The Bruins have a few key needs to address this offseason: depth scoring, LD, and a goalie (assuming that Rask retires after a potential surgery). Here's how I think things could shake out.
Forwards: Krejci has been a great center for us, but it's time to move on and look for a younger option that we can pay long term to ensure a strong 2C for the next 5+ years. Nugent Hopkins can be that guy, and at 28 a 5 year deal is a good contract length. Center depth stays just as strong, but gets significantly younger at 2C. As for the wingers, Studnicka needs to get a full-time role, 3rd line is the most sensible spot. With Ritchie gone to Seattle, we need to get a new 3 LW, which could work in our favor for a better scoring option. I like Coleman for his complete game, but he may be too expensive for the 3rd line. I ended up going for Saad on a 1 year, over priced deal to see how he performs. He might go for it only because his value could increase if he has a strong year.Frederic also gets a full-time spot as the 4th line LW alongside Wagner and Lazar. Hall needs to come back, and if he does our 2nd line is set. If all of these moves are what happens, DeBrusk is pushed out of the lineup. Look to package him in a trade for a LD.
Defense: The right side of McAvoy, Carlo, and Miller are great when healthy, so we need to bring back Carlo (RFA) and Miller (UFA) to ensure that strength on the right side. Zboril and Clifton provide solid depth as 7/8 D options, use them rotationally. The left side is problematic, I'm letting Mike Reilly walk to UFA in this scenario only because I'm trading for a better option, but I could see him return next season. Grzelcyk is good, not great. A 2 LD spot alongside the defensively responsible Carlo would be the best case scenario. Lauzon is still learning, sheltered time with Miller on the 3rd pair would be best. 1 LD is the last spot to fill, and the trade makes it work.
Goalies: Without Rask and Halak, Swayman becomes the best option in net. Let him be the 1B option, we need to target a goalie that can split time with him. Thomas Greiss would have been my main target has this been last year's issue, so I looked for a target who produces similarly to him. To me, it came down to 3 guys: Mrazek, Dreidger, or Ullmark. I went with Ullmark in this case, A solid split-time starter who may progressively become the backup or emerge as the true #1 depending on Swayman's performance. 1 year deal to prove he can stay healthy for a full year. We have Vladar in the AHL as the insurance.
Seattle: We protect Bergeron, Marchand, Pastrnak, Coyle, Smith, Frederic, and DeBrusk at forward, McAvoy, Carlo, and Grzelcyk at defense, and Vladar in net. That exposes guys such as Ritchie, Lauzon, Clifton, and Zboril to the Kraken. Pay a third for Seattle to take Ritchie.
The Trade: Ekholm is only available if Nahville looks to retool. DeBrusk had a down year, but still has the potential to be a solid 3rd line winger, and provides depth now. If he returns to form next year, this deal could look really good for Nashville. Vaakanainen could be cheap replacement for Elholm now, some sheltered time in the NHL could prove to be the best thing for him, he just hasn't been given a chance in Boston. Kase's RFA rights could also prove to be a good asset for Nashville, since Kase is good when healthy, and should come cheap since he barely played this year. The 2nd to balance value.
Ritchie did have 26 points...15 goals... Tho his play on the ice isn't the greatest all the time, he somehow has point. (and no they're not all on the powerplay, but yes most of them are just pucks shot off of him lmao). I don't think you'd have to "pay" Seattle to take him, he's really not THAT bad production wise. (and he fights sometimes, because big strong man > Danton Heinen, or something like that)
Looks good! If those first two lines are scoring at will, it gives the option of bringing in some younger guys to rotate on the 3rd and 4th lines. I agree with a previous post that Saad and Ullmark might be overpays but your logic in the explanation is sound. That’s what makes doing these ACGMs interesting.
Ritchie did have 26 points...15 goals... Tho his play on the ice isn't the greatest all the time, he somehow has point. (and no they're not all on the powerplay, but yes most of them are just pucks shot off of him lmao). I don't think you'd have to "pay" Seattle to take him, he's really not THAT bad production wise. (and he fights sometimes, because big strong man > Danton Heinen, or something like that)
You may be right, but I didn’t wanna be called a homer lol
Won’t have to pay seattle to take Ritchie. Even if they don’t take him, someone would definitely take him in a trade. Ullmark at 4mil is a big overpay, would be a better investment to give that money to mrazek. Everything else is pretty good, although I’ll be very surprised if Edmonton lets RNH go to free agency. I have a feeling Kevan Miller retires too. Too many injuries.
Won’t have to pay seattle to take Ritchie. Even if they don’t take him, someone would definitely take him in a trade. Ullmark at 4mil is a big overpay, would be a better investment to give that money to mrazek. Everything else is pretty good, although I’ll be very surprised if Edmonton lets RNH go to free agency. I have a feeling Kevan Miller retires too. Too many injuries.
Didn’t wanna be called a homer having Seattle take Ritchie (you never know with some people on here lol). Ullmark on a 1 year deal is an overpay but he’s just a stopgap to let Swayman develop into a true #1. I hope Miller doesn’t retire, but I’m starting to think the same thing. If he does, Hakanpaa or Oleksiak at a similar cap hit may be a good option
Didn’t wanna be called a homer having Seattle take Ritchie (you never know with some people on here lol). Ullmark on a 1 year deal is an overpay but he’s just a stopgap to let Swayman develop into a true #1. I hope Miller doesn’t retire, but I’m starting to think the same thing. If he does, Hakanpaa or Oleksiak at a similar cap hit may be a good option
Yeah I agree with you on Swayman. He’s not ready to be a true #1 yet. I just don’t think ullmark is the guy. Mrazek could probably be gotten for cheaper too.
Yeah I agree with you on Swayman. He’s not ready to be a true #1 yet. I just don’t think ullmark is the guy. Mrazek could probably be gotten for cheaper too.
Really? He had a good year when healthy. I assumed he’d be pricier.