Bruins Need A C Read Description Please

Team: 2021-22 Boston Bruins

Initial Creation Date: Mar. 3, 2022

Published: Mar. 3, 2022

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Ok just trying to feel everyone out here, Bruins need a C no matter what, with Berg undecided, which plays a HUGE part in this, they could need a 1C also. ( I’m guessing Berg comes back for atleast 1 more year, hopefully 2 but none of us really know, and I really don’t want to be in a position like with Krech where it is a “surprise” and we have to plug a hole without notice)

So with that should the Bruins be hunting for a 1-2C young prospect? Preferably NHL ready, ya it’s going to cost a lot but the future of the franchise kinda depends on it. Bruins won’t draft top 10 for roughly 10years with Pasta up front, Mac in the back and Sway in the Crease and all 25U, bruins have the foundations of solid team to build around that will take them through the next 10 years, (Hypothetically, which is what all this is, I know) but with these 3 and some decent FA’s, ect, I don’t see bruins falling to a bottom feeder team anytime soon (hence the not drafting top 10 anytime soon, where you could all but guarantee a top center prospect) obviously there’s chance they get lucky and draft top 20 and snag a good center or trade up picks to get into or close to top 10 to secure a top center.

Studs could still be an option at 2C I guess, he’s shown good two way play and great work ethic he just needs time to settle in and see what his potential actually is at the NHL level I think

But there could be options out there but it’s not going to be cheap. I believe the 3 players above should be the only truly untouchables. (Also don’t see Marsh or Berg getting dealt anywhere and I’m good with that)

What’s everyone else think? Trade for one? or try to draft one, keep in mind if we draft one, even this year or next, with a 2-3 year development curve Pasta will be the oldest out of the 3, say somewhere around 28-29yo, which isn’t horrible, should be pretty much prime years roughly but if we trade for young guy now that gives years for Pasta and player X to build chemistry and keep us in a contending spot.

Obviously there FA’s that could be options but they are all going to be 28-29 yo + (T.Hertl 29yo start of 22-23, R.Strome 29yo start off 22-23, same with a V.Trocheck all UFA’s so wouldn’t cost nothing in FA to sign but all are going to want 6-7 year deals, probably 7-8m+ so plausible I guess. Couple RFA’s in PLD(24 yo in off-season) from WIN, don’t see them moving him but I guess everyone has a price if you want them bad enough, guess possible J.McCann(26yo in offseason) out of SEA could be possible 2C option) obvious there are more options out there but really don’t think bruins should be signing anyone 30+ years old to 5-6 year deals if someone around that age would take a 3year deal then possible I suppose to ride out Marsh/Hall contracts and bridge a young C development years I guess could also be option. Then there not really a whole lot of interesting UFA’s next season, I guess Larkin out of DET( be 26yo in that offseason ) but i don’t think he’s really gunna want to leave his home team being from MICh. and Horvat out of VAN (28yo in that offseason) but hard to tell where VAN will be team wise and if he will want to stay with team that drafted him and where’s he’s been his whole career(?). Few interesting RFA’s there to in Barzal out of NYI or Hintz out of DAL both will be 26yo. And both will be very $$$ depending on team situations. That’s all for older top level options for next few seasons.

Obviously there are a bunch of younger RFA Centers that would be very intriguing but I’m not listing all them (J.Norris, K.Dach, T.Zegras. S.Pinto, A. Newhook, ect to name a few over next few years) which are obviously getting into untouchable territory but again hey everyone’s got a price just depends on if your willing to pay for it.

One guy I didn’t mention and supposedly FLA was taking calls on him is A.Lundell (will be 21yo at beginning of next season, signed at sub 1m for 2 more season after this one) and should honestly be in the conversation for rookie of the year but not getting into that. Not 100% sure why FLA would be shopping him, I’m guessing they want top D in return for him? Seeing they have the goalie prospect in Knight and seems like good forward group already but I don’t really know FLA pipeline so just threw something together here so there was a “trade” and not just a discussion!

Please don’t get to hung up on this trade as it’s just a filler but I do personally believe C is the more important focus of the bruins right now and I’d really hate to see Urho go cause he’s turning into a top 4 LD that is also a huge need for BOS too I know, RD is set and LW is going to be a big need in 3-4 years I think so again don’t like trading URHO but

Alright this is gone WAY further then I wanted it to. Again I realize this all hypothetical and really depends on what BERG does, but I believe BOS should be looking for young Replacment that can slide into 2C for a year or two if Berg stays or be possible 1C if Berg goes what does everyone else think?