Boston Bruins Off Season Roster/ Cap Discussion II

[BruinsFanMike82]

Some (not particularly well-organized) thoughts...

As far as UFAs,
Top-6 Wings - with projected contracts (sorted by age at end of next contract):

Brad Marchand - 2yrs @ $5.1M AAV (through age 39)
Matt Duchene - 3yrs @ 7.1 (37)
Patrick Kane - 1yr @ 3.5 (37)
Mitch Marner - 7yrs @ 13.0 (35)
Nikolaj Ehlers - 6yrs @ 8.1 (35)
Mikael Granlund - 2yrs @ 5.0 (35)
Brock Boeser - 6yrs @ 8.5 (34)
Jonathan Drouin - 3yrs @ 5.0 (33)


Who fits best?

I think I'd stay away from Duchene and Kane due to age. Marchand gets some extra rope due to familiarity. Also, I think Marner's cost is prohibitive to the Bruins.

I guess my short list consists of: Marchand, Ehlers, Granlund, Boeser and Drouin.

I think Ehlers may be the most talented of the bunch, but his career playoff struggles are a bit concerning.

Ehlers, Boeser and Granlund would all be upgrades on the Powerplay.

Taking all factors into account, I'd rank them:

1. Ehlers
2. Marchand
3. Boeser
4. Granlund
5. Drouin

 

[pucksindeep92]

Get Roslo at 3/12.5 for 2rw

Would be great on 3rd line, you know exactly what you’ll get from his floor. I really hope we bring him in for under 4per. Becomes a good bargain depth fit if you move mitts or Zacha but still need some reliability in the middle 6.

 

[The don godfather]

I'd take granlund. He keeps producing points.

 

[PatriceBergeronFan]

I like Bennett, but Knies all day every day.

Neither at their next contracts.

Neither will remotely earn the contracts.

 

[quietbruinfan]

It is a terribly unappealing group of free agents.
Marchand: NO, he is fine and playing the right role in FLA. He should stay there.
Knies: will cost a high first, no thanks.
Duschene: maybe, but he is a pill, and was terrible on his last bad team, Ott.

I think they should sign the best available defenseman, and then sit out free agency.

 

[bme44]

It is a terribly unappealing group of free agents.
Marchand: NO, he is fine and playing the right role in FLA. He should stay there.
Knies: will cost a high first, no thanks.
Duschene: maybe, but he is a pill, and was terrible on his last bad team, Ott.

I think they should sign the best available defenseman, and then sit out free agency.

I agree with you on all of the above:

Knies : he is to valuable to the Leafs for them to not re-sign him

Marchand; Love the player but age and injuries are starting to show buyer beware .certainly nothing longer than a two year contract

Rfa's : teams are not likely to re-sign yes explore

IMO ; This team is far more than a Free Agent away from a true contender next season

 

[Fenian24]

I didn't know the KHL had a Hall of Fame.

 

[Fenian24]

What I'm saying is at 22 no one knew that Marchand would have a HOF career. Just like Lysell no ones knows what kinda career he is going to have.

Marchand put in a full effort every night, was not lazy or a malcontent. Lysell is lazy, soft and rarely puts in a full effort. If he is so great why did he get scratched from a deciding game 4 in the AHL?

 

[Fenian24]

It is a terribly unappealing group of free agents.
Marchand: NO, he is fine and playing the right role in FLA. He should stay there.
Knies: will cost a high first, no thanks.
Duschene: maybe, but he is a pill, and was terrible on his last bad team, Ott.

I think they should sign the best available defenseman, and then sit out free agency.

So pass on the 23 year old 29 goal scorer in Knies and hope your lottery ticket next year get you a physical 30 goal scorer? Makes sense.

 

[PlayMakers]

I wonder if there will be a surprise group of non-tendered players this year, or if that development was mostly due to the flat cap. I'd like to see them go after someone like that for 3RW, that's how we got Geekie, but I don't know if we'll actually see those types of guys hit the market.

 

[quietbruinfan]

So pass on the 23 year old 29 goal scorer in Knies and hope your lottery ticket next year get you a physical 30 goal scorer? Makes sense.

A high first next year figures to be better than that.

 

[Bruin4]

A high first next year figures to be better than that.

With Knies on board it may not be so high. The kids a player and with the Leafs losing him it just may make their first pick drop a few slots as well, which the Bruins own.

I admit its a tough call, Id just as soon see them sign Marner, only cost there is cap, and the Leafs are sure to fall next year without him, and with no-first.

 

[wintersej]

Some (not particularly well-organized) thoughts...

As far as UFAs,
Top-6 Wings - with projected contracts (sorted by age at end of next contract):

Brad Marchand - 2yrs @ $5.1M AAV (through age 39)
Matt Duchene - 3yrs @ 7.1 (37)
Patrick Kane - 1yr @ 3.5 (37)
Mitch Marner - 7yrs @ 13.0 (35)
Nikolaj Ehlers - 6yrs @ 8.1 (35)
Mikael Granlund - 2yrs @ 5.0 (35)
Brock Boeser - 6yrs @ 8.5 (34)
Jonathan Drouin - 3yrs @ 5.0 (33)


Who fits best?

I think I'd stay away from Duchene and Kane due to age. Marchand gets some extra rope due to familiarity. Also, I think Marner's cost is prohibitive to the Bruins.

I guess my short list consists of: Marchand, Ehlers, Granlund, Boeser and Drouin.

I think Ehlers may be the most talented of the bunch, but his career playoff struggles are a bit concerning.

Ehlers, Boeser and Granlund would all be upgrades on the Powerplay.

Taking all factors into account, I'd rank them:

1. Ehlers
2. Marchand
3. Boeser
4. Granlund
5. Drouin

When you look at the UFA class, it makes Zibby look more attractive, even if unexciting.

 

[Fenian24]

A high first next year figures to be better than that.

It won't be a high first though. You know the mandate from Jacobs is to make the playoffs so you are looking low 20's. I would take a player like Knies over that pick all day long but it is two different ways of looking at how to build a team. I like sure things and established players over picks. I'm not saying trade a first for Kreider but a young scrappy 30 goal scorer I would move a first all day long.

 

[PlayMakers]

This is how I see the team and the options for this re-tool...

Geekie - Elias - Pasta
#2LW - Mitts* - #2RW
Khusy - Zacha - #3RW
#4LW - #4C - Kastelic

Hampus - McAvoy
Zadorov - #4RD
Lohrei - Peeke

*I think Mittelstadt is a placeholder for whoever we draft 7th overall. His contract gives that young player some runway to make the NHL on his own timetable.

#2LW Candidates
Marchand - Upside: Shorter term and lower money than other top6 UFA's allows you to spend more elsewhere. He's still a warrior and a fan favorite. Downside: is it really a re-set if you bring everyone back?

Ehlers - Upside: Speed, puck carrier, play driver, 29 years old. Downside: 29 becomes 30 very fast. Injuries. Before this year he wasn't a big playoff producer.

Marchment - The Bruins would have to trade for him, but DAL is going to be forced to unload some players and his name is at the top of most fan lists. Upside: Big, fast, physical and a low cap hit at $4.5m. Downside: Only 1 year left on his deal and we don't have a lot of assets to aquire him.


#2RW Candidates
Marner - Upside: One of the best offensive players in the game. Is a ppg player in the playoffs and has 12 in 10 games this year. He's only 26. Downside: He's a long shot at best to sign here. Better teams with better 2C's will be after him. The bag of cash it would take to get him means filling all other holes with ELC's (whether they're ready or not. i.e. Minten-Mittelstadt-Marner?

Boeser - Upside: He's a legitimate goal scorer, he has a 40g season under his belt and has averaged 30 goals per 82 games over his career. Scored at a 31 goal pace in the playoffs so far. Downside: Not a play driver, he needs someone to get him the puck. Not a leader either. Expensive complimentary player.
Marchand-Mittelstadt -Boeser?

Palmieri - Upside: He continues to score goals. He is a leader. He could be cheap and short term. Downside: Old. Not sure why he'd sign here.
Ehlers - Mittelstadt - Palmieri?

#3RW Candidates
Poitras - I don't love playing him at RW, and I would like to see him put up 12 points in 6 games before getting called up... but he has a real shot at that spot.
Lysell - Based on his AHL playoff I think it's more likely he's traded (Marchment?) than on the opening day roster.
Roslovic - Can they afford to spend $4m on a 3rd liner? Downside with him is that he disappears for months at a time.
Gaudette - Had 19 goals last year. Local kid, maybe that entices him to sign here. Buyer beware.

#4C Candidates
Kunin - An expensive 4C at $1.7, but he scores goals and hits.
Minten - Good size and two-way game. Starting him on the 4th line isn't ideal, but Marchand started there and he turned out ok.
Beecher - The Devil you know.

#4LW Candidates
Koepke - He was good. He scored some goals. Led the forwards in plus/minus. Has speed. Had chemistry with Kastelic. I'd take him back.
Lauko - I think he's more limited than Koepke, but he brings speed and energy and is great for the room.

#4RD Candidates
Fabbro - Probably my top choice. Played at BU with McAvoy. Scored 9 goals. May be a bit too pricey.
Jokiharju - Second choice. He's only 25. He well for played for Finland at 4Nations. He played extremely well here for 18 games, playing over 21 mins a night and posting a +7. Would like to see more production from him, but he worked well with Zadorov which has value in and of itself.
Ceci - He's in the same range (as Fabbro) in terms of price, playing time and production. Seems like a long shot to sign here but you never know. Has some offense to his game.

I left off guys like Ekblad and Gavrikov because they are going to cost too much and would prevent us from signing two top6 wingers.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

It won't be a high first though. You know the mandate from Jacobs is to make the playoffs so you are looking low 20's. I would take a player like Knies over that pick all day long but it is two different ways of looking at how to build a team. I like sure things and established players over picks. I'm not saying trade a first for Kreider but a young scrappy 30 goal scorer I would move a first all day long.

I get a kick out of this kind of thinking.

Jacobs wants to make the playoffs, so that means it will just happen?

Wonder why other owners don't just make it a mandate to make the playoffs.

 

[PlayMakers]

The models say this team projects to 96 points.

Geekie - Elias - Pasta
Marchy - Mitts - Boeser
Khusy - Zacha - Poitras
Koepke - Minten - Kastelic

Hampus - McAvoy
Zadorov - Joker
Lohrei - Peeke

Swayman-Korpisalo

Who's got the over? Who's got the under?

 

[Patdud]

This is how I see the team and the options for this re-tool...

Geekie - Elias - Pasta
#2LW - Mitts* - #2RW
Khusy - Zacha - #3RW
#4LW - #4C - Kastelic

Hampus - McAvoy
Zadorov - #4RD
Lohrei - Peeke

*I think Mittelstadt is a placeholder for whoever we draft 7th overall. His contract gives that young player some runway to make the NHL on his own timetable.

#2LW Candidates
Marchand - Upside: Shorter term and lower money than other top6 UFA's allows you to spend more elsewhere. He's still a warrior and a fan favorite. Downside: is it really a re-set if you bring everyone back?

Ehlers - Upside: Speed, puck carrier, play driver, 29 years old. Downside: 29 becomes 30 very fast. Injuries. Before this year he wasn't a big playoff producer.

Marchment - The Bruins would have to trade for him, but DAL is going to be forced to unload some players and his name is at the top of most fan lists. Upside: Big, fast, physical and a low cap hit at $4.5m. Downside: Only 1 year left on his deal and we don't have a lot of assets to aquire him.


#2RW Candidates
Marner - Upside: One of the best offensive players in the game. Is a ppg player in the playoffs and has 12 in 10 games this year. He's only 26. Downside: He's a long shot at best to sign here. Better teams with better 2C's will be after him. The bag of cash it would take to get him means filling all other holes with ELC's (whether they're ready or not. i.e. Minten-Mittelstadt-Marner?

Boeser - Upside: He's a legitimate goal scorer, he has a 40g season under his belt and has averaged 30 goals per 82 games over his career. Scored at a 31 goal pace in the playoffs so far. Downside: Not a play driver, he needs someone to get him the puck. Not a leader either. Expensive complimentary player.
Marchand-Mittelstadt -Boeser?

Palmieri - Upside: He continues to score goals. He is a leader. He could be cheap and short term. Downside: Old. Not sure why he'd sign here.
Ehlers - Mittelstadt - Palmieri?

#3RW Candidates
Poitras - I don't love playing him at RW, and I would like to see him put up 12 points in 6 games before getting called up... but he has a real shot at that spot.
Lysell - Based on his AHL playoff I think it's more likely he's traded (Marchment?) than on the opening day roster.
Roslovic - Can they afford to spend $4m on a 3rd liner? Downside with him is that he disappears for months at a time.
Gaudette - Had 19 goals last year. Local kid, maybe that entices him to sign here. Buyer beware.

#4C Candidates
Kunin - An expensive 4C at $1.7, but he scores goals and hits.
Minten - Good size and two-way game. Starting him on the 4th line isn't ideal, but Marchand started there and he turned out ok.
Beecher - The Devil you know.

#4LW Candidates
Koepke - He was good. He scored some goals. Led the forwards in plus/minus. Has speed. Had chemistry with Kastelic. I'd take him back.
Lauko - I think he's more limited than Koepke, but he brings speed and energy and is great for the room.
#4RD Candidates
Fabbro - Probably my top choice. Played at BU with McAvoy. Scored 9 goals. May be a bit too pricey.
Jokiharju - Second choice. He's only 25. He well for played for Finland at 4Nations. He played extremely well here for 18 games, playing over 21 mins a night and posting a +7. Would like to see more production from him, but he worked well with Zadorov which has value in and of itself.
Ceci - He's in the same range (as Fabbro) in terms of price, playing time and production. Seems like a long shot to sign here but you never know. Has some offense to his game.
I left off guys like Ekblad and Gavrikov because they are going to cost too much and would prevent us from signing two top6 wingers.

Geekie - Elias - Pasta
Marchment- Mitts* - Boeser
Marchand - Zacha - #3RW
Khusnutdinov- Minten - Kastelic

Hampus - McAvoy
Zadorov - Fabbro
Lohrei - Peeke



Biggest question mark for me is still what to do with 3RW, if Marchand is back hes 3LW, PP time no PK minutes.

 

[BruinDust]

The models say this team projects to 96 points.

Geekie - Elias - Pasta
Marchy - Mitts - Boeser
Khusy - Zacha - Poitras
Koepke - Minten - Kastelic

Hampus - McAvoy
Zadorov - Joker
Lohrei - Peeke

Swayman-Korpisalo

Who's got the over? Who's got the under?

I don't see how it's much different from last year's team pre-deadline. Improved yes, but marginally. Your only significant add is Boeser and he's a complimentary shooter, which is nice to have, but doesn't solve the problems with the forward group which is/was their major issue. Simply not built for success in today's fast chaotic game IMO.

 

[quietbruinfan]

It won't be a high first though. You know the mandate from Jacobs is to make the playoffs so you are looking low 20's. I would take a player like Knies over that pick all day long but it is two different ways of looking at how to build a team. I like sure things and established players over picks. I'm not saying trade a first for Kreider but a young scrappy 30 goal scorer I would move a first all day long.

I think you are being extremely optimistic this team is about four good players from a pick in the 20s.

 

[Over the volcano]

The models say this team projects to 96 points.

Geekie - Elias - Pasta
Marchy - Mitts - Boeser
Khusy - Zacha - Poitras
Koepke - Minten - Kastelic

Hampus - McAvoy
Zadorov - Joker
Lohrei - Peeke

Swayman-Korpisalo

Who's got the over? Who's got the under?

What models?
Who's Khusy?
Jokiharu on the 2nd pair frightens me.

 

[LJReborn]

I get a kick out of this kind of thinking.

Jacobs wants to make the playoffs, so that means it will just happen?

Wonder why other owners don't just make it a mandate to make the playoffs.

It's clearly the only standard he holds his GM's to unless they fight for power (chia) going off their 4 GM's in 50+ years with one Cup won.

 

[Fenian24]

I think you are being extremely optimistic this team is about four good players from a pick in the 20s.

I rarely get accused of being overly optimistic.

Geekie-Lindholm-Pasta
Knies-Mittlesadt-Boeser
Zacha-Bennett-Poitras
Lauko-Minten-Kastellic

Lindholm-McAvoy
Zadorov-Fabbro
Lohrei-Peeke
Swayman
Bussi/DiPietro

(Knies 6M, Boeser 8m, Bennett 6m, Fabbro 4m Back up goalie 1.25M)

Not going to make anyone forget the 88 Oilers but it's not bad

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

The models say this team projects to 96 points.

Geekie - Elias - Pasta
Marchy - Mitts - Boeser
Khusy - Zacha - Poitras
Koepke - Minten - Kastelic

Hampus - McAvoy
Zadorov - Joker
Lohrei - Peeke

Swayman-Korpisalo

Who's got the over? Who's got the under?

I have the over.

Both in points and the Cap.

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

I rarely get accused of being overly optimistic.

Geekie-Lindholm-Pasta
Knies-Mittlesadt-Boeser
Zacha-Bennett-Poitras
Lauko-Minten-Kastellic

Lindholm-McAvoy
Zadorov-Fabbro
Lohrei-Peeke
Swayman
Bussi/DiPietro

(Knies 6M, Boeser 8m, Bennett 6m, Fabbro 4m Back up goalie 1.25M)

Not going to make anyone forget the 88 Oilers but it's not bad

It’s not bad, but you are way over the cap.