I like it, but I feel like we need to prioritize signing DeBrusk

I like that trade to NJ idk if that is enough to get it done tho I feel Boston wants a player back wether that’s a prospect or a nhl ready guy

I could see them not going after Lindolm and maybe trying to trade for a top center. they may scale back the desire on Hanifin as well and sign someone for the 2nd/3rd pairing and float Lorhei around to manage his minutes. I can also see Poitras starting the year in providence.

Which top center is available?

not sure most of that info isn't available to the general public, but if they're dealing ullmark they can use some of that capital make some offers. i don't see them committing 8M to lindholm this offseason just because he's the best of a weak UFA center class.

I don't know, they seem to like him and free agency hasn't been great under Sweeney. In regards to the top center, there's no top center available this year.

A 2025 1st, yes, 2024 no

Pretty realistic. Nitpicking but Shatty won’t be re-signed.

That’s a lot of $ and term for a center that is not going to hit 50 point mark. One that has only exceeded 60 points 3 times in 11 year career. They will do it, but they will regret it.

NJD should be all over this, I think Ulmark is a much better option than Markstrom.

Lindholm has been a regular starter since 2018 (6 years). Not sure what his Carolina days have to do with anything

Lindholm has scored over 78 points twice (2018 and 2022). Was on pace for -70 points during the COVID shortened year. Been consistent in his PPG the other years where he was a Selke candidate

He’s played poorly this year offensively. No doubt that he’s handled the uncertainty of free agency poorly just like Jake DeBrusk if we are using points as the judge. My hope is that puts his salary in the 6.5 to 7 range, but my guess is teams will view it as a one year dip.

If you want to use one year as a judge, you wanna rip Pasta for the year before last when he was dealing with things outside of the ice? JT Miller? Brock Boeser? Before the year, he was the ideal hope he makes it to free agency guy.

Pretty comfortable that you put Lindholm between Pasta and Zacha that his production will be very good. People want him because his game is similar to Patrice though the criticism of his game sounds a lot like those lobbied towards Bergeron by other teams fans.

Like it or not, Sweeney tried to get him when he was with Calgary, revisited with Vancouver, and Elliot Friedman said they would revisit if he makes it to free agency. Sweeney seems to have a good idea of fit with his current staff.

Fully anticipate Lindholm will be Boston Bruins next year though I’d be open to Guentzel and keeping Zacha at center (even though he’s statistically a better wing from an advanced stats perspective).

I believe they are going to target Lindholm or Pierre Luc Dubois (if Ullmark is willing to waive to LA with an extension)

He played 58 games as rookie 2013. 81 games the following year 2014. He’s been a full-time regular starter since he entered the league. 🙄


He’s been in the league 11 years. He has had 2 excellent seasons. 2 very good ones.


While I value his defense an faceoff much more than other options if you can get Stephenson for 2m less and 5 years. Would you?

What about not going center at all? Adding Stamkos and Noak or Skjei?

There are plenty of options

If Hanifin is an option, great. His age and play probably make him an attractive option, but it sure looks like he’s targeting Tampa. Boston should have been able to beat that Las Vegas offer if he was their first choice or we were his?

If I have a choice between Stephenson and Lindholm, I’m choosing Lindholm even if I’m paying an extra 1 to 1.5M.

My hope is they keep about 4M in expiring contracts beyond Marchand, Geekie, and Frederic.

But do for 2 to 2.5 less and 2 less years?

The most recent comparison for contract is Horvat who got 8.5 extension after trade. Very similar value player. Bo better goal scorer, Elias better defender.

You can also put in Scheifele as a comparison at 7 years, 8.5m AAV. To me, that’s reflected with the 1.5M AAV discount to accommodate for Lindholm’s poor play this year. I personally believe Elias is signing for no less than 6.75 and probably no higher than 7.5M

From my perspective, I want one premium player whether it be Lindholm, Hanifin, or Guentzel while resigning Heinen and picking up an older defenseman like OEL.

I guess you could do DeBrusk or Stephenson and Skjei, but I think those guys might get inflated in the second tier of free agency. Not sure it will be a straight swap in salary. I’d rather have DeBrusk than Stephenson at this point in their careers

He’s had a consistent role for 6 years. 3 excellent ones (COVID year was outstanding as an overall player), 2 good ones, and 1 piss poor year this last year that hopefully will lower his salary some. If not for this last year, he’s signing for 8.5M AAV over 7 years.

It’s absolutely a risk, but it also has significant upside if you view his performance as a byproduct of his situation.