to the Panthers who are obviously playing well.

It feels like one of the biggest chokes ever because all the NHL media has talked about for months is how this Boston team is one of the greatest in history, etc, blah blah nobody can beat them 4 times in 7 games etc blah blah.

If they were half as good as that they shouldn't have lost to Florida in the 1st round, no matter how well the Cats are playing.

 

[CrownofThornton]

I think everyone is severely underrating the Panthers.

 

[kevsh]

1982 Kings knocking of the Oilers was the biggest upset & choke job in the same series.

Oilers finished with 111 points, 48 points ahead of the Kings (24-41-15!), had Gretzky coming off a 212 point season and were basically the team of destiny. The best of 5 was tied 2-2 until the Miracle on Manchester happened. The invincible Oilers blew a 5 goal lead late in the second to lose the game and the series.

By contrast, the Bruins top 2 centers were banged up and the Panthers were a very good team down the stretch, including one of the best PPs in the league. Big upset, and definitely a major choke but not in the same ballpark as the Oilers.

 

[Bizz]

All time? Probably not. Hard to beat the 2019 Lightning. 2019 Columbus was easily a weaker team than this year's Panthers.

This year's Bruins upset is on par with the 2000 Blues.