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Post by texs31 on Sept 11, 2018 20:52:11 GMT -5
I go away for a while and look what happens . . . No Bruins thread???
Adam McQuaid traded today for Steve Kampfer, a 4th rounder and conditional 7th. Decent return for an 3rd pair D as a pending UFA. Also gains them 2.75 in Cap Space.
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Post by voiceofreason on Sept 12, 2018 12:09:06 GMT -5
That return for Adam isn't bad but I will miss the guy, he is what he is but he was reliable and would throw down when needed.
Wish they could bank that cap space for next year. Wondering now how it can help this year?
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Post by texs31 on Sept 12, 2018 12:35:36 GMT -5
Agreed but he was, likely, 8th on the depth chart.
The cap space was coming next year anyway (he was to be a FA and not likely re-signed). And, to correct my error, the space is actually more like 2.1 (McQuaid's 2.75 - Kampfer's 650K). There is some wiggle room there as the 650 is a two-way deal.
Where it can help this year is if they decide to go after a Top 6 F (via trade or re-signing Nash should he desire to play instead of retire). I was a little surprised that some writers were lamenting that Boston didn't make the offer to Carolina that Buffalo did for Jeff Skinner. The answer? They couldn't have (technically though, as we see here, they could've gotten there). Buffalo had the advantage of having the cap space to absorb Skinner's salary outright. Boston would've had to move out salary (or include a roster player in any deal and I doubt CAR would've been interested in McQuaid). Wouldn't have made a deal impossible just required more steps (not surprising if CAR just wanted to make the deal and not wait for Boston to get it's best offer for McQuaid).
And, related, Joey Mac tweeted out that trade chatter around the NHL is heating up and CMB is engaging teams (including Bs) on Panarin.
Because of this trade, a picks/prospect (technically, it would be a roster guy on his ELC like Bjork/Heinen/Carlo - doubt Boston would put McAvoy/DeBrusk/Donato in an offer) package can now be on the table given the extra room. Not saying they should do it for a pending FA but it's now more straight forward.
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Post by voiceofreason on Sept 12, 2018 13:48:03 GMT -5
The Bruins have a stockpile of prospects so they can and probably need to move some of them to improve and the extra 2 million certainly helps. That will be one way to create a more dangerous 2nd line.
Any thoughts on moving Pasternak to the 2nd line at the cost of splitting up one of the top 3 lines in the league? Personally I think someone else could be with Bergy and March and they wouldn't miss a beat.
I also think Donato can and will score 25 this season, he has a great one timer and that is what scores goals these days. Maybe he will be on the 2nd line but I have read chatter he is destined to the 3rd.
Funny how last year was so great in regards to the young guys coming up and playing above expectations and now you add Donato and Bjork to that group. Not to mention JFK, Frederic, Zboril, Senyshyn, Studnicka. Like I said they have a surplus of prospects so trading for a Panarin is doable.
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Post by texs31 on Sept 12, 2018 14:03:19 GMT -5
I think I'd prefer to wait and see if one of Bjork/Donato/Heinen can fill the role of Top 6 forward. If not, then you can make a move later in the year (I'd actually prefer - if he's up to it - Nash).
The cop out answer on Pasta is . . . we'll see. That was exactly the plan last year when Marchand/Bergeron/Bjork and DeBrusk/Krejci/Pasta were the lines as camp broke and, by all accounts, headed for big years. Then, Bjork wasn't as effective as hoped and, ultimately, missed most of the year to injury. So it all comes down to the youngsters. If one of them can step up and be useable with Marchand/Bergeron then spreading the talent to 2 lines makes sense. If not, you gotta go Pasta on that top line.
It'll definitely be interesting to see how they handle the youngsters going forward. Not room for everyone and they'll obviously, need new deals as we move forward. Future RFAs:
2019 - JFK, Donato, and Heinen up front; McAvoy and Carlo on D
2020 - DeBrusk, Bjork, Senyshyn; Grzelcyk, Zboril and Lauzon (Studnicka depending on where he plays this year)
2021 - Frederic, Studnicka (more likely here if he's plays in Juniors this year); Vaakanainen
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Post by voiceofreason on Sept 12, 2018 14:37:49 GMT -5
I spoke to a friend who had a cup of coffee with the B's a long time ago when they got Nash last year, I was excited he was not. He said he wasn't tough enough. I thought Nash played well when he was healthy but can they afford him if he did want to be back? Not sure they have the room for a guy who will cost at least 6 right?
It's a really good problem to have but they need to be creative with maximizing the value of all those guys as they certainly can't sign all of them. If they could trade Kreiji or Backes or both it would help.
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Post by voiceofreason on Sept 12, 2018 14:55:27 GMT -5
I think this is the last year you want to run Backes out there at 6 million against the cap and Kreiji for another 3 years at 7.25 doesn't look great to me either. Package some prospects with them to clear the space and keep the ones you want. We can also hope for the cap to surge again like it did this year but it will probably moderate for a while.
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Post by texs31 on Sept 12, 2018 16:07:41 GMT -5
Key on Nash would be when he signs. Heard on a Podcast (Three Amigos) that the belief was he'd wait until after the 1st of the year. So if he's a $6M player, he'd only cost $3M. Purely speculation mind you but more informed than I.
Backes is certainly a candidate. Let's see if improved health and conditioning (he's lost 10 lbs so queue up the "Best Shape of My Life" music) does anything to improve his game. His toughness (albeit a different style of toughness than McQuaid) might be more important given the loss of the big D. If this year ends up being more of the same, it's hard to imagine one of the younger players not being able to step in.
With Krejci, I get why people say it doesn't look great but I do think you have to have a plan to replace him (it's why Tavares would've been a great get - btw their pursuit of him suggests that they had a plan in place to move DK). Don't think you want to rely on the kids (unless one of them has a significant impact on the 3rd line and it makes you think 2nd line would be the same). They won't be desperate for the Cap Room so it comes down to net value of a trade (he's still good when healthy and better than most other realistic options - he's just not 7.5M good so the decision comes down to what's the net cost/benefit of replacing him).
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Post by voiceofreason on Sept 13, 2018 12:11:07 GMT -5
I like the idea of Nash coming back later in the year at a reduced salary. That would be a great 2nd half addition that didn't cost a prospect. Hadn't thought of that and it makes sense concussion wise.
I like Backes so if losing 10 lbs makes him a better player I am all for it but with 3 years left that won't last forever. Still I would imagine needing that cap space for one of the youngsters.
I completely believe one of the prospects coming up will be ready to take over DKs 2nd line center position rather soon, like next year. I think DK is good not great and hasn't been for a few years. I hope he can have a healthy season and get matched up with some linemates that fit with him then prove me wrong but it has been a while. Maybe injuries have taken their toll, I don't know but he hasn't been anything special for a while, IMO.
Donato has to improve in his own end but I can see him centering the 2nd line in the future.
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Post by texs31 on Sept 13, 2018 14:16:34 GMT -5
B's seem to like Donato on a wing so, until I see/hear otherwise, I'm actually assuming he's not a candidate.
I just think that a team with the expectation of winning might not want to rely on such a young C (JFK, Frederic or Studnicka). Not as 2nd liner.
Speaking of that, some had speculated that they could try and bring back Seguin who was a pending FA. No more. He just signed an extension with Dallas.
Also, Erik Karlsson was traded to San Jose today so the nightmare scenario of TB getting him is no more.
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Post by texs31 on Oct 1, 2018 12:27:55 GMT -5
Today's practice lines (per Haggs) may be a suggestion of what opening night could look like:
Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak
DeBrusk-Krejci-Heinen
Donato-Kuraly-Backes
Nordstrom/Bjork-Acciari-Wagner
Chara-McAvoy
Moore-Carlo
Vaakanainen-Miller
Grzelcyk-Kampfer
Rask
Halak
Comments
- Krug likely out for opening night
- Grzelcyk was skating in a non-contact jersey so he could be out too
- Personally, I'm hoping that Bjork is up with the big club only while they try to work out a deal with either Winnik or Stempniak (in camp on PTO deals) . . . or both. Doesn't really make sense to have Bjork skating on the 4th line or scratched. Getting to Providence and on a top 2 line.
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Post by texs31 on Oct 1, 2018 13:03:45 GMT -5
Per Ty Anderson,
- Krug out a few weeks
- Winnik and Stempniak exploring options. Stempniak could be back.
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Post by natesp4 on Oct 1, 2018 20:00:13 GMT -5
Not a huge fan of Kuraly on the 3rd line. Like him as a player but I think he's a nice 4th liner and becomes below average as a 3rd line center.
Not very prospect heavy, especially since I think Urho will be sent down once Grz or Krug is back. With so many prospects not making the team it makes me pretty open to a Panarin type trade. I really thought one of JFK, Studnicka, Frederic, Cehlarik would make the team.
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Post by texs31 on Oct 2, 2018 10:45:05 GMT -5
Grzlecyk skated WITHOUT the non-contact jersey and was paired up with Miller on the 3rd pairing. Would think that means Urho down to Providence with Kampfer as the extra.
Stempniak returned to practice so they might have a deal in place. Not sure on Winnik. I'm hoping they don't just have Bjork sitting when he can/should be getting ice time with Providence IMO.
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Post by texs31 on Oct 2, 2018 12:25:13 GMT -5
Per Haggs, Stempniak wont be travelling with Boston. Still doesn't have a deal but is hoping for one (Bs would be preference).
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Post by Don Caballero on Oct 3, 2018 22:43:57 GMT -5
Well that was surely anticlimactic.
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Post by texs31 on Oct 4, 2018 5:36:12 GMT -5
Plenty of reasons to lose that game.
ZERO reasons to lose 7-0. That was awful.
Tuukka terrible but everyone else was too.
Glad they're back out there tonight. Hope we see some pride.
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Post by texs31 on Oct 4, 2018 22:20:40 GMT -5
Much better. Cue the "Halak should be our starter" takes.
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Post by Don Caballero on Oct 4, 2018 23:18:13 GMT -5
Much better. Cue the "Halak should be our starter" takes. I'm not saying he should, I'm not saying he shouldn't... |
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Post by texs31 on Oct 17, 2018 21:25:31 GMT -5
Starting to think he should
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Post by texs31 on Oct 20, 2018 16:16:01 GMT -5
Kampher (Season debut) and Vaakanainen (NHL debut) in tonight as Miller and McAvoy have been sent home with injuries
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Post by texs31 on Nov 9, 2018 9:58:31 GMT -5
Ugly last night. Wow do they miss McAvoy and, arguably more importantly, Miller.
After scoring 5 goals last night, it might not be the best time to complain about offense but I still can't fathom why Bjork isn't getting time on a Top 2 line.
1. They liked him paired with Marchand/Bergeron coming out of camp last year
2. Before last night, secondary scoring was a significant issue
3. EVERY beat writer has been saying that he's playing really well (not that it would factor into a coaches decision - I only point it out as they are experts on how a person is playing relative to me)
I try not to be a guy who thinks he's smarter than the coaches/gms of professional sports teams but not trying this combination is maddening.
Marchand/Bergeron/Bjork
DeBrusk/Krejci/Pastrnak
Heinen/Nordstrom/Backes
Wagner/Kuraly/Acciari
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Post by texs31 on Nov 9, 2018 11:38:19 GMT -5
JFK getting the 1st crack among the prospects to give the 3rd line C job a go. He was just called up.
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Post by texs31 on Nov 9, 2018 12:37:09 GMT -5
Meanwhile, Tuukka Rask has been granted a leave of absence to attend to personal matters. He's obviously been terrible so not sure if there is an off-ice cause. OR, the LOA could be BECAUSE he's been so terrible (and his comments last night about "just trying to keep it under 10" were likely NOT the type of thing you want to hear out of your high paid goalie)
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Post by James Dunne on Dec 4, 2018 11:56:32 GMT -5
While the "returns" to the NHL in the tweet is technically incorrect, this is excellent (and unbelievably too long in coming) news.
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