Boston Bruins 2023-24 Roster and Salary Cap Discussion VII

[Tbaybruin]

Jesus. I'll even go this one.

If he's a positive player in the post season I'll cut him some slack.

Jesus excuses everyone if we ask

 

[Sheppy]

Jesus excuses everyone if we ask

 

[Sheppy]

Wanted to flush out the scenario where we keep Ullmark next year and also sign Swayman (per post game conversation). I’m not necessarily advocating for it or saying it will happen, but I built a look at next year with both goalies assuming:

- $87.75M Cap Limit
- Resign Swayman at 8x$7.5M
- Resign Debrusk at 6x$6.5M
- Resign Wotherspoon at $900k
- Resign Steen for 850k
- Resign Shatty for $1M
- Brunet as 7D for placeholder

A bit of conservatism there assuming a monster deal for Swayman. Added Steen and Shatty to fill out roster and get a baseline - not saying we’d do that. Doing that leaves you with this:

View attachment 806134

So $6.7M in space. Any change you would make would subtract the player’s cap hit on the roster who is traded/cut. So trading Lysell++ for a forward means you could trade for a player with a $7.5M cap hit.

This as-is certainly won’t be how most would want to build the team next year - and no way they come into the year with over $6M in space. And don’t focus on the specific players at the bottom of the roster (Shatty/Brunet/etc). But this is the baseline.

Trading Ullmark and putting Bussi there adds $4M-ish to the cap space.

When it's laid out like this, I definitely get your logic. It still doesn't sit well with me having $12.5M locked in with two goalies though. I'd still be working on a trade. If it happens, it happens, if it doesn't, ultimately I won't lose sleep over it.

 

[RedSlider]

Looking at this deadline market I'd prefer they just stand pat. The most I see them adding is a middle-six winger and/or another bottom-pair d-man.

 

[NeelyDan]

It would be slick if you could somehow quantify the marginal difference between a 1a goalie and a strong backup, and then lay that across the cost difference

 

[wintersej]

When it's laid out like this, I definitely get your logic. It still doesn't sit well with me having $12.5M locked in with two goalies though. I'd still be working on a trade. If it happens, it happens, if it doesn't, ultimately I won't lose sleep over it.

Agree. They were paying Rask and Halak $10m under a 79m cap, so there is also some precedent, but if you think Bussi can be average and Swayman can take on another 10 games that's probably better.

 

[KrejciWinger]

It would be slick if you could somehow quantify the marginal difference between a 1a goalie and a strong backup, and then lay that across the cost difference

Hint: the difference in "quality" is indeed marginal, while the difference in cost is vast.

Look at Varlamov, Brossoit, DeSmith, Nedeljkovic, Lindgren, the list goes on. All quality goalies that do not cost anywhere near the 7.5 miilion AAV count I see thrown around here for Swayman.

 

[NDiesel]

Wanted to flush out the scenario where we keep Ullmark next year and also sign Swayman (per post game conversation). I’m not necessarily advocating for it or saying it will happen, but I built a look at next year with both goalies assuming:

- $87.75M Cap Limit
- Resign Swayman at 8x$7.5M
- Resign Debrusk at 6x$6.5M
- Resign Wotherspoon at $900k
- Resign Steen for 850k
- Resign Shatty for $1M
- Brunet as 7D for placeholder

A bit of conservatism there assuming a monster deal for Swayman. Added Steen and Shatty to fill out roster and get a baseline - not saying we’d do that. Doing that leaves you with this:

View attachment 806134

So $6.7M in space. Any change you would make would subtract the player’s cap hit on the roster who is traded/cut. So trading Lysell++ for a forward means you could trade for a player with a $7.5M cap hit.

This as-is certainly won’t be how most would want to build the team next year - and no way they come into the year with over $6M in space. And don’t focus on the specific players at the bottom of the roster (Shatty/Brunet/etc). But this is the baseline.

Trading Ullmark and putting Bussi there adds $4M-ish to the cap space.

Love the work put into doing something that's actually a realistic option.

I too am not sure where I stand on what to do next year, will likely depend which (if any) top 6 Cs unexpectedly become available.

If the talent out there isnt worth spending money/assets then keeping Ullmark might be the play. I'd like to see them split their starts this post season and see if that's a viable option moving forward.

 

[NDiesel]

Hint: the difference in "quality" is indeed marginal, while the difference in cost is vast.

Look at Varlamov, Brossoit, DeSmith, Nedeljkovic, Lindgren, the list goes on. All quality goalies that do not cost anywhere near the 7.5 miilion AAV count I see thrown around here for Swayman.

The thing about backups is they generally take on the weaker competition on most teams. Would the difference be as marginal if Varly/Brossoit/DeSmith/Ned (id consider Lindgren the starter over Kuemper at this point) played 50+ games and took on all the top teams? It's tough to compare that.

The Bruins on the other hand have the luxury of not worrying which goalie plays who.

 

[Absurdity]

I'd like to see Wotherspoon - Carlo as a pair once Carlo is back.

 

[Absurdity]

Something to keep an eye on?

Rumor is Wings are looking to bolster their blueline. San Jose is interesting from a Bruins perspective.

 

[Tbaybruin]

Just want to reiterate that this isn’t what I’m saying they should do or what I would do. Just using some conservative (high-ish) numbers on Sway and Jake to get a baseline to work off of

Doubt Reinhardt will be available but he solves our C issues Stamkos 2x8 would work for me letting our young C develop. Both have played enough C and Stammer i over 50% on draws this year.

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

Doubt Reinhardt will be available but he solves our C issues Stamkos 2x8 would work for me letting our young C develop. Both have played enough C and Stammer i over 50% on draws this year.

I don’t think either will be available

 

[Tbaybruin]

Please continue to play Lohrei when our D is healthy. Let him learn. He could be a guy who thrives come playoff time. If not he sits.

I don’t think either will be available

Stammer not happy with the way negotiations have been going. Who knows.

 

[Dellstrom]

Hint: the difference in "quality" is indeed marginal, while the difference in cost is vast.

Look at Varlamov, Brossoit, DeSmith, Nedeljkovic, Lindgren, the list goes on. All quality goalies that do not cost anywhere near the 7.5 miilion AAV count I see thrown around here for Swayman.

When the term is 8 years, there needs to be a compromise in risk, current value, value over the next 8 years, and how the cap evolves over that time. If Sway at 25 years old is the guy, typically best for both parties as the player has security, and the team has flexibility as the deal gets better and better over time.

Bergy’s extension in 2013, and Marchand’s in 2016 were both “fair if not slightly overpaid” when they were signed. I’m aware Bergy is setting impossible expectations and no one else likely becomes a 100 point player overnight like Marchand, but better to invest early than pay what’s fair or overpay later with your core guys.

 

[JoeIsAStud]

Wanted to flush out the scenario where we keep Ullmark next year and also sign Swayman (per post game conversation). I’m not necessarily advocating for it or saying it will happen, but I built a look at next year with both goalies assuming:

- $87.75M Cap Limit
- Resign Swayman at 8x$7.5M
- Resign Debrusk at 6x$6.5M
- Resign Wotherspoon at $900k
- Resign Steen for 850k
- Resign Shatty for $1M
- Brunet as 7D for placeholder

A bit of conservatism there assuming a monster deal for Swayman. Added Steen and Shatty to fill out roster and get a baseline - not saying we’d do that. Doing that leaves you with this:

View attachment 806134

So $6.7M in space. Any change you would make would subtract the player’s cap hit on the roster who is traded/cut. So trading Lysell++ for a forward means you could trade for a player with a $7.5M cap hit.

This as-is certainly won’t be how most would want to build the team next year - and no way they come into the year with over $6M in space. And don’t focus on the specific players at the bottom of the roster (Shatty/Brunet/etc). But this is the baseline.

Trading Ullmark and putting Bussi there adds $4M-ish to the cap space.

That is a pretty Ugly looking roster there.

Rumor is Wings are looking to bolster their blueline. San Jose is interesting from a Bruins perspective.

Gryz to Detroit

 

[GordonHowe]

As Bruins wins keep stacking up, so does morale of key contributors up front

Boston's third-straight win on Thursday featured strong performances from contributors like Jake DeBrusk and Jakub Lauko.

www.boston.com

 

[goldnblack]

I know it's a bit dumb, but standing pat also means less pressure.

Even if we finish first in the East, it FEELS like expectations of this squad are no longer cup or bust. We're miles above where the whole league expected us to be.

Keep it that way. Play loose with house money. Might shock the world...

 

[GordonHowe]

Clear cookies/cookies to access,

Against the Avalanche, the Bruins proved their best can beat the best. Will it be enough come playoff time? - The Boston Globe

With 44 games in the books, the win further informed the team's decision makers what they have and what they might need leading up to the trade deadline.

www.bostonglobe.com

 

[Patdud]

I know it's a bit dumb, but standing pat also means less pressure.

Even if we finish first in the East, it FEELS like expectations of this squad are no longer cup or bust. We're miles above where the whole league expected us to be.

Keep it that way. Play loose with house money. Might shock the world...

I wouldn't stand pat I would offload depth (I.e. Gryz) were we have it and pick up depth where we dont (RW i.e. Duclair). I would prefer Picks lol

 

[RiverbottomChuck]

I know it's a bit dumb, but standing pat also means less pressure.

Even if we finish first in the East, it FEELS like expectations of this squad are no longer cup or bust. We're miles above where the whole league expected us to be.

Keep it that way. Play loose with house money. Might shock the world...

That’s how I feel, don’t empty the coffers or trade off youngplayers that showed sparks. This offseason all the money problems end and then next offseason they get to draft in the 1st round again. Just ride it out and look for players that fit the McAvoy, Pasta, Swayman core when you have money to play with.

 

[dugg133]

Wanted to flush out the scenario where we keep Ullmark next year and also sign Swayman (per post game conversation). I’m not necessarily advocating for it or saying it will happen, but I built a look at next year with both goalies assuming:

- $87.75M Cap Limit
- Resign Swayman at 8x$7.5M
- Resign Debrusk at 6x$6.5M
- Resign Wotherspoon at $900k
- Resign Steen for 850k
- Resign Shatty for $1M
- Brunet as 7D for placeholder

A bit of conservatism there assuming a monster deal for Swayman. Added Steen and Shatty to fill out roster and get a baseline - not saying we’d do that. Doing that leaves you with this:

View attachment 806134

So $6.7M in space. Any change you would make would subtract the player’s cap hit on the roster who is traded/cut. So trading Lysell++ for a forward means you could trade for a player with a $7.5M cap hit.

This as-is certainly won’t be how most would want to build the team next year - and no way they come into the year with over $6M in space. And don’t focus on the specific players at the bottom of the roster (Shatty/Brunet/etc). But this is the baseline.

Trading Ullmark and putting Bussi there adds $4M-ish to the cap space.

My gut feeling is that I don't think they're gonna want to go into next season with Lysell, Merk, and Poitras all in the top 9, especially not if Beecher is at 4C and Lohrei is in the top 4 with no safety net behind him. Too much youth for a team that is trying to compete.

 

[TobanWest]

My leaf co worker just asked if I think the Bruins would trade Gryz to Toronto for a retained Bert...

 

[Dizzay]

My leaf co worker just asked if I think the Bruins would trade Gryz to Toronto for a retained Bert...

Ummmmm yes please!