Équipe: 2022-23 Bruins de Boston

Date de création initiale: 4 janv. 2022

Publié: 4 janv. 2022

Mode - plafond salarial: Basique

The Bruins are in a strange spot where it feels like the roster is pretty good as is on paper but on the ice it doesn't seem to be enough to make a cup run. 2 areas that I think should be addressed if possible are getting a new 2/3 C to have alongside Coyle who I think has been good in the 2C role but would thrive as the 3C and could be the answer to the depth scoring. The other need would be a 1LD because Mike Reilly just ain't it on most nights which sucks because he's good when it's an "on" night but they are too few and far between to make a full-time spot reasonable on a cup hopeful.

The UFAs: resign Bergeron is priority #1. I think he'll take a cheaper deal AAV wise while having performance bonuses that he should attain and make more money than he is this year. He will be team-friendly because he's aware of the team's situation both monetarily and outlook-wise on this upcoming season and he makes his money either way. Internally, sign Anton Blidh as a scratch option, he's been solid when called upon. I signed Froden too because he's been good in Providence and could be a nice veteran addition to the AHL that could be called up if necessary.

The RFAs: sign Ahcan, Filipe, Hughes, Keyser, Koppanen, and Vaakanainen back on two-way deals. Sign Zboril, Kuhlman, and Steen to one-way deals as they will be full-time players for the Bruins next season. Sign Beecher from the NCAA and have him play for Providence.

The Trades: The Arizona Trade occurs at the 2021 Trade Deadline, and only if Arizona decides to trade Chychrun, which I am doubting that they will but whatever. Haula and Moore are more or less in there for cap purposes, but they'd also be serviceable for the Coyotes during their perpetual rebuild, as would Senyshyn who's requested to be moved. DeBrusk and Lauko are both decent pieces who are still fairly young and have some value (probably worth somewhere around a third round pick each imo). 2 1sts and 2 2nds evens out the value and the Bruins get both a 1LD and a 2C at the same time.
For the Seattle trade, I think Reilly could be moved as he won't be needed especially with Chychrun and I think Seattle could be a good fit as they need to find some offense from the backend (or just offense in general) and Reilly is a good play driver from the blue line. Studnicka can't crack the roster so he may ask to move and I say to do it asap. Not sure of the value of both pieces but I think they could get a second round pick combined. lmk if I got it wrong and what you'd package Reilly and Studnicka for.

The Roster: For offense, Top line stays the same, obviously. Second Line also stays the same because I've liked how they've played but you could switch Schmaltz for Coyle. Third line is where the team looks so much better with Foligno playing his natural left side with Schmaltz at center and Lysell at right wing. Lysell has been dominant in the WHL and I think he was closer to getting a look in the NHL than we were let on this past preseason. He will probably get a look at NHL action at some point during the 2022-23 season if not on opening night, but I think he could earn a spot over a guy like Kuhlman/Wagner/whatever AHL-level UFA they inevitably sign. fourth line is the same as last night's unit with Frederic-Nosek-Steen as they looked good and I expect them to get an extended look together soon and I'm hopeful that they'll click. Blidh could be replaced by Kuhlman but I'd prefer Blidh. Defensively, Chychrun-McAvoy quickly becomes a top 3 pair in the NHL if not the best. Grizz and Carl make a solid second pair with Carlo being the defensive anchor that allows Grzelcyk to flourish offensively. Third pair brings back Zboril who was looking great prior to the injury that'll take him out for the rest of the year, and Forbort is an ideal 3rd pair defensive-defenseman. Clifton is a good 7th D. Goalies stay the same as I think Rask may retire if the Bruins go on a deep run this year after his return a la Justin Williams.

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