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Cap Constraints and Trade Rumors Abound: How Will it All Play Out for B's? |
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Ahoy from the Hub of Hockey, as I have recently returned from what I did not know would be a voyage to a humid, blazingly hot Florida sans any internet connection. It's been quite a zany week here in Beantown, and I'm here to weigh in on damn near everything that's transpired since my last blog.
SEGUIN GOES 2ND TO BOSTON
As expected, the Oil elected to go with Taylor Hall at numero uno, essentially making the Bruins decision for them by passing on center Tyler Seguin. The selection was certainly no shocker after Hall's mesmerizing playoff performance. But, the addition of yet another pivot has seemingly set off an abundance of predetermined maneuvers from the Bruins' brass.
SOB SINGING THE BLUES
Less than 24 hours after the draft, Boston shipped center Vladimir Sobotka to the Blues in exchange for BU blueliner David Warsofsky. The 20-year-old defenseman, a member of the National Champion Terriers' squad in 2008-09 during his freshman season, was no victim of a sophomore slump in 2009-10. Warsofsky picked up 12 goals and added 11 assists in 34 games for BU. Those numbers are even more impressive when considering that the 5'11 d-man had to share time on the back-end with both Kevin Shattenkirk and Colby Cohen, two highly gifted defensemen drafted by the Avs in recent seasons.
Sobotka's tenacity and effort will be missed, but unfortunately his game never fully developed at the NHL level. Continuously bouncing from the AHL to the NHL during his first few pro seasons, Sobotka sparingly spent consistent time in the big club's lineup. However, 2009-10 saw the Czech native suit up for 61 games in the spoked-B. The young man known as SOB, beloved dearly by the folks over on HF Boards, managed just 10 points while occupying a spot on either the 3rd or 4th line for majority of the year.
After repeatedly dominating the American Hockey League with Providence, including a ten point boom in just six games to start the year, Sobotka's offensive skills simply never translated at a higher level. It's definitely a downer to see such a hard-working, hard-hitting, relentless forward like Sobotka go, but with what seems like a few dozen centers in the pipeline now, someone had to be the odd man out.
PAILLE GETS 2-YR DEAL DONE QUICK
...but misses wide when attempting to sign his name on the dotted line. And that's all I have to say about that. Alright, alright. One more thought. $1.15 million per season for a 4th liner? Why even have an AHL organization to train prospects/potential future NHL'ers when you can just keep re-signing or seeking out respectable, but undoubtedly replaceable veterans? Sheesh. I love Paille's absurd speed. I love how he helped orchestrate a magnificent turnaround for the PK. But, at the end of the day, I'd much rather see a Marchand or a Hamill or someone get a shot rather than someone who has displayed extremely limited hockey IQ in the offensive zone get re-upped for two seasons. Am I crazy?
REICH RETURNS TO ORGANIZATION
Reich is a good soldier, a solid fighter, and a former captain of the P-Bruins. Anyone complaining about this depth signing, which will likely see the former Bruin spend majority of his time in Rhode Island, is simply being what I'd like to call a "Kara Complains a Lot". Quit crying already.
THOMAS TO WASHINGTON! SAVARD TO...EVERYWHERE!
Rumors, rumors and then a few more rumors to boot. That's essentially been the talk of the town amongst the hockey folk in New England as both Tim Thomas and Marc Savard have been repeatedly mentioned in potential swaps. Thomas to the Capitals makes a boatload of sense, but the supposed decision of sticking with youth between the pipes (on the Caps' behalf) doesn't make the former Vezina winner a good fit in D.C.
Savard has garnered even more attention, as the star center has been oft-mentioned by many a media outlet. In the past few days alone, seemingly every NHL organization has been pining for Savard's services. While the B's do have a surplus of centers on their hands, I'm of the mentality that barring a jaw-dropping return, any trade involving Savard will reflect poorly on the organization. Hearing about possibly acquiring one year of Tomas Kaberle or possibly Robyn Regehr, a rich man's Mark Stuart, makes me even more sour about the prospect of dumping #91.
What if Seguin struggles? What about the contract status of Patrice Bergeron, who will become a free agent next summer? What about the possibility of scaring off future free agents who are leery of signing long-term deals in Boston?
Is forking over the most offensively gifted and productive member of your organization, a year removed from being one of the worst scoring teams in the NHL, really the greatest solution?
It can't be. Can it?
CAP POLICE BLOW WHISTLE ON BRUINS
To the tune of $1.75 million to be exact, further hindering the limited space the B's have to work with in order to ice a full team. Luckily it's only July 3rd, and plenty of time remains for the Bruins to get under the cap. But, it won't be easy. When dealing from a position of strength, a GM's attempt to make a move is much easier than when he is essentially forced into shaving the payroll. Other General Managers will be well aware of Boston's predicament, and the return will surely be diminished when the time comes.
So, big picture thinking here, how do you foresee the rest of the summer playing out in the Hub of Hockey? Lots to think about. I'll be back tomorrow with more.
JC
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