Theyll Be Back

Team: 2019-20 Boston Bruins

Initial Creation Date: Jun. 28, 2019

Published: Jul. 1, 2019

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

A heartbreaking game 7 loss at home in which they got run out the rink is a putrid way to end an otherwise great season. With one of the best and most cost effective top lines in the game, a good collection of young defenders, and a great goaltending tandem, I expect this team to be a contender for the cup again next year with minor adjustments. Keys for the Bruins off season will be retaining their RFA's to solidify their defense, and finding a bit of added forward depth for their middle six.

RFA's
McAvoy - Has indicated he wants to be a Bruin for a long time and would have to take a bit of a discount to do so this off season. Can sign for a little larger cap% as Hamilton's post RFA deal at a bit over 8%, $6.75M x 6. Alternatively he can go 2 x $5.25M and wait until Krecji and Backes' big money comes off the books (Krecji could be back for less $). I think Bruins management signs him short term to help them round out the roster this off season and have a handshake deal in place for his extension at 8 x $9M neighborhood if his career continues its trajectory.
Carlo - Bruins bridge Carlo to keep hit hit low until some of the veterans either move on or stick around on short term "what fits" type deals like Chara did. Get him for two more years at $2.65M.
Heinen - Similar approach to Carlo but I think they buy an extra year 3 x $2.95M.
JFK - Playing in Sweden next season but Boston should retain his rights with a QO (1 x $874,125).
Cehlarik - Keep him around for two years at 775k as he looks to make the leap to the fourth line LW spot.
Fitzgerald - Signs a one year qualifying offer and will be a scorer on the AHL and perhaps an injury call up.

UFA's
Accairi - There just isn't room to retain him given the presence of Wagner, and Nordstrom as veteran fourth liners alongside of the cap crunch.
Johansson - Bruins are working to keep him but I don't think can find the approximately $5M it's going to take to keep him around.
I think they could approach Perry to sign a similar one year deal as Iginla did to play for a contender with a low base price and have it be bonus laden ($2M + $2M in potential bonuses). Perry is eligible for a bonus contract as he missed more than half of last season.
Having missed out on Perry, I think they look for a third line center so they can move Coyle into the top 6 RW spot. I think Brassard signs a one year cheap contract with a good team in Boston looking to rehab his value and sign a better deal next year. His game at this point is like a poor man's Johansson (which fits Boston's budget).

Trades
Trade targets are a middle six forward (RW) and AHL goalie with potential.

Move one depth defenseman for a pick to free up space. I thought Miller over Moore as I don't think you can move Moore one year after signing him without souring the Bruins reputation with UFA's/agents.

Look to move Backes with a sweetener and/or retention if possible. He has an 8 team approval for trade list (go home to Minny, back to St. Louis, & which other contenders?). Who knows if he'll waive when he was close to the cup last season. Could threaten demotion and see if that opens up more teams to trade him to but it'll be hard to move him without taking back a similarly bad deal or adding a lot. Looked at moving him @ 50% retained for James Neal @ 25% retained and a CGY 2022 fourth but figured Calgary wouldn't make the deal and instead will see if Neal bounces back. Could be revisited part way through the year if Neal and Backes still suck.

Did poach Gillies from Calgary with a late pick as they are looking to have three AHL starters unless Gillies is their NHL backup next year. Would go as high as a 5th from Boston's perspective as I think he can still be a good backup goalie with another year of development playing in the A.

Lineup
Assumed Moore out for 1/4 of the season on LTIR (adds $687,500 to cap # / reduces bonus carryover) recovering from his surgery. Likely will have bonus carryover into next year still though unless he misses a ton of time.

3rd line RW is in flux between Kuhlman and Oskar Steen if his SHL numbers translate to the show (NHLe of 38 points per 82 game season). Fourth line RW could be Backes, Wagner, or perhaps they play both of the young guys as RW 3 and 4. I have Steen starting in the AHL though.

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