Player Discussion Jeremy Lauzon: signed $850k/2rs

[AngryMilkcrates]

With Lauzon being so very good since his call up, does it make anyone else question why the organization has seemingly dragged their feet with him and several other young guys?

Dragged their feet how? We have seen Lauzon off an on for over a year now and he has looked increasingly better with each look. However, he was not good enough to take Clifton/Moore's job. In the return to play practices he proved to the coaching staff that he WAS and thus got the look on the last pair in the roundrobins. In the few games he played in he looked like the best choice in that slot so they have kept him.

Where did management bungle his development? Vaak and Zboril have gotten looks and have not been impressive enough to take an NHLers job away from them, so back to providence they go.

Boston is a deep team, it's dead mans boots. You have to take a mans job from him to make the team. That is hard to do. We are not Minnesota who can just switch people out every game because their depth is so thin. This is a team trying to win a cup.

Forwards, DeBrusk had to earn his way onto the team. He was given nothing. Seny has been given chances and has looked okay. Not good enough to steal a spot or move Kuhlman down the depth list.

Where are they dragging their feet?

 

[BruinDust]

With Lauzon being so very good since his call up, does it make anyone else question why the organization has seemingly dragged their feet with him and several other young guys?

Not when it comes to D-men. The organization seems to have a good handle on their development. For a 2nd rounder, a couple years of junior followed by cracking the NHL roster full-time in his 3rd ELC seasons seems right on schedule.

Forwards not so much it would seem.

 

[b in vancouver]

With Lauzon being so very good since his call up, does it make anyone else question why the organization has seemingly dragged their feet with him and several other young guys?

I'd say it's the opposite. The Bruins have been one of the best teams in the league at developing young players for awhile, especially with having late picks, as they've been good and haven't forced players into the line-up before they're ready. They allow the kids a bit of extra development and wait for them to either force their hand or make the most of their opportunities when they get the call - with a well-developed NHL game - and that's how you stay atop the league. This is what those Red Wing teams were great at. Bring in vets as needed and don't be shy about them and, without having high picks, allow your kids the extra time if needed - because you have a good/great team already.

Teams like Buffalo and Edmonton and co. force kids into the line-up before they're ready and they struggle to be consistent.

 

[BMC]

I'd say it's the opposite. The Bruins have been one of the best teams in the league at developing young players for awhile, especially with having late picks, as they've been good and haven't forced players into the line-up before they're ready. They allow the kids a bit of extra development and wait for them to either force their hand or make the most of their opportunities when they get the call - with a well-developed NHL game - and that's how you stay atop the league. This is what those Red Wing teams were great at. Bring in vets as needed and don't be shy about them and, without having high picks, allow your kids the extra time if needed - because you have a good/great team already.

Teams like Buffalo and Edmonton and co. force kids into the line-up before they're ready and they struggle to be consistent.

In fairness to Buffalo & Edmonton they're such bad teams they have no choice but to put their top picks out there or lose what fan base they have remaining. Developing players over time is a luxury only good teams have & fortunately the Bruins are one of them.

 

[b in vancouver]

In fairness to Buffalo & Edmonton they're such bad teams they have no choice but to put their top picks out there or lose what fan base they have remaining. Developing players over time is a luxury only good teams have & fortunately the Bruins are one of them.

Definitely. 100%.
It's why I'm anti-tank - for any team. Those teams put themselves in those positions. (although if those teams had the guts they'd take the short term p.r. hit and let them develop regardless)
I've been ringing the bell of creating and keeping a winning team culture over high picks for a long time. Hard to find star players (although the Bruins were fortunate with Pasta and McAvoy) but you get the most from the kids you do draft. Also why I'm not scared of bringing in veterans.

The Bruins have a very good reputation for development and why players like Donato, Heinen and Lindgren could be moved for Coyle, Kase and R. Nash. That's the way to maintain a successful team.

It's the 'Detroit Model'.

 

[b in vancouver]

Back to Lauzon. I'm more impressed each game. I was really high on Zboril but essentially thought he'd be a slightly smoother Lauzon.
If this make sense - 'There's a lack of hesitation to his game.' Like it took Grz awhile to show what he brings to the table but I don't get that sense watching Lauzon. Just comfortable with him out on the ice.
Crazy that they could ice a solid top 4 with recent later picks.

 

[LSCII]

Back to Lauzon. I'm more impressed each game. I was really high on Zboril but essentially thought he'd be a slightly smoother Lauzon.
If this make sense - 'There's a lack of hesitation to his game.' Like it took Grz awhile to show what he brings to the table but I don't get that sense watching Lauzon. Just comfortable with him out on the ice.
Crazy that they could ice a solid top 4 with recent later picks.

I'd love to see what Vaak and Zboril have to offer since Lauzon has been so good. I thought both have looked very solid in the small number of games they've gotten.

 

[DominicT]

I like Grzelcyk but if he is on your top pair you are in trouble.

If Chara retires and Krug leaves they need to add a top 4 veteran defenseman. With a frozen cap it will be difficult but needs to be done.

Then the top pair should be Ekholm/McAvoy

 

[ON3M4N]

Then the top pair should be Ekholm/McAvoy

That would be unfair to the rest of the NHL....l
How do we make this happen lol

 

[DominicT]

That would be unfair to the rest of the NHL....l
How do we make this happen lol

If you look at their cap situation for the next couple of years, you've got 7 players signed to long term deals. Forsberg and Ekholm become UFA at the same time in 22/23 with, IMO, some un-moveable contracts.

If you have to choose between Forsberg/Ekholm, I'm keeping Forsberg. But something is wrong in Nashville. They need to make some sort of change.

I'm a big fan of Lauzon as you know, but he'd be one of the pieces that would have to go the other way and I am fine with that. Bruins have the assets if they want to make the call. I think Poile would listen.

 

[b in vancouver]

I'd love to see what Vaak and Zboril have to offer since Lauzon has been so good. I thought both have looked very solid in the small number of games they've gotten.

Me also, but there's only so many spaces. I like both. Zboril's skill-set always excited me (that sounds weird).
Both players look like they should have NHL careers, in Boston or elsewhere, so will be interesting to see how the LHD shakes out. At least Lauzon can move to the right. They might have to move a young d-man in the future, less as an 'asset', although they'd definitely get something, but if the blue line remains stacked, as a way of allowing the player to have the career they could have in a different organization. But without one veteran - they could ice
McAvoy, Carlo, Grz, Lauzon, Vaak, Zboril, Clifton, etc.
Especially after trading away Hamilton, the biggest question mark was defence going forwards and 90% of us thought that was going to be the biggest struggle but one of the top two things Sweeney has done, it's rebuild this defence on the fly.

 

[chizzler]

They need to make a call on Chara. Is he still effective and can a younger player bring what he brings. The puck skill is gone. There is no transition when he’s on the ice. He just flings it out and gives to the other team constantly. His D or wing span is his attribute. Is it enough now. I cringe watching him sometimes.
I think Louzon can bring it.

 

[BruinsFanSince94]

They need to make a call on Chara. Is he still effective and can a younger player bring what he brings. The puck skill is gone. There is no transition when he’s on the ice. He just flings it out and gives to the other team constantly. His D or wing span is his attribute. Is it enough now. I cringe watching him sometimes.
I think Louzon can bring it.

Chara is basically a 3rd pairing, stud PKer at this point.

Does Lauzon give anyone a Boychuk-esque feel minus the massive shot?

 

[Kalus]

Chara is basically a 3rd pairing, stud PKer at this point.

Does Lauzon give anyone a Boychuk-esque feel minus the massive shot?

Not just the shot, he doesn't anything like Boychuk either.

If it needs to be a recent Bruins dman, I suppose you could go with lesser version of Seidenberg.

 

[b in vancouver]

They need to make a call on Chara. Is he still effective and can a younger player bring what he brings. The puck skill is gone. There is no transition when he’s on the ice. He just flings it out and gives to the other team constantly. His D or wing span is his attribute. Is it enough now. I cringe watching him sometimes.
I think Louzon can bring it.

I agree Chara isn't all that and a bag of chips anymore, however I do think he's still effective at what he does.

I also think Chara brings accountability, work ethic and responsibility to the team. - and is great role model for young players and for the dressing room. This is important. I hope it's been imprinted on the kids but I wonder how the transition will be. We've had Chara, Bergeron, Krejci and Marchand (and Krug) on the team as the kind of leadership core for so long that I do wonder how players will react as they start leaving. We had Recchi and Ference and Shawn Thornton but since those guys left, it's pretty much boiled down to this group to lead the way. Bergeron's amazing, no doubt, but I think having Chara adds a tonne of gravitas. Can McAvoy, Carlo, DeBrusk, Pastrnak, Coyle grow into those roles, sure, but there's something about having Z on the team that kind of calms it down and allows/encourages them to play bigger than they are. The hallmark of The Bruins is that they're a Team - and I think Chara is the guiding light in that.

We'll find out eventually how the transition goes but I'm in no rush.

 

[The don godfather]

another 2nd round pick draft pick gem. Bruins are 2nd round pick magicians.

 

[rocketdan9]

another 2nd round pick draft pick gem. Bruins are 2nd round pick magicians.

Yes. Along with Carlo

 

[Wiggleboom]

What an embarrassment of riches the Bruins have on D. Lauzon would be top 4 on at least 1/4 of the teams in the league and the Bruins have the ability to scratch him with the amazing depth they have.

Moore can’t even get a sniff and he’d be in the top 6 on most teams in the league.

 

[AK37]

Lauzon is one of the reasons I think the Bruins can afford to let Krug walk - they have 7 young D-men in McAvoy, Carlo, Grzelcyk, Lauzon, Clifton, Vaakanainen and Zbroil

I thought Zboril was the best P-Bruin defenseman on many occasions last season when I went to games and I am very interested to see this kid along with Vaakanainen get extended looks next season. Personally, I think they are both more talented than Lauzon....but Lauzon has more jam and battle to his game, more of a true defender. Zboril skates extremely well and his retrieval and first passes look so effortless at times that it is deceiving.

The other reason I consider letting Krug walk is that I truly believe Grzelcyk can give you 85% of Krug PP production.....I actually think I saw that Grzelcyk produces more points per minute on the PP when given PP time. I love Krug, but he is a PP specialist who is very very good but is not necessarily a strong defender in his own end.

Now....if Rask retires, that frees up a ton of money for resigning Krug. If Rask returns, I think long and hard about letting Krug walk and using that money on Debrusk, Grzelcyk, etc and letting the other young D have their chance to develop and shine

 

[BruinsFanMike82]

In my heart, #55 will always be remembered for Brantt Myhres Johnny Boychuk.

 

[bruinmann77]

agreed

 

[PB37]

I liked 79 for Lauzon.

 

[chizzler]

Hooray. Hate the high numbers. Doubles are ok.

 

[Don Cherry]

In my heart, #55 will always be remembered for Brantt Myhres Johnny Boychuk.

I couldn't care less what number he wears. What I like is that it indicates he's here to stay. This looks like a kid that's going to get better over time.

Now we need Trent Frederick with a number change.

 

[PepeBostones]

Great #55 for Lauzon.