Hockey Trade Rumors

So far Boston has signed three UFAs. All three filled much needed positions. Chara, without question is what Boston needs for the defense. They have Brad Stuart and Paul Mara, thanks to trades, who both can quaterback the powerplay. Savard was brought in to feed Murray the puck. Since Thornton was traded, Murray has basically lost his groove…. Savard was brought in to change that. And Donovan will play the wing with Axelsson and Primeau against other team’s top lines.

But what is left to be done? Well before we get to that, lets see what is already in place.
The goaltending looks the best it has since Moog and Lemelin. Toivonen and Thomas are both excellent back stoppers. Are they superstars? No! But both can get the job done. Jordan Sigalet will hold down the fort in Providence and could be called up in case of injuries.

The defense looks to be in tact once the RFAs are signed. Alberts, Jurcina, and Tanabe all need to be resigned to join the ranks of Chara, Brad Stuart, Mark Stuart, and Paul Mara. Boston could try and sign another veteran for a little more depth, but i’ll talk about that in a minute.

The number one line is set. Sturm, Bergeron and Boyes will only get better playing together. Granted, both Bergeron and Boyes need to be re-signed….. but it will get done. The checking line is set with Axelsson, Primeau and Donovan. Granted, it is not as good as Axelsson, Rolston, and LaPointe were…. but this will still work against the other teams’s top lines.

So what is left? A left winger for the second line, possibly another defenseman for added depth, and to decide if they want to run with all rookies on the 4th line or do they go with some other free agents. Let’s see who is available and what needs to be done.

Players who have to be resigned are, Bergeron, Boyes, Alberts, Jurcina, and Tanabe. Dan LaCouture would be a good fit on the 4th line if they decide to re-sign him as well.

So who is available to fill the other spots? For left wing….. Shanahan, Friesen, Daze, Samsonov, Bulis, Rucinsky and Kvasha. For defense…… Leetch, Slegr, Sean Brown, Dallman, Tarnstrom and Suchy. Other players that could be considered to add to or upgrade lines are Koltsov, Perreault, and Varada.

Now I’m far from a GM…. but this is what I would like to see. First, I would see if Leetch would come back at a discount, since he has mentioned on a few occasions that he would retire if he didn’t come back in Boston. I think a one year 2 million dollar deal with incentives would be more then fair. If Leetch decided to hang them up, I would either attempt to sign Tarnstrom, Suchy or Dallman. Next, I would offer Shanahan a one year 2.2 million dollar contract to play on a line with Savard and Murray. Finally, I would sign Perreault to a two year contract somewhere around 700k.

With that done the lines would look like this…

Sturm-Bergeron-Boyes

Shanahan-Savard-Murray

Axelsson-Primeau-Donovan

LaCouture-Perreault-Stastny

Providence Bruins could be called up to fine tune the 4th line.

The defense would be strong….

B.Stuart-Chara

Jurcina-Mara

Tanabe-Alberts

If another defenseman was brought in, Alberts or Jurcina could be swapped out.

And obviously Toivonen and Thomas would have the net covered.

With all that, Boston’s payroll would be around 41 million.

Chara- 7.5

Savard- 5

Murray- 4.15

Brad Stuart- 2.4

Mara- 3

Sturm- 2.1

Primeau-1.15

Axelsson- 1.85

Donovan- .925

Thomas- 1.2

Toivonen- .532

Bergeron- 1.3

Boyes- 1

LaCouture- .500

Stastny- .400

Mark Stuart- .700

Jurcina- .725

Alberts- .900

Tanabe- .750

Shanahan- 2.2

Perreault- .700

Tarnstrom- 1.5

This would still give Boston 2-3 million of a cushion in case of injury.

One note… this all hinges on Zhamnov retiring due to injury. If that happens, then Boston is not charged against the cap, since insurance will cover it.

Finally… this is my first attempt at submitting something. I know i’ll get slammed by some, but this is just what I’d like to see. I had posted before the free agency started that I would like to see Chara and Savard signed…. and then I was shocked to see it happen. Maybe Gorton read my post LMAO….. just kidding. Anyway…. good luck to all the teams out there…… i’m glad to have a sport to cheer for again!