Third-Line Center

[LouJersey]

Athanasiou is a centre. Fills an immediate need for the Bruins. Heinen is a good player but expendable imo

AA is a malcontent and overrated IMO.

 

[Ratty]

AA is a malcontent and overrated IMO.

Kessel was a malcontent with Boston, too, though not overrated. Some guys thrive in a different envoronment.

 

[LouJersey]

Kessel was a malcontent with Boston, too, though not overrated. Some guys thrive in a different envoronment.

He's a malcontent that isn't that good. That's not a good combo. A malcontent who scores 36 goal is ok. AA is not that kind of guy.

 

[Dr Hook]

You can't waste Pasta with Krejci. I think they need to look outside the box a bit, Krecji was very underwhelming last year and I don't see him getting any faster as he ages. Move him to the third line, use some of your prospects to go get a legitimate second line center on a decent contract and go from there.

You will still have holes that need to be filled short and long term but this is an area that needs to be addressed.

I don't mind this approach at all, but failing to get a legit 2C in the off-season means we are stuck with Krejci there for at least the season. If so, we need another line that is dangerous consistently. Ideally, I'd like to see what you outline happen- or even a legit 3c with some offense to his game. Whatever we do, consistent secondary scoring is a big need.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

Athanasiou is a centre. Fills an immediate need for the Bruins. Heinen is a good player but expendable imo

That still doesn’t explain why the Bruins are giving up the better, younger player still on his ELC for an RFA...and adding a good prospect.

This is the definition of poor asset management. Just because the B’s have depth on the LW and on LD in prospects, doesn’t mean you throw them away for less than fair market value.

AA is a shiny toy, he’s fast and easier to spot on the ice when he does something good. He’s also already held out once even though his numbers haven’t really warranted it. While I wouldn’t mind him in the 3rd line C role, he’s a textbook “grass is always greener” player IMO.

If DET is rebuilding, offer a couple of prospects or prospect/pick combo. Heinen + Lauzon is an overpayment where DET gets the better player AND a good prospect. Win-win for them and a loss for the B’s.

 

[kdog82]

That still doesn’t explain why the Bruins are giving up the better, younger player still on his ELC for an RFA...and adding a good prospect.

This is the definition of poor asset management. Just because the B’s have depth on the LW and on LD in prospects, doesn’t mean you throw them away for less than fair market value.

AA is a shiny toy, he’s fast and easier to spot on the ice when he does something good. He’s also already held out once even though his numbers haven’t really warranted it. While I wouldn’t mind him in the 3rd line C role, he’s a textbook “grass is always greener” player IMO.

If DET is rebuilding, offer a couple of prospects or prospect/pick combo. Heinen + Lauzon is an overpayment where DET gets the better player AND a good prospect. Win-win for them and a loss for the B’s.

Heinen for AA straight up? I think Bruins would need to add. Centres carry more value. I'd rather have AA playing 3rd line center next year than having Heinen playing 3rd line LW, a position where the Bruins have an abundance of good, capable players.

 

[rocketdan9]

Hoping Studnicka can win the spot for 3rd line center (7 game trial)

 

[GloryDaze4877]

Heinen for AA straight up? I think Bruins would need to add. Centres carry more value. I'd rather have AA playing 3rd line center next year than having Heinen playing 3rd line LW, a position where the Bruins have an abundance of good, capable players.

AA is flashier, Heinen is the better all around player. Given the production, age, and contract situation...DET should be the one adding.

Would you deal DeBrusk for AA straight up? Because the only real difference between JDB and Heinen is that DeBrusk got better linemates than Heinen from the get go.

 

[kdog82]

AA is flashier, Heinen is the better all around player. Given the production, age, and contract situation...DET should be the one adding.

Would you deal DeBrusk for AA straight up? Because the only real difference between JDB and Heinen is that DeBrusk got better linemates than Heinen from the get go.

Debrusk is much better than Heinen and will be moving forward. Debrusk does things that Heinen doesn't. Debrusk is always engaged while Heinen looks pedestrian at times.

 

[Dr Hook]

Debrusk is much better than Heinen and will be moving forward. Debrusk does things that Heinen doesn't. Debrusk is always engaged while Heinen looks pedestrian at times.

Heinen does things JDB doesn't. Heinen is a better passer and sees the ice better, for starters. They are two different types of players. Heinen is not outwardly exuberant like DeBrusk, he is a steady paced guy. JDB operates in bursts. Really, this sounds a lot like the criticisms of DK which are probably baseless- that he is indifferent of doesn't care because his facial expressions and body language don't fit what some people think means caring.

 

[BruinDust]

Athanasiou is a centre. Fills an immediate need for the Bruins. Heinen is a good player but expendable imo

Seems like he plays a lot more wing than center in Detroit. 5th on the team in face-offs last year, took just 255 face-offs vs. the 4th place Glendening's 679.

Didn't we just trade a player in Spooner who constantly wanted to play Center despite being a better fit as a winger?

If the Bruins want a 3rd line C and are going external to find him, they best bring back a full-time C and not another Ryan Spooner type of problem.

 

[LouJersey]

Debrusk is much better than Heinen and will be moving forward. Debrusk does things that Heinen doesn't. Debrusk is always engaged while Heinen looks pedestrian at times.

Love JDB but he is nowhere near "much better" than Heinen.

 

[mjhfb]

That still doesn’t explain why the Bruins are giving up the better, younger player still on his ELC for an RFA...and adding a good prospect.

This is the definition of poor asset management. Just because the B’s have depth on the LW and on LD in prospects, doesn’t mean you throw them away for less than fair market value.

AA is a shiny toy, he’s fast and easier to spot on the ice when he does something good. He’s also already held out once even though his numbers haven’t really warranted it. While I wouldn’t mind him in the 3rd line C role, he’s a textbook “grass is always greener” player IMO.

If DET is rebuilding, offer a couple of prospects or prospect/pick combo. Heinen + Lauzon is an overpayment where DET gets the better player AND a good prospect. Win-win for them and a loss for the B’s.

I laughed out loud when I read that. I was at a Midget game and this guy kept bragging about this player and how I had to watch him. I politely told the guy he seemed like the "shiny object" type of player that skated very fast into the corner with his head down. Big mistake; it was his kid...

 

[Dr Hook]

I laughed out loud when I read that. I was at a Midget game and this guy kept bragging about this player and how I had to watch him. I politely told the guy he seemed like the "shiny object" type of player that skated very fast into the corner with his head down. Big mistake; it was his kid...

 

[Mainehockey33]

I laughed out loud when I read that. I was at a Midget game and this guy kept bragging about this player and how I had to watch him. I politely told the guy he seemed like the "shiny object" type of player that skated very fast into the corner with his head down. Big mistake; it was his kid...

That must have been awkward

 

[Fenian24]

I don't mind this approach at all, but failing to get a legit 2C in the off-season means we are stuck with Krejci there for at least the season. If so, we need another line that is dangerous consistently. Ideally, I'd like to see what you outline happen- or even a legit 3c with some offense to his game. Whatever we do, consistent secondary scoring is a big need.

I would look at two UFA's for possible trades.
With Chiarelli's brilliant cap management skills in Edmonton Ryan Strome may be available, not the sure thing I would like as my third line center and not as good defensively but did produce 34 points on a dumpster fire of a team, skating is excellent. Don't give away top prospects but see what it would take to get him, sign him to a one year deal, if he doesn't produce you can walk away, his salary should not effect this years cap space too much.

Also I believe Broc Nelson played center this year for the Islanders, I watched very few Islanders games but know he came into the league as a C. Big, good skater and good production. Not as much upside as Strome but less of a gamble. Also plays for a perpetual dumpster fire on the Island. Would be interesting to see what he would do in another culture especially if Tavares walks. Would cost more than Strome but may be a nice fit.

Another trade option would be Boone Jenner strictly as a third line option, after that it may be time to try Heinen as a 3c, he doesn't display the grit I would like form a 3rd line center but he can distribute the puck well, is pretty smart, will hopefully find some consistency and grit in his game and with Donato as his LW and Backes as his right it would help to compensate for Backes speed.

 

[Dr Hook]

Another trade option would be Boone Jenner strictly as a third line option, after that it may be time to try Heinen as a 3c, he doesn't display the grit I would like form a 3rd line center but he can distribute the puck well, is pretty smart, will hopefully find some consistency and grit in his game and with Donato as his LW and Backes as his right it would help to compensate for Backes speed.

I've always liked Jenner and he would be a nice acquisition, but he's kind of slow and I wonder if we line him up with Backes if that wouldn't be a train wreck in the making. I don't see Backes dropping to the 4th line, he's probably too good for that anyway,. It is an interesting puzzle Sweeney has to try to solve.

 

[Fenian24]

I've always liked Jenner and he would be a nice acquisition, but he's kind of slow and I wonder if we line him up with Backes if that wouldn't be a train wreck in the making. I don't see Backes dropping to the 4th line, he's probably too good for that anyway,. It is an interesting puzzle Sweeney has to try to solve.

It is going to be interesting for Sweeney, add to the need for a second or third line center he has to start looking for a top pair left D, adding some speedy secondary scoring and some grit/size/toughness at forward it will be an interesting off season.

I kind of expect Noah Hanifin here on draft day, just a feeling.

 

[LouJersey]

I would look at two UFA's for possible trades.
With Chiarelli's brilliant cap management skills in Edmonton Ryan Strome may be available, not the sure thing I would like as my third line center and not as good defensively but did produce 34 points on a dumpster fire of a team, skating is excellent. Don't give away top prospects but see what it would take to get him, sign him to a one year deal, if he doesn't produce you can walk away, his salary should not effect this years cap space too much.

Also I believe Broc Nelson played center this year for the Islanders, I watched very few Islanders games but know he came into the league as a C. Big, good skater and good production. Not as much upside as Strome but less of a gamble. Also plays for a perpetual dumpster fire on the Island. Would be interesting to see what he would do in another culture especially if Tavares walks. Would cost more than Strome but may be a nice fit.

Another trade option would be Boone Jenner strictly as a third line option, after that it may be time to try Heinen as a 3c, he doesn't display the grit I would like form a 3rd line center but he can distribute the puck well, is pretty smart, will hopefully find some consistency and grit in his game and with Donato as his LW and Backes as his right it would help to compensate for Backes speed.

You would hate Nelson.

 

[Fenian24]

You would hate Nelson.

I will take your word on it, I don't watch a lot of Islander games.

Therefore go get Jenner.

 

[Ratty]

I would look at two UFA's for possible trades.
With Chiarelli's brilliant cap management skills in Edmonton Ryan Strome may be available, not the sure thing I would like as my third line center and not as good defensively but did produce 34 points on a dumpster fire of a team, skating is excellent. Don't give away top prospects but see what it would take to get him, sign him to a one year deal, if he doesn't produce you can walk away, his salary should not effect this years cap space too much.

Also I believe Broc Nelson played center this year for the Islanders, I watched very few Islanders games but know he came into the league as a C. Big, good skater and good production. Not as much upside as Strome but less of a gamble. Also plays for a perpetual dumpster fire on the Island. Would be interesting to see what he would do in another culture especially if Tavares walks. Would cost more than Strome but may be a nice fit.

Another trade option would be Boone Jenner strictly as a third line option, after that it may be time to try Heinen as a 3c, he doesn't display the grit I would like form a 3rd line center but he can distribute the puck well, is pretty smart, will hopefully find some consistency and grit in his game and with Donato as his LW and Backes as his right it would help to compensate for Backes speed.

Strome and Nelson are both RFAs. Not sure about Jenner, but I see your point.

Still, I prefer to explore internal options (Donato and Karlsson) before spending assets for a third line center.

 

[LouJersey]

I will take your word on it, I don't watch a lot of Islander games.

Therefore go get Jenner.

You would love Jenner, as would I.

 

[weaponomega]

Why do people (or person) want to trade Heinen for crappier players (or trade Heinen at all), only to make this team worse? Are they secretly trying to get us in a position to land Jack Hughes?

 

[Gonzothe7thDman]

Why do people (or person) want to trade Heinen for crappier players (or trade Heinen at all), only to make this team worse? Are they secretly trying to get us in a position to land Jack Hughes?

I think the problem is Heinen "quietly" put up 47 pts. No flashy highlight reel goals, no fancy toe drags. He didn't bring a crazy physical presence. Just a vanilla almost 50 pt season. I'm in no rush to trade him, but I think thats why some posters around here are ready to move him.

 

[LouJersey]

Why do people (or person) want to trade Heinen for crappier players (or trade Heinen at all), only to make this team worse? Are they secretly trying to get us in a position to land Jack Hughes?

It's about having to give to get. Ideally you don't want to deal him but you are loaded w left hand forward shots. I guess if you feel Vaak, Zboril and Lauzon are capable long term, no reason for Noah.