TJ Molland: It was a stunning defeat that left the city of Boston with their jaws on the floor. Losing to the underdog Washington Capitals in the first round of the playoffs was not what fans expected. But the bullies from Beantown were sent packing, with a slap in the face known as parity in the NHL. The Bruins are still well off knowing they aren't losing any major pieces due to free agency this year, but do have some adjustments to make.
First and foremost the Bruins need to address this Tim Thomas not playing next year thing. The catch is if Thomas does not play the Bruins still have to pay his $5 million salary. For a team that has approximately $4 million in cap space less, with Anton Khudobin as their only signed goaltender, that spells trouble. Especially with former starting goaltender, Tuuka Rask, a restricted free agent. With his solid numbers he can be sure to expect a raise on his $1 million salary this year. So a decision on whether to move Thomas will need to be made soon. The only positive to this is that for a team looking to make the cap floor, Tim Thomas (who wouldn't get paid but his cap STILL counts) would be an intriguing piece. Your team gets an added $5 million in cap space without having to spend any money. Win-win for both sides.
A Rask/Khudobin combo is a great young duo to have, and could result in some fierce competition in net. To go with an already well built team that could spell troubles for the Eastern Conference. Bruins management just needs to be careful with their spending as they are heading towards a 2010 Chicago Blackhawks type situation where cap problems force them to move a lot of key pieces.
Kyle Reynolds: The Tim Thomas saga continues to get stranger. At first, most thought the zany goaltender simply wanted a year away from the pressures and commitments of being an NHL player.
But with Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli's recent admission that Thomas has waved his no-trade clause, it's become clear that it's more a matter of Thomas simply not wanting to play... for Boston.
While shipping the 38-year old out now would enable the team to free up some space to add offense (Boston managed one goal a game in 4 of their 7 playoff games against the Caps), the Bruins would be better served waiting until Roberto Luongo is dealt or even until the trade
deadline, when the market will likely be barren of top quality goaltenders.
While Bruins fans surely have visions of Rick Nash or Bobby Ryan dancing in their heads, the smart move is to do what Boston has been doing: Staying the course. I'm not among those that think a first-round playoff exit is reason to blow up an entire roster and rebuild, and the team needs to continually remind themselves that Tyler Seguin, Milan Lucic, and Brad Marchand will all be up for signifcant raises after the upcoming season.
Nathan Horton missed the post-season and will be an instant shot in the arm offensively when he returns. And so far this off-season the team has inked third-liners Chris Kelly and Rich Peverley, and fourth-liners Gregory Campbell and Daniel Paille (all of whom played
key roles in their 2011 Stanley Cup win) to long-term extensions.
Now you lock up Rask, add a cheap veteran for depth on the wing (perhaps Brian Rolston would be willing to resign at a more realistic wage?), hope either Dougie Hamilton or Torey Krug is ready for a full-time role on the Bruins blueline, and wait until the season begins to see what need you'd like to fill most in a Thomas deal.
And, most importantly, you wouldn't be hand-cuffing yourself before next year's crucial off-season.
TJ Molland: The Bruins just need to make sure that while they are staying the course they manage their cap well. Getting Thomas off the books will help immensely. If/When he is moved (for what I assume will be picks/prospects not roster players) you free up enough space to sign Rask and then a serviceable defenseman. With the cap situation the way it is you have to imagine one of Hamilton or Krug get a starting roster spot, but having a reliable bottom pair d-man to step up in case the rookies get in over their head will be handy. A Mike Commodore or Sean O'donnell type will fit the mold well
I wanted to touch quickly on their first round selection in the draft this past weekend, Malcolm Subban. To start, it is hilarious that there will be a Subban on either side of one of the most heated rivalries in the NHL. It will make for some great writing material the first time they meet.
Why I want to touch on the pick is that I think it was a bit of a waste. We just talked about their goaltending situation (Rask [if they sign him] and Khudobin) and how both are pretty young and still hold bright futures. They also have 22 year old Michael Hutchinson who put up reasonable numbers (2.36 GAA 927 SV%) in 29 appearances for Providence of the AHL as well as 21 year old Adam Morrison, who was signed with Boston when Philadelphia did not tend him a contract offer after being drafted by them in 2009. It seems like goaltending wasn't a pressing need, yet they went there. What's the deal?
Kyle Reynolds: Goaltending is an absolutely must when your team lives and dies with its ability to suffocate opponents (and sometimes viewers) with its grinding, defensive approach.
Khudobin isn’t your average youngster trying to crack an NHL lineup. The 26-year old has spent the last 6 seasons putting up mostly impressive numbers in the KHL, ECHL, AHL, and NHL (7 GP with Minnesota and Boston).
I think it was a wake-up call late last season when he and Rask went down to injury and the scrambling Bruins had to briefly re-call Hutchinson (who needs more AHL crease time) before signing Marty Turco for the rest of the year. It’s time to restock the cupboard.
Khudobin’s a UFA in 2 years and having Hutchinson and Subban (and maybe Morrison) around to battle for that back-up spot can’t be a bad thing. You’re right though, adding a winger in the first round seemed like a much more likely option. Maybe they’ll take that route in a Thomas deal.
And speaking of players with familiar bloodlines, loyal Bruins fans have to be thrilled that the great Ray Bourque’s son, Chris, signed with the team, and the winger actually has a shot at cracking the lineup this year…
TJ Molland: He had some stellar numbers last year in the AHL. Would be sweet to see a Bourque in a Bruins uniform again. If he can impress in camp you can bet he will get a roster spot. Especially with a friendly $550,000 contract.
You have to peg the Bruins as the division favourites again this year. They are going to be tough to play against night-in and night-out. Their only enemy is going to be the cap ceiling. If they can stay under the cap without having to part with too many pieces they will be in the playoffs again next year.
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