Hmm so the Ullmark deal is super hard to predict because so much of it comes down to where he wants to go. Looks like he nixed trades to LA and New Jersey. Sounds like he wants to stay in the east. Honestly, reuniting with Buffalo makes a lottttta sense for both parties. But Carolina is one I haven't heard, and with Raanta/Andersen not coming back they may want Ullmark as a veteran to work in with Kochetkov. Plus their first round pick is likely between 26-29 overall, so this is a fair asset to pay for Ullmark, especially because he's on a team friendly deal.
Debrusk unfortunately is having a down year at the wrong time, but it works in the teams favor. 4.5 is what's sticking out to me. We know he's an excellent defensive forward, and he wants to be in Boston, so I see this as a slight overpay for a reliable defensive minded forward who has some pretty solid offensive upside.
Swayman has earned a legit deal. Anything around 7x7 is fair imo. Hellebuyck is somewhat of a comparable, and he's already far more proven, won a Vezina etc. so I have a hard time seeing Swayman get more than he did, but he can definitely get close to it.
The free agent market is rough for centers. There are a couple routes I'd go here. I'd either aim to go all in on Lindholm and pay a little more than you want, but it's all good because there's literally no other options. I'd also strongly consider picking up a few project center prospects, or at least buy low on some guys. I have to imagine Hayton isn't an untouchable in AZ, and same goes for Turcotte in LA. I guess we'll see, but the Bruins future at center does not look good. Although Poitras is a stud. I just have a hard time seeing him as a 1c. Solid 2c though, he kinda already was when healthy.
The thing with Lindholm is he's also a 2c. My philosophy is that to win a cup, you NEED a legit 1c. You NEED high draft picks on your roster. EVERY cup winner has a first or second overall pick on their roster, it just is what it is. This probably won't happen, because the bruins won't tank/rebuild. Which I completely understand. Trades are an option though, and you never know. As long as they stay competitive, it's entertaining, and I honestly don't mind being a good regular season team that isn't a contender. What SJ, BUF, etc. have gone through and continue to go through seems miserable. And it doesn't guarantee anything either. The line for me is if they start declining like PIT, WAS, etc. just pull the plug. Being painfully average/slightly below average is probably the worst it gets. Although the Bruins did bounce back after 'tanking' in 14/15 and 15/16 by getting McAvoy, Carlo, Debrusk, Frederic etc. so who knows.
Yeah the Ullmark one will just be a matter of finding who's available. If I'm Carolina I don't hesitate to get Ullmark for a late first though. It's such a low risk high reward move.
I'm curious. Why would we want him and why don't you want him?
For Ullmark? The Bruins just need a center. Even non playoff teams have better centers and center prospects than the Bruins. Having 2 Vezina caliber goalies is overkill. Buffalo could make the playoffs with Ullmark back, Levi isn't quite ready. The bruins got Ullmark to be a tandem as Swayman develops into his prime, and Buffalo could do the same thing with Levi. It's clear Ullmark does well in a tandem
It doesn’t really make a lot of sense for Buffalo to take Ullmark back. Sure, it’s only a two-year contract, but they don’t want to block Levi if he’s ready to be a 1B goaltender splitting games with Luukkonen next year. Even if he’s not, they still want to give him some games next season, and they don’t want to block him with a big contract for two seasons. That’s a recipe for him potentially wanting to be traded.
It doesn’t really make a lot of sense for Buffalo to take Ullmark back. Sure, it’s only a two-year contract, but they don’t want to block Levi if he’s ready to be a 1B goaltender splitting games with Luukkonen next year. Even if he’s not, they still want to give him some games next season, and they don’t want to block him with a big contract for two seasons. That’s a recipe for him potentially wanting to be traded.
I get it, the whole blocking someone who's developing thing is super frustrating. But it almost always works out for the best when there is help if needed. Worst case Ullmark becomes a trade asset. And it's only one year on the deal not two. I was thinking the same thing when Swayman was 22 and they signed Ullmark for 4 years. But it's 100% worth it, because you know he'll be good.
Griz is their top pair guy and they're fine. They can't afford anyone else. Getting Hanifin or someone is more absurd
well, you built this. there's no grzelcyk, and lohrei is on the top pair. that's a horrible way to go into the season, and goes against what the bruins do. you're a bruins fan, right? you should know better.
For Ullmark? The Bruins just need a center. Even non playoff teams have better centers and center prospects than the Bruins. Having 2 Vezina caliber goalies is overkill. Buffalo could make the playoffs with Ullmark back, Levi isn't quite ready. The bruins got Ullmark to be a tandem as Swayman develops into his prime, and Buffalo could do the same thing with Levi. It's clear Ullmark does well in a tandem
well, you built this. there's no grzelcyk, and lohrei is on the top pair. that's a horrible way to go into the season, and goes against what the bruins do. you're a bruins fan, right? you should know better.
I get it, the whole blocking someone who's developing thing is super frustrating. But it almost always works out for the best when there is help if needed. Worst case Ullmark becomes a trade asset. And it's only one year on the deal not two. I was thinking the same thing when Swayman was 22 and they signed Ullmark for 4 years. But it's 100% worth it, because you know he'll be good.
It’s almost like you forgot that Ullmark has a 15 team no trade clause. What are the odds that Buffalo is not on that list? I mean, we know how good he is. We watched him try to steal games for us when we couldn’t score goals. In his time in Boston, the Bruins have never not been able to score. But even if he were willing to come back, buffalo is going to need the cap space to resign players like Peterka and Quinn in particular.
It’s almost like you forgot that Ullmark has a 15 team no trade clause. What are the odds that Buffalo is not on that list? I mean, we know how good he is. We watched him try to steal games for us when we couldn’t score goals. In his time in Boston, the Bruins have never not been able to score. But even if he were willing to come back, buffalo is going to need the cap space to resign players like Peterka and Quinn in particular.
Well I didn't forget that he has a 15 team NTC, that's why I picked Buffalo as a potential destination. He regularly has family visiting from Sweden so prefers to be on the east coast. Buffalo, Carolina etc make sense. Most other east teams are all set goalie wise, or don't need a high end goalie because they're not in the hunt
gretzkyghosts liked this.
Reply
Lysell,
CapFriendly
CapFriendly