They take Frederic. Defenseman are easy to come by in this exp draft.

Do you agree with the protected players?

Possible they might bump Ritchie for Frederic as he has fallen off since a good start but you are probably right.

Unless they sign Hall/Krejci before the draft

Edit: And Ritchie/Frederic/whoever at the lower end doesnt really matter tbh

Agreed with that. If they sign one, who do you unprotect?

I think you have the right list except switch Frederic for Ritchie. Seattle has to take 20 players with term and Ritchie and Kase are RFA’s. I also doubt they want to take too many arb-eligible RFAs, which they both are as well. I think both survive exposure and the Kraken take Lauzon or Zboril

If I was GM of BOS I would tempt them to take Coyle. He isn't a 5.2 mil player.
5v5 he has 3 goals and 8 points. a 50/50 corsi/FF and is a -13.
He's going to be 30. His play started dropping in MIN. BOS signed him to that huge deal of one bounce back in a contract year. It looks like he's back to his old self.
If you can move that contract out for nothing, now is the time.

From your list, Ritchie by any chance. One could maybe convince Coyle to waive regardless, with the reasoning he probably isn't going to be taken

Edit: I actually forgot Kase. He's probably the one they should protect. He has a higher ceiling if he gets back alright.

Frederic over Ritchie and Lauzon over Gryz.

For sure Krejci and hopefully Hall will want to stay in Boston. They won't tie managements hands by signing before the draft. At the lower end it does matter. Frederic should be protected, not Ritchie.

They will not be protecting Kase.

Note "should", not "will"

I think they protect Frederic over ritchie. If Seattle takes ritchie in the expansion draft I’m pretty sure don Sweeney will sleep well.

Freddy > Ritchie, other than that it's correct

Id be surprised if Kase gets a qualifying offer... i believe if they did qualify him his minimum deal would be 2.6 mil and i think BOS would rather use that money towards extending Carlo, potentially resigning Hall/Krejci/Rask/Ritchie and exploring FA. Just dont think 2.6 or more is worth a flyer on a guy who just cant stay in the lineup.

Frederic over Ritchie.

Why do you guys think this? I know Ritchie has been on a slump, but Frederic doesnt really put up any numbers. I know his role is to be more of a physical guy/disturber. I guess you guys really like what he brings in that regard? Also, he isnt even playing in the NHL right now.

He just turned 23, the bruins picked him in the first round. They clearly like his game, and with reason. He brings a ton of physicality, and is starting to chip in offensively

Yeah I'm not talking about likelihoods, I'm specifically saying "should" cause I believe Kase to actually have high end play driving potential. You can find guys like Frederic and Ritchie any off-season. Would be really cool if they could sign him for less, if he's not expecting more in free agency. I really hope they do, regardless.

Guess it kinda depends on how the rest of the year shapes up... They would have to not qualify him, let him turn into an UFA and then try to sign him at a lower price. But i would imagine they would let him walk to be honest. Too many young guys who probably need a spot. But who knows? He could come back for the playoffs and tear it up for all i know... feel bad for the guy its been a really unfortunate stretch.

I mean he was sick, its not that they sent him down. He was sick, and the 4th line has been tearing it up with Lazar joining so they havent forced him back in the lineup. Im split between Ritchie and Freddy. For me it would have to depend on what Ritchie would want in a next contract, he'll be an RFA.

Freddy is young, still has upside to be a really good 3rd liner. He's one of those guys who brings energy to the lineup, is tenacious, not afraid to dish it out and can easily get under the skins of opponents while staying disciplined. Not a lot of guys can do all of that, which makes him very valuable to the team. He's the definition of a boston bruin.

Yeah but I think part of the issue is that even when he's really good its that sneaky type of good. It's the opposite of Malkin or someone at their best who's knocking people over, scoring insane goals and setting up great assists - Kase is mostly a smart player, and I think its really hard to shine like that unless people are looking at deeper metrics and such. So not sure he'll really *look* that good in the playoffs even if he is. But then getting Hall for nothing would offset the Kase investment regardless, and if they sign him instead I can't really be upset, so there's that!

They gave him a NMC. Coyles play is more suited for playoffs anyways, but itll be interesting to see if the bruins can elevate his play at all.

Honestly they could make it very difficult on seattle and protect:

Bergy, pasta, marchy, coyle, debrusk, frederic, smith
Mcavoy, carlo, lauzon
Vladar

This exposes grz who makes ~3.7m over the next 3 years which are supposedly flat cap. He has missed a ton of time this year and that could play a factor down the stretch. Im very very nervous that bruins try and resign nick ritchie for more than he is worth.