So...folks talking about the possibility of exploring trades for Rask.

I remember saying something like that earlier in the season and getting killed for it...

So...folks talking about the possibility of exploring trades for Rask.

I remember saying something like that earlier in the season and getting killed for it...
- glove_was_stuck

Everyone has a scapegoat as to why the Bs are struggling and wants to trade that player. Rask, Krejci, Chara, etc.

Many people consider those same guys that some scapegoats as there favorite or one of there favorite players.

Hence the constant polarity when any of them is mentioned.

Rask MUST to be one of the guys shopped, although I wouldn't want to see him traded personally, that doesn't matter anymore.

Bs need two top pair guys. Everyone but BERGY should be in play. IMO. Fandom, or favorite with the rest is no longer relavant.

Sucks that we had a potential replacement and traded him away last offseason......

So...folks talking about the possibility of exploring trades for Rask.

I remember saying something like that earlier in the season and getting killed for it...
- glove_was_stuck

I mentioned this with 4 games left in the season and the group on here would have hung me if I was close enough to them. It just makes sense to me. Really enjoying the spit balling from you guys by the way. Quite amusing to say the least.

So...folks talking about the possibility of exploring trades for Rask.

I remember saying something like that earlier in the season and getting killed for it...
- glove_was_stuck

I'm sure Benning would be happy to give us Ryan Miller.

- glove_was_stuck

I mentioned this with 4 games left in the season and the group on here would have hung me if I was close enough to them. It just makes sense to me. Really enjoying the spit balling from you guys by the way. Quite amusing to say the least.
- shoreorrpark

I still think trading Rask would be the DUMBEST move they could possibly make in the offseason... dumber than trading Seguin, dumber than trading Boychuk, dumber than trading Dougie.

I think that would cement our spot at the bottom of the division for a long time.

I still think trading Rask would be the DUMBEST move they could possibly make in the offseason... dumber than trading Seguin, dumber than trading Boychuk, dumber than trading Dougie.

I think that would cement our spot at the bottom of the division for a long time.
- mixturebill

It's totally irresponsible of a GM to not at least listen to offers, should said offers even exist. Listening to offers doesn't always = a trade actually happening. If Sweeney and co. are not even listening then they should be fired.

There is not a single person on this roster who should be considered untouchable. You traded him for Eriksson and spare parts already.

It's totally irresponsible of a GM to not at least listen to offers, should said offers even exist. Listening to offers doesn't always = a trade actually happening. If Sweeney and co. are not even listening then they should be fired.

There is not a single person on this roster who should be considered untouchable. You traded him for Eriksson and spare parts already.
- glove_was_stuck

I didn't say they shouldn't listen to offers... I said TRADING him would be one of the dumbest moves. If there's a deal that brings in a legit goalie and a defenseman as has been speculated with Anaheim... then maybe it makes sense. But as I said before, I don't see why Anaheim makes that trade with John Gibson their already established future #1 goalie. And besides Anaheim, I don't know where you're going to get a LEGIT goalie and defenseman for Rask.

Listen to offers... sure... but to trade Rask without getting an actual #1 goaltender is basically saying "(frank) it," it's full rebuild time, and I don't think that's where this team is.

I didn't say they shouldn't listen to offers... I said TRADING him would be one of the dumbest moves. If there's a deal that brings in a legit goalie and a defenseman as has been speculated with Anaheim... then maybe it makes sense. But as I said before, I don't see why Anaheim makes that trade with John Gibson their already established future #1 goalie. And besides Anaheim, I don't know where you're going to get a LEGIT goalie and defenseman for Rask.

Listen to offers... sure... but to trade Rask without getting an actual #1 goaltender is basically saying "(frank) it," it's full rebuild time, and I don't think that's where this team is.
- mixturebill

I question whether or not it's entirely necessary to have a 7 mil goalie against your cap. I would point to Niemi in 2010 and now, Corey Crawford, Greiss/Halak. All these goalies are the next tier down in talent but all once again had or still have a chance at a cup.

There are different ways to win. I'm questioning Boston's at the moment. Top pairing D don't enter free agency. They're drafted or acquired via trade. You'll have deal from somewhere or wait 2-4 more seasons in hopes that Carlo, Lauzon, Zboril, O'Gara etc etc turn into one.

I question whether or not it's entirely necessary to have a 7 mil goalie against your cap. I would point to Niemi in 2010 and now, Corey Crawford, Greiss/Halak. All these goalies are the next tier down in talent but all once again had or still have a chance at a cup.

There are different ways to win. I'm questioning Boston's at the moment. Top pairing D don't enter free agency. They're drafted or acquired via trade. You'll have deal from somewhere or wait 2-4 more seasons in hopes that Carlo, Lauzon, Zboril, O'Gara etc etc turn into one.
- glove_was_stuck

yup

I question whether or not it's entirely necessary to have a 7 mil goalie against your cap. I would point to Niemi in 2010 and now, Corey Crawford, Greiss/Halak. All these goalies are the next tier down in talent but all once again had or still have a chance at a cup.

There are different ways to win. I'm questioning Boston's at the moment. Top pairing D don't enter free agency. They're drafted or acquired via trade. You'll have deal from somewhere or wait 2-4 more seasons in hopes that Carlo, Lauzon, Zboril, O'Gara etc etc turn into one.
- glove_was_stuck

If the team had a solid defense in front of there goalie the need for superstar in net would be lessened.

Could sign a handful of FA journeymen, like Cam Ward, and see if one of them works out. Hell Timmy Thomas came out of nowhere.

In the end the most important part of a contending team is the top defensemen. We need two or everything else is pointless. An elite goalie, center depth, etc., pointless without a couple studs that can play shutdown D for 25+ mins a night.

If the team had a solid defense in front of there goalie the need for superstar in net would be lessened.

Could sign a handful of FA journeymen, like Cam Ward, and see if one of them works out. Hell Timmy Thomas came out of nowhere.

In the end the most important part of a contending team is the top defensemen. We need two or everything else is pointless. An elite goalie, center depth, etc., pointless without a couple studs that can play shutdown D for 25+ mins a night.
- JIwasinskiJr

I hope you're joking with that Cam Ward comment haha

Personally I disagree that two top defenders are more important than a elite goaltender. The Bruins most certainly need help on defense, but look at the Caps... they don't have 2 top defenseman, and they compete because Holtby is a wall (and because their overall group of defense is probably stronger than the Bruins group). Same kind of thing with Montreal... they have Subban who is arguably a #1 defenseman, but without Carey Price, the team just went in the tank... I think you'd see the same thing in Boston if they were to lose Tuukka. If he had gone down with an injury this year, I bet they'd be in the same boat as Montreal.

Our problem was that we had NO top pairing defenders... Krug is the only one who is possibly a #2/#3 (I'm sure most people would lump Chara in as a #2 as well)...the rest is a group of #3-#4 at best guys, with a lot of bottom pairing guys. Chara and Seidenberg are probably no better than a #3 or #4 at this point... McQuaid, Miller, Trotman, Morrow.. all most likely #5 or #6. Heck JML was probably our best defender when added to the team. An elite goalie can only do so much with so little help.

I think if you give Tuukka at least 1 guy who is an actual top pairing defenseman, he can pick up the slack... Tuukka had literally ZERO help in front of him, and they still almost made the playoffs.

Take Tuukka out and bring in two top pairing guys in front of a Cam Ward type, and I think they're most likely finishing lower than they did this year... Just look at Carolina as reference... they probably have 3 legit top pairing guys (Hanifan/Wisniewski/Faulk) and they finished lower than the Bruins in the standings.

I completely agree that they need help on defense... but that help on defense isn't going very far without Tuukka behind them. I think you would see a huge difference in this team with 1 added top pairing guy.

Legit top pairing dude / Krug
Chara / Chiller
McQuaid / Seidenberg/Trotman/Morrow
TUUUUUUUUUKK!!!!

Great article Ty, but I think it's ridiculous how everyone is giving them a pass this year again and saying that "heads will roll" if this happens again next year. OF COURSE IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN NEXT YEAR! How on earth will it be any different? This is a team that should've been in the playoffs the last two seasons and choked their way out of it. How is that going to change going forward with the same group?

Chara is a real problem for this team in so many ways. He isn't the leader anymore, and his voice can't relate to the younger players. Not to mention he is one of our worst defenceman, is 40 years old, and has one of the largest salaries on the team. Getting rid of him THIS OFFSEASON is one the HAS TO BE ADDRESSED. End of story. Give Bergy the C like he should've been for the last 2 years ( See San Jose Sharks).

I don't even know what to say to the whole trading Rask thing. Soemhow he's getting the fall here. Go ahead, trade him. Have fun looking for an elite goalie for the next 10 years and losing me as a diehard supporter.

Enough is enough.

I question whether or not it's entirely necessary to have a 7 mil goalie against your cap. I would point to Niemi in 2010 and now, Corey Crawford, Greiss/Halak. All these goalies are the next tier down in talent but all once again had or still have a chance at a cup.
- glove_was_stuck

Elite goalies get paid, that's what happens. Pointing to niemi in 2010, isn't fair considering he was backstopping an all-star team. Corey Crawford isn't entering elite territory as well. And then Greiss has had a good run in the playoffs, but that can happen. He had less than 40 starts in the regular season, and that makes a difference.

You people are forgetting that we are only 3 years removed from Tuukka being absolutely ridiculous in the 2013 cup run. Not to mention that this was his first year below a .920 save percentage, and he was barely below that.

Anyone who thinks trading Rask is a smart idea has rocks in their head

Elite goalies get paid, that's what happens. Pointing to niemi in 2010, isn't fair considering he was backstopping an all-star team. Corey Crawford isn't entering elite territory as well. And then Greiss has had a good run in the playoffs, but that can happen. He had less than 40 starts in the regular season, and that makes a difference.

You people are forgetting that we are only 3 years removed from Tuukka being absolutely ridiculous in the 2013 cup run. Not to mention that this was his first year below a .920 save percentage, and he was barely below that.

Anyone who thinks trading Rask is a smart idea has rocks in their head
- TylerSeguin19

Disagree completely. Also not forgetting a damn thing either. Stick to what I typed and not what you think I'm thinking, ass. Shutting out the idea of trading without knowing what offers maybe out there is not only unintelligent, it's lazy like your half ass insult.

I hope you're joking with that Cam Ward comment haha

Personally I disagree that two top defenders are more important than a elite goaltender. The Bruins most certainly need help on defense, but look at the Caps... they don't have 2 top defenseman, and they compete because Holtby is a wall (and because their overall group of defense is probably stronger than the Bruins group). Same kind of thing with Montreal... they have Subban who is arguably a #1 defenseman, but without Carey Price, the team just went in the tank... I think you'd see the same thing in Boston if they were to lose Tuukka. If he had gone down with an injury this year, I bet they'd be in the same boat as Montreal.

Our problem was that we had NO top pairing defenders... Krug is the only one who is possibly a #2/#3 (I'm sure most people would lump Chara in as a #2 as well)...the rest is a group of #3-#4 at best guys, with a lot of bottom pairing guys. Chara and Seidenberg are probably no better than a #3 or #4 at this point... McQuaid, Miller, Trotman, Morrow.. all most likely #5 or #6. Heck JML was probably our best defender when added to the team. An elite goalie can only do so much with so little help.

I think if you give Tuukka at least 1 guy who is an actual top pairing defenseman, he can pick up the slack... Tuukka had literally ZERO help in front of him, and they still almost made the playoffs.

Take Tuukka out and bring in two top pairing guys in front of a Cam Ward type, and I think they're most likely finishing lower than they did this year... Just look at Carolina as reference... they probably have 3 legit top pairing guys (Hanifan/Wisniewski/Faulk) and they finished lower than the Bruins in the standings.

I completely agree that they need help on defense... but that help on defense isn't going very far without Tuukka behind them. I think you would see a huge difference in this team with 1 added top pairing guy.

Legit top pairing dude / Krug
Chara / Chiller
McQuaid / Seidenberg/Trotman/Morrow
TUUUUUUUUUKK!!!!
- mixturebill

No. Top pairing guys can actually hit the net.

Disagree completely. Also not forgetting a damn thing either. Stick to what I typed and not what you think I'm thinking, ass. Shutting out the idea of trading without knowing what offers maybe out there is not only unintelligent, it's lazy like your half ass insult.
- glove_was_stuck

No idea how you take that as an insult, but okay

You said you question whether it's necessary to have a 7 million dollar goalie on your cap. I said it is necessary because that's what elite goalies make.

What offer for Rask is going to bring you back a goalie of similar or slightly lesser caliber than Rask? Any offer that doesn't is what's unintelligent, or else you'll be looking for a goalie of Rask's quality for the net 10 years

No idea how you take that as an insult, but okay

You said you question whether it's necessary to have a 7 million dollar goalie on your cap. I said it is necessary because that's what elite goalies make.

What offer for Rask is going to bring you back a goalie of similar or slightly lesser caliber than Rask? Any offer that doesn't is what's unintelligent, or else you'll be looking for a goalie of Rask's quality for the net 10 years
- TylerSeguin19

I'm not a GM. That's not up to me. I disagree with the sentiment anyone on this team is off limits. Black and Gold kool-aid and sarcasm won't convince me otherwise.

EDIT: In 10 years you'll all be screaming to trade Rask. Based on the loyalty shown to both Julien, Chara or any athlete in this town not named Brady for that matter...I'd give 6 years actually.

Great article Ty, but I think it's ridiculous how everyone is giving them a pass this year again and saying that "heads will roll" if this happens again next year. OF COURSE IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN NEXT YEAR! How on earth will it be any different? This is a team that should've been in the playoffs the last two seasons and choked their way out of it. How is that going to change going forward with the same group?

Chara is a real problem for this team in so many ways. He isn't the leader anymore, and his voice can't relate to the younger players. Not to mention he is one of our worst defenceman, is 40 years old, and has one of the largest salaries on the team. Getting rid of him THIS OFFSEASON is one the HAS TO BE ADDRESSED. End of story. Give Bergy the C like he should've been for the last 2 years ( See San Jose Sharks).

I don't even know what to say to the whole trading Rask thing. Soemhow he's getting the fall here. Go ahead, trade him. Have fun looking for an elite goalie for the next 10 years and losing me as a diehard supporter.

Enough is enough.
- TylerSeguin19

Not too sure that the brass gives two (frank)s about losing you or I as fans seeing as how I have never paid for a seat, or even a beer in the Garden (have you?) But I digress. The 2013 run was about the team in front of Rask, not Rask himself. A very similar team won it with a goalie who refused to quit on a play in 2011. What I remember most about '13, is your boy Rask blowing the game with 70 or so seconds on the clock. It wasn't Seids or Boychuck or Quaider or Chara. It was (frank)in' Tuukka. No one else. The team in front of him was fantastic.
You can have your man crush and bring up the Vezina win all you like, but one good season behind a stellar team does not make a guy an elite tender. Remember Carry, Theodore and Bob? All flash in the pan goalies. I want my 7 million dollar starter to play like Hasek or Kipper or even Price.
And stop bashing Z. The guy is older and slower than he was 3-4 years ago but he's still a (frank)in saint in my books. Let him play out his contract and retire with the respect he deserves.
One more thing, who lost the Philly series for us when we were up by 3 games, and then worse again 3 goals in game 7? I'll give you 3 guesses, and the first 2 don't count. The guy almost cost us the run against the leafs as well. Thank God for Bergy.

The thing with "elite" goalies is that they can have down years here and there too, and if they do, your faults are overexposed.

If Bergy or Krejci has a down year the other guys and wingers could help make up the difference. If Chara or Seidenberg get hurt you can hope a collection of defenseman (Boychuck or Hamilton in the past) pick up the slack.

That's not the case with a goalie behind a super flawed team. Deficiencies are multiplied. They are one man and no one else can really replace them. That's why the position is so crucial. Track records of consistency are important there more so then most positions.

Hence last season when only Bergy and Marchand (with Eriksson and Krejci most of the time) had good seasons. Everyone else sucked or was wildly inconsistent.

Rask had a crappy season, is that the "new normal" or was it just an outlier like ever player has? I'm not sure.

King Lundqvist didn't have a great season this year and couldn't carry the Rags to another conference or cup finals as he usually does. And his D was 1000% better than ours.

I hope you're joking with that Cam Ward comment haha

Personally I disagree that two top defenders are more important than a elite goaltender. The Bruins most certainly need help on defense, but look at the Caps... they don't have 2 top defenseman, and they compete because Holtby is a wall (and because their overall group of defense is probably stronger than the Bruins group). Same kind of thing with Montreal... they have Subban who is arguably a #1 defenseman, but without Carey Price, the team just went in the tank... I think you'd see the same thing in Boston if they were to lose Tuukka. If he had gone down with an injury this year, I bet they'd be in the same boat as Montreal.

Our problem was that we had NO top pairing defenders... Krug is the only one who is possibly a #2/#3 (I'm sure most people would lump Chara in as a #2 as well)...the rest is a group of #3-#4 at best guys, with a lot of bottom pairing guys. Chara and Seidenberg are probably no better than a #3 or #4 at this point... McQuaid, Miller, Trotman, Morrow.. all most likely #5 or #6. Heck JML was probably our best defender when added to the team. An elite goalie can only do so much with so little help.

I think if you give Tuukka at least 1 guy who is an actual top pairing defenseman, he can pick up the slack... Tuukka had literally ZERO help in front of him, and they still almost made the playoffs.

Take Tuukka out and bring in two top pairing guys in front of a Cam Ward type, and I think they're most likely finishing lower than they did this year... Just look at Carolina as reference... they probably have 3 legit top pairing guys (Hanifan/Wisniewski/Faulk) and they finished lower than the Bruins in the standings.

I completely agree that they need help on defense... but that help on defense isn't going very far without Tuukka behind them. I think you would see a huge difference in this team with 1 added top pairing guy.

Legit top pairing dude / Krug
Chara / Chiller
McQuaid / Seidenberg/Trotman/Morrow
TUUUUUUUUUKK!!!!
- mixturebill

The Caps have found a bunch of Seidenberg and Boychuck and Ference type defenseman.

Those guys were "meh" most of there careers, top fours, but not considered much more. NOW they are playing a notch better collectively.

Dimond in the rough types that are being coached to there strengths. Like the Bs did when they grabbed the above named guys and made a couple runs at the cup.

The thing with "elite" goalies is that they can have down years here and there too, and if they do, your faults are overexposed.

If Bergy or Krejci has a down year the other guys and wingers could help make up the difference. If Chara or Seidenberg get hurt you can hope a collection of defenseman (Boychuck or Hamilton in the past) pick up the slack.

That's not the case with a goalie behind a super flawed team. Deficiencies are multiplied. They are one man and no one else can really replace them. That's why the position is so crucial. Track records of consistency are important there more so then most positions.

Hence last season when only Bergy and Marchand (with Eriksson and Krejci most of the time) had good seasons. Everyone else sucked or was wildly inconsistent.

Rask had a crappy season, is that the "new normal" or was it just an outlier like ever player has? I'm not sure.

King Lundqvist didn't have a great season this year and couldn't carry the Rags to another conference or cup finals as he usually does. And his D was 1000% better than ours.
- JIwasinskiJr

Excellent post. look at Rask's career stats. It seems to me that he is trending in the wrong direction.

Excellent post. look at Rask's career stats. It seems to me that he is trending in the wrong direction.
- shoreorrpark

Hey now I didn't mean we should definitely shop him. A couple bad seasons with a crappy team in front of him doesn't mean that the trend is his fault. Think a Marty Bordure or Roy. They had some meh seasons with crappy teams in front of them...........

I don't know if trading Rask is the right move to be honest and would probably be hesitant of a move like that unless we got "equal value" in return.

I don't know if we would get that value back, so I'm not making that trade for the sake of making the trade.

If we could get a stud D-man, then I might do it. (Maybe a Shattenkirk type swap). But even then I'm not making that trade without thinking really long about it.

Rask could make sense in a trade if Subban or McIntyre turn into a "good" goalie.

Sign Ward and/monster and play those two kids and maybe Smith and see if something sticks..............
-----------

In the end, and what sucks the most, is that the BRUINS will not be dictating the trades for a stud D-men this offseason to be honest.

The team that has the player will have us over the coals and dictate to US who they want and the Bs have no position of strength.

Think about the Oilers and Yotes and even the Leafs, etc. they have some stud talent and prospects to trade for a Dumba and Trouba and Shattenkirk etc.

Edm sends a Hall for one of those guys and/or RNH for an other..............how do we match that?

Hence why some or Pasta and Spooner and Krug and etc. are likely going in a deal for a stud. Hell not even a stud but a potential stud.

Hey now I didn't mean we should definitely shop him. A couple bad seasons with a crappy team in front of him doesn't mean that the trend is his fault. Think a Marty Bordure or Roy. They had some meh seasons with crappy teams in front of them...........

I don't know if trading Rask is the right move to be honest and would probably be hesitant of a move like that unless we got "equal value" in return.

I don't know if we would get that value back, so I'm not making that trade for the sake of making the trade.

If we could get a stud D-man, then I might do it. (Maybe a Shattenkirk type swap). But even then I'm not making that trade without thinking really long about it.

Rask could make sense in a trade if Subban or McIntyre turn into a "good" goalie.

Sign Ward and/monster and play those two kids and maybe Smith and see if something sticks..............
-----------

In the end, and what sucks the most, is that the BRUINS will not be dictating the trades for a stud D-men this offseason to be honest.

The team that has the player will have us over the coals and dictate to US who they want and the Bs have no position of strength.

Think about the Oilers and Yotes and even the Leafs, etc. they have some stud talent and prospects to trade for a Dumba and Trouba and Shattenkirk etc.

Edm sends a Hall for one of those guys and/or RNH for an other..............how do we match that?

Hence why some or Pasta and Spooner and Krug and etc. are likely going in a deal for a stud. Hell not even a stud but a potential stud.
- JIwasinskiJr

Lol. Rask is certainly not even in the same stratosphere as Roy or Marty and never will be.
What do you think of T.J Brodie? That (frank)er Treliving owes us one so maybe a trade straight across would be in order. Not to mention the cap space that would create. Then move a package of prospects and a pick or two for a stop gap goalie until the heir apparent is ready to take over.
General question: Who do we draft at 14 providing we don't win the lottery on Saturday night? I am keen on Gauthier. There are others as well, but that kid could be something special.Big, strong and plays a responsible two way game.