Équipe: 2017-18 Bruins de Boston

Date de création initiale: 22 juill. 2017

Publié: 22 juill. 2017

Mode - plafond salarial: Basique

I like the Bruins NHL-ready prospect crop and I think that they do too. I would be shocked if they actually made these signings instead of just giving the kids a chance. With that said, trading Spooner has always been a strong possibility and the Bruins' biggest need is a two-way lefty dman to pair with McAvoy. Dumoulin and the Pens are far apart in their arbitration numbers and Pittsburgh has made it known that they need a third line center. It seems like a good fit.

If Spooner is dealt, it opens up a world of possibilities for the Bruins forward core. I like JFK a lot, but it's a tall task for a player to jump right into a top-nine role in their first pro season. Thus, moving Backes to center and having JFK, a skilled two-way player, center the fourth line instead would give the Bs perhaps the best depth down the middle in the NHL. However, moving Backes off the wing would make the NHL depth on both wings even more questionable. Therefore, re-signing Stafford and signing Vanek, both of whom remain available without much negotiating leverage, would add some top six talent into the mix. I have no doubt that both guys still have gas in the tank. I feel the same way about Beleskey, so that's three veteran top nine wingers to find chemistry with Krejci and Backes. Then, there's Vatrano, Bjork, Agostino, Cehlarik, DeBrusk, and Heinen to compete on the left side. That's more than enough competition and depth on the left side. The same can't be said on the right, where only Senyshyn is a natural righty fighting for a spot. Scooping up Alex Chiasson on a two-way deal would be great value and yet another solid veteran to compete for a job. All of the critics of Boston's forward depth would have to accept that this is an unbelievable group that should be able to find chemistry somehow and be able to combat a number of injuries without performance falling off.

P-Bruins should sign Henley and Ebert to minor league deals to round out the roster. They both have good two-way ability.

P-Bruins lineup:
Agostino-Czarnik-Chiasson
DeBrusk-Heinen-Cehlarik
Gabrielle-Fitzgerald-Szwarz
Kuraly-Cave-Schaller
Blidh-Henley-Hickman
O'Gara-Postma
Zboril-Lauzon
Cross-Grzelcyk
Johansson-Ebert
McIntyre
Subban
Vladar