Équipe: 2022-23 Bruins de Boston

Date de création initiale: 26 janv. 2023

Publié: 26 janv. 2023

Mode - plafond salarial: Basique

Bruins might have to trade away some additional low-mid round picks to get Kane and Toews Salary under the cap. If an intermediary team retains another 50%, the Bruins would be about $1M under the cap!

Playing Kane on the 3RW should be a surprising value add to Kane with his hip injury. Hall type story where he doesn’t have to be “the guy”, managed minutes for his injury issue, and will be a significant upgrade over Smith in that role. Also bolsters the 2nd PP unit. Making a true 1A/1B situation there. Hall, Coyle, Kane sound pretty darn close to a 1C forward line.

Toews has the best faceoff win percentage and Captain Canada level leader. He’s much better this year and would be a significant upgrade over Nosek on the 4th line. Another PP/PK option who can move up the lineup as needed.

Upgrading on Grzelyck which also gives the Bruins a good option for a long term 2LD with much more upside than he offers. Not going to lie, Chychrun’s injury risk is somewhat high, but it could be a similar situation as Grze where he’s being asked to play above his current level. In 2LD, he will get slightly less top line matchups, which will allow him to grow into himself a little more. Can be more offense than Grze and has a little more size to bolster that up. He may have some defensive holes, but so does Grze, so, I take the more offense all day. Can run a PP if needed and locks the D down for years to come.

Added bonus to Toews and Kane is the option to extend them should Krejci/Bergy decide not to continue next year. Opens up the option to trade DeBrusk before the draft for a 1st and prospect to help fill the prospect pool and free up some salary while Lysell develops into a full time NHL players. Maybe, instead of trying to pay Horvat, you can get Kane and Toews for a little less and still have a competitive team with top level D and goaltending.

In all fairness, outside of Smith, everyone is adding to this team. Smith isn’t hurting them at all either and maybe time in the top line will get him back to where he was when he came here.

The Bruins could potentially stand Pat and do nothing and I’d be ok with that.

Worse thing they can do change the chemistry of the top 8 forwards. Seeing trades that move more than 2 roster players out makes zero sense. Small, consistent, upgrades at value (players with NMC clauses are perfect).

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