Boston signed cheap vets, competed for first in the NHL, placed second in the division, won a playoff round and played six more games. Swayman, Lohrei emerge. Poitras returns, Beecher settles in. Great transition year— invaluable playoff experience and cap flexibility. #NHLBruins
Boston #NHLBruins offseason preview:
Roster: 17 (10F/6D/1G)
Cap Hit: $65.99M
Cap Space: $21.71M
Notable RFAs:
J Boqvist
J Swayman
Notable UFAs:
J DeBrusk
J van Riemsdyk
P Maroon
D Heinen
M Grzelcyk
D Forbort
K Shattenkirk
M Lucic
Draft:
4th x1
5th x1
6th x1
https://t.co/2GSRPioEy1
Pastrnak is 30; McAvoy is 28; Swayman is 27; Larkin is 30 with five years left at 8.7m AAV. Don’t think I’d sell the farm for him and even if he’s not elite, he’s still a fast, capable, established first-line center. Boston needs to consider an aggresive approach IMO. #NHLBruins
@SOUPGATTAHPOOP Pastrnak/McAvoy aren’t getting younger and they’re also not making a deep run without one. A first-line center gives them a legitimate 1D, 1G, 1RW and 1C, one of which is a legitimate 100-point player in his prime. It’s easier to get support players than it is top-line centers.
Few players in Boston receive the praise that Peeke has despite his poor results. Works hard and displays effort, but it’s because he’s often out of position, making up for getting beat or mismanaging the puck IMO. Don’t extend him— get a faster, more skilled 3RD/LD. #NHLBruins
As I mentioned on the DFO Rundown Insider Edition today, the #NHLBruins will be parting ways with assistant coach Jay Leach, whose contract is up and I'm told won't be renewed.
I enjoyed Jay Leach’s time in Providence and welcomed him back into Boston, but their bench needs some fresh ideas especially on the defensive side of things. Hoping they choose to look outside of the organization though instead of trying to fill roles from within. #NHLBruins
@_TyAnderson Poitras only got three games this year while Elias Lindholm dealt with a concerning, chronic back injury. Lysell has only seen a 12-game stint since his draft year at the end of their worst season in over a decade. More than fair to question their process at this point IMO.
@Xialater@RealMattDolloff@KyleMosca1@Mikhailbgood Coyle had less term and is like six years older. Added Zellers and a second which is a pretty good swap. No team was giving up more assets than OTT for Ullmark or else they would have done it IMO. Pick turned into Letourneau and Kastelic is a fourth-line main stay. It’s fine.
@RealMattDolloff@KyleMosca1@Mikhailbgood The issue isn’t the Mittelstadt and Korpisalo acquisitions via trade as you got valuable assets back in those deals. It’s as Matt was saying, adding an abundance of bottom-six forwards and pricey UFA contracts (Lindholm) on multiple non-impact, low-ceiling players.
@cnosek6342 Seeing improvements after just 10 games in BOS, four in PVD, seems incredibly generous. He’s 24 now and has been living in NA since 2021— that’s five years. How long is this “adaptation period” going to last, exactly? COVID was how long ago? He might get better, he might not.
Reichel turns 24 next week, is fast, cheap and young if nothing else. Cap hit can be buried in the AHL so there’s very little risk. Only issue I have is the potential for him to take a roster spot from Hagens or another prospect while they “adjust” in Providence. #NHLBruins
@cnosek6342 He’s 24 in three days. How was he rushed, exactly? He had 50 AHL games in 2021 and then 50 more in 2022. Posted 7G-8A-15PTS in 23GP with Chicago in 2022 and didn’t improved afterwards. He’s played 100 NHL games since then.
Again, can’t imagine Pavel Zacha is going to sign for less than $7m AAV on his next extension and it might even end up being more than that. #NHLBruins
Bruins shifted focus from “bridge” to “compete” just one (!) year after a major firesale when playoffs became an option. Standing pat at the deadline, holding UFAs and opting for low-ceiling guys over developing prospects were one foot in, one foot out decisions IMHO. #NHLBruins
Both the Bruins and Celtics shifted a lot of expectations ahead of what was supposed to be either "bridge" or "rebuilding" years.
But sure doesn't feel great when both teams completely stumble in their own building in the playoffs.
A quiet spring here in Boston.