Tag Archives: Anaheim Ducks

Boston Bruins offseason outlook part two; Free agents and more

Leave a reply

After falling one game short of winning the Stanley Cup, the Boston Bruins can set themselves up for another run with some good additions.

As the team looks to win now, the future starts with the draft

The first round of the NHL draft is Friday night. The Bruins hold the 30th pick in this year’s draft. Now that the league has announced the salary cap will be $81.5 or $82.0 Million, however, it is more likely that we see a trade. A trade involving the Bruins first round pick Friday night could be one way for the team to clear some cap space. Assuming that the Bruins keep the pick, there are a lot of options on the board for them. Looking at the Bruins minor league system, there aren’t really any glaring holes that need to be addressed. The Bruins goalie depth is good enough for them to stay away from a goalie in the first round, and maybe in the 2019 draft as a whole. Given the young D core that the Bruins have assembled, I think we see Boston take a forward.

Whos caught the eye?

Forwards John Beecher, Bobby Brink, and Michal Teply are some realistic names for the Bruins to possibly take at 30. A play maker (Teply), a shooter (Brink), and a banger (Beecher). All three are well rounded, but the mentioned skills are the ones that stick out. All three players would certainly impact the Boston Bruins one day.

Money talks

As mentioned in my first offseason outlook article, the Boston Bruins have a good amount of money to spend on their own free agents before they look elsewhere. With key players like Carlo and McAvoy to bring back, the amount of money that the Bruins can shell out during free agency is limited. Marcus Johansson is a name that will be swirling around the Bruins until he is signed. Johansson will likely hit the free agent market and test the waters, as he should after a good year. Free agency will be very interesting for the Bruins. Their biggest need is a top six forward. The amount of money that the Bruins will be able to give a player capable of fitting a top six role might not be enough to seal the deal. Johannson is likely the most suitable player for the Bruins to target and ultimately bring back.

Outside help?

Another very interesting name that could be tied to the Bruins is former Anaheim Ducks star Corey Perry. After being bought out by the Ducks, Perry is now a free agent. Perry, a right wing, would fit well in the Bruins lineup, as well as the Bruins style of play. Perry is 6’3 and plays more of a power forward roll. Will he fit with the playmaking skills of David Krejci and Jake DeBrusk? I would certainly love to find out. Milan Lucic is another name that a lot of Bruins fans keep bringing up. Lucic was a crowd favorite who also played a top six power forward roll. Still under contract with Edmonton, it would take a buyout for the chance to come back to Boston. Similar to the Bruins situation with David Backes, it just doesn’t make much sense for the Oilers to buy him out.

Let the dominos fall

The NHL draft and free agency are both things that involve young players and money. Two things that the Boston Bruins have, kind of. With players lingering on the edge of the NHL, the Bruins have enough talent to ship out along side an undesirable contract like David Backes. The Bruins also have enough talent to go get a proven veteran on draft night in a trade that could involve the Bruins 30th overall pick. Don Sweeney and the rest of the Bruins front office will be VERY busy over the weekend.

Grzelcyk

Grzelcyk Quietly Having Great Rookie Season

Leave a reply

Grzelcyk as a Prospect

So far, this season the Bruins youth movement has been on full display. One rookie who’s been very good but hasn’t been talked about is Matt Grzelcyk. The BU product has quietly played very well for the Bruins this season. He was not highly regarded like fellow rookie defenseman Charlie McAvoy, but he has impressed scouts. Grzelyck has shown quick feet and good offensive ability. If he keeps playing like this, then by seasons end he will not be flying under the radar.

Grzelcyk

Photo Credit: Charles Krupa

Grzelcyk’s Performance So Far

Grzelyck has had two stints in Boston this season. In the second, he replaced Adam McQuaid and he has given the Bruins more than expected. McQuaid returned from his injury just before Christmas, but Grezelyck has not been sent down. This is a testament to how well the rookie has played. In 29 games this season he’s notched one goal and five assists. He is undersized but that has not affected his game and he has not seemed over-matched. The Bruins have received at least a point in seventeen straight games with Grzelyck a big contributor. Cassidy has also shown his trust in the rookie by placing him on the second power-play unit.

Grzelcyk

Photo Credit: Boston Bruins.com

Second Half Expectations for Grzelyck

Tonight, the Bruins play the Anaheim Ducks in their first game since the All-Star break. Going forward as the playoff push begins, these games will become harder and more tiring. This will be a big test for Grzelyck and his fellow rookies as fatigue sets in and points will be at a premium. Grzelyck has been exceptional so far but as rookie at some point he will struggle.  When or if that happens, he will need to to minimize his struggles. He’s shown that he can play at the NHL level but now he must show that he can step up in a playoff push.

Grzelcyk

Photo Credit: Maddie Meyer/ Getty Images

What a Solid Ending Could Mean

The Bruins have high expectations for the BU product. Lile McAvoy is expected to help anchor the Bruins blue line for the foreseeable future. For the Charlestown native that would be a dream come true. So far, this season he’s lived up to the hype and much more. He may not have the same ceiling as McAvoy but the Bruins could do a lot worse.

Bruins Journey Through California

Leave a reply

Holding a three game losing streak, things don’t get easier for Boston as they begin their California road trip. The Bruins kick off their trip tonight against the Anaheim Ducks, who they have yet to play this season. Following Wednesday’s visit to Anaheim, the Bruins rematch with Los Angeles on Thursday, and San Jose Saturday.  The Bruins finds themselves at a crucial point of the season, slipping away from the leaders of the league.

BRUINS VS DUCKS

Perhaps the easiest test of the trip for Boston, Anaheim currently sits in sixth place of the Pacific Division, ahead of only Edmonton and Arizona.  Like the Bruins, the Ducks have had their share of struggles lately, dropping five of their last six.  Along with that, Ducks’ stars Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Kesler have missed some time due to injury, forcing exploration into their depth charts.  Boston knows this story too well.  They will play without Brad Marchand and Anders Bjork, just to name a few.  This opening match of Boston’s California trip is by far the most crucial.  If the B’s can break their losing streak  with a big win, it can perhaps translate into momentum against one of the best teams in the league.  If Boston fails to snap their losing streak, struggles will only plunge deeper for a deflated Bruins squad.

BRUINS VS KINGS

Just less than three weeks ago, Boston hosted Los Angeles in what turned out to be an overtime heartbreaker.  Boston snagged the early lead during the first period before Tyler Taffoli ripped the equalizer for Los Angeles moments later.  The second and third period were defensive jousts, eventually leading to an overtime match up at the Garden.  About five minutes into overtime, Taffoli recorded his second point of the game and the game-winner for the Kings.  Despite the loss, goalie Tuukka Rask had one of his best outings of the season, logging 28 saves on 30 shots.  But there’s good news for Boston.   Los Angeles is currently on a three game losing streak, all of which came at home.  The time for Boston to play the number two team in the Western Conference is right now.  The potential for the Bruins to take a huge leap following their trip to California is strong, especially if they can start off 2-0.

BRUINS VS SHARKS

A rematch with the San Jose Sharks rounds out the west coast trip.  In a game where Danton Heinen reigned supreme, the Bruins edged out the Sharks with a 2-1 victory.  The goaltending was sharp on both sides of the rink.   However, Anton Khudobin was between the pipes for Boston.  It will be interesting to see if Rask is sidelined for this matchup, given Khudobin’s exposure previously to the Sharks offense.  If Rask does well early in the road trip, it’s likely he will get the nod.  However, I would not be surprised to see Khudobin in net for this game, regardless of Rask’s performance.  As with the other two games of this California trip, Boston must capitalize on opportunities every chance they get.  Missing some key players will add to the struggles we’ve seen this year.   But now is the time they truly need to be overcome.

This west-coast road trip will set the course for the Bruins’ end to November.  The schedule upon their return home is hard enough in itself.  If Boston takes down Anaheim tonight, maybe the ball will finally start (and continue) rolling.  If they drop one to the Ducks, things will only get tougher, facing Los Angeles at home tomorrow night.