They’ll make the ‘loffs but they’ll likely be out in the first round

Oh boy. I was suggesting the Bruins would.be in tough at the beginning of the season. Bruins fans poo pooed this.

Scoring depth has been an issue, but I think the blueline is a bigger issue. Outside of the big 3, it just isn't great at all. Lauzon has a tonnoe of potential, but I am not sure I would be playing him top 4 minutes (noting he has looked good), a more sheltered role in the 3rd pairing would have made more sense.

Zorbil has that same potential, but..... same rule apply. Moore is a bottom.pairing guy. So is Clifton.

In short, the inability to replace Krug has had a major impact imo. Really do need a legit top 4 guy to bridge a gap.

If they don't improve from now until the deadline, they need to acquire some picks for Kuraly and Halak. Pretty sure Seattle will want Zboril or Lauzon, so Bjork can go too, unless they work a deal for Seattle to take him or someone else instead of one of those two.

I knew that this season was going to be "risky" for lack of a better word. Putting Lauzon on the top pair was a stretch IMO but they really didn't have any other options, and he proved to a solid top 4 dman. Secondary scoring has always been an issue, and just look, in the Bruce Cassidy era, the best playoff run they had, Coyle, Johansson, Kuraly, and Krejci were all providing big goals. Eveyr other year, the top line is the only line going. They need a big change this offseason and bring in an impact forward this offseason. I was really hoping to bring in Josh Anderson, as although he might not score every night, his size and speed drive play, something Derbusk SHOULD be doing, but isn't.

I think Moving both would be major returns for the Bruins. ( good depth picks) something the Bruins have not had for a while.

I will give Sweeney some credit in that he has made deals to infuse some youth into the team. But those deals (see Kase, and a lesser extent Ritchie) haven't panned out as one would have thought.

The core of the team is reaching an expiration date. Kreji I will be shocked if he is back. Maybe time to think about moving Marchand. (You don't move Bergeron..... that would be like Bourque 2.0).

The advantage the Bruins have is cap sapce. They maybe able to use some of it going into an expansion draft to pick up a younger core piece.

Pretty sure they are extempt?

I can't see them moving Marchand. He still has a lot of Hockey too play. But I see your point.

Zboril and Lauzon are not exempt. They were both drafted in 2015, which is long enough to force exposure.

Man. That sucks for Buins fans.

Lol the personal isn't perfect but the Bruins are a top3 defensive team in the league, that's not why they struggle.

But Marchand is a 100% rebuild move.

Not moving him you risk pulling a Calgary-Iginla situation. Last thing you want.

'Tis a crossroadd my friend. You puck a path and run it now.

Or goaltending hides flaws? See Gibson, John; Hellebuyk, Connor.

The biggest issue is the lack of secondary scoring and the 4th line. Not the defense or G. Rask and Halak haven't been as good as they can but they haven't been bad. That's not a concern.

Just a rough stretch for Boston right now. To much juggling of the lines right now to try and find a spark. Bruce needs to stick with some lines for a few games and let guys try and build chemistry. Put Frederic back with Studnicka and let Studnicka play center. Kuraly has been garbage and while he showed some effort last night, he still wasn't great. We're down half our top 4 defenders and missing our top 3 guys on the PK, yet were still in games. The defense is holding up quite well all things considered.

Goaltending has been average this year and they don't face many shots compared to others. Just looking at goalies with at least 5 starts this years and SA/60:

Halak - 6th fewest
Rask - 7th fewest

Halak also has the 7th deepest shot faced average. Rask I think was just inside the top 30 in deepest shot faced average. If you want to look at their GSAA though it shows Rask being average with Halak being slightly above average.

GSAA
Halak: 2.87
Rask: -0.32

No need to panic yet

The problem with the secondary scoring is the guys who were supposed to be 2nd line Debrusk/DK/Kase have just 1 goal. The loss of Krug and injuries. Rest of the team is fine.

Same old story RW 2 a problem. Senyshyn off to a good start at Prov. Maybe it’s time to give him an extended look. He might do well with DK and Ritchie.

As far as the offseason goes a lot of that will be determined by DK46 and if he retires. But they should have some cap space to play with regardless.