I think what you guys imagine Boston to be and what the Bruins actually are is night and day.
They need more talent and skill, because now they aren't getting elite goaltending every game, it's making life really hard.
Seguin has been in Dallas longer than Boston, so what the hell are you talking about.
Last game the Bruins #1C was Pavel Zacha....so yeah, they need skill badly.
Look at Sweeney's trade history-
History of hockey trades by general manager Don Sweeney - NHL Trade Tracker
All the forwards he acquires are either big, have two-way ability, or play with an edge and sometimes a combination of multiple of those attributes.
The closest player they've acquired to J. Skinner in his time there has been Taylor Hall and that was back when he was perceived as more of a game breaking talent being only 3 years removed from winning the Hart trophy and the edge Hall plays the game with is a very distinctive notch above Skinner.
I'm not going to disagree that the Bruins could use more skill, but much of the old brain trust, former Bruins, and scouts are still in place and they have a clear team identity that they build to.
"Boston" type players are a thing of the past. Their big addition this year was Elias Lindholm who is most definitely not a "Boston" type player.
When he is on Skinner scores. And that is an issue for the Bruins. They are 28th in GF and unlike the Oilers they can't really look at their roster and think it will turn around. Of course Skinner is a LW and right now he could either replace Geekie on the top line with Zacha and Pasta or slot into the 3LW spot beside Coyle and Frederic and replace Merkulov on the second pp unit.
And I am not saying that Boston is actively pursuing Skinner. Just that if things continue as they are he may well be willing to waive to get a chance for a more significant role.
Lindholm has far greater two-way ability than Skinner and he also plays with more edge. I mean just look at Lindholm's career PK minutes= 1334 mins to J. Skinner's= 59 mins and Skinner is the older of the 2 players.
E. Lindholm is like 2 notches removed from the ideal B's player mold, Skinner is more like 5 notches removed. I also think it is a bit premature to view them signing him as a mistake he was quite slow adjusting to the Nucks as well, but started playing far better after the initial adjustment phase.