I'm pretty similar to
@RoccoF14. I’m in on getting a legit 1C if possible, agree it’s unlikely, agree on probably keeping our first round picks. He also said every player should be on the table. I’d say every player except Pasta. No point having a good 1C if he has no elite winger to skate with.
Marchand to me is also off the table, unless he wants to leave, which I doubt. It’s up to him. As to his longer-term future, I wouldn’t give him more than a one-year contract unless he’s willing to sign for peanuts. He’s 36, will be 37 before season’s end, clearly his body is starting to wear out. If agreement can’t be found and he walks, I cop that on the chin.
Otherwise yeah I’d say Sweeney should be taking offers for every other UFA - Frederic, Koepke, Brazeau, Wotherspoon. Geekie too. I would also have zero problem seeing the back of Coyle and Carlo. Peeke is fine for what he is, but if the right offer is there, he can go. Zacha frustrates me but he is overall a decent enough player on a reasonable deal. Tradeable but the return would have to be good, and not my first priority. I would much prefer to keep Hampus Lindholm. Not perfect by all means but a very solid all-round D-man (when fully fit) on good money. I doubt anyone is relieving us of that Zadorov contract but if someone is interested then talks should proceed. Elias Lindholm has underwhelmed but it would be ridiculous and look very bad to give up on that sort of deal so quickly. Need to persevere there. Stick with Sway.
As for the kids, I really like Poitras as a person but I have serious doubts he’ll ever make it stick at NHL level. If some other team has a good offer for him, I’m listening. I’d be more hesitant with Lohrei. Obvious flaws but the potential also remains high so I’d rather persevere with him for now. Lysell I’m not really too fussed about. We need to see him in Boston for an extended run to get some better idea on what he offers before making a call on his future here. Beecher is tradeable.
The core needs a change. As I said the other day, I’m at the point now where I’d seriously consider trading McAvoy. He’s the best candidate to shift. Not convinced on this but definitely leaning that way. But the return has to be right. Need someone who is not just going to be a good player but a real locker room leader. Potentially even a future captain. If they don’t want to do something that drastic, or even if they do, then the ‘outer’ core at least needs an overhaul.
Basic principle is to try and do a quick re-tool along the lines of the Caps model. Concede this season is a lost cause, use the deadline to sell UFAs and take offers on the likes of Carlo and Coyle. Not adverse to bringing anyone in at that point, but it has to be someone in their prime and looking for term. No oldies or rentals. Again, keep your firsts unless the player you’re acquiring is absolutely elite. Play the youngsters throughout the rest of this year. See what they’ve got. Evaluate the core and work out a plan to change it for the better, seek to make that happen through the trade period and into the offseason. The team needs offense, finish, speed and a harder, more ruthless attitude. The defense needs to be built smarter. There is plenty of individual talent in there at present but the combination is wrong. Finally, get a new coach, and probably at least one new assistant. Sacco is doing what he can but he is limited. Find a proper, preferably experienced talent to take charge.
Then you hope all this will work and allow the team to bounce right back next season. It’s possible. It’s also possible it fails, in which case a full re-build is very much on the cards and you may have simply prolonged the pain. Chances are the whole thing is not salvageable and some proper wilderness years are forthcoming. But I think they have to at least try and stave them off and, for better or worse, I think this suits the Bruins’ basic ethos and methodology much better than outright blowing things up. Whether they’ll be brave enough to make a proper go of it I’m not sure.
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