B-
Kase has some real potential but also some concerning health risks, and his production is solid rather than spectacular. And another Ritchie. At least this is the better one. Has around the same production as Heinen with added size and physicality and less cap hit, so it’s a nice quick win for Boston. Question marks are going to be can he keep up with the fast Bruins game, ‘cause his brother couldn’t, and can he stay out of the box, ‘cause his previous penalty record will NOT be tolerated by Cassidy. I think he’ll be ok. Managing to move Backes in the way it's been done is also a good result.
Good luck to Danton in Anaheim. He had me fooled on Saturday as he really wasn’t acting or talking like a guy about to be traded, but I’m not surprised he’s gone. Strip away all the vitriol and I think in the end it’s still clear that his game in Boston had reached an impasse. He’s a competent hockey player, but he just hasn’t managed to elevate any one aspect of his skill set that would turn him into a really good one. Perhaps he’ll find that something extra with the Ducks.
I think the Bruins have a slightly stronger roster than they did a week ago. Kase and Ritchie are solid adds that should help a little with both scoring and physical presence, while giving up little in return. But they’re not significant difference-makers in terms of our Cup chances for this year. Secondary scoring and the need to take some of the load off the top line still feel like they’re going to be issues. We’ll see. IMO Tampa and Pittsburgh have traded better and the Caps have taken a free hit with Kovy that could pay off big but won’t hurt them if it doesn’t.
My take-away from what’s occurred is that Sweeney and Neely don’t massively rate or overstate the team’s Cup chances this season. What I mean by that is that they think they’re a definite contender, but aren't convinced that this is their year or this is the one where they simply have to go all in or miss the boat. So Don's brought in some help, but with more than one eye on next year, making sure there is cap space free to re-sign Krug, DeBrusk, Bjork, Gryz etc. or find suitable replacements, have a play on the open market should anyone suitable be available, and keep the team’s defensive depth well and truly intact. It is incredibly hard to back-up from a long playoff run, so I do see it as a strong possibility, as some others here have speculated, that Bruins’ management see 2021 as their best chance for a final Cup push with this core. Obviously they’ll take it this year if it comes, but they’re not betting the farm on it, and this year's buying market was again quite expensive.
So a B- for me as I can see why things have panned out this way and we're certainly in better shape than we were, but I'm not convinced that playing cautious will pay off or if it will always leave us just short. Nonetheless as it stands this is a strong group. Looking forward to seeing what the next couple of months brings.
