With Boqvist

Let's say neither Bergeron nor Krejci return.

How are you going to address your needs at centre?

The management will probably trade for one of Scheifele/Lindholm or try to get them as UFAs. Personally, I would stick with Coyle and Zacha in the short term since this team won't be a Cup contender anymore and they should retool/step back. I would want the next top6 C through the draft and target a U23 C in a trade if possible.

Plan A) Make runs at Scheifele and Linholm at the trade deadline or sooner.

Plan B) Run Zacha and Coyle and address it next year through free agency.

Plan C) Run Zacha and Coyle and hope prospects like Merkulov, Poitras, Harrison turn into top 6 centers in the next 2-3 years.

Thanks.

I'm asking because the 1st round pick we just acquired depends on how Boston and Detroit do next season.

Detroit probably misses the playoffs and their 1st turns into a lottery pick.

Not sure about Boston.

I think the Bruins core (Pasta, Marchand, McAvoy, Lindholm, Zacha, DeBrusk) are too good to get the 24 1st back (top 10 protected). Worst case we end up as a team like the Flyers or Caps (very mediocre) for a few years.