Speculation: Is the Rebuild / Retool over?

[northeastern]

This Eichel talk is foolish. Kid is just venting. Buffalo would match anything. You'd have to overpay to get him. Basically gut the prospect pool. Buffalo isn't taking B prospects either. No projects.

Agreed. No way he leaves. Bruins will have to hope they find a 1C elsewhere...

 

[LouJersey]

I'm just honest with what I see.
Future #1C is a huge concern to me.

The division has Matthews, Eichel, Barkov, could mention matchup ROR as well. Need to have someone who doesn't get completely dominated by them.

Bergeron is special so I believe he has 2-3 prime years left, but thats about the time McAvoy& Carlo need for developing.

When Bergeron and Krejci were in the prospect pool did you see 1 and 2 C ?

 

[DKH]

Extremely negative view IMO.

You don't think the Bruins beat Ottawa with a healthy team? It could be argued with a healthy team they would be leading the Rangers right now as well after seeing how they have played this series.

As for getting lucky with draft picks. Carlo and McAvoy are the first two to hit and the first two that have been given a chance. You're making it sound like all these kids have played a couple seasons and we got lucky on a couple.

As for bloated contracts. Hayes will be gone. Chara is down to 4 mil. Beleskey is at 3.8 for three seasons (signed the deal three summers ago). Backes is at 6 mil and I liked what he showed. The only issue is the Krejci deal and that was a problem not created by the current GM. I don't see this glut of huge problem contracts people consistently worry about (years in advance, how do y'all sleep?)

Summer is right around the corner so I'm sure you'll see a deal or two without an expansion draft looming.

Other than Pittsburgh there is not one team in this conference that the Bruins cannot compete with, Especially after Washington gets dismantled after all their UFA and impending annual choke.

Great post

 

[bp13]

Extremely negative view IMO.

You don't think the Bruins beat Ottawa with a healthy team? It could be argued with a healthy team they would be leading the Rangers right now as well after seeing how they have played this series.

As for getting lucky with draft picks. Carlo and McAvoy are the first two to hit and the first two that have been given a chance. You're making it sound like all these kids have played a couple seasons and we got lucky on a couple.

As for bloated contracts. Hayes will be gone. Chara is down to 4 mil. Beleskey is at 3.8 for three seasons (signed the deal three summers ago). Backes is at 6 mil and I liked what he showed. The only issue is the Krejci deal and that was a problem not created by the current GM. I don't see this glut of huge problem contracts people consistently worry about (years in advance, how do y'all sleep?)

Summer is right around the corner so I'm sure you'll see a deal or two without an expansion draft looming.

Other than Pittsburgh there is not one team in this conference that the Bruins cannot compete with, Especially after Washington gets dismantled after all their UFA and impending annual choke.

We disagree on some key assumptions to your argument, that's all.

"Hayes will be gone, Beleskey is at 3.8 for three more, Backes is at 6 mil and I like dwhat he showed".

1. The Hayes and Beleskey acquisitions were bad ones, and they are examples of our GM not being able to target and acquire the right NHL-level talent in trade or free agency. The trades he's fared well in were centered around acquiring futures, and that's great. But it's only a piece of his job. Hayes, Beleskey, Nash, Rinaldo, etc. were guys acquired to contribute now, some in top 9 roles, and they're simply not good enough acquisitions.

2. Disagree 100% on Backes. That's a lousy signing in every way, IMO. Too long, too much, not the right player, not at all a movement towards an up-tempo team. I don't fault Backes...he brought what he has to bring. But what he has to bring at this point is not worth $6M nor do you give a guy like that 5 years. It's just a bad signing, and if we aren't even going to agree on that at this point let's move on. This is a cap sport and he gave an old 31 year old a long-term, big money deal when his team was at minimum two years from competing for anything. It's a bad, PR-motivated move. And I'm more than willing to let the next 4 years (not that I have a choice) play out to further prove this true.

 

[DKH]

Pastrnak 25
Carlo 37
McAvoy 14

Buuuhhh buhhhh Sweeney Bradley JFJ don't know what they are doing

Bwhahahaha

 

[bp13]

Pastrnak 25
Carlo 37
McAvoy 14

Buuuhhh buhhhh Sweeney Bradley JFJ don't know what they are doing

Bwhahahaha

Dan who is suggesting they don't know what they're doing? I think it's clear Sweeney has shown to be quite adept at helping to draft talent, develop it, and getting it into the lineup. He deserves an immense amount of credit for this.

I think you need to do a better job of realizing he doesn't walk on water. It's possible to find fault with this guy, and in fact, not that hard. Most of the major NHL-level guys he's added have failed. Many people strongly dislike the Backes, Hayes, Beleskey, Nash, Rinaldo adds. It's less than ideal when you go into the offseason with a dream scenario of moving the contracts of basically your GM's last 3 acquisitions. If we somehow got rid of Beleskey, Hayes, and even Backes this summer, I think people would call that a home run offseason. (And I realize there's room for debate on Backes, but I'm willing to bet most people would release him today if we had NFL rules). That's not ideal when those are the 3 major guys you've added via trade or free agency. It's basically an indictment, and it runs counter to all of the success he's had with the prospects.

And I'm also not suggesting he be perfect. He just needs to get better at adding NHL level talent.

 

[DKH]

Likely order of 14 for 14 full time NHL

2015-2016 Pastrnak
2016-2017 Carlo
2017-2018 DeBrusk Heinen JFK McAvoy
2018-2019 Bjork Zboril Lauzon Gabrielle Senyshyn
2019- 2020 Frederic Donato Lindgren

2020 Stanley Cup

 

[bp13]

Likely order of 14 for 14 full time NHL

2015-2016 Pastrnak
2016-2017 Carlo
2017-2018 DeBrusk Heinen JFK McAvoy
2018-2019 Bjork Zboril Lauzon Gabrielle Senyshyn
2019- 2020 Frederic Donato Lindgren

2020 Stanley Cup

Yup. And that does encapsulate the good that Don Sweeney has done.

But there are stil other spots on the roster that will need filling. And in the few years he's had the job, he's filled roster spots with the following guys:

Irwin
Rinaldo
Hayes
Beleskey
Backes
Moore (good one)
Nash

So, it's not hard to point out the good he's done because it's evident. But it's also not hard to show that when it comes to acquiring NHL players to fill roles, he's been bad at it.

The issue will be whether he can reconcile these things. Can he learn how to make quality trades or signings and acquire NHL ready talent when his team needs it?

 

[bb_fan]

I'm still waiting for Anthony Camera and Jared Knight to start tearing things up.......



oh, ya, and for that Hamilton kid to win a Norris......

 

[PB37]

Why would anyone hate the Riley Nash add? 27 year old defensive forward for just 900k against the cap hit is a pretty good get. Valuable penalty killer and 4th line forward that can move up in a pinch as a baby sitter to an inexperienced line when needed. I think some people sell Nash short.

 

[TMac21]

Why would anyone hate the Riley Nash add? 27 year old defensive forward for just 900k against the cap hit is a pretty good get. Valuable penalty killer and 4th line forward that can move up in a pinch as a baby sitter to an inexperienced line when needed. I think some people sell Nash short.

Didn't have a great season, but after that NYI game late in the year he was a valuable player.

 

[DKH]

I'm still waiting for Anthony Camera and Jared Knight to start tearing things up.......



oh, ya, and for that Hamilton kid to win a Norris......

Don't forget I hated the Bergeron pick and wanted Krejci instead of Kalus

But you always struck me as an expert so I got 10,000 posts to see if you are

 

[PB37]

I'm still waiting for Anthony Camera and Jared Knight to start tearing things up.......



oh, ya, and for that Hamilton kid to win a Norris......

Well, unfortunately for as hyped as those two were, they didn't progress at the next level ( AHL ). Several of our guys are showing their stuff right now on the pro level ( Heinen, DeBrusk, McIntire, Cehlarik ) with a few more in the pipeline that have just moved up ( Gabrielle, Senyshyn ). We'll see how they progress but I think it's extremely hard to argue against the Bruins farm system looking pretty good.

 

[bb_fan]

Well, unfortunately for as hyped as those two were, they didn't progress at the next level ( AHL ). Several of our guys are showing their stuff right now on the pro level ( Heinen, DeBrusk, McIntire, Cehlarik ) with a few more in the pipeline that have just moved up ( Gabrielle, Senyshyn ). We'll see how they progress but I think it's extremely hard to argue against the Bruins farm system looking pretty good.

I don't disagree at all, and I think the future looks good.

I just want to see what they become at the NHL level.

I don't know enough about the kids, but outside of Mcavoy, I am wondering who has the attitude and temperament to be an impact type player vs just a good solid reliable contributor at the NHL level.

I look at Carlo and wish you could put some of Krugs and Pasternaks attitude into him. but he's young and could develop it yet, nothing is out of the question there.

Hopefully a couple of the kids hit on that and the rest, at a minimum, are just solid good dependable players.

I do look forward to seeing things develop though.

 

[bb_fan]

Don't forget I hated the Bergeron pick and wanted Krejci instead of Kalus

But you always struck me as an expert so I got 10,000 posts to see if you are

I thought you were the one pushing Knight a lot.

and I remember the Behind the B's were Sweeney was always hyping Camera.

a couple of kids that I think everyone wish had panned out.

not sure about the rest of your post, but knowing your style I can figure it out.

 

[Bruins4Lifer]

Likely order of 14 for 14 full time NHL

2015-2016 Pastrnak
2016-2017 Carlo
2017-2018 DeBrusk Heinen JFK McAvoy
2018-2019 Bjork Zboril Lauzon Gabrielle Senyshyn
2019- 2020 Frederic Donato Lindgren

2020 Stanley Cup

... that's a bit optimistic. You have lots of faith in prospects that haven't even played a pro game yet.

Taking out the obvious full-time regulars we'll have in Pasta, Carlo and McAvoy, for the remaining 11 we'll be lucky to get 6 of them play a 60+gp season by 2020.

 

[MtlBoxFan]

If Chara = yes, Rebuild = No

You can't really say the rebuild is complete because that would imply the team is ready for a few years of competition.

As it stands right now, a major piece, the #1D is 40 years old. The rebuild is not complete until this component has been replaced.

 

[DKH]

When Bergeron and Krejci were in the prospect pool did you see 1 and 2 C ?

However

If the Bruins can identify the next McDavid Matthews Eichel

They can tank like Colorado

and hope they win the lottery

If they get 48 points we are talking 10 game packs for $49

Major reductions in season ticket costs

48 points or even 70 might be worth it but 48 points clears out the fan base and gives us loyalists the run of the place

 

[Hali33]

To me, you can't say it's complete until you know who's got it at an NHL level and how long it takes to get them there.

 

[Tampbear]

You can't really say the rebuild is complete because that would imply the team is ready for a few years of competition.

As it stands right now, a major piece, the #1D is 40 years old. The rebuild is not complete until this component has been replaced.

I'm pretty sure Macavoy is pegged to be that replacement, hopefully that pans out but Chara hasn't fallen apart yet so they have time to let that play out.

The team needs to pick up a top 6 forward in the offseason and need at least one of the kids to take a step forward this year for the retool to be over.

 

[LouJersey]

We disagree on some key assumptions to your argument, that's all.

"Hayes will be gone, Beleskey is at 3.8 for three more, Backes is at 6 mil and I like dwhat he showed".

1. The Hayes and Beleskey acquisitions were bad ones, and they are examples of our GM not being able to target and acquire the right NHL-level talent in trade or free agency. The trades he's fared well in were centered around acquiring futures, and that's great. But it's only a piece of his job. Hayes, Beleskey, Nash, Rinaldo, etc. were guys acquired to contribute now, some in top 9 roles, and they're simply not good enough acquisitions.

2. Disagree 100% on Backes. That's a lousy signing in every way, IMO. Too long, too much, not the right player, not at all a movement towards an up-tempo team. I don't fault Backes...he brought what he has to bring. But what he has to bring at this point is not worth $6M nor do you give a guy like that 5 years. It's just a bad signing, and if we aren't even going to agree on that at this point let's move on. This is a cap sport and he gave an old 31 year old a long-term, big money deal when his team was at minimum two years from competing for anything. It's a bad, PR-motivated move. And I'm more than willing to let the next 4 years (not that I have a choice) play out to further prove this true.

Backes fair enough. We can agree to disagree as many people feel how you do.

As far as Beleskey and Hayes, Beleskey was coming off 30 total goals, and Hayes had seemed to turn the corner. He didn't deal for "these versions". Hayes wound up just not good. It happens, teams miss on pro UFA signings. Beleskey was good year one. Beleskey "may" be able to be good again. Does he just stink all of a sudden? Maybe. He certainly stopped working hard it seems. That's kinda on him. Again it's not that terrible of a contract, IMO when you have some entry levels on the team.

Can Sweeney do better? Absolutely. I'm hoping he's off the bigger is better way of old Bruins hockey. His draft picks certainly scream that he is so hopefully he carries it over to the pro side.

 

[member 96824]

I'm ****ing terrified of the 2020 Leafs.

 

[LouJersey]

I'm ****ing terrified of the 2020 Leafs.

Not sure how their defense will be, as a whole, but they should be super. We have said that about Buffalo for five years as well so who knows.

At least the NHL isn't like the NBA where it's a foregone conclusion who will be there at the end.

One team I think will put it all together one year is Florida. I think they will be much better this upcoming season and further than that. Toronto should improve. Montreal will fall some IMO. Tampa could be a power again in short order. Sens are solid. Detroit I think is in for some terrible years. Buffalo as well unless they get some real hockey people in there.

 

[Blowfish]

I'm ****ing terrified of the 2020 Leafs.

History says nope. Something will implode.

 

[Tampbear]

Not sure how their defense will be, as a whole, but they should be super. We have said that about Buffalo for five years as well so who knows.

At least the NHL isn't like the NBA where it's a foregone conclusion who will be there at the end.

One team I think will put it all together one year is Florida. I think they will be much better this upcoming season and further than that. Toronto should improve. Montreal will fall some IMO. Tampa could be a power again in short order. Sens are solid. Detroit I think is in for some terrible years. Buffalo as well unless they get some real hockey people in there.

I think Winnipeg would be a really dangerous team if they got some good coaching. They have way too much talent to do what they do year after year.

Also Tampa has really set itself up well to be a dangerous team for a long time.