Player Discussion Marc McLaughlin

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Do these guys have it built into their contracts that they have to play a certain number of games in the NHL when they sign? Not that he hasn’t earned a spot here at this point but he does have games where he’ll get benched and play very little compared to the normal 3/4 lines that we have become used to.
 
Do these guys have it built into their contracts that they have to play a certain number of games in the NHL when they sign? Not that he hasn’t earned a spot here at this point but he does have games where he’ll get benched and play very little compared to the normal 3/4 lines that we have become used to.

Since his debut, his ATOI at 5v5 is on par with the rest of the 4th line over the same timeframe:

Foligno - 9:43
McLaughlin - 9:51
Lazar - 9:57
Nosek - 10:00
 
Do these guys have it built into their contracts that they have to play a certain number of games in the NHL when they sign? Not that he hasn’t earned a spot here at this point but he does have games where he’ll get benched and play very little compared to the normal 3/4 lines that we have become used to.

No. I guess maybe he could have signed and ATO and a NHL contract for next year, but basically when the Bruins signed him to a contract for this year and next things were basically set. No one would ever put into a contract an agreement on the number of games a player would play. There are potential bonuses for being top 6 in ice time on a team, but that requires far more games played than a late college signee could ever get to
 
notice him every game whether he scores or not, can`t ask much more from a kid who jumps into a lineup late in the season like he has, love the effort level every shift

He skates like Craig Smith does but at like .75 the speed.

Hustle, stick, and effort is always there.
 
I like the player but honestly I see another 4th liner grinder type who can play up on occasion, kind of like Lazar, Nosek, and this year's Nick Foligno. He'll probably be good enough to replace Lazar on a cheaper cap hit, as I'm assuming Lazar will have priced himself out of Boston this coming offseason. I don't see him as a Smith replacement at all.
 
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I like the player but honestly I see another 4th liner grinder type who can play up on occasion, kind of like Lazar, Nosek, and this year's Nick Foligno. He'll probably be good enough to replace Lazar on a cheaper cap hit, as I'm assuming Lazar will have priced himself out of Boston this coming offseason. I don't see him as a Smith replacement at all.

I can see this- but Lazar brings the bang that I have not seen out of McLaughlin. As it stands right now, and it could change, if McL replaces Lazar on the 4th line it's a net loss for the Bruins. Unless Sweeney (and Bruce) look to do a 4th line built around more offense?
 
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This guy is still new to the team and hasnt looked out of place. He even already scored some goals. I would wait until he at least had one training camp with the team to declare that he is a fourth line player.
 
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He definitely has made a case to be an option next season. There is zero reason to go out and sign any overpriced 4th liners next year. I would only entertain a tough player type (once again, wouldn’t overpay).

I’d like to buy out Foligno, re-sign Lazar if he comes cheap — walk if not. Re-sign Blidh as the extra. Let:

McLaughlin, Blidh, Lazar (if he re-signs), Nosek, Lauko, Studnicka, etc. battle it out for 4th line spots.
 
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He definitely has made a case to be an option next season. There is zero reason to go out and sign any overpriced 4th liners next year. I would only entertain a tough player type (once again, wouldn’t overpay).

I’d like to buy out Foligno, re-sign Lazar if he comes cheap — walk if not. Re-sign Blidh as the extra. Let:

McLaughlin, Blidh, Lazar (if he re-signs), Nosek, Lauko, Studnicka, etc. battle it out for 4th line spots.

I think Lazar and Blidh price themselves out. No sense in clogging up roster spots when we have young players waiting. Deadline deals for 4th liners are easy enough to come by if NONE of the kids stick.
 
I think Lazar and Blidh price themselves out. No sense in clogging up roster spots when we have young players waiting. Deadline deals for 4th liners are easy enough to come by if NONE of the kids stick.

I guess it will come down to what kind of identity the Bruins are wanting for that 4th line. If they are willing to go young and more on the skill/speed size instead of grindy/defense first, then yeah, Lazar, Blidh walk, Foligno gets bought out and you can try Studnicka, McLaughlin, Steen etc. for that line. Nosek probably has a job there, whatever happens- they like him.
 
I think Lazar and Blidh price themselves out. No sense in clogging up roster spots when we have young players waiting. Deadline deals for 4th liners are easy enough to come by if NONE of the kids stick.

If I'm Blidh and I'm busting my ass night in and night out to only have a slower Nick Foligno take my spot just because he's paid nearly 4M, I would probably go look for a spot somewhere else.
 
I envision next years 4th line as

Nosek McLaughlin Steen

Folingo- Buyout
Lazar- leaves he will be way overpaid by another team
Blidh- leaves for full time job
 
I envision next years 4th line as

Nosek McLaughlin Steen

Folingo- Buyout
Lazar- leaves he will be way overpaid by another team
Blidh- leaves for full time job

If they plan to buyout Foligno then why wouldn't they (Sweeney Co.) tell Blidh that the 4LW spot will be open and then retain him?
 
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If they plan to buyout Foligno then why wouldn't they (Sweeney Co.) tell Blidh that the 4LW spot will be open and then retain him?

If they are content to let Steen/McLaughlin fight it out for the right side, they could. Nosek is a lock for a spot either at C or LW. If I am Blidh, I might consider walking to a team where he is going to play nightly. He has nothing more to prove or earn in Boston, so any situation in which he is not the starting 4LW next season might be enough to send him out the door.
 
I personally don't see why McLaughlin can't play 4C AND we keep Lazar. I think Lazar is a guy to keep and sure, he may be a bit higher priced on his next contract, but sometimes you need to pay the raise for guys who fit a clear role and need. Think about how lost the 4th line had been after Acciari left, and all it would have cost is 1.6 mil to keep him.

To me Nosek is the odd man out, I believe his skillset is most replaceable as a team/unit. We're probably stuck with Foligno on the 4th line unless they buy him out.
 
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If they are content to let Steen/McLaughlin fight it out for the right side, they could. Nosek is a lock for a spot either at C or LW. If I am Blidh, I might consider walking to a team where he is going to play nightly. He has nothing more to prove or earn in Boston, so any situation in which he is not the starting 4LW next season might be enough to send him out the door.

Don't see Nosek moving to LW. He's strong in the dot, which is key for guys who are deployed mostly in their own zone. Personally, I like Blidh and his game, but if he leaves via FA I won't lose sleep over it.
 
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I personally don't see why McLaughlin can't play 4C AND we keep Lazar. I think Lazar is a guy to keep and sure, he may be a bit higher priced on his next contract, but sometimes you need to pay the raise for guys who fit a clear role and need. Think about how lost the 4th line had been after Acciari left, and all it would have cost is 1.6 mil to keep him.

To me Nosek is the odd man out, I believe his skillset is most replaceable as a team/unit. We're probably stuck with Foligno on the 4th line unless they buy him out.

Top Bruins forward in PK TOI/GP
Positive metrics despite the 2nd lowest ozS%
53% in the dot

I don't think it's as easy as you think to replace that.
 
We’ll see what happens. Don’t worry about it. Some of it is contract and some is that he’s doing good.
 
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