Anthony Travalgia: Is Mike Hoffman to Boston a longshot? The Bruins are reportedly one of several teams interested in veteran forward Mike Hoffman, but can they make it work?

Anthony Travalgia: Is Mike Hoffman to Boston a longshot?
The Bruins are reportedly one of several teams interested in veteran forward Mike Hoffman, but can they make it work?
- Anthony Travalgia

Bugger off, he's Devils property. But in all seriousness, Nashville makes the most sense for Hoffman. Less state tax, and they don't have to make any moves to free up the cap space.

$4M-$6M for an RFA with no leverage and that mailed it in during last two playoffs?

That's crazy. Hard pass on that.

He can sit if he does not take a 2-3 year bridge at ~ $3M/yr.

Not a Bruins fan but Debrusk produced at a 50 point pace in his first two seasons and 44 this season, isn't that fairly consistent, I suspect that's probably what he is, a 40-50 point winger.

The Bruins really need another top 6 winger if they want to get another cup out of this core, having both Debrusk and Kase on the second line isn't good enough in my opinion, how they make that winger fit is the hard part.

The good news is at least the Bruins don't have to worry about paying Barzal, Connor or Chabot...just DeBrusk.

Bugger off, he's Devils property. But in all seriousness, Nashville makes the most sense for Hoffman. Less state tax, and they don't have to make any moves to free up the cap space.
- bikeguy99

Nashville is the one I thought made the most sense as well...second on my list for Hoffman was NJ. Plus it makes tons of sense if Palmieri walks next year and Holtz makes the team.

$4M-$6M for an RFA with no leverage and that mailed it in during last two playoffs?

That's crazy. Hard pass on that.

He can sit if he does not take a 2-3 year bridge at ~ $3M/yr.
- Nasty_Duck

I love how fans love their players UNTIL they have to re-sign them.

I love how fans love their players UNTIL they have to re-sign them.
- Glak18

DeBrusk had one good year - 2018-2019.
He took powder during the last two playoffs.
He's soft as baby poo - Kreicji - never know for physical play had more# hits and more blocked shots.

Until he proves he can up his game when it counts he in no way deserves anything above 4M, let alone close to 5M or 6M.

DeBrusk has no leverage now and it would be dumb to give him a large payout.
A modest bridge deal and he can show the Bruins he's worth it.

Not a Bruins fan but Debrusk produced at a 50 point pace in his first two seasons and 44 this season, isn't that fairly consistent, I suspect that's probably what he is, a 40-50 point winger.

The Bruins really need another top 6 winger if they want to get another cup out of this core, having both Debrusk and Kase on the second line isn't good enough in my opinion, how they make that winger fit is the hard part.
- JetFuel

You offering up Laine.

You offering up Laine.
- bluemoon737

Lol, well I wouldn't but Chevy gets suckered fairly often so who knows, might be able to snag him for a bag of pucks!

Under "do nothing Don"...anything resembling progress is a longshot.

I love how fans love their players UNTIL they have to re-sign them.
- Glak18

I love you how make assumptions of what fans of other franchises supposedly love


DeBrusk is a good player. He is not great, he is inconsistent and has been this way since making the league. I would say DeBrusk is a good complimentary piece but rarely a game breaker. Giving guys like this both term and a higher cap hits is one of many ways GMs get into real cap trouble.

If the Bruins can sign him on a bridge or for low term and money you do it. I'm not really sure why you feel it's a bad thing or something to make a weak troll attempt on.

DeBrusk had one good year - 2018-2019.
He took powder during the last two playoffs.
He's soft as baby poo - Kreicji - never know for physical play had more# hits and more blocked shots.

Until he proves he can up his game when it counts he in no way deserves anything above 4M, let alone close to 5M or 6M.

DeBrusk has no leverage now and it would be dumb to give him a large payout.
A modest bridge deal and he can show the Bruins he's worth it.
- Nasty_Duck

Exactly.

Not a Bruins fan but Debrusk produced at a 50 point pace in his first two seasons and 44 this season, isn't that fairly consistent, I suspect that's probably what he is, a 40-50 point winger.

The Bruins really need another top 6 winger if they want to get another cup out of this core, having both Debrusk and Kase on the second line isn't good enough in my opinion, how they make that winger fit is the hard part.
- JetFuel

Bingo. They were exposed in hilarious fashion by Tampa.

I love you how make assumptions of what fans of other franchises supposedly love


DeBrusk is a good player. He is not great, he is inconsistent and has been this way since making the league. I would say DeBrusk is a good complimentary piece but rarely a game breaker. Giving guys like this both term and a higher cap hits is one of many ways GMs get into real cap trouble.

If the Bruins can sign him on a bridge or for low term and money you do it. I'm not really sure why you feel it's a bad thing or something to make a weak troll attempt on.
- glove_was_stuck

I think the jury is still out on Debrusk (which is why I support a reasonable bridge deal). Krejci gets a pass/benefit of the doubt from many because of the revolving door empty sweater at RW he has been playing with which is a legitimate assessment. Well it's not fair to give Krejci a pass and not extend some of that to Debrusk...he to, has been playing with the same deficiency on his opposite wing.
He's still very inconsistent and streaky and seems to get in his own head when he is in a slump which impacts the rest of his game and probably prolongs the slumps. I suspect that "might" improve if he plays with a stable complete line where some chemistry can develop.

Bingo. They were exposed in hilarious fashion by Tampa.
- glove_was_stuck

I still think that’s kind of unfair as Tampa exposed everyone they played. They were unsustainably good, and they’re paying for it right now. Don’t forget the hurricanes were sort of media darlings going into the playoffs and the Bruins (specifically that 2nd line) ran train on them

I think the jury is still out on Debrusk (which is why I support a reasonable bridge deal). Krejci gets a pass/benefit of the doubt from many because of the revolving door empty sweater at RW he has been playing with which is a legitimate assessment. Well it's not fair to give Krejci a pass and not extend some of that to Debrusk...he to, has been playing with the same deficiency on his opposite wing.
He's still very inconsistent and streaky and seems to get in his own head when he is in a slump which impacts the rest of his game and probably prolongs the slumps. I suspect that "might" improve if he plays with a stable complete line where some chemistry can develop.
- bluemoon737

Why would Kreicji need a "pass"?

He led Bruins in Playoffs with 12 points and was 4th on team scoring regular season. During regular season he was a modest +14 while DeBrusk, playing on Krecji's line managed to post a disappointing -1.

Why would Kreicji need a "pass"?

He led Bruins in Playoffs with 12 points and was 4th on team scoring regular season. During regular season he was a modest +14 while DeBrusk, playing on Krecji's line managed to post a disappointing -1.
- Nasty_Duck

I can cherry pick as well. 5 on 5 Krejci had 5 pts to Debrusk's 3 during these playoffs and Krejci was a -5 to Debrusk's -3. I was talking more long term vice a simple snapshot with respect Krejci. Most comments say he would be producing more if he had a decent/consistent RW.
I get it, you don't like Debrusk, but I would rather we don't give up on a consistent 20+ goal per year scorer in his first 3 years when he is only 24. I think he deserves a "decent" bridge deal and we'll go from there.

I still think that’s kind of unfair as Tampa exposed everyone they played. They were unsustainably good, and they’re paying for it right now. Don’t forget the hurricanes were sort of media darlings going into the playoffs and the Bruins (specifically that 2nd line) ran train on them
- Shaundre93

Amen. The end result was not favorable but they were still there with them. Two overtime losses. Except the 7-1 game.

The difference in the series was easily goaltending.

I can cherry pick as well. 5 on 5 Krejci had 5 pts to Debrusk's 3 during these playoffs and Krejci was a -5 to Debrusk's -3. I was talking more long term vice a simple snapshot with respect Krejci. Most comments say he would be producing more if he had a decent/consistent RW.
I get it, you don't like Debrusk, but I would rather we don't give up on a consistent 20+ goal per year scorer in his first 3 years when he is only 24. I think he deserves a "decent" bridge deal and we'll go from there.
- bluemoon737

Kreicji has already proven himself (2x leading scorer in playoffs) and that is why he is highest paid player on the team.

I don't dislike DeBrusk. I am saying he hasn't earned a big contract and has a lot of improving to do.

Since he has little leverage a 2-year contract with AAV of ~ $3M sounds reasonable to me. The 4M-6M suggested is NOT reasonable IMO.

Kreicji has already proven himself (2x leading scorer in playoffs) and that is why he is highest paid player on the team.

I don't dislike DeBrusk. I am saying he hasn't earned a big contract and has a lot of improving to do.

Since he has little leverage a 2-year contract with AAV of ~ $3M sounds reasonable to me. The 4M-6M suggested is NOT reasonable IMO.
- Nasty_Duck

I expect 2-3 years at $3-$4M per for a bridge.

I still think that’s kind of unfair as Tampa exposed everyone they played. They were unsustainably good, and they’re paying for it right now. Don’t forget the hurricanes were sort of media darlings going into the playoffs and the Bruins (specifically that 2nd line) ran train on them
- Shaundre93

Sorry not making excuses for an organization that won the Presidents Trophy going away with this same group. I get that teams get hot but the talent level on this team should've at least made it more of a series.

I'm not super big into rewarding mediocrity (See Kelly, Chris). That's what DeBrusk is to this point in his career. Mediocre. So he's earned mediocre money and term. Rewarding him now, should be a factor in Sweeney and Neely being fired.

Why would Kreicji need a "pass"?

He led Bruins in Playoffs with 12 points and was 4th on team scoring regular season. During regular season he was a modest +14 while DeBrusk, playing on Krecji's line managed to post a disappointing -1.
- Nasty_Duck

He's saying Krejci gets a pass because he's towing 2 anchors and still got poop done in the post season. I'm inclined to agree to a point but nobody on this team, even Bergeron, is getting a (frank)ing pass for the last 2 seasons.

The addition of Craig Smith to the Bruins top-nine

Read: he's another 3rd liner.

He's saying Krejci gets a pass because he's towing 2 anchors and still got poop done in the post season. I'm inclined to agree to a point but nobody on this team, even Bergeron, is getting a (frank)ing pass for the last 2 seasons.
- glove_was_stuck

We lost 2019 because we were (are) too small and got pushed around near the crease (on both sides). That was true again this year against the Lightning. How many Lightning goals were off of deflections in the slot or right at the crease (or from taking away Halak's eyes)? And they were able to get those because they could force their way in there with little effort (or keep our guys out of those same areas).