A True Deep Dive

Team: 2024-25 Boston Bruins

Initial Creation Date: Mar. 30, 2024

Published: Mar. 30, 2024

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

If you're not a fan of this kind of thing, just mosey on.

Lets do a serious evaluation, player by player, and see where this team goes this offseason because while I know people viewed this current year as the transition year, but to me next year is even more so. This current team is built around having two top 10 goalies in the league. On paper, it should work perfectly, the team just needs to play consistent defense and score enough goals to win. In the last 2 months, the goaltending, defense, and offense has slumped, hence the lack of confidence going into the playoffs. Their run will be telling, but I think their offense will falter, as it often has, and the Bruins will decide they need to focus on their top 6 to be competitive and that will involve moving Ullmark. Operating off that, here's my plan for their offseason going over each player based off how important they are to the team.

The Core
1) David Pastrnak (RW1): Cornerstone of the future, a lock, a top 5 player when operating at his peak.
2) Charlie McAvoy (RD1): Top Defenseman, plays two ways and with a better partner, his offense could flourish.
3) Jeremy Swayman (G1): The better goalie simply for the fact that he's younger and is eligable for a massive extension, which needs to happen.

The Proven Staples
4) Hampus Lindholm (LD1): In a slump, probably injury related, but he's proven he can be a #1, locked up long term.
5) Brandon Carlo (RD2): Affordable, a shut down D that is can do a lot on his own, needs a more consistent partner that works well with him.
6) Brad Marchand (LW2): Heart and soul, the Captain, and has matured immensely seemingly out of nowhere. Lifetime Bruin.
7) Pavel Zacha (C2/LW1): A true success story Sweeney, has the makings of being an all over the lineup guy for the next 8 years.
8) Charlie Coyle (C1): Has exceeded expectations as a top C. Shouldn't be expected to continue in that role but is effective everywhere.

The Young Bucks
9) Trent Frederic (LW3): Potential to move up into the top 6 based off his goal scoring acumen, ready to earn an extension.
10) Morgan Geekie (C3/RW3): Rapid and impressive growth, I could see him floating into the top 6 due to his skill and size.
11) Matthew Poitras (C3): Injuries suck, but the kid can play. I think it was wise to play it safe with his injury and rehab, should be a lock next year.
12) Parker Wotherspoon (LD3): Cheap, can play both sides when asked, proves his worth. Love an internal bottom pairing D.

The Unproven
13) Andrew Peeke (RD3): Unproven if he's a long term answer and he has a big cap but if he continues his play, the R side is locked down.
14) Justin Brazeau (RW4): Nose for the net, great size the team has been missing, loved in the locker room, ready for more looks.
15) Johnny Beecher (C4): The answer at C4, though Boqvist is making a run for it too. Two way play, good PK, and he WINS FACEOFFS.
16) Mason Lohrei (LD3/4): Top D prospect that has shown flashes but may not be ready for every day play this season/postseason.
17) Jakub Lauko (LW4): I like his playstyle and when he needs to pop, he does, but it just doesn't translate to the scoresheet in a way that justifies him being an every game player. Decent extra forward.

There's 17 players who I believe are lineup locks for next year, which leaves at least 5 players to fill out the rest of the team.

The X Factor
18) Linus Ullmark (G2): I'm happy with Ullmark's play, but I also know he's an asset that can be moved to help the team in other ways. Capitalizing on his value, especially if the team falls flat this offseason, is probably the wiser decision. Of all the teams out there, I think the Kings would benefit the most from Ullmark. Their style of play would lend itself well to a goalie that is a step or two above their current room. But Ullmark doesn't want to move that far, he wants to stay in Boston or at least stay local. The next logical place for him is New Jersey. Location, a need for goaltending improvement, and assets to spare makes them the most logical landing spot.

The UFAs (In alphabetical order)
Jake DeBrusk (RW2): Oh Jake, what to do with you. Talk last season was he could command over 6m in a long term extension to salvage him as the bright spot of the draft that will not be named. He is a well rounded player that fits in the top 6, but also isn't a game changer, and that money could be spent elsewhere to find a real improvement. I think he'll either sign a 4-5 year deal at 5ish and be regarded as a role player or he'll walk. I favor the later unfortunately.

Derek Forbort (LD3): Gone. Nice guy, played well early on, but the L side is going to get crowded fast.

Matt Grzelcyk (LD2): I love Gryz, and will defend him as a capable bottom 4LD, but we ask too much of him and I think his chemistry with McAvoy overshadows his capabilities. He holds McAvoy back, he doesn't play well with Carlo, and he's overpaid for a bottom LD and would remain so, which makes him the unfortunate odd man out. Would love him back after his next deal as a depth guy and I hope he gets paid this offseason.

Danton Heinen (RW3): Heinzoooo is a breath of fresh air. I'm so glad he rose to the occasion from his PTO to just making the roster to what he is now. He plays with tenacity and could fit in really well in the bottom 6 as long as he isn't overpaid. His inconsistency has been his downfall since he left Boston, but when he carves out a role in a lineup, he plays well. Hope to see him back.

Milan Lucic (RW5): Gone, thanks for the memories and not much else.

Patrick Maroon (LW4): Hope he makes it back and plays well for us as a good veteran presence in the playoffs. He wakes up the locker room after a bad game 3 once and I'll consider him worth it. Doesn't fit into our future plans though so he's a pure rental.

Jayson Megna (AHL F): Good for the system I'm sure, but he'll find a new home.

Daniel Renouf (AHL D): Decent enough AHL defender who may have gotten a shot if Wotherspoon didn't play so well. He'll find a new home.

Anthony Richard (Fringe NHL F): I liked his play, but he seems streaky and needs a longer stint with a big club than I think we can afford. Some team will give him a one way deal and he should do well.

Kevin Shattenkirk (RD3): He met the expectations I had for him offensively and defensively, and should see some time in the lineup during the playoffs. I could see him getting a GWG during the playoffs and getting a similar deal we gave him, just elsewhere.

James Van Riemsdyk (RW3/LW2): A Sweeney masterclass. He's tapered off at the end due to injuries and roster fit but I'm glad he had a bit of a resurgence. I hope that translates to a 2-3 year deal on a cup contender for a respectable raise.

The RFAs (Oh yes, we're going this far)

Joey Abate (AHL LW): I see no reason not to resign him.

Jesper Boqvist (C4): Has played great in a pinch on the 3rd line but excells and drives play on the 4th. I'd love to have him back but honestly, I see him as a good depth trade chip some team will give as high as a 4th for, and for a team that is bereft of pics, it makes sense to capitalize. If not, he's due a moderate raise that may be too rich for their blood.

Brandon Bussi (AHL G1): Whether Ullmark is moved or not, he's a lock for some NHL games next year. 1 or 2 year deal.

Michael Callahan (AHL LD): Team needs LD prospects, I bet he gets another year.

Curtis Hall (AHL C): Been flitting back and forth between the ECHL and AHL, needs a full season in Providence. Resign.

Kyle Keyser (AHL G): With a likely callup for Dipietro or Bussi in the future, he represents proven G depth. Resign.

Marc McLaughlin (AHL C): Love this guy, great leader and honestly I thought he could have cracked the club this year but Beecher is just a better player. Resign, maybe sniffs a half dozen games in the NHL next year.

Ian Mitchell (Fringe D): Resign, but I could see him being moved for his sake. He's a roster guy on a bad team, not this team.

Alec Regula (AHL D): Watching him in CHI, I thought he was further along in his development but I think another year in the AHL could be useful for him. I think he has a place as a shutdown RD in the future. (I tell myself this to justify the Hall deal)

Oskar Steen (Fringe NHL F): He just doesn't do anything. Ever. He doesn't score, he gets outperformed as a change of pace guy, just can't see him being tenured.

Reilly Walsh (AHL D): I so want him to succeed but he has not shown the same offensive prowess that could set him apart. A small mobile D could have a spot in this lineup down the road but not yet. Resign or trade.

TRADES (these are examples, but feel free to rip them apart)
-Boqvist for a mid round pick.
-Keyser for a late pick.
-Mitchell for an RFA prospect.
-Ullmark for multiple mid to high picks or one pick and a B+ to A- prospect. I can see New Jersey being the frontrunner due to a need (no way do Allen and Kahkonen get it done). The other team I could see persuing him is actually Pittsburg. If the Pens do want one more run for Crosby and Malkin, Ullmark is the best readily available goalie. Cap would be hell, but the Bruins could help with that. Trial thought.

Free Agent Frenzy

Biggest needs: top Center, top 6 winger, top 4 LD, depth F. Here's three targets for each position.

Top Center: Elias Lindholm, Sean Monahan, Internal (Geekie/Coyle/Poitras)

Top 6 Winger: Sam Reinhart, Jake Debrusk, Jonathan Marchessault

Top 4 LD: Brady Skjei, Nikita Zadorov, Internal (Mason Lohrei)

Depth F: Liam O'Brien, Teddy Bleuger, Tyler Motte

Ultimately, I picked the combo that makes the most sense with cap in here.

Draft:

The lack of picks makes it hard, but I do think the Bruins try to move into at least the mid 2nd round. I've done that in the scenario below, and with a mid to late 2nd round pick from Pittsburgh, I like Jacob Battaglia (RW) but if they get into the 1st, Marek Vanacker (LW) is one of my favorites. They should prioritize their topmost picks for LW, RD, and C.

If you made it this far, proud of you, thanks for your time.

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