Chiarelli on T&R: Nine is a fine spot for Bruins to be in draft
Chiarelli
Although the excitement level for the Bruins going into this year’s draft isn’t as high as it was a year ago when they held the No. 2 overall pick, general manager Peter Chiarelli is still eager to get to St. Paul, Minnesota and make his club’s pick at No. 9 Friday night.
Chiarelli’s been busy in the aftermath of the Bruins’ Stanley Cup win, so he won’t have time to speak with the non-traveling members of the written media before Friday. But today he checked in for his weekly appearance on the Toucher & Rich show on 98.5 The Sports Hub.
When asked about the draft, here’s what Chiarelli said:
“We pick at nine and it’s a deep draft. It’s not top-heavy. There’s not like two or three definite picks in the top three. We could wind up with a player that was ranked No. 1 at certain points of the year. There are three or four defensemen that will all be good NHL players that we’re looking at. It’ll be exciting because we’re in a good spot where there’s players that we want. We may try and move up but depending how it goes, a player that we don’t expect that we’re going to get may fall into our lap.”
Unofficially, the Bruins hold one pick in each of rounds two through seven, with their second-rounder coming from Minnesota, their third-rounder from Phoenix and their seventh-rounder from Florida.
The other big event coming up is free agency, and Chiarelli reiterated that he will talk to the representatives for veterans Tomas Kaberle and Michael Ryder, who will both be unrestricted July 1. Chiarelli, however, noted that the team has other options if things don’t work out with those two players.
Chiarelli identified Jordan Caron, Jamie Arniel, Matt Bartkowski and Steven Kampfer as young players with a shot to make the big club full-time next season. He also said that he talks to Marc Savard regularly about the player’s future and that the center is “doing OK; he’s improving a little bit.” No decision about Savard’s status has been made yet, though.
As for our UFA’s, Kaberle will not be back. Detroit will give him whatever he wants to fill the void left by Rafalski. As for Ryder, I’ll hate to see him go but unless he’s willing to take 3rd line $$, he isn’t a fit here. I have a feeling there will be teams happy to add him to their rosters. I also feel he plays where we see a Caron (or another prospect) jumping in, at a much more affordable salary.
I see us taking either Beartschi or Beaulieu. I saw someone above say we already have Knight. Sven will be better than Knight. Mika Zibanejad is a centre and not a great skater. I don’t see us being attracted to either of those characteristics. The only centre I could see us taking is Couturier should he slide down. The guy is a beast (6’4”, 200lbs at 18 yrs old) and a wonderful skater and two way player. I see him being a Staal-combo. Jordan and Eric all wrapped up into one.
Murphy is also a consideration should he drop. If Hamilton is still available, I may cheer (almost) as loud as I did when we won the ‘Cup. I would say that it’s impossible but we all saw how far Fowler dropped last year.
Thanks McTeagle, guess I made assumption on which picks went where earlier this season.
[...] The other big event coming up is free agency, and Chiarelli reiterated that he will talk to the representatives for veterans Tomas Kaberle and Michael Ryder, who will both be unrestricted July 1. Chiarelli, however, noted that the team has other options if things don’t work out with those two players. (via The Bruins Blog) [...]
[...] “We pick at nine and it’s a deep draft. It’s not top-heavy. There’s not like two or three definite picks in the top three. We could wind up with a player that was ranked No. 1 at certain points of the year. There are three or four defensemen that will all be good NHL players that we’re looking at. It’ll be exciting because we’re in a good spot where there’s players that we want. We may try and move up but depending how it goes, a player that we don’t expect that we’re going to get may fall into our lap.” (via The Bruins Blog) [...]
David, pretty sure it’s our 2012 2nd rounder.
Mcguire is an idiot, I don’t really trust his analysis. Really, really happy with how this is all working out. I though Toronto got our second round pick for Minn this year, or did they get our natural pick for next year?
Trade the pick with some others for Shea Weber
I very much agree, Aaron. But Chiarelli did mention 3-4 D men…. I think we’d all agree on the top 3. Question is the possible 4th they think would be worth it at #9, unless he is blowing smoke a bit.
The good thing is they can afford to go best player available, and as has been mentioned, there ought to be some good forwards available if no D men of value are still there.
This draft is more interesting to me than last year, because it’s more of a question mark… and more freedom perhaps to take a chance.
Aaron, Yeah, Maguire had the B’s selecting Jonas Brodin @#9 in the TSN mock draft…go figure!
Burke is trying to move the Leafs up in the draft(from what I’ve read) for a top 5-10 pick.
#9 is too high for Klefbom IMO or Brodin even which is who TSN mock has us taking. There appears to be a clear top 9 then a drop. The D in that top 9 are Larsson, Hamilton, Murphy … guys like Beaulieu, Klefbom, Brodin, Oleksiak, Siemens are in that next tier of guys. If we go for any of the latter I’d rather see PC trade back. If the top 3 D are gone at 9 I’m happy with any of the F’s that drop there including Strome, Zibanejad, could even be Couturier.
Chia has done a nice job in the draft so far. Hopefully he adds to the riches
Brodin!
Bojangles this is from HF on Klefbom:
“Big, mobile and versatile, Klefbom is like a dream come true for any team looking for a diverse and dynamic defender that will be able to play soon. The Swedish captain is a rock and could very well end up wearing a C for an NHL club in the future. He is capable of doing anything necessary in the game to help his team win and his decision making comes without hesitation. Having seen the Swedish team without him, it’s impossible to ignore the dynamic that he adds to a team. Without him, this particular Swedish group would not have come close to reaching the heights that they did.”
I like “The Persian Prince” at #9, if the right D-man isn’t available.
I went to the rookies game last fall where the PA announcer shouted SPOOOOOOON_ERRRRRRR! on three goals, not in the mix yet for 2012?
RedLine Report had a glowing opinion of Klefbom. Anyone have an opinion on this kid at 9?
Dan – I don’t see a buyout. Either Savard plays for the Bs and plays at least ok – Or – he gets stuffed in Providence b/c he doesn’t want to retire but isn’t capable of playing at a high level – Or – he retires and receives a handsome insurance settlement. In short – the Bs will come out better than poor Marc on this one. Sad sad situation.
No mention of Sauve?! I had/have such high hopes for this kid. I think it might just be a pipe dream.
Something about Murphy doesn’t sit right for me. I think we’ll be choosing b/w Beaulieu & Zin. Can’t see Strome as we have Spooner already. Can’t see Baertschi as we have Knight already. I’m through the roof if PC makes a play to go get Hamilton.
Matt, if Savard can’t come back, and subsequently retires, I assume his 4+ cap hit goes away. But is there some sort of buyout that will take place, and if so will any of it count towards the cap for future years? I hope he comes back, as I think he would be an instant fix to the PP issues, but I’m curious about what might happen if he’s done forever.
I will be surprised if Kaberle is resigned.
Ryder, I’m not so sure.
Dman at #9, unless they trade down for more picks.