The Atlantic Division

[BostonBruins11]

I'm not saying they are geriatrics but that core is getting older, especially in the new NHL. I think losing Chara will be the biggest impact and that time is coming sooner rather then later.

And by next year’s playoffs, Bergeron is 34, Krejci 33 and Marchand 31. All old for forwards, who are normally on the decline by then.

All the more reason to take advantage of what might unfortunately be their last hurrah this spring.

Bergeron will be 33, Krejci 32, Marchand 31 (just turning)

 

[leaffaninvancouver]

Then you must not think much of the Pens chances either then since a lot of their core players are in the same exact age range of 28-32. Impressive stuff there indeed. ?

The Pens are also getting up there in age. They still have a good team but they also have a younger core than the Bruins, they don't have anyone who stands out like Chara does.

There best players are at most 31.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Yeah, no. I don't think any team in the NHL has a core of 14+ player like the Bruins apparently do. Bruins 4 dynasty? I just don't see how any team can compete with a team like the Bruins and their 14+ player core. Most teams have maybe 5-6 core guys. Bruins are out-coring teams at a generational level.

Maybe not to your specific one would call cherry picked criteria. But didn't the Leafs sign 36 year old Hainsey for the 1st pairing last summer and 38 year old Marleau to play top 6 mins?

 

[BayStreetBully]

Bergeron will be 33, Krejci 32, Marchand 31 (just turning)

Basically 34, 33 and 31. There’s no need to nitpick over a month or two. The relevance is the effect on their bodies, not what it says on their birth certificate.

 

[leaffaninvancouver]

Maybe not to your specific one would call cherry picked criteria. But didn't the Leafs sign 36 year old Hainsey for the 1st pairing last summer and 38 year old Marleau to play top 6 mins?

How often do you see people refer to Marleau and Hainsey as part of the Leafs core?

 

[nobody]

Maybe not to your specific one would call cherry picked criteria. But didn't the Leafs sign 36 year old Hainsey for the 1st pairing last summer and 38 year old Marleau to play top 6 mins?

They sure did! They brought them in for their leadership skills as well. But not even the wildest Leafs fan would claim them to be part of the Leafs core.

I can't speak for ex-Leafs fans though.

I really respect your awesome trolling abilities TWS, you're really letting me down with your work these days. Don't let your fans down like that.

 

[Marner]

yes he's had issues with his Hips. 2 back to back off-season surgeries (apparently "minor" ) but who knows.
Since the surgeries he's been vintage Krejci (60+pts pace).... no one knows how long he will last...1,2,3,4 season? maybe he'll stay healthy for 5 years maybe he wont.[/QUOTE

But...
Kadri is 4 years younger on a way better contract and doesn't have the hips of a grandma

 

[Cor]

if both the leafs signs

Marner 6-7m
Nylander 6-7M
Matthews 10M
Kapanen?
Komorov?

i'm guessing Bozak/JVR will want a small raise.

your GM gonna have to be careful that's for sure

Kapanen has another year left at 850K(ish) and then even then will only command 3-4M unless he has a star season next year.

Komarov and Bozak are likely not coming back, which is 7.2M freed up. JVR is the only one who may come back, but even then, he's likely moving on, as the Leafs have an abundance of young wingers to fill the spot.

The Leafs "cap issues" are highly overblown and something people use to convince themselves the Leafs won't be as good as it appears they will be

 

[nobody]

Kapanen has another year left at 850K(ish) and then even then will only command 3-4M unless he has a star season next year.

Komarov and Bozak are likely not coming back, which is 7.2M freed up. JVR is the only one who may come back, but even then, he's likely moving on, as the Leafs have an abundance of young wingers to fill the spot.

The Leafs "cap issues" are highly overblown and something people use to convince themselves the Leafs won't be as good as it appears they will be

Unless Kappy puts up 25 G and 50 P, I don't see him hitting anywhere near 4 mil especially coming off his ELC.

 

[Cor]

Unless Kappy puts up 25 G and 50 P, I don't see him hitting anywhere near 4 mil especially coming off his ELC.

Neither do I, unless they do an 8 year deal.

But, I tend to like to estimate higher with cap estimations

 

[The Winter Soldier]

They sure did! They brought them in for their leadership skills as well. But not even the wildest Leafs fan would claim them to be part of the Leafs core.

I can't speak for ex-Leafs fans though.

I really respect your awesome trolling abilities TWS, you're really letting me down with your work these days. Don't let your fans down like that.

I answered your question and you call this trolling? You are amazing. I don't think you understand how a message board works if answering your question is what you consider trolling.

BTW, Marleau is a 20 year vet. That's 6 incase you are counting more than a 14+ vet.

A D man that was brought in to play in the top pairing with Rielly and a fwd that was signed for a top 6 winger spot as the highest paid player on the team is not what you consider part of the current core?

BTW I know when a poster starts resorting to the emoticon button, they are losing the battle here.

 

[LyGuy]

Fun fact... Toronto has not played against Buffalo this season yet. They got 4 games with them still

 

[DKH]

i know right?

our roster is FULL of youth and it's rather annoying that other fans blindly post things like "the bruins are old"

Chara is old but they have a half dozen LHD going for his spot whenever it's available
Zboril 13 overall 2015
Lauzon 52 overall 2025
Lindgren 45 overall 2016
Vaakanainen 18 overall 2017

Plus others like Johansson who looks very good in AHL

The center group looks very strong with 4 high first or second rounders not far off

They have excellent balance which is what you want

 

[DatSnipeMatthews]

Fun fact... Toronto has not played against Buffalo this season yet. They got 4 games with them still

That might not be good. Didn't the Leafs have a losing record against the Sabres last year?

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Chara is old but they have a half dozen LHD going for his spot whenever it's available
Zboril 13 overall 2015
Lauzon 52 overall 2025
Lindgren 45 overall 2016
Vaakanainen 18 overall 2017

Plus others like Johansson who looks very good in AHL

The center group looks very strong with 4 high first or second rounders not far off

They have excellent balance which is what you want

The way Chara shut down Matthews a week ago, with Bergy's help. I could not care less if he was 40 or not. Just dominated The Matthews line. If this is not the worst fear to opposition, I don't know what is. He's been great with McAvoy this year. Perfect pairing of youthful talent and wily experience.

 

[X66]

This is the second year of the Leafs rebuild(post Matthews era) and they're on pace to accumulate more than 100 points, that's quite the feat.

At the end of the day, the Leafs can beat either of the Bruins or Lightning in a series and it really wouldn't shock anyone, that's just how it is in the playoffs when two talented teams go off against each other.

The Bruins and Bolts will fight it out for that top spot in the division because neither would really want to play Toronto in the first round, there is a huge drop off from Toronto to the next wild card position.

One thing I am very curious about the playoffs is if Babcock lets Matthews play 20 minutes a game, and increases the ice time for guys like Nylander and Marner. That increased ice-time can give this team an entire new look and might be very difficult to match up against.

 

[LyGuy]

That might not be good. Didn't the Leafs have a losing record against the Sabres last year?

I mean I feel the same way when they play Ottawa but Leafs merked them the other night =)
Plus all the games vs Buffalo will be after trade deadline, they might be selling a few good pieces that makes them even weaker

 

[DKH]

And by next year’s playoffs, Bergeron is 34, Krejci 33 and Marchand 31. All old for forwards, who are normally on the decline by then.

All the more reason to take advantage of what might unfortunately be their last hurrah this spring.

Don't worry it unfortunately won't be there last hurrah

When the Cup is presented in 2020 Bergeron and Krejci will be under 35

They got a few years left before they hit the old age home

Their wings like Heinen DeBrusk and Pastrnak are 21 all top two line talent and others coming along

Marchand is still 29

Their strength in the system at forward is center so I think the last hurrah may be aways away

 

[Maplebeasts]

i know right?

our roster is FULL of youth and it's rather annoying that other fans blindly post things like "the bruins are old"

It is but none of them aside from Pasta and Mcavoy play top line or pairing roles. I think the point is that Chara is 40, Bergeron is at an age where decline can happen any year now and Marchand is also pushing 30.

 

[DKH]

The way Chara shut down Matthews a week ago, with Bergy's help. I could not care less if he was 40 or not. Just dominated The Matthews line. If this is not the worst fear to opposition, I don't know what is. He's been great with McAvoy this year. Perfect pairing of youthful talent and wily experience.

Matthews was just coming back and I'm sure he will have big games against Boston

I've been saying since last summer when I figured the Bruins would add a half dozen young top 9 F top 4 D that Boston and Toronto would become the next big rivalry for Boston replacing the Canadiens

In no order by line this is how I see the East the next couple of years

Tampa/Boston/Toronto
Florida/Buffalo
Ottawa/Detroit/Montreal

 

[Maplebeasts]

Whatever enjoy 3rd place in the Atlantic. I understand that's like your Superbowl.

Yeah we will enjoy being 3rd in the conference and a top 6 team overall in year 2 of the rebuild. Get your licks in while you can.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Don't worry it unfortunately won't be there last hurrah

When the Cup is presented in 2020 Bergeron and Krejci will be under 35

They got a few years left before they hit the old age home

Their wings like Heinen DeBrusk and Pastrnak are 21 all top two line talent and others coming along

Marchand is still 29

Their strength in the system at forward is center so I think the last hurrah may be aways away

I'm curious on the topic of Bruins youth, how is Trent Frederic progressing? Had 5 goals at the WJC. He's destined to play C for the Bruins one day. Bruins potentially could kill it with drafting him and McAvoy from the same draft.

 

[IPS]

The way Chara shut down Matthews a week ago, with Bergy's help. I could not care less if he was 40 or not. Just dominated The Matthews line. If this is not the worst fear to opposition, I don't know what is. He's been great with McAvoy this year. Perfect pairing of youthful talent and wily experience.

Was only last year when Willy dropped a hat-trick on them too. Was truly scary how bad Willy dominated them that night.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Was only last year when Willy dropped a hat-trick on them too. Was truly scary how bad Willy dominated them that night.

why are you using a 1 game sample? those are meaningless, unless the Bruins come out on top

 

[bearcountry17]

It is but none of them aside from Pasta and Mcavoy play top line or pairing roles. I think the point is that Chara is 40, Bergeron is at an age where decline can happen any year now and Marchand is also pushing 30.

So you point out the Chara who's still playing at a high level at 40 and then saying Bergeron could drop off any year? Sometimes players can play very well into their late 30s, especially HOF calibere players, and especially smart players who take care of their bodies. I've been told for years that players peak at blah blah blah and blah blah blah but Bergeron is playing hands down the best hockey of his career at age 32. He is not the norm so I would get my hopes up on in him falling off anytime soon.