Boston - Fringe Contender or Rebuild Candidate

[Just Linda]

Boston hasn't had their best start of the year and lost a lot of strength. Is there time done or is this just an anomaly.

What are the Bruins?

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[Cleatus]

They're probably gonna suck this season (injuries and all), but they'll be back in the thick of things sooner than later (they really could use a high draft pick or two).

 

[Critical13]

They're probably gonna suck this season (injuries and all), but they'll be back in the thick of things sooner than later (they really could use a high draft pick or two).

They are too good for a high draft pick. I think they make the playoffs but I don’t like their current D for playoff hockey.

 

[jetsforever]

Still fringe contenders

 

[Mobiandi]

Might as well continue to go for it as long as they have Bergeron but once he takes a step back, it's time to blow it up

 

[JTToilinginToronto]

I dunno about fringe contenders.

I consider them to be at best the third best team in their current division, let alone considering the other divisions. How low is the bar for fringe contention?

 

[Just Linda]

I dunno about fringe contenders.

I consider them to be at best the third best team in their current division, let alone considering the other divisions. How low is the bar for fringe contention?

I think there's the Tampa/Toronto/Vegas expectation tier and then a few teams below them that I'd call fringe contenders like Carolina, Dallas, and Blues based on hype.

 

[Zeeker]

I think there's the Tampa/Toronto/Vegas expectation tier

One of these is not like the other...

 

[Just Linda]

One of these is not like the other...

Indeed, tell that to the oddsmakers though.

 

[BlueMed]

Indeed, tell that to the oddsmakers though.

Why are we citing the oddsmakers as if they have any credibility?

 

[Just Linda]

Why are we citing the oddsmakers as if they have any credibility?

When did I do that? I said expectation tier and based on hype.

 

[BlueMed]

When did I do that? I said expectation tier and based on hype.

You used their tier. That's what I'm saying. The oddsmakers have the most outlandish predictions every year. They have no credibility to begin with.

 

[Critical13]

When did I do that? I said expectation tier and based on hype.

I don't think you understand how odds come about. Toronto has a large, rabid fanbase, it's affecting the odds. I see what you are doing, though...building the disappointment to add a little extra flavour to it.

I think the tier are:

Colorado/Tampa/Vegas
-----
Boston's tier with NYI/Dallas/Carolina/St. Louis/etc

The top tier feels like almost a lock for winning a cup, next are the teams with potential but work to do. Toronto comes into the tier below that with teams that are either on the rise, or teams that are good but haven't proven they are a real threat.

Boston still has Rask, McAvoy, Bergeron, Pasta and Marchand, and I will never count them out with those 5 all on the team. They've proven they can carry a mediocre supporting cast to deep into the playoffs.

 

[SotasicA]

With a perfect spring, a hot run, they can still win the Cup. So, no, not at rebuild mode yet.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Fringe contenders. Not one of the few best in the league, but they have a chance once the playoffs start. They are two or three years away though from missing the playoffs entirely.

 

[lawrence]

Not a team you want to under estimate that’s for sure.

 

[Clint Eastwood]

We've been pretty damn good.

 

[NotLeddy]

Still Cup Contenders

 

[wintersej]

I was writing an opus on how the Bruins PP and PK have not missed Krug and Chara and that the teams Achilles heel of lack of depth scoring and a soft group up front has been patched... but maybe just better if we bump this annual thread about the death of the Bruins in a couple months.

 

[VoluntaryDom]

still one of the contenders in my eyes. behind probably tampa colorado and vegas, but theyre right there after those teams

 

[AvroArrow]

They'll make the playoffs but they aren't contenders. They're gonna be middle of the pack for the next 2-3 ish years. If they can hit on a couple draft picks they'll be contenders again, if they bust, then rebuild mode around Pasta/Marchand.

 

[The Macho King]

I mean, the last two postseasons they lost to the Cup champs (once in the SCF). They won the Presidents Trophy last year. They still have their best players.

As long as they don't play Tampa they should be fine.

 

[danpantz]

I mean, the last two postseasons they lost to the Cup champs (once in the SCF). They won the Presidents Trophy last year. They still have their best players.

As long as they don't play Tampa they should be fine.

Or montreal because that doesn't usually go well for Boston no matter how much better a team they have.