Confirmed with Link: Bruins sign Matt Irwin 1yr/$800K

[GloryDaze4877]

I think it's much more straight forward. The Bruins probably view both McQuaid and Irwin as guys who are ready to step up...penciled into the 3-4 slots...

Too go with plenty of young depth if anyone wants to step up and make a move.

Pretty awesome. Hopefully this paves the way for Chara/Seidenberg. The best for both vets.

Chara/Seidenberg
Irwin/McQuaid
Krug/Miller
Trotman

Miller2
Morrow

I don't like the Top 4 at all the way you have it configured. I love McQuaid and Krug on the 3rd pair, it's where they belong right now at least. There is zero mobility on that first pair.

Without Franson:

Chara-Trotman
Krug-Sides
Irwin-McQuaid
K Miller

With CF:

Chara-Franson/Trots
Sides-Franson/Trots
Krug-McQuaid
Irwin/K or C Miller

I like door #2, particularly if the B's can limit term on Franson to three/four years.

 

[BB88]

I don't know. My girlfriend makes me do my own thing. She's very strict that way.

She and I came up with $164,333 in cap space with Franson on the roster and no one traded away (Miller if he can't go to AHL). Remember that $164,333 is banked and increases by trade deadline.

Now that is missing a 13th forward. Just proving my point that you do NOT need to move out major salary

I understand that, and I was trying to look for players that can give us cap space if we have to and don't hurt our team too much.
We have a lot more ready D prospects than we do have winger prospects.

Still if we need to cut cap then players like Hayes-Pasta-Spooner-Kemppainen-Talbot-Rinaldo-Connolly-C.Miller/Trotman wouldn't give us any due to too small cap hits,
and I'm having hard time seeing 1 of the big boys going out, Bergeron-Rask-Chara-Marchand-Krecji,

leaving us with 4 guys who could give us cap space, Seidenberg, Krug, Kelly and Lou and like you've said Kelly is probably not moving, our wing has no depth so I would really hate to lose Lou and Krug is our only proven offensive specialist, leaving Seids left.
I hope Seids has a great offseason and can come back strong, really liked his game before the injury, but I don't want us to lose any forwards for cap space due to depth issues, Kelly can go if he can go.

I feel like Sweeney wants to have some cap room during the season and get another top6 player added if he feels like it and have some overall cap room and not feel being against the cap, risking another boring trade deadline.
But if he doesn't then he probably can do it just, but that top6 rw could be usefull if Connolly can't find his game.

http://www.capfriendly.com/?p=team-cap&team=Boston Bruins
I've looked my cap hits from there, you had Smith as a backup when I took McIntyre.

 

[DitClapper]

Probably will be the 7th defenseman. Nothing not to like here. Interesting move though for sure.

EDIT:

Makes me seriously wonder about Kevan Miller...Someone is for sure packing their bags.

 

[BB88]

I think it's much more straight forward. The Bruins probably view both McQuaid and Irwin as guys who are ready to step up...penciled into the 3-4 slots...

To go with plenty of young depth if anyone wants to step up and make a move.

Pretty awesome. Hopefully this paves the way for Chara/Seidenberg. The best for both vets.

Chara/Seidenberg
Irwin/McQuaid
Krug/Miller
Trotman

Miller2
Morrow

That is a 3rd pairing, if you show that to San Jose fans they are going to feel sorry for us, but the 1st round pick would look good.

That roster has so limited talent, potential, skating, puck skills, Toronto ices a better D group and they want the 1st overall.

 

[Bruinsfolife]

I also have another question. Sorry if this doesn`t belong here, I have been hitting the drink but when it comes to teams that need to reach the cap floor does this mean that Arizona does not have the money to spend on players to be at the cap ceiling? Whereas a team like the Bruins who have sold out so many home games that they HAVE the money so it`s no problem for them to be at the cap ceiling because they can afford it.

Is hockey turning into baseball to a lesser degree where the teams that have money spend it all and teams that don`t have to play moneyball? (I know there is no salary cap in baseball) but is this a similar comparison? I hope this made sense.

 

[GloveSave1]

At least explain. Do you want Trotman or Morrow playing regularly? Irwin's a legitimate bottom pair defender. It's fine if you want one of those two young guys in the lineup, but I can't see hating this signing. Worse comes to worse and hes the 7th defenseman making pennies.

FWIW, I had Irwin on my fantasy team a couple years ago and he was a consistent point producer. Has some upside to rebound.

 

[Gee Wally]

I also have another question. Sorry if this doesn`t belong here, I have been hitting the drink but when it comes to teams that need to reach the cap floor does this mean that Arizona does not have the money to spend on players to be at the cap ceiling? Whereas a team like the Bruins who have sold out so many home games that they HAVE the money so it`s no problem for them to be at the cap ceiling because they can afford it.

Is hockey turning into baseball to a lesser degree where the teams that have money spend it all and teams that don`t have to play moneyball? (I know there is no salary cap in baseball) but is this a similar comparison? I hope this made sense.

Its similar in a way with large and small market budgets. But big difference is hockey is hard capped. Baseball you can go over but have to pay a tax for doing so.

Not all big market teams spend to the top though either. How close you are to contending factors in. If you are a big market but in a rebuild situation you may be in the middle or upper 3/4 until talent becomes available through trades, drafts, or prospects.

 

[Bruinsfolife]

Its similar in a way with large and small market budgets. But big difference is hockey is hard capped. Baseball you can go over but have to pay a tax for doing so.

Not all big market teams spend to the top though either. How close you are to contending factors in. If you are a big market but in a rebuild situation you may be in the middle or upper 3/4 until talent becomes available through trades, drafts, or prospects.

Ok, it`s clear for me now, you know your stuff Gee Wally.

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

...

I keep reading about our excess of lefties and how destitute we are on the right side. Like Irwin doesn't fit for some. I don't get it.

LH
Chara
Seidenberg
Krug
Irwin
Morrow

RH
Miller
Miller
McQuaid
Trotman

And Seidenberg can play either side.

You can say the right side of the ice is lacking in top four talent. I agree. But that has nothing to do with Matt Irwin. He fits the team right about where you would expect. 7th guy who slots in the left side. I don't see why this signing necessitates any move. Mutually exclusive transactions.

By the way, like Irwin. Can't remember who called this one a while back, but it was a good one.

 

[Gee Wally]

Ok, it`s clear for me now, you know your stuff Gee Wally.

No I dont. Just ask my wife.

 

[Bruinsfolife]

No I dont. Just ask my wife.

I don`t have to. She arready know that you know but can you tell my girlfriend to not yell at me when she comes home because ivè been hitting southern comfort. Thanks. Lol.

 

[toasterjam]

Chara-Morrow
Krug-Seids
Irwin-Mcquaid
Trotman-K.Miller
C.Miller

 

[PatriceBergeron]

A signing like this should've been our #6 D from the start and let McQuaid go.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

Chara-Morrow
Krug-Seids
Irwin-Mcquaid
Trotman-K.Miller
C.Miller

There are no words to describe how much I dislike the idea of Morrow (playing his off side) on the first pair with Chara.

 

[BB88]

There are no words to describe how much I dislike the idea of Morrow (playing his off side) on the first pair with Chara.

And I hate the idea of having just 1 well skating D player on the roster, that's 1boring lineup to look at(Trotman on the top pairing).

Chara-C.Miller
Krug-Seids
Irwing-McQuaid

is my list now. Without Franson/x it's very hard to see our D group being above average.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

And I hate the idea of having just 1 well skating D player on the roster, that's 1boring lineup to look at(Trotman on the top pairing).

Chara-C.Miller
Krug-Seids
Irwing-McQuaid

is my list now. Without Franson/x it's very hard to see our D group being above average.

Trotman is not a burner, but he's not a bad skater by any stretch. I like C Miller's upside, but not sure he's ready for top pairing minutes?

 

[Dellstrom]

A signing like this should've been our #6 D from the start and let McQuaid go.

Definitely has me scratching my head over that signing again... As much as I love McQuaid, we also have Miller and also Irwin... I've loved what Sweeney has done recently, but I'm still trying to figure out what the plan is.

 

[BB88]

Trotman is not a burner, but he's not a bad skater by any stretch. I like C Miller's upside, but not sure he's ready for top pairing minutes?

I think the same question can be asked with Trotman, and yes he is not the slowest skater but that's not good enough when Krug would be your only strong puck mover/strong skater, that group gets killed.

I don't want to see Chara-Trotman pairing because I don't trust Trotman to provide enough offense, I don't see him being a Krug and allow Chara to be more of a stay at home D who can focus on being defensive D beast, at some point you have to limit his jobs a bit and if he needs to be our offensive and defensive leader then how well will it go and how lng will he last? Does he have anything left in the playoffs if we make it?

C.Miller would be the guy with Chara who's job is to jump on plays and create fast/strong D-zone exits with the puck, allowing Chara to be a more of a shutdown D.
C.Miller has also elite shot which we need on our PP, 1 way again to limit Charas' minutes which is a must, right now his minutes are only going up and I wanted to go to opposite direction.

Sweeney is putting huge pressure on Chara and for his knee. C.Miller has elite level shot+skating and has nastiness in his game, I just want to see that he's not also like Krug, he has weight on him and he has taken huge steps in his development. Krug-C.Miller could bring deadly skating, offense, and puck moving via skating into our D group and also replace Hamiltons' production.

We'd still need to find that missing 1st pairing D but I would start with C.Miller.

 

[neelynugs]

Is this sort of contract illegal now?

Chara's salary is $5m next year, Cap hit still $6.9m, but in the last year, his salary and Cap hit are both $4m.

that's a weird loophole where the cap hit is the same as the dollar amount when the player turns 40. it doesn't happen with every guy who hits 40 on a long-term deal (hossa it doesn't). not exactly sure what the specific rule is, but i was told it's not actually listed in the CBA - think it was a sidebar.

 

[Cid]

And I hate the idea of having just 1 well skating D player on the roster, that's 1boring lineup to look at(Trotman on the top pairing).


is my list now. Without Franson/x it's very hard to see our D group being above average.

I couldn't agree more. I didn't think it was possible to have a slower, less mobile defense than last year, but we have it. And for everyone calling for Franson to fix that, you guys do know he isn't exactly fast right? He is very overrated on these boards. This defense was bad last year, they are going to be exposed badly by fast fore checking teams, worse than ever before this year. I would have really liked to seen Oduya here at all costs as I believe he is by far the best defense-man available to fill a huge void on our backend.

This defense looks as bad as Pittsburgh's and Edmonton's.

 

[BB88]

I couldn't agree more. I didn't think it was possible to have a slower, less mobile defense than last year, but we have it. And for everyone calling for Franson to fix that, you guys do know he isn't exactly fast right? He is very overrated on these boards. This defense was bad last year, they are going to be exposed badly by fast fore checking teams, worse than ever before this year. I would have really liked to seen Oduya here at all costs as I believe he is by far the best defense-man available to fill a huge void on our backend.

This defense looks as bad as Pittsburgh's and Edmonton's.

I never want to see that 1st half team ever again and this D is looking worse than that if we can't set the pairings right.

Pens have a better D than we if they stay healthy.

Maatta-Letang will be elite soon and Pouliot has elite offensive potential, but the last 3 are weak for them.

Even Toronto has a better D than we do and their goal is the 1st overall and ours the playoffs, how is that possible?

 

[Lord Ahriman]

that's a weird loophole where the cap hit is the same as the dollar amount when the player turns 40. it doesn't happen with every guy who hits 40 on a long-term deal (hossa it doesn't). not exactly sure what the specific rule is, but i was told it's not actually listed in the CBA - think it was a sidebar.

If I'm not wrong that rule was consequence of the $102-million deal rejected by NHL when Kovalchuk signed with the Devils.

 

[Ten Thousand Hours]

I couldn't agree more. I didn't think it was possible to have a slower, less mobile defense than last year, but we have it. And for everyone calling for Franson to fix that, you guys do know he isn't exactly fast right? He is very overrated on these boards. This defense was bad last year, they are going to be exposed badly by fast fore checking teams, worse than ever before this year. I would have really liked to seen Oduya here at all costs as I believe he is by far the best defense-man available to fill a huge void on our backend.

This defense looks as bad as Pittsburgh's and Edmonton's.

A bunch of teams have worse defenses than Pittsburgh.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

I think the same question can be asked with Trotman, and yes he is not the slowest skater but that's not good enough when Krug would be your only strong puck mover/strong skater, that group gets killed.

I don't want to see Chara-Trotman pairing because I don't trust Trotman to provide enough offense, I don't see him being a Krug and allow Chara to be more of a stay at home D who can focus on being defensive D beast, at some point you have to limit his jobs a bit and if he needs to be our offensive and defensive leader then how well will it go and how lng will he last? Does he have anything left in the playoffs if we make it?

C.Miller would be the guy with Chara who's job is to jump on plays and create fast/strong D-zone exits with the puck, allowing Chara to be a more of a shutdown D.
C.Miller has also elite shot which we need on our PP, 1 way again to limit Charas' minutes which is a must, right now his minutes are only going up and I wanted to go to opposite direction.

Sweeney is putting huge pressure on Chara and for his knee. C.Miller has elite level shot+skating and has nastiness in his game, I just want to see that he's not also like Krug, he has weight on him and he has taken huge steps in his development. Krug-C.Miller could bring deadly skating, offense, and puck moving via skating into our D group and also replace Hamiltons' production.

We'd still need to find that missing 1st pairing D but I would start with C.Miller.

I would not.

So, you are wary of Trotman, who played very well with Chara down the stretch, but are OK with C Miller, who has never played for the B's organization (and is unfamiliar with their D), never mind with Chara? That's a lot of pressure to put on a rookie.

Personally, I think it's a moot point because the B's will get Franson or Sweeney will trade for a legit Top 4. I just can't see DS going into the season with two rooks in the D pairs.

 

[bruinmann77]

I like both Trotman and Quaider and both will have a nice impact on D.