No Krejci, No Bergeron. Are the Boston Bruins Still a Playoff Team? With the surging Sabres, Panthers, Red Wings, and Senators...Can the Bruins still be a premiere team/playoff team?

On paper the Bruins look horrible, but they have proven over multiple years that if they play as a team and in the system they just win games.

I wish I could say the Bruins are going to suck, but many people have been saying that for years now.

On paper the Bruins look horrible, but they have proven over multiple years that if they play as a team and in the system they just win games.

I wish I could say the Bruins are going to suck, but many people have been saying that for years now.
- Glak18

I think it’s more people saying the Bs are gonna start crapping out soon because their old core than anything else.

But with the great defense, goaltending and the style they play it’s hard to see they don’t make playoffs.

The Bs are also going to acquire someone. So we could see say Schiefele there soon.

Didn't Ek predict that the Bruins would miss the playoffs last year? Then they go on to have one of the best regular seasons ever. I'll believe it when I see it, this team just finds ways to win.

Didn't Ek predict that the Bruins would miss the playoffs last year? Then they go on to have one of the best regular seasons ever. I'll believe it when I see it, this team just finds ways to win.
- geoff_182

Why do you care what a basement dweller says or thinks? Dafuq 😆😆😆

Didn't Ek predict that the Bruins would miss the playoffs last year? Then they go on to have one of the best regular seasons ever. I'll believe it when I see it, this team just finds ways to win.
- geoff_182

Smart man puts his money on the opposite of ek. For sure winner.

They are absolutely not going to be a playoff team.

Short answer: NOPE!

And what make sit all the better is the Bruins have no one close in their system nor do they have draft capital to make a trade to get some top centers, unless they are willing to trade MacAvoy. They went for it, they lost, now it's time to get in the back of the line!

Come on.

Still have one of the 5-10 best forwards in the world (Pastrnak). Still have one of the 5-10 best defenseman in the world (McAvoy). Still have great goaltending. Still have some very good supporting pieces.

Bergeron is a legend and that's obviously a huge loss but the Bruins still easily have a top-8 roster in the Eastern Conference. They are not going from 65 wins to missing the playoffs.

This isn't a rumor. Why did you post this in the "Free Agent tracker"? Ofc the Bs are a playoff team.

Didn't Ek predict that the Bruins would miss the playoffs last year? Then they go on to have one of the best regular seasons ever. I'll believe it when I see it, this team just finds ways to win.
- geoff_182

Except the cup

Come on.

Still have one of the 5-10 best forwards in the world (Pastrnak). Still have one of the 5-10 best defenseman in the world (McAvoy). Still have great goaltending. Still have some very good supporting pieces.

Bergeron is a legend and that's obviously a huge loss but the Bruins still easily have a top-8 roster in the Eastern Conference. They are not going from 65 wins to missing the playoffs.
- Sven22

I believe I counted 22 1 goal wins this past season. That's nearly 1/3 of their win total won by a single goal. Maybe I'm mistaken. That's not even counting games where they won and had an empty net goal.

Without Bergeron and some other key pieces I believe there's a really high chance of regression.

I believe I counted 22 1 goal wins this past season. That's nearly 1/3 of their win total won by a single goal. Maybe I'm mistaken. That's not even counting games where they won and had an empty net goal.

Without Bergeron and some other key pieces I believe there's a really high chance of regression.
- golfingsince

Boston: 23 out of 65 wins were by one goal.
Carolina: 25 out of 52
New Jersey: 20 out of 52
Vegas: 25 out of 51
Colorado: 22 out of 50
Toronto: 21 out of 50

The Bruins were fourth in total one-goal wins (23), first in total 2-goal wins (18), and fourth in total wins by 3 or more (24). They lead the league in winning percentage in all goal-game scenarios (1-goal games, 2-goal games, 3+ goal games).

They had the second best offense in the NHL, trailing only Edmonton. They had the best defense by a mile.

Yes, there's no getting around the fact that Bergeron is irreplaceable and losing a player of his caliber will be noticeable. They're going to be worse this year. Possibly a lot worse. But they're still not going to be bad.

Boston: 23 out of 65 wins were by one goal.
Carolina: 25 out of 52
New Jersey: 20 out of 52
Vegas: 25 out of 51
Colorado: 22 out of 50
Toronto: 21 out of 50

The Bruins were fourth in total one-goal wins (23), first in total 2-goal wins (18), and fourth in total wins by 3 or more (24). They lead the league in winning percentage in all goal-game scenarios (1-goal games, 2-goal games, 3+ goal games).

They had the second best offense in the NHL, trailing only Edmonton. They had the best defense by a mile.

Yes, there's no getting around the fact that Bergeron is irreplaceable and losing a player of his caliber will be noticeable. They're going to be worse this year. Possibly a lot worse. But they're still not going to be bad.
- Sven22

I mean they also lost Taylor Hall and Krejci.

Odds are much lower, given the top 6 has lost Krejci, Bergeron and Hall. The defense and goaltending still remain. By no means will they be a cakewalk to play against. On paper looks they could be in the battle for wildcard spot but any "top" team inn the division is 1-2 major injuries away from allowing an opening.

I mean they also lost Taylor Hall and Krejci.
- golfingsince

Hall was a solid addition when healthy but his production was below the mark for his salary and pedigree. Losing Krejci has a far bigger negative impact.

I mean they also lost Taylor Hall and Krejci.
- golfingsince

The playoff cutline in the East last year was 92 points. Boston had 135.

Bergeron was still elite and irreplaceable even at 38 but also arguably only the Bruins' third-best player, or at basically on par with Pastrnak/McAvoy.

Hall and Krejci are second line forwards. Good pieces but not irreplaceable.

Bruins still have Pastrnak in his prime. Still have McAvoy in his prime. Still have the reigning Vezina Trophy winner. Still have Lindholm, who was fourth in Norris voting last year. Still have Marchand.

Now look at the rosters of the teams that are projected to be near the bubble and either trying to get in (Detroit, Buffalo, Ottawa, Pittsburgh) or at risk of falling out (Islanders, Florida, arguably even Tampa). You don't think Boston is still better than at least four of those teams, even without Bergeron/Krejci/Hall?

I think people are seriously failing to fully grasp just how far the Bruins can fall back to the pack and still easily make the playoffs. The worst season-over-season drop in winning percentage in the last 15 years is .207. If the Bruins are .207 worse this year they'd still have 101 points.

Absolutely but not a lock as in the past. Similar to the Penguins.

No Hall either (e5)

As much as it would be fun to see the Bruins not make the playoffs I think Sweeney will get number one Center and they will be good from there. Shieffly (??), Backlund or maybe even Kadri would work?

On paper the Bruins look horrible, but they have proven over multiple years that if they play as a team and in the system they just win games.

I wish I could say the Bruins are going to suck, but many people have been saying that for years now.
- Glak18

take solace that the flyers will suck for the foreseeable future, to the point they will draw as much as the wings or temple football at the linc

Short answer: NOPE!

And what make sit all the better is the Bruins have no one close in their system nor do they have draft capital to make a trade to get some top centers, unless they are willing to trade MacAvoy. They went for it, they lost, now it's time to get in the back of the line!
- jd250

I'm sure you could give us the grand tour of it, chode.