Chiarelli owes it to Bruins to at least consider Thomas trade
Bruins have to consider trading Thomas/By S. Bradley
It’s a topic that’s sure to heat up as the Bruins’ offseason continues to unfold, despite what general manager Peter Chiarelli said at breakup day about his goaltending.
“I view it pretty much the same way I saw it going into the last summer, the biggest difference being Tuukka [Rask] obviously didn’t play towards the end because of his injury, so for me there’s no uncertainty there with regards to him being back and healthy,” Chiarelli said. “I know I’ve seen speculation about moving a goalie and all that stuff, but certainly I’m not inclined to do that. Tim [Thomas] didn’t have statistically the year he had before but I thought he had a very good year. We have, if not the best, one of the top three goalie tandems in the league.”
In front of that world-class goaltending, as we saw, the Bruins have an inconsistent offense that can be a juggernaut for weeks at a time and then sputter for months. Let’s face it, Braden Holtby didn’t morph into Ken Dryden as much as the Bruins morphed into a team not willing to pay the price to score goals without enough natural offensive talents.
Obviously Chiarelli isn’t going to tip his hand and risk offending one of his prized goaltenders. But going forward he has to entertain the idea of trading one of his netminders, probably the 38-year-old Thomas, who’s entering the last year of his contract. For more of my thoughts on this topic, check out my CBS Boston column.
For what it’s worth, both Rask and Thomas expressed no qualms about returning with the same situation next season. Rask is a restricted free agent in need of a new contract, so it’ll be interesting to see how that all pans out. However, it might not be fair to either goaltender to ask them to compete for the No. 1 job and risk sitting for all but 30 games next season if they get beat in the competition. Nor would it be fair to the rest of the Bruins’ lineup, to again be so deep in one position while other positions struggle.
Eyes rolled. Nash? Iginla? Not for Thomas, even Scott Howson wouldn’t be that dumb. Parise is even a long shot to hit free agency, let alone sign with a team that needs to think about several major contracts after next season. The Bs’ big splash last year was Pouliot, remember? Stop playing videogames and think *maybe* about a second/third liner coming.
Nick
I’d like to see Sidenberg play with Boychuk. I know I’m a lone wolf here, but I thought he was better most of the year than Chara. Keep in mind he played most of the year with Corvo, and just ask Big Jim what that would have been like. I think if Boychuk continues to improve, and Sidenberg is paired with him, then I think Sidenberg will have a great year and get the recognition he deserves. As well, Sidenberg can shift from left-side to right-side defence without missing a beat. Sidenberg will not be a leading contender for points, but with Boychuk he may have a great plus/minus which should get some notice.
Pairings
Sidenberg–Boychuk
Chara–Hamilton
Ferrence-McQuaid
I’d like to have Zanon signed as the seventh d-man, over Mottau and Corvo. Krug probably could use a year in Providence.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Krug is the 7th d-man and the B’s try to sign Mottau to a 2-way deal. He’s a reasonable depth d-man, but certainly not top 6, and I think I like Mottau better than Zannon or Corvo. I expect we see the same pairings as last year and Hamilton with either Ferrence/McQuaid or Sidenberg depending on his training camp, but I really, really doubt we go get anything special this summer for d-men.
So what are you guys thinking for the D Pairings assuming Dougie is ready and Quaider comes back? It’s obvious in my mind that Corvo is gone. I have to say that I really liked Krug’s game in the couple games we saw him late, although he is a bit small like Kempfer was. I also thought Mottau looked pretty good in his playoff appearances as well.
I agree David, this would certainly be pushing the cap, specially with what I heard for the CBA as well. B16, it was really hard for me to remove Kells because I really like his style, but I feel he just kinda gets bumped out on this one. I also have been one to possibly try to get something for Kreicji but if we keep him, I would like to see this.
I also like the idea of Khoudobin given Rask a run for the top spot. I really think he will up Rasks game a lot because of this.
Lastly, bring on the Dougie baby…
Nick
Looks good to me. A number of people have asked/mentioned that they would like Krecji traded, but he needs to play with big wingers and he’s okay. If he plays with Lucic, along with Caron, he will have a good year. I don’t like the fact of not having Kelly, but in order to get Parise you are going to have give up something.
Nick,
I don’t think those lines are realistic in terms of the salary cap. Krecji costs $5.25m, Lucic and Horton each about $4m, and assuming we get a guy like Parise, that’s at least $6m. After Rask signs (my guess is 3.5-4m for 2ish years) and assuming Thomas is traded, Campbell and Paille resign for the 1.1m each they made this season, and the Bruins resign/bring in 1 D-man for $1.5-2m, we will be juuust under the cap with Savvy’s LTIR space in place, so my guess is that a second move probably gets made if that turns out to be reality. The reason I think this probably isn’t realistic is the system will likely see a few tweaks because of the new CBA, including a likely decrease of the salary cap this season. I’m not sure how much, but that’s just my guess to this. I agree with the spirit of your suggestions though.
So here are my thoughts for some lines granted we can swoop up someone like Parise. Keep in mind my third line is to shake some things up and get players I feel were very underpar playing for their spots again. Oh, and if Horton comes back ready of course…
Parise – Seguin – Horton
Marchand – Bergy – Peverley
Lucic – Kreicji – Caron
Paille – Campbell – Thorny
I know it’s a little scary thinking of Seguin having to be that good of a two way guy, but the kid has the talent, we just need to see the full potential. I’m really looking forward to Caron battling for a spot, I really feel like he fits in well. Bergy and Kreicji would be a good flip, but I just don’t want to see Bergy on the third line. This is harder then it looks, lol…
I would give the penguins a call and see what they might be willing to deal given Fluery’s abbomination in the playoffs. Penguins got a lot of disgruntled forwards that can put up big numbers on the board.
There are a few teams that are really a goalie away from being very good. Not that many, but enough to drive up the price and 1:1 get a decent return. Given the price place on Nash (I’m not 100% sold on him given his cap hit, lack of playoff experience, and term) no one in the all-star range is likely to come this way for the price of Thomas. Parise might come this way for Thomas IF he won’t sign with NJ, but will with BOS, and IF Brodeur retires, otherwise, we make a different package for his rights or pick him up as an FA. I really doubt Iginla will be on the market. We hear rumors about him every year, and every year he says he wants to stay.
If we want a top 6, we might end up going 1:1 to get versteeg from FLA, or end up considering Lecalvier’s contract if he’d be willing to move, although, we might have to give up a pick in a deal like that. So I think there is a market, but we can’t expect a 1:1 all-star trade given Thomas’ age, especially not a young all-star caliber player. We may also see a trade out to Colorado or something of that ilk as well if the Bruins decide to move him.
38 year old goalie, who is going to give up anything worth much. He played awesome this year, but age matters.
BRUINS NEED SCORING!!! Make a trade for Nash or Iginla, or sign Parise. Spend some money or trade some players.
Trade Thomas to Toronto for draft picks and Lupul. Burke’s ego would get in the way and he would pay too high of a price. Use the extra cash to sign Tukka and one of our unsigned centres. Can’t wait for September.
Cam Neely and the Bruins should make things happen this offseason in the top 6 forwards.
Make the deal and get Parise if he is available.
If Horton is not coming back (my opinion is he’s done, I wish him well and will miss him) then they still need to sort out RW, not sure what to do there, hopefully Caron or one of the other prospects maybe?
If trading Marchand helps any of this then do it, theres just too much bullstuff with him.
The best I can do at the moment is:
Bergeron-Parise-Seguin
Krejci-Lucic-Peverley
Not sure what to do with the third line, though I think Peverley should be on it, but who fills the missing RW spot in the top 6?
I wouldn’t deal him unless they got something massive in return, and even then I would probably not do it. I want TT and Rask as a pair again next season. It gives them the best chance to win the Cup again. I would rather make another run than acquire depth and draft picks.
I would trade Krecji though. See ya. I read Kesler is on the block in Vancouver. Can we trade Krecji for Kesler? Imagine a line with Lucic-Kesler-Horton….
I think they should move Thomas to a struggling team that needs a goalie. Like the Kessel trade, imagine if the Bruins could trade Thomas to a bad team for a high draft pick and the pick turns into a top ten. The money saved off the cap ($5m) is just as good a bonus as receiving some mid-level prospect.
I doubt Thomas would fetch an all-star caliber player because of his age, unless said all-star was himself getting on in years. I have to imagine that NJ might look into dealing parise to Boston for Thomas IF Brodeur looks done and IF parise isn’t willing to sign. Other than that, we’d have to look at places like Tampa, Fla, and others looking for good short term goalie solutions, which is a small market. I agree FA is a bad place for the Bruins to look for top 6 help, unless of course, Parise is out there, then go go go! He’d fit out system very well, and is a great character guy. He’d be worth a few bills getting thrown his way.
No idea what he’d fetch.
I think they should at least explore the idea of trading Tim. If they can get a top six forward, without throwing the the pay scale out of whack, they should go for it. (Parise, Nash, or Ryan in that order) I was disappointed with Tim’s comments, during the playoffs, about what the forwards needed to be doing. His teammates stood behind him during the White House debacle, he should have remembered that. Rask and Khudobin will be fine, if a trade for Thomas is worked out.
The Bruins do need to sign at least one of the free agent centres that we presently have. (both would be better) The free agent pool doesn’t look that good. I think the wingers are expendable, although if Paille isn’t too expensive he could be signed. With Pouliot and Thomas leaving, that should free up some cash for another top six winger. I’d like to see Caron, Knight, and maybe McDermid get more a chance.
They may and try to sign Zanon if Hamilton doesn’t look like he’s ready, but from what I’ve seen on television he looks like he’s ready to make the jump. The defensive corps looks like the strength of the team.