Off Season Game Plan: Boston Bruins

[davescards]

Well, disappointing start, amazing finish, and a decent run in the playoffs. An Injury plagued season had beantown fans full of highs and lows all season. The Bruins Management team already said for Bruins fans to prepare for Changes. So with that being said, there are some issues I see with what they should do with certain players. Who should stay? Who should go?

What is going to make this team be successful further into the playoffs? Here's a breakdown of what needs to happen.

1) Tim Thomas - Huge Salary in the Cap world. But he's more of a Mentor than a back up goalie. I believe he knew what was going to happen, whether if he won the Veznia or not. This is Tuukka Time. So what to do with Thomas? This is what they have to do with Thomas: Trade him at the trade deadline next season. The Bruins have to keep him just in case of a Sophmore Jinx from Rask, but I highly doubt that's going to happen, but just in case, Keep Thomas until the trade deadline. Out of respect, he should have his say on where he goes, but we're going to have to eat some of that salary. Trade him for a Stay at home Defensmen.

2) Michael Ryder - I've waited and waited for my hometown boy to perform, which he hasn't. 20 goals, 25 goals, 16 goals, crap crap crap... You're getting paid 4 million dollars, I want 30 or more. No excuse. Time for us to move on.

3) Marco Sturm - Left over from the Joe Thornton Trade, I actually do like him and want him with us. A lot of people have thrown the towl in on him, but I believe he can be very effective, so I'd keep him.

4) Dennis Wideman - Lock him up for as long as we can.

5) Zdeno Chara - Not impressed with his season or playoffs. When we needed him the most, our 7.5 million dollar captain did nothing. I know I'm being hard on him, but for the highest paid player on the team, and the Captain, I expect him to leave his heart on the ice... All he did was play average... Just not good enough.

6) Blake Wheeler - Don't give up on him right now, please... He's only a youngster, and he will be great. Remember Joe Thornton? 6 pts in his Rookie Campaign? Ya... look at him now. Blake Stays.

7) 2nd overall draft pick - Please Keep this. Do not trade it unless you're bringing a 50 goal scorer into the lineup.

8) Tuukka Rask - Sweet merciful, lock him up now. 10 year deal, 3.5 or 4 mil a year... and do it now.

9) Mark Recchi - Sign him for however long he wants to play.

10) Patrice Bergeron - The Rightful captain of the Bruins. Da Man.

11) Brad Marchand - Full time job in the bigs this year.

12) Joe Colbourne\Zach Hamil - Are they ready? Because we need their Offense.

13) Andrew Ference - Injury Prone, gone in for Surgery again... My god. But damn is he effective when he's on. I'd probably keep him.

14) Mark Stuart - The man once again. Mr. Stay at home, and hard nosed. Love his Work Ethic. He's a cheap keeper.

15) Dennis Sidenberg - I love this guy! Got injured, but that was the story of the whole season. If we can lock him up, please do it.

16) Steve Begin - If he's cheap, keep him. If he wants a raise, throw him. I can take him or leave him.

17) Milan Lucic - The heartbeat of the Bruins. He's the new Cam Neely, and we need his Physical Game, his ability to score, and his ability to shut down. Milan for Prez.

18) Vladimir Sobotka - Tougher than I gave him credit for. I like this dude. Young, and as long as he stays cheap.

19) Matt Hunwick - Mr. Mistakes this year. But he has so much up side. But we might have to say goodbye to this guy.


20) Jordan Caron - Not ready yet. But he's gonna be a good one. Keep him in the minors.

21) Marc Savard - He's the man. Plain and simple. He stays before anyone else. He's our offense, and our offensive lines are built around him. Love the Career Contract. Mr. Bruin.

22) David Krejci - We have already locked him up and he deserves it. Great young player that's gonna get a whole lot better.

So all in all, our core is intact. Players that should return:

Marc Savard
Marco Sturm
Patrice Bergeron
Milan Lucic
Zdeno Chara
Dennis Wideman
Dennis Sidenburg
Mark Stuart
Tuukka Rask
David Krejci
Blake Wheeler
Brad Marchand
Vladdy Sobotka
Jordan Caron
Zach Hamil
Joe Colbourne
Mark Recchi
Zdeno Chara
Taylor or Tyler (Not picky but would rather Hall)
Miro Satan -

People that have to be thanked for their service but time to move on:

Michael Ryder
Matt Hunwick
Tim Thomas
Andrew Ference
Steve Begin


These 5 resources should be used to bring in secondary scoring. Another Tough Winger (Scott Hartnell type player), A speedy offensive minded Winger (Maxim Afinigonov type player), and a top 4 stay at home defensmen (Adam Foote type player). We should try for younger, and get some draft picks as well.

Well this is how I see things. Give me your opinions.

[Nathan7070]

I think you got it head on Dave. I believe Satan is not going to be back with the team though. He has proved he can still play and someone out there will offer him $2.5-3 million and if I were the Bruins I would say thanks and part ways.

I am not a fan of Begin, I would rather have kept Yelle or Metropolit instead so he can go for all I care.

Thomas is a good goalie and the Bruins have the fortunes of having 2 starting goalies but if Rask plays the way he did next year there is no need for him. I see him going to his hometown Wings if Howard can't keep up his good play next year. Maybe we could get a nice D-man like Ericsson or Kronwall for Thomas if we eat part of his salary?

If Ference could stay healthy and Hunwick develops a little more than I don't think we need anymore D-men so long as the get Seidenberg back.

I would beg Recchi to play until he is 50 so hopefully he comes back.

Personally I would love to see Ryder gone. If Sturm could freakin' stay healthy for one year he could be a 30 goal scorer. And if Blake Wheeler doesn't produce by the trading deadline dump him because he showed no heart at all last season and I am starting to grown tired of him.

[dahmsie8]

Being a Bruins fan, this season was tough. Did better then expected, but a terrible way to end the season.

In the offseason they have to drop Wheeler. Bottom line, the guy is invisible. Clogging up a roster spot for someone who will take full advantage of it. Dare I say Hamill is ready to step in? Or maybe with the shuffling from either getting Hall or Seguin, Wheeler has no spot on the team.


Ryder and his salary must go too too inconsistant.

The Ference signing mid season made no sense. He is always hurt, money
could of been better spent else where, like resigning Boychuk.

Time for Thornton to go too, a new heavy weight would be good with me.

I might get some flack for this but can anyone see Chara going somewhere else? Would you trade him if the right deal came along? Aside from a bullet of a slapper, he didnt do much at all this season and to be completely honest Im sick and tired of watching him throw the puck up the middle when the pressure is on.

For my thoughts on Wideman, see Chara and take out the bullet of a slap shot.

Overall the future is good I think, we need to move some players and get some new ones to fill missing roles like scoring.

[Walter Sobchak]

Not a superstar I know but where does Paille fit in next year? He hasnt been mentioned yet lol

[Qwikflipz]

Thomas is a good goalie and the Bruins have the fortunes of having 2 starting goalies but if Rask plays the way he did next year there is no need for him. I see him going to his hometown Wings if Howard can't keep up his good play next year. Maybe we could get a nice D-man like Ericsson or Kronwall for Thomas if we eat part of his salary?

Just wanted to say, no way of this happening. Don't forget, the Wings still have Osgood if Howard falters. Osgood may still be the number one goalie.

I think the Boston Bruins are prime for the future. They have some high picks thanks to Toronto. Have an amazing young goalie, and a pretty stable team. Thomas could go to SJ (I don't see Nabby being their goalie anymore). But I'd be excited in Boston if I was you guys.

[davescards]

Not a superstar I know but where does Paille fit in next year? He hasnt been mentioned yet lol

That's my fault. I would like to have Paille in the mix next year.


Nathan7070 - Recchi - Nail on the head. He single handedly re-energized Bergeron's career, and this dude is one of the best leaders in all of hockey. I would love to see Recchi back with the Bruins next year.


A lot of people have their backs turned on Wheeler. But I have that Bruins Spider Sense... He's gonna explode... He's going to be one of the best. we just have to be extra extra patient. Please don't give up on this guy, it'll be a mistake.