TSN: What should Bruins do with Milan Lucic?

[FROMSHORETOCHARA]

Comparing Lucic and Seguin isn't a very valid point at all. Seguin was a young stud who it was pretty damn obvious had lots of room for growth and hadn't yet touched his ceiling. He was also signed at the time of the trade. Lucic is a soon to be UFA expecting to cash in for more than he's worth on a team with cap issues. He also has already hit his peak, and potentially may be on the down swing. I'm not 100% convinced he is declining but it is certainly a possibility. Point is, we're talking about two vastly different scenarios. Trading Lucic for the right deal makes sense. Dealing Seguin was a completely boneheaded move that made no sense at all, even less when you factor in his return. I love Looch but you'd be dumb to not explore moving him.

I keep looch I think he is a rare if not unique player. He had a bad year and that's mostly on him but Krejci injury did him no favor. If they trade looch I guess u need to see the return but I would b very skeptical of any trade where he is best player in deal and we getting pieces back. Looch plus for a star? Maybe it depends on the star. Looch for late first and a decent prospect or two? No way, I'll keep looch.

 

[LouJersey]

Comparing Lucic and Seguin isn't a very valid point at all. Seguin was a young stud who it was pretty damn obvious had lots of room for growth and hadn't yet touched his ceiling. He was also signed at the time of the trade. Lucic is a soon to be UFA expecting to cash in for more than he's worth on a team with cap issues. He also has already hit his peak, and potentially may be on the down swing. I'm not 100% convinced he is declining but it is certainly a possibility. Point is, we're talking about two vastly different scenarios. Trading Lucic for the right deal makes sense. Dealing Seguin was a completely boneheaded move that made no sense at all, even less when you factor in his return. I love Looch but you'd be dumb to not explore moving him.

Explore sure . Lucic is a proven playoff commodity . Figure out how to deal him and make the team better I'm all for it just haven't seen one proposed here

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

Explore sure . Lucic is a proven playoff commodity . Figure out how to deal him and make the team better I'm all for it just haven't seen one proposed here

Seriously. Zero. I don't think I've seen a single one that's both realistic AND beneficial to the team.

 

[bp13]

4 million per season ?

Sorry mistyped...4/24

 

[WhalerTurnedBruin55]

Krejci is already sharing the alternating A with Kelly.

Doesn't change the statement I made.

 

[LouJersey]

Seriously. Zero. I don't think I've seen a single one that's both realistic AND beneficial to the team.

There is the issue. Trade him for another 6 mil guy say ... Who? Eberle? Skinner ? Does that make us better ? Deal him for a Ryan package ? Makes us worse short term . Saw one somewhere for Wilson and ekbom from Nashville . Doesn't make us better . Would the Bruins deal him for a top pick and prospect and use some of his money to sign a franson or Stewart ? Make us better ?

Just know he isn't getting dealt unless blown away . He certainly isn't getting dealt this summer IMO

 

[dickiedunnwrotethis]

I keep looch I think he is a rare if not unique player. He had a bad year and that's mostly on him but Krejci injury did him no favor. If they trade looch I guess u need to see the return but I would b very skeptical of any trade where he is best player in deal and we getting pieces back. Looch plus for a star? Maybe it depends on the star. Looch for late first and a decent prospect or two? No way, I'll keep looch.

I expect Lucic to garner more than a late first and a few prospects, but for the sake of argument lets say that is the return. Except it's not really the return, at least not the full return. What's left out is the 6 million management has to play with now that Lucic no longer on the payroll. That takes care of Dougie. That also might give them the financial maneuverability to acquire a legit top 4 defenseman. For an often indifferent, possibly in decline 27 year old power forward with maturity issues, that return is starting to look like not such a bad deal. Sticking with Lucic essentially means sticking with our current defense corps(e): Two aging d-men with real skating issues in recovery from significant injuries, a still untested Dougie, and an undersized PP specialist. But who knows, maybe Chara and Seids return to their 2011 form (because that is the minimum level of play required of them for this team to be a contender)? Maybe Dougie finds his defensive game and becomes a true 1D? Maybe Krug grows 2 inches and 20 pounds? Who knows, maybe all of the above happen? And maybe Lucic grows a heart (and a brain) and we win another cup? It could happen. Some in this forum are betting it will happen. However, if I'm management, I'm thinking long and hard on those odds and whether I want to gamble the next 5-10 years of this franchise on that bet.

 

[WhalerTurnedBruin55]

Seriously. Zero. I don't think I've seen a single one that's both realistic AND beneficial to the team.

Honest questions. Where do you see this team?

Are they a few tweaks away from being a contender again or do they need to retool a bit?

I don't think there is a single situation that the Bruins are going to get better SHORT TERM trading Lucic. BUT it could be a situation where they do get better long term... addition by subtraction. The Blackhawks are doing it. The Ducks did it with Ryan. The team might be weaker next season, but it gives them cap space and some young assets for the future.

I'm not saying they HAVE to or SHOULD trade Lucic, but whatever happens, the Lucic trade alone won't improve the team short term. If the management truly thinks the team as is; with the current cap allotted distribution amongst the current team is a contender, so be it. Keep Lucic, figure out what to do after we win a cup or get close again. I just have my reservations about that happening with the current core.

 

[Gargyn]

Too many people think this team is close to being a true contender when in reality they aren't even close. Proof will be in the pudding before Christmas. Hopefully Sweeney isn't blind to this but I'm sure Jacobs and Neely think we are so we will hold onto our core with serious offensive issues.

 

[bruins4thecup65]

Ever since management told ML to STOP FIGHTING, they changed his game completely.

What they should have said was go out there and play your game.

 

[BB88]

Explore sure . Lucic is a proven playoff commodity . Figure out how to deal him and make the team better I'm all for it just haven't seen one proposed here

Not maybe next year but in the future, we aren't winning the cup next year anyways and going into next season with an attitude that yes we will win will hurt us more. If we don't win the cup next year we have very limited assets to use to improve this team and we would be again maxed on cap to do signings.

How do we improve this team if we keep everyone and push prospects into lineup that every team has while our core players are getting near the end of their prime?

 

[LouJersey]

Not maybe next year but in the future, we aren't winning the cup next year anyways and going into next season with an attitude that yes we will win will hurt us more. If we don't win the cup next year we have very limited assets to use to improve this team and we would be again maxed on cap to do signings.

How do we improve this team if we keep everyone and push prospects into lineup that every team has while our core players are getting near the end of their prime?

Look at the teams that have represented the East lately... Boston in 2010 wasn't great, made it in '11...Devils in '12..Bruins again in '13, Rangers in '14, Bolts in '15

Hardly the greatest teams ever assembled.

We gave up in September last year I'd rather now do it again.

 

[Mathews28]

Seriously. Zero. I don't think I've seen a single one that's both realistic AND beneficial to the team.

Can teams in the NHL sign and trade? If so, big trade, centered on Lucic and Hamilton to the Blues for Shattenkirk and Jayden Schwartz. Add ons depending on what the $$$ look like for Looch and Hamilton.

 

[bp13]

Ever since management told ML to STOP FIGHTING, they changed his game completely.

What they should have said was go out there and play your game.

I feel like this "theory" has no place in this discussion. There isn't a shred of proof that such a conversation took place (at least none that I've ever seen posted here). Moreover, if it's so clear that he's a better player when fighting, it makes little sense that management would choose to have an inferior player. Why don't we instead focus on things that we actually know and actually make sense?

 

[LouJersey]

I feel like this "theory" has no place in this discussion. There isn't a shred of proof that such a conversation took place (at least none that I've ever seen posted here). Moreover, if it's so clear that he's a better player when fighting, it makes little sense that management would choose to have an inferior player. Why don't we instead focus on things that we actually know and actually make sense?

I think it's been pretty obvious though no? Stop fighting no...Pick your spots? yes.

You can't be a first line left wing and have 10-12 fights per year. Add in the wrist injury as well and I think we would be foolish to think there weren't any conversations about it.

That being said, he did an awful job this season of defending teammates. He needs to take a half dozen instigators a year IMO...

 

[bp13]

I think it's been pretty obvious though no? Stop fighting no...Pick your spots? yes.

You can't be a first line left wing and have 10-12 fights per year. Add in the wrist injury as well and I think we would be foolish to think there weren't any conversations about it.

That being said, he did an awful job this season of defending teammates. He needs to take a half dozen instigators a year IMO...

Oh you're absolutely right that they have talked about the balance...they have to right? Neely went through the same process here, and any player who has such a value on the ice vs. in the box needs to be aware of it.

I just take issue with the suggestion he'd been told to stop fighting like he'd otherwise be terrorizing the league. This wasn't the only poster I've read here who suggested he was told to stop fighting. I think at this point Lucic fancies himself a bit more of a puck-handler than he actually is (witness the countless blue-line area giveaways), and it's more Lucic than Bruin management whose responsible for this change in his game.

Bottom line is if he isn't forcing turnovers with his hits and he isn't standing up for teammates and occasionally beating the hell out of someone, then he's about a $4M player. And I definitely don't think the team paying his checks told him to take the fighting part out of his game as that would only make him less valuable.

 

[BNHL]

I think it's been pretty obvious though no? Stop fighting no...Pick your spots? yes.

You can't be a first line left wing and have 10-12 fights per year. Add in the wrist injury as well and I think we would be foolish to think there weren't any conversations about it.

That being said, he did an awful job this season of defending teammates. He needs to take a half dozen instigators a year IMO...

I like the idea of Lucic more than the reality. I preferred Tocchet to the second half Neely. Lucic just doesn't have the snarl of a Chris Neil,it's just not him.

 

[LouJersey]

I like the idea of Lucic more than the reality. I preferred Tocchet to the second half Neely. Lucic just doesn't have the snarl of a Chris Neil,it's just not him.

Could you imagine you or I knowing that out of the 20 players dressed on the opposition not one could take us in a fight? I would ****ing terrorize them. I wish Lucic had that in him. Show up and take no prisoners . There are barely any guys who will even fight Lucic left, so throw your weight around. 99% of the time, they aren't going to do anything anyways. He needs to be more engaged, no doubt.

 

[LouJersey]

Oh you're absolutely right that they have talked about the balance...they have to right? Neely went through the same process here, and any player who has such a value on the ice vs. in the box needs to be aware of it.

I just take issue with the suggestion he'd been told to stop fighting like he'd otherwise be terrorizing the league. This wasn't the only poster I've read here who suggested he was told to stop fighting. I think at this point Lucic fancies himself a bit more of a puck-handler than he actually is (witness the countless blue-line area giveaways), and it's more Lucic than Bruin management whose responsible for this change in his game.

Bottom line is if he isn't forcing turnovers with his hits and he isn't standing up for teammates and occasionally beating the hell out of someone, then he's about a $4M player. And I definitely don't think the team paying his checks told him to take the fighting part out of his game as that would only make him less valuable.

Ok I got you...agree 100%...

 

[BNHL]

Could you imagine you or I knowing that out of the 20 players dressed on the opposition not one could take us in a fight? I would ****ing terrorize them. I wish Lucic had that in him. Show up and take no prisoners . There are barely any guys who will even fight Lucic left, so throw your weight around. 99% of the time, they aren't going to do anything anyways. He needs to be more engaged, no doubt.

Some people are tough as hell but lack the mentality (Louis DeBrusk comes to mind) or nastiness. I see more liberties taken with Lucic by the opposition so I don't know that they are scared at all. If Lucic thought like Matt Hendricks would he be more effective? I think so.

 

[Mathews28]

Some people are tough as hell but lack the mentality (Louis DeBrusk comes to mind) or nastiness. I see more liberties taken with Lucic by the opposition so I don't know that they are scared at all. If Lucic thought like Matt Hendricks would he be more effective? I think so.

After Mike Green pretty much laughed him off last year it was obvious he's lost some of his ability to intimidate.

 

[xStanleyCupsFor]

Could you imagine you or I knowing that out of the 20 players dressed on the opposition not one could take us in a fight? I would ****ing terrorize them. I wish Lucic had that in him. Show up and take no prisoners . There are barely any guys who will even fight Lucic left, so throw your weight around. 99% of the time, they aren't going to do anything anyways. He needs to be more engaged, no doubt.

Exactly. I hear the league is moving away from that kind of stuff. Great for us!

 

[Gator Mike]

Is a guy who has historically been lost without Krejci really a "cornerstone" or "foundational" player???

 

[Jean_Jacket41]

Lucic had a down year in 14-15 and he didn't have the playoffs, the reason why you want a Lucic on your team, to redeem himself.

We need more Lucic. Not less. Extend him. 8y. And keep on having success.

There is no 2011 or 2013 without him. He's entering his prime and has a couple more in him. Let's not that be with another team...

 

[Bruinsfolife]

Lucic had a down year in 14-15 and he didn't have the playoffs, the reason why you want a Lucic on your team, to redeem himself.

We need more Lucic. Not less. Extend him. 8y. And keep on having success.

There is no 2011 or 2013 without him. He's entering his prime and has a couple more in him. Let's not that be with another team...

Maybe the first 4 years will be good but what about the last 4 when he is slower, hits and fights less? 8 years at 6.5 or 7 mil im guessing just doesn`t make much sense to me.