Well their first pairing would be making less than 5 mil and possibly same for the 2nd pairing, so doesn't that kind of even it out?
Left wing or Left D?
- Thread starter wintersej
- Start date
Well their first pairing would be making less than 5 mil and possibly same for the 2nd pairing, so doesn't that kind of even it out?
I don't know if there is an immediate need for a LD this coming year. The Bruins may not have a clean cut first pairing unit , but the should have 3 pretty balanced 2nd pairings. I'm pretty sure that whoever Chara is partnered with will be considered the first pairing, followed by Krug and his partner, and who ever is left will make up the 3rd pairing. For this coming year I could live with that.
What the Bruins really need to do is address secondary scoring, be it additional LW or RW. Once past Marchand and Pastarnak the scoring threat drops considerably.
There are questions ... what will happen with Spooner? Will Backes stay on the wing or move to center? But regardless secondary scoring is a priority.
What the Bruins really need to do is address secondary scoring, be it additional LW or RW. Once past Marchand and Pastarnak the scoring threat drops considerably.
There are questions ... what will happen with Spooner? Will Backes stay on the wing or move to center? But regardless secondary scoring is a priority.
s3antana5757
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DrJustice
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I voted for NEITHER. This team has the talent in the system to patch up the holes and develop on cheap contracts.
Marchand-Bergeron-Backes
Bjork-Krejci-Pastrnak
DeBrusk-JFK-Vatrano
Beleskey-Nash-Acciari
Krug-McAvoy
Chara-Carlo
Lauzon-K.Miller
Rask
McIntyre
I'd move on from Spooner, McQuaid or K.Miller likely go in the draft and you keep C.Miller to be the 7thD
Marchand-Bergeron-Backes
Bjork-Krejci-Pastrnak
DeBrusk-JFK-Vatrano
Beleskey-Nash-Acciari
Krug-McAvoy
Chara-Carlo
Lauzon-K.Miller
Rask
McIntyre
I'd move on from Spooner, McQuaid or K.Miller likely go in the draft and you keep C.Miller to be the 7thD
You guys are nuts. They are swimming in left wings, even Vatrano isn't guaranteed a spot. They need a solid left handed defenseman to take minutes and pressure off of Chara and to let Krug play to his strengths in offensive situations, instead of wasting them to shelter the 3rd pair.
At least two of Cehlarik, DeBrusk, and Bjork are in the NHL next year. They have Brad Marchand. They're set.
At least two of Cehlarik, DeBrusk, and Bjork are in the NHL next year. They have Brad Marchand. They're set.
Root
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thank you. I feel like I am taking crazy pills reading through this thread. we have a few good looking LW prospects that can make the jump next year. we have a ton of organizational depth at left wing. we need to continue to develop these guys. not block them. If there is a home run LW upgrade presented to the Bruins, and they can also unload Beleskey, than they should do that. But beyond that, I stay pat at Left wing and see if any of the handful of kids we have work out.
honestly, I would stick with what we have on defense as well. Protect K. Miller and pair him with McAvoy...
Chara-Carlo
Krug-McQuaid
K. Miller-McAvoy
Hopefully after next year one of Lauzon, Zboril or O'Gara make the jump.
The one position I think we need to upgrade is right wing. I would put Backes as the third line center and find a right winger to play with Bergeron or Krejci.
DitClapper
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The bargain bin isn't really that appealing. Trevor Daley wouldn't be that bad I guess.
Flannelman
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Cupboards are stock full of potential, but not elite prowess at the forward level. They are in the good position to have too many player skills who could fit the bill. But will those guys be top 6 regulars? I can see it with some. The have two poor contracts to jettison. They also have quite a few guys filling those bottom pairing ranks. There's got to be a trade scenario of trading up or trading to dump problems. They need to leverage the position they are in before these assets can just walk or they aren't qualified.Kokos rights should be in play, too.
I'm with you. And I don't even think it's particularly close.
Chara is probably gone in a year. Who even knows what level he be at next season. Same goes for Carlo and McAvoy IMO. We all know development isn't always linear. The Bruins were also relatively lucky getting mostly full regular seasons out of their top-3 D (Chara/Krug/Carlo).
I'd like to see another defenseman in his prime brought in. Someone who can reliably eat 20+ minutes. It would be nice if the expansion draft could shake someone loose. I'm not talking a one year stop gap player. Someone who can realistically grow with current young core D. Maybe it's even a long term partner for McAvoy or Carlo. Going to have to use that prospect pool at some point to acquire immediate talent.
BruinsFanMike82
Registered User
If the Bruins do decide to bring in a top-4 LD from outside the organization, here's my shortlist:
*Granted, I didn't put too much thought into some of these players' potential availability or what it would take to acquire them. Feel free to shoot any of them down.
UFA
Karl Alzner (WSH): 29yrs
RFA
Dmitry Orlov (WSH): 26yrs
Brian Dumoulin (PIT): 26yrs
Calvin de Haan (NYI): 26yrs
Players with term remaining
Marco Scandella (MIN): 27yrs - $4.0M AAV with 3yrs remaining
Jake Muzzin (LAK): 28yrs - $4.0M AAV with 3yrs remaining
Jack Johnson (CBJ): 30yrs - $4.357143M AAV with 1yr remaining
Ian Cole (PIT): 28yrs - $2.1M AAV with 1yr remaining
Jon Merrill (NJD): 25yrs - $1.1375M AAV with 1yr remaining
Noah Hanifin (CAR): 20yrs - 1yr remaining on his entry level deal
*Granted, I didn't put too much thought into some of these players' potential availability or what it would take to acquire them. Feel free to shoot any of them down.
UFA
Karl Alzner (WSH): 29yrs
RFA
Dmitry Orlov (WSH): 26yrs
Brian Dumoulin (PIT): 26yrs
Calvin de Haan (NYI): 26yrs
Players with term remaining
Marco Scandella (MIN): 27yrs - $4.0M AAV with 3yrs remaining
Jake Muzzin (LAK): 28yrs - $4.0M AAV with 3yrs remaining
Jack Johnson (CBJ): 30yrs - $4.357143M AAV with 1yr remaining
Ian Cole (PIT): 28yrs - $2.1M AAV with 1yr remaining
Jon Merrill (NJD): 25yrs - $1.1375M AAV with 1yr remaining
Noah Hanifin (CAR): 20yrs - 1yr remaining on his entry level deal
Absurdity
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Where are the Bruins going to get a top 3D making around $4M to make that top pair make less than $5M (McAvoy makes $916,667)? If the Bruins hypothetically get a defenseman to play with McAvoy, and Krug is pushed to the bottom-pairing, I hope Krug is utilized to his strengths. I just think Krug deserves to play higher up in the line up and be paired with someone better than Kevan Miller or McQuaid.
I was for signing Alzner in the offseason a few months ago but with there being very little quality FA defensemen out there, he's going to get a long term deal at a high cap hit which I think the Bruins should stay away from. Here are some good pros and cons to adding Alzner from a TML perspective (https://theleafsnation.com/2017/03/31/this-is-absolutely-not-how-the-leafs-will-look-next-year/).
Orlov could be an interesting option, but I'm not so sure he would be able to handle 20+ minutes a night on the top-pairing.
I don't think Dumoulin is good enough for top-pairing minutes. He is more of a middle-pairing defenseman.
de Haan has potential, but I'm also not sure if he could be depended on to play on the Bruins' top pair. If someone that has watched him more can fill me in that would be great.
I think MIN protects Scandella.
Muzzin would be an interesting option, but LAK is lacking a lot of talent at LD so they will probably protect him.
Jack Johnson isn't good enough to handle top-pairing minutes. Ian Cole and Jon Merrill too.
Noah Hanifin is probably the most attractive option at defense for the Bruins to pursue, but Carolina would most likely want Pastrnak in return which the Bruins do not do.
Long story short, the Bruins need a top 3 LD, and it's been a need for a while. With that said, unless a team who has someone like Lindholm available due to the expansion draft and wouldn't mind a king's ransom of picks and prospects, I would prefer the Bruins stay put on defense. There's no need to sign or trade for a bottom-pairing LD when the Bruins already have options there (Zboril/Lauzon/Grzelcyk/O'Gara/Morrow/etc.). That's why I think it is more likely to target a 2nd line LW to improve the roster:
Marchand - Bergeron - Bjork
Trade - Krejci - Pastrnak
DeBrusk - JFK - Backes
Kuraly - Nash - Acciari
Krug - McAvoy
Chara - Carlo
Prospect - Kevan Miller/McQuaid
wintersej
Registered User
^^^ you think they protect Scandella over Brodin?
I'm assuming they protect Suter/Brodin/Spurgeon and lose Scandella or Dumba to Vegas. If its Scandella to Vegas, I bet Vegas would be interested in some of the futures Boston could provide.
I'm assuming they protect Suter/Brodin/Spurgeon and lose Scandella or Dumba to Vegas. If its Scandella to Vegas, I bet Vegas would be interested in some of the futures Boston could provide.
Absurdity
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I've seen MIN fans speculate that they could leave Brodin + Dumba exposed or Scandella + Dumba exposed. In my opinion, I think Scandella is better than Brodin. I don't think MIN would be interested in trading either Brodin or Scandella, depending on who they expose, prior to the expansion draft though. It sure seems that way from a MIN fans anyways.
I never thought about the possibility of the Bruins trading for Brodin/Scandella once one of them is claimed by Vegas. That's a pretty cool idea. The Bruins could always reach out to Vegas and ask them to claim one of Brodin/Scandella so they can make a trade for one of them. Maybe offer Spooner, who they have interest in, as a sweetener to the trade if they do so
. In my opinion, it's probably the Bruins' best shot at getting a top 3D.
LouJersey
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bb_fan
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s3antana5757
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Should definitely be staying away from all those FAs.
I think the expansion draft opens up some possibilities. A team like Minnesota or Anaheim are going to have problems protecting all the guys they need to protect. Should definitely be calling asking about Lindholm, Fowler, Brodin, etc.
Keep in mind too, Boston doesn't really a 7th forward to protect. Would make plenty of sense for them to add a LW.
neelynugs
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I've seen MIN fans speculate that they could leave Brodin + Dumba exposed or Scandella + Dumba exposed. In my opinion, I think Scandella is better than Brodin. I don't think MIN would be interested in trading either Brodin or Scandella, depending on who they expose, prior to the expansion draft though. It sure seems that way from a MIN fans anyways.
I never thought about the possibility of the Bruins trading for Brodin/Scandella once one of them is claimed by Vegas. That's a pretty cool idea. The Bruins could always reach out to Vegas and ask them to claim one of Brodin/Scandella so they can make a trade for one of them. Maybe offer Spooner, who they have interest in, as a sweetener to the trade if they do so
another one of the ideas was they protect dumba since they don't really have anyone close to replacing his role as a righty...and if they lose one of scandella or brodin, that cuts off 4M from their cap.
wintersej
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Absurdity
light switch connoisseur
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Minnesota sure could use that cap space. It'll be interesting to see what happens at/until the expansion draft.
McAvoy was paired with Grzelcyk at BU who plays a very similar game to Krug. I don't watch BU hockey, but if that pairing worked well, it could give us some insight as to how a Krug - McAvoy pairing could potentially work in the NHL. That pairing may be an issue defensively but both Krug and McAvoy are capable of carrying the puck out of their own zone and McAvoy will only get better as time goes on.
GloveSave1
*** 15 ***
Are the Bruins really in a money pinch? Doesn't seem so...with Chara coming way down, and all. Sometimes there's a window when you can afford something like that for a year or two.
Spending a bit top to bottom on D sounds like a nice luxury. It's not like there aren't plenty of cheap kids leveling it out.
Replacing McQuaid with a kid adds on a few more bucks saved. I don't see a good reason to keep him around outside of his physical prowess...I'd def keep Kevan over him. Just looking at it...and really surprised Haggs and I are somewhat on the same page...not good...haha...
Krug/Carlo
Chara/McAvoy
*some kid*/K.Miller
I don't see anywhere I want McQuaid.
Should still leave money for a forward splurge, I'm guessing.
Jdavidev
Registered User
With Vatrano, Cehlarik, Debrusk, Heinen, & maybe even Gabrielle fighting for two LW spots, I think that position is covered for next fall (assuming they can't move Beleskey). And unless Bjork signs and plays RW, they only have Backes and Pastrnak for RW. They need a filler RW for the next two years that can score more than an established LW. Someone like P. Eaves. Then mix in Senyshyn after getting some AHL over the next two seasons.
Now, if they can move Beleskey, then maybe they can fill that $$ and spot with a more established LW like Landeskog (but I feel with them missing out of Patrick/Hirschier, their ask for Landy or Duchene will be astronomical now).
Now, if they can move Beleskey, then maybe they can fill that $$ and spot with a more established LW like Landeskog (but I feel with them missing out of Patrick/Hirschier, their ask for Landy or Duchene will be astronomical now).
Tim Vezina Thomas
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Landeskog should be Sweeneys top priority if Sakic is ok without Carlo/McAvoy in the deal. I'd even overpay if that was the case.
But in reality I think a top four LHD would be a luxury. Chara/Krug with McAvoy and Carlo on the right side is more than adequate for a playoff team. When you add in the possibility of O'Gara taking over 3rd pairing, and Zboril/Lauzon (with Lindgren in the coming years) a possibility, I'm not overanxious at acquiring a LHD.
But in reality I think a top four LHD would be a luxury. Chara/Krug with McAvoy and Carlo on the right side is more than adequate for a playoff team. When you add in the possibility of O'Gara taking over 3rd pairing, and Zboril/Lauzon (with Lindgren in the coming years) a possibility, I'm not overanxious at acquiring a LHD.
Krupp
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Here's what I'm wondering about: If you're looking to bolster scoring, then, outside of Pasta, how is the RW situation not as big a problem as the LW situation?
Wouldn't it be fairer to say that, in general, a whole bevy of higher quality forwards are just needed right now?
Wouldn't it be fairer to say that, in general, a whole bevy of higher quality forwards are just needed right now?
Estlin
Registered User
What do you see in Landeskog that would make it worthwhile for Boston to overpay to acquire him? He is trending downward statistically and basically quit on his team last season, failing to show leadership becoming of a captain. If I were Sweeney, I'd definitely look elsewhere.
The RW situation is definitely worse than that of LW for Boston. The Bruins are flush with LW players and prospects. On the right, aside from Pastrnak and Senyshyn, there is no right-shooting RW who is on the horizon.
It would be great to see Debrusk and Heinen make the roster out of camp next year. The former could be Krejci's LW, while the latter could be the third-line LW (or RW, given that he's played that side before).
