Hard pass. Baseline is a 1st, 3rd, and 4th. Here, Boston offers a 1st, albeit the least valuable in the NHL. Then they have CBJ take salary dump to make Gavrikov fit under the cap while not offering any compensation for that favor. Jackets also get the honor of paying that hit again next year.

Hard, hard pass.

Looks like a hard pass on both fronts then, as its not ideal for the Bruins to move their 1st without getting a game breaker back and Gavrikov isn't a game breaker. Not sure his baseline is similar to that of what O'Reilly got. I mean he is a decent d man - but 1st, 3rd and 4th as the "baseline" is likely a bit steep for some. Bruins are better off with Schenn and paying a 3rd and prospect.

Fair enough. Doesn’t make sense if neither side likes the deal. Again, I learned in law school that in the ideal compromise, both sides walk away from the table unhappy. Damn cynics.

Baseline has nothing to do with O’Reilly—cobbled from reports of Jarmo’s ask and David Savard’s return from TBL a couple years back. Completely agree Gavrikov is not a game breaker, but he is a bit of a game saver. Toss him on the ice against a top six line, rest yours, and let the minutes eat away.** To be honest, I don’t—can’t—watch much Bruins hockey. It’s not the team. Not even dirty Brad “Durante” Marchand. It’s the effusive praise the announcers trip over each other to pour out. But I presume they wouldn’t be where they are without already having game breakers. It’s the game savers, minutes eaters, third line, second pairings, and emergency depth they want to improve.

**Gavi is solid, but no magician nor Avenger. Behind an entirely prepubescent forward line and in front of space cadet, contortionist, tantrum-throwing Elvis Merzlikins, who needs a pair of those parent-child “leashes” to tether him to the net, one may skate on frozen water but it does not make him a miracle worker.

Quick follow up: not saying that you do not, but please appreciate your market. The Bruins, Leafs, and Rangers have cache and pull and je ne se sais quoi of which places without the tradition, location, revenue, and overall gravitas could only dream. Boston doesn’t have to court free agents; FA court them. With the cap, a player’s value is not his quality, but his quality relative to his salary/cap hit. You think Taylor Hall signs a $6M AAV just anywhere? Larceny. When they signed, I would have given my first born for Hall and Nugent-Hopkins with their term and cap hits. (She is already ten-years-old, beautiful and brilliant, the one true joy in my life, but sorry darling…this hard, static cap is a ****.)

All a long-winded way to my singular point: draft picks are far less necessary for teams like the Bruins. They’re nice ammo at the deadline, but off-season team building is easier for them than most.

Yeah I mean at trade deadline you never know what some team will do to overspend on a player. Gavi is a player that many hockey clubs need and would like to have. The fact right now is that for the Bruins he doesn't move the needle a lot for them to make an offer of 3 picks including a 1st. Bruins still need to develop some youth and we don't have a lot of prospects in the cupboard right now. If the Bruins are moving a 1st, I have to bet it would be the 2024 1st (this upcoming draft is littered with potential talent) and they would be making for someone who can slot in top 4 D or top line or top 6 winger (which means if they can't upgrade McAvoy, Carlo, Lindholm, Matty G or Marchand, DeBrusk, Pasta or Hall - they may as well go for depth players and role players).

Make it a first round pick in 2025. I’m on board. Jackets owned six 1sts in the last two drafts. At some point that creates a logjam (first-world problems…) But kicking the can down the road could serve both teams well.

Gavrikov is not worth for BOS unless they plan on moving Gryz for other assets. Would make more sense to pay a higher price for Chychrun rather than a 1st + for a lateral move in Gavrikov.

Also sending Reilly and Zboril basically diminishes the LHD depth if there were injuries there

Fair - I would be betting right now if the Bruins are grabbing Gavi, the only way a 1st is included is if they are unloading cap as well, but there isn't much that the Jackets would like to compliment to gain the 1st rounder. Likely means the Bruins will go fishing for Schenn and part ways with a 3rd vs the above price tag.

Keep in mind, the way the rules are written, the Bruins’ 1st (2023) is essentially an early 2nd, regardless of playoff result.

Is your priority moving cap this year? Beyond? [A: Both!] Anyway, this season, CBJ has almost limitless space. They’ve used virtually none of Werenski’s LTIR, then could slide Voracek and a half down others there if needed. Of course, what’s the going recycling rate per $M dumped. Again, I like future assets, but after the 3rd and exponentially the 4th, pick conversion rate falls off a cliff. (Actually, the first two rounds are the only ones that could even remotely be considered “safe.”) BUT…if you don’t use it, you lose it. So at only the cost of real world dollars to the darned owners (may the late patriarch rest in peace, and may superfan Kirk Herbstreit’ buy an impactful share [Alexa Bliss too, just because]), CBJ can get something for nothing. (Speaking to cap take back, disregarding Gavrikov. In fact, this could happen with or w/o a Gavi deal.)

Now, if you’re looking at cap relief next year, let me harken back to the aforementioned Voracek. For the fan’s sake, he hasn’t made it official. But his career is over. One or two or eight too many concussions. His $8.25M contract runs through next year. Columbus’ window does not, or should I say, will not yet be open. Meanwhile, he’d be perfect on LTIR for a legit contender like Boston in exchange for not-injured but semi-useless and definitely-overpaid players. How “semi-useless” the GMs regard the players involved would dictate the level of compensation. But in this static cap era, cap space is a far greater needle mover than 90% of the players out there (again, an approximate number, still pending lab testing).

Finally (thank heavens, I know), Jarmo has deputized me to shop the following:

Jack Roslovic $4M thru ‘23-24 You actually get two players—Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Sometimes the first round talent shows up and then some. Sometimes the fourth line talent shows up, if that. Torts healthy scratched the Columbus native (shocker, right?) but he also found his way into Larsen’s doghouse. Okay, you can see why I never went into sales. But he STILL finds himself on the PP and PK, 4v4, often centering Laine, and second on the team in assists by a healthy margin (behind only Gaudreau).

Eric Robinson $1.6M thru ‘23-24 Speed to burn, surprisingly big frame, excellent PK and SHG threat after internship as Cam Atkinson’s understudy, smart (DO NOT start the Harvard/Princeton debate), second line potential (at least on a non-record setting pace team) IF ONLY he had a compass for his shot to find the net. Has actually made strides there, improving from high and wide to straight at the goaltender’s chest. With those two points to calibrate, one would think a coach could unlock great potential. But for the clear and present, he’s a great bottom six option, who can play defense and then defend by counterattacking. Love the kid, but again the whole closed window matter.

Joonas Korpisalo $1.3M UFA Not sure if the need is there but always best to have a backup plan, and a backup plan for the backup plan. Disregard his stats, though they are decent. Too many goals past 50’ conceded by a defense that has, well, conceded, after the offense performed as well as characters in the first half of a Viagra commercial. He’s a gamer. Ask TBL.

Gus Nyquist $5.5M (irrelevant/LTIR) UFA Locker room leader, though you have plenty. Good sniper. Very good sniper when actually playing with talent. Not a center, but has played everywhere up and down the lineup, both sides on all four lines, plus PP, PK, 4v4, 3v3, 5v3, 3v5, shootout, mascot, cannon operator…..you get the point. But the movement has little to do with variance in his performance. The CBJ roster looks like a scene from “Glory.” Rather than completely rework the lines with each injury, coach would just plug and play Nyquist. Worked far more seamlessly than it has since his injury. (To that, I only know what I’ve read. Out for regular season. Will be healed by playoffs. Has not begged out of town, but very motivated to prove that he is healthy and can perform at a high level as he re-enters FA. And after being part of Detroit when they were relevant, SJ for one Cup run, and the best CBJ playoff teams, he “thirsts” for the Cup chase again. [No, not the one with Joey Logano and the Busch brothers…])

Emil Bemström has talent but needs a change of scenery, Mathieu Olivier brings grit but that’s just blue on black, tears on a river, and may divine intervention grant the Jackets amnesty from Elvis Merzlikins’ contract.

Anyway, felt the need to toss that addendum out on at least one Bruins trade forum. Every one asks about where the added value could come from, so just positing possibilities. Also why the “kids” tag me TL;DR. I’d rather that than TW;DR…..too wrong; didn’t read.

Best of luck at the deadline and in the playoffs. I’ll enjoy both as I look ahead to the Bedard lottery with a glimmer of hope and an expectation of disappointment.

Yeah for sure, I wasn't referencing the fact that they don't have players and prospects to add, but it was more of the how do you add balance without tipping the scale sort of thing. Not to mention the Bruins cannot take on cap back seeing as they don't have a lot of space available. Bruins can likely only move out Reilly and Smith to open up a little space. It will be interesting to see how things all pan out.

Most blue jacket fans would be up in arms if you said the Bruins are moving Reilly, Smith, Zboril and 2024 1st for Gavi and Emil etc. It just hard to determine which team values after Gavi and the 1st and so on.