Boston Bruins Off Season Roster/ Cap Discussion II

[Coach Parker]

Just some thinking out loud/food for thought here…

I like Zacha and my sentiment the past couple months I that I would prefer to keep him, as his value and versatility here probably surpasses the cost of his replacement.

That said, Zacha looked more lost/floater not playing with Pasta, and it’s possible we have already seen his career highs in Boston barring an incoming very capable 2c alongside great 2RW (not likely). There are scenarios out there where he could even be pushed to 3c. I don’t have strong confidence in production from a Zacha-Mitts-Boeser line at the moment. You guys know I’d much rather move Mittelstadt but not sure Sweeney wants to sell low on him, and would rather improve his stock first.

If you were to sell high, how and where do you move him? What players realistically could we look for in return with a package centered around him and Torontos 2026 1st+ or a 2027 1st?

I honestly am with you on Zacha. His playoff numbers have always been so bad that I can't consider him a top 6 talent when it actually matters.

Playoffs: 25 Games, 1 Goal, 11 Assists

Those are 4th liner numbers in the playoffs

 

[Absurdity]

Just some thinking out loud/food for thought here…

I like Zacha and my sentiment the past couple months I that I would prefer to keep him, as his value and versatility here probably surpasses the cost of his replacement.

That said, Zacha looked more lost/floater not playing with Pasta, and it’s possible we have already seen his career highs in Boston barring an incoming very capable 2c alongside great 2RW (not likely). There are scenarios out there where he could even be pushed to 3c. I don’t have strong confidence in production from a Zacha-Mitts-Boeser line at the moment. You guys know I’d much rather move Mittelstadt but not sure Sweeney wants to sell low on him, and would rather improve his stock first.

If you were to sell high, how and where do you move him? What players realistically could we look for in return with a package centered around him and Torontos 2026 1st+ or a 2027 1st?

I think he is what he is at this point. He's a consistent 50+ point producer with a good two-way game. His numbers haven't really improved from playing with Krejci to Pastrnak so it seems like he doesn't have that next gear like Geekie surprisingly has shown. His playoff numbers also aren't the greatest.

I would prefer they package him for a scoring winger. Thing is, Pastrnak likes him and @DKH says the Bruins really like him. He doesn't hurt the team, but it does raise some questions what the Bruins will do with the amount of centers on the team and prospects like Poitras and Minten looking to make the roster next season.

 

[pucksindeep92]

I honestly am with you on Zacha. His playoff numbers have always been so bad that I can't consider him a top 6 talent when it actually matters.

Playoffs: 25 Games, 1 Goal, 11 Assists

Those are 4th liner numbers in the playoffs

You think .5 ppg is 4th line production?

 

[pucksindeep92]

I think he is what he is at this point. He's a consistent 50+ point producer with a good two-way game. His numbers haven't really improved from playing with Krejci to Pastrnak so it seems like he doesn't have that next gear like Geekie surprisingly has shown. His playoff numbers also aren't the greatest.

I would prefer they package him for a scoring winger. Thing is, Pastrnak likes him and @DKH says the Bruins really like him. He doesn't hurt the team, but it does raise some questions what the Bruins will do with the amount of centers on the team and prospects like Poitras and Minten looking to make the roster next season.

Fully worry about how Pasta would feel. FWIW I would happily have him here for years to come to stabilize the 3rd line if we had that luxury. The fact that we can slot him on left wing and take faceoffs when needed is also reassuring while those young centers are growing. He’s a solid role player. I think going top heavy talent acquisition/signings is the move for the next two seasons. I don’t see moving him as a solution, but rather merely an option. We just don’t have many trade chips otherwise.

 

[BruinsJoe]

Just some thinking out loud/food for thought here…

I like Zacha and my sentiment the past couple months I that I would prefer to keep him, as his value and versatility here probably surpasses the cost of his replacement.

That said, Zacha looked more lost/floater not playing with Pasta, and it’s possible we have already seen his career highs in Boston barring an incoming very capable 2c alongside great 2RW (not likely). There are scenarios out there where he could even be pushed to 3c. I don’t have strong confidence in production from a Zacha-Mitts-Boeser line at the moment. You guys know I’d much rather move Mittelstadt but not sure Sweeney wants to sell low on him, and would rather improve his stock first.

If you were to sell high, how and where do you move him? What players realistically could we look for in return with a package centered around him and Torontos 2026 1st+ or a 2027 1st?

IMO the guy Bs should target is EP40. Does Zacha + Poitras or Lohrei + Lysell + STL_2025 2nd + BOS_2026 1st (top 10 protected) Get this done?

 

[Number8]

Everyone is different. Even professional athletes.

Agreed.

Always amazes me that players with literally elite talent (any NHL player is at the very very top of the pyramid - regardless of what their career results in) struggle with perceived effort. Maybe it’s confidence.

But as you say, people are different. I guess it’s why the ones “who have it all” are in rarified air.

 

[LJReborn]

Not sure it's zero. Neither Sweeney nor Neely has, to my knowledge, ever coached a game of hockey at any level. And between the local snark merchants and Canadian media who at times have had a hard on for the Bruins, there would be no small cajoling for Claude, Cassidy or Montgomery to feed a little fuel into the machine. Not one of the three of them has ever said, "Boo."

It could have happened - one or both could have discussed the roster or strong armed changes. But it ain't a certainty.

Once the game starts it's on the coach, In the days leading up to game 7 well they should fire themselves if they had zero input. Now, they maybe have said Bruce had last say, but they have to have a say as would every management group in the NHL I would think

 

[GordonHowe]

Feel like Chicago wouldn’t mind Mittelstadt for a 3rd/4th…maybe you can add Peeke to solidify it. Impactful only through the space you gain.

Though he will score a significant payday, I would resign the Geek.

He is versatile, obviously benefits from playing with Pasta (they seemed to find good chemistry with Lindholm at season's end as well), and it's unlikely Boston
would find greater value one for one via trade.

It ain't broke.

Don't fix it.

 

[GordonHowe]

You can't move on from Poitras, Lysell and Marat IMO. Need to see them play. I don't have any interest in spending alot of money for maybe one round won. Build this the right way.

It's just a different opinion as your team would be built for quick success

I am reluctant to part with Mathew. He has rebounded nicely with the PBs after getting yanked up and down by management.

He could well become a third line center solution going forward.

I would rid myself of Lysell forthwith.

A bag of pucks will do.

 

[GordonHowe]

It seems it has to be a sort of mix of the two; Boston is now going to emerge as a cap-ceiling team as many teams will choose NOT to spend to these new cap heights. Boston will be able to do so and use it to their advantage.

Now they can spend on 1-2 free agents again (a winger like Ehlers and Marchand) while putting them with a center prospect like Poitras. That may be the sweet middle ground the Bruins can play.

Then draft the 7th overall and hope he is ready to replace Zacha/Mittelstadt in the 2026-2027 season going into the playoffs.

For various reasons, at this point I do not see Brad returning to Boston.

He fits perfectly in FLA, surrounded by exceptional talent, depth, coaching and management. He has a legitimate chance to win another Cup, and play out his career on a winning team with a winning culture.

Consider the Bruins under the present regime.

Do they any of those boxes?

No.

No they don't.

 

[wintersej]

IMO the guy Bs should target is EP40. Does Zacha + Poitras or Lohrei + Lysell + STL_2025 2nd + BOS_2026 1st (top 10 protected) Get this done?

Needs to include the 2025 1st

 

[BruinsJoe]

Needs to include the 2025 1st

Yes realisticly i think too...so

Zacha
Poitras
BOS 2025 1st
BOS 2025 1st top 10 protected

For EP40...

 

[Bruin4]

Yes realisticly i think too...so

Zacha
Poitras
BOS 2025 1st
BOS 2025 1st top 10 protected

For EP40...

So it’s Poitras and Zacha for EP40 ?
Done !

 

[GordonHowe]

I think he is what he is at this point. He's a consistent 50+ point producer with a good two-way game. His numbers haven't really improved from playing with Krejci to Pastrnak so it seems like he doesn't have that next gear like Geekie surprisingly has shown. His playoff numbers also aren't the greatest.

I would prefer they package him for a scoring winger. Thing is, Pastrnak likes him and @DKH says the Bruins really like him. He doesn't hurt the team, but it does raise some questions what the Bruins will do with the amount of centers on the team and prospects like Poitras and Minten looking to make the roster next season.

He is a third line center. Or perhaps on the second line wing.

No more.

I would find a deal at all possible.

 

[The don godfather]

Lysell value going down. He was non existent against checkers.

 

[Fenian24]

I would be weary of Petterson. They are suppose to interview Tocchet, see what he thinks of him. I have mentioned this before but they need to see if Miller was the problem in Vancouver or if it was Petterson. If Miller was "too intense" and Vancouver dealt him i would stay far away from Petterson.

He is a very talented player who is under performing and getting an idea of why before any trade should be the first step.

 

[Gordoff]

I strongly disagree about 2019. 2019 they made it as far as they did despite Sweeney failing to put together a complete roster.

I think it’s why he sacrificed so much in 2023 to ensure he didn’t leave any holes again.

Except for that one BIG hole behind the bench.

 

[RoccoF14]

Are you really going to bitch about this without actually engaging in the conversation at all? Without addressing a single point made?

Outrage! Blasphemy! Horsepiss!!

The statement was made that Sweeney did “everything he could” in 2019. I disagreed with that statement. “Everything he could” wouldn’t have had two otherwise healthy scratches as a rotating “best” option on the second line. Or rookie Clifton having to suit up for almost the entire postseason with a dozen NHL games on his resume.

You want to disagree with those statements, have at ‘er. I’m open to that conversation. I have civil debates with people who disagree with me ALL THE TIME. You want to ride in here on your high horse and your false outrage? I’ll leave it to your imagination where you believe I think you can shove it.

He put together a roster that had the second best record in the NHL.

He added Marcus Johansson and Charlie Coyle at the deadline. 2 players who had a positive impact in the post season.

He won the freakin' Jim Gregory award in 2019 for GM of the Year.

There's NOTHING to debate here. Those are all facts.

Could he have done more? I guess so, if you wanna play Monday Morning Quarterback....but at the time, that roster was more than capable of winning a Cup. When does the accountability finally shift from the GM to the players and coaching staff?

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

There's NOTHING to debate here.

Then why respond, champ?

Why bother if you’re just going to completely ignore what was said?

Waste of time and words.

 

[8Neely8]

I would be weary of Petterson. They are suppose to interview Tocchet, see what he thinks of him. I have mentioned this before but they need to see if Miller was the problem in Vancouver or if it was Petterson. If Miller was "too intense" and Vancouver dealt him i would stay far away from Petterson.

He is a very talented player who is under performing and getting an idea of why before any trade should be the first step.

Agreed. From all accounts that I’ve read/heard about, EP40 has baggage that I don’t want anywhere near the bruins.

 

[8Neely8]

IMO the guy Bs should target is EP40. Does Zacha + Poitras or Lohrei + Lysell + STL_2025 2nd + BOS_2026 1st (top 10 protected) Get this done?

No thanks…everyone knows that Van’s locker room has been toxic this year and with JT Miller and now Q Hugh’s wanting to get shipped out, something tells me that the root cause of that dysfunctional locker room revolves around EP40…hard pass

 

[Sevendust]

Totally agree that the error of not playing Backes in game 7 was definitely consequential.

People would say Cassidy f***ed it up in pulling Kuhlman after his game 6 goal if they would have lost with Backes in game 7.

Sweeney failing to find a rw for Krejci for years is the subsidantial mistake that cost them the Cup.

 

[Ozzy Osbourne]

I don't see it.

You're talking about a 4th line player making a difference in a game the Bruins were never in.

Backes was never a difference maker for us. He was owed nothing by this organization including the opportunity to play in game seven. Dumb signing in the first place and it hadn’t aged better by game seven in 2019.
As much as I disliked Cassidy, I don’t blame him for sitting the corpse of David Backes.

 

[bruins19]

People would say Cassidy f***ed it up in pulling Kuhlman after his game 6 goal if they would have lost with Backes in game 7.

Sweeney failing to find a rw for Krejci for years is the subsidantial mistake that cost them the Cup.

Backes had something to prove against his former team and was embarrassed by being scratched earlier in the series. I think he would have played like a man possessed and his potential top end for that game would have helped. Speculation, I know, but I would have put him in. Agree on the need for Sweeney to find a Krecji replacement.

 

[LJReborn]

I am reluctant to part with Mathew. He has rebounded nicely with the PBs after getting yanked up and down by management.

He could well become a third line center solution going forward.

I would rid myself of Lysell forthwith.

A bag of pucks will do.

What screamed "I need to get rid of Lysell for a bag of pucks" about his most recent call up? I think your dislike of the player is really affecting your judgement.