Anthony Travalgia: Welcome back, Jake 2:19 into his first game back from a leg injury, Jake DrBrusk found the back of the net, leading the Bruins to a 6-1 victory over the New York Islanders.

I personally would not make any changes to this line up.
They have everything they need and are on fire.

I live in Ottawa and watch a lot of Bruins hockey. My kid is a massive Bruins fan. You can tell a team is dialed in, when every back pass, drop pass, no look seam pass in the slot is finding its mark. They ALL know where each other will be. It's impressive to watch. When the forwards are clicking that well - the defense and goaltending aren't so stressed and can play a smooth game.

I don't know how the Sens have managed to get the Bruins twice this year. I think it has something to do with Ottawa's chaotic quick strike offense. You never really know when they're gonna hit you because there's no structure to their game.

That being said. you're facing the fourth string AHL back up goalie in Mandolese tonight. I expect a Bears feast. Take the over. Way over. Bruins win big.

Bottom six F, and a D that can slot in on the left side on either the 2nd or 3rd pairing. That is what im kind of expecting by the deadline.

Hopefully they wont have to send too many assets out in order to move the bloated contracts. Money has to move out if they are going to bring in a couple guys. Going to be interesting to see how it all shakes out.

Bottom six F, and a D that can slot in on the left side on either the 2nd or 3rd pairing. That is what im kind of expecting by the deadline.

Hopefully they wont have to send too many assets out in order to move the bloated contracts. Money has to move out if they are going to bring in a couple guys. Going to be interesting to see how it all shakes out.
- dothedougie

Exactly. Need depth on D during playoffs. Not sure if Gryz and Carlo can last...and as I type this, Gryz with the brutal turnover that resulted in the tying goal.

Exactly. Need depth on D during playoffs. Not sure if Gryz and Carlo can last...and as I type this, Gryz with the brutal turnover that resulted in the tying goal.
- Bourque1970

I would be ok with letting Gryz go if it means getting a more stable D man. And I agree, I dont think either one can last.

Maybe Sweeney can pull off Gavrikov and Schenn. Not sure what/who they will move out for it but it sounds like something is going to happen.

Another win and another two goals for pasta. Pay the man his money Don, the talks have gone on long enough.

I would be ok with letting Gryz go if it means getting a more stable D man. And I agree, I dont think either one can last.

Maybe Sweeney can pull off Gavrikov and Schenn. Not sure what/who they will move out for it but it sounds like something is going to happen.
- dothedougie

I think for the most part everyone underrates Gryz. He's had a couple rough post seasons in a row but he was also pretty banged up in both of them.

I think Schenn is an ideal fit for a depth move. Has the experience. Adds toughness and he hits everything. Would be nice for a potential first round match up if it ends up being Florida. That is a rough fist round match up.

Does Gavrikov improve the top 6? I honestly don't know much about him but hes a negative player. Doesn't hit a lot. If they are asking for a first round pick for him. Makes zero sense to me.

I think for the most part everyone underrates Gryz. He's had a couple rough post seasons in a row but he was also pretty banged up in both of them.

I think Schenn is an ideal fit for a depth move. Has the experience. Adds toughness and he hits everything. Would be nice for a potential first round match up if it ends up being Florida. That is a rough fist round match up.

Does Gavrikov improve the top 6? I honestly don't know much about him but hes a negative player. Doesn't hit a lot. If they are asking for a first round pick for him. Makes zero sense to me.
- Mahewman

How do you underrate a player that has had ONE decent post season out of 5?

He has 14 pts in 59 career post-season games. He's not a physical D-man (30 hits ???) so he needs to contribute a lot more on the offensive side.

I think for the most part everyone underrates Gryz. He's had a couple rough post seasons in a row but he was also pretty banged up in both of them.

I think Schenn is an ideal fit for a depth move. Has the experience. Adds toughness and he hits everything. Would be nice for a potential first round match up if it ends up being Florida. That is a rough fist round match up.

Does Gavrikov improve the top 6? I honestly don't know much about him but hes a negative player. Doesn't hit a lot. If they are asking for a first round pick for him. Makes zero sense to me.
- Mahewman

I'd move Gryz if it meant Chychrun was replacing him. Otherwise Schenn seems more and more like that's the move. Gavrikov has suddenly become expensive. Kekalainen wants a haul for him. "David Savard type of package"

https://www.nbcsports.com...vrikov-trade-blue-jackets

I also think this an offseason move if possible. This locker room has something special happening. Not sure you want to move a guy like Gryz now.

Schenn, Zadorov, or Kulikov may be better depth options without having to give up too much.

I would love a guy like Barbashev but again St. Louis is having a fire sale. They'd probably want Frederic in return to start.

I'd move Gryz if it meant Chychrun was replacing him. Otherwise Schenn seems more and more like that's the move. Gavrikov has suddenly become expensive. Kekalainen wants a haul for him. "David Savard type of package"

https://www.nbcsports.com...vrikov-trade-blue-jackets

I also think this an offseason move if possible. This locker room has something special happening. Not sure you want to move a guy like Gryz now.

Schenn, Zadorov, or Kulikov may be better depth options without having to give up too much.

I would love a guy like Barbashev but again St. Louis is having a fire sale. They'd probably want Frederic in return to start.
- glove_was_stuck

I agree not to mess things up, team is rolling, hard to want to change much. Depth moves would be great. Dont shake things up unless its the right deal.

I like you idea about the off season move instead. Might be the best time to shake things up if they cant go deep with this crew.

I agree not to mess things up, team is rolling, hard to want to change much. Depth moves would be great. Dont shake things up unless its the right deal.

I like you idea about the off season move instead. Might be the best time to shake things up if they cant go deep with this crew.
- dothedougie

If there is any thought on moving anyone in the starting line up not named Smith or Greer, I would hope management would talk with the room first (at least player leadership)...

If there is any thought on moving anyone in the starting line up not named Smith or Greer, I would hope management would talk with the room first (at least player leadership)...
- bluemoon737

I would hope so too, and respect their voices this time.

I would hope so too, and respect their voices this time.
- dothedougie

Exactly. I don't think making a trade involving a roster player is a good move. I know we all have guys we think they could improve on, but the reality is the Bruins really need a 7th D and 13th forward. There aren't any holes I would consider "glaring" in this group.

Exactly. I don't think making a trade involving a roster player is a good move. I know we all have guys we think they could improve on, but the reality is the Bruins really need a 7th D and 13th forward. There aren't any holes I would consider "glaring" in this group.
- glove_was_stuck

Bruins have been linked to Gavrikov for some time now. My guess is that there is a couple of trades coming, or a trade like last year is in the works. Trade and immediately sign Gavrikov. In this instance that would likely leave one of our current D men as the odd man out. Hypothetical of course.

Either way, if Gavrikov is the target then there will be a logjam (in a good way) on D. If this is indeed the way things go, I could see there being a trade or two on the backend this off season.

My best guess, Sweeney offloads Reilly, a 1st and Lohrei to columbus for a trade-and-sign Gavrikov.

Bruins have been linked to Gavrikov for some time now. My guess is that there is a couple of trades coming, or a trade like last year is in the works. Trade and immediately sign Gavrikov. In this instance that would likely leave one of our current D men as the odd man out. Hypothetical of course.

Either way, if Gavrikov is the target then there will be a logjam (in a good way) on D. If this is indeed the way things go, I could see there being a trade or two on the backend this off season.

My best guess, Sweeney offloads Reilly, a 1st and Lohrei to columbus for a trade-and-sign Gavrikov.
- dothedougie

No way I make that deal...way too expensive. Gavrikov is not that good to give up a 1st and your best d-man prospect. Of course I'm also biased against having any Russians on the Bruins (not current events related...cold war submariner here
)

Pry Schenn out of Vancouver and call it a day on d-men.

No way I make that deal...way too expensive. Gavrikov is not that good to give up a 1st and your best d-man prospect. Of course I'm also biased against having any Russians on the Bruins (not current events related...cold war submariner here
)
- bluemoon737

Lets be clear, I wouldn't pay that either. If you're going to drop all those assets, you may as well be in on Chychrun.

Any way Sweeney slices it, he needs to pay an asset to get rid of dead cap weight. Not sure exactly how it will happen but we will find out soon. It sounds like Sweeney is trying to make a trade or two and has been active on the phone.

Pry Schenn out of Vancouver and call it a day on d-men.
- bluemoon737

This. I really hope that this is what happens to be honest. Wouldnt mind a depth forward too for cheap, but poop if Schenn is it that would be a job well done.

No way I make that deal...way too expensive. Gavrikov is not that good to give up a 1st and your best d-man prospect. Of course I'm also biased against having any Russians on the Bruins (not current events related...cold war submariner here
)
- bluemoon737

Agreed.

If your trading a first and a third. Then trading more assets to get rid of Craig Smith to clear room.

Seems like a net negative to me for someone that might not even be an upgrade. Hurts the forward depth. Hurts the future.

Smith and Gryz are pretty well liked in the room. Idk...

Agreed.

If your trading a first and a third. Then trading more assets to get rid of Craig Smith to clear room.

Seems like a net negative to me for someone that might not even be an upgrade. Hurts the forward depth. Hurts the future.

Smith and Gryz are pretty well liked in the room. Idk...
- Mahewman

Might not be the most popular opinion, but I believe gavrikov would actually be the third or fourth most effective d on the roster. He will block more shots and log big minutes against oppositions top offense while providing carlo-like overall defense. It's not hard hitting, or offensively thrilling, but someone willing to make a sacrifice to make a play.

Schenn is my first choice as I think they should add a bruiser to the lineup that hits everything

Might not be the most popular opinion, but I believe gavrikov would actually be the third or fourth most effective d on the roster. He will block more shots and log big minutes against oppositions top offense while providing carlo-like overall defense. It's not hard hitting, or offensively thrilling, but someone willing to make a sacrifice to make a play.

Schenn is my first choice as I think they should add a bruiser to the lineup that hits everything
- dothedougie

I was originally into the idea until the rumored price came about. Rather use the 1st for a guy like Barbashev. Schenn, Zadorov, Kulikov are attainable assets with less cost and all are upgrades over Zboril.

If Zboril is in this line up at any point then the situation is not good. Tommy Cross part II.

I was originally into the idea until the rumored price came about. Rather use the 1st for a guy like Barbashev. Schenn, Zadorov, Kulikov are attainable assets with less cost and all are upgrades over Zboril.

If Zboril is in this line up at any point then the situation is not good. Tommy Cross part II.
- glove_was_stuck

The price is high for Gavrikov. If you're spending a first and you know that, go all in for a big player.

Otherwise less expensive options are out there as you said. Feasibly Sweeney could bring in Schenn and Barbashev and keep his first rounder. Waiting to see what happens.

In the mean time, no more news on a pasta contract. Status quo there.

The price is high for Gavrikov. If you're spending a first and you know that, go all in for a big player.

Otherwise less expensive options are out there as you said. Feasibly Sweeney could bring in Schenn and Barbashev and keep his first rounder. Waiting to see what happens.

In the mean time, no more news on a pasta contract. Status quo there.
- dothedougie

I was told you guys are going to pay us to take Smith so you can fit Gavrikov in?

I was told you guys are going to pay us to take Smith so you can fit Gavrikov in?
- BINGO!

I think I remember reading something about this. Not sure if there is any truth to it but offloading Smith would be excellent. He hasn't shown he has much in the tank this year.

Are you seriously interested?

I think I remember reading something about this. Not sure if there is any truth to it but offloading Smith would be excellent. He hasn't shown he has much in the tank this year.

Are you seriously interested?
- dothedougie

If you guys are willing to gives up a 3rd or 4th or whatever why not? We have the space and can will still have plenty of room to fit in Meier.

Even if he doesn't play you're basically just buying a draft pick for $300k or whatever he's owed.