The Bruins need a center who can win a faceoff and I don’t believe PLD is an upgrade there.

Long contract and level of overpay probably requires a 2024 first from LA and I’m not sure they do it then.

The Bruins are probably better off signing Lindholm or Stephenson plus trading Ullmark separately.

Coyle is a center and will be a top 6 line center barring massive improvement from Poitras

I disagree with point number two, but number 1 is accurate and numbers 3 and 4 are golden.

What about point two do you disagree with? I could have worded it better.

You don’t think it would take PLD and a #1 for Ullmark or you assume Boston wouldn’t make the trade?

I think that the Bruins either believe that there's value there or they don't. They need a center behind Charlie Coyle. I don't think that Boston would need to hedge their bets with the first. But I could be wrong. However, you're absolutely right that if the Bruins asked for a high draft pick, the Kings would back away.

It would have helped if I'd said "I disagree with the first half of point two."

My perspective is it isn’t “there’s value or not”. PLD is overpaid, but he has talent to develop into his contract but not as a 3rd center.

I don’t believe a 2024 first is too high of a price, but I could see a 2025 2nd round pick and a good prospect as a compromise solution if Sweeney is a fan.

That said, I believe Boston is signing Elias Lindholm and trading Ullmark for a 1 round pick while freeing up cap room to resign Bertuzzi or DeBrusk

Your last sentence, to me, sets out the ideal off-season strategy for Boston.

Lindholm struggled this year, but I do believe not knowing what’s next can impact a player negatively and the guy was exactly what they needed at the beginning of the season.

I’m also curious what forward they bring in. I believe Toffoli is the best fit, but I don’t believe Sweeney wanted to lose Bertuzzi and I think Bertuzzi kind of overplayed his hand. He seemed to fit better in Boston vs Toronto.