Boston Bruins: 2014-2015

[stick9 890]

I don't think so. He did build a team that went to the finals twice in the last 4 years. I think he will get a chance to right the ship.

He did, but he also gave out a lot of bad contracts with no movement clauses which prevented them from keeping or signing key players. That's totally on him.

I believe if they miss the playoffs, he's gone, and he should be. There is too much invested. It's all about accountability.

[chippa13 1844]

Depends on what he does between now and the end of the season. If he sits on his hands then maybe he gets the boot but I still think he gets a shot at fixing some things.

[start_today 770]

Stewart would fit great with Lucic. Two power forwards who are already on the downside if their career and making too much money for what they provide on a regular basis. Maybe they can sign Dustin Penner if they can't get Stewart.

[chippa13 1844]

Not sure 2 guys in their mid 20s are on the downside just yet. And Penner isn't the answer to the Bruins problems.

[start_today 770]

Penner isn't the answer to anyone's problems, unless you have too much food on your buffet. I was trying to use him as a back door insult to Stewart.

Those guys are still relatively young, but their style of play takes a heavy toll on the body. To me, Stewart never lived up to th billing of what he could be, and Lucic has been underwhelming the past few seasons. Having Krejci hurt the first half of this season certainly hurt him, but I'm not impressed with what he's bringing to the table.

It's a bummer that they're up against the cap, and having to pay Iginla's bonuses this year really hurts. Mortgaging this year for last year, however, made sense and I'd do it again. If they had won a cup last year it would certainly take the sting out of what's happening now.

[Jason Harris 31]

I find the narrative about Chiarelli botching the cap to be pretty silly, because it ignores the fact that two years ago they went to the Cup Finals -- and probably would have won if not for Chara's injury -- while last year they admittedly blew against an inferior team whose style matches up well against them. Considering most of these contracts were in place during that time, where was the talk about the blown cap last year?

There's no doubt I thought they bailed on Seguin too early, but if they had kept him, it's likely Krejci would have had to go. The more talent a team has, the tougher the salary cap decisions become, because there aren't too many hometown discounts, so which player can a team most afford to give up? Let's say it was a decision between Sequin or Krejci, the question is whether Sequin and two other players would be better than Krejci, Eriksson and Smith?

As I've said in earlier posts, I think the biggest problem is they've lost their swagger or edge; they're not a fast team, and they no longer have enough heft to say they are physically dominant.

[chippa13 1844]

As much as I'd love to see Spooner paired with Pastrnak and Lucic, I just know that Kelly will be slotted into Krejci's spot and Spooner will see spot duty on the third line.

[stick9 890]

Jason, i thinks it's been an issue since winning the cup. Far too many above market deals and far too many extensions with no trade clauses post cup.

As GM you can't fall in love with your guys even if they helped you win. After last years collapse they talked about a change in style. The only causality was Shawn Thornton a 13th forward on most nights.

It was time to buy out Pallie and Campbell, but he couldn't do it. So not only do I question his ability to manage the cap, I also question his willingness to make the tough calls, especially when it comes to those guys.

[chippa13 1844]

Nice of the Blackhawks to roll over like that.

[bagsbie 8]

didn't watch the game and listened to the last few minutes of the third on the radio. desperately needed 2 points.

[Jason Harris 31]

If every year since the Cup had been like this year, then, yes, that would be butchering the cap. But a Cup Finals and President's Cup in two of the previous three years, when only two other teams have played consistently as well? That's borderline mastering the cap.

[Stewie 721]

Yeah, I would t go firing a guy who has brought great success. Since he's become GM maybe like 2-3 teams in the entire NHL have enjoyed more success than the Bruins? It's an unfortunate circumstance of the cap itself that you end up in these situations, give him time to turn it back around. But then again it is Boston, not exactly the most patient town

[chippa13 1844]

I am still shocked that Julien played the lines like I had hoped.

[Jason Harris 31]

I hadn't quite noticed it until you brought it up a few years ago, but you're right that Julien is the type of guy who would bring Crosby up from the minors and pair him with Paille and Thornton.

Games like yesterday are frustrating, because they show the B's have enough talent if they just play with better intensity in most games. Maybe not enough to win everything -- I think the offense is lacking -- but the defensive talent should allow them to be competitive in most games.

Too much sleep walking this season.

[stick9 890]

If every year since the Cup had been like this year, then, yes, that would be butchering the cap. But a Cup Finals and President's Cup in two of the previous three years, when only two other teams have played consistently as well? That's borderline mastering the cap.

One could argue, when you spend to the cap results like that are expected. That seems to be how his bosses feel. Shero built a Penguins team that managed to keep two of the games best players and the on ice results were pretty good, yet he got the ax.

To me, mastering the cap is getting your guys to sign at fair to below market value while giving yourself the flexibility to make some moves should the need arise. IMO the biggest issue isnt how much you spend, it's how you spend it. In that regard, there is room for improvement.

I wish Chiarelli had a little bit more Harry Sinden in him. This is a good franchise in a good city, it gives players a chance to win just about every year. He should be using that to leverage guys to take a bit less.

[chippa13 1844]

If Chiarelli had more Sinden in him then the Bruins would have a completely different look and they would still have zero chance of any free agent signings because no players outside of Boston wanted to deal with the Sinden philosophy.

[Chadd 916]

The closest I have seen to "mastering the cap" is the Kings and there is still the Mike Richards issue there. They have a lot of guys making good money and still have decent depth.

[chippa13 1844]

Krejci out 4-6 weeks and Campbell expected to be out about a week.

[stick9 890]

If Chiarelli had more Sinden in him then the Bruins would have a completely different look and they would still have zero chance of any free agent signings because no players outside of Boston wanted to deal with the Sinden philosophy.

I would call that full on Sinden. Maybe he's too player friendly...maybe lacks what it takes to hold those under him accountable. Whatever it is, he could be a bit more heavy handed without alienating players and free agents. Guys like Kelly, Pallie, & Campbell aren't going to walk over little things like a few hundred grand or a no movement clause, if they do, you replace them. Those type of guys are a dime a dozen. How about letting guys play out (or coach) the final year of their deal, before resigning them. How about getting your core guys who you know want to stay to take a little bit less to do so?

[chippa13 1844]

Who is to say that some of those core guys didn't take a hair of a discount in exchange for the security of contract length or NMCs? Bergeron's AAV on his deal is $6.5 million thru 2021. I daresay that he could have received more had he played out his last deal and possibly tested the open market. Krejci is on the last year of a 3 year deal at $5.25 and Lucic is in the second year of a 3 year deal at $6.0, market value for top line guys and maybe a hair below. Soderberg is a steal in his third year at $1.0 AAV and Marchand isn't a bad value at $4.5 thru the end of the 2015-2016 season.

As for Paille and Campbell, I think they would walk over a few hundred thousand. At AAVs of $1.3 and $1.6 million respectively, a few hundred thousand makes a significant difference. And I do think they would have got those numbers elsewhere. The Bruins 4th line probably averages more icetime than almost any other 4th line out there and both guys are important to the penalty kill.

[stick9 890]

I notice you left out Chara's new deal. I question both length and salary. I won't gripe about Bergerons deal, I think he's worth overpaying if you have to. Marchand seems like fair money. However Lucic is not a 6 per year player and the rumors are they want to extend him in the 6-8 mil range.

If the Campbell's and Pallies walk, let em. These are not core players even if they are contributing. These are the guys you let test the market, those are the spots that should be up for grabs at training camp. At some point a GM has to come to realize that some players need to move on, even if they are on good deals.

Iginla should have been signed even if it cost them a roster player, no excuse. That was all on Chiarelli.

Lets agree to disagree.

[chippa13 1844]

The way Chara was playing at the end of his last deal and his amazing fitness, everyone was fine with that contract when it was signed. The knee injury he suffered this season slowed him a little. I am curious how he will look next year when he has had a summer to work it.

[Jason Harris 31]

I agree that if letting Paille go would have saved Iginla, I'd have done that. Maybe Paille and Campbell, although I'm not sure a fourth line of Caron-Cunningham-Ferlin would be strong enough.

That said, I have concerns for Colorado that Iginla's $5M salary will probably be twice as much as his production will be in two years.

[chippa13 1844]

I wouldn't have given him that third year. Heck, I might even have balked at giving him the second year.

[Jason Harris 31]

The B's stole my thunder last night by trading for Brett Connolly of the Lightning for 2015 and 2016 second round picks -- which seems a touch steep for his production so far -- because I was going to give my crazy idea for an offensive pickup: Ryan Spooner.

I've said it before, but their defense is playoff quality, although losing Miller was a big blow. Seidenberg has been noticeably playing better, and I expect Chara to do the same as his knee strengthens also. However, their offense is not playoff strong, yet if Lucic, Spooner and Pasternak can gel, then adding Krejci to Soderbergh and Eriksson could actually be decent offensively. That would leave Campbell, Paille and Kelly for the fourth line.

Given the cap issues, I would have made that "move," but Connolly ruins everything....