Every team has an occasional stinker. The Bruins sure did on Tuesday when they refused to play defense against the Hurricanes.
But widen the lens a touch, and you have a team on an 8-2-0 run since regrouping following the December shutdown. Tuukka Rask is back. Flipping David Pastrnak and Craig Smith was the right move. The Bruins appear to be on the COVID-19 downslope, with only Mike Reilly currently in protocol.
So what happens next? Is it time to start looking ahead to the March 21 trade deadline? That seems to be the most urgent question on subscribers’ minds.
Note: Some questions have been edited slightly for clarity or length.
Do you expect the Bruins to trade some of their disgruntled players? — Bob S.
I expect Jake DeBrusk to be traded. Do not see the Bruins issuing DeBrusk his $4.41 million qualifying offer at the end of the year. This would make him unrestricted and free to sign with anybody. Regardless of how poorly things have proceeded with DeBrusk, it would not be prudent for the Bruins to have him walk for nothing. The most likely transaction is for a player of a similar age who is underperforming to a similar degree. Max Domi would fall into that category, although I don’t necessarily think that would be the right fit.
What’s the likelihood of a deal including Linus Ullmark prior to the deadline? — Robin F.
Zero. Ullmark has no-move protection. Players do not usually waive it in their first year.
Edmonton is in dire need of goaltending. Linus Ullmark would get the lion’s share of work there, I’d imagine. Do you see Ullmark waiving his NMC for that possibility? — Kevin M.
Zero. I do not see Ullmark relocating his family after just a few months.
Is some of the “This might be Patrice Bergeron’s last year” narrative attributed to the Zdeno Chara and David Krejci surprises? Basically, is it just to cover all possible scenarios? Or is there actual evidence, aside from wear and tear, that this could be the end? — Ed M.
The reality is nobody knows what will happen next season. Probably not even Bergeron himself. So if you’re the Bruins, you have to proceed with the possibility that this is it. You cannot operate on the assumption that based on his current performance, he will be back for next year and years to come, even if it looks like he can play very well for some time. I also do not view Bergeron as being in the same category as Chara. I think the moment Bergeron identifies slippage in his game, he will not be satisfied with extending his career just to continuing playing.
But widen the lens a touch, and you have a team on an 8-2-0 run since regrouping following the December shutdown. Tuukka Rask is back. Flipping David Pastrnak and Craig Smith was the right move. The Bruins appear to be on the COVID-19 downslope, with only Mike Reilly currently in protocol.
So what happens next? Is it time to start looking ahead to the March 21 trade deadline? That seems to be the most urgent question on subscribers’ minds.
Note: Some questions have been edited slightly for clarity or length.
Do you expect the Bruins to trade some of their disgruntled players? — Bob S.
I expect Jake DeBrusk to be traded. Do not see the Bruins issuing DeBrusk his $4.41 million qualifying offer at the end of the year. This would make him unrestricted and free to sign with anybody. Regardless of how poorly things have proceeded with DeBrusk, it would not be prudent for the Bruins to have him walk for nothing. The most likely transaction is for a player of a similar age who is underperforming to a similar degree. Max Domi would fall into that category, although I don’t necessarily think that would be the right fit.
What’s the likelihood of a deal including Linus Ullmark prior to the deadline? — Robin F.
Zero. Ullmark has no-move protection. Players do not usually waive it in their first year.
Edmonton is in dire need of goaltending. Linus Ullmark would get the lion’s share of work there, I’d imagine. Do you see Ullmark waiving his NMC for that possibility? — Kevin M.
Zero. I do not see Ullmark relocating his family after just a few months.
Is some of the “This might be Patrice Bergeron’s last year” narrative attributed to the Zdeno Chara and David Krejci surprises? Basically, is it just to cover all possible scenarios? Or is there actual evidence, aside from wear and tear, that this could be the end? — Ed M.
The reality is nobody knows what will happen next season. Probably not even Bergeron himself. So if you’re the Bruins, you have to proceed with the possibility that this is it. You cannot operate on the assumption that based on his current performance, he will be back for next year and years to come, even if it looks like he can play very well for some time. I also do not view Bergeron as being in the same category as Chara. I think the moment Bergeron identifies slippage in his game, he will not be satisfied with extending his career just to continuing playing.
