Devils accept but the Bs would never offer this. DeBrusk is the better player.

Edit: I have been told by other Devils fans that I am "doing drugs." I stand by that the Devils take this.

Edit 2: wait no I was doing drugs idk if the Devils take this

DeBrusk was the better overall player last year (arguably), but his finishing rate this year has been well below career averages though his team play has been better. Boston should keep him and make a decision on whether to extend him / find an alternative. Neither team does that trade.

If GM’s believe iHanifan is heading to Boston as a free agent in July, why be so generous to Calgary? If I have reason to know it to be true, I probably don’t offer anything remotely close to this.

I'd rather move Toff for a legit upgrade at LD or G (or the futures to get that).

I also expect his value would be a fair bit higher as a rental.

Calgary certainly declines. Take out the 2nd and you're more in the ballpark

Does Boston do it then if it’s one of the worst kept secrets that he is going to sign there? Curious what the rental rate is for him when it happens.

Boston isn't getting Hanifin retained for less than a 1st in value. If they want to wait and see, go ahead. Then pay a 3rd to whatever team gets him in the offseason for the 8th year

1st+3rd IS the price for a pure rental Hanafin.

We’ll see what ends up happening. I never understand the deals that include Grz and have retention.

If they believe he is going to sign, I doubt they are the ones trading for him.

I don’t have any qualms trading a first for a player. if you have questions on whether he’d choose you in a free agent bid, you have the cap position to sign them, and you rate him higher than alternative options. Someone can easily do that with Hanifin, but hes literally 6 months away from playing at home.

Lots of single players live in Boston during the offseason for offseason training. I’m not sure if he’s one of them. Zacha was renting a room to Zboril when he was playing in Jersey.

this is correct

Gee, if Hanifan is only going to sign with the Bruins, I suppose the Bruins should offer him 1m X 7 year contract. We'll see how adamant Hanifan is about being a Bruin.

Teams should never acquire a UFA under the assumption that he is gong to resign for them. His value is as a rental. Gee, I don't know if an expensive LHD is on Bruins list of priorities next summer. Centre seems to be a bigger need.

I certainly agree with you on the point that it's better asset management to wait for Hanifin to come to you. If he does resign somewhere else, you move on. He isn't a desperate need in boston

Another option is Lindholm and he’s older / likely going to make $9m into his mid 30s. I like Hanifin more with how his contract is going to age and we could always look for a center in the other salary slot.

There should be some good centers in the 5 to 6m range or you could try to acquire one with the same assets you are talking about for Hanifin when you have more cap flexibility

I’ve been happy with Coyle this year and think Poitras has developmental skill. The question is whether they believe Zacha is better suited for wing and forward long term.

Just to add my comment on Lindholm. Nice player, but he's a 2C. At age 30 when his next contract starts, I really can't see 9m or term, But of course UFA insanity defies logic. But agree with you, LIndholm or someone like him might be a better fit for the Bruins.

Which other centers do you see on the market worth 6 million?

I’d have to look. I’m just looking at this last free agent class where O’Reilly and Duchene went for considerably less than $6m. I’ve been more focused on wings than centers at that price point.

A trade thought I’ve been thinking about is a three way deal that sends Lysell and return for Ullmark for Hertl.

I see options and I am already anticipating that Hanifin is likely the big dollar target.

The top of the C Class is
Monahan, Stephenson, Wennberg, Roslovic

It’s gonna be ugly and it’s gonna be pricey.

Then the year after
Drai, Crosby, Tavares, Gourde, Nelson, Bennett

It’s ugly out there finding a C without trade or draft

My perspective is pretty simple.

1. I have a higher level of faith in Zacha/Coyle/Poitras with the system Boston runs. It’s more wing dependent than center dependent for scoring.

2. There are always pending UFA’s to trade for and it’s easier with cap room / picks closer to the fruition.

The 2024 draft isn’t particularly deep. I know I would prefer a pick in 2025 vs 2024 if I had a choice.

Fair take.

I think Zacha is a winger through and through
Coyle is a high end 3C
And Poitras could be a top 6 C down the line but I wouldn’t entrust him with it yet

That’s my perspective

If im playing Zacha with Pasta, I’m close to indifferent if he is on the wing or center. I’d rather maximize with the best fit next to them and if it is a goal scoring two way winger vs something else, so be it.

I understand where you are coming from. I think Zacha is better suited for LW because of that shot and his willingness to do the dirty work in the corner, but perfect roster construction is never 100 percent possible