Lindholm was a great add but a high price. Assuming he signs the reported max extension, I’m ok with it. I like Vaakanainen but he and a first makes sense for Lindholm, with the seconds covering the retention and Moore’s contract. Wish the 2023 pick was a third but oh well. Given the weak UFA D market, I think they flip Reilly this summer and recoup some assets. You resign Zboril to replace Vaakanainen/Reilly and let him battle with Clifton and a depth signing for the third pair spot.
Moving forward though, I think the Bs are out on bidding wars. You managed to get a new LD1 without losing Lysell, Lohrei, or your 2023 first. Don’t go back on that now.
I’ve been unsure it happens because of the logistics, but I think you have to try signing Krejci - and you have to do it today. If he says he won’t play for anyone but the Bruins then we’ll see what happens on waivers and if anyone claims him just to block him. If he makes it through, he costs you nothing and is an upgrade to Haula. If he’s claimed, you have some time to look for another trade and/or you stick with Haula which is fine. Not great, but not a killer in my opinion. The center market is simply too thin and too overpriced to upgrade any other way before the deadline. Copp will be too expensive and Domi isn’t the answer. If Krejci is claimed, maybe you look at Stastny or Blackwell.
At RW1, I just don’t think DeBrusk is the answer. He’s so unreliable and you can’t let him bring down your best players. I think Kessel is a good idea for how cheap he would be to acquire, but that’s only a short-term fix. I like Garland more as a reportedly available player that is more long-term option. While DeBrusk is very comparable to Garland and shouldn’t cost much more than a straight swap, when I have previously mocked that Canucks fans have said they don’t want a left shot. So instead let’s send DeBrusk to his hometown Oilers, take the return and flip it to Vancouver with Steen which gets the Canucks two young right shot forwards and cap savings. I love Garland’s potential on that top line.
The B’s can add $6.2MM at the deadline. However, Krejci’s pro-rated deal merely replaces Studnicka and DeBrusk for Garland is less than a $1.5MM swap. Even if Krejci clears waivers and you don’t need to add a starting center, may as well still use that money right? Haula, Foligno, and Studnicka are decent depth for any top nine injuries while there’s plenty of fourth line depth. I’m not as certain about the blue line depth which has been a huge problem in the playoffs for the Bs. Even with Lindholm pushing Clifton out of the lineup, Ahcan, and Curran are not strong options to be the next man up behind him. There has been no noise surrounding Stralman due to his cap hit, but he’s quietly played 20+ minutes a night and is just -8 for the awful Coyotes. Like Kessel, he would cost nothing to acquire and the B’s have the cap space to add him. An experienced veteran and an extra right shot is actually a nice add.
Or even for the rest of this year! Also, Krejci will just leave again so that seems like a moot point!
Yah but between debrusk and bergeron this year and then pasta the year after. Boston is going to have an interesting time making some trades and offloading contracts
Yah but between debrusk and bergeron this year and then pasta the year after. Boston is going to have an interesting time making some trades and offloading contracts
Absolutely! By TDL 2023 they will probably rid themselves of Haula, Forbort and Reilly (if they’re not gone by tomorrow) and possibly even Foligno. Depending on if another goalie enters the fray, Ullmark could be dealt after next season. That’s 17+ million before Pastrnak needs a new contract but all still very speculative! Maybe Sweeney will be gone by then as well!