Boston Bruins 2023 Off-Season CAP, Trade Rumors and Free Agent Talk XI

[KrugAvoy]

Connor McDavid come on down! You're a Boston Bruin!

 

[NeelyDan]

"We'll do whatever we can to bolster that position" is vague? Timeline is vague but to me seems pretty obvious it's this season.

Call it artfully vague, if you want, but yeah it's pretty blatantly vague - then again, they can only BE vague.

 

[Dr Quincy]

Huberdeau 0.0
Lindholm 95%

C'mon I'd say it's 99% that Hampus is here.

 

[Shoebottom88]

@Shoebottom88

If you don't think faceoff win percentage is part of what they look at in the center position, I don't know what to tell you bro. Of course it is. If you have a key faceoff are you going to send out Coyle with a less than 50% chance to win the draw or someone that wins far more draws? Seriously. It's insane you'd suggest this to me.

As for the plus minus, you are correct it's not a great stat without context. Which is why I provided it by stating how Coyle was literally the only minus player on the team from the top 9. Think about what that says. He alone was the only guy without a positive plus minus. On the flip side, Haula was a plus 19.

But regardless, if you don't like the stats view, what did your eyes say? I know I watched and I know the overwhelming response here about Coyle on the second line was not a positive one at all. He was out of place and looked awful. And there were people absolutely crowing about what a steal Haula was at the time, hence why I called the claim that @KillerMillerTime was making revisionist history. But like I said, don't take me word for it. Go back and read for yourself. Coyle was getting crucified when he was the 2C. Would people have really been doing that if he was playing well?

Either way, to each their own. You want or need to hear that Coyle is capable of playing more than a 3C role mainly because Sweeney shit the bed in finding any decent replacements for Bergeron or Krejci, while I'm simply calling it the way it was. Coyle failed badly in that role. He is not that guy. He will struggle again next year because the team is asking him to play above his capabilities. That's not a knock on him either. It's a knock on Sweeney for failing over the last 6-7 years to fill a need on the roster. But the best part is, we can always revisit this during and after the season and see how it shook out. If Coyle elevates and plays well, I'll be happy to say I'm wrong. I don't believe he will, but I hope he does. They need it.

Bro! You’re being dishonest again. Exaggerating a 5% difference in face off % to make your point. It’s not a big difference. Probably like one or two f/o losses per game. Coyle made room for Huala cause he sucked on line 3. Coupe as 2C would be fine.

 

[Guelph Bruin]

The biggest non-roster asset the Bruins will have in one year's time is cap space. If they are willing to take their medicine this season rather than trade those few non-roster assets they can avoid creating one hole while filling another. What good is a zero-sum tradeoff?

Now, that's both good and bad because fewer and fewer players worth signing to big free agents deals are hitting the market. (FA is always a risky proposition under the best of circumstances, anyway.) But that might really be their only choice if they want to avoid a long stretch of mediocrity. Bad drafting followed by trading away all your draft picks is how a team ends up sucking for a long time. Do they want to make that future more likely by also trading additional picks and prospects to make the 2023/24 team better? I can't see why that would be worth it.

Now if they can do it for a cost-controlled top-line player? Yeah, probably, almost certainly, but how likely is that?

This.

It's their 100th anniversary season, I say go entertaining run and gun style game with a dose of pugilism. Casual fans will love it, Pasta will thrive, but no doubt we will lose a fair # of games ...which is OK because our 2024 pick is top 10 protected. Use our 2024 cap space to entice FA talent (although it's been slim pickings as of late). The drawback is we might devalue our Goalies by constantly letting them hang out to dry .... I think Goalies are going the way of the running back in NFL anyway, it seems like less and less teams want to shell out a big chunk of $$$ long-term for the position.

 

[Hookslide]

F***, you're probably right.

I f***ed up and assumed that he had played C at times in the NHL. But you're right, he's exclusively played the wing.

Well piss on that thought!

haha ..........don't take it too hard.............

 

[LSCII]

Bro! You’re being dishonest again. Exaggerating a 5% difference in face off % to make your point. It’s not a big difference. Probably like one or two f/o losses per game. Coyle made room for Huala cause he sucked on line 3. Coupe as 2C would be fine.

And those two faceoffs per are key. Again, sorry if you don't see the significance of that, but the coaching staffs surely do.

Do you realize how silly you sound saying Haula sucked on the third line so they moved him up to an even more key line? LOFL. Dude seriously. You're killing me here with this nonsense.

Like always though, don't take my word for it. See the actual numbers yourself:

NHL Stats

The official source for NHL Stats including skaters, goalies, teams stats and more.

www.nhl.com

In all the key scenarios, Haula was a superior faceoff man.

 

[Blowfish]

It is vague, yes. Because it doesn't leave him open and accountable to execution. It doesn't set a bar, a timeframe or an expectation. It's no different than the "we're always looking at ways to improve the team" that literally every management spokesperson for every professional sports team has always said to the press.

I don't want to harpoon your hopes. You do you as a fan. I've just heard enough of these statements in my time to know how meaningless they are. I'll save my anticipation for if they actually do anything.

LOL. I will save this one for a rainy day.

 

[NDiesel]

Personally I’d be stunned if he made it to free agency, but I hope he does.

I think Calgary would be dumb to let him walk for free and I would imagine any team that acquires him will be looking to extend him. Which I think is the most likely case.

I'm sure teams will be looking to extend him if they acquire him, but there is a chance too that, like Bertuzzi, regardless of how much they want Lindholm to sign he still might test free agency. I agree it is unlikely, but if they dont have the assets to grab him there is still some slim hope.

 

[Babajingo]

That’s where planning accordingly 5-6 years ago would have given you time to draft and develop a top 6 center. Instead they burned first round picks on things like dumping the salary of the corpse that was David Backes.

I just picked a year (2017 draft). After that year, DK was 31 and PB was 32. They had nothing in the cupboard except JFK and ryan spooner. They knew then they needed to plan, but they drafted Urho with the 1st pick. Ott picked Norris right after them. For the next 3 drafts after that, the only top 1or2 round picks for C was Beecher (borderline NHLer). They signed Murkulov who may make it to 3rd line.
I think when it comes to forwards, these guys are reactionary. Took them a long time to find a wing for Krecji.
Took them a long time to realize those two weren't getting any younger. Last two years their first 3 picks were centers.

 

[Forester65]

I guess I'll lead this off...who do you think would be serious contenders for Lindholm in FA.

Bruins - could be the best team. Vezina goalie. Jack Adams coach. 60 goal scorer. Strong defense.

Wild - play with Kaprizov and Boldy. Lot of buyout $$ coming off year after

Blue Jackets - Reunion with Johnny Hockey, play with Laine. Defense looking really strong there.

Blackhawks - Play behind Bedard. Could fork over a ton of money.

Any other team jumping out at you? I like the Bruins chances but I felt the same about Hertl, Tavares, etc.

I'd like it if we could get him, but I'm guessing that after signing Swayman and Frederick(?) that there won't be money left over for such a big fish. I'm guessing it's back to rooting for a B's team with some holes in the forward lines.

 

[Shoebottom88]

And those two faceoffs per are key. Again, sorry if you don't see the significance of that, but the coaching staffs surely do.

Do you realize how silly you sound saying Haula sucked on the third line so they moved him up to an even more key line? LOFL. Dude seriously. You're killing me here with this nonsense.

Like always though, don't take my word for it. See the actual numbers yourself:

NHL Stats

The official source for NHL Stats including skaters, goalies, teams stats and more.

www.nhl.com

In all the key scenarios, Haula was a superior faceoff man.

Dude! Lol. You’re the one that said Coyle can’t buy a faceoff win. Meanwhile he wins 49% of them. That’s pretty much half the time. So you’re being dishonest trying to make a futile point. Even reaching for +|- stats while down playing points generated lol. Dishonest.

 

[mar2kbos]

Reading an article that says they only have 6mil in cap space and still no contract for Sway or Frederic. Thought they had more cap space than that? If that is true there is no doubt they need to cut more salary. Both Sway and Frederic are definitely going to be close or exceed that amount. If it’s goes to arb, with their stat lines, you can bet at least 3.5 or more for both of them. That would put them over the cap. Did they give too many 1 year deals that they may not have enough for both? Seems short sighted so it must be a mistake Sweeney can’t be that dumb.

 

[DKH]

Elias Lindholm or Bust

Give him Aho.contract

Forget everyone else - the Bruins can easily make WC and no pressure no expectations start on road

They are a mirror of the 2017 8th seed Preds that SWEPT the top seed Blackhawks and gave the Penguins a battle in Finals

Sweens & Cam: Lindholm or do nothing go with kids and grab WC

 

[LSCII]

Dude! Lol. You’re the one that said Coyle can’t buy a faceoff win. Meanwhile he wins 49% of them. That’s pretty much half the time. So you’re being dishonest trying to make a futile point. Even reaching for +|- stats while down playing points generated lol. Dishonest.

Let's slow this down since you seem to be missing the point. The league leaders for FW win% are in the 63-60% range. Coyle checking in below well 50% is like finishing 2 second behind Usain Bolt in a 100 meter race. It's a lifetime of difference. For further reference Coyle was at 52.6 last year, which again is a marked difference than his 49.1 the year before. The irony is that the 49.1 the year in question was his career best until this season. Even with a 52.6 last year, his career average is still only 48%, which makes him barely a marginal faceoff man. For reference Bergeron was at 61.1% this season and 61.9% the year before.

And while I'm no Haula fan, I also showed the breakdown of key situations for their draws, and Haula simply out performed Coyle that year and usually by a lot. It simply wasn't close. So you can continue to misconstrue the numbers if you want, it won't make you correct because you're way off on this dude.

 

[The don godfather]

What a black hole at center probably the worst in the league.

 

[Blowfish]

Let's slow this down since you seem to be missing the point. The league leaders for FW win% are in the 63-60% range. Coyle checking in below well 50% is like finishing 2 second behind Usain Bolt in a 100 meter race. It's a lifetime of difference. For further reference Coyle was at 52.6 last year, which again is a marked difference than his 49.1 the year before. The irony is that the 49.1 the year in question was his career best until this season. Even with a 52.6 last year, his career average is still only 48%, which makes him barely a marginal faceoff man. For reference Bergeron was at 61.1% this season and 61.9% the year before.

And while I'm no Haula fan, I also showed the breakdown of key situations for their draws, and Haula simply out performed Coyle that year and usually by a lot. It simply wasn't close. So you can continue to misconstrue the numbers if you want, it won't make you correct because you're way off on this dude.

When it mattered that stat changed....

3 Bruins Who Can’t Regress Beginning the Post Bergeron Era

After Patrice Bergeron announced his retirement, the Boston Bruins have three players that need to avoid a regression in 2023-24.

thehockeywriters.com

After scoring 16 goals and recording 29 assists in all 82 regular season games, Coyle had a goal and an assist against the Panthers, but he was strong at the faceoff dot, winning 56.4% of his draws while averaging 17:20 a night. He won 62.4% of his faceoffs 5-on-5 in the postseason and that went up to 62.7% when the score was close.

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

Let's slow this down since you seem to be missing the point. The league leaders for FW win% are in the 63-60% range. Coyle checking in below well 50% is like finishing 2 second behind Usain Bolt in a 100 meter race. It's a lifetime of difference. For further reference Coyle was at 52.6 last year, which again is a marked difference than his 49.1 the year before. The irony is that the 49.1 the year in question was his career best until this season. Even with a 52.6 last year, his career average is still only 48%, which makes him barely a marginal faceoff man. For reference Bergeron was at 61.1% this season and 61.9% the year before.

And while I'm no Haula fan, I also showed the breakdown of key situations for their draws, and Haula simply out performed Coyle that year and usually by a lot. It simply wasn't close. So you can continue to misconstrue the numbers if you want, it won't make you correct because you're way off on this dude.

The league average for faceoffs won is 50%.

 

[LSCII]

The league average for faceoffs won is 50%.

Yes and he’s at 48% for his career, well below average. Not sure why this is so hard for some folks to accept since it’s fact. He’s not a good face off guy.

When it mattered that stat changed....

3 Bruins Who Can’t Regress Beginning the Post Bergeron Era

After Patrice Bergeron announced his retirement, the Boston Bruins have three players that need to avoid a regression in 2023-24.

thehockeywriters.com

After scoring 16 goals and recording 29 assists in all 82 regular season games, Coyle had a goal and an assist against the Panthers, but he was strong at the faceoff dot, winning 56.4% of his draws while averaging 17:20 a night. He won 62.4% of his faceoffs 5-on-5 in the postseason and that went up to 62.7% when the score was close.

Let’s hope he continues an upward trend because losing Bergeron’s face off ability leaves a huge hole.

 

[Dr Quincy]

The league average for faceoffs won is 50%.

What's the league average for top 6 Cs?

 

[LSCII]

What's the league average for top 6 Cs?

Exactly. Again they lose Bergeron and his 60% and are replacing it essentially with a dude that has a career average of 48%. No matter how you want to slice it, that’s a big drop off.

 

[Blowfish]

Yes and he’s at 48% for his career, well below average. Not sure why this is so hard for some folks to accept since it’s fact. He’s not a good face off guy.


Let’s hope he continues an upward trend because losing Bergeron’s face off ability leaves a huge hole.

If it's F/O s you're concerned about Lindholm, Scheifele aren't all that much better regular and post season. Pageau on the other hand.

 

[MarchysNoseKnows]

Yes and he’s at 48% for his career, well below average. Not sure why this is so hard for some folks to accept since it’s fact. He’s not a good face off guy.


Let’s hope he continues an upward trend because losing Bergeron’s face off ability leaves a huge hole.

Dude I know you’ve been waiting for this time for a long time and I dont want to get in the way of your glee. But 48% is not well below average.

Only 20 players who had 1,100 faceoffs last year were 50% or higher.

Tage Thompson 43%.
Stutzle 41.5%.
Petterson 44%.
Mackinnon 44%.
Bennett 47%.
Krejci 47%.

Coyle was 52.5% last year (not that we were talking about last year).

 

[Mainehockey33]

Exactly. Again they lose Bergeron and his 60% and are replacing it essentially with a dude that has a career average of 48%. No matter how you want to slice it, that’s a big drop off.

Morgan Geekie has a career FO% of 51.1%. I’d rather give that guy better offensive wings than Coyle and see if there’s some untapped potential. We already know what Coyle is.

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

Let's slow this down since you seem to be missing the point. The league leaders for FW win% are in the 63-60% range. Coyle checking in below well 50% is like finishing 2 second behind Usain Bolt in a 100 meter race. It's a lifetime of difference. For further reference Coyle was at 52.6 last year, which again is a marked difference than his 49.1 the year before. The irony is that the 49.1 the year in question was his career best until this season. Even with a 52.6 last year, his career average is still only 48%, which makes him barely a marginal faceoff man. For reference Bergeron was at 61.1% this season and 61.9% the year before.

And while I'm no Haula fan, I also showed the breakdown of key situations for their draws, and Haula simply out performed Coyle that year and usually by a lot. It simply wasn't close. So you can continue to misconstrue the numbers if you want, it won't make you correct because you're way off on this dude.

Lonnie, you're a genius.

Somehow you've turned the conversation from "Haula got promoted to the second line because he outplayed Coyle" (which is positively absurd) to "what number is considered good for face off %"

The lines were juggled because they had only one that was productive at the time. Haula had like 4 points on the third until January. He was insanely bad.

The second line had solid possession numbers but no finish. Good at controlling the play - bad at scoring.

When Coyle was on the second line, he was centering Hall and Craig Smith. When Haula moved to that unit, he got Hall and David Pastrnak. A twice-baked potato could put up numbers between those two.

I don't know why this argument came up, but any implication that Haula > Coyle is nonsense.