Boston Bruins Off Season Roster/ Cap Discussion

[Hookslide]

Zacha, Mittelstadt, Poitras, Minten… gotta move on from one before the start of the year. Zacha is your best trade chip towards a bigger fish. Mittelstadt is the most worthless considering cap hit potentially needing retention, and the likelihood that he gets stuck with average at best wingers on the 3rd line which is somewhat worrisome. Though you could pump and dump Mitts in early winter when somebody’s 2nd/3rd line center goes down. Poitras needs to take a leap in development if you’re holding into him, and likely requires more formidable wingers/vets next to him (Zacha and Marner would be interesting) because I just can’t see him and Lysell on the same line at the moment, and he is too good for Providence. Minten seems like he could be a 3rd line guy for a solid few years with upside starting now and shouldn’t be held back on the 4th line.

Just feels like a trade is in the plans for Sweeney this summer …

Zacha would be a good trade chip like you indicated, but moving him might not be the wisest move. I am still on the fence with Mittlestadt, and was not even thinking his contract until you mentioned, so that might help me get on one side of the fence. I am on team Minten, really like this kid and hopefully I am right about him. Poitras, if the rest of the league feels like the Bruins fans feel about than he would bring something back, probably not alone, I do not hold him in high regard, just don't see what everyone else does. I agree with you on Marner, Zacha would complement him well, Zacha has frustrated me at times with his lack of scoring, but he is a good all-around hockey player, with a better contract than Mittlestatd . They have some work to do.

 

[Fingertools]

They absolutely need to get another experienced RD under contract this off-season, that much is certain. Right now it's McAvoy and Peeke and that's about it. So I think it's safe to assume someone will be brought in.

And given they just traded Carlo, I really doubt their intention is to turn around and spend a pile of young assets to bring in a legitimate Top 4 RD via trade. And they shouldn't, if they are going to spend any young assets it should be for forward help.

So if we assume a RD will be acquired, it will have to be via the UFA market.

Well, the RD UFA market is awful. This is the list:

Ekblad - Expensive, injury prone with a lot of milage. Likely wants term and probably north of 8 million per.

Burns - 40 years old and on his last legs

Fabbro - Recently acquired on waivers, was pretty good for CBJ.

Perbix - Currently TB 6th-7th D.

DeAngelo - 'nuff said

Savard - 34 year old defensive D.

Jokiharju - 26 this June, 400 NHL games under his belt.

Petry - 37 year old

Hamonic - 6th/7th D on Ottawa

The rest - DeSimone, Erik Johnson, Klingberg, Bortuzzo, Juulsen, Hakanpaa.

Is Jokiharju not the clear-cut best option out of this motley crew, given his age, experience, and they have gotten a chance to know him? To me he absolutely is and I hope they can find a way to extend him before free agency opens up. After him, the only guy on this list I'd consider is Fabbro. It's A or B for me.

I'm gunning for Vladislav Gavrikov and we know Sweeney tried to get him during their run 2 years ago - left hand shot but always plays the right side - hard to know what he's looking for as he's well paid in LA

 

[mar2kbos]

Unless they get a star guy just stand pat. They have more than enough guys that could round out 3 and 4 lines. It’s basically a whole second line they need. They need legit second liners. If you go get another tweener it will be no different than what they have

 

[pucksindeep92]

I’m a big Zacha fan so the return better be ass kicking

I agree, I hope he stays.. I just think his value is so high vs his production, it will be hard to get a return that’s truly worth it. Other teams might see that though if they are cap crunched and offer something nice because their hands are tied.

 

[EverettMike]

No better time to trade Zacha because no one's last memory of him of this season is going to be his annual "turn into a ghost" in the post-season act.

 

[Patdud]

No better time to trade Zacha because no one's last memory of him of this season is going to be his annual "turn into a ghost" in the post-season act.

problem with trading Zacha is that you just traded two of your best penalty killing forwards at C and LW, both positions Zacha can play. While im not an enormous fan, his production and versatility compared to his contract means you will likely lose that trade 9time out of 10 unless its part of some obscene package. In the Middlestadt or Zacha scenarios, I trade the new kid each time.

 

[AKL]

Wasn't sure where exactly to put this but I'm curious what you guys think of Marat now that you've been watching him for a little over a month? Both in terms of what he brought down the stretch and what you expect from him going forward. Role/performance/etc.

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

Wasn't sure where exactly to put this but I'm curious what you guys think of Marat now that you've been watching him for a little over a month? Both in terms of what he brought down the stretch and what you expect from him going forward. Role/performance/etc.

He’s diet Lauko. Lots of moving parts but really doesn’t accomplish much of anything.

 

[Hookslide]

No better time to trade Zacha because no one's last memory of him of this season is going to be his annual "turn into a ghost" in the post-season act.

What flavor of the month do you have in mind to replace him?

 

[pucksindeep92]

What flavor of the month do you have in mind to replace him?

4th line and 13th should be any combination of Duran, Kastelic, Farinacci, Marat, Kuntar, Bancroft and a depth FA. I’m also fine with signing one of Beecher/ Koepke to something around league minimum and likely waiving to PVD. I think it’s important to grab some FA’s like last year as they can be sold at the deadline like Max Jones and Brazzers if they do fine, and if not, they help fill space in PVD. Lauko had his shot, Marat is younger by a few years and could still progress. Minten is too skilled for 4th, and is likely on 3rd after camp, but helps create competition in bottom 6 either way.

 

[CDJ]

Wasn't sure where exactly to put this but I'm curious what you guys think of Marat now that you've been watching him for a little over a month? Both in terms of what he brought down the stretch and what you expect from him going forward. Role/performance/etc.

Fun little player, not sure what to make of his role going forward but I think he can carve out a bottom 6 spot. I think he’s feisty enough for it. Provides good speed and some skill

We haven’t had much in the way of bright spots and I wouldn’t necessarily call him that but he definitely intrigued (which is more than we can say about a lot of guys lol)

 

[SPV]

Wasn't sure where exactly to put this but I'm curious what you guys think of Marat now that you've been watching him for a little over a month? Both in terms of what he brought down the stretch and what you expect from him going forward. Role/performance/etc.

I think he looks good. He skates hard and has good hands. I’m hopeful he can be a good third line option next year.

 

[AKL]

He’s diet Lauko. Lots of moving parts but really doesn’t accomplish much of anything.

Fun little player, not sure what to make of his role going forward but I think he can carve out a bottom 6 spot. I think he’s feisty enough for it. Provides good speed and some skill

We haven’t had much in the way of bright spots and I wouldn’t necessarily call him that but he definitely intrigued (which is more than we can say about a lot of guys lol)

I think he looks good. He skates hard and has good hands. I’m hopeful he can be a good third line option next year.

Thanks guys. I tend to agree with all of you. Think he has a lot of good tools that a successful player needs, just as of now isn't really putting them together much to be that successful player. Always thought with more development he could be a real solid player similar to Erik Haula (not the Vegas version). Was hoping that would be for us, but I hope he works out for you.

 

[BruinDust]

Him or Ekblad imo. Ekblad is somewhat injury prone but is still great defensively and could be a good partner for Lohrei.

Obviously when healthy he's a strong player now but I really doubt he ends up in Boston. I can't see them paying for another 8-9 million dollar right shot D. Then factor in he is by far the best RD available in free agency this summer now that Pionk extended in Winnipeg. Then add in the Florida factor, does he even make it to free agency. Lots of competition for his services if they do, and from playoff teams.

I think their safest and best bet is to try and get Jokiharju under contract before free agency starts.

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

Obviously when healthy he's a strong player now but I really doubt he ends up in Boston. I can't see them paying for another 8-9 million dollar right shot D. Then factor in he is by far the best RD available in free agency this summer now that Pionk extended in Winnipeg. Then add in the Florida factor, does he even make it to free agency. Lots of competition for his services if they do, and from playoff teams.

I think their safest and best bet is to try and get Jokiharju under contract before free agency starts.

The issue is they need two RHD to be competitive. Or a LHD that can flip around and play silly side. Peeke tries hard but he’s just not a good hockey player.

 

[BruinDust]

I think he looks good. He skates hard and has good hands. I’m hopeful he can be a good third line option next year.

I see no reason not to qualify Khusnutdinov. Still young and added some speed to the lower part of the line-up. This isn't John Beecher whose been gifted two full seasons here to establish himself and has proven to be useless.

 

[EverettMike]

What flavor of the month do you have in mind to replace him?

Pistachio Rocky Road

 

[BruinDust]

The issue is they need two RHD to be competitive. Or a LHD that can flip around and play silly side. Peeke tries hard but he’s just not a good hockey player.

That may be so, but I don't see acquiring two in this off-season to be realistic at all, especially given the lack of depth in the RD free agency market. Competition for what quality is out there will be fierce.

The fact is they won't be able to fill each and every hole in this line-up in one off-season. Same thing up front, they aren't about to sign 3 or 4 UFA forwards. It's going to be a combination of established vets, young guys (Lysell/Minten/Poitras) and some of the younger RFAs like Khusnutdinov and Lauko and maybe 2 acquired forwards (via UFA or trade).

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

That may be so, but I don't see acquiring two in this off-season to be realistic at all, especially given the lack of depth in the RD free agency market. Competition for what quality is out there will be fierce.

The fact is they won't be able to fill each and every hole in this line-up in one off-season. Same thing up front, they aren't about to sign 3 or 4 UFA forwards. It's going to be a combination of established vets, young guys (Lysell/Minten/Poitras) and some of the younger RFAs like Khusnutdinov and Lauko and maybe 2 acquired forwards (via UFA or trade).

Some sort of cheap stay at home defenseman for a third pair to pair with Lohrei instead of a guy who roams around everywhere and is constantly out of position would be needed if you keep Joki. Unless they pair Lohrei with McAvoy (they should, but not sure they will), in which case you can put any kind of D with Hampus, and get Zadorov correctly on the third pair with Joki.

Need to upgrade on Wotherspoon too he was terrible the second half of the year.

 

[Donnie Shulzhoffer]

Pistachio Rocky Road

I would of picked chocolate chip. But that’s me

 

[Clode]

I guess I'm in the minority seeing some of these line projections for next season but I'd start Poitras in Providence unless he absolutely forces their hand in camp. Minten imo is ahead of Poitras developmentally and better suited for the bottom six role they are going for. I like Poitras but to me he hasn't shown anything suggesting that he is a full time NHLer right now and I'd rather him develop in the A than have him get rushed and ruined.

 

[Ozzy Osbourne]

I run the team as is back. Take whatever comes. They aren’t in position to start buying yet. Take another year in the lottery if possible. They’re too good for the lottery but somewhere in the teens is doable.

That might be an ok idea for the long term. However, ownership has shown they’re not willing to do a rebuild nor are they willing to be patient. There will be signings and maybe trades. I just wish for everyone that I was going to be the one doing it.

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

That might be an ok idea for the long term. However, ownership has shown they’re not willing to do a rebuild nor are they willing to be patient. There will be signings and maybe trades. I just wish for everyone that I was going to be the one doing it.

You as GM, Torts as HC. What could go wrong?

 

[Ozzy Osbourne]

You as GM, Torts as HC. What could go wrong?

Absolutely nothing. I think Torts and I would have a clear vision of what we want the team to be and we would execute our plan. I think everyone would be happy with our results.

 

[Ozzy Osbourne]

I guess I'm in the minority seeing some of these line projections for next season but I'd start Poitras in Providence unless he absolutely forces their hand in camp. Minten imo is ahead of Poitras developmentally and better suited for the bottom six role they are going for. I like Poitras but to me he hasn't shown anything suggesting that he is a full time NHLer right now and I'd rather him develop in the A than have him get rushed and ruined.

I hate to be the one to have to say this, but…..Poitras sucks. He will spend all of next year in the AHL. Eventually he will make his way to some why bother league and at some point he will have to get a real job. He’s a total disappointment.
I hope I’m wrong, but I doubt it.