And my issue is all the bluster from management after this season (much "louder" than before) about taking hard looks, being brutally honest, etc., etc... And figuring out if we had a team that could compete for the Cup. Well based on how things have gone...they still haven't made up their minds. We clearly aren't in a rebuild and yet they did nothing thus far to substantially improve their Cup chances. So in other words, "we like our chances of beating the Lightning by dropping Krug and adding Smith".

Playoff contenders? Yes. Cup contenders? Only if the chips fall perfectly like they did in 2019.
- bluemoon737

Bruins were pretty clearly the best team in hockey prior to the Covid shut down. They were not the same in the bubble with no fans.

Bruins were pretty clearly the best team in hockey prior to the Covid shut down. They were not the same in the bubble with no fans.
- Mahewman

And during that "clearly the best team in hockey" period, what was our record against the Lightning and the Caps? As I have said before, this team is built well for the regular season but not built to win a Cup. We are too small, both d-men and forwards.

And during that "clearly the best team in hockey" period, what was our record against the Lightning and the Caps? As I have said before, this team is built well for the regular season but not built to win a Cup. We are too small, both d-men and forwards.
- bluemoon737

Um

1-1-1 vs Washington
1-2-1 vs Tampa


The goals vs goals against differential was -1 against the two opponents you chose to prove the Bruins are not contenders. Couple OT bounces and the series against Tampa was very different. Not to mention. Our goalie was not there.

Also, is Washington a contender? They have lost in the first round two years in a row.

Way too much gloom and doom in these forums. The Bruins could do nothing but sign Gryz and DeBrusk and they are still Stanley Cup contenders.

I would prefer they keep Chara around for another year but probably not for more than 1m. He still does certain things well but has slowed quite a bit.
- Mahewman

I admire the positivity but let’s call a spade a spade! This team isn’t winning a CUP currently.
On the bright side the forward group could gel and be fine how it is. Kase could form some chemistry with Krejci and Debrusk could develop, and find themselves a very good 2nd line. The 3rd line is improved immensely with Smith. Keep in mind Kase was brought in to help the 2nd line. If all else fails make a splash at the trade deadline. Not overly worried here.

The D concerns me. It needs some surgery. It’s not good enough.

Perhaps Don is seeing what he has. Maybe Zboril, Lauzon or Vaak surprise and go from there. Playoffs don’t start tomorrow and like I said the trade deadline can be used to load up.

wow Thornton for 700k!
nice signing for the Buds...

lmaooo and Don pays a guy who hasn’t played in 2-3 years 2 mil! Pretty easy to pick on Sweeney right now. He’s a bonehead.

wow Thornton for 700k!
nice signing for the Buds...

lmaooo and Don pays a guy who hasn’t played in 2-3 years 2 mil! Pretty easy to pick on Sweeney right now. He’s a bonehead.
- Tachmo

Hey now, it hasn't been 2-3 years, he missed the last couple of weeks of the 2019 season (and of course the entire Cup run) and all of last season.

Um

1-1-1 vs Washington
1-2-1 vs Tampa


The goals vs goals against differential was -1 against the two opponents you chose to prove the Bruins are not contenders. Couple OT bounces and the series against Tampa was very different. Not to mention. Our goalie was not there.

Also, is Washington a contender? They have lost in the first round two years in a row.
- Mahewman

So let's put this in playoff terms...they were 1-3 against Tampa and 1-2 against Washington (might as well throw in 0-2 against Columbus).

So big trade news coming (please let it be the Bruins, please let it be the Bruins)

So big trade news coming (please let it be the Bruins, please let it be the Bruins)
- bluemoon737

Of course I have to be careful what I ask for (Sweeney's trade record is not the best).

To go along with Ek's rumors, I hear it's Laine straight up for Pasta. The Bruins management is tired of Pasta's partying and carefree attitude. They are shipping him out like Seguin.

Way too much gloom and doom in these forums. The Bruins could do nothing but sign Gryz and DeBrusk and they are still Stanley Cup contenders.

I would prefer they keep Chara around for another year but probably not for more than 1m. He still does certain things well but has slowed quite a bit.
- Mahewman

I agree completely. Tampa was unstoppable in the bubble. What team measured up to them? Boston was as close to beating them, if not closer, than anyone else. Without their #1 goalie. Oh and Tampa’s roster is imploding. Who can’t Boston beat?

Boston won the presidents trophy with weak RWs and added Kase and Smith. Guys like Mcavoy Carlo Gryz and DeBrusk should all show some growth in their game. All I’d do now is sign Chara and JDB. Let one of these young LDs earn a spot

Marchand Bergy Pasta
DeBrusk Krejci Smith
Bjork/Ritchie Coyle Kase

Gryz Mcavoy
Lauzon/Vaak/Zboril Carlo
Chara Miller

I agree completely. Tampa was unstoppable in the bubble. What team measured up to them? Boston was as close to beating them, if not closer, than anyone else. Without their #1 goalie. Oh and Tampa’s roster is imploding. Who can’t Boston beat?

Boston won the presidents trophy with weak RWs and added Kase and Smith. Guys like Mcavoy Carlo Gryz and DeBrusk should all show some growth in their game. All I’d do now is sign Chara and JDB. Let one of these young LDs earn a spot

Marchand Bergy Pasta
DeBrusk Krejci Smith
Bjork/Ritchie Coyle Kase

Gryz Mcavoy
Lauzon/Vaak/Zboril Carlo
Chara Miller
- Shaundre93

Fair assessment and I don’t disagree. This is a very good lineup and a playoff team, but I don’t believe a championship roster. It’s very close but that defence is not getting it done in my opinion and i’m no sold on Line 2 and Line 3 getting it done come crunch time. The Bruins were not close against Tampa, they were but they weren’t. They were dominated for a large majority of that series.

The lineup is missing a legit top 4 defenceman and likely an upgrade in the top 6. Neither of these were addressed at Free Agency. Not saying this can’t be done with a trade or Trade Deadline.

Yeah, I suppose I've been the most guilty of the doom and gloom and please don't get me wrong...in no way shape or form am I saying we suck...far from it. As Tachmo pointed out, we had needs going into this off-season (2RW has been there for ages) and it just looks like nothing was done to address them. Still plenty of time for trades but free agency is done. And it looks like Gryz won't be going to arbitration after all. Got him on the same 4 year deal like Krug's second contract only cheaper (way cheaper). Barely enough left ($7.3M) to sign JD and Chara.

I agree completely. Tampa was unstoppable in the bubble. What team measured up to them? Boston was as close to beating them, if not closer, than anyone else. Without their #1 goalie. Oh and Tampa’s roster is imploding. Who can’t Boston beat?

Boston won the presidents trophy with weak RWs and added Kase and Smith. Guys like Mcavoy Carlo Gryz and DeBrusk should all show some growth in their game. All I’d do now is sign Chara and JDB. Let one of these young LDs earn a spot

Marchand Bergy Pasta
DeBrusk Krejci Smith
Bjork/Ritchie Coyle Kase

Gryz Mcavoy
Lauzon/Vaak/Zboril Carlo
Chara Miller
- Shaundre93

Don't forget TB won without Stamkos.

You can't replace Krug with a prospect + Miller and expect last years results. The D is too weak IMO.

And DeBrusk better sign for a modest bridge deal - he was one of the biggest disappointments of the playoffs.

Don't forget TB won without Stamkos.

You can't replace Krug with a prospect + Miller and expect last years results. The D is too weak IMO.

And DeBrusk better sign for a modest bridge deal - he was one of the biggest disappointments of the playoffs.
- Nasty_Duck

A few weeks ago I remember making similar arguments about Krug. I remember being told he's too small and a major reason why the Bruins lost. Nice to see someone agrees.

Bruins are weak on the wings. They're not a 5 on 5 scoring team especially in the post season and you the let the PP QB walk out the door.

Smith is an upgrade on the 3rd line but that's not really speaking to the revolving door of plugs Coyle dragged along all year. This team is worse than it was a few weeks ago.

DeBrusk either takes a bridge or he can sit the season out. Paying him real money now would be a mistake. He hasn't earned it.

A few weeks ago I remember making similar arguments about Krug. I remember being told he's too small and a major reason why the Bruins lost. Nice to see someone agrees.

Bruins are weak on the wings. They're not a 5 on 5 scoring team especially in the post season and you the let the PP QB walk out the door.

Smith is an upgrade on the 3rd line but that's not really speaking to the revolving door of plugs Coyle dragged along all year. This team is worse than it was a few weeks ago.

DeBrusk either takes a bridge or he can sit the season out. Paying him real money now would be a mistake. He hasn't earned it.
- glove_was_stuck

I think I’m more optimistic because I’ve been ready to move on from Krug all year. Love the person but I’ve become less enamored with the player over time. True PP specialist. I really believe Gryz is gonna pick up a lot of that offense this year, while being better defensively. If he skates with Mcavoy and takes over PP1 I think he has 50 pt potential.

As far as forwards, they’ve got all same players in their lineup that won them the Presidents trophy plus Kase and Smith. That could be 30 goals added to 5v5 scoring and bring a balance to the top 9 they haven’t had in years

TLDR while the power play is sure to take a hit, I’m seeing about 15-25 5v5 goals added to the lineup and their 5v5 defense should be better

A few weeks ago I remember making similar arguments about Krug. I remember being told he's too small and a major reason why the Bruins lost. Nice to see someone agrees.

Bruins are weak on the wings. They're not a 5 on 5 scoring team especially in the post season and you the let the PP QB walk out the door.

Smith is an upgrade on the 3rd line but that's not really speaking to the revolving door of plugs Coyle dragged along all year. This team is worse than it was a few weeks ago.

DeBrusk either takes a bridge or he can sit the season out. Paying him real money now would be a mistake. He hasn't earned it.
- glove_was_stuck

I think I’m more optimistic because I’ve been ready to move on from Krug all year. Love the person but I’ve become less enamored with the player over time. True PP specialist. I really believe Gryz is gonna pick up a lot of that offense this year, while being better defensively. If he skates with Mcavoy and takes over PP1 I think he has 50 pt potential.

As far as forwards, they’ve got all same players in their lineup that won them the Presidents trophy plus Kase and Smith. That could be 30 goals added to 5v5 scoring and bring a balance to the top 9 they haven’t had in years

TLDR while the power play is sure to take a hit, I’m seeing about 15-25 5v5 goals added to the lineup and their 5v5 defense should be better
- Shaundre93

So in your mind are they better suited to win the Cup now as opposed to the team in the bubble? The Presidents Cup doesn’t mean anything to me. It’s what are they gonna do in the playoffs. Sure they can beat Carolina and Toronto, but have they improved to beat Tampa?

Grzelcyk is going from 3rd line minutes and matchups to 1st pairing minutes and matchups. I don’t know...It’s a big step. The defence wasn’t good enough last year and now the young kids are just gonna slot higher is the game plan.

I mean maybe Don is smarter than everyone. Mccavoy/ Gryz steps in fills the offence Krug left. More ice time for the kids coming in. To me it’s screaming a bit of a rebuild, I would like to see them bring in a proven dman to play 1st or 2nd pairing.

A few weeks ago I remember making similar arguments about Krug. I remember being told he's too small and a major reason why the Bruins lost. Nice to see someone agrees.

Bruins are weak on the wings. They're not a 5 on 5 scoring team especially in the post season and you the let the PP QB walk out the door.

Smith is an upgrade on the 3rd line but that's not really speaking to the revolving door of plugs Coyle dragged along all year. This team is worse than it was a few weeks ago.

DeBrusk either takes a bridge or he can sit the season out. Paying him real money now would be a mistake. He hasn't earned it.
- glove_was_stuck

If Gryz is slotted in Krugs old spot quarterbacking PP1, I would be very surprised if he doesn't have at least 75% of the points Krug had. Bottom line is that if Krug didn't have point totals he did quarterbacking that unit there is a problem.

If Gryz is slotted in Krugs old spot quarterbacking PP1, I would be very surprised if he doesn't have at least 75% of the points Krug had. Bottom line is that if Krug didn't have point totals he did quarterbacking that unit there is a problem.
- bluemoon737

I think you might be really under valuing Krugs presence on that PP. I think Mccavoy is the guy to QB the PP, and I think he can do it. Gonna blossom into something special in my opinion. Hopefully Grz can make the jump too.

I think you might be really under valuing Krugs presence on that PP. I think Mccavoy is the guy to QB the PP, and I think he can do it. Gonna blossom into something special in my opinion. Hopefully Grz can make the jump too.
- Tachmo

What I don't like is Gryz on the top pairing. 2nd pairing with Carlo is fine, too small for top pairing. I like Lauzon there (or someone from outside who makes sense as a top pairing guy). Lauzon has decent size and does play with some snarl. Vaak might also be a choice but I question his durability. Guess the young guys are going to be thrown in the deep end...sink or swim!

What I don't like is Gryz on the top pairing. 2nd pairing with Carlo is fine, too small for top pairing. I like Lauzon there (or someone from outside who makes sense as a top pairing guy). Lauzon has decent size and does play with some snarl. Vaak might also be a choice but I question his durability. Guess the young guys are going to be thrown in the deep end...sink or swim!
- bluemoon737

Yah I agree, don’t like him on the 1st pairing. At the very least i’m excited to see Zboril, Vaak, Lauzon get a crack at seeing what they can do. Again if it stinks, mid season trade or trade deadline to bolster the D. I watched some video of Zboril. He looks like he can really skate.

Yah I agree, don’t like him on the 1st pairing. At the very least i’m excited to see Zboril, Vaak, Lauzon get a crack at seeing what they can do. Again if it stinks, mid season trade or trade deadline to bolster the D. I watched some video of Zboril. He looks like he can really skate.
- Tachmo

Yeah there have been lots of comments about all these guys unable to move up...well kind of hard to do when you have a logjam on the left side of guys that weren't going anywhere. Now that has somewhat freed up so we finally get to see what we have.