PerreaultForever

That's the most you can get out of him I think. It'll be interesting to see if Cassidy adapts to his game or sticks with his philosophy and Jack has to adapt to Cassidy's style (or demand out and so forth). Jack is definitely not going to turn into a Bergeron. He doesn't have the personality or character for that kind of selfless leadership and work ethic. Jack might adapt a little, sort of like Ovi did with Trotz but my money is on a personality clash and team disfunction.

Boy that Makar sure does skate smooth doesn't he? Avs in general are a fast fast team. Without the goaltending edge (which is clearly in Tampa's favour) this would be over quick. As is, might go 7 either way.

Not exactly. I'm only throwing him into the press box IFF one of the kids takes away his job. Whether or not they can do that remains to be seen, and if they struggle you have an option to go back to the veteran for any length of time needed.

So you're saying Cassidy is a moron? 🙂 There seems to be some truth to that rumour that Krejci didn't like Cassidy. Krejci is better at 2 way hockey than Jack, but he likes to let loose and play offense more. Might not be the reason, but has to be something to it. Cassidy also had a very low tolerance for defensive errors from rookies and prospects who got called up which was also part of why he was let go. I think Cassidy will bring in a solid defensive structure for Vegas and they will win hockey games, but it's not going to be what Jack wants, so it might be fun to watch that unravel.

Cassidy to Vegas. Jacky boy not going to have fun with that. Cassidy doesn't tolerate quitting on the back check from anybody.

I just don't see this problem. First, chances are one or more could easily end up on LTIR (everybody else is doing it so why not?). Some contracts could be waived and sent down in some cases. I know the Bruins had Wagner and Moore down in the minors for most of the year. That scenario comes up if you have a mid season trade where you add salary and don't need them for the floor. Kids can go up and down pretty easily, so for that 23/20 man thing I see no big deal in sitting a Foligno type with a bigger salary than a Hayden type and if he does contribute bonus. The locker room thing is a non issue imo. They will know they are fringe when they get here and everyone else will know that too. But guys like Foligno are pros and leaders. He'd help like an assistant coach and not disgruntle. and maybe you can even move him at the deadline. idk, I just can't see how a dead contract is a better move than picking up an unwanted. Going to leave it at that. Adams did it. It's done.

I'm talking about trading for the unwanted. Unless they have a NMC they have no say in it.

I guess I don't get the complexity of the mathematics and the rules. Don't really understand why you can't simply sit a veteran in the press box but whatever. Just wait to see what the opening day roster is I guess. We won't make the playoffs without filling the obvious holes.

No it absolutely doesn't mean that. What it means is you have a body in that hole UNTIL Quinn etc. is actually ready to take that spot and/or you have a veteran guy who can step into that spot if/when the kid has a slump or struggle period and needs a little stint watching or even going back down for a bit. If Quinn etc. is so good he wins the spot and the veteran sits out so what? Reserve player in case of injuries and nothing lost. I am simply not as confident as many are that we will succeed with more kids right away and having them all sink or swim together. I personally do not think Quinn is ready, Peterka might be.

I was joking about Eichel, hence the smiley face. Totally agree on Bergeron, and I think he has said that himself. He might be waiting to see if they bring back Krejci, sign Pasternak, and who the new coach is now before deciding. I will say this about Eichel though. In 2026, assuming the Bruins are not a basement team, I fully expect him to go to Boston as a free agent. I'd even bet on it.

Well 30 years old is pretty young and spry compared to the goalie we signed this year. Ullmark got 20 million for 4 years, most agree it was a high price, but that's what goalies can get. Campbell will get more than that so your 5x5 is not unreasonable. Somebody will offer him that, if not more. I think the point we can agree on though is the team has holes. Fair enough? Given that, I'd simply rather we picked up a contract or two of players who can actually play some hockey and meet the floor that way. Nick Foligno, for example, would have been perfect. 4th line duty with Kyle and Girgs, veteran leadership, local historical connections, perfect fit even if he scores about as much as Hayden. There are other teams as well who would gladly unload players so they can have free agency room. If we aren't spending big in free agency ourselves, the least we can do imo is add something/anything to the roster and not just dead money.

Campbell is not signing for 3.5, not a chance.

Well I think this is the match up most predicted at the beginning of the year. No upset team in the final this time. Is Kadri playing? A lot hinges on that imo.

To the 3 bolded parts. 1. Yes, that's exactly what they should do instead. 2. Holes need to be filled with quality and the money is there to fill them. 3. It's an assumption. If they do that, if they still spend money and we get a good goalie and a veteran RHD and some depth or character guys fine, but until they do that - IF they do that......well that's the crux of it isn't it?

Face it, this cap floor philosophy is ownership cutting costs and going with a slow long term building plan. It's BS, and it means we will be waiting longer to make the playoffs and we won't be truly competitive until many more of the kids like Power, Quinn, etc. come fully into their own. There's other ways to do this. You can go with mostly kids but you can also plug in key FA signings. Look at LA for example. Kept some veterans, lots of kids, added a guy like Danault, and they made the playoffs already. Look at the Rags. There's a mix of kids, veterans and free agents. Building with the draft is the right approach, but strategic FA signings and smart moves get you there faster. The opportunity to take a leap forward was here, NOW, but this franchise wants us to wait. I could still be proven wrong, they might make moves, but I doubt it. I think we as fans are just going to be f'd again.

Damn, I actually agree with you. I think this might be a first. Miller was a good player, but not good enough to have his number retired. I think these things diminish the retired numbers that truly deserved it. The bar is way too low for this franchise.

I'm not going to mince words, I think this approach is dumbass.

Send photos, please. I so want to see this!

Well unless we are getting something good from this deal I'm not in favour of this approach. Rather we overpaid a free agent who could actually plug a hole and provide something, even if it's not up to his money, but something. This tells me we're going with mostly all kids and what we have. Personally I'd have taken Nick Foligno's contract off the Bruins (expires in one year) as the burned out local boy would have at least provided some solid leadership if nothing else. In any event, with Vegas and other teams in cap hell, there has to be better ways than just taking on a dead contract.

I hear what you're saying and it's not wrong, but the Bruins biggest problem this year was the lack of a good 2C to play with Hall. When Krejci paired with Hall that tandem was dynamic and Hall's numbers went way up. Without that center he's been okay but there were a lot of unfinished plays that the year before were maybe goals. Krejci's value was underestimated. If he doesn't come back they need Bergeron AND another 2C to be truly competitive against Tampa, Florida, Toronto and (hopefully) Buffalo. Haula was signed for that role but didn't really deliver. He's more of a good third liner. If I was KA I'd make a call about Haula. He has one year left on his deal, can play center or wing and is pretty fast so he'd fit in. Bruins might want to unload him so they can upgrade with a UFA and/or sign Krejci. Maybe they'd give us Haula for next to nothing if we agreed to take Foligno off their hands. Could fill our holes while the kids develop.

or maybe Jack Eichel? 🙂 I hear what you're saying but a lot of that had to do with a core that involved Bergeron and Chara. Also good goaltending. When you have guys like that at the core leading the team you get to make mistakes and still be good. The mistakes however, have cost them several cups I think. They were in 3 but only won once. If they hadn't made a lot of those mistakes they'd likely have been a dynasty and won several more. I think it's over. Time will tell.

There's 3 main things that'll affect the Bruins path to next season. First, Bergeron. If he retires that's likely the start of a rebuild. Second, Krejci coming back. Rumour is he didn't get along with Cassidy and wants to return. If he returns rebuild will be less of a rebuild and maybe just a shuffle. If Bergeron AND Krejci return they'll be giving it another go now. Lastly Pasternak. If Bergeron is gone, and Krejci doesn't return and Pasternak won't sign or wants too much it'll be a full on rebuild and he will be dealt. Pasternak is one of the few players around I'd consider trading high picks and/or prospects for. Guy is a scoring machine and could fit in anywhere on any team.

Absolutely. As Doohickie mentioned there's a few teams similar to us that could rise. We have to be better than all of them but that's a reasonable goal.

That's the key for me. Going forward I only want guys with that work hard and keep trying to improve mentality. Cozens types. We're on that path now and I don't want to steer off it. No floaters.

Not taking Lambert, period. I'd agree on Ohgren over both of them as well. I would be quite happy if we picked him.