Forwards:
I, like everyone else, wasn't impressed with James Neal's first season in Calgary and I don't like his contract. However, if you're asking me whether I would rather have him at 5.75 or Backes at 6 for the next two years, it's a no-brainer. As for the two years following that, it's a bridge that the Bruins can cross if it comes to that and two third-rounders make it a problem worth taking. I personally think Neal can still be a capable player. I would like to be able to still add another top free agent forward, but honestly the cap space isn't there and there are simply too many prospects in need of ice time. My gut says that Cassidy will enter camp with an open mind in terms of lines. Marchand-Bergeron and DeBrusk-Krejci aren't changing, but several options will get a look. Pastrnak takes one of the two spots and I like Steen as a dark horse candidate for the other. Young and absolutely dominant in the SHL this year, Steen is a natural right-shot whose worth giving a shot. I love Studnicka as well, but not as certain that he can make the immediate jump to an NHL top-six role. I'd rather see Bjork get healthy and show some consistency in the AHL before they try him again and I like Senyshyn, but he's just buried. Neal, Coyle, and Heinen could all get looks as well, but frankly that sounds like a potential solid third line instead. The Bs will certainly have versatility in the top-nine anyway. Cehlarik, who is no longer waiver exempt, Frederic, and Kuhlman will push for a spot there as well. I like Frederic's toughness and energy and think he could be a good 3C one day. For now, I think he could really work well with Kuraly and Wagner rather than re-signing Acciari, who's so limited offensively. Nordstrom, while a good defensive forward, is also too bad offensively to have a regular role. I wouldn't be opposed to trying to sneak him through waivers in camp in favor of Kuhlman. I re-signed Fitzgerald, Smith, and Blidh but don't see them as NHL talents, at least not yet. I added Graovac for another veteran natural center in Providence who, like Carey, can be a natural bottom-six sub if need be.
Defense:
I made no changes at defense because I think the Bruins are set up perfectly. McAvoy and Carlo are your young pillars who play 82 and, barring injury, Krug and Miller are your specialists who do the same. Moore I like more than most, but he has some flaws, as does Grzelcyk, and Chara is old. Those three can rotate throughout the year. It's a very sold seven-man unit. In the event of inevitable injuries, Vaakanainen, Clifton, Lauzon, and Zboril are all promising prospects in need of some NHL play time. The depth is great.
Goal:
No changes. Rask/Halak is an excellent duo, McIntyre is a solid No. 3, and one of Vladar and Keyser will be the heir to Tuukka. No need for change.
So in summary: trade Backes for Neal and a pair of mid-round picks - especially helpful in this very deep draft class, sign/re-sign their young players, sign a veteran AHL center, and otherwise trust your depth and prospects to be enough. I really think it's that simple.
In aqcuiring Neal, youre just kicking the can down the road for an extra 2 years, just isnt worth it at all when id rather see Kuhlman, Stud or another kid take that spot
Oh boy this is bad.
First you have Carlo AND Mcavoy signing deals that bring them directly to ufa without buying out any ufa years. This has never ever happened before for any player in the cap era, because it’s so bad for the team. Sweeney would be fired the same day he signed one of these. Two? They might sue him for breach of contract.
So you'd rather have Neal for 4 years at 5.75 per than Backes for 2 more years at 6? Doesny make a lot of sense for the Bruins. Vegas needs cap space for next season, go after Tuch instead. He's signed for 7 years at less than 5 per and is only 22. It will be hard to get him, but he solves a problem for a long time.
Neal - 4yr / $23 million owed (real money)
Backes - 2yr / $8 million owed (real money)
Both guys were awful this year, but if Neal isn't putting up goals then he's pretty much useless. At least Backes can play C/RW, take draws, play on the PK and will give you 110% every shift. Neal also takes to many bad penalties and is a hot head.
Oh boy this is bad.
First you have Carlo AND Mcavoy signing deals that bring them directly to ufa without buying out any ufa years. This has never ever happened before for any player in the cap era, because it’s so bad for the team. Sweeney would be fired the same day he signed one of these. Two? They might sue him for breach of contract.
Check again dummy. Both players would still be RFAs. That was the point of those specific terms.
No. They won’t. If you’re going to call someone a dummy, you should at least be right. Any player that has 7 years of service is a ufa. Do the math
I understand the under-27/7 years rule, but CapFriendly lists both as RFAs at the end of those hypothetical deals so there may be more to the service time calculations
I understand the under-27/7 years rule, but CapFriendly lists both as RFAs at the end of those hypothetical deals so there may be more to the service time calculations
Quoting: bruinsdude77
I understand the under-27/7 years rule, but CapFriendly lists both as RFAs at the end of those hypothetical deals so there may be more to the service time calculations
Apparently you don’t. It’s very simple. Ya there’s some goofball glitch where the long term outlook is a year behind for future teams.
Not a good look to go running around calling people dumb when you’re wrong
I understand the under-27/7 years rule, but CapFriendly lists both as RFAs at the end of those hypothetical deals so there may be more to the service time calculations