Anthony Travalgia: Cassidy calls out defense after loss to Flyers Another night of defensive breakdowns doomed the Bruins in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Flyers.

This team has been pretty up and down this year with lots of inconsistency. They are kind of stuck in no mans land with the question to upgrade or stand pat this season....

Being reliant on one line and the PP I don’t have faith they can make much noise in the playoffs, let alone get there. With a growing need to address Krecji’s wing and a 3rd line C, it is become apparent they need a legit top 4 defenceman. Well to be honest a top pairing dman. I like the D core for the most part but when push comes to shove they are missing a key piece.
I think the team is close but I’m not convinced they continue to deal away the future to fill those voids this year. Tough call as the conference is somewhat wide open for the taking, minus Tampa...

To Boston: Wayne Simmonds
To Philadelphia: Ryan Donato, Conditional 1st rounder, 2019 4th rounder

Does it work?

The play from Krejci to Heinen with about 2 minutes left has summed up Heinens season so far. He is in the right spot but the puck bounces over his stick on what should have been the empty netter winner.

Heinen is very very snake bitten right now. I think he has been playing better though.

As good as that top line is, if no one else is scoring, why don't they break it up? Feel like this has been the same issue for the past 3 years with the Bruins. Go to playoffs, maybe win a round, lose because no depth scoring…

The play from Krejci to Heinen with about 2 minutes left has summed up Heinens season so far. He is in the right spot but the puck bounces over his stick on what should have been the empty netter winner.

Heinen is very very snake bitten right now. I think he has been playing better though.
- Mahewman

Yah, some bad luck for sure....Maybe a confidence thing now.

To Boston: Wayne Simmonds
To Philadelphia: Ryan Donato, Conditional 1st rounder, 2019 4th rounder

Does it work?
- J35Bacher

For me, Simmonds has the same regression issues Backes has. A very diminishing return.

To Boston: Wayne Simmonds
To Philadelphia: Ryan Donato, Conditional 1st rounder, 2019 4th rounder

Does it work?
- J35Bacher

Fair deal....how many more 1sts does Bos want to part with and get bounced by Tampa again. I’d honestly rather trade for a player with term left like Schenn or Tarasenko.

To Boston: Wayne Simmonds
To Philadelphia: Ryan Donato, Conditional 1st rounder, 2019 4th rounder

Does it work?
- J35Bacher

I don't really watch much of the Flyers these days but i did not see much from Wayne last night that left me wanting to trade a first and a prospect for him.

Want Backes?

Terrible trade.
Sure you dont want Pasta and a 1st and 2nd rounder?
Keep Simmonds.
He's past his prime and dropping quickly.

Fair deal....how many more 1sts does Bos want to part with and get bounced by Tampa again. I’d honestly rather trade for a player with term left like Schenn or Tarasenko.
- Tachmo

I like the second thought here. And if not those two names, someone else that can be a difference maker. If the Bruins decide to make a splash with a trade, I would rather them find someone with term that can stabilize that second line for a couple seasons.

For me, Simmonds has the same regression issues Backes has. A very diminishing return.
- dothedougie

Yes, but Simmonds is a UFA, you're not tied to him for a half decade.

Not saying Boston should/shouldn't do the deal, simply that it's not apples-to-apples in the salary cap era.

Yes, but Simmonds is a UFA, you're not tied to him for a half decade.

Not saying Boston should/shouldn't do the deal, simply that it's not apples-to-apples in the salary cap era.
- jmatchett383

Im just not sure he is worth more than any internal options. I dont think he would improve the Bruin's situation, even short term.

Im just not sure he is worth more than any internal options. I dont think he would improve the Bruin's situation, even short term.
- dothedougie

It depends. He's shown flashes of 2012 Simmonds, but not with any consistency. When he is on, he's a difference maker, but there's been too many stretches where he's a passenger.

Yes, but Simmonds is a UFA, you're not tied to him for a half decade.

Not saying Boston should/shouldn't do the deal, simply that it's not apples-to-apples in the salary cap era.
- jmatchett383

I think the Bruins need a more long term solution on the wing. Simmonds is a great player, but I’m not convinced he takes the Bruins over some of the other contenders.

See Rick Nash experiment last year....

It depends. He's shown flashes of 2012 Simmonds, but not with any consistency. When he is on, he's a difference maker, but there's been too many stretches where he's a passenger.
- jmatchett383

Well in that case let's trade away future for him now, and back up the truck for him on July 1st.

Not really sure the teams problems are solved in one trade. There are several players who are inconsistent. Outside of power play goals and the Bergeron line the team is pretty lukewarm.

DeBrusk has been super inconsistent this year.
Heinen has regressed and should be in providence.
Backes has been oft injured and disappointing.

While Carlo is much improved McAvoy has been oft injured and has not been impressive at all this season.

Chara is doing what he can but he is 42.

Halak is doing what Halak does. Inconsistent. Which the only consistency he has ever had in his pro career.

I don't think trading more 1st rounders for aging power forward rentals is the solution. I see that as a problem. I think its time to entertain the idea this is not the Bruins year. Don't add for a stretch run. Make a move or moves for the longer term. JJ will never go for it. Must have those playoff gates.

It depends. He's shown flashes of 2012 Simmonds, but not with any consistency. When he is on, he's a difference maker, but there's been too many stretches where he's a passenger.
- jmatchett383

I agree with Dougie. Kids like Bjork, Heinen, DeBrusk and Donato have all flashed. I think Simmons is a step in the wrong direction. Especially if it costs them a 1st.

I don't think the trade is beneficial for both teams. I think PHI could get a better deal from other franchises who are real contenders.

Not really sure the teams problems are solved in one trade. There are several players who are inconsistent. Outside of power play goals and the Bergeron line the team is pretty lukewarm.

DeBrusk has been super inconsistent this year.
Heinen has regressed and should be in providence.
Backes has been oft injured and disappointing.

While Carlo is much improved McAvoy has been oft injured and has not been impressive at all this season.

Chara is doing what he can but he is 42.

Halak is doing what Halak does. Inconsistent. Which the only consistency he has ever had in his pro career.

I don't think trading more 1st rounders for aging power forward rentals is the solution. I see that as a problem. I think its time to entertain the idea this is not the Bruins year. Don't add for a stretch run. Make a move or moves for the longer term. JJ will never go for it. Must have those playoff gates.
- glove_was_stuck

I think the Bruins need a more long term solution on the wing. Simmonds is a great player, but I’m not convinced he takes the Bruins over some of the other contenders.

See Rick Nash experiment last year....
- Tachmo

Yeah i think so too. They should either make a big splash (Panarin/Tarasenko/Schenn) or maybe go after Zucc or Ryan Dzingel. Leaning away from Simmonds but i also dont want to see him on Tampa.

This team is just frustrating.... and I have been a huge Cassidy lover but he has to start taking some heat too. He's not adapting. he just rolls line 1 and does minor adjustments to the other lines and its not working.

All the kids have a super short leash (Donato, JKF etc.) but Heinen rolls out every night playing 11 mins and not doing a damn thing.

Bruins could perhaps take a look at Silf ... defensively responsible, decent wheels and can finish... can play with skilled guys. Solid 2nd liner.

Bruins could perhaps take a look at Silf ... defensively responsible, decent wheels and can finish... can play with skilled guys. Solid 2nd liner.
- dozerD10

Silfverberg is interesting. He is younger, skilled, and has some seasoning. Why would Anaheim potentially deal him? Cap?

Silfverberg is interesting. He is younger, skilled, and has some seasoning. Why would Anaheim potentially deal him? Cap?
- glove_was_stuck

Cap yep... and the absolutely horrendous contract extension given to Kes aka broken hips...

Can’t afford to resign him. He’s getting a raise somewhere. Probably to spendy for us.
Time for us to realize the mini rebuild needs to happen before we completely waste Gibson...

Bruins could perhaps take a look at Silf ... defensively responsible, decent wheels and can finish... can play with skilled guys. Solid 2nd liner.
- dozerD10

I feel like he has been a ghost this year. Each year i think he is going to break out and he never does.