Anthony Travalgia: Bruins sign Matt Grzelcyk to four-year contract Over the weekend, the Bruins signed defenseman Matt Grzelcyk to a four-year contract.

good value signing now get chara locked up for a year and debrusk on a bridge

good value signing now get chara locked up for a year and debrusk on a bridge
- bosman

Jury is out on that. He is an RFA with a lot to prove. His deal is one of the more expensive ones for an RFA with not a lot of leverage. Would have expected a 2 year contract to be honest.

Jury is out on that. He is an RFA with a lot to prove. His deal is one of the more expensive ones for an RFA with not a lot of leverage. Would have expected a 2 year contract to be honest.
- Nasty_Duck

His case was going to arbitration, reasonable chance he might have gotten a little more there. Debrusk is different in that he has no leverage (not arbitration eligible).

To carry over from the last blog and continue the convo about Gryz...

I think he’s shown as much as he can in the role he’s played to start his career. If he had higher draft pedigree I don’t think we’d be questioning his ascension in the lineup

And I do believe the direction they’re going is one that could lead to better playoff success. They’re going to be heavier on defense and have better 5v5 offense than they did last year. Power plays win president trophy’s. 5v5 wins cups

To carry over from the last blog and continue the convo about Gryz...

I think he’s shown as much as he can in the role he’s played to start his career. If he had higher draft pedigree I don’t think we’d be questioning his ascension in the lineup

And I do believe the direction they’re going is one that could lead to better playoff success. They’re going to be heavier on defense and have better 5v5 offense than they did last year. Power plays win president trophy’s. 5v5 wins cups
- Shaundre93

Currently no Chara - and at this point (if he gets signed) he's 3rd pairing + PK.

Are you talking about Miller? Yes he's big. But not sure how much we can count on him as his history of injuries is troubling.

Currently no Chara - and at this point (if he gets signed) he's 3rd pairing + PK.

Are you talking about Miller? Yes he's big. But not sure how much we can count on him as his history of injuries is troubling.
- Nasty_Duck

Well the Krug replacement (personnel wise not line up position) adds more size as well (Lauzon or Vaak). Imagine a Chara/Miller 3rd pairing...

Currently no Chara - and at this point (if he gets signed) he's 3rd pairing + PK.

Are you talking about Miller? Yes he's big. But not sure how much we can count on him as his history of injuries is troubling.
- Nasty_Duck

Tbh yeah I am counting on Chara being on the 3rd pair. Definitely be dicey without him. Lauzon-Carlo and Chara-Miller would be a heavier bottom 4 than they had all last season. Sub in Clifton vs faster teams

It’s obviously a risk but it’s a risk I like seeing as how you have 3 legit prospects (lauzon Vaak Zboril) fighting for that one spot. One of them might be really good. Gotta find out eventually. And if they’re not it’s not that hard to find a #4 LHD at the deadline

Tbh yeah I am counting on Chara being on the 3rd pair. Definitely be dicey without him. Lauzon-Carlo and Chara-Miller would be a heavier bottom 4 than they had all last season. Sub in Clifton vs faster teams

It’s obviously a risk but it’s a risk I like seeing as how you have 3 legit prospects (lauzon Vaak Zboril) fighting for that one spot. One of them might be really good. Gotta find out eventually. And if they’re not it’s not that hard to find a #4 LHD at the deadline
- Shaundre93

I prefer Gryz with Carlo and Lauzon (or Vaak, whoever wins out) with McAvoy.

Am i the only one that prefers Clifton over Lauzon?

Am i the only one that prefers Clifton over Lauzon?
- Mahewman

Lauzon is a natural LD...he was playing RD with Gryz when Clifton was injured. The real choice for you is Clifton or Miller. In that case it would be opponent dependent.

Am i the only one that prefers Clifton over Lauzon?
- Mahewman

I like Clifton but does he appease the size queens?

His case was going to arbitration, reasonable chance he might have gotten a little more there. Debrusk is different in that he has no leverage (not arbitration eligible).
- bluemoon737

Debrusk has ZERO leverage. Kid has not earned big money or term.

Debrusk has ZERO leverage. Kid has not earned big money or term.
- glove_was_stuck

Agreed, 2-3 years for no higher than $3.5M per although I wouldn't be surprised if it's slightly higher per year.

Agreed, 2-3 years for no higher than $3.5M per although I wouldn't be surprised if it's slightly higher per year.
- bluemoon737

I wouldn't break 3M for him. He's mailed it in 2 playoffs in a row. That's where we need players to step up.

I wouldn't break 3M for him. He's mailed it in 2 playoffs in a row. That's where we need players to step up.
- Nasty_Duck

There aren't many (any?) 20+ per year goal scorers getting under $3M per year.

There aren't many (any?) 20+ per year goal scorers getting under $3M per year.
- bluemoon737

Maybe.
But he hasn't stepped up in playoffs where it really counts.

Two year "show-me" bridge at $3M is reasonable. And since he has no leverage he'd need to take it.

Maybe.
But he hasn't stepped up in playoffs where it really counts.

Two year "show-me" bridge at $3M is reasonable. And since he has no leverage he'd need to take it.
- Nasty_Duck

Had 4 goals in 13 games this year...you have to keep in mind, just like Krejci, he has been playing with an empty sweater 2RW his entire career. I agree that he is very streaky and the eyeball test would indicate he gets in his own head when things aren't going well. Plenty of possible upside with him though...he's only 24. Show me deal at a decent price is appropriate.

Had 4 goals in 13 games this year...you have to keep in mind, just like Krejci, he has been playing with an empty sweater 2RW his entire career. I agree that he is very streaky and the eyeball test would indicate he gets in his own head when things aren't going well. Plenty of possible upside with him though...he's only 24. Show me deal at a decent price is appropriate.
- bluemoon737

1 year/2M. Debrusk needs to find consistency in his game with and away from the puck.

1 year/2M. Debrusk needs to find consistency in his game with and away from the puck.
- glove_was_stuck

No way I'm signing a 1 year $2M contract after producing at the rate of a little over .5 pts per game regular season and just under .5 pts per game post season in three years if I'm Debrusk. I'm also less inclined to sign less than a 3 year deal otherwise I'm right back here again as a RFA (granted with arbitration rights). 3 years gets me to UFA status. Granted the Bruins hold the cards here but the player can sit out and this year might be the best one to do that.

Had 4 goals in 13 games this year...you have to keep in mind, just like Krejci, he has been playing with an empty sweater 2RW his entire career. I agree that he is very streaky and the eyeball test would indicate he gets in his own head when things aren't going well. Plenty of possible upside with him though...he's only 24. Show me deal at a decent price is appropriate.
- bluemoon737

Kreijci, also on that same line with an "empty sweater" generated 4 goals and 8 assists. DeBrusk had 4 goals and no asists. He needs to up his game. Max 2 year deal and no more than $3M.

Kreijci, also on that same line with an "empty sweater" generated 4 goals and 8 assists. DeBrusk had 4 goals and no asists. He needs to up his game. Max 2 year deal and no more than $3M.
- Nasty_Duck

2 goals and 5 assists for Krejci on the PP so direct comparison is 2 goals and 3 assists for Krejci for 5 pts and 4 goals and 0 assists for 4 pts for Debrusk. One of them is counting $7.25M against the cap and it ain't Debrusk.

2 goals and 5 assists for Krejci on the PP so direct comparison is 2 goals and 3 assists for Krejci for 5 pts and 4 goals and 0 assists for 4 pts for Debrusk. One of them is counting $7.25M against the cap and it ain't Debrusk.
- bluemoon737

Sorry one of Debrusk's goals was on the PP so 5 on 5 compared to Krejci is 3 pts to 5 pts.

No way I'm signing a 1 year $2M contract after producing at the rate of a little over .5 pts per game regular season and just under .5 pts per game post season in three years if I'm Debrusk. I'm also less inclined to sign less than a 3 year deal otherwise I'm right back here again as a RFA (granted with arbitration rights). 3 years gets me to UFA status. Granted the Bruins hold the cards here but the player can sit out and this year might be the best one to do that.
- bluemoon737

Then you're sitting out. If Sweeney signs this kid for term he should be fired.

I assume #46 will play the point on the PP, i’d prefer to see Mcavoy get the reigns to QB that PP1. I feel there is some untapped potential there for sure.

Debrusk can be streaky and lethal at times. Very skilled player but needs to round out his game no question. The north south game and driving wide constantly runs dry and seems to break up plays. Definitely has the potential to be a consistent 25-30 goal player.

3.5 mil is probably fair. 3 mil would be even better, can’t see that number going lower for a 20 goal player.