It Is What It Is: Kirk Luedeke Breaks Down B's D

[GordonHowe]

https://scoutingpost.wordpress.com


Assuming Kirk Luedeke doesn't mind, and if mods are okay with it, please check Kirk's "Scouting Post" blog for a common sense, in depth view of the Bruins defensive corps.

Go to Kirk's observations about the Buffalo & TO wins; the assessment begins about half way through.

It's a clear eyed critique of the present state of affairs, with breakdowns of each D's strengths & weaknesses.

FWIW, it's my belief that Sweeney will indeed make a move, or more, to improve the defense, and I expect Loui to be the cornerstone of a deal.

Separate deals featuring #21, prospects and a stockpile of good to excellent draft picks might bring in the "bridge D" the Bruins desperately need. It would be a great shot in the arm for all involved: organization, players, and fans. No prophet but I believe it will get done, one way or another.

Thanks to Kirk for his typically fine, perceptive work.

"Enjoy,"

 

[shackattack]

https://scoutingpost.wordpress.com


Assuming Kirk Luedeke doesn't mind, and if mods are okay with it, please check Kirk's "Scouting Post" blog for a common sense, in depth view of the Bruins defensive corps.

Go to Kirk's observations about the Buffalo & TO wins; the assessment begins about half way through.

It's a clear eyed critique of the present state of affairs, with breakdowns of each D's strengths & weaknesses.

FWIW, it's my belief that Sweeney will indeed make a move, or more, to improve the defense, and I expect Loui to be the cornerstone of a deal.

Separate deals featuring #21, prospects and a stockpile of good to excellent draft picks might bring in the "bridge D" the Bruins desperately need. It would be a great shot in the arm for all involved: organization, players, and fans. No prophet but I believe it will get done, one way or another.

Thanks to Kirk for his typically fine, perceptive work.

"Enjoy,"

If the Bruins are going to start trading picks and prospects plus Loui who by himself would fetch at least another 1st,then it better be a top 2 stud.Not no bridge gap.Its about building to win cups not just try and make playoffs and fluke 1 round in my opinion.This type of Bruins team is exactly the type of team fans and management alike could put false hope into and gamble away a big part of future .Like I said.Any trade risking future better bring a top 2 stud in return.Again, its just my take.

 

[BigGoalBrad]

Good read.

This team would be in the gutter if we got stuck with Dougie though his cap hit would be outrageous Claude couldn't ever put him in the press box which would make Claudes job harder than it already is our only hope is Krooogie Woooogie and 5 shutdown defense only players in the playoffs.

We have a phenomenal goalie I like that combo and maybe a Morrow or OGara or the Chuuuuud Chuuuuuud train.


Give me some Quaider, Kevan, and Trotsky to go with TK47 and the aging but once phenomenal Z and Seids.

 

[BB88]

Kirk does a great job again, pretty sad that we are in this situation but we are in this situation and it has to be solved and quickly.

 

[sarge88]

If the Bruins are going to start trading picks and prospects plus Loui who by himself would fetch at least another 1st,then it better be a top 2 stud.Not no bridge gap.Its about building to win cups not just try and make playoffs and fluke 1 round in my opinion.This type of Bruins team is exactly the type of team fans and management alike could put false hope into and gamble away a big part of future .Like I said.Any trade risking future better bring a top 2 stud in return.Again, its just my take.

By bridge he means someone to replace Chara as the top defenseman on the team until the crop of young guys are ready. (Carlo, Zboril, OGara, etc.)

 

[BigGoalBrad]

If the Bruins are going to start trading picks and prospects plus Loui who by himself would fetch at least another 1st,then it better be a top 2 stud.Not no bridge gap.Its about building to win cups not just try and make playoffs and fluke 1 round in my opinion.This type of Bruins team is exactly the type of team fans and management alike could put false hope into and gamble away a big part of future .Like I said.Any trade risking future better bring a top 2 stud in return.Again, its just my take.

I bet we keep Loui.

I think we'll just tell him 4 years 25 mil but if someone gives you significantly more take it and good luck.



Sweeney is a straight shooter and will tell him its fine for him to look for 6 years 36-42 mil on the market no hard feelings but he has 4 @ 6 per from us no matter what and we like him and hope he likes us and doesn't take a lateral deal.

 

[BB88]

By bridge he means someone to replace Chara as the top defenseman on the team until the crop of young guys are ready. (Carlo, Zboril, OGara, etc.)

That should exactly be the goal, and with that I hope we see Carlo in the NHL next year.

 

[shackattack]

By bridge he means someone to replace Chara as the top defenseman on the team until the crop of young guys are ready. (Carlo, Zboril, OGara, etc.)

THANKYOU FOR CLARIFICATION. But not worth it.I would rather take my lumps until the kids are ready.They could trade Loui for a 1st and it would give them three 1st round picks.They should then be able to make the deal they need to move up high and get Chychrun .This is just me spitballing.But does it not sound like smarter play??

 

[sarge88]

I bet we keep Loui.

I think we'll just tell him 4 years 25 mil but if someone gives you significantly more take it and good lu



Sweeney is a straight shooter and will tell him its fine for him to look for 6 years 36-42 mil on the market no hard feelings but he has 4 @ 6 per from us no matter what and we like him and hope he likes us and doesn't take a lateral deal.

I wonder if Sweeney looks at this year, knowning that they should have moved Soda last year for a 1/2 , and vows not to let that happen with Loui.

 

[shackattack]

If Boston keeps Loui past Feb 29th with no deal they are not being very wise.If he walks as a UFA and they do not get a return its very poor management of assets.This guy is too good to just let walk away .

 

[sarge88]

THANKYOU FOR CLARIFICATION. But not worth it.I would rather take my lumps until the kids are ready.They could trade Loui for a 1st and it would give them three 1st round picks.They should then be able to make the deal they need to move up high and get Chychrun .This is just me spitballing.But does it not sound like smarter play??

I guess it always depends on the deal. I don't know the rest of the league like I used to, but I'd be fine with Loui for a first or for a guy they are convinced can be a legit 2, in a shorter period of time than a kid drafted 5 months from now.

Just gotta trust their scouts.

 

[ODAAT]

Gotta try and find Z some help to limit those minutes

 

[Over the volcano]

Great stuff as always from Kirk.

Think Trotman is flying under the radar a bit- he's been the brightest surprise on the back end this year- particularly of late. His decision making and execution is much quicker than I expected. He's got the size/strength and has been starting to use it. I could see him turning into a Seidenberg type player in a year or two (didn't think he had that in him this time last year).

The biggest disappointments have to be Morrow and Miller. Morrow reminds me a lot of Matt Lashoff- has all the skills to dominate at lower levels and cover for their own mistakes- but the casual unfocused game will regularly get him into trouble in the NHL. Whatever minutes they had planned for him they should force feed to C Miller. He needs the reps to smooth out the rough edges in his game and settle into himself.

 

[sarge88]

Great stuff as always from Kirk.

Think Trotman is flying under the radar a bit- he's been the brightest surprise on the back end this year- particularly of late. His decision making and execution is much quicker than I expected. He's got the size/strength and has been starting to use it. I could see him turning into a Seidenberg type player in a year or two (didn't think he had that in him this time last year).

The biggest disappointments have to be Morrow and Miller. Morrow reminds me a lot of Matt Lashoff- has all the skills to dominate at lower levels and cover for their own mistakes- but the casual unfocused game will regularly get him into trouble in the NHL. Whatever minutes they had planned for him they should force feed to C Miller. He needs the reps to smooth out the rough edges in his game and settle into himself.

So for the sake of discussion....you didn't expect Trotman to be where you see him now, based on how bad he was last year.

To me, he got there (I still think he's a weak link, but certainly not the abject train wreck he was last year) by playing....consistently.

If Morrow or CM were given the same leash, I'd imagine that they'd easily outperform Trotman, based on their higher skill levels.

 

[GordonHowe]

By bridge he means someone to replace Chara as the top defenseman on the team until the crop of young guys are ready. (Carlo, Zboril, OGara, etc.)

Yes. Not a stop gap.

 

[GordonHowe]

I bet we keep Loui.

I think we'll just tell him 4 years 25 mil but if someone gives you significantly more take it and good luck.



Sweeney is a straight shooter and will tell him its fine for him to look for 6 years 36-42 mil on the market no hard feelings but he has 4 @ 6 per from us no matter what and we like him and hope he likes us and doesn't take a lateral deal.

Two cents: He's the fellow who would command the most interest, and is the most logical to go because of that & his contract status.

He's a very good player but the Bruins can get by with the offense they have. Barely, but they can. Not so with the D, this year or next. They need genuine defensive help in the worst way, and a package deal or two will be the way to get it.

There's really no other choice, as the Bruins have nothing ready in the pipeline that resembles a number two or three D, never mind number one. (I'm talking about this year, and next season).

I wouldn't be surprised to see Subban as part of a deal, either.

The Bruins have the draft picks and prospects to find legitimate D depth this season. Given how far they are away from producing top D on the farm, I really do think it will happen. Waiting until next year might not bring a better result.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

Great stuff as always from Kirk.

Think Trotman is flying under the radar a bit- he's been the brightest surprise on the back end this year- particularly of late. His decision making and execution is much quicker than I expected. He's got the size/strength and has been starting to use it. I could see him turning into a Seidenberg type player in a year or two (didn't think he had that in him this time last year).

The biggest disappointments have to be Morrow and Miller. Morrow reminds me a lot of Matt Lashoff- has all the skills to dominate at lower levels and cover for their own mistakes- but the casual unfocused game will regularly get him into trouble in the NHL. Whatever minutes they had planned for him they should force feed to C Miller. He needs the reps to smooth out the rough edges in his game and settle into himself.

I would be stunned if Trotman becomes a Seidenberg type player.

 

[GordonHowe]

So for the sake of discussion....you didn't expect Trotman to be where you see him now, based on how bad he was last year.

To me, he got there (I still think he's a weak link, but certainly not the abject train wreck he was last year) by playing....consistently.

If Morrow or CM were given the same leash, I'd imagine that they'd easily outperform Trotman, based on their higher skill levels.

To answer yours & JMiller's comments, I agree with Kirk. I don't think Murrow is in the B's long range plans, given what he brings, and given their urgent need for well rounded D.

I liked it at the time for various reasons, but that Seguin deal is looking better & better!

 

[Over the volcano]

So for the sake of discussion....you didn't expect Trotman to be where you see him now, based on how bad he was last year.

To me, he got there (I still think he's a weak link, but certainly not the abject train wreck he was last year) by playing....consistently.

If Morrow or CM were given the same leash, I'd imagine that they'd easily outperform Trotman, based on their higher skill levels.

Oh its all consistency- but he's shown it and they haven't. They certainly have greater skill sets but if they cant bring any kind of consistency they cant expect to be in the line up consistently either. They will also need some defensive defensemen as the aged age. Carlo looks like a gem, Miller looks like a good 5-6. Trotman looks somewhere in between.

 

[DKH]

If Boston keeps Loui past Feb 29th with no deal they are not being very wise.If he walks as a UFA and they do not get a return its very poor management of assets.This guy is too good to just let walk away .

they should keep him and go for it....they have top 5 prospect pool by anyone with a clue and are sitting with multiple picks in top two rounds next two years- they have enough prospects and draft picks

If I am running the Bruins I keep Eriksson

 

[sarge88]

Oh its all consistency- but he's shown it and they haven't. They certainly have greater skill sets but if they cant bring any kind of consistency they cant expect to be in the line up consistently either. They will also need some defensive defensemen as the aged age. Carlo looks like a gem, Miller looks like a good 5-6. Trotman looks somewhere in between.

I guess I just can't get past the fact that for some reason. (IMO not his play or talent level) Trotman somehow got the chance that Morrow never has to develop as a player.

 

[bigdukesix]

they should keep him and go for it....they have top 5 prospect pool by anyone with a clue and are sitting with multiple picks in top two rounds next two years- they have enough prospects and draft picks

If I am running the Bruins I keep Eriksson

Go for what? win maybe one round?

Also disagree there is such thing as "enough prospects and draft picks"

 

[DKH]

Go for what? win maybe one round?

Also disagree there is such thing as "enough prospects and draft picks"

cool we disagree

 

[DKH]

If Boston keeps Loui past Feb 29th with no deal they are not being very wise.If he walks as a UFA and they do not get a return its very poor management of assets.This guy is too good to just let walk away .

When Boston had their top four forwards (37,63,21,46) and Chara and Krug in the lineup playing they got 38 or 56 points for 111.2 points and would have been higher but Krug got hurt up 3-1 against Buffalo with 10 minutes left and the roof caved in.

they are better keeping Eriksson and trying to get healthy and taking a shot; maybe they try and resign him

healthy and with a better Spooner since Krejci went out they are deeper

also, they are near the top in power play and are number one in penalty kill since November 15th per Bobby Beers

I'd wait it out, they don't need more first round picks than they do Eriksson

 

[rainone99]

they should keep him and go for it....they have top 5 prospect pool by anyone with a clue and are sitting with multiple picks in top two rounds next two years- they have enough prospects and draft picks

If I am running the Bruins I keep Eriksson

Sounds like Chia to me. He couldn't see the window is closed so he trades 2 2nd rounders for Connolly...

Trade Eriksson, Seidenberg, Krejci, Mcquaid, Miller, Krug get some picks or prospects, lets REBUILD PROPERLY, enough of this retool language, we are not close to winning anything.. This team is sooooo far away from winning 4 4 out of 7 series against the other teams in this league.