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Sportsnet Retool or rebuild? Taking stock of the Bruins after disappointing season

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BostonBob

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from sportsnet.ca:

Pro sports can be wildly unpredictable at the best of times. Every year there are some teams built for playoff success that have a difficult time gelling and playing to a consistent identity. Factor in multiple injuries to key players and the trajectory of a team can change in a heartbeat. In the blink of an eye an organization can find itself pivoting focus towards retooling, or rebuilding, the roster for potential future success.

The Boston Bruins might not have been considered a Stanley Cup contending outfit to start the season, but I never envisioned a team that finished with 135 points and 109 points the past two seasons would have such a precipitous fall from grace. If Boston wins its final game Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils they will finish the year with 77 points, their lowest 82-game total since 2006-07.

The numbers don’t lie. For the first time in several years, the Bruins find themselves in a state of transition. The question is: are they on the cusp of a rebuild, or can they re-tool things this off-season to come back more competitive in 2025-26?

www.sportsnet.ca

Retool or rebuild? Taking stock of the Bruins after disappointing season

Sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, the Boston Bruins' season ends Tuesday night and they'll miss the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Scout Jason Bukala looks at the team's setup and wonders if the Bruins can get back on track as soon as next season.
www.sportsnet.ca www.sportsnet.ca
 
Over the volcano said:
I don't see a distinction between retool and rebuild. Look at the roster two years ago- there's only 6 guys left from that team and one of em (Lauko) left and came back. They sold at the deadline and have a top 5 pick in the draft.

It's already a rebuild just need to keep building
Click to expand...
In my opinion the distinction is a rebuild is a start from the ground up approach. Sell everything for futures with the expectation playoffs are not in the near future.

Retool, we look to make adjustments in the offseason, maybe bring in a couple of talented forwards with the expectation of playoffs next season.
 
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My quick thought. The fact the writer refers to Boston as Beantown shows me he knows little of the area or team history.
By that I mean nobody here calls it Beantown. More importantly the question he poses is moot.

The organization under this ownership never once opted for a rebuild. I dont see them starting now.
Their goal is, was, and will always be to get as many asses in seats as fast as possible.
 
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Over the volcano said:
I don't see a distinction between retool and rebuild. Look at the roster two years ago- there's only 6 guys left from that team and one of em (Lauko) left and came back. They sold at the deadline and have a top 5 pick in the draft.

It's already a rebuild just need to keep building
Click to expand...

I'd say the difference is time:
A retool insinuates a quick, immediate fix. Rebuild assumes a longer amount of time.

I'd compare it to house renovations. Retool is like painting the walls or re-doing a bathroom. You're still living there while it happens (i.e. expectation remains to win now). Rebuild is like if you are doing major structural work (roof/walls), and you can't stay there at the same time (i.e. expectation is to win later).
 
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Gee Wally said:
My quick thought. The fact the writer refers to Boston as Beantown shows me he knows little of the area or team history.
By that I mean nobody here calls it Beantown. More importantly the question he poses is moot.

The organization under this ownership never once opted for a rebuild. I dont see them starting now.
Their goal is, was, and will always be to get as many asses in seats as fast as possible.
Click to expand...
When Peter Chiarelli took over, do you consider that a retool or a rebuild? He significantly changed the bruins in that first offseason.
 
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rfournier103 said:
When Peter Chiarelli took over, do you consider that a retool or a rebuild? He significantly changed the bruins in that first offseason.
Click to expand...

It was to me a retool where the biggest impact was leveraging UFAs.
Unfortunately I dont see a Chara or Savard in this years market. He also was gifted 5 th overall to start. Kessel.
So , although he built a winner and no denying that, he didnt exactly come in and blow anything up. It was there for the taking.
 
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You have an elite talent locked in at #1RW, #1D, and #1G. You need to bring up significant talent around that, but that's closer to retool than rebuild to me. You have a few bad contracts like E. Lindholm and Zadorov, but the cap is going up and they have flexibility here.

I don't believe there's anyone on the market or available at #4 in the draft that's going to step right in and make them a contender in 2026, but they're in a situation where if they add a little year by year, they'll get there with patience. Maybe fight for a WC next year, add more in 2027 and win a playoff round, make a big splash and be back to contending in 2028 or 2029.
 
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Over the volcano said:
I don't see a distinction between retool and rebuild. Look at the roster two years ago- there's only 6 guys left from that team and one of em (Lauko) left and came back. They sold at the deadline and have a top 5 pick in the draft.

It's already a rebuild just need to keep building
Click to expand...

Rebuild means scorch the earth and trade Pastrnak/McAvoy
 
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rfournier103 said:
Personally, I wouldn’t touch those three. When Peter Chiarelli took over, he didn’t trade Bergeron or Thomas, did he?
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Peter Chiarelli’s arrival in Boston is the definition of a retool. Inherits Bergeron Krejci Kessel Thomas, Glen Murray, Marco Sturm. He signs 2 of the summers biggest free agent names in Savard & Chara. The only player of somewhat significance whom Chiarelli moved out was Samsonov IIRC. My memory is a little hazy I may have some edits in the above.

A rebuild imo is a strip it down procedure. You’re not keeping an in his prime Pastrnak or McAvoy for a full rebuild. They’ll be well into their 30’s by the time the draft picks start hitting (if)
 
weaponomega said:
In my opinion the distinction is a rebuild is a start from the ground up approach. Sell everything for futures with the expectation playoffs are not in the near future.

Retool, we look to make adjustments in the offseason, maybe bring in a couple of talented forwards with the expectation of playoffs next season.
Click to expand...
Rebuild means trade Pasta and McAvoy.
 
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Oates2Neely said:
Peter Chiarelli’s arrival in Boston is the definition of a retool. Inherits Bergeron Krejci Kessel Thomas, Glen Murray, Marco Sturm. He signs 2 of the summers biggest free agent names in Savard & Chara. The only player of somewhat significance whom Chiarelli moved out was Samsonov IIRC. My memory is a little hazy I may have some edits in the above.

A rebuild imo is a strip it down procedure. You’re not keeping an in his prime Pastrnak or McAvoy for a full rebuild. They’ll be well into their 30’s by the time the draft picks start hitting (if)
Click to expand...
Okay. Fair enough. If “retool” means keeping Pastranak, McAvoy and Swayman, then I’m in favor of a retool.
 
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McGarnagle said:
You have an elite talent locked in at #1RW, #1D, and #1G. You need to bring up significant talent around that, but that's closer to retool than rebuild to me. You have a few bad contracts like E. Lindholm and Zadorov, but the cap is going up and they have flexibility here.

I don't believe there's anyone on the market or available at #4 in the draft that's going to step right in and make them a contender in 2026, but they're in a situation where if they add a little year by year, they'll get there with patience. Maybe fight for a WC next year, add more in 2027 and win a playoff round, make a big splash and be back to contending in 2028 or 2029.
Click to expand...
Elite talent RW yes, 1D yes if healthy, I do not consider Kopisalo elite,
 
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They've been retooling since the record breaking regular season, since there is only 6 players left from that team.
They have to establish some consistency
with the roster, can't keep having a revolving door in the locker room. It makes it harder to establish chemistry amongst the guys, that may have been the problem this season and Monty's ambivalent attitude, along with Swayman contract issues. Just saying!.
 
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This team has a "core"

McAvoy, Pastrnak, (and people may respectfully disagree with this) Swayman

There's a very good chance they add another in the first round this season. There's a smaller chance that you could add Lohrei to this list as well, depending on his progress.

You don't burn this down. You add to it.
 
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Mr. Make-Believe said:
This team has a "core"

McAvoy, Pastrnak, (and people may respectfully disagree with this) Swayman

There's a very good chance they add another in the first round this season. There's a smaller chance that you could add Lohrei to this list as well, depending on his progress.

You don't burn this down. You add to it.
Click to expand...
They also burned down a good portion of the old core at the deadline.
 
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Oates2Neely said:
What’s your detailed plan if you’re GM?
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Will never happen but I sit out the majority of July 1. The class may be the worst I have ever seen.

I would target cheaper guys with offensive skill, two RFA I like are Tomasino and Holtz, the later which was waived I believe this year. Maybe pick up a couple non tendered guys (Strome was a missed opportunity years ago) Could look to 1 year veterans you could move at the deadline.

One guy I might spend a little extra on is RD Dante Fabbro..I think his best hockey is in front of him, plus he's young-ish. Fits the longer term plan. I re-sign Geekie

I commit to Lysell and Minten to start...Poitras is in the lineup. Lauko. Marat. I want to see what I have.
 
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