Should the Bruins fail once again to win the cup (which is likely), they realistically have one year left to be a true contender. The goal should be to trim off excess to make room for a big name. Defense and goaltending are beyond good enough already: it comes down to forwards. This is assuming that DeBrusk still wants to leave, in which case I think there is a trade to be made at the draft for a pick. Again, the goal is to make cap space for a big name free agent.
In-House Signings:
Re-sign Bergeron for one year. this will continue to be the case until he retires: 1 year deals at cheaper-than-worth AAVs with attainable performance bonuses to balance out the money side for Bergy. Re-sign Cam Hughes for 1 year prove-it. He will be asked to play a depth role in the NHL, prove that he belongs. If not, there are plenty of guys in Providence eager to take his spot. Resign Froden as well, depth in the AHL that's capable of making an NHL stint. In terms of RFAs, resign everyone cheap, Studnicka and Ahcan will likely be NHL depth players, everyone else in the AHL. This allows some guys that have been good for us to walk in Free Agency. Lazar is the big one. I'd like to bring him back, but the team needs to allow youth into the roster, who have proven to be worthy of the role already. Letting Lazar walk is simply trimming excess, as I mentioned before. Also, bring in 3 ELC players from in-house: Beecher (who's on ATG right now), Mantykivi, and Becker. Mantykivi could wait for next year, but I'd like to see him in come over this year, seeing as he's been doing great things in Liiga this year.
Trades:
Trade 1: Again, this is assuming that DeBrusk wants out. I think that the best way to move him is to look for a pick, especially considering the quality of players in this draft. Edmonton's first should likely be in the 18-25 range of picks. EDM is looking for guys to pair with McDavid and/or Draisaitl, especially if Evander Kane leaves in FA. DeBrusk has proven to be a solid top six option, especially when paired with good talent. A Debrusk-McDavid combo would be very exciting and I think would be more than worth a first round pick. As for the pick itself, you're hoping for a center (McGroarty, Lekkerimaki, maybe Geekie if he falls). I don't love the idea of moving DeBrusk, but if he wants out and there are options in Free Agency to fill his spot, than it's better to move him now while the value is high than see him drop off and still be upset about being in Boston and moving him down the road for a lesser package.
Trade 2: This is a move to remove an excess LD. I'd prefer to keep Forbort over Reilly because of his size and occasional physicality, but the trade remains the same regardless of defender. Detroit needs LD desperately, Reilly can be a stopgap on that middle pair until the youth is ready. And they have more than enough cap space to make the deal happen. Red Savage is a decent prospect, former 4th round pick, don' think Detroit will really miss him from their prospect core but the Bruins can use all of the prospects they can get their hands on, and a 2023 6th. 4th and a 6th for a slightly overpaid 3rd pair defender, I think is fair for both sides.
Trade 3: Following this year, Foligno has lost his NMC, moving to a 16 team NTC. I think that Columbus would be one of the teams that he would be willing to move to. It doesn't necessarily have to be Columbus; any team that Foligno would move to with the space for him will do.
Free Agency:
The in-house signings and trades leave Boston with just over 7 million in cap space for free agency. That should be enough to land Bryan Rust, whose speed and overall style I think would blend very nicely with Bergeron and Marchand. Other than Rust, two-way deals for depth should be the only targets in FA. I signed more guys than the Bruins realistically would, just throwing some names out there of guys I'd like to see brought in as potential injury fill-ins in the NHL, otherwise AHLers.
The Team:
Forwards: Rust fills in for DeBrusk on the top line, otherwise no changes in the top 9. It's worked very well in recent months, and I'd expect them to continue working well for next year. 4th line is almost all new, Nosek is a very capable 4C, probably even a capable 3C. McLaughlin has worked his way into the lineup this year since joining the team, his work-ethic and mental game has played him into this role for next year. Cam Hughes gets the last lineup spot, with Steen and Stud as depth who rote into the bottom six. overall a very capable group who should be very dangerous.
Defense and Goaltending: Literally no changes. Our defense has been great and the 1-2 punch we have in net can play with any tandem in the NHL right now. Ahcan acts as 7th D, he's been good in the call-ups he's gotten. If you want more size, pick a two-way deal UFA to bring in (Bitetto and Carrick are 32 guys that I signed that could fill in that role, but take your pick)
Said it before, I'll say it again - Fliggy has made it clear he wants to win a cup. He can return to and retire a Blue Jacket whenever he wants, and he knows this. I highly doubt CBJ aren't on his MNTC.
Even then, it's gonna cost more than a 7th to move him, not just to CBJ, but to any team.
Said it before, I'll say it again - Fliggy has made it clear he wants to win a cup. He can return to and retire a Blue Jacket whenever he wants, and he knows this. I highly doubt CBJ aren't on his MNTC.
Even then, it's gonna cost more than a 7th to move him, not just to CBJ, but to any team.
As I said, doesn’t necessarily have to be Columbus, but rather any team with cap space that he’ll waive for. As for what it’ll take to move him, it could be Foligno and a 4th/meh prospect (Quinn Olson?) for future considerations. The trade was more of a placeholder than an actual deal
trust me im going to tell you right now according to every other fan in the league not one boston player is worth a first so do yourself a favour and delete this before you get ripped a new one
not like debrusk isn't scoring at a career PPG rate of .55ppg and in 4 of his 5 seasons in the league was on pace to score 20+ goals if it wasn't for shortened seasons and or injuries
while also debrusk has improved massively 2way and can play all special teams but no he isn't worth more then a 3rd
trust me im going to tell you right now according to every other fan in the league not one boston player is worth a first so do yourself a favour and delete this before you get ripped a new one
not like debrusk isn't scoring at a career PPG rate of .55ppg and in 4 of his 5 seasons in the league was on pace to score 20+ goals if it wasn't for shortened seasons and or injuries
while also debrusk has improved massively 2way and can play all special teams but no he isn't worth more then a 3rd
A 1st isn't something the Oilers should pay for Debrusk. Maybe another team, but the Oilers will and should have other priorities than using their limited cap space on him.
debrusk doesn't work because of his cap hit. Edmonton also has kuzmenko coming next year and could possibly retain kane. It doesnt seem like edmonton needs debrusk.
trust me im going to tell you right now according to every other fan in the league not one boston player is worth a first so do yourself a favour and delete this before you get ripped a new one
not like debrusk isn't scoring at a career PPG rate of .55ppg and in 4 of his 5 seasons in the league was on pace to score 20+ goals if it wasn't for shortened seasons and or injuries
while also debrusk has improved massively 2way and can play all special teams but no he isn't worth more then a 3rd
you think Debrusk is worth a 3rd? are you on crack?
If someone is going to make more than Bergeron and Marchand than he better well be ready carry them all over the ice and that is something Bryan Rust, although a good player, cannot do. Stick with DeBrusk and the money you saved from not overpaying Bryan Rust goes to Pastrnak next year. Solving center ice going forward will be the key to the Bruins future.