Left wing or Left D?

[weaponomega]

The D that potentially starts next season looks a lot better than what was starting last season.

Chara - McAvoy
Krug - Carlo
And some combination of KMiller, CMiller, McQuaid, Morrow, UFA depending on who is protected/selected in the expansion draft.

A LW is needed to play with Krejci and Pasta. I liked what I saw from Cehlarik, but I'm not ready to pencil him in at the moment.

Just looking through lineups across the league some potential LWers

Duclair - Abysmal year, but maybe cheaper to acquire
E. Kane - Serious character issues but the talent to put up 35+ goals
Skinner - We probably don't have the assets Carolina is looking for if they were looking to move Skinner
Landeskog - I think Colorado wants too much for him and his downward trend the last 4 years is concerning
Sharp - Is he done or did he just have a bad year? Might be worth giving a one year contract
Tatar
Vanek - Had a decent year, getting older and injuries are becoming a concern
Drouin - How much to acquire and how much to sign?
Ovechkin - He's too expensive to acquire (in terms of cap $0), but he's probably available when the caps get bounced by the Pens.

 

[LouJersey]

Neither.

Only ld opening is the bottom pair.

I'd go LW if there was something out there where we didn't get robbed

 

[EON]

Winger. I think they'll be okay at LD with Chara & Krug, then hopefully one of O'Gara or Morrow. Let Zboril and Lauzon develop in Providence.

They sorely need a scoring LW for Krejci's wing.

 

[Cory Trevor]

In two years we have the best blueline in hockey regardless of being a short Left D. It will be Predator-esque.

LW AINEC.

 

[Absurdity]

Neely Expects Quiet Free Agency For Bruins – But Won’t Rule Out Trades by Matt Dolloff

One of the team’s clear needs is a second-line left winger to park next to David Krejci. It appears that the team has decided that Matt Beleskey won’t be that guy. Ideally, the hope is that a prospect like Jake DeBrusk can step in and seize that role – but Neely wouldn’t rule out that a prospect or package of prospects could ultimately be part of a trade.

“We’ve had an opportunity to really see what we have coming up,†Neely said on Tuesday during his end-of-season media availability. “And maybe it gives us an opportunity to … add somewhere else in a sense where, if something was appealing for us where we’re getting a younger player but with some experience, we may have the assets to be able to do that.â€

“Right now I don’t really anticipate a busy free-agent period, but we’ll see what transpires throughout the course of the offseason,†said Neely. “But right now, I don’t envision that. We’ll get trough the expansion draft then reevaluate.â€

 

[Hali33]

I see them both as needs, with LW being the most obvious and urgent.

 

[NDiesel]

Neely Expects Quiet Free Agency For Bruins – But Won’t Rule Out Trades by Matt Dolloff

Screams Landy/Duchene to me

 

[wintersej]

Screams Landy/Duchene to me

Palat is another name with TB having all those rfas

 

[Estlin]

Screams Landy/Duchene to me

Yes to Duchene, but a big no to Landeskog. In any event, I doubt that a trade with Colorado happens for either player because the Avalanche would want Carlo or McAvoy.

 

[bob27]

Kovalchuk would be nice addition.

 

[NDiesel]

Palat is another name with TB having all those rfas

Actually I suppose Drouin has been rumored to be available too:

Marchand-Bergeron-Backes
Drouin-Krejci-Pasta

Maybe swap Pasta and Backes.

I'm not sure we'd want to give up what Lightning want back though.

 

[ReggieMoto]

I think the team is okay with the forwards they have, both on the roster and on the shelf. I still believe the D is in need of a first pairing LD. I don't think we have the horses in the stable to handle that. Not yet.

 

[Marchy63]

I think the Bruins are in need of actual wingers and not converted centers. They desperately need to add to the top 6 as I would say really only Pastrnak and Marchand are top 6 wingers. Backes I would prefer to be the 3rd line center, but he has to play in the top 6 for the money he is making.

I feel the Bruins need to try and rid themselves of Beleskey and Hayes somehow and try to find immediate help on the left side. I would give Cehlarik, Vatrano and DeBrusk a chance on the 3rd line and see which one performs better.

The Bruins D seems to be improving, but we'll see how they do next season without one of K. Miller/McQuaid/C. Miller (depending on who is taken by Vegas). The right side seems to be set, but the left side is not too far behind. Say Vegas takes C Miller, I think the Bruins lineup looks something like this

Marchand - Bergeron - Pastrnak/Backes
??????? - Krejci - Backes/Pastrnak
Vatrano - Spooner/Forsbacka-Karlsson - Nash
Kuraly - Acciari - Blidh

Chara - McAvoy
Krug - Carlo
????? - Miller/McQuaid

So the Bruins need a 2nd line LW and 3rd pair LD. Morrow could probably be resigned or they could give O'Gara/Grzelcyk/Lauzon/Zboril a look so I don't think they are really in need of a trade or FA. For LW you could see if Cehlarik/DeBrusk/Heinen can slot in there, but I would feel more comfortable with a more established player.

 

[Ratty]

Glad there is a third option. Because, unless a Landeskog type can be obtained without a prohibitive cost, I'd like to see what these forwards we've been developing can do. Cehlarik showed a lot of promise when teamed with Krejci and Boris on the second line. Good size, willing to use the body, good instincts and IQ.

DeBrusk has really come on after a year of tutoring under Dean in Providence. Especially in the late season and the playoffs. Heinen has made good use of his development time there and is smart and versatile.

So it's worth waiting to see if one or more can step up. Vatrano can score and may just need a center who can work with his skills to maximize his potential. Bjork is a possibility after his senior year at South Bend.

As for defense, well, there's always Chara and Krug who can supply needed ingredients to give time for Lauzon and Zboril to mature. O'Gara will probably take the third LD spot, so, it's just a question of waiting a year for Lauzon and Z-light to grow into the position.

Perhaps these prospects will not all develop. But if we can get one D and two LW to emerge, we'll be OK.

Caveat: I have a tendency toward optimism when it come to our kids.

 

[Dellstrom]

Left wing by a lot. I'm very confident going into next season with:

Z-McAvoy
Krug-Carlo
Killer-Chiller/McQuaid

We'll need a new LD soon, when Chara can't play top-4. But that's at least 2 seasons away, I think. Whereas right now, Marchand and Pasta are our only top-6 wings. Backes is too inconsistent and I'd like to have him dominate matchups on the 3rd line. Krejci DESPERATELY needs a good winger. Otherwise he'll be with Vatrano and a revolving door of bad for what seems like the 4th year. I think Palat is perfect. It's just a matter of TB trading him within the division.

With some more offensive depth, I think we're pretty close to contending. You'd like to see a bit more experience on the blue line, but man they're going to look ****ing FANTASTIC in 2-3 years. We just need one of Lindgren, Zboril, or Lauzon to hit their potential and we're absolutely stacked.

 

[GloveSave1]

I think they're past the point of bringing someone in on D...

The kids are ready to arrive. You find a new home for McQuaid and that's about it...I don't think they're committed to C.Miller either, which is fine...

Krug/Carlo
Chara/McAvoy*
Zboril or O'Gara/K.Miller

That's a real cheap D. You take the excess money and buy a impact forward.

*I put Chara on the 2nd pair to highlight the commitment to reduce his mins

 

[ashnathan]

Drouin is a pipe dream. They'd want McAvoy minimum.

 

[Colt.45Orr]

O'Gara is an ancient 23 years old. In this case, experience is more important than "ceiling" when the open position is a 3rd pair spot IMO.

He turns 24 in a month and that isn't young for a guy to be starting his NHL career. He seems like he could be a solid 3rd pairing guy --I like his combo of size and footwork-- and a good 7th Dman next year (if that is how it shakes out) but he doesn't have the upside to move into the top 4 imo.

All I am saying is that (assuming they are equal coming out of camp) I would prefer Zboril or Lauzon to start over him because at the end of the year we would have a really good idea if the top 4 is in their future and we already know that answer about O'Gara.

 

[Pia8988]

McQuaid didn't play his first full season until 24, Kevan Miller didn't get above 50 games until 28, Boychuk was 26 before he became a regular. That is just recent Bruins. 24 isn't too old to say he'll be passed up by the rookie LHD. They may have higher upside, but they also probably need time in the AHL.

Truthfully I think the following has a lot to be happy with. You'll have 2 really good PK pairs. Two D men who can run power plays well. Overall I think it's a very well rounded group. If Lauzon or Zboril show better than O'Gara, give them the spot. In fact, they may even benefit by playing top pairing in the AHL for a year over playing 15-16 minutes a night.

Chara-McAvoy
Krug-Carlo
O'Gara-McQuaid/Kevan

 

[LouJersey]

Not sure about the left side.

Marchand locked up for eternity. Beleskey has three more seasons. That's two. Add in Kuraly and Blidh for the bottom line. Maybe even Gabrielle.

Debrusk, Heinen and Cehlarik all have shown me enough to make me think at minimum ONE will be a legit NHL player.

So what happens if you can't deal Beleskey and you trade for or sign a LW for 3-4 years?

You now have DeBrusk, Heinen, Cehlarik, Gabrielle, Kuraly and Blidh fighting for one spot. That's just awful team managing.

Now, if you deal one or two for a Palat or Lando then you have more room, but you also have years committed to those three LW spots. I don't know, unless there was something real special available, I'd roll with what they have, Now, if you deal Beleskey, go for it, but he more than likely will not be moved.

 

[NDiesel]

He turns 24 in a month and that isn't young for a guy to be starting his NHL career. He seems like he could be a solid 3rd pairing guy --I like his combo of size and footwork-- and a good 7th Dman next year (if that is how it shakes out) but he doesn't have the upside to move into the top 4 imo.

All I am saying is that (assuming they are equal coming out of camp) I would prefer Zboril or Lauzon to start over him because at the end of the year we would have a really good idea if the top 4 is in their future and we already know that answer about O'Gara.

Defense tend to develop later. We've seen guys like Boychuk "get it" when it seemed they'd be nothing more than an AHLer, why can't O'Gara do some of the same?

 

[wintersej]

http://www.csnne.com/boston-bruins/haggerty-bruins-have-plenty-options-offseason-improvements

The Bruins will most likely need to go outside the organization for a left-side D-man that would project to play with McAvoy and leave the B’s with a shutdown middle pairing of 41-year-old Zdeno Chara and 21-year-old Carlo. That would leave Torey Krug and Miller/McQuaid as a very good third pairing capable of picking up the additional slack in the ice-time department.

Can be hard to tell if Hags has info here or just speculating. But, I agree that Chara/McAvoy or Krug/McAvoy is not ideal. If you go get a partner for McAvoy right now, you have a potentially ELITE D group, and ELITE 1st line and an ELITE goalie. But you are praying on DeBrusk being good.

 

[s3antana5757]

I think the Bruins are in need of actual wingers and not converted centers. They desperately need to add to the top 6 as I would say really only Pastrnak and Marchand are top 6 wingers. Backes I would prefer to be the 3rd line center, but he has to play in the top 6 for the money he is making.

I feel the Bruins need to try and rid themselves of Beleskey and Hayes somehow and try to find immediate help on the left side. I would give Cehlarik, Vatrano and DeBrusk a chance on the 3rd line and see which one performs better.

The Bruins D seems to be improving, but we'll see how they do next season without one of K. Miller/McQuaid/C. Miller (depending on who is taken by Vegas). The right side seems to be set, but the left side is not too far behind. Say Vegas takes C Miller, I think the Bruins lineup looks something like this

Marchand - Bergeron - Pastrnak/Backes
??????? - Krejci - Backes/Pastrnak
Vatrano - Spooner/Forsbacka-Karlsson - Nash
Kuraly - Acciari - Blidh

Chara - McAvoy
Krug - Carlo
????? - Miller/McQuaid

So the Bruins need a 2nd line LW and 3rd pair LD. Morrow could probably be resigned or they could give O'Gara/Grzelcyk/Lauzon/Zboril a look so I don't think they are really in need of a trade or FA. For LW you could see if Cehlarik/DeBrusk/Heinen can slot in there, but I would feel more comfortable with a more established player.

I think the defense line-up is solid for next year, but we need to start planning for the future. The right side is seemingly set for the foreseeable future with McAvoy, Carlo, and both Millers/McQ. Not concerns there. On the flip side though, Chara probably only has one year left, and even if it's more, we need to start bringing down the minutes. As I said in another thread, I would totally be willing to give up a ton of prospects and picks if it brings back a guy like OEL, Hanifan, Lindholm, Brodin, etc. Especially with the expansion draft upcoming, teams may be willing to get rid of a guy if it means keeping some others. I think it would be very hard for a team to turn down a deal like Zboril, Lauzon or Lingdren, Spooner, Heinen or DeBrusk, maybe a 1st. You make that move and you're still left with Lingdren or Lauzon, O'Gara, Morrow, etc. to fill out the bottom pairing LHD once Chara leaves.

As far as the LW position goes, I agree this is the most pressing need. The deals given to Hayes and Beleskey will likely prevent them from being able to be too aggressive, but if you can solve for that problem and the above problem, this team is ready to roll going forward. They definitely have enough guys to fill out 4th line roles, and we've had a ton of success finding those types of guys. The question then becomes can you build an elite 3rd line, which I believe is possible with the guys in house. In a couple years you've got a team that looks like:

Marchand-Bergeron-Pasta/Backes
Landeskog(or someone similar)-Krejci-Pasta/Backes
Vatrano-JFK/Frederic-Senshyn
4th line fodder

OEL(or someone similar)-McAvoy
Krug-Carlo
Lingdren-Miller

http://www.csnne.com/boston-bruins/haggerty-bruins-have-plenty-options-offseason-improvements



Can be hard to tell if Hags has info here or just speculating. But, I agree that Chara/McAvoy or Krug/McAvoy is not ideal. If you go get a partner for McAvoy right now, you have a potentially ELITE D group, and ELITE 1st line and an ELITE goalie. But you are praying on DeBrusk being good.

Very interesting quote. As I stated above, this should be where the Bruins are focusing their efforts. Pay whatever the price is in prospects and picks, and go get someone like that. You're relevant every single year if you make this deal.

 

[ODAAT]

I have appreciated Brendan Smith`s game over the first 4 I`ve watched in this series, UFA, lefty, plays with some bite, won`t bring much offensively but can play reasonably sound and safe minutes?

Not a clue what he`s worth on the market but just a thought

 

[Absurdity]

http://www.csnne.com/boston-bruins/haggerty-bruins-have-plenty-options-offseason-improvements



Can be hard to tell if Hags has info here or just speculating. But, I agree that Chara/McAvoy or Krug/McAvoy is not ideal. If you go get a partner for McAvoy right now, you have a potentially ELITE D group, and ELITE 1st line and an ELITE goalie. But you are praying on DeBrusk being good.

I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around this. The Bruins are okay with paying $7.7M for their third-pairing? I'm not advocating the Bruins should trade Krug, but if the idea is that you want to trade for a top-pairing defenseman to pair with McAvoy and have Chara-Carlo as the shutdown 2nd-pairing, with the need of a top 6 LW, wouldn't it be reasonable to trade Krug for that top 6 LW and then trade a king's ransom of picks and prospects for that top-pairing defenseman? Krug is an important player for the Bruins, look at how the Bruins missed him in playoff series against Ottawa for example, but he should be utilized as a top 4D. I would rather the Bruins go out and get a top 6 LW via trade and keep the defense as is.