The Bs Bulging Bottleneck is Building…

[Colt.45Orr]

After years and years of poor drafting and not having viable young options from Providence --to not only play in the NHL but do so on an entry-level contract—we are now/soon facing the opposite problem with too many options in relation to open spots.

Obviously it is a very good problem to have but it is still a problem to be dealt with… handle it properly and we are back in the playoffs, handle it poorly and not only do we face possible frustration and stagnation but also trading players away at lower value and even (worst case scenario) losing out of European or NCAA prospects who are looking to sign elsewhere with a better opportunity.

I’m going off my head here so I know I will miss people or scenarios here so feel free to chip in and correct me (it is a community message board after all). A couple thoughts:

1) I’m not really interested in looking beyond 3 years (an eternity in the NHL) attempting to do so in hockey is usually folly.

2) I’m not as concerned about the Vegas draft as most –I actually think it will be great for us—so I actually look forward to seeing who they will (be forced to) take.

3) While it is worth discussing if, for example, Backes fits in as a long-term RW or C, for this exercise I am more concerned with just that he fills a top9 spot for the next 3 years.

4) I'm not an idiot, I know some prospects will not turn out. When we had "the Special Ks" I always said that the averages dictate that 1 would be a dud, 1 would be average and 1 would be a star. I didn't get into all our prospects here.

5) I’ll get to the D later (next thread). Forwards may get complicated enough.

Currently: 2016/2017
Marchand—Bergeron—Pastrnak
Spooner—Krejci—Vatrano
*Beleskey—*Backes—Czarnik
Blidh—Moore—Nash
Schaller—Acciari —Hayes
*inj

In the AHL * = likely ready for NHL mins
Cehlarik * (2013)
Heinen (2014)
Kuraly (2011)
DeBrusk (2015)

NCAA or ready to turn pro
Bjork * (2014)
Gabrielle (2015)
Senyshyn (2015)
Frederic (2016)
JFK (2015)
Fitzgerald (2013)
Donato (2014) + 2 more

Right now we should be working in Cehlarik or Heinen over Hayes but here is where it gets interesting.


2017/18
Marchand—Bergeron—Pastrnak
Spooner—Krejci—Vatrano
Beleskey—Backes—Czarnik
Blidh— ****** —Nash
Schaller——Hayes


In the AHL * = likely ready for NHL mins
Cehlarik * (2013)
Heinen * (2014)
Kuraly* (2011)
Bjork * (2014)
DeBrusk (2015)
Gabrielle (2015)
Senyshyn (2015)
Fitzgerald

NCAA
Frederic (2016)
JFK (2015)
Donato (2014) + 1 more
+ 2017 draft picks

A couple thoughts:
• Moore is only player coming off the books
• I put Acciari in –Kuraly could challenge for that spot but Claude will want a vet.
• Too many rookies in AHL (still pro mens league) not enough PP spots or time
• If I’m Cehlarik’s agent (same 2013 draft as Blidh) I want my client out if still in AHL
• I’m assuming McQuaid will be claimed by Vegas –6’5 Stanley Cup winning vet
• Bruins will bring back all RFAs (such as Schaller, Spooner)
• So it looks like this…

2018/19
Marchand—Bergeron—Pastrnak
Spooner—Krejci—Vatrano
Beleskey—Backes—Czarnik
Blidh— Acciari —Schaller

In the AHL * = likely ready for NHL mins ---already a NASTY bottleneck
Cehlarik * (2013)
Heinen * (2014)
Kuraly* (2011)
Bjork * (2014)
DeBrusk* (2015)
Gabrielle ((2015)
Senyshyn (2015)
Fitzgerald
Frederic (2016)
JFK (2015)
Donato (2014)

A couple thoughts
• Hayes fiiiiiiiiiiiinally comes off the books. We can’t wait this long.
• In 2018/19 we will still have our top 9 BOOKED UP! At this point, Providence is stagnant.
• Very good who are rotting away in the AHL at this point:
--Bjork
--Cehlarik
--Heinen
--DeBrusk
• This also leaves no room for a Pastrnak type player from 2017/18 drafts.


Now, I realize that the quick response it to say that we can just “trade guys away” to make room when the guys are ready but it isn’t that easy –not at all—especially because you want to be integrating rookies in along the way (with chances to be successful) and teams will not just take on the guys that we want to dump away.

There are different solutions but I think that there is one that we need to look at right now (interested in different ideas).

Scenario #1
Trade Hayes.
Hahahahahahaaaaahahahaaaa
I think we could have a shot at it this summer if we would trade him for a completely useless player making less money on a 1yr contract. I would do that so that we could buy out the player for cheaper.
2nd Worst case scenario is buying out Hayes with one year left.
Worst case scenario is giving him a spot again next year.

Scenario #2
Trade Spooner for a Dman.
Candidates to replace him:
- Cehlarik (not sure)
- DeBrusk (not ready)
- Heinen (not sure)
- Beleskey (tried before)

Scenario #3
Trade Beleskey this summer or expose him to Vegas –depends how the rest of the season goes for him.
I like him, but at 3.8m it might be hard to do so. He has a limited 8 team trade clause until the end of his contract in 2020.

Scenario #4
Thoughts???


My solution:
We can’t trade Spooner right now because we need him helping the 2nd line but we have a great chance to see what we have with Cehlarik (or Heinen)…. Call him up and give him minutes (PP etc. ) and then we will know what we can do with Spooner when Beleskey and Backes come back. I want both B&B for a playoff run where they will be great. But for now…

Marchand—Bergeron—Pastrnak
Spooner—Krejci—Vatrano
Schaller—Czarnik—CEHLARIK or H
Blidh—Moore—Nash
Acciari

Beleskey ---Backes (inj)

Waive Hayes (somebody can claim him or we can call up later)

Next Year:
Marchand—Bergeron—Pastrnak
Vatrano—Krejci—*****
(C) Backes----Bjork or Heinen or Czarnik or Cehlarik as wingers

Beleskey—Nash— Blidh (RHS)


Thus, fixing the bottleneck, opening up cap room and working away from the status quo. The thing is that I don’t think we can trend in this direction without knowing if we can replace Spooner with one of Heinen or Cehlarik… if they don't look close to being productive NHLers we need to know that now, we already know what they are (very good) at the AHL level.


So here we are; Backes goes down long-term and we * turn to our very productive farm team!! *Edit: go back to underserved promotions for Hayes and Nash.

Sorry, watching SWE/SVK game and I kind of lost the plot. My question is: how do we most effectively address the bottleneck that is building in Boston, both for this year and going forward?

Click to read more...

 

[shelbysdad]

I think we will need to look at the Chicago model....Who are the top six you want to keep....after that, while it hurts to lose people, cap wise it will need to be done.

The Blackhawks have let very good players go, (Buff, Teravainen (sp?) Saad to keep the top intact and replaced them with younger/cheaper/less experienced options.

So I'm thinking that while it may be nice to keep Beleskey, Spooner, maybe even Czarnik by this time, the cap says you play the cheaper guys for the 3 years....then if they impress enough to keep, they become part of the core...I expect a revolving door on the bottom half

 

[smithformeragent]

I'd be doing summersailts if someone took Beleskey off their hands.

 

[PB37]

2017-2018

Out

Moore
Liles
Beleskey
Hayes
Acciari


In

DeBrusk
Cehlarik
Bjork



Forwards

Marchand -- Bergeron -- Pasta

DeBrusk -- Krejci -- Backes

Vatrano -- Czarnik - Bjork

Schaller -- Spooner -- Cehlarik


extras: Blidh,Nash
callups: JFK, Heinen, Cave, Hargrove, Kuraly


Defense

Chara -- Carlo

Krug -- McQuaid

Morrow -- CMiller


extras: KMiller
callups: Zboril, McAvoy, Grz



2018 - 2019

Out

Nash
Schaller
Morrow
KMiller


In

Senyshyn
McAvoy
Zboril


Forwards

Marchand -- Bergeron -- Pasta

DeBrusk -- Krejci -- Backes

Vatrano -- Czarnik -- Bjork

Cehlarik -- Spooner -- Senyshyn


extras: Blidh, Kuraly
callups: JFK, Cave, Heinen


Defense


Krug -- Carlo

Chara -- McAvoy

Zboril -- CMiller


extras: McQuaid
callups: Grz, Cross

 

[Oates2Neely]

I think we will need to look at the Chicago model....Who are the top six you want to keep....after that, while it hurts to lose people, cap wise it will need to be done.

The Blackhawks have let very good players go, (Buff, Teravainen (sp?) Saad to keep the top intact and replaced them with younger/cheaper/less experienced options.

So I'm thinking that while it may be nice to keep Beleskey, Spooner, maybe even Czarnik by this time, the cap says you play the cheaper guys for the 3 years....then if they impress enough to keep, they become part of the core...I expect a revolving door on the bottom half

Add Sharp Ladd and Brouwer to that list.

 

[chizzler]

A lot to take in. I doubt the FO knows either at this point. Too many things can change. Like the weather.

 

[Colt.45Orr]

A lot to take in. I doubt the FO knows either at this point. Too many things can change. Like the weather.

It doesn't seem like they (management) have a plan right now and are reacting poorly.
It seems like we have 6 different 4th-liner type players that we are using to patch up the roster --and we wonder why this team can't score.


-I can recall 3x that Pastrnak has gone out this year he has been replaced by..... Riley Nash... and we lost them all.

-Tim Schaller goes from career AHL tweener to Krejci's top line winger.

-Spooner's minutes and (trade) value were run down early on.

-Hole in the line-up? Put in Hayes, Nash, Acciari etc.

Heinen had a great camp and pre-season (most of this is missed by Julien, away at the WCofH) but now can't draw back into the line-up. Same for Cehlarik.


Schaller--Moore--Nash--Blidh---Hayes----Acciari

I know that this is Julien's dream bottom six, but pick 3 of the 6 as your 4th liners and the rest are out.
Fill in the rest of the spots with the Providence prospects (with offensive upside) that deserve the call-up.

This will:
a) help develop and evaluate prospects (see "bottleneck" comments)
b) result in less unskilled 1-dimensional checkers in the lineup
c) hopefully see us actually be a hockey team that actually scores goals

 

[Pia8988]

One comment on Cehlarik. He did have his back injury. If he is finally fully recovered, I hope they give him a chance to show what he can do.

 

[Colt.45Orr]

One comment on Cehlarik. He did have his back injury. If he is finally fully recovered, I hope they give him a chance to show what he can do.

Good point --it was said that he wasn't called up because of it but in the 2 games he should have got called up he had 2 goals (and was playing, obviously) so it couldn't have been too bad.

They have had plenty of chances and reasons to call him up and try it out.

 

[Pia8988]

Good point --it was said that he wasn't called up because of it but in the 2 games he should have got called up he had 2 goals (and was playing, obviously) so it couldn't have been too bad.

They have had plenty of chances and reasons to call him up and try it out.

With Backes having what looks to be a more long term injury, I hope one of the top offensive Providence players gets a shot.

 

[Ratty]

2017-2018

Out

Moore
Liles
Beleskey
Hayes
Acciari


In

DeBrusk
Cehlarik
Bjork



Forwards

Marchand -- Bergeron -- Pasta

DeBrusk -- Krejci -- Backes

Vatrano -- Czarnik - Bjork

Schaller -- Spooner -- Cehlarik


extras: Blidh,Nash
callups: JFK, Heinen, Cave, Hargrove, Kuraly


Defense

Chara -- Carlo

Krug -- McQuaid

Morrow -- CMiller


extras: KMiller
callups: Zboril, McAvoy, Grz



2018 - 2019

Out

Nash
Schaller
Morrow
KMiller


In

Senyshyn
McAvoy
Zboril


Forwards

Marchand -- Bergeron -- Pasta

DeBrusk -- Krejci -- Backes

Vatrano -- Czarnik -- Bjork

Cehlarik -- Spooner -- Senyshyn


extras: Blidh, Kuraly
callups: JFK, Cave, Heinen


Defense


Krug -- Carlo

Chara -- McAvoy

Zboril -- CMiller


extras: McQuaid
callups: Grz, Cross

I think it would be a stretch to expect Chara to be on this team for 2018-2019. His contract would have to be extended and, at age 40, it may not be cost effective.

I would like him to play his last season, 2017-2018, with Charlie McAvoy, to help him adjust to the league the same way he has done this season with Carlo.

Carlo would fit nicely with Krug as Sweeney finds something else for McQuaid to do.

 

[CellyHard]

The funny thing is, there's kind of a log jam on the backend come next season.

I mean if we look at the roster right now:

Chara Carlo
Krug C.Miller
K.Miller Mcquaid
Morrow

Even if Vegas takes one of K.Miller or Mcquaid it still looks problematic.

I think Rob O'Gara will certainly be ready. He showed great flashes early in the season.

Gryz looks like someone with great offensive ability who could be knocking soon. They spent a 2nd round draft pick on the kid, they clearly have high hopes for him.

Of course, Charlie. There's not much else to say that everyone hasn't. He could have a Carlo like impact next year if given a shot.

Don't we also need the 'number 1 successor to Chara'

It's interesting how much depth we have and how we will handle it offensively and defensively.

 

[ChargersRookie]

When some of these young guys finally get to the point of the last harrah in sub NHL leagues, I see 2 for 1 trades and buyouts. I think there is a limit on buyouts so there could be more 2 for 1 trades.

 

[ODAAT]

I'd be doing summersailts if someone took Beleskey off their hands.

If guys like Horton can be traded, surely someone would take Beleskey, could even "sweeten" the pot by tossing in Hayes with him

 

[JOKER 192]

If guys like Horton can be traded, surely someone would take Beleskey, could even "sweeten" the pot by tossing in Hayes with him

not sure Hayes sweetens anything.

 

[Dr Hook]

not sure Hayes sweetens anything.

You're right, in fact, that might be a deal killer if anything

Sweeney: "We like the deal, but how about taking Hayes with him . . . hello? hello? He hung up . . . "

 

[bb74]

Bjork won't play in the AHL (IMO) and will want a trade to a team that will play him right out of the NCAA. No reason for him to not take a NHL paycheck given his production this year. Cehlarik probably the same next year as he could make real $$ in the SEL / KHL and should be close enough.

The B's need to get rid of the "tweeners" on the NHL roster... Hate to say it but likely one, if not two of the core guys needs to be traded in a package deal for a higher end core guy (with a bit more size and speed) or a high end D...

.... OR .... they find a way to keep all the yutes happy in the AHL as they develop a full two years (not likely) and then go for a massive infusion of youth in 2019 which is just another recipe for disaster irrespective of the depth.

Unfortunately the standings will be the determining factor on how quickly the yutes get into the mix and they will likely be "good enough" to justify to ownership vets playing over youth in the 2nd half of this and next year. Mediocrity sucks...

 

[Duguay]

That is one pretty depressing, sh**ty looking depth chart there Colt.

I sure wish Vesey was on it to help round it out a little. He would have fit in perfectly.

Projections such of those are great; all GM's do them, but as someone said above; some serious alterations, trades and FA signings will be imperative, or get used to being a bottom 3rd team for the rest of the decade.

Don Sweeney will need to turn a trick or two.

 

[BluesTraveler]

I know a lot of people don't wanna hear it, but Backes is buyout material in the future. By year 3 or year 4, its going to be a serious consideration. So eventually there will be a lineup slot there. Krejci is a possibility for that as well. Gonna look real ugly on the books though

 

[Colt.45Orr]

I know a lot of people don't wanna hear it, but Backes is buyout material in the future. By year 3 or year 4, its going to be a serious consideration. So eventually there will be a lineup slot there. Krejci is a possibility for that as well. Gonna look real ugly on the books though

His contract was structured in order to be able to traded easily (or bought out) in the last year of his contract where he has a 6m cap hit but only 3m in base salary.

 

[BruinDust]

I know a lot of people don't wanna hear it, but Backes is buyout material in the future. By year 3 or year 4, its going to be a serious consideration. So eventually there will be a lineup slot there. Krejci is a possibility for that as well. Gonna look real ugly on the books though

Your not wrong, but you could say the same about Marchand in 4-5 years, heck even Bergeron or Rask down the road.

This is a possibility for any player with a long-term contract stretching into their mid-30s.

 

[nmbr_24]

It doesn't seem like they (management) have a plan right now and are reacting poorly.
It seems like we have 6 different 4th-liner type players that we are using to patch up the roster --and we wonder why this team can't score.


-I can recall 3x that Pastrnak has gone out this year he has been replaced by..... Riley Nash... and we lost them all.

-Tim Schaller goes from career AHL tweener to Krejci's top line winger.

-Spooner's minutes and (trade) value were run down early on.

-Hole in the line-up? Put in Hayes, Nash, Acciari etc.

Heinen had a great camp and pre-season (most of this is missed by Julien, away at the WCofH) but now can't draw back into the line-up. Same for Cehlarik.


Schaller--Moore--Nash--Blidh---Hayes----Acciari

I know that this is Julien's dream bottom six, but pick 3 of the 6 as your 4th liners and the rest are out.
Fill in the rest of the spots with the Providence prospects (with offensive upside) that deserve the call-up.

This will:
a) help develop and evaluate prospects (see "bottleneck" comments)
b) result in less unskilled 1-dimensional checkers in the lineup
c) hopefully see us actually be a hockey team that actually scores goals

It seems to me that they do have a plan and they are not going to deviate from it. It seems that they are building up the prospect base with skill and speed and have drafted D that seem to be all around players. It's just my guess where they go from here but I bet that when the players from these past few drafts are ready, especially the D, then we will see them go after a big time UFA if there is one available and/or make some core changing trades.

 

[ODAAT]

not sure Hayes sweetens anything.

was on my phone and was meaning to hit the button

 

[Ratty]

A somewhat schmaltzy and optimistic column yesterday by Zach Leach in www.prohockeyrumors.com. Author discussed present and future of the B's blue line. Raves about Bruins' WJC defensemen.

 

[ODAAT]

A somewhat schmaltzy and optimistic column yesterday by Zach Leach in www.prohockeyrumors.com. Author discussed present and future of the B's blue line. Raves about Bruins' WJC defensemen.

https://scoutingpost.com/

Kirk`s podcast is where I go for solid inside info and I`m lovin what he has to say about things