Column: Bergeron extension means Bruins in position to deal when ready
So now you have to wonder what the Bruins are going to do with their militia of middlemen. For now, Savard’s injury allows them to line up Bergeron, Krejci, Campbell and Seguin, one through four. Savard’s return will probably mean subscribing to the original plan of shifting Seguin out to the wing, possibly alongside Bergeron. The real logjam could come next season when, even if they don’t re-sign Hamill, the Bruins might have Colborne and Spooner (and maybe whoever they draft with Toronto’s lottery pick next June) knocking at the NHL door.
Of course, this has been Chiarelli’s plan all along. He has cornered the market on centers. Some can shift out to the wing and fill in at center when needed. Having center skill on the outside is always a plus. But more importantly for the current Bruins and their goal of ending the 39-year Stanley Cup drought, Chiarelli can deal from a position of strength when he’s looking to make a trade.
When it comes time to fortify the Bruins’ defense for the stretch run, Chiarelli will have the assets to get it done. Combine the center stable with the draft-pick stockpile (three in the first two rounds next year) and the Bruins should be able to outbid other contenders when the annual chase to add a puck-mover heats up in mid-winter. Whether he decides to go the blockbuster route and deal Krejci or go subtle to tweak the team by moving Campbell or one of the kids, it won’t be hard for Chiarelli to find a trading partner.
Bergeron has been a great player and has potential to be even better, so the Bruins were wise to make sure he’s going to be blossoming in black and gold. But this deal could also help Chiarelli swing the in-season swap that’ll be a difference-maker come spring.
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I think the B’s already re-attempted the second coming of the Espo-Park trade. That was in ’05 when Thornton was dealt, and we all know how that has turned out.
One major difference between Krejci and Espo…other than the fact one is regarded as one of the best of all-time, while the other isn’t even one of the best in the current day league.
1. Espo was already in his early-mid 30′s when he was dealt to N.Y. while Krejci is just 24. Espo had peaked and was soo to be on the decline. The same can’t be said for Krejci as his best years have yet to come.
Bruins centers are too soft for playoffs. i would take Mike richards style player over any center that the Bruins have
Two Cup finals and one semifinal in the post-Espo trade era. One too many men call away from the Cup.
You say trade someone you like to fill a major need but how many Cups did they win after they made that trade…. none so much for making that trade.
Chara signed on for seven more years. not sure that’s a good thing…
@Shovah, this isn’t the Globe Bruins Blog. You can disagree without being disagreeable. There’s no need to accuse MK of “complete lack of hokey credibility.” That’s just rude and inaccurate. I’m sure your Bobby freaking Orr.
I am really enjoying reading these comments because looking through them you can see a huge difference between the team this year and only four years ago. Now we aren’t sure which center is our top because of the organizational depth, but I’d much rather have this conversation than the ones we had four years ago.
Oh, sorry. that’s where I was trying to go with that, Matt: next offseason. So, if Savard does show improvement by next July…who knows?
I know this blog is a big advocate for keeping Savard in Boston, and rightfully so. I just can’t see trading the 24-year-old Krejci (nine years younger) who may not be the PP quarterback that Savvy is, but does everything else that much better than him. ie: face-offs, hits, back-checks, and plays one heck of a PK.
The moral of these stories are this: Chiarelli certainly has all the flexibility in the world to wheel-and-deal from now ’til 2012.
savvy’s trade bait if and when he becomes symptom free. espo for park and ratelle.
Correction: Bruins have FOUR picks in the first two rounds next year… you probably forgot the Wild second pick of the Kobasew trade.
Indeed, Bruins will have plenty of assets to use for trades. But forget about trading the real #1 center Krejci!!! Not sure what is most needed is a puck-moving D. Scoring wingers still need to prove they’re better than last year…
Mark, no one is going to trade for Savard and give you value until he’s symptom-free for at least a year. You can do a salary dump, but you’d have to really sweeten the pot to get a top-four. In every sport, with every team, sometimes you have to trade someone you really like because it helps you fill another major need. Always remember Espo-for-Park.
Packaging Savard and another center prospect (Hamill, especially) is one of the first thing I thought of when I heard about this signing. Dealing Krejci in anyways shape or form would be loco, as he’s most definitely ready for the “No. 1″ role at any time now.
Up-the-middle:
1. Krejci
2. Bergeron/Seguin
3. Spooner/Sauve
4. Campbell/Arniel
This next offseason is going to be quite interesting. Chara and Stuart are up, and to the lesser extent, Hunwick as well. Dealing Savard, plus-one, could land a solid top-4 D by year’s end.
It even gives the Bruins more flexibility to eventually slide Bergeron to wing — for instance — maybe forcing him to shoot more (circa ’05-06 when he let 310 shots fly and posted 31-42–73 totals) and utilizing one of the previous mentioned pipeline centers to come up.
Krejci is the only one of the top three centers without a NMC and thus would be the only one that could be dealt without permission.
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Just the fact that you even suggested dealing Krejci in a “blockbuster” deal shows your complete lack of hockey credibility. Are you alright? So, your saying, now that Bergys under contract, and wasn’t much of a factor in last season playoff run after Krejci’s #1 line became dismantled, he’s a better centermen than David. Hence, allowing the possiblility of dealing DK? I just wanna know what no-show-when-it-matters Chara is going to get in his next contract. because if it’s north of 6 a year, you may be right. And that’s insanity.