TSN: What should Bruins do with Milan Lucic?

[LyricalLyricist]

Is there actually any evidence of this? I think that might be a common occurrence for undersized forwards going all out physically, but Lucic is a 6-4 230. Even then he's not been an all out every shift guy since the age of 20/21. Since those days he's posted three seasons of about 25 goals/60 points. He's not yet suffered any chronic issues that I'm aware of?

Lucic just turned 27 a week ago. He's 6 months older than Pacioretty. The notion that he's on his hockey deathbed is ridiculous IMO. I wouldn't sign him past 33 or so years, but that's 7 years away. 5 or 6 years is a good term.

I'm not saying now but you'll see him decline.

Pacioretty isn't physical, it's a little different. Even then, a few head injuries aren't a good thing to have(Max had a couple).

If Lucic ends this year making 20-25 goals, 20-25 assists and says "Sign me, 6.5 a year for 6 years", do you do it? Some might be comfortable with that and I'd understand why but I'd feel it's not worth it.

His physical game has decline and I don't need to look at hit totals. He's not as intimidating anymore. The guy was a beast when he was younger, now he's more conservative. It's good and bad. It improves the longevity of his career but also makes him less effective.

I'd hardly call one bad season an "impending downfall", nor do I see him on the decline at all. Truth is, if they had the $$ to keep Iggy, Lucic would have put up big numbers with him again. I dont see this impending doom people are talking about. I'd try to resign him. If you can't, you wait until the trade deadline. Its what they should have done with Boychuk. Lucic is going to be fine next year. I want him on this team as long as possible I'd you can't resign him.

Hopefully Sweeney and Lucic can come to an agreement. He's not a guy I'd be trading that's for sure. There are many other guys on this team that should go.

Well, to be fair I've been weary of signing physical players of defensive d-men for years. The article came as no surprise to me in reference to Lucic. Maybe I'm wrong but it's just how I feel.

As for your comment about Iggy. Let's be fair, if you could keep Iggy you're not cap compliant. If the solution is somehow spending more than allowed for Lucic to look better there's a problem.

Personally, I'd try to re-sign Lucic too but I don't see him taking a paycut and I don't see him sacrificing term either.

 

[Mione134]

If they got rid of say, Soup, Pie and or Kelly last year, Iggy would still be here~

But I just think that some are going overboard on Lucic and his decline

 

[Dupell6]

Yakapov and the 16th overall is a pretty enticing trade. Look at Chicago, speed and talent are things we should be adding. I wouldn't trade Lucic for spare parts but I think that is a good trade that could add two potential game changers to the team. Yak-Krejci/Spooner-Pastrnak is the first line we're looking for.

i would entertain yak and the 16th for looch and then try to get sekera with the cap savings

 

[Sheppy]

Yakapov and the 16th overall is a pretty enticing trade. Look at Chicago, speed and talent are things we should be adding. I wouldn't trade Lucic for spare parts but I think that is a good trade that could add two potential game changers to the team. Yak-Krejci/Spooner-Pastrnak is the first line we're looking for.

I too would look at this, and i'm a big Lucic fan.

 

[Estlin]

I'd hardly call one bad season an "impending downfall", nor do I see him on the decline at all. Truth is, if they had the $$ to keep Iggy, Lucic would have put up big numbers with him again. I dont see this impending doom people are talking about. I'd try to resign him. If you can't, you wait until the trade deadline. Its what they should have done with Boychuk. Lucic is going to be fine next year. I want him on this team as long as possible I'd you can't resign him.

Hopefully Sweeney and Lucic can come to an agreement. He's not a guy I'd be trading that's for sure. There are many other guys on this team that should go.

Well, the TSN article, which prompted this thread, points to a declining trend in Lucic's on-ice performance over the past few seasons.

 

[Jean_Jacket41]

If the Bruins are in any sort of a playoff position, no way they trade Lucic at the deadline, IMO.

And then you lock yourself into either losing him for nothing at the end of the season (unacceptable for the value he carries) or you're going to have to resign to avoid that. And if he does bounce back next season it won't be pretty.

Needs to be taken care of this off season, whichever way they choose to go here.

Agree 100%.

 

[ODAAT]

Well, the TSN article, which prompted this thread, points to a declining trend in Lucic's on-ice performance over the past few seasons.

Like to see him begin the year with Spooner and Pasta again, liked his game from the point where all 3 began playing together, he seemed to relish the role of teacher to the kids and their speed forced him to move his bloody feet, with DK it`s often painful watching him

Problem with Looch and the price he`ll command is he is guilty of long stretches where he`s barely noticeable.

So on the fence with him now

Think I`d move Kelly and Seids first (not sure both can or would be moved this summer but surely one will), see how the first half goes with Looch and make a decision on him around or shortly after Christmas

We`ll know early if he`s PO`d at his play and game this past year.

 

[GoBs]

You can get more trading Krejci and his contract. The Yotes would LOVE him. This team without Lucic would be terribly pathetic. Some on here are acting like he was the only player who sucked. Everyone sucked. Even Bergy wasnt himself. We can't be afraid of the unknown with Lucic. Its not his fault Chia put us in this position. Chia has overpaid many on this team. And there are other players we can trade for cap space, not named Milan Lucic.

We trade him and we're looking like fools just like the Seguin and Boychuk trade. We're better WITH him on the team than without him.

Agree!

 

[Mione134]

Well, the TSN article, which prompted this thread, points to a declining trend in Lucic's on-ice performance over the past few seasons.

I found the article had some interesting points, but overall fell flat in terms of how they failed to mention his linemates, and how the rest of the team fared. Take into account injuries and all that.

You could say every player on our roster is in a decline. Show corsi stats to back it up etc. But I dont see a big decline at all.

 

[ODAAT]

I think the most worrisome part of this is how soft this team played last year and in the absence of a Looch, certainly a Quaider, could fans here even accept a potentially even softer Bruins team?

 

[Sheppy]

I think the most worrisome part of this is how soft this team played last year and in the absence of a Looch, certainly a Quaider, could fans here even accept a potentially even softer Bruins team?

I'll puke. I'm not even kidding, and i'll probably stop watching if this team gets pushed around as much or more than they did last year.

 

[BadBruins]

I'm not saying now but you'll see him decline.

Pacioretty isn't physical, it's a little different. Even then, a few head injuries aren't a good thing to have(Max had a couple).

If Lucic ends this year making 20-25 goals, 20-25 assists and says "Sign me, 6.5 a year for 6 years", do you do it? Some might be comfortable with that and I'd understand why but I'd feel it's not worth it.

His physical game has decline and I don't need to look at hit totals. He's not as intimidating anymore. The guy was a beast when he was younger, now he's more conservative. It's good and bad. It improves the longevity of his career but also makes him less effective.

Everyone declines at some point.

If he puts up another 40-45 point season like you suggested. No.

I think he's closer to the 20-30 goal/30-35 assist guy he was at age 22, 23, and 25 (one season ago). I believe he will continue to be in that 50-60 range through 27/28/29/30/31. Might come with a down season or two of 40-50 points. (like last year or the lockout season where he only scored at 13 goal/48 point clip). Even with those two "down years", he still averaged 57 points/per 82 over that aged 22-26 year time old span.

We're a long time removed from Lucic being that hot headed 19 year old. He wasn't wrecking people in any of his big scoring seasons either. It was probably when he started to see regular top-6 minutes when that side of his game leveled out. The aggression and nastiness always came sporadically at different points throughout the season. Sure a couple long playoff runs have been a grind, but I don't see a style that leads to wear and tear. This most recent season he looked less engaged than I've ever seen him. That doesn't concern me however. Maybe it should, but it doesn't. It was a team wide problem. I've seen no signs of his body breaking down.

I would do 5-6 years at $6-6.5 Million.

 

[BB88]

I'd absolutely do Yakupov+16th for Lucic.

Yak+meier/konency/connor+roy/zboril + meloche/andersson would be a nice draft day for us.
Younger, faster, cheaper, more potential lineup.

Yakupov shooting one timer from Krecji and we are in business.

 

[Roll 4 Lines]

They have a desperate need for a top end center, Gagner and Hanzal aren't going to get it done for them. I'd add Krejci to your list of potential enticing pieces, and he might fetch the #3 overall alone.

A move like that would really depend on whether or not you believe Spooner, Bergeron, or Soderberg (assuming they can retain him because of the cap savings now) slot into that 1b/2 spot behind Bergeron but it certainly could be interesting. Alleviates the cap issues, solidifies mitigation plan for Chara's eventual decline, unclogs the C pipeline so guys like Khokhlachev and Spooner have room to develop.

The issue is does it negate Boston from competing right away. Can they compete right away regardless?

If they offer the 3rd for Krejci alone, the Bruins gotta take it, no?

 

[compan]

If they offer the 3rd for Krejci alone, the Bruins gotta take it, no?

Take it and run. But I highly doubt Krejci alone gets us the #3 overall.

 

[Roll 4 Lines]

Take it and run. But I highly doubt Krejci alone gets us the #3 overall.

I think you're right, nor do I think Lucic alone nets Yak and #16.

 

[compan]

I think you're right, nor do I think Lucic alone nets Yak and #16.

Definitely not that either. If anything, for Chia to trade us Yak, we'd have to do Lucic + probably our 14th.

 

[Gargyn]

If they offer the 3rd for Krejci alone, the Bruins gotta take it, no?

No ****. But coyotes would never make that horrible trade. To get 3rd pick, would cost minimum krejci, 14th, subban and a top 6 forward. In other words gutting this depleted team even more. Bruins don't have the depth or talent to move up in the draft that high. I keep saying it, Chiarelli ****ed this team for years. Its going to be a while before they are a real contender again.

 

[BergyTime37]

New guy posting here. I would much rather Sweeney look to trade Lucic + for Yakupov and 16 than trading Krejci for # 3 overall.

I just think trading Krejci would absolutely kill our center depth. No idea what the plus would have to be from Edmonton's perspective though. I love the thought of Yak playing along side Krejci or Spooner and Pasta.

 

[DKH]

New guy posting here. I would much rather Sweeney look to trade Lucic + for Yakupov and 16 than trading Krejci for # 3 overall.

I just think trading Krejci would absolutely kill our center depth. No idea what the plus would have to be from Edmonton's perspective though. I love the thought of Yak playing along side Krejci or Spooner and Pasta.

Sweeney won't discuss Krejci and likely will field calls on Lucic but Loui is being shopped

All Krejci trade talk is just fantasy talk on message boards- Lucic is a Sweeney guy and my guess is if someone wants to come close or at a Godfather deal they'd listen but it's Loui.

I would keep loui and hope he stays but we shall see soon enough hearing he's in play

 

[bp13]

Sweeney won't discuss Krejci and likely will field calls on Lucic but Loui is being shopped

I'll be curious to hear about his value. That's a sweet contract and I think whomever gets him is getting a good year from him.

 

[BergyTime37]

Sweeney won't discuss Krejci and likely will field calls on Lucic but Loui is being shopped

I understand wanting to get Loui off the books, what exactly is his value at this point? He had a bit of a bounce back year points wise. I still would like to see how he produces with better line mates. Obviously for the right price trading him would be a good idea cap wise

 

[reffree]

Take it and run. But I highly doubt Krejci alone gets us the #3 overall.

Krejci is in his peak right now and will be for the next 3 to 5 years. Phoenix is far from competing and still will be in those years ... Krejci or not.

 

[Kaoz]

Krejci is in his peak right now and will be for the next 3 to 5 years. Phoenix is far from competing and still will be in those years ... Krejci or not.

I'd be very interested to see the same stat analysis that was performed by TSN performed for Krejci. If we're saying Lucic is trending downwards because of these advanced stats a comparison with his most consistent linemate makes some sense. I wouldn't be surprised if we found out these advanced stats also point to guys like Bergeron, Marchand, and Krejci trending down at a similar rate. I have no idea how to do that, those stats are confusing.

As for Arizona, who knows what's going on with that franchise. They may not even be there to start the season at this point. This is based solely around the premise that they are looking to obtain a top line forward in exchange for the #3. I believe that was the rumor that was out there no?

 

[compan]

I'd be very interested to see the same stat analysis that was performed by TSN performed for Krejci. If we're saying Lucic is trending downwards because of these advanced stats a comparison with his most consistent linemate makes some sense. I wouldn't be surprised if we found out these advanced stats also point to guys like Bergeron, Marchand, and Krejci trending down at a similar rate. I have no idea how to do that, those stats are confusing.

As for Arizona, who knows what's going on with that franchise. They may not even be there to start the season at this point. This is based solely around the premise that they are looking to obtain a top line forward in exchange for the #3. I believe that was the rumor that was out there no?

There doesn't need to be an actual rumor out there for ideas like that to be posted on the board. I'm convinced some rumors actually start by beat writers reading HFboards.