Player Discussion Jakub Zboril II (re-signed 2Yrs @1.1 AAV)

[PlayMakers]

I haven't quite given up on him, but there is a point where you have to stop and ask, 'is this going anywhere, and if so where?' Freddie's 25, he's played 200 NHL games, was drafted 7 years ago, and he still can't establish himself as a definite starter in the playoffs let alone actually produce anything. This year's Bruins roster was stacked, at least on paper, so that has to be factored in, but he did get his opportunity and yet had little to show for it. He does have talent, but the time he has to prove he can actually be a difference maker when it really matters is running out.

Sure there's a point where you have to ask that, but I don't think 200 games is it. That's only 2.5 seasons worth of hockey. And yeah, he's 25 but this was basically his 24 year old season. He showed real growth this year too.

This is why bridge contracts were invented. Sign him to a 1 or 2 year deal at short money and let him prove it one way or another.

 

[JEM28]

Sure there's a point where you have to ask that, but I don't think 200 games is it. That's only 2.5 seasons worth of hockey. And yeah, he's 25 but this was basically his 24 year old season. He showed real growth this year too.

This is why bridge contracts were invented. Sign him to a 1 or 2 year deal at short money and let him prove it one way or another.

Yup. Multiple benefits including if another team thinks he’s worth more then the Bs maybe you recoup a pick.

 

[PlayMakers]

Or, those players simply are not good enough.

McAvoy, Bergeron, Krejci, Marchand, Pastrnak, Carlo, they developed pretty easily. Even Debrusk probably develops smoothly if not for a profound personality conflict with Cassidy.

Not everyone is ready as a 21-year-old to play at the NHL level.

I'm sure that was the case for some of them but, how do we tell the ones who weren't good enough from the ones who were ruined by the "process" here?

You mentioned Krejci, and if you remember his development path, he had a good rookie year in the AHL at age 20 and then was handed 3c in the NHL the next year. And he struggled in the NHL at first. He played here for a few months, then got sent back to the AHL for 25 games where he got his confidence back and then finished the season with Boston strong.

Georgii Merkulov just had a good rookie year in the AHL. Can you imagine this regime saying he's one of our top3 centers next year? No chance.

Jack Studnicka had a really good rookie year in the AHL, close to a point per game and led the league in shorthanded goals. This kid put up 102 points in 94 career AHL games and when he came to camp the Bruins had signed so many vets that they didn't even have room for a call-up, let alone hand him a job as one of our centers to learn on the job.

Look, this team has won a ton of games the last few years so maybe it's unfair to blame them for their development process in the past, but it really feels like something needs to change going forward. They have to start producing more young players as their franchise players age out.

 

[Over the volcano]

I'm sure that was the case for some of them but, how do we tell the ones who weren't good enough from the ones who were ruined by the "process" here?

You mentioned Krejci, and if you remember his development path, he had a good rookie year in the AHL at age 20 and then was handed 3c in the NHL the next year. And he struggled in the NHL at first. He played here for a few months, then got sent back to the AHL for 25 games where he got his confidence back and then finished the season with Boston strong.

Georgii Merkulov just had a good rookie year in the AHL. Can you imagine this regime saying he's one of our top3 centers next year? No chance.

Jack Studnicka had a really good rookie year in the AHL, close to a point per game and led the league in shorthanded goals. This kid put up 102 points in 94 career AHL games and when he came to camp the Bruins had signed so many vets that they didn't even have room for a call-up, let alone hand him a job as one of our centers to learn on the job.

Look, this team has won a ton of games the last few years so maybe it's unfair to blame them for their development process in the past, but it really feels like something needs to change going forward. This team needs to produce more young players as their franchise players age out.

1000%

 

[The don godfather]

Zboril for a 2nd ?

 

[Over the volcano]

Yup. Multiple benefits including if another team thinks he’s worth more then the Bs maybe you recoup a pick.

What pick do you think is worth a big young center who can pot 20 goals and is willing to drop the gloves with just about anyone? Think he'd be worth as much to Boston as he would to any team out there.

 

[Aussie Bruin]

Sure there's a point where you have to ask that, but I don't think 200 games is it. That's only 2.5 seasons worth of hockey. And yeah, he's 25 but this was basically his 24 year old season. He showed real growth this year too.

This is why bridge contracts were invented. Sign him to a 1 or 2 year deal at short money and let him prove it one way or another.

Money-wise it will definitely need to be short. The Bruins have zero room for indulgence or for Frederic to really push for the most possible dollars at arbitration. And that's my basic point - if it makes economic sense looking at the roster as a whole to keep Frederic for another year then for sure go ahead and do it. But don't compromise the team too much elsewhere to do so. Every penny is going to count and every decision has to be thought through with rigor.

The bottom 6 is highly likely going to be a real mixed bag so getting a group together who can perform well and give the team genuine depth is going to take some careful planning and a bit of luck. Frederic might well be part of that but make sure he's the right fit both in terms of his expected role and his cap hit.

 

[JEM28]

What pick do you think is worth a big young center who can pot 20 goals and is willing to drop the gloves with just about anyone? Think he'd be worth as much to Boston as he would to any team out there.

Thought this was the zboril thread, didn’t follow back to find out that orig post was Freddy

 

[quietbruinfan]

Zboril for a 2nd ?

Zboril for a 7th is far more than he is worth.

 

[NDiesel]

Zboril for a 2nd ?

Unfortunately no way he gets a 2nd

 

[RoccoF14]

I'm sure that was the case for some of them but, how do we tell the ones who weren't good enough from the ones who were ruined by the "process" here?

You mentioned Krejci, and if you remember his development path, he had a good rookie year in the AHL at age 20 and then was handed 3c in the NHL the next year. And he struggled in the NHL at first. He played here for a few months, then got sent back to the AHL for 25 games where he got his confidence back and then finished the season with Boston strong.

Georgii Merkulov just had a good rookie year in the AHL. Can you imagine this regime saying he's one of our top3 centers next year? No chance.

Jack Studnicka had a really good rookie year in the AHL, close to a point per game and led the league in shorthanded goals. This kid put up 102 points in 94 career AHL games and when he came to camp the Bruins had signed so many vets that they didn't even have room for a call-up, let alone hand him a job as one of our centers to learn on the job.

Look, this team has won a ton of games the last few years so maybe it's unfair to blame them for their development process in the past, but it really feels like something needs to change going forward. This team needs to produce more young players as their franchise players age out.

3 words......Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson

Remember when he was going to be the next Bergeron??? I think he's driving a truck in Stockholm, now....

 

[RoccoF14]

If I'm Sweeney, I'm not moving Zboril. He's gonna be given every chance to lock down a roster spot this season. Forbort, Reilly and Grizz get moved before Zboril, for a variety of different reasons.

 

[whitetape]

Unfortunately no way he gets a 2nd

I wouldn't trade him, but I think he's easily worth a second, given his skill set and the years of AHL playing and NHL practices he's already had.

 

[Therick67]

I don’t understand why they didn’t get Zboril more games last year. Monty is supposed to be great with young players, not sure why they didn’t take more advantage of the situation.

 

[BruinDust]

Your thinking he's a million dollar player is probably just as baffling to most.

If it helps - just name the forwards on this club who scored more at 5 v 5, not hard as there were only two and they weren't playing 3rd and 4th line minutes. They're also not making 1 mil

"going on 26" ... Might as well say he's 25 going on 30.

He was a healthy scratch in the playoffs. He's not yet a legit everyday player. He's unproven, unestablished. Last time I checked, guys who aren't everyday players make somewhere in that 775k - 1.25 million range.

He's halfway to 26. 25 or 26, it doesn't matter. By the time guys hit that age, they are either proven/established or they are looking at options in Europe. They aren't prospects anymore. Why do you keep acting like he's still in prospect stage?

There's a thread on the main boards on why Tkachuk sucked in the playoffs with Calgary. He was considered to be a playoff no-show and it definitely was noticed by more than just Calgary fans.

That's great. I'm still not comparing Tkachuk at 19 or 20 years old to Trent Frederic today.

What pick do you think is worth a big young center who can pot 20 goals and is willing to drop the gloves with just about anyone? Think he'd be worth as much to Boston as he would to any team out there.

Drops the gloves a few times. Can pop some goals from time-to-time. Does basically zero in between. Hence why his coaches don't rely on him.

 

[BruinDust]

Sure there's a point where you have to ask that, but I don't think 200 games is it. That's only 2.5 seasons worth of hockey. And yeah, he's 25 but this was basically his 24 year old season. He showed real growth this year too.

This is why bridge contracts were invented. Sign him to a 1 or 2 year deal at short money and let him prove it one way or another.

He just came off a 2-year bridge contract at short money so he could "prove it".

Do you think Frederic or his agent are going into his arbitration case (if it gets that far) saying Frederic still needs to prove his worth? They are going to list off a pile of comparables based on his regular season production and ask for a significant raise. Between 2 and 3 million is not out of hand based on his comparables on paper. Meanwhile the reality is, between popping a few goals and a scattered fight, he's basically a ghost.

 

[Over the volcano]

He was a healthy scratch in the playoffs. He's not yet a legit everyday player. He's unproven, unestablished. Last time I checked, guys who aren't everyday players make somewhere in that 775k - 1.25 million range.. . .

NHL players with 17 goals at even strength in 22-23
Trent Frederic
Mitchell Marner
Frank Vatrano
Andreas Athanasiou
Rickard Rakell
Matt Duchene
Jordan Eberle
Patrick Kane

 

[BruinDust]

NHL players with 17 goals at even strength in 22-23
Trent Frederic
Mitchell Marner
Frank Vatrano
Andreas Athanasiou
Rickard Rakell
Matt Duchene
Jordan Eberle
Patrick Kane

You seem really hung up on this stat.

But if anything, your helping prove my point. Frederic isn't coming back on a short money.

You want to pay him for the scatter fight and goal? That's fine. I think we need to agree to disagree on this player. You like him. I'm tired of him on my favorite hockey team. Frankly I'm tired of debating him on this message board. Depending on how the roster shakes out, I'm willing to give him one last look in the middle. He's not a winger, or if he is, he's a shitty one. If he's sent packing this summer, good riddance. I won't miss him no matter what he does with his next team.

 

[Over the volcano]

You seem really hung up on this stat.

But if anything, your helping prove my point. Frederic isn't coming back on a short money.

You want to pay him for the scatter fight and goal? That's fine. I think we need to agree to disagree on this player. You like him. I'm tired of him on my favorite hockey team. Frankly I'm tired of debating him on this message board. Depending on how the roster shakes out, I'm willing to give him one last look in the middle. He's not a winger, or if he is, he's a shitty one. If he's sent packing this summer, good riddance. I won't miss him no matter what he does with his next team.

If he's only getting time at even strength then it seems a pretty good stat to measure him by if we were really looking to measure what he can bring the team.

You have a 25 year old axe you enjoy grinding on your favorite team. I won't yuck your yum anymore.

 

[PB37]

That's great. I'm still not comparing Tkachuk at 19 or 20 years old to Trent Frederic today.

He also underperformed in his 22 and 24 year old playoff seasons too. The point is that sometimes it takes a player some time. Frederic is a cost efficient, home grown player who showed he can bring a little bit of everything on the third line, including being a scoring option. I'm not sure why some are ready to give up on him. In the overall scheme of what went wrong with the Bruins in the playoffs, Frederic is pretty far down on the list.

 

[Dr Hook]

So, how about Jake Zboril? Playing in the Worlds for Czechia. Quarterfinal game against USA tomorrow.

 

[BradMarchandismydad]

So, how about Jake Zboril? Playing in the Worlds for Czechia. Quarterfinal game against USA tomorrow.

I don’t think he’s on the roster this year, is he?

In terms of Zboril he’s always showed flashes but his game is hyper inconsistent. Or at least he consistently goes from steady and skilled to zero poise and making terrible gaffes.

I’ve always hoped he could put it together, and I think he’s a good 7th D but I wonder at what point does he graduate beyond that and can be trusted to log minutes.

 

[BruinDust]

He also underperformed in his 22 and 24 year old playoff seasons too. The point is that sometimes it takes a player some time. Frederic is a cost efficient, home grown player who showed he can bring a little bit of everything on the third line, including being a scoring option. I'm not sure why some are ready to give up on him. In the overall scheme of what went wrong with the Bruins in the playoffs, Frederic is pretty far down on the list.

He (Tkachuk) put up 10 pts in 12 games in 2021-22 playoffs at 24. Now has 29 in 27 combining his Age 24 and 25 years. Frederic at the same ages (24 and 25). ZEROs.

I'm not comparing 22-year old Tkachuk to Frederic at 24 or 25 either. Are we really comparing a Trent Frederic to a Hart Trophy nominee?

Not sure what home-grown matters. And he's about to become less cost efficient with arbitration rights and a raise forthcoming after his recent two-year bridge. At his current salary (1 million-ish), despite my dislike of this player, I'd take him back to see if he can be the 4th line center they need. Mostly because the Bruins need as many guys as possible in that 775k - 1.25 million range.

But Trent Frederic with a raise? I've seen enough to say good riddance. Yeah for some players, it takes longer for the light-bulb to go on. But seeing some sort of huge step-up at the age Frederic is? It's rare and the exception. 99% of the time what a skater is at age 25, is what he is.

 

[Dr Hook]

I don’t think he’s on the roster this year, is he?

In terms of Zboril he’s always showed flashes but his game is hyper inconsistent. Or at least he consistently goes from steady and skilled to zero poise and making terrible gaffes.

I’ve always hoped he could put it together, and I think he’s a good 7th D but I wonder at what point does he graduate beyond that and can be trusted to log minutes.

IIHF - Czechia

IIHF - Czechia

www.iihf.com

I don't know if he can be a third pair regular for the B's, but I do think it's hard to develop consistency when you get almost zero ice-time. In my view, the Bruins need to give him an extended run in the lineup next season and give him the chance to work through his issues. He might not end up being any good, but the cap problems they have would seem to make it necessar for them to try.

 

[BruinDust]

Back to Zboril...............



Does anyone think a trade request is coming from his agent this off-season (if it hasn't happened already)?


He sat for basically 3 months. Almost a lost year of development.

Right now, he's still 4th on the LD depth chart. His clock to establish himself in the NHL and potentially make life-changing money is ticking away. If he can't establish himself as a regular player in the NHL next year, it's likely the end for him in NA pro hockey if he's being honest with himself. No guarantees the Bruins can offer him regular playing time with the current roster. No guarantees either Gryz or Forbort are shipped out.

Change of scenery-type trade requests for guys like Zboril happen every off-season, all around the NHL. Probably a lot more than we know. Guys just want a opportunity to show what they can do.