Ty Anderson: Bruins Year in Review: Milan Lucic

We will take him

We will take him
- VANTEL

You're gonna offer me Chris Higgins and Luca Sbisa and I'm gonna hate it.

You're gonna offer me Chris Higgins and Luca Sbisa and I'm gonna hate it.
- tyanderson

No I would start with Vrbata and after that we have nothing

We have to wait until he is an UFA

No I would start with Vrbata and after that we have nothing

We have to wait until he is an UFA
- VANTEL

I was reading an article shortly after the Canucks' exit that talked about their cap problems. I truthfully had no clue it was as messy as trading Vrbata or the like.

I was reading an article shortly after the Canucks' exit that talked about their cap problems. I truthfully had no clue it was as messy as trading Vrbata or the like.
- tyanderson

It's pretty bad thanks to the latest contract extensions Benning handed out. Vrbata is by far the best goal-scorer on the team so if he's gone, I expect the offense to regress back to almost Torts-like lows. He's literally the only one on the team who is a threat to beat a goalie with a clean shot.

It makes sense to move him now or at the TDL since he's an older player, his value is high, and the Canucks aren't going anywhere far anytime soon. But he only has to give a 10 team list of where he'd be okay with going so who knows if Boston would be on his list. I only know Montreal likely would since they were apparently one of the teams he had narrowed it down to before singing in Vancouver.

I was reading an article shortly after the Canucks' exit that talked about their cap problems. I truthfully had no clue it was as messy as trading Vrbata or the like.
- tyanderson

It is not as bad as it seems. Vrbata is more of trade while stock is high. He won't be playing with the twins , so his productivity will probably decrease along with his trade value.

I think Bening will be bring in a few low salary guys like Baertschi and one or two more prospects.

It is also Bieksas last year and probably Hamhuis also. It seems we have a few players ready to leave the farm team and make the jump.

We will be fine

You're gonna offer me Chris Higgins and Luca Sbisa and I'm gonna hate it.
- tyanderson

You guys love dealing with the Leafs

I think you should trade him there

It is not as bad as it seems. Vrbata is more of trade while stock is high. He won't be playing with the twins , so his productivity will probably decrease along with his trade value.

I think Bening will be bring in a few low salary guys like Baertschi and one or two more prospects.

It is also Bieksas last year and probably Hamhuis also. It seems we have a few players ready to leave the farm team and make the jump.

We will be fine
- VANTEL

Cap-wise, probably.

Team-wise, hell naw!

Lucic deflated the balls

Cap-wise, probably.

Team-wise, hell naw!
- Nucker101

Tank

Hey Bruin fans, does this mean Subban has the inside tract to back up Rask or will they bring in career backup and let Subban play 65 games in the AHL??

Hey Bruin fans, does this mean Subban has the inside tract to back up Rask or will they bring in career backup and let Subban play 65 games in the AHL??
- flyerdude17

I think they want Subban to have at least one full season in the AHL as a starter, to be honest.

I was reading an article shortly after the Canucks' exit that talked about their cap problems. I truthfully had no clue it was as messy as trading Vrbata or the like.
- tyanderson

You could consider Vrbs to messy or know he is the only real scoring threat we have.

Depends do you want to finish in 7-10th .

Further we go with this core I think the worse we may gate.

I aint givin Bennett credit until what hes done untill. The next three to 5 years will be whats telling.

Hey Bruin fans, does this mean Subban has the inside tract to back up Rask or will they bring in career backup and let Subban play 65 games in the AHL??
- flyerdude17

In my mind Subban stays one more year with Providence and (depending how camp goes), Smith comes up to ride the pine behind Rask this season.

I'd wager Jeremy Smith is our backup next year. He'll be super cheap and it seems like he's earned a shot

Couldn't agree more about your take on Lucic. I still think he's an awesome, one of a kind player thats still super effective in the right role. I don't want him leaving Boston but if he thinks he's earned a raise then see ya. 25m for 5 years is the max id give him. Comes down to whether he wants a legacy as a Bruin or a super overpaid UFA

I will drive him to the airport. But not Vancouver. I still like the guy and after the poop they pulled, the Canucks don't deserve anything but a kick in the groin.

"And how could we forget his quick bout with Columbus defenseman Dalton Prout.

For the first time in what felt like ages -- Lucic’s fight with the Leafs’ Colton Orr in 2010 is the last one that comes to mind -- Lucic was on the wrong end of a fight and found himself one-punched by Prout. The punch was heard ‘round the world (or the NHL), too, and led to Prout being ‘congratulated’ around the league for the punch. Even by a referee, no less. Yikes."

I take issue with the way this is presented... This wasn't a "fight" or "bout" by any means... Lucic got sucker one punched by Prout. Lucic didn't even have his gloves off when Prout punched him. And I seem to remember them actually squaring off in their next game, with Lucic absolutely man-handling Prout.

I think there is an argument to get rid of Lucic from the locker room earlier rather than later. The team always to seem to go through these highs and lows with Lucic so unloading him would force them to find a new locker room identity in training camp. I'd like to hear Ty's thoughts or anyone's thoughts on the mental makeup of this team and Lucic's impact on it.

With the lack of money they have to go out and sign people they are pretty handcuffed and moving Lucic with another piece would give them a chance to add a piece to the team. While I think they won't trade Lucic, the Bruins have to be realistic when it comes to offering him a contract and Lucic needs to take a pay cut which definitely won't happen.

Long way of saying we are screwed.

I think there is an argument to get rid of Lucic from the locker room earlier rather than later. The team always to seem to go through these highs and lows with Lucic so unloading him would force them to find a new locker room identity in training camp. I'd like to hear Ty's thoughts or anyone's thoughts on the mental makeup of this team and Lucic's impact on it.

With the lack of money they have to go out and sign people they are pretty handcuffed and moving Lucic with another piece would give them a chance to add a piece to the team. While I think they won't trade Lucic, the Bruins have to be realistic when it comes to offering him a contract and Lucic needs to take a pay cut which definitely won't happen.

Long way of saying we are screwed.
- tunmasterflex

Yup. Need to move him while there is still value. Like most power forwards he is quickly diminishing.

Yup. Need to move him while there is still value. Like most power forwards he is quickly diminishing.
- glove_was_stuck

I don't think they are going to move him, especially since Neely has said that he wants to go back to the way the Bruins used to be... a tougher, grittier, harder to play against team. He's also said they need to get their transition game back. Lucic definitely had an off-season last year, but when he gets it going, I'm not sure there is a tougher more intimidating winger in the game. I think he's at his best when he gets a pass in the neutral zone and carries it either along the boards, or right to the front of the net. He'll have a rebound year next year... but I don't know what will happen in terms of contract, because we certainly can't afford to pay him more... unless that salary cap increases significantly.

I don't think they are going to move him, especially since Neely has said that he wants to go back to the way the Bruins used to be... a tougher, grittier, harder to play against team. He's also said they need to get their transition game back. Lucic definitely had an off-season last year, but when he gets it going, I'm not sure there is a tougher more intimidating winger in the game. I think he's at his best when he gets a pass in the neutral zone and carries it either along the boards, or right to the front of the net. He'll have a rebound year next year... but I don't know what will happen in terms of contract, because we certainly can't afford to pay him more... unless that salary cap increases significantly.
- mixturebill

i agree with Glove that Lucic probably has seen his best days. the way he plays and the punches to the squash he has taken have had an effect. i could be wrong but my gut feeling is time to move on and maximize return.

I don't think they are going to move him, especially since Neely has said that he wants to go back to the way the Bruins used to be... a tougher, grittier, harder to play against team. He's also said they need to get their transition game back/
- mixturebill

If Neely thinks that then why haven't they drafted/developed talent this way? The young talent currently making an impact with the B's is Pastarnak, Krug, Hamilton, Spooner, Smith, Ferlin, Florek, Griffith, Morrow, Trotman etc. not too many of these guys fall into that tougher, grittier category. While Neely can preach "big bad bruins" the younger core, fringe roster guys aren't really fitting that makeup. I think there needs to be realistic expectations from management when looking for a piece to make this team successful instead of forcing them into something they aren't.

Forwards going into next season
Loui- Krejci - Connolly
Marchand- Bergeron - Smith
Lucic - Spooner - Pastrnak
Talbot - Kelly - Ferlin/Griffith

Chara - Hamilton
Seidenberg - Trotman
Krug - Miller
Morrow should be with the big club next season.

While they could resign McQuaid/Soderberg I think a couple teams may overspend on these guys plus it probably isn't worth it to the Bruins to pay top FA $ for guys they can replace for cheaper from within without losing a ton of production.

If Neely thinks that then why haven't they drafted/developed talent this way? The young talent currently making an impact with the B's is Pastarnak, Krug, Hamilton, Spooner, Smith, Ferlin, Florek, Griffith, Morrow, Trotman etc. not too many of these guys fall into that tougher, grittier category. While Neely can preach "big bad bruins" the younger core, fringe roster guys aren't really fitting that makeup. I think there needs to be realistic expectations from management when looking for a piece to make this team successful instead of forcing them into something they aren't.

Forwards going into next season
Loui- Krejci - Connolly
Marchand- Bergeron - Smith
Lucic - Spooner - Pastrnak
Talbot - Kelly - Ferlin/Griffith

Chara - Hamilton
Seidenberg - Trotman
Krug - Miller
Morrow should be with the big club next season.

While they could resign McQuaid/Soderberg I think a couple teams may overspend on these guys plus it probably isn't worth it to the Bruins to pay top FA $ for guys they can replace for cheaper from within without losing a ton of production.
- tunmasterflex

they did fire Chiarelli and he drafted those guys.