joeboxford

Seems like JD, Bjork, Kase and the new Ritchie are all somewhat interchangeable in the middle 6 (because Krejci and Coyle could be seen as 2A and 2B centers).

Which 4th line is better? That’s an honest question for me.

I’m sure he hears the rumors… if he stays he will relax and things will trend up.

He’d be a nice insurance policy at C. But not for a 3rd.

I’m not sure I’ve ever seen 3 conditional picks before. I assume the 1st is predicated on re-signing him?

Still… a prospect and a 2nd and maybe another for a rental is not ideal. Rangers offered 6 × 7 million but Kreider wants a 7 year deal. I think the Bruins are going to have a hard time signing him if he comes.

I guess I had that Bob and Doug MacKenzie song in my head.

Realized I had it on Tues morning… was pretty useless until Friday. I skated with my men’s league team on Thurs AM and was … not good.

That’s a factor here. If he is done then LTIR him and sign Chara on day 2 of the season, That takes Chara’s number out of the picutre and gives you money for a backup tender – no?

So some of it is luck and regression to the mean is in the Bruins’ favor

Love the comments.

Maybe pureed cheese? Plus he’s fast so Cheese Whiz?

That would sound pretty good though huh?

I like the fact that we have more players with names that begin with a K on the team. K is a fun letter. Krejci, Krug, Kase and Kuhlman.

The Bruins retained 25% of salary, not cap hit. His cap hit is $6 million. Isn’t Backes due only $4 million in salary next year? If so and the Bruins retained $1 million, do they gain $5 million in cap space?

Smith made a bad decision and paid for it

I was impressed with Bear. Anyone named Bear should definitely be on the Bruins.

Couple if Idle thoughts..

Tuukka has to be leading the Vezina race at the moment. If he can play "average" the rest of the way and get to 30 wins I think it’s his.

I think Kuhlman needs to be dropped down. He is not adding much to that 2nd line right now. Out Heinen there for now. Kuhlman is a grinder… he doesn’t possess the puck enough to make plays in the top 6. Heinen does. I’d prefer to see Bjork on line #2 personally as he is even better at possessing the puck – but Butch seems to like the chemistry with Coyle.

Surely that’s a good idea no?

If it brought back Anderson

He’s the better all around player already IMO. If he keeps playing like he is now he will be an all star by then. JMO of course.

He is going to be very close to the 1000 game mark at the end of next year. I think he’s got 104 regular season games on his contact and needs to play in 99. If he is out for >6 games at some point, would he re-up for a season at a reasonable AAV and play 3rd line center just to reach that target?

I don’t think I’m willing to predict anything for him.

Chara will be ready to play for $1-2 million in 2022. Rask will get re-signed I think. I can see an extension for him once he takes home the Vezina this season. Kuraly … I can see anything from a self-induced career ending injury to a 20 goal season from him. Kuraly is like a box of chocolates….

I was watching their game with the Oilers the other day. He looked rather disinterested to me. Might have just been an off day. The Panthers were just awful with the puck that day.

I heard Trochek might be available. He would make a good 3rd line center if the Bruins decided to go the Coyle to RW with Krejci path. He’s a RH shot too… not sure if he can play RW though.

Hockey sense and play making. Sometimes I feel like Krejci is thinking to himself… if only one of these guys could give me a reasonably good pass once in a while… Jake overcomes it with his speed, tenacity, shot.. and finish. Kuhlman is missing some of that and even if he had it you only really need one shoot first guy on a decent line.